How Hard Can It Be?

Product Information

Look, I was doing OK. I got through the oil spill on the road that is turning forty. Lost a little control, but I drove into the skid just like the driving instructors tell you to and afterwards things were fine again, no, really, they were better than fine.

Even though I'm 22 years younger than the main character, I found I could relate to her on many levels in my hopes and fears for the future. I think any woman could find something in common with Kate Reddy. An extremely likeable character, the witty prose of this book swept me up in laughs, and at some points wrapped me in sorrow too. It's a novel about the juggling act women do on a daily basis when trying to manage kids, home and work, all while struggling with personal changes and finding little help from those around you. For now, I really like this book and will most certainly keep reading it. The parts that I have read from this book have been good enough to get a 9/10 rating from me and I think that I will recommend this book to all of my friends. In a matter of seconds I was in agony. After maybe a minute I was frightened that I might die. After five I was frightened that I might not."

Horse Profile

Although not my usual genre, I had heard many good things about Allison's previous book 'I Don't Know How She Does It', and so decided to enter the giveaway for 'How Hard Can It Be?'. I'm delighted I won as I loved this book! (I will now definitely be seeking out the first one to read too). Although this is a continuation of 'I Don't Know...', it stands by itself as well and I wasn't confused by the story at any point.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).The story opens with Kate’s daughter having a picture of her naked rear passed around on snapchat, much to her dismay and social ostracization. There are long conversations about social media and how different life is now. Parents wring hands about the pressures to excel. They worry about helicopter parenting, etc. . Later on meet the neighbor they name "Mr. Asstastic." See if she can actually take down Evangeline with her "pile of confusing, offensive, unreadable s**t." Can she save her new friends and still get the guy? The funniest and most feminist writing of the year… How Hard Can It Be? is that rare thing: a sequel that matches and even surpasses the original…Every line is meticulous; every reflection on parenthood hilarious, or else so true it’s heartbreaking.” — The Telegraph (UK) Yep, I eeped and proceeded to talk (type) Robyn's ears off. Something I mentioned in my reply was that this book should be made into a movie, as I'd buy the DVD and watch it continuously. So, I've been told that 'How Hard Can It Be?' has indeed been optioned for a movie, and the author is currently writing the script. Another bit of good news which has made me very happy, is that there is going to be a sequel. I, for one, can't wait. So, in my opinion, this was brilliant and this author got it all right. Every single aspect of this book. It's one of my favourites, and my year has started off just great!

I fumble blindly on the bedside table and my baffled hand finds reading glasses, distance glasses, a pot of moisturizer and three foil sheets of pills before I locate my phone. Its small window of milky, metallic light reveals that my daughter is dressed in the Victoria’s Secret candy-pink shorty shorts and camisole I foolishly agreed to buy her after one of our horrible rows.The winning follow-up to Pearson’s bestselling I Don’t Know How She Does It is anchored by heroine Kate Reddy’s authentic, intelligent, and consistently funny British voice....Pearson maintains a humorous tone throughout, wresting laughs from her lead’s lowest moments and greatest triumphs. Pearson also hits the right notes in conveying the cluelessness and powerlessness parents feel raising teens obsessed by gaming and social media." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) I didn’t read “I Don’t Know How She Does It”, and I didn’t realize that “How Hard Can it Be?” is an offshoot of the same characters, seven years later. That said, “How Hard Can it Be” could be read without reading “I Don’t Know How She Does It”. Kate’s story of juggling all of life’s challenges, especially this newly evolving sandwich generation, and feeling very much alone in doing so, is without question relatable. Kate (and Allison) truly get it, and I felt like giving her a few high fives while reading. Or fist bumps. Or the wave!