How Hard Can It Be? - Allison Pearon

Description

Kate Reddy is back! The follow-up to the international bestseller I Don’t Know How She Does It, the novel that defined modern life for women everywhere. This time she’s juggling teenagers, ageing parents and getting back into the workplace, and every page will have you laughing and thinking: It’s not just me.

Mail on Sunday’s Books of the Year

Kate Reddy is counting down the days until she is fifty, but not in a good way. Fifty, in Kate’s mind, equals invisibility. And with hormones that have her in shackles, teenage children who need her there but won’t talk to her and ailing parents who aren’t coping, Kate is in the middle of a sandwich that she isn’t even allowed to eat because of the calories.

She’s back at work after a big break at home, because somebody has to bring home the bacon now that her husband Rich has dropped out of the rat race to master the art of mindfulness. But just as Kate is finding a few tricks to get by in her new workplace, her old client and flame Jack reappears – complicated doesn’t even begin to cover it.

This is a coming of age story for turning fifty. It’s about so much more than a balancing act; it’s about finding out who you are and what you need to feel alive when you’ve got used to being your own last priority. And every page will leave you feeling that there’s a bit of Kate Reddy in all of us.

Review

I haven't read the novel that comes before this one, but I found this book stood on its own and their was no need to know any previous back story.

Kate the main character narrates the book and it is so funny - however, for me it was just a little too full on. Imagine being in someones head and hearing their every though at break neck speed. Don't get me wrong - it's laugh out loud funny and brilliantly observed writing, I just couldn't take too much of it at once. It's a little like going to see a stand up comedian - they are so funny you ache with laughter, but after an hour or so you really could do with a break. It's not them - it's you!

The story itself centres around Kate and her return to work after 7 years aged 49 and fast approaching 50. Except she can't admit to that age as she's found it puts her out of the job market. So instead she becomes 42 with hilarious inner turmoil, such as remembering her children must be younger than they are, who was in the charts when she was young and so on.

The parts of the book set in the office were brilliantly written and for me true to life in so many respects.Aalthough disheartening to read at times with the role of women still harder to earn in business than that of men. 

Just in case you think it sounds like Kate has no fun - she actually has a few great scenes where she gets even (I was cheering in one of them) and has time for a little romance too. That's when she's not deciphering what her teenage children are up to and trying to understand the world of #belfies! Also she has Roy - the librarian of her mind. Can he recall that name, place, event before she embarrasses herself even more?

I think you need to be of "an age" to enjoy this book. If you are, there are so many things you will totally relate to - perhaps a little bit too close to home for comfort sometimes.

I'm giving this book four out of five stars. My thanks go to Netgalley for a copy of the book for review.