Reviews

How Hard Can It Be? by Allison Pearson

keen23's review against another edition

3.0

Eh, it was OK. Too much time setting things up, not enough time spent on the resolutions. But things did get resolved.

meredithgr's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book is 90% frosting, 10% cake. I read it mainly because sometimes I like a frothy chick lit book, but at middle age, I'm tired of reading about 28 year olds who don't have confidence or skills and turn their handsome, misunderstood adversary into the perfect boyfriend.  I want to read about women my age with my issues, where life is beyond full and complicated.  There has to be humor in this stage of life, too, right?

So if that's the brief, then this book fits it.  But the scenarios were just a little too heartbreaking for me to forget the sadness and just let them be funny.  Maybe that's how middle age is.  I also found the characters, including the main one, 80% lovable, not 100%. 

Another take away: it's eye-opening how dated a 10 year old book is.  The tech and the societal assumptions have changed so rapidly.  

Anyway, I'm having trouble focusing on reading right now, and this frosting book was enough for me. 

jemmybear's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

frogl8dy's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted

4.0

mbkarapcik's review against another edition

4.0

This follow up to I Don't Know How She Does It brings us up-to-date on Kate Reddy's life years later when she's approaching age 50, reentering the work force, stuck in a lackluster marriage with her husband who lost his job and seems to be facing a midlife crisis, and dealing with two teenagers who add another layer of pressure to her life. The writing is lyrical and peppered with comedy about aging and going back to work and dealing with elderly parents. Women of a certain age will relate or learn what to expect. Kate goes through many trials and tribulations while learning about herself. Although it was an entertaining book with funny situations, the ending ties everything up and leaves Kate better off than she was before. That seemed completely unrealistic and leans toward a more fairy tale ending than I imagined.

pianorunner421's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

tibbarasden's review against another edition

Humor is not for me. Very crude at times and the writing is very rambly. No progress in the plot during the pages I read.

evethrelfall's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

britjane's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

shannonw19's review against another edition

5.0

I did not read "I Don't Know How She Does It", which is the first Kate Reddy book. Having said that, I didn't miss anything by not reading it. "How Hard Can It Be?" is one of the funniest, most genuine books I have read in a long time. I hope that you do not pigeonhole this book into "chick lit" because it's really not.

Kate has two sullen teenage children, a husband who is retraining to be a therapist, a mother whose health is precarious, a mother-in-law with Alzheimer's, a sister-in-law who's judgmental and hateful, and a sister who's resentful. She lies about her age to get a job and then has to juggle all those things, deal with menopause, and trying to make sense of her life and her marriage.

Maybe because I'm am about her age, but this book really moved me. I thought many of the things that Kate thinks and struggle with many of the same things Kate struggles with. I am the breadwinner in my family while my husband completes college. I have two teenagers in my house. And I, too, struggle with getting older.

I love Kate. I love her confusion and memory lapses and indecision. I love her obliviousness. It's not on purpose. It is the result of doing so many things - marriage, work, raising children, taking care of elderly parent. I identified with her stress and anxiety and her middle of the night continuous, unanswerable questions.

This book is funny and touching and a lot of fun to read. I recommend it. It comes out June 5th.

I won this book and received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.