The sequel to 'I don't know how she does it' is a great read and a really good follow up to the first book. Recommended.

I recognise so many things in this book, from the Women Returners group - which i actually ran... to the perimenopause / menopause and the horrid flooding to which we women can be subject to (my worst involved white trousers and a coach outing), the Sandwich Woman with a husband who bikes. We both laughed at her description as my husband (a committed cyclist) is also horrified by lycra man and wouldn't be seen dead in lycra.
I also liked some of the lamguage eg a noxious whiff of sanctimony and bonfires, and the martyrdom of the child that stays behind to look after aging parents. Though I am disaapoiinted that aAlison thinks 76 is elderly when those of us getting close to that age, do not think we are. Older true but.
So some great parts but. It has not worn well in terms of technology. It does show the time in which it was written. I realise that it has been sitting in my tbr pile for some time, but a good book should surpass its time. This book does not. Although the same issues with social mediaand young girls is still prevalent truthfully.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, and no. I would recommend it to someone of my age who had a full time job and a family, but to someone younger I am not sure as they may not understand the issues of 2015 or is it earlier as I see that some parts were pre printed as newspaper columns. I am giving it 4 stars as it did make me laugh in places.

Kate Reddy is approaching 50 and needs a job whilst her husband retrains. She has moved house with her family and is currently renovating a falling down large home. When she goes to an interview with a head hunter he tells her that there’s nothing out there in her field for someone of her age. Whilst trying to support her teenage children Kate must find a way to re enter her field of work and prove her worth so that she can provide for her family after nearly 7 years out of work.
I recommend this book as it’s funny and entertaining. It did take me slightly longer than usual to read as it was slow going in places but definitely worth reading.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance in exchange for my honest views.

Really enjoyed this booked had never read this author before and will not be the last time. now looking for more by this author

Even though this is a sequel it really doesn't matter as you don't need to have read book 1 first. It is a good read which wiled away a couple of hours

Whilst I never knew this book was a sequel, I don't believe it mattered.
I think ladies of a certain age can identify with Kate. She's a homemaker but she needs to get into the career she left so many years ago to look after her family.
I could relate with the talk who's looking after the elderly relatives; juggling home life with growing teenagers and a husband who is going through changes.
A laugh out loud book that is so easy to read.

Follow on to 'I don't know how she does it'
Kate is having to find her way back into the world of work in her late 40's her husband however has dropped out of it to retrain as a Counsellor.
The story has a range of strands to it, all woven more or less seamlessly into the main narrative. The story is that of a woman who has had to lie about her age and cope with the early menopausal symptoms while sending out messages of one who copes and sails through life unscathed and professionally. Kate juggles her work life and that of a mother living with older (self absorbed) teenage children and has lots of humour and moments which thsoe of a similar age will recognise.
The themes range from teenage angst and self-harm to blatant sexism, undoubted snobbishness, admittedly at times an excess of self absorbtion and to Kate's surprise, the realisation that passion is not dead.
A good read and a suitable follow on for those who enjoyed the first book.

Excellent book, and a fantastic read. Thoroughly enjoyed, very well written and highly recommended.. A good summer read, or a rainy weekend.

How Hard Can it Be is the sequel to How Does She Do It and I haven’t read the first book, but had no problem jumping in and thoroughly enjoyed it.

A great bittersweet comedy. Kate is struggling to keep life together, 2 children, a husband who is determined to find himself and help others through counselling despite this not bringing in any money to the family household. When he's not re-training he's off on his bike!! Kate has to get back into the workplace in order to keep the run down house she so desperately wanted but is now costing a fortune to repair. In order to get back into the world of finance where Kate used to work she feels the need to lie about her age and be something she is not. All this mixed in with the peri-menopause symptoms she is suffering makes for a funny but often sad story.

Thanks to netgalley for an arc in return for my honest review.

I did not realise that this was the second in a series, but this book works just as well as a stand alone story. Kate Reddy is approaching a milestone birthday and after years at home bringing up her children, she finds herself forced to reenter the workforce in order to support her family after her husband goes through a mid life crisis..

What follows are belly laughs, tears, fear, sadness, friendship and romance as Kate tries to juggle both family life and a new working life, not to mention other relatives all staking a claim to Kate's time. Its a nice read for a holiday with some chuckles along the way!

The original was just as good as it was claimed to be, So a sequel has a lot to live to live up to. This one does.

It is very funny, touching and oh so realistic."

The career woman who left it all so her children didn't suffer has survived as the wife, rather tan earner of her own money throughout the years of getting her kids to the monstrous teen stage. Only for her selfish husband to retire from the rat race forcing Kate to take up the cudgels and try to wrest a living from her unsuitable CV. Only Lenny, her lovely dog appreciates her and she finds herself torn in too many directions.
The menopause is no help, nor is her failing memory, called Roy.
Despite being technology addicted despots she still loves her kids and her efforts to get a much sought toy for Christmas are really funny. Her internal conversation with the customer service menu options are hilarious.
And then she gets an email from Jack, whom she managed to rebuff and save her marriage from some years ago. Life really isn't that easy, but to the reader it's hilarious

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.

I absolutely loved this book. I kept diving in to read the next section every spare moment I had. So witty, so true to life and sooooo well written. Being fify, a woman and full of joke de vive is amazing and to be celebrated.

Read this book whatever age you are and have hope for the future ...YOU can rewrite it to fit what you want not what you’ve come to expect. If a book can give you hope and belief for your own real life then it’s more than a book, it’s soul-satisfying.

Even better than "I Don't Know How She Does It." Allison Pearson hasn't missed a step. Click on the link to read my full review.

What a great funny, witty read this was.
Enjoyable, it will keep you wanting to turn the pages, and smiling.

On the whole I liked this book. I thought the perspective from a working mom was accurate and pretty much spot on. I couldn't relate to the character with regards to her parenting... at some points I was really frustrated with how lax the character was being with her children, however my boy is yet to be a teenager so I may end up revisiting my opinion on that.

Like the happily ever after which I didn't see coming, she seemed so unlucky I didn't think Jack would work out for her.

I haven't read the first book but I didn't find that a problem at all.

Funny, witty and overall a very enjoyable read. I'm sure a lot of women can relate to the main character.

Just finished 'How Hard Can It Be' by Allison Pearson. Great read for Mum's of teenagers, middle aged Mums and Grandmas!! Made me chuckle a few times. I only wish I'd been given the menopause treatments that Katie had! Serious issues tackled but on a lighter note. Worth a giggle.

Funny, enjoyable read. I liked the style and the humor. Some laugh out loud moments. I would recommended this.