I hadn't known this was a sequel when I started it, so I felt like I was slightly behind - some of the situations felt a like foreign to me, and the characters didn't feel as full, but that probably as I was wondering what came before - and I will go back and re read them in order. It felt very much like the author had been through these experiences, they had a believable edge to them - but I really wanted to lamp the husband at the start, he was so irritating!!!

I received this title from Netgalley before realising it was a sequel so I bought Pearson's first book to catch up before trying 'How Hard Can It Be?'. I loved 'I Don't Know How She Does It', which was irreverent, fast-paced and a revelation to me about working mothers and the pressures they face from colleagues, family, non-working mothers, teachers, nannies etc.
The sequel, set about 7 years after the first outing for our heroine, Kate Reddy is a little darker but no less interesting as Kate approaches her 50th birthday, menopause and a return to the workplace - all as daunting as her previous life and twice as exhausting. This meant it was a little harder to find the laughs among her elderly rleatives with their deteriorating health, a newly self-obsessed and neglectful husband and her teenage daughter's low self-esteem issues. Nevertheless I enjoyed it and felt Kate still had a lot to learn and teach.

It's a story about mothers and daughters, friendship, growing older, the struggles of balancing work with raising a family, losing yourself and then finding yourself again.

It's very well written, always maintaining a positive outlook even in the face of adversity. There's a warmth, a humour and an astute observation of personality and behaviours that makes the characters feel real - I'm sure most people can relate to them and/or some of the situations they find themselves in. And probably be glad to think 'it's not just me' these things happen to.

The story is well paced with an engaging and believable storyline with a twist towards the end. It's good to see a frank discussion about the menopause, it's one of those subjects that is usually avoided and hopefully this discussion will raise awareness that it's ok to talk about it and importantly shouldn't be suffered in silence.

I do remember reading her first book "I don't know how she does it" and really enjoying it. This book was really good as well, showing humour in reaching 50 which I am not far behind. Trials and tribulations of trying to work, bring up teenagers and support a needy husband who is having his own midlife crisis. An entertaining funny read.

I thoroughly recommend this novel which is about Kate Reddy and her family, whom we first encountered in the author’s first book, I Don’t Know How She does It. Kate is now single and trying to get a job. She’s looking after her aging parents as well as dealing with the trials and tribulations that come with having teenagers. It’s funny but covers very real and trying situations; and there’s a, will they won’t they, romantic storyline running through it. I enjoyed it as much as the first one.

This follows on seamlessly from "I don't know how she does it" despite being many years on. Wry, tragic and comic in equal parts, there are elements in here that all working mothers can identify with

Laugh out loud warning....do not read this book in public places! As a career woman who just turned 50 (and the similarities don't stop there), this book hit a lot of true notes. Allison Pearson's humorous perspective on what many would paint as a series of calamities gives this story a fresh, empowering, and much appreciated twist.

A good read. Believable characters and good storyline. I loved the descriptions of teenagers and their technology.

I absolutely loved this book! It was a very funny, and at times quite emotional, story about Kate who is about to hit the big 5-0 and how she is trying to hold everything together - coping with the menopause, kids, (annoying) husband, elderly parents, and having to get back into the workplace after a break away to raise her children because her husband is now not working.

Kate has just taken on more and more jobs and is helping everyone else out whilst trying to cope with it all on her own as her useless husband announces that he's decided to quit his job and retrain as a counsellor to 'master the art of mindfulness' (what?!), which means no/very little money for another couple of years coming from him - so who's supposed to pay the bills? So of course Kate steps up and has to go back to work, which is a minefield in itself after being away for so long and being 'of a certain age'.

There are some very funny moments that 'women of a certain age' will certainly relate to and I probably found it so funny because I am one of those women! I think I read that someone else likened it to a Bridget Jones type book, but for an older audience, and I can definitely see the similarities, but with so much more substance.

I found the story got better and better as you went along and I was cheering Kate on, hoping that everything worked a certain way - I don't want to spoil the story!

I haven't read the previous book about Kate but I didn't feel it detracted from this sequel at all and can definitely be read as a stand-alone. Wonderfully entertaining book that I will definitely remember and recommend to my friends. I look forward to reading more from Allison Pearson in the future.

It is so refreshing to read a book about a women who is approaching her fifty,s but has the mind of a forty year old.
Being a woman of a certain age and having gone through many of the issues that Kate Reddy has gone through like the teenage children of the technology age and the problems of elderly parents it is wonderful to know that you are not alone.
Just loved the book and would recommend it to any women who is trying to balance a career with the intricacies of family life

A truly wonderful book. I especially love 'Roy' I think all 40 something's have moments that require a Roy to assist.

Essential reading if you loved I Don't Know How She Does It and bravely reflecting menopausal women's experience back to them in commercial fiction. Full review on my blog post linked below.

How Hard Can It Be? Turns out, very.

I just couldn't get in to this book at all, I found it really scatty! It has had such strong positive reviews so I imagine that perhaps the main reason I didn't like it / couldn't take to it is because I can't relate to it?

Side note, the voice of Roy really annoyed me. I skipped over those parts.

(2.5 stars - it's not bad, just not for me)

Thanks to Netgalley for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! Perfect for women fast approaching a certain age (like myself!) it made me laugh and it made me cry. Allison Pearson easily captures the realities of life as a busy woman trying to juggle both family and work life, all while having to also contend with the raging hormone and physical changes that the menopause brings.

This is the second book in the series, but reads very well as a standalone. I haven’t read the first one, but didn’t feel this took anything away from my reading experience here. I enjoyed Kate Reddy’s story so much, though, I will definitely go back to see how her story began.

A funny and moving read that I would recommend. 4 stars.

I was looking forward to this book as I had enjoyed the previous 2. Unfortunately I struggled to get into it and found Kate, the main character annoying rather than engaging with the story.

I absolutely loved this book and laughed and cried my way through it. Perfect for any peri menopausal mums of teenagers - you’ll feel like it’s been written just for you!

Loved this book, wanted to shake Kate or cuddle her, admired her or despaired of her, who wouldn't love a book like this⭐️

How often does a book made your eyes fill with tears and your cheeks ache from smiling?! Such an excellent book, loved her first book and love this one!! I have young kids so can’t relate to the humorous descriptions of menapause, Kids social media obsession, pressure of elderly parents and work etc but I just loved every second!! Must be read!!!

Wow, what a read! Kate Reddy had me laughing and crying with her as she fought her way through the peri-menopause whilst trying to get back into work, juggling life with teenagers, ageing parents and a husband who is trying to "find himself". What mother who has experienced life with teenagers could not identify with Kate's agony as her children negotiate a balancing act between the pressures of social media and growing into independence. This is a brilliant, perceptive insight into issues which so many of us face but told with such clarity and humour that every woman should read it.

Kate is 40+, she is married with two teenage children and ageing in laws. They have recently bought and old house which needs a complete renovation. Then Kate's husband decides to give up his career, take two years off unpaid to becone a councillor. Kate has to find a well paid job to pay the mortgage and renovate the house. With a little imagination and the loss of several years on her CV Kate finds a job in the city with an investment fund company. In fact, she used to work for this company and actually set up the fund she is working on. On her return she works under thirty something hipsters with very little idea how to manage the clients. With the help of Roy, her imaginary memory librarian Kate managed to keep everything together. Enter Jack, an old client. I loved every twist and turn of this book, and I definitely need a Roy in my life. I loved Allison's way if writing. I have now downloaded all her books.