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How Hard Can It Be? Hardcover – 21 Sept. 2017

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 5,018 ratings

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.

How Hard Can It Be? 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.

Product description

Review

‘Made me laugh, wince, shudder and shed a tear!’ SOPHIE KINSELLA

‘Revolutionary … Both funny and unflinching’ ELIZABETH DAY, Daily Telegraph

‘As sharp and witty as ever … hugely enjoyable’ Daily Mail

‘How Hard Can It Be? is that rare thing: a sequel that matches and even surpasses the original’ Daily Telegraph

‘Once again, countless women will recognise themselves … Pearson has a gift’ The Times

‘Filled with smart insights into ageing parents, female friendships, tricky family dynamics and failing marriages … Kate makes good company’ New York Times

‘Ms. Pearson writes with great wit and verve’ Wall Street Journal

‘Pearson features menopause as nearly its own character in this laugh-out-loud yet all too realistic romp through midlife concerns about aging, sexual appeal, careers for older employees, and family care issues. Spot on’ Library Journal, Starred Review

‘Brilliantly well observed’ INDIA KNIGHT

‘Written with a light touch and verve … Pearson makes a sharp point about the lack of value and status that society places on the onerous job of a stay at home mother … in these pages, there is a raw honesty’ Financial Times

‘Sparkling, funny and poignant, this is a triumphant return for Pearson and hopefully not the last we will hear of Kate’ Daily Express

‘It is this relatable quality of Pearson’s story, along with laugh-out-loud zingers on nearly every page, that makes this sequel shine. How Hard Can It Be? is witty, current and a good reminder that age can be a trump card, even if you need reading glasses to see the deck’ Washington Post

‘Few sequels beat the original, but How Hard Can It Be? does so hands down … zesty, razor-sharp and hilarious. It’s full of such quotable casual profundity on the female condition I couldn't read it without a pencil to underline the abundance of great lines. Get ready for Kate!’ TINA BROWN, magazine editor and bestselling author

‘Funny, heart-breaking, wise and delightful’ SOPHIE HANNAH

About the Author

Allison Pearson was born in South Wales. She is a columnist and feature writer for the Daily Telegraph. Allison’s first novel, I Don’t Know How She Does It, was an international bestseller; translated into 32 languages it was made into a movie of the same name. Oprah Winfrey called the book ‘A Bible for the working mother’. Allison lives in Cambridge with her family and two poodles. You can find her on Twitter @allisonpearson

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0008150524
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Borough Press (21 Sept. 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780008150525
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008150525
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.9 x 4.1 x 24 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 5,018 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
5,018 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book humorous and witty. They describe it as an easy, lighthearted read with relatable and true-to-life situations. Readers appreciate the insightful and thought-provoking content. The characters are relatable and engaging. The story is described as life affirming and upbeat.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

140 customers mention ‘Humor’133 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it witty and relatable, with some good moments that make them laugh out loud. The book is described as an easy read, but lacks depth for some readers.

"...Kate represents the ultimate heroine in my book. She is funny, hardworking, a multitasking woman that juggles a lot as she is approaching a new..." Read more

"...But as this is well-written chick-lit, we readers can guess that Everything Turns Out Okay in the end...." Read more

"...How she does this is brilliantly simple: she knocks seven years off her age, and presents herself to her former employers as 42, not a menopausal 49...." Read more

"...Her experiences made me laugh out loud whilst at tue same time empathise for the dilemmas she faced that seem to come with middle age...." Read more

111 customers mention ‘Readability’105 positive6 negative

Customers enjoyed the book's readability. They found it well-written and intelligent, with a lighthearted tone. Many readers appreciated the author's writing style and found the sequel brilliant.

"...is a book that is so realistic, poignant, funny and so so good! I loved every minute in Kate Reddy's ( the lady character) company...." Read more

"...The book was a best-seller and highlighted a woman-who-had-it-all but found coping with her bounty as a bit difficult...." Read more

"The funniest, and saddest, comic novel of the year, How Hard Can it Be? is a sequel to I Don't Know How She Does It...." Read more

"I absolutely loved this book, and couldn’t put it down...." Read more

66 customers mention ‘Relatability’60 positive6 negative

Customers find the book relatable and funny. They praise the author's skillful descriptions of real-life situations in a serious yet amusing context. The narrative covers powerful themes cleverly through humorous moments, with recognisable thoughts and feelings.

"...Pearson managed to write yet again a book that represents everything so realistic in life that it is so hard not to get very invested in Kate's..." Read more

"...Pearson is a subtler and gentler novelist than her Telegraph columns might suggest, and her mastery of screwball comedy is perfectly judged...." Read more

"So relatable! I read the first book many years ago and have aged alongside Kate...." Read more

"...Symptoms of menopause, brain fog, etc, etc. Described admirably in a serious, yet also amusing context...." Read more

33 customers mention ‘Insight’33 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking. They describe it as funny, perceptive, and a balance of wisdom, wit, and reality. The book addresses issues of modern life with humility and humor, making light of distressing topics. Readers consider it semi-educational for those approaching these issues.

"...There is a fantastic balance of wisdom, wit and reality that we all have to deal with at any point in life...." Read more

"...How she does this is brilliantly simple: she knocks seven years off her age, and presents herself to her former employers as 42, not a menopausal 49...." Read more

"...who want to realise they’re not alone in this, but also a semi-educational book for those approaching this stage of life and for those women and men..." Read more

"...to be a chick lit; an aged chick lit at that, but the intelligence of the observations and hilarious analogies that can only be made by a person of..." Read more

26 customers mention ‘Character development’26 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters relatable and engaging. They appreciate the realistic heroine for today's times. The book is described as an easy read with laugh-out-loud moments and truths that women can relate to.

"...and funny, and I found that I sympathised and wanted more for the main character. I felt like I was living her life with her...." Read more

"...I adored Kate’s character and the honesty of her struggle in juggling working motherhood...." Read more

"...Lots of laugh out loud moments and hilarious characters ...." Read more

"Very fast moving ,amazing 50+ womens observations and many hilareous moments in this book. It felt long and a little contrived at the end...." Read more

24 customers mention ‘Life affirming’24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book witty, real, and inspiring. They say it's an upbeat story of changes in life that is true to their own experiences. The book provides clear insights into life as a woman of a certain age. It contains humor, pathos, and a range of current life experiences that most women face.

"How Hard Can It Be? is a book that is so realistic, poignant, funny and so so good!..." Read more

"...women operating at a high level, and importantly, with massive self awareness and self depreciating humour, are the heroes of our society...." Read more

"...An enjoyable and often enlightening read." Read more

"Very relatable, funny (not lol), easy read with a lot of life events and relationship impacts...." Read more

17 customers mention ‘Pacing’17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing engaging. They say it's funny and touching, with parts that make them laugh and others that cause tears. The characters are relatable and the narrative is satisfying, with humorous moments and situations. Readers appreciate the honest portrayal of hormonal changes and the emotional impact on teenagers.

"The funniest, and saddest, comic novel of the year, How Hard Can it Be? is a sequel to I Don't Know How She Does It...." Read more

"...It is also brutally honest about the psychological fallout of hormonal ebbing and likening to Emily's teenage hormonal surges is actually quite..." Read more

"A feel-good story with likeable characters. Funny asides and situations. Happy ending. What more do you want in a book?" Read more

"...I found this book funny and touching, and nerve wracking, as she has so much to deal with." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Reading for women’15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book funny and insightful for women over 40 and with teenagers. They recommend it as a great read for working mothers and anyone over 40. The book also resonates with them, especially those experiencing menopause.

"...This should be essential reading for every woman whether menopausal or not...." Read more

"...I loved it! Great read for any working Mum!" Read more

"Recommended to any working mum - nothing in it didn't resonate (except, sadly, the ultra rich American lover!)...." Read more

"...and very thought provoking, especially on the subject of teenagers and social media...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 October 2017
    How Hard Can It Be? is a book that is so realistic, poignant, funny and so so good! I loved every minute in Kate Reddy's ( the lady character) company. I would like to have Kate as my bestie/co-worker, or I'd go as far as even my sister! Kate represents the ultimate heroine in my book. She is funny, hardworking, a multitasking woman that juggles a lot as she is approaching a new stage of her life.
    Alisson Pearson has written yet another corker of a book. There is a fantastic balance of wisdom, wit and reality that we all have to deal with at any point in life.
    A few years ago I discovered the author's book called I Don't Know How She Does It. And I must say it is one of my favourite books of all time so when I discover out there is a sequel I jumped at the change to read it and found out what Kate is up to these days.
    How Hard Can It Be picks up seven years later when Kate is fast approaching her 50th birthday and pretty much juggles the same old things. But now to make it even harder for her because Richard (Kate's husband) has given up work and seem to be spending a lot of his time either cycling or meditating. Emily and Ben ( Kate's children) are at a very "lovely" teenage stage of their life which pretty much means their mum is always wrong but is on the call 24/7! And Kate's ailing parents aren't coping very well without her help. To top it all of Kate has to find a new job to keep her family afloat.
    Then Kate has to deal with her odd feelings towards her old client and flame Jack. And those feelings and thought are very dangerous!
    I so enjoy the pace of this book and the witty humour that just sparks out of the pages. Allison Pearson managed to write yet again a book that represents everything so realistic in life that it is so hard not to get very invested in Kate's story and feel like you are part of it all!
    Make sure you grab your copy this autumn!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 October 2017
    In 2002, British author Allison Pearson published a novel, "I Don't Know How She Does It". It's the story of a London woman, Kate Reddy, who is a superstar in the City financial world. In addition to her career, she's also the mother of two small children and the wife of man who is her partner in both marriage and child-raising. The book was a best-seller and highlighted a woman-who-had-it-all but found coping with her bounty as a bit difficult. Add 15 years to Kate's life, and you now have Ms Pearson's sequel, "How Hard Can It Be".

    Kate Reddy is about turn 50, and after having left the working world to raise her children, finds the financial need to return to work. Her now-teen age children, Emily and Benjamin, have turned into modern teens - that is to say they seem to be plugged into social media and gaming devices about 27 hours a day. Her mother and her husband's parents are aging in place, far to the north of London, and are all in a bad way. Kate's friends and relatives also have problems, and, to make matters worse, Kate has heard from her American would-be lover after 8 or so years. She and her husband have bought an old house south of London, which needs a lot of repair. And her husband, Richard, has lost his job and is now training to be some sort of councilor. Everything's at sixes and sevens for poor Kate Reddy, and things are going in a one-way direction.

    Here's the problem with "How Hard Can it Be". Kate Reddy has gone from a superstar in the financial world to a personal nebbish. Her problems are relateable to all women in the so-called "Sandwich Generation", but some of those problems are questionable. Why take on the rather expensive and time-consuming project of home refurbishment? And, the biggie, why is Kate letting Richard "find himself"; bike racing and training for something or the other do not add to the family coffers. I doubt I'm the only reader who wanted - and prayed for - Kate to metaphorically slap Richard upside-the-head and tell him to start pulling his weight financially and to help around the house, with raising the kids and taking some responsibility for his own aged parents.

    But as this is well-written chick-lit, we readers can guess that Everything Turns Out Okay in the end. It's the getting to the end that is both fun and frustrating. I think if you've read Allison Pearson's first Kate Reddy book, you'll enjoy a return visit to Kate, et al. Just don't be surprised if you sometimes feel like throwing the book across the room.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 October 2017
    The funniest, and saddest, comic novel of the year, How Hard Can it Be? is a sequel to I Don't Know How She Does It. Its heroine, the perpetually harassed Kate Reddy, must re-enter the world of City finance after years as a full-time mother because her architect husband Richard is re-training to be a counsellor and she has two children, now teenagers, a dog and an old house to support.
    How she does this is brilliantly simple: she knocks seven years off her age, and presents herself to her former employers as 42, not a menopausal 49. The memory she has depended on to sail through Cambridge and a professional life is now repeatedly giving way (the novel's best creation is an imaginary librarian, Roy, who you imagine is a part for Stanley Tucci when it gets filmed.) Almost as bad, her periods have become erratic and disastrously heavy: in one memorable scene, Kate has to sidle to the bathroom of a Russian oligarch she's trying to persuade to come on board as a client, and improvise a sanitary towel out of a linen napkin and an orchid leaf.
    There are so many topical strands to the story, from teenage self-harm to sexism, snobbery and the rediscovery of passion in middle-age that its seriousness could be missed by those roaring with laughter. Pearson is a subtler and gentler novelist than her Telegraph columns might suggest, and her mastery of screwball comedy is perfectly judged. This is a real treat, which leaves you feeling happier and more positive about growing older than you might guess from the opening.
    43 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 August 2024
    So relatable! I read the first book many years ago and have aged alongside Kate. Her experiences made me laugh out loud whilst at tue same time empathise for the dilemmas she faced that seem to come with middle age. Amazingly well written and I was sad to finish it.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Anne Gilman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful in So Many Way
    Reviewed in the United States on 15 September 2024
    Love the characters, outrageous humor, laugh-out-louds! So germain to raising kids, work, family, chores, and breathing from time to time. Thank you again, Ms. Pearson, for a truly delightful romp!
  • M. Poulsen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on 15 July 2018
    Great humor and easy read.
  • Karen Roberts
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and real
    Reviewed in France on 20 November 2019
    Enjoyed this - all too true but in a lighthearted way - easy to read,
    thoughtful, insightful and the sandwich generation personified! 🤦🏻‍♀️
  • CATHERINE ALEXANDRA BELL
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
    Reviewed in Italy on 13 January 2018
    Thoroughly enjoyed. Excellent read for 50-year-old ladies! Can relate to it all! Meditative, bike-loving husband! Even the spaghetti with cuttlefish ink!
  • MK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Einfach nur witzig.......
    Reviewed in Germany on 12 July 2018
    Einfach nur witzig und so lebensnah!!!!! Gute, leichte Unterhaltung! Zu empfehlen!