I didn't read the first book and this book can be read as a standalone.
I didn't hate the book, but I didn't enjoy it so I don't feel right giving it 3 stars.
I felt like I had to force myself to read this book. I found most of the characters cliche and obnoxious. I also really don't enjoy books that justify marital affairs.
That being the case, there are still pieces of this book that I appreciated. For starters, Pearson tackles some pretty heavy issues that are very relevant in our society today (social media, cutting, aging) and does so in very honest and relatable ways. The friendship between Kate and Sally is one of the highlights of the book. Her descriptions of middle age menstruation were spot on and laughable - only because I've been there, done that, although I do not have a monogrammed towel as a keepsake.

Oh my gosh, this was laugh out loud funny. I love how Allison Pearson grew up right alongside her reader and everything she wrote about getting older resonated just as much as her first book did with new parents. 
Definitely worth the sequel.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this opportunity.
Unfortunately, I could not get into this book at this point.
I will surely try at a later date

Oh, I loved meeting Kate years ago. Now that I'm a mom, I was even more excited to read about this next chapter of Kate's life. For me, the book was a bit long but other than that, it's great to see Kate again. Pearson is really able to tap into the working mother & again female plight in a way that is relatable, hilarious & enjoyable. Thank you for the opportunity to be an early reader.

I’ve heard lots of praise for How Hard Can It Be by Allison Pearson, including Oprah Winfrey and now that I read this book, I can see why everyone is talking about it. The main character is a mom and I couldn’t relate much but I get to understand what’s going on inside the heads of mothers out there and be a better daughter towards her. Overall, I enjoyed this book. Definitely recommend this book to moms.

Allison Pearson writes with great insight - the characters literally come to life in her hands. It's funny, it's sad, it's delightful, and as a woman it's easy for me to recognise the challenges and conflicts that Kate has to face. Loved it!

When I requested this from Netgalley many moons ago, I didn't realize that it was part of a series. It works as a stand-alone, so worry not.

I wouldn't go out of my way to rave about this book, but it was a solid example of "mature" chick lit, with the protagonist approaching 50.

The first 2/3 of the book drag a bit, but the last third addresses a lot of the nagging things that I was wondering if Kate would notice. The ending left me satisfied with the resolution of everything. (Is that vague and non-spoilery enough for you?)

Eventually I'll probably go back and read the first book where we're introduced to Kate.

Even though this book was part of a series, I found it highly enjoyable. I didn't even realize it was a sequel and it was very well written. This novel was hilarious and relatable. I loved the ride!

I know this is a sequel but it worked really well as a standalone to me. It was your typical chick lit/adult fiction with lots of humour and situations i can relate to even if i'm younger than the main character. Sometimes all you need from a book is a blast from giggles and laughter and this book served it really well.

A look into the life of Kate Reddy, Mom, negotiator, wife and juggler of all things career and family.  This gives a larger than life view of what it is like to try to have it all when all you need is a nap.

I am sorry for not reviewing fully but I don’t have the time to read this at the moment. I believe that it wouldn't benefit you as a publisher or your book if I only skimmed it and wrote a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for not fully reviewing!

When I saw this on NetGalley, I didn’t realize it was the second book in a series. After I finished it, I realized, embarrassingly, the first one was already on my book shelf. To be fair, those shelves are awfully crowded with hundreds of my to-read books. I’ve read them both now, but out of order, and frankly, I’m glad I did. There was so much more I could relate to in this book. Despite the fact that I have worked continuously since the birth of my daughters, and my job was nothing like Kate Reddy’s, I could relate to juggling a modern workplace, the unending needs of teenagers, and finding the time to spend with spouse and aging parents.

Kate Reddy is a 50-year-old heroine (Yay!) struggling through all of this, all while remaking herself with a career reboot that is taking a little longer than expected. I was disappointed with the plotline where she denies her past to work again in the same company — this seemed entirely incredible — if she was going to start over anyway, why there? Aside from this, her husband is having a mid-life crisis, and her teenagers behave atrociously. I add this because it’s true, but also to admit I loved this because it made me feel much better about my own family! You will see most of the plot twists from a mile away, but the anticipation only adds to the satisfying resolution. I think Kate Reddy is my new superhero.  




For Goodreads:

Why I picked it — Because I liked Pearson’s, I Think I Love You 
Reminded me of… Bridget Jones for an older, (possibly menopausal) woman. At some point, I stopped reading those books, so maybe they covered this terrain too? 
For my full review — click here

Funny and a great stand alone book, even though it's a sequel. As an also pushing-50 woman with teens (and older) re-entering the workforce - there were definitely parts where I both laughed and cried.

Follow up to I Don't Know How She Does It, set about ten years forward.  I liked this book which accurately described the difficulties of long term marriages without any sugar coating.  It wasn't quite as enjoyable as the first novel, as Kate is now trying to dig herself back into the workforce which is proving difficult given her somewhat older age.

Kate Reddy has returned and is just as funny as always! How Hard Can It Be? continues her story seven years later, and as always, it is easy to relate to Kate's predicaments (teenage children, menopause, a somewhat lovable but clueless husband, and struggling to juggle work, family life, and friends. Overall, this was an enjoyable read! I particularly liked Kate's willingness to admit that things have not gotten easier over the years.. Pearson approaches this character in such a way that you feel like you are catching up with an old friend. I highly recommend this book!

Absolutely loved her style of writing. This is my first book of hers, and am looking forward to more!

I recommend this on my blog Modern Mrs Darcy in a post called "17 books everyone will be talking about this summer"

As a woman of a certain age, I really wanted to read this book.  I hadn't realized it was a sequel and almost didn't read it but am so glad I did.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and found her struggles realistic and humorous.

I enjoyed this book, and Pearson's writing style is fabulous.  The characters are well written, and the plot is well crafted.

This was one of the books I had a chance to read during bouts of caring for my ailing Mom and what a godsend!  I’d often wondered how I will handle turning 50.  I always prided myself on viewing getting older as a chance to continue to be the woman I’d so carefully cultivated through the years.  But as I’ve gotten older, I laugh at how I have become so many of the things I swore I would never be - and I laugh even harder at the reality that I no longer care about all the things that were once so important to me.

Given all that, the antics and adventures  of Kate  approaching the big 5-0 are absolutely on point.  Everything she faces I could relate to and I questioned were it me how would I handle it?  The big bonus of “How Hard Can It Be” is how absolutely hysterically funny this read is.   If you want a read to warm your heart, this is it!
 
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the advance read!