ARC provided by NetGalley. Thanks!

When Kira Murphy unknowingly meets -- and saves the life of -- her celebrity crush Barclay Lucas's brother, Henry, she is drawn into their world. The tension between them is undeniable -- but can they really make it work, what with Barclay's career in politics and the problems going on at Kira's workplace?

I just glanced at the reviews for this book and it seems that everyone has a polarizing opinion on it. I however am somewhere in the middle -- I enjoyed this book immensely but there were also some instances which I could see were problematic (and some pet peeves of my own).

There were parts where Kira would seemingly use 'btw' in speech and I was unsure whether I was supposed to read it as 'by the way' or Kira had literally said 'btw'. At other times there would also be a mention of what year this book is taking place or a reference to a non-fictional person which jarred me out of the book. Oh, and if I ever read the word 'badger' again I will scream. I am not kidding, it was used far too much for me to find tolerable. The sheer amount of British slang made it slightly difficult to read and I felt like I was guessing at what was being said most of the time.

The characters were very well and believably written. Barclay ... has his problems. Quite a lot of them and I feel like they weren't properly dealt with through out the story. He is very controlling and jealous. At one point, he basically has some people follow Kira when she has told him she doesn't want that, which didn't sit right with me. Kira herself was a great character but my first impression of her (on the first page) was of her punching someone. And through out the story she continues to be violent. I understand that it was all supposed to be in play, but you aren't supposed to do actual harm. Henry was great, but even he was at times borderline creepy. Sam (a bodyguard) and Mark (Kira's friend) were the best, I adore them.

The main romance was okay, I felt like they both really needed to work on themselves (especially in Barclay' case) before they got together. While together, they both made some really ... questionable decisions. For example, <spoiler>when Barclay made Kira move in with him, the evening after they established their relationship. What were they thinking? Kira should definitely stayed with one of her friends. Also, when he disturbed her work at the prison, a heavily guarded prison, I nearly screamed. Not cool.</spoiler>

All in all, a 2.5, because it made me laugh multiple times and I enjoyed most of the time it but not higher because of all the reasons listed above.

I enjoyed the first half.I hoped that it would have a bit more of substance bur by midway they lost me,

*𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

Another fantastic read from Susie Tate. I thought the previous book was good but this one was even better!
I connected with these 2 characters and the story, beside being funny was also emotional with the problems that Kira and Barclay were facing. I love all books written by Susie Tate. I’ve read them all and enjoyed them so much.To sum it up, loved this book, would recommend and will be reading the next one.

This book was ok.

This was my first Susie Tate book. I really enjoyed the subject matter and the relationship between Kira and Barclay. However, I struggled with the slang in this book and all of Kira's made up phrases.

Four and a half stars.

Fair warning, I love Susie Tate's novels so this is a bit of a fan-girl review and I get that she might be a bit like Marmite to some readers but I loved this book.

Kira Murphy is a sexual health Registrar (doctor) with pizazz - in my mind I see her like the character of Scarlett in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, diminutive with pink and red hair and a wacky dress sense. She is great with her patients and passionate about immunisation against genital warts (I am just wondering how I am ever going to get this review past the puritanical censor on the B&N website). She also has a secret crush on the latest Tory wunderkind MP Barclay Lucas (think British Justin Trudeau), the current Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, who is trying to get a revolutionary new scheme through parliament.

Kira and Lucas' paths cross when she gives a verbal tongue-lashing to one of her boss' HIV patients who isn't taking his meds, the patient turns out to be Lucas' younger brother.

Kira's crazy antics, such as making tea for all the press lurking outside Lucas' palatial London home, belie a dedicated healthcare professional who is devoted to the National Health Service. Lucas just can't understand why Kira won't accept private work treating his brother away from the local NHS hospital, but when the press see her leaving his house his approval ratings soar and so he suggests they play along. What I loved most about this was that Kira went off into a romantic comedy monologue where she old Lucas she would be his fake fiancé but they would fall in love for real etc, etc (all very tongue-in-cheek) and Lucas was horrified.

This is contemporary British romantic comedy at its finest IMHO, great characters, great plot, impressive use of cockwomble as a pejorative, and truly laugh out loud at times.

A minor niggle, which might be deliberate, towards the end, on what felt like consecutive pages, there was a line which felt like a direct quote from Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, followed by a visual reference to something that Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) does in Love Actually. Could be allusive, could be unintentional but they pulled me away from the plot a little.

Anyway, channelling Cherish Finden, one of the judges in the under-rated TV show Bake Off: The Professionals loved it, loved it, loved it! Now I am sad because I am going to have to wait months and months for another book - maybe I will re-read all the other books ...

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Kira Murphy might only be five foot tall but she has a lot of personality. She's quirky, unpredictable, a loose cannon. During her role as a 'sex doctor' GU registrar at St Thomas' hospital she speaks her mine to a HIV patient who is non-compliant with his medication. He is shocked to hear a doctor talk to him in that way but somehow it seems to work better than all the other doctors he's had to deal with since his diagnosis.

Barclay Lucas is a politician, a tory, attempting to save the world. One environmental cause at a time. After hearing what an affect Dr Murphy had on his brother he goes in search to Hire them. Only he wasn't expecting Kira. She refuses to take on Henry as a patient and as a private patient. She doesn't take on any paid work on top of her NHS contract. But she agrees to go and see Henry as a friend. Barclay is confused, irritated and unsure what he's got himself into.

A fake relationship is spun by Barclay's press Secretary after the press see Kira leaving the house. She agrees to help for Henry's sake, but like all good fake relationships it's not quite fake on both sides but they are polar opposites in almost every area of their lives. Although their is more going on in Kira's life than Barclay's knows about - will he be there for her when she needs him?

A story of opposites attract, acceptance, dealing with depression and gaslighting. A feeling of Notting Hill and Love Actually runs through the storyline and characters.

Anything but Easy is another uplifting, humorous romance from this wonderful author, Kira a character from the fabulous Beg Borrow or Steal and Limits now has her own spot in the lime light and what a rollercoaster of a journey it is.
Progressing in her medical career, Kira stands in for one of the consultants at the sexual health clinic, here she sees Henry who is HIV positive and not being compliant with his treatment and having given up on life. After discussing his future in uncompromising terms and taking no nonsense from him Henry appears to take on board what she tells him.
Having a big crush on conservative cabinet minister Barclay Lucas she is shocked when he comes to the hospital telling her he is Henry’s brother and requesting she treat him privately, devastated at Henry’s condition he realised Kira was the first person to get through to him. Kira refuses point blank to work privately and tells him so in her own forthright way, she says though she will be Henry’s friend and help him.
Barclay is stiff and straight laced and has never met anyone like Kira, he is bewitched, she is in lust, this is a beautiful relationship but it becomes very rocky due to Barclays inability to relax and just be taken along on what will be a wonderful ride, with some heartbreaking moments, as with all these books the great journey we are taken on is totally worth it, and the epilogue an absolute blast. Thank you for another brilliant read.
My grateful thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

This book wasn't for me.
Kira was so annoying, unprofessional, quite offensive at times and all together too much.
And the nicknames were horrid.

Kira is an over-the-top, funny, quirky doctor. Barclay is a reserved, serious, stoic politician. How will they ever have a relationship? Read this laugh out loud, cry real tears story to see what happens.

This story is about Kira Murphy, a junior doctor in the UK in the genitourinary department. She has on out there, eccentric personality which she sometimes gets flack for. She has been mooning over Barclay Lucas who is a politician in the British Parliament. One day, she meets him because she has been able to help his little brother with an issue that he thought was unresolvable. Thus their journeys begin.

I really came to love Kira as a character because her eccentricities make her who she is although she does have some insecurities about. She also becomes more insecure due to her boss sexually harassing her and I’m glad that she found her voice to speak up. It’s not easy to speak on these issues, especially in work environments that are dominated by males. I also loved the added touch about her work and what she does and trying to correct misinformation about sexual health, HIV and the stigma that comes with having it.

However, Barclay really got on my nerves at times. I didn’t really like how he was trying to change Kira’s personality to fit with him, his job and society. I did really like that the issues he had were very realistic and was not sugar coated and just skimmed over. I like that the big blow up that him and Kira has wasn’t skirted over and they just made up because he said sorry. She really had an issue with what he said, she told him outright and did not take him back immediately. Although, maybe fleshing out the time in between when they break up and get back together would be good. I like that they both changed some parts of themselves for the betterment of their relationship.

I also really liked all the side character as well, especially Henry, Kim, Mark, and Mellie. I would love to learn more about Mellie and her journey as well.

Overall, I liked this book, although there were some issues. I feel like with a bit of tweaking here and there, it could’ve been a 5 star read.

** ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review **

This has to be hands down my favourite Susie Tate book so far, and I have loved each one.

This is a romantic comedy and the story is told in an engaging way in alternating first person viewpoints of the main characters. The plot is absorbing and well paced and is reminiscent of a Pride and Prejudice theme, which is quite frankly the best trope there is (in my humble opinion).

The dialogue is what makes the book such a good romantic comedy, there are some real laugh out loud moments. But there are also some tough subjects addressed in the story, which are done respectfully, but with a little banter, which really brings a sense of 'normal' to the discussion of sexual health

I found the main characters of Kira and Barclay to be incredibly well written, having truly relatable vulnerabilities and flaws that made them all the more likable and compelling. It was easy to become emotionally invested in them as a couple, they really are the embodiment of opposites attract.

Highly recommended!

I breezed through this book and I may not be a Doctor or dye my hair pink, but on wearing colorful prints and some scarves I am definitely ok Kira's side!
It's a fun read because I found Kira to be a ball of sunshine and Barclay the man who takes on the weight of the world on his shoulder even though he shouldn't. Their chemistry is good and the saddest bit for me at some point was that I felt like Kira had to put in more work, be more vulnerable and as the story progressed Barclay gave his own too but it still wasn't enough for me to shake off that initial feeling of disappointment.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

As always I just love these British books by Susie Tate (a GP herself), in this case about tiny hurricane Kira and Tory politician Barclay.

I must say I found Kira to be a bit tiresome sometimes, the energy exploding from her making me roll my eyes. But I do know some people like her and it is spot on. I liked the fact the characters from the other books are in this book as well (Millie/Pav, Libby/Jamie and even Sam - who notes the fact Kira is like his wife Katie). Very enjoyable!!!

This book was very interesting. I loved the heroine. I thought she was amazing the way she was. I was upset with the Hero for not understanding her, but it seemed to have build an interesting plot line. The heroine was strong, sweet, and funny! I hope to read more from this author. I like how she handled some very delicate topics in this book. Overall it was a book I would read again.

I really like Susie Tate’s writing style and her previous books have always been good so I was very excited to get stuck into this one. I liked that we got both Kira and Barclay’s pov throughout the story and I also enjoyed catching glimpses of characters from past books. I did find Kira to be a bit of a ‘manic pixie dream girl’ at times and there were some points where I got very irritated with her character (lack of caring for her own personal safety!). Even though I was rooting for them I did feel Barclay needed to do a lot more than he did at the end given how harsh he was to Kira. Think I need him to show more of an interest in her whole world rather than just the “weird” / “wacky” bits. I especially liked the way the author handled Henry’s story and HIV. Kira’s interactions with Henry and how she played a role in pulling him back into the world were a highlight for me. Overall a good book, well worth a read.

Great read! Many laugh out loud moments!

The setting is London! Characters are a politician, a sex health doctor, strippers, a gay nurse, a man with HIV, and more. They embrace each other's differences. You can't help but feel for all of these characters. Serious moments are well balanced with humorous ones.

Susie Tate's Anything But Easy is Hilary, romantic and witty, not to talk of wholesome. I laughed all through the first three chapters and I could not put the book down.

I have to say that I definitely look forward to more of Ms. Tate's books.

A most interesting novel.

Anything But Easy by Susie Tate is an excellent read. Focusing on ornery, uninhibited, uber caring, self-described sex doctor, Kira and uptight politician, Barclay, the pairing seems like a match made by a Mt. Olympus deity wanting to make a joke. Kira has crushed on Barclay’s public persona for a long time. When circumstances put them together...readers will find out just how well oil and vinegar can mix. Although the majority of this book is lighthearted, the medical credentials of Dr. Tate clearly shine through the eyes of Barclay’s brother, Henry, a heterosexual character struggling to deal with his HIV and the workplace stress Kira must deal with. Fans of the author have waited a very long time for this book. The wait has not been in vain! So buckle up and enjoy. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly and happily recommend.

ARC provided for an honest review from Netgalley.



Oh my God.
This book was love at first word. I have always been a fan of Susie Tate's writing as it has the power to transport you to Faraway Britain,from where ever you might be and this book was no exception.
Kira had always been a well loved character in the previous two books of the series and I had always been curious about her.
Let me tell you the author has done her character complete justice. From the first page itself I was in peals of laughter.
Kira's character is extremely well written and she is humorous, quirky and over anything else so damn lovable and strong. Barclay is the perfect partner for her and his character development is a thing of beauty. He is the perfect Yin to her Yang, calm to her storm.
The entire books just flows from page one.
Kira becomes a part of you and you cannot help but shed tears when a sad part comes.
In short I loved loved loved this book. I devoured it in 5.5 hours flat in one sitting because I couldn't bear to put it down.
I have to say that till now Limits was my favourite book of the author with a close competition by Beg,Borrow, Steal but Anything but Easy definitely blows both of them out of the water as my favourite.
I am definitely buying a hard copy for my shelf on 13th September.

Thank you publisher and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.

When I saw this e-arc on NetGalley, the cover got my attention. The description sounded funny so I was intrigued to read this arc. I started right away with reading because I was eager to get to know the personages and the story.

Kira likes Barclay when she sees him on television; they however meet each other when Barclay comes to her work to thank her for her help with his brother. He offers her a job to keep working with his brother which she declines because she doesn’t want to work private. Even when he raises the salary, she refuses. Not after he begs her to help his brother, she accepts his offer, but still refuses to get paid. This was something I liked, a personage who doesn’t wants to be bought.

What I didn’t like in this book were the personages. I thought Kira is unprofessional, irritating and at many situations tacky. About 50 pages before the book ends Barclay finally admit he misses her and does something about it. The description sounded as it would happen shortly after the beginning and not almost at the end, which makes this story in my opinion, in no way other than other stories.
This story is told from Kira’s as well as Barclay’s point of view which is a nice way to get the both personages well.