I'm yet to be disappointed by a Nick Spalding book.

He has a real talent for mixing real hard hitting problems with comedy which enables us to laugh at the situation and not necessarily at the protagonist.

Hilarious! Entertaining! Giggle inducing! These are the weird set of words that come to my mind when I think about Dry Hard . I really really enjoyed reading this one.
Dry hard is refreshing, crazy, dramatic , witty & hilarious ( one again) !! I really liked the plot, the underlying serious angle to it.
The characters are written so well with their equally witty dialogues. For once, I loved all the characters equally.. (usually I am more of leaning towards one character ).
A must read if you are looking for something light weight but with substance.
#DryHard FTW!
Thank you #Netgalley for suggesting yet another good read

Readometer rating - 4/5 *

Diana Berns

4.0 out of 5 starsEntertaining.

14 January 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

Love this book. Laughed from beginning to end. The subject of alchohism is quite hard and serious but Nick Spalding has added so much humour to it. I will defiantly be reading more of his books as this is my first. Thank you netgalley and Amazon publishing for my ARC copy.

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I genuinely have moments in Nick Spalding’s books where I laugh out loud. I have since his first books, learned NOT to read them in public as it avoids embarrassing spontaneous outbursts of laughter, snorting when trying to control the outbursts, and dribbling tears and saliva out my eyes and mouth.

As we have come to expect with Nick Spalding he cleverly mixes the difficult situations in life with such slap-stick comedic scenes, that it is not understated to say the readers’ experience will be an absorbing rollercoaster ride of emotions.

Dry Hard involves the Temple family; husband Scott, wife Kate and 17-year-old daughter Holly. Scott works for a Gin brewery with easy access to alcohol, and Kate works for a PR agency that often means nights out and dinner with clients. Both Scott and Kate have always enjoyed alcohol and they seem to live jovial, pleasant and relaxed lives. Holly has watched their constant displays of drunken antics that are often lewd, foolish and offensive, hidden to them, behind a forgetful boozy mist of altered reality.

Life is full of choices and decisions, some feel small and incidental, while others feel so monumental that we fear to make them. Each decision, however, has an impact, not only on our own lives but on those around us and acutely on our families. Scott and Kate are confronted by a video of their drunken antics at Christmas, captured by Holly and accompanied by a threat to post on YouTube unless they stop. Unwilling to do so, or to believe Holly would actually follow through, they suddenly find themselves the focus of a video that has gone viral with the hashtag #DryHard.

Scott and Kate are initially humiliated and ashamed of their behaviour but eventually come to a decision that the video should be kept online as a huge motivation to stop drinking. The constant reminder being all too persistent and the horrible realisation of how drinking was affecting their daughter are the main incentives to commit to a year without alcohol. Holly also commits to this endeavour providing a regular online update to a growing number of subscribers that put her in a unique category of bloggers that can generate financial rewards. This brings the attention of others that have made millions with their own YouTube channels and are always looking to capture new opportunities.

These multiple threads are well woven into a good fast-paced story which is an easy read. The storyline proceeds as expected – the moments of lapse and its repercussions, the greedy online social media stars wanting to manipulate a young naïve girl and the expected relationship issues now their view of the world has been altered.

I didn’t feel this was as good as previous novels from Nick Spalding. It felt convenient at times and obvious in the plotting. I lost interest in Scott and Kate’s endeavour at various moments and Holly’s actions with regards her parents were a little off for my appreciation.

I would rate the book 3.5 stars but with Nick’s comedic scenes and his conclusion to the story laying out our challenges in making decisions, and how we can appreciate life and accept its failings are important messages, so I would happily round up to 4 stars.

Many thanks to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC version of the book in return for an honest review.

I have enjoyed all Nick Spalding’s books and Dry Hard was no exception. Published with impeccable timing for ‘Dry January’, it tells the tale of a middle aged couple who have come to depend on alcohol a little too much for enjoying themselves, much to the horror of their teenage daughter, who posts a video of their excesses online with amazing results.

The characters were all very true to life, especially Scott and Kate, who could quite easily be someone you know, or even yourself and your partner. I have to admit that some of their set-piece comic antics were a tad over the top for me, but all in all this is a good-hearted book that provided some much needed entertainment in these dark sober days after the festive season.

Another massive hit for Mr Spalding and a joy to read.

I enjoy Nick Spalding's writing and there were places where his usual wit was present. However, I was a bit confused with the use of humour to deal with what is essentially a serious issue. A daughter traumatised by her parent's alcoholism just isn't really funny-maybe that's based on personal experience. I found the Youtube element and the idiot bloggers to be just plain ridiculous and maybe they belong in another book. It's a hate it or love it kind of book!

Publisher’s Description: “Kate and Scott’s marriage has always been a lot of fun, with alcohol at the heart of it. After all, what’s more entertaining than a good laugh and a large drink… or six? But recently, those relaxing drinks have become more crutch than comfort—and the couple have almost forgotten how to talk to each other sober. Then their teenage daughter Holly uploads a video of their humiliating drunken escapades, which gets picked up by YouTube superstar PinkyPud—and goes horrifyingly viral. In a last-ditch attempt to prove to the world they’re more than just boozy idiots, Kate and Scott quit alcohol completely. But with Holly’s… er… ‘help’, what begins as a family promise soon escalates into a social media phenomenon: #DryHard! With the eyes of the Internet upon them, can Kate and Scott stay teetotal—and save their marriage in the process?”

The description on this one is a little misleading, I think. When the book begins, you definitely realize quickly that Kate and Scott have serious issues with alcohol, and their daughter Holly is ridiculously embarrassed by them. What we don’t see in the beginning is what the publisher describes as Kate and Scott having almost forgotten how to talk to each other sober. I actually didn’t get that impression. At one point, each one of them is at a work event without the other, and we hear both of them talking about how they are better able to control their drinking and navigate events with the other one around. The difficulty talking to one another comes much later – and after Holly uploads the video and they decide to quit drinking.

This is a humorous take on a very serious issue, and the author succeeds in entertaining. In a time when social media presence is increasing on a daily basis, he plays well into the idea that our kids are recording EVERYTHING these days and there are consequences to what is posted online. And once something goes online, it never really comes down.

I'm going 3 stars on this one though. I know some reviewers have said it was a little slow in places, and I agree, but that’s not why I'm giving it the "maybe" rating. The pace is realistic when Kate and Scott try to get sober. That’s kind of the point of the story…they’re not perceived as being as exciting or fun as they are when they’re drinking. What knocked it down from 4 to 3 for me was that the resolution came a little too easily. (Keep reading for spoilers that explain.)

****SPOILERS****

Kate and Scott have quit drinking cold turkey, but for some reason Holly was furious when each of them regressed…just once. I’ve known a few people who have quit an addiction – drinking, smoking, etc. – and it’s not easy. A quick Google search will tell you that recidivism rates for alcohol abuse are in the 40-60% range. It’s unrealistic for us to believe that both Kate and Scott would be able to quick cold turkey without some sort of relapse at some point.

Additionally, Kate and Scott decide to try marriage counseling because they have realized that alcohol has always been a part of their relationship, and they’re not sure they know how to communicate without it. They have ONE rather questionable counseling session at which they come to the realization that they’re mad at Holly, and suddenly all is right with their marriage? And it never seemed like they were projecting on each other their subconscious anger at Holly, which is what the counselor makes them realize. It seemed like they just didn’t have as much fun with each other without alcohol. It felt like their marriage had bigger, longer-standing issues that they should have addressed, and that wouldn’t take just one session with a counselor. Like I said, it all felt a little too easy.

I did like how PinkyPud got his comeuppance, although it was a little predictable what was going to happen there.

There are plenty who really loved this book. For me, it was ok. I didn’t hate it. It's an ok read. Just not something I would be on my must-read list.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing/Amazon UK Publishing for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this & the fact it’s dealt with a serious topic in a numerous way. First book I’ve read by this author bit have now bought more for my kindle. Refreshing change for me. Would recommend this author to anyone.

What a fantastic lighthearted and comedic read on the serious topic of alcoholism.

I will admit I did struggle with the first 30 odd percent of this book. I struggled to maintain engaged, but once the plot and the complexity of the characters picked up, it was a fantastic read. I did actually love that each chapter was narrated by either Kate, Scott or Holly, and each chapter was a different narrator. It was also easy to see who's POV it was written from.

I absolutely loved the complexity and real feeling of all the characters, especially Scott and Kate. I loved the growth of Scott and Kate, but also Holly by the end of the book. I loved how Spalding used the topic of YouTube and using YouTube as a social media platform to show how Scott and Kate's growth from alcoholics to staying sober for a year. Holly's growth through her YouTube channel and how she learnt from her mistakes and choices that were typical of a teenager amazed by another Youtuber that she looked up to and adored. I loved that the book touched on this topic as well.

Thank you very much to Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a big fan of Nick Spalding books, so was delighted to be given the opportunity to read Dry Hard. Thank you Netgalley!

Scott and Kate are completely oblivious to the effect their drinking is having on their and their daughter’s lives, embarrassing themselves, their employers and the final straw for their daughter Holly - their family during Christmas dinner.
She decides to film them to let them see how bad they are, but when challenged with the video they shrug it off as normal. Holly decides to upload the video to YouTube to shame her parents, not realising that due to support from a well known blogger the video will go viral.
Scott and Kate decide to go sober for a year, and make the announcement publicly via their daughter’s blog where she will record their progress throughout the year.
A light hearted book about a serious subject, I did find myself laughing out loud often at their escapades, and sympathising with Holly.
Not my favourite Nick Spalding offering but a good read regardless.

Mr. Spalding has that magical ability to write a book about an entirely not-funny situation (alcoholism) without being crass or making light of it. In Dry Hard, two of his main characters are married alcoholics and their teen daughter uses social media to hopefully embarrass them enough to change their ways. The story adds humor to a difficult situation without ignoring the seriousness of the root problem. Other than surface issues of being alcoholics, or a teenage girl, I don't feel like character development was as strong in this book as it has been in many of Mr. Spalding's previous books. Perhaps because alcohol took up such a big part of their lives?

Dry Hard is a genuinely funny novel by a new author to me, with a dark side, as he explores the effects of alcohol addiction on an ordinary English family. As the daughter of unrepentant high-functioning alcoholics, who also enjoys a wine or three, but knows her limits (or is that what they all say?) this hit a few nerves, but also had me sniggering out loud in public at several scenes.

Scott and Kate have been happily married for twenty years, and have a comfortable life with their seventeen year old daughter Holly, despite rather frustrating jobs. They know how to ease the days stresses and have a good time, and if they sometimes go a bit far, well, who doesn’t....? Except maybe they have a problem. When Kate’s over-indulgence at a wedding leads to a deeply embarrassing escapade involving a tractor, and Scott almost blows up his workplace drunkenly setting of fireworks, Holly hatches a plan to shock them into change, but the video of their inebriated antics goes far further than she could have dreamed. Horrified that their personal lives are now all over the Internet, Scott and Kate vow to change, and #DryHard begins - but will their relationship survive now the party is over?

I really liked this, even though some chapters made me cringe, because the characters were so real, human and relatable. There are some wonderfully despicable villains too. The whole social media subplot kept it bang up to date and the therapy scene cracked me up. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

My thanks to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. Dry Hard is available now.

A funny, insightful story about a couple who try to give up drinking at the request of their teenage daughter after she shows then how destructive it actually is to their family. It had so many hilarious and cringeworthy antics throughout it but also a sense of sadness and a realization on just how much the alcohol really affected and changed them. I enjoyed this book.

Kate and Scott have a comfortably boozy relationship; they use alcohol as the crutch to get them through the everyday mundanity of life and as such have fallen into a downward spiral culminating in them making complete arses of themselves pretty much any time they touch a drink. Much to the disdain and horror of their young daughter Holly, who decides that there is need for an intervention, which will take place in the form of a horribly embarrassing show and tell all on YouTube. Kate and Scott don’t even know what YouTube is. Until they do. And when they see the ugly truth and turn into a social media phenomenon overnight, things start to snowball.
As a relative newbie to the comedy writers genre and in fact to Nick Spalding’s books themselves, I approached this book with caution. I’m glad to say that my trepidation was short lived - I laughed so hard at this book that I annoyed my husband because I was shaking the bed so violently from trying to quell my giggling outbursts! Whilst this book deals with serious topics related to alcohol and it’s perceived abuse; it does so with stunning comic timing and long hard belly laughs along the way, potted with a crazy insight into the world of social media and so called YouTube stardom. A must read if you’re looking for something light-hearted and fun - I’ll definitely be looking for more Nick Spalding in my next bookshop visit!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing who provided me with an ARC Kindle copy of this novel so that I could read it and write an honest review.

Holly, sick of her parents getting blind-drunk and embarrassing her, decides on a plan to keep them sober.

That is the basic outline of the story and I fear revealing more would spoil the fun. Each chapter is told first person from each of the characters, allowing you to sympathize with each character's view. I laughed out loud numerous times and was also touched by some of the honest revelations as Kate and Scott try to remain sober.

I've had the pleasure of reading all of Nick Spalding's books and this is his best one yet.

Highly recommended

I was really expecting a light silly comedy, like the other Spalding books I've read. This was funny, but with dry humor and a serious topic. Alcoholism isn't funny, most people know or live with an alcoholic. I can relate to this story as Holly, the very embarrassed witness to many drunken incidents, and it was a bit terrifying to see her put everything out to the public. Don't expect crazy laughs and smiles, just some giggles and many relatable scenes. I received my copy through Netgalley.

I'm really not sure where I stand on this book. It's comedy about a serious issue, alcoholism, but I'm not sure its comedy, some parts at the beginning did make me laugh and the author really brought the scenes to life but as the book went on I just felt it got silly and i lost interest in it a bit. I liked the idea, the plot, the characters, the social media side of things but it just didn't all glue well in my opinion.

Thank you though for the chance to read this, i hadnt read anything from this author so it was nice for me to do so. On publication date i will review on goodreads etc etc

Love this book. I have had other works from Nick Spalding before and adored them. Very witty and charming characters who you can relate to, I will look into buying this book as it is a fun read. Nicks writing is very engaging and exciting. Thank you Nick and company for allowing me to read this book.

I found this book hard at first I found the couples antics totally cringe worthy!! I loved Holly and the way she dealt with her parents was funny and sad at the same time, realising their life revolved around alcohol, can they live without it, they become viral as Holly tries to show her parents what they are really like

Another fabulously funny book by the amazing Nick Spalding. I have yet to read one of his books that I haven't enjoyed. Although dealing with a serious issue, this book lightens the situation with humour throughout. Excellent.