Our hero, Andy Bellows, is addicted to electronic devices and the internet. The first thing he does each day and the last thing he does each evening is to attach himself to the world electronically. This activity is causing him medical problems serious enough to send him to the doctor. The doctor recommends disconnecting, much like AA members quit drinking and dry out. His friend is a writer for the local paper and takes it upon himself to write about Andy's withdrawal from the electronic world. This creates for Andy a following he does not want.
The book takes you through his life as he struggles mightily without the internet. The author visualizes how Andy's life will change, much of it for the better, but he also shows how responsible use of the internet can be useful and even a lifesaving. It is a well-written story, much of it amusing. I didn't find it laugh out loud funny, but I did find myself grinning in several places. My major complaint is the amount of time spent on Andy's bowel movements. Bathroom humor is not interesting to me.

I gave it three out of five stars because the plot is not particularly deep, the story is not hard to figure out even with a few twists and turns, and too much information about bowel movements. Discounting the bathroom humor, it is an enjoyable read with several funny parts, especially his first date set up through the newspaper personals. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Sort of a weird book to read during the lockdown where I am spending about 13 hours a day on my phone or laptop or Nintendo but Spalding books always make me laugh and I needed that.

I loved it. I laughed a lot. I related a lot to the subject and I almost even decided to google a detox for myself, but I will be sure to avoid the duck ponds for a while.

The characters in this book are likeable from the very beginning and there are so many laugh out loud moments throughout the thing meant I got exactly what I expected from it!

I LOVE that Nick Spalding references his other books in this book too, it's really smart, I love that he's building a universe for his own characters but also appreciate the effort that must take!

The book is a very solid 5/5 for me. A very easy to read funny book with a pretty sweet and sensible takeaway point right at the end.

After having read a couple of dark police thrillers this book was a light relief.

My first by this author but will certainly add others of his to my want to read shelf.

This tells the story of someone who is advised by his doctor to take a digital detox and helped by his friend who also is a journalist who writes about it in his column making it difficult for him to give up. Story tells of his escapades of trying to negotiate trips without sat nav, being able to do research about places before visiting, meeting new people along the way and learning to just go with the flow.

I’m very pleasantly surprised by this book. I was fully prepared to not enjoy it, but I did!
It’s very cleverly written and the names for apps, websites and businesses are genius.
The book really made me think about my own life and technology, I think everyone should read it and then make up their own minds about their online use.
I’m off to read some more Nick Spalding..............

Andrew is obsessed with Facebook, Twitter and is constantly looking at his phone and playing computer games.

He visits his doctor regarding his health conditions, after googling and jumping to the conclusion that he has Cancer. The Doctor advises to have a “Digital Detox” This sounds easier than what it is, no more looking at weather apps before going out and even ordering food online is now a no go!!

I liked this book as we can all relate to Andrew, spending too much time on the internet, forever looking at our phones land at Facebook afraid we might be missing out on something!!

Next time you go out for a meal in a restaurant just look around at people who are on their phones rather than talking to one another!!

I loved all the characters, a very funny book that had me giggling to myself!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

There's a certain irony about this being published just as most of us are finding ourselves more reliant than ever on social media and devices because we can't have face to face conversations with anyone except those already in our living space (or in the case of essential personnel, work space as well.). that said, Andy's effort to de-tech comes with a healthy dose of humor. You will recognize, no doubt, bits of yourself or someone you know in him. Spalding is a good storyteller and you'll find yourself chuckling. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a pleasant diversionary read.

Nick Spalding’s main character, Andy Bellow, a graphic designer, suffers from all the possible ailments that our digitally-integrated lives could give us – neck and back aches, a chronic need to stock up on juicy gossip and the latest updates from celebrities and influencers we follow on various social media sites, irritable bowel syndrome, sleeplessness, a general inability to navigate safely through a road or through a healthy dating life, and so it goes on.

On the recommendation of his doctor, he uncharacteristically decides to go on a digital detox for 2 months. His decision is chronicled in his best friend’s newspaper, and now there is no going back.

Does he succeed? If yes, how? If no, why? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

In “Logging Off”, Andy goes through many adventures in his sixty days, including understanding some of the real realities of Instagram influencers living lives that seem like a fairytale and going on a blind date with someone he met via an ad she placed in the newspaper. Armed with his singular love for flat whites (Howdy, sir!) and relatability, we are taken along for an adventure through the country of England. Near the end of the book, we are introduced to a conundrum to figure out as we enjoy our agonising solitude during this lockdown.

I loved the story of the book and it was intriguing to be in the mind of a 30-something. Though the premise of the book seems commonplace at first, it truly has some memorable moments in it. It was a bit too long-winded for my liking in certain places, but nevertheless, an enjoyable read.

I give this book 3.5 stars and recommend it to anyone pondering the true extent of control that our phones, laptops and e-readers have on us.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for giving me an e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute, funny little book and very relevant to the world we live in now. At times a little overboard on the cleverness, it went on a little long in parts unnecessarily, but the diversions were entertaining nonetheless. It won't blow your mind by any stretch, but it's got a good message and put a smile on my face. Thank you for the free advance copy, NetGalley!

This was a very interesting book. We follow Andy Bellows, technology addict and sufferer of several health problems because of it, as he goes through a digital detox. Obviously, there are lots of lessons learned along the way. The irony was not lost on me that I read this book on the Kindle app of my iPhone and found that several times I thought of something I needed to do or popped off the book into social media. We all have some addict in us! This was not the most sophisticated writing and was definitely British style humor, with far too many descriptions of bodily functions and perfectly ludicrous situations. I did enjoy a male narrator, which can be difficult to find in fiction, and I also really enjoyed the satire on our digital obsession as a culture. Spaulding explored many aspects, from the physical addiction to social medial influencers to how we portray ourselves online and how others' approval becomes so important. He hits the nail on the head with all of it. 2.5 stars overall.

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC of this book - all opinions are my own.

Logging Off is my first read from Nick Spalding and I love him! The author draws the bitter truth of our generation’s obsession and addiction with technology and turned it into a story, both laugh out loud and thinkable. Sure technology is supposed to be “connecting” people, but its also main reason for many issues such as social anxiety. The book is about Andy, who tried to “detox” technology from his life by staying offline. Its a different and unique take on livelihood. I couldn’t imagine being offline, have no idea what that would do to me (an introvert here, sorry!). The story is relatable on many terms and I couldn’t say how much I loved the humour-thought provoking writing of the author! This is second book in this genre I have enjoyed this year, first being Bell Hammers by Lancelot Schaubert!
Thank you NetGalley, Nick Spalding and publisher for this wonderful read. This review is my own and is not influenced in any way!

This book is about one man who is getting physically ill (ibs, backaches, insomnia, etc) from being online all the time so his doctor tells him to give up the internet. What follows is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. Most of us aren't going to be able to give up the internet due to it's necessity in our everyday lives, but this book made me think about how much time I spend online and what I could be doing better with that time.

In a time where technology seems to be everywhere, how easy would it really be to just unplug? The theme of this book is really relevant for today, with apps for just about everything. In fact, the book opens with the main character excited about finding an app that can help him track his bowel movements for his neverending gastrointestinal issues.

Unfortunately, for his health, our protagonist is told to quit technology cold turkey. He's a person who is very much connected, so naturally it's a struggle. Hijinks ensue.

It's a light, fluffy story for such a serious plot (society's overreliance on technology and the addiction it can cause in a person), but there were quite a few funny parts.

I struggled with connecting to the main character. I found him whiny, and a tad ridiculous at times. And the bathroom humor got old after awhile.

It's best to look at the story for no more than it is. There really isn't a deeper meaning, it's all right there. In fact, it beats you over the head with it. But it is quick, it's funny, and it does make you think... What could I find if I logged off?

Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Living in an age where technology is so important in our daily lives, I thought that this book’s theme was really important. Especially during the UK’s quarantine, it can be quite easy to spend all day on our phones or laptops without even realising. This makes the book quite relatable to a lot of us. For me, it was when Andy started googling his symptoms that I realised that I can sometimes have similar tendencies.


Despite the book having quite a serious theme, it was constantly lighthearted, funny, and easy to read. Andy is quite a melodramatic character, and everything seems to go wrong for him. This meant that some scenes felt a little bit exaggerated, but this might just be more to do with my sense of humour if anything else.

I think Logging Off really picked up about half-way through after Andy deals with the initial stresses of living offline. The irony of Andy having a fanbase despite his detox and the introduction of Grace picked up the pace of the book for me.

I also liked how Andy, or the narration, sometimes spoke directly to the reader. It made me feel very involved and included with the story, and I felt that I really wanted him to complete his digital detox.

I can imagine Logging Off being a great holiday read, or a great pick-me-up book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Books for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

“I’m suddenly struck by a huge sadness, thinking about all the people I may have missed out on over the years.” Logging Out by Nick Spalding

3.5 stars! I’ve been reading books of Nick Spalding for years. His books are light and his dry humor comes out nicely.

This is probably one of my fave of his. Logging Out is about Andy, a man who suddenly had to quit cold turkey, his online life for his hearth.

Andy has all the apps and more than you can think of. I mean he’s so very much connected. So like any other addiction, his logging off, except for work related matters, was a huge struggle. And his struggle was...a little funny. I mean the situations he found himself in because he was unplugged. And the people he met too were...characters. 😂 Except for Grace who he stumbled on.

For a lighthearted book (in my opinion), this deals with something we seriously need to do every now and then... our dependence, addiction with being connected. Let’s be real here. I’ve had those aches in the back because of being hunched over the iPad. My eyesight has gone bad because of reading/surfing on my phone. And you lose track of time when you’re sucked into YouTube or Flipboard or IG or Facebook. So I’ve had to find my own balance. Just like Andy did. Though I never had it as bad as him.

Thank you Amazon Publishing UK for the arc of this book. Nick Spalding is always a fun read.

Andy is stressed, his neck hurts and he's having a hard time going to the bathroom. Convinced he has a serious disease, he goes to see his doctor who tells him he is addicted to the Internet and all the technology that goes along with it. His doctor suggests that he do a sixty day detox ... no gaming, texting, tweeting, Facebooking, Googling, etc. To get healthy, Andy agrees. But he's ready to give up after a couple hours when he has to actually go outside to get something to eat ... it was so much easier when all he had to do was use an app on his phone.

His friend, Fergus, is a journalist and sees Andy's detox as a great story and perhaps an inspiration to others so writes about it in the newspaper. So no matter how tempted he is, Andy can't quit now because he starts to gain a following. Along the way, he finds out how hard it is to live without technology (like having to actually use a map to get where he's going) but he also discovers how nice it is when he meets Grace and goes on day trips outside with her.

This is the sixth book I've read by this author and I liked it. I liked the writing style ... it was funny and sarcastic. It is written in first person perspective in Andy's voice and it's as if he was speaking to me, the reader. The author is English and the story happens there so some of the references weren't common to me. As a head's up, there is a swearing.

Could you give up technology and the Internet for 60 days?

Logging Off by NIck Spalding is a quick and easy read with plenty of humour to keep the reader engaged and entertained. Andy Bellows is spending so much time online that it is damaging his health, so when his doctor recommends a sixty day digital detox, despite some initial qualms he decides to give it a go. Life without his devices is even harder than he expected, technology has become such an integral part of every day life, from google maps and sat- nav devices to food delivery apps, that living without it may be a bigger challenge than he can overcome. Over the course of his detox he makes some new and surprising friends, has a disastrous blind date , and a car journey from hell which make for very funny reading. Regular readers of Spalding's books may spot a few Easter eggs, which also added to the fun of the book. Given the tense climate of the world at the moment, this book was a perfect lighthearted distraction, and the message of balance has never been more apt that it is at the moment, when every scroll of the phone screen is more bad news, and more than ever we are relying on technology to anchor us to the world at large.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own,

This was an interesting read at a time when everyone in the world, is relying on being online to keep them connected to their loved ones and what is going on. This story was about the opposite, with the main character Andy, stepping back from his online world.

Andy Bellows in a bit of a mess, he has IBS, back and neck pain, not sleeping well, head aches and the latest development, lock jaw. After this all coming to a head, Andy decides he has to see a doctor, as after googling his symptoms he is convinced he is dying. His Doctor gives him a simple diagnosis that he is not dying and most of his symptoms are being caused by his online addiction. The Doc prescribes him a 60 day digital detox. Even the thought of this sends Andy in to panic, however in reflection he decides to give it a go. Within 24 hours he is on the verge of giving it up when his best friend Fergus, drops by. Fergus is a journalist for the local paper and persuades Andy to keep with it and he will write an article about the detox.

The detox leads Andy into some compromising positions, talking to a duck and pulling a first date out of a toilet window. It does get better though. Like many of Nick’s books, it is a disastrously, calamitous funny story. It is an easy, light hearted read and perfect for the current time we are living in. The overriding message to take away from this is; balance in life is essential, quite obvious, but always good to be reminded. Also what works for someone may not work for another, we are all individuals.

I received my free copy from Netgalley in exchange for this free honest review. I give this book 5/5.

I have loved all of Nick Spaldings books. They are so light hearted and funny to read. They are pure escapism in this busy world we live in. This book is no exception and although this contains Nick's usual humour and believe me there is a lot. It also brings home how much modern day life has changed and how people in this digital world have lost the skills of the true value of spending time with people.
I truly enjoyed this book and loved the characters in it. I highly recommend everyone should read this.

I REALLY wanted to like this book! While I found it ironic that it was about a digital detox, but I was reading it as a ebook, it just missed the mark for me. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen l, but unfortunately Grace being introduced didn’t do that. As soon as she was introduced, I knew they would become a couple. The most exciting part of this entire book was her losing her necklace and him finding it.

Loved this cute and fun book! It's funny, but also very real and poignant about how technology is taking over our day to day lives. Fun story, but also very needed for every person to read. Definitely recommend!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.