I loved this book for sooo many reasons one of which and the main reasons is because it's hilarious... oh my goodness especially my girl Kira
I also loved the romance and the other amazing characters in this book
Thank you Susan, it's positive to say this book made my day when i was reading it

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a bit of cray-cray with a dash of humor and lovee.

It took way too long to get into this one. Contemplated a DNF, but had to keep going. I wanted to like the character - I thought I could relate - but it was tough

I so enjoy Susie Tate’s books. She writes interesting characters whose stories simply draw you in. In this book, the heroine, Kira, is one of the most charismatic and entertaining, yet vulnerable heroines that I’ve read. She’s larger than life although she’s very petite. She makes friends everywhere she goes as she works as a doctor specializing in sexual diseases in a London hospital. She has a crush on a sexy member of the Tory cabinet, Barclay Lucas. When she gets to meet him in real life after she helps his HIV-infected brother, he can’t resist her charm. He realizes that she is quite wacky, but her good humor and kindness also attracts him

Of course, a young Tory politician on the rise with an ambitious plan to switch the UK over to nuclear energy shouldn’t be hanging out with a girlfriend with a distressing tendency to start talking about preventing genital warts when she meets reporters and other cabinet officials. But he can’t resist her. Yet Kira is also experiencing sexual harassment from her boss at work and doesn’t want to have a boyfriend who sometimes tries to suppress her spirit.

I didn’t want this novel to end. The epilogue was great and I found myself wanting another novel to see what would happen after they were married.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

This book was fantastic. I really liked Kira. She was fun and quirky. I have started using some of her phrases, much to my husband's chagrin. I really liked her relationship with Henry. He was a fun character and she really drew him out as a person. Barclay was ok but he was a little too over the top for me. I didn't love the pushy vibe he was giving off. Kira calls him on it, which is good. It would just have been nice if he was a little nicer to her. I see why he likes her but I never really did see why she would go for him. Except for his arse of course.

Anything But Easy by Susie Tate is a modern day rom-com novel about a sexual health doctor named, Dr. Kira Murphy and a politician Barclay Lucas. Both of them are pretty much opposite, but yeh their paths meet when she is forced to treat his young brother Henry.

I've never read about HIV as a major plot point in any contemporary or romance novels, so there's a plus point for the author here. Overall, it was a good one time book. But at some points I felt the plotline/story was stretched.

The character of Dr. Kira Murphy was one of its kind. Witty, odd and hilarious. The nicknames coming out of her mouth for Barclay Lucas and Henry Lucas were hilarious. I appreciated the dual perspective in this book - Kira and Barclay. Overall, a great character developed book.

Overall, the story and the characters were very much near to reality and unlike those magical rom-coms. We could see so much about a person having HIV, which over the top is from a aristocrat family. The writing style of the author is also brilliant.
_________

Thank You to the Publisher and NetGalley for this e-copy in exchange of a honest review.

My overall consensus is that this is an adorable modern romantic comedy with a sunshine/grumpy trope that progressing throughout the story. You are able to follow the two main characters, Kira and Barclay as they navigate their relationship and personality differences. The setting is in England, so the novel is filled with funny British anecdotes. This is a charming novel that put a smile on my face with its lively characters and heartwarming story.

Kira Murphy is a quirky sexual health doctor who is a free spirit at heart. Her counterpart is Barclay Lucas, who is a serious politician that is used to controlling every aspect of his personal and professional life. This novel follows these two characters and how their lives intersect and affect one another.

An interesting plot point is how Kira meets Barclay after treating his brother after he contracted HIV. I have never read about HIV as a major plot point in a contemporary romance and found this incredible moving and realistic in its portrayal. This aspect of the story offers a point of view and topic that is rarely discussed openly and honestly, which I appreciate as a reader. It added layers and nuance to the story and its characters.

I also appreciated having dual point of views for both main characters. You are able to understand why each character is apprehensive about starting a relationship with one another. Kira does not believe Barclay would have genuine feelings for a free spirit like her and Barclay cannot process his sudden passion for such a rare and outspoken person. These two characters are not “supposed” to work, but their personalities complement each other and you can feel their electric chemistry burst off the page.

This is a well written romance that is peppered with witty dialogue and well rounded characters that are relatable with honest depictions of their flaws and vulnerabilities within their relationship. I highly recommend this novel to put a smile on your face.

I loved this book!! It had me from the very first page. I laughed out loud with Kira, I had happy tears, sad tears, felt such empathy for her on her kitchen bench, and man that sexual tension!! I would love to see this book come to the big screen!!!

I would like to thank netgalley and the author Susie Tate for this advance copy

Anything But Easy by Susie Tate the easiest five-star novel you will read. This was my first by this author, but I am certain it won’t be the last, there was something extra special about Kira, she just melted my heart and made me realise that I was stronger than I ever realised as the way she reacted was the same as me I hid and shied away and that it was okay as we both eventually came out the other side. But that’s not the only thing about this story, it is filled with funny medical stories and a book club that is anything but, and a Tory politician who also isn’t anything like what you imagine he should be, it also has the amazing undercurrent of destigmatising HIV and other sexual health matters and also shining a light on how important vaccination is, and how people don’t seem to understand how seriously they need to be taken. This was really well done and had a very nicely done lightness that balanced the heavier subjects making it a fun read that won you over and made you root for Kiki and The Badger. (Special mention to the hilarious names, I am also a re-namer and loved some of these I am sure they will make it to my repertoire there were already one or two in there but some of these need taking and giving a re-naming ceremony of their own).

Kira is a sexual health doctor, however she is unlike most doctors. She is strange, weird has a foul mouth and pink hair.

Barclay is her complete opposite, a straight laced politician.

It’s true what they say, opposites do attract.

What a laugh!

I instantly fell in love with Kira and her personality. This was a totally unpredictable romantic comedy, because of her. You never knew what she was going to do or say next. Braclay is a politician, serious and straight-laced. They definitely help balance each other out, with Kira still being true to herself.

Could not finish. The writing is way too contrived and seems as if the author is trying way to hard to be funny. It didn’t read well and I felt myself reading anything but this book.

Anything but easy was a pack up read in the feels department with some comedic relief and maybe not a conventional read in some ways. Kira is a quirky NHS doctor that's loud, unapologetic about it, and loyal to a fault. Barclay is an MP, closed up, grumpy and uptight.
They meet because of Henry, Barclay's brother, who contracted HIV and has been spiraling after the diagnosis but who takes a liking for Kira.
Opposites in every way yet attracted to each other.
She's unconventional in her practice and dealing with sexual harassment by her boss so there's a niggling of self-doubt and insecurity about her. He's all about proper behavior and his ways so at some point he was trying to mold Kira into his ways.
I wish there had been more on paper groveling on his part.

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

A big thank you to NetGalley and Susie Tate for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Wow this was quite a ride. I loved the characters! Kira and Barclay had great chemistry! this book made me smile, and.laugh. It still has things to say about sexual health as well. I truly enjoyed this book. 4.5 star

I was so thrilled to be able to read this book by Susie Tate, as she is one of my favorite authors. Her books are mostly set in the UK and frequently have characters who work in hospitals. She and her husband are both doctors.

The main characters are Kira Murphy, Barclay Lucas and his brother Henry. Kira is a gifted doctor who was raised by a hippie Mama. Kira has very little fear, few inhibitions, and is an outsize personality in a barely 5 foot body. Her specialty is genitourinary medicine (sex health). Having mandatory vaccination for genital warts is one of her passions, and she is apt to discuss them at the drop of a hat, with graphic descriptions. She has a crush on Barclay Lucas, whom she has seen on the news.

Barclay Lucas is tall, handsome, buttoned-up, and an up and coming politician who is driven to move the UK to renewable energy very soon, not a decade or even five years from now. He is horrified when he meets Kira in his home. Horrified ... and attracted... and horrified about being attracted.

Henry is one of my favorite characters. He is younger than his brother, and did a little too much partying, only discovering that he was HIV positive when he ended up in the hospital. Henry thinks his life is over and refuses more treatment. Kira, his doctor from the hospital, calls on him at home to cheer him up (and convince him differently). Barclay discovers that his brother is better after her visit, and has to go eat some humble pie to persuade Kira to keep visiting his brother.

There is so much to love and laugh about in this book, but I don't want to give too much away. I loved Kira's Mom, and her and her Mom's diverse and interesting friends. Characters from some of the earlier books also made an appearance, which was great.

I do have two niggles. I wished that the word 'shouted' had been used a little less. While reading, I even began to substitute other words and phrases like 'called out', 'cheered', or 'yelled', etc. I also questioned that any woman would live and sleep in an apartment where the door did not lock.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are mine.

O M G ... what a ride this books was. Kira Murphy, Dr Murphy, is now my absolute favorite heroine. She is a hoot!

Kira has tremendous spark and joy. A petite force of nature that can easily scoop you up , turn you upside down and bring different colors to your boring world. She also knows it. Knows that she walks around in a world of bright colors, never pastel, but bright. She is smart, loyal to her friends and family. Working hard for her patients and bringing a freshness to her practice that is very different from any other patient-doctor connection. I love her.

Barclay Lucas, Sexy Badger - LOL., our brooding, too serious politician, can’t help to be swept away by this little tornado. Kira brings so much energy to his life, clearly unsettling him and yet he finds it pretty fulfilling, as crazy as that sounds. He convinces Kira to treat his brother, Henry, outside of the office. Henry has HIV and has isolated himself from friends and family. Kira is the only one that is able to get to him.

This was a subject that I have not come across in a romance book yet and I found it pretty interesting. I like how frank Kira was with Henry as she tried to get him to start back on his medication and eventually seeking out his friends.

If you are looking for a spitfire that is full of energy, and loads of laughter this is the book for you! You will not be disappointed! I for one will never see a badger the same LOL!!!

Anything But Easy by Susie Tate

Thank you to NetGalley, Susie Tate, and the publisher for the ARC. 

This was a fantastic read! Susie take took me on a such a journey with Kira and Barclay.

This is a true opposites attract novel with unconventional Kira and staid Barclay. Kira, a sexual health doctor, lives life how she wants to, without worrying about what other people think of her. She’s good at her job and wants to help people, but with a pink streak in her hair and no filter she’s not exactly what you expect when you think “doctor”. Barclay is a Tory politician who just became the Minister for Business, Energy, and Clean Growth. He is also good at his job and exactly what you expect from a conservative politician. Together they butt heads over almost everything. But they soon realize just how great they can be together.

Kira and Barclay’s story was such a wild ride. It was a little hard for me to get into in the beginning because Kira is a lot, right from the first page. But like Barclay, I feel in love with her over the course of the book. She was unapologetically her and in the end Barclay and I both accepted and loved her for it. I really felt the change in the individuals as they grew together to become a couple. There wasn’t a sole sacrifice on Kira’s part to conform into the perfect political wife, and I’m so glad about that.

This is my first Susie Tate novel and I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future! Overall I could tell this wasn’t the first in the series, but I was able to jump right in without feeling like I missed too much. There were some moments where I could tell there was more and the novel might have been more satisfying had I read the other books in the series, but honestly that’s most series so it wasn’t a huge problem for me.

HJ Recommends!

Brace yourself with a decent napkin on your lap and hook into Anything but Easy with joyful abandon, because this little cracker is spirited, juicy, and has a little dash of Love Actually meets Brigit Jones’ Diary sprinkled in for good measure. Kira, the adorable whirlwind of a Sexual Health Doctor is simply loveable and hilarious from the first 2 pages of the book. From the onset, it is clear that she is an untameable life force who cares deeply about others and will do anything it takes to support people on their journey. Interestingly enough, despite her lunatic fringe hippy-esque demeanour, she finds herself crushing hard on Barclay Lucas, a conservative Tory MP who believes firmly in environmental policy as key to a better country. Whilst both of our hero’s have the same general mission and personal goals in mind – making the world a better place for everyone, you could hardly find more opposing characters and inevitably, lovers. Opposites clearly do attract in this little ditty. But of course, not everything is smooth sailing and nothing with these sorts of social cultural oppositions will come easy – certainly not relationships and certainly not when it always means one partner will inevitably have to change some significant part of themeselves and who they are to fit into the others’ world. And of course, given his high profile political stakes, it inevitably means that delightful Kira, who literally lights up rooms, is the one that has to dull herself down. And this comes at a painful price for everyone she graces.

Tate, quite tactfully addresses the strange standards we have in society when one group of people judge another, and it is interesting that within her commentary is the firm belief that conservative values are the ones we always seem to uphold, when in fact, it should be the exact opposite as is realized throughout. Even from a media perspective, people crave liberal self-expression, seeing people care and love one another and yet, why is it we seem to navigate towards robot style politics that serve no one in the end? These questions and more are the ones Barclay finds himself addressing as he struggles to come to terms with what actually gives his life joy and purpose. Quite effectively, Anything but Easy holds a giant spotlight on the fact that everything we love should be worth fighting for, whether it be our environment, our living standards, or quite simply and beautifully each other for a more healthier us. With it’s easy flowing character chapters, we see insight into both Kira and Barclay’s world, two very different worlds granted, but garner a deep understanding of what it takes to really make a difference.

I highly recommend, everyone takes 3-4 hours out of their schedule, however busy, however necessary and chew a little on this one. Not only was it anything but easy to put down but an effective reminder that we shouldn’t change who we are or conform to a social norm when being ourselves is often the most powerful thing of all. A true Happily Ever After that will fill you up like a delicious home-cooked meal.

Firstly a huge thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book early because believe me when I say this - the PLEASURE's all mine. This is probably the best book in the series! I am a long time reader of Susie Tate's books and Kira's story is my favourite out of all previous books in the series( I definitely recommend those if you haven't read them yet already). This book is both hilarious and serious at the same time. I had a huge crush on Kira. She is awesome! The girl is hilarious and mad but she makes people fall for her despite her quirky character. SHE. IS. AWESOME. I repeat - She is awesome and you all seriously need to read this book. The romance, the drama, the relationship issues between her and Barclay and ofcourse the chemistry - all of it made it such an awesome read. I can write an essay on how much I liked it and it would not be enough. I highly recommend it if you are a true romantic. It's a must! Hope you all fall madly in love with Dr. Kira and Barclay's hilarious romance as deeply as I did. Happy reading!

I ABSOLUTELY ADORED this book.
Anything but Easy is a lighthearted romance where Kira, a free spirited and unorthodox sex doctor with some questionable swear words, meets Barclay Lucas, an uptight, control freak (AKA Kira's celebrity crush) (obvy) :).

I liked the two POVs and it definitely worked well for this book. Barclay's outlook on the situation made him a more likable character and added an additional dimension to the story that definitely helped the reader get into the story. A lot of times I find multiple POVs to be unessisary, but without it here, it would have been much more difficult for the reader to become invested in the characters.
OTHER THINGS: Some iffy swearing and, if you're not from the UK, you might have to look up some of the terms used in this book.

A wonderful story about a tiny hurricane called Kira and a Tory politician named Barclay.

extremes of any kind are never good, moderation in everything is key to a good life. In this book we meet two totally polar opposite extremes, Kira is who is too in-your-face everything, and Barclay who is too uptight-by-the-rules kind of person. In each other they find the perfect balance.

This is a well written book, which discusses serious topics in a laugh out loud, light hearted way. I will give this book 5 out 5 star rating, because I absolutely loved reading this book. The character development is done beautifully and the ending was amazing. However a trigger warning should have been mentioned, because while it did not bother me, it did catch me by surprise.
**trigger warnings for sexual harassment and assault should be noted**