Dry Hard

Another madcap and zany book by Nick Spalding - Promises to entertain ! This story involves a family of three; Parents in their forties with a 17 year old daughter. I usually do not laugh out loud when reading, but I just had to. A near riot begins for Kate - involving a wedding and a tractor; and also for Scott - this involving a drunken fireworks "display", Their daughter, Holly, however, is embarrassed by her parents drunken displays. At Christmastime, Holly makes a video of her parents while they are drunk.

The drunken sprees end; but UTube followers love Kate and Scott's (mis)adventures. We are treated with both their struggles with sobriety and their "non-sobriety".

Enter PinkyPud - a UTube Vlogger who is a hero in Holly's eyes. Not so much in her parents', however. Especially now that Scott finds out that 20 year old "Pinks" has a hidden agenda !

The ultimate question is: how will this nutty, if not crazy, family end up? For you to see...

Nick Spalding at his BEST !!!

Extremely enjoyable! Many thanks to Amazon UK and Netgalley for many laughs and a great story!

That was fantastic! The episodes of their individual drunken shenanigans were both hilarious and cringeworthy. I laughed out loud several times! The Christmas Day bender and the recording of it by their 17 old daughter, Kate, makes them realize maybe things aren’t so funny after all. This begins the journey to sobriety, in the public eye nonetheless.

The writing is superb. The characters are so layered and relatable. The way Scott and Kate’s marriage evolves (both good and bad) during the struggle to remain sober was fascinating. There are a handful of characters that are just priceless (Scott’s boss, Charlton Camberwell, PinkyPud and an unusual therapist to name a few...)

This is a tough topic and there are some somber moments and real struggles throughout the story for all the family members. But there is also humor and love and growth. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Amazon Publishing UK for a copy in exchange for a review.

Another fantastic Nick Spalding read, never fails to disappoint, it made me laugh as I knew it would, it was hard to put down and was finished in a day while on my holiday drinking wine and to be honest it actually made me think about my drinking habits, a cracking job Mr Spalding

Fans of 90's comedies, who miss a time when humor was making fun of someone, will enjoy this book.

Spalding's comical writing is good, if overly wordy. But the story, type of humor, and specific details referenced throughout the book are out of place. Most of the jokes are at someone's expense, at times mean spirited. Something I don't find funny at all. Maybe there's still a market for this kind of humor, but it feels dated.

There were some details that didn't make sense, like a man who doesn't know what Youtube is, or never hearing of Krav Maga, cupping, or wild boar as an entree in a restaurant. These are all normal things people know yet Dry Hard treats them as anomalies that confound our main characters in forced drama. My 70 year-old mother knows Youtube and she lives out in the boonies. I find it very hard to believe someone, anyone, wouldn't have heard of Youtube.

The story took a long time to get where it was going. There isn't much personal conflict until ~70% into the book. Up until then it's mostly situational comedy that transitions between two first-person narratives and a single third-person omniscient narrative. The alternating narratives are odd. Not good or bad, just and odd choice that I don't quite see how it benefited the story.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Story: 1 star
Character Development: 3 stars
Writing/Prose: 2 stars

Dry Hard is a wonderful laugh out loud funny read with some really cringe inducing moments.
Scott and Kate have become so used to using alcohol as a crutch to forget their everyday stresses it has become an embarrassment and worry to their 17 year old daughter, so she decides to film their antics on Christmas Day when they are totally steaming drunk. It becomes an internet sensation and they both realise they will need to change. This story then takes us on their journey and how they cope with sobriety, often really very very funny but there is a depth here that is extremely thought provoking.
There are some awful characters, one of them completely repulsive and I have to admit to having to speed read through his 'bits' in the book, although he is quite a main character, can't say more as it could spoil the story.
All in all as usual with this immensely readable author a funny and enjoyable story, which didn't pull back from this families struggles.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for opportunity to review this book

You're looking for a funny book that is intelligent and insightful. Here it is.

I've read several books by the same author and this one did not disappoint. How many times did I start giggling or shout out with a gaffaw? Dozens, as I did with the others.

The book takes a shot at adding humor to alcohol addiction, which could really make one cringe if handled improperly. As someone who knows alcohol addiction from a close proximity, it's usually not a laughing manner and I was nervous to start the book for that reason. I thought it was handled with humor and respect (again, as much as you can do while also making the audience laugh). The characters' descriptions of their perception of their attachment to alcohol were less serious or sinister than I thought they should be, based on my experience. However, I leave room for the fact that addiction manifests itself differently in different people.

The book also pokes fun at and utilizes the [silly] world of social media and YouTube channel making and obsessing. It hit the mark and makes me think twice about my own over-use. Though, at no point was it preachy or self-righteous. Just funny.

A theme that this author always seems to provide and I always appreciate: Marriage is important and it isn't a given. You have to work at it.

Alcohol addiction in comedic fiction? Surely, you jest. No one could take such a serious subject, make it funny and still tastefully handle the topic. Well, you’re not jesting. Speaking from firsthand experience, I’m a sober newbie, I thought the subject was wonderfully handled. It didn’t delve into the ugly underbelly of what alcohol addiction can be, but nobody said it had to. Not every related to alcohol abuse has to devolve into utter despair and the daily rock bottom that has a never ending trap door. It was funny, fast paced, witty, and warm. The characters are deliciously entwined in this recovery dance with each other and while I do find some of what they go through a little unrealistic, when you’ve been drinking as long as they have the likelihood of multiple relapses is astronomically high, as well as the lack of withdrawal symptoms that they experienced, overall the story was just an enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley

Nick Spalding has done it again – made me snigger, snort and guffaw out loud while on the London Underground. As always, his writing is so skilled that as I read each hilarious incident I can see where it is going and yet I can’t stop the belly laugh; and yet his writing is deeply moving and he is able to climb inside the head of the mother, father and child and make me feel empathy towards each of those characters. Well done Nick!

A humorous look at alcohol addiction, family and the generation gap!
As a parent to teenagers, I could certainly relate to Holly and her parents' complete confusion at some of the things she said: my sons' often translate for me! I also look on in bemusement at the range of 'you-tubers' that they so religiously follow just as Holly does in the book.
The intense and all-consuming nature of alcoholism was slightly glossed over but I suppose this was a novel designed more to make you laugh, which it did do.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read if lacking a little of the rawness of the subject matter in the real world.

I’d forgotten how much I love Spalding’s style! ‘Dry Hard’ is a hilarious exploration of the role that alcohol plays in modern relationships, and the rise of social media which has left us forty-somethings somewhat bewildered at times and created a gulf between generations.

I love Spalding’s books - in fact, they were the thing that made me keep my Kindle Unlimited subscription for so long. This one, ironically, did feel dry for the first quarter and I wasn’t sure I would make it to the end. However, it picked up remarkably and I’m glad I did finish, however implausible I found it. There were some laughs to be had, but not as many as in his other novels - perhaps because of the subject matter.

Not one I’ll reread, but an enjoyable story nonetheless.

Amazing book. Loved it from beginning to end.
Well written which kept me captivated throughout.
I will definitely be reading other books by this author

I am a huge fan of Nick Spalding, so I was delighted to receive an arc of this book.
Kate and Scott are a middle aged married couple with a fondness for the drink. Their teenage daughter Holly is fed up being embarrassed by their behaviour and decides to post their drunken antics on youtube, and the footage soon goes viral. The couple decide to give up alcohol for a year for the sake of their daughter, however, the cracks in their relationship soon become apparent.
Laugh out loud funny in parts, the drunken fireworks display and Kate driving the tractor had me in hysterics, this was a really entertaining read. The couple weren't in the depths of alcoholism so it wasn't as dark as I feared it might be! The way social media is so prevalent in our culture was spot on too, I am just as mystified as Kate about youtubers and how they make so much money!
I would recommend all of Nick Spalding's books, they certainly appeal to my sense of humour.

Kate and Scott have always enjoyed a drink, throughout their marriage.  Recently though, the drinking has started to get out of hand.  Finally their daughter Holly has had enough. She takes an embarrassing video of her parents whilst drunk and uploads it to YouTube.  This sparks the start of #dryhard, where Holly and her parents chronicle their struggle to quit alcohol on social media. Can they overcome their struggles, save their marriage and their family and move towards a happier future?

I really enjoyed reading this, it was just what I needed after a few heavier or more serious books.  This actually did make me laugh out loud whilst reading, which almost never happens. I enjoyed it so much I read it in a day!

I really liked the three main characters. The family was fully believable, and I can imagine many households going through similar struggles to the Temples.  I liked that the author showed the characters' flaws, and also showed the silly situations alcohol put them in, without making them ridiculous or caricature like.

The novel moves quickly, keeping the plot going and keeping readers interested.  I thought it was quite an original idea, and the idea of drinking too much is something that a lot of people would be familiar with.  It even made me question my own drinking habits (I decided I don't need to worry too much just yet haha!)

A really enjoyable read, it's funny, engaging and heartwarming in all the right amounts.  I definitely recommend it, particularly if you're looking for a lighthearted read that still has substance to it.  I'll also be likely to go read more of Spalding's back catalogue too.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an arc in exchange for an honest review

★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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Kate Temple's in PR, Scott Temple's a marketing director for a distillery. Both of them rely on alcohol to get through their days (and nights). They used to have each other to rely on and curb their use, but as they've become more successful, they have to do more things away from each other and they really don't have anyone to watch out for them. Also, because they spend less time with each other, both have a hole they need to fill throughout their days -- which usually involves more drinking.

Things are getting bad enough that they both endanger their jobs (not to mention the property and safety of others) thanks to drunken escapades. But this doesn't give either of them much pause -- if anything it drives them to the bottle even more. Their teenaged daughter, Holly, can't understand why these two can't see how bad their drinking is, how much it's hurting their marriage, how much it's affecting her life. So, at Christmas, she decides to secretly film them at their drunken worst (which starts pretty early in the evening) and then she shows it to them, hoping this video intervention will awaken them to their problem.

It doesn't work -- her parents defend their drinking, downplay the mortifying things they do on video and generally blow her off. So in a fit of adolescent pique, she uploads the video to YouTube so her friends can see it. But the video catches the attention of a couple of popular YouTube celebrities and next thing they know, Kate and Scott are a viral sensation.

This very public shaming convinces them that they need to make some changes, and decide to cut out drinking totally. Holly tries to get them public support by uploading videos chronicling their efforts to live dry for a year, attaching the hashtag #DryHard. Things do not go well -- well, maybe well, but not smoothly.

Now, here's where Spalding distinguishes himself from almost every other writer on the planet -- he makes all of that hilarious. Yes, Holly's going through a lot because of her parents, but even in the way that Spalding describes it, her hardships are funny. At the 14% mark, I wrote in my notes "I have no idea if he can tell a story, but Spalding can make me laugh!"

I can thankfully report, he can tell a story -- and still makes me laugh. The comedy comes from the situations, from the slapstick-y way his characters navigate the situations, and just the way he narrates (typically through the protagonists' voices). It's not just one thing that he does well -- he can bring the laughs through multiple channels. Yes, the couple are careening toward rock bottom, but you laugh about it; yes, they're dealing with very serious life and death issues -- but Spalding makes you find the humor in the situations; they have monumental struggles that don't go away just because they sober up, but you'll ber chuckling and chortling while watching them flounder.

Oh, also, this has nothing to do with the plot, but Spalding's description of Gin Fawkes -- a flavored gin using orange peel and cinnamon produced by Scott's distillery -- is enough to make me consider becoming a teetotaler. Fantastic stuff. Funny and horrifying in equal measures.

This is the story of a family in crisis and the great lengths they go to to preserve that family. That right there sells me on the book -- everyone wants the same thing -- Kate and Scott's marriage to recover. There's not one person in the family thinking of pulling away, there's not one more committed than the rest -- both spouses are flawed and fallible, even Holly makes mistakes and loses her way, however briefly. No one's blameless, no one's to blame, Scott and Kate have got themselves to this point together, and together they'll make it out. Too many books like this will take the "side" of one spouse -- one is committed, one is faithful, one is stupid and blind to their own faults and one is the bigger/wiser person, etc., etc. Spalding doesn't do that -- he presents the Temples as mutually dysfunctional, mutually aspirational, and human.

Unlike a lot of similar authors, if Spalding had the opportunity for an honest, heartfelt emotional scene or a series of laughs -- he'd pick the laughs 99 times out of 100. Thankfully, if he could go for a fairly honest and quite heartfelt scene with laughs, he'd go for that too. If he'd gone for fewer laughs and more of the honest and heartfelt moments, he might have a more complex, realistic, and substantive novel. Something more akin to Jonathan Tropper or Nick Hornby at their best. Instead, Spalding produced an entertaining, funny and frequently hilarious novel. The substance is there -- but it's hidden and easy to miss between the chuckles.

If you take the time to look for the substance/depth -- you'll find it and appreciate its presence. If you don't and just laugh, you'll be fine and have a good time -- either way, you win.

This was my first Nick Spalding book -- it will not be my last. Fast and funny -- I had a blast reading this and laughed out loud more than I can remember doing in a long time. Read this. You'll enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley in exchange for this post -- thanks to both for this.

This was a light read about a serious problem - alcoholism.

Kate and Scott Temple are an English middle-class couple in their forties. They have a teenage daughter and both are working long hours in their respective jobs.
Drinking has become a crutch for when bored, upset, stressed etc. Denial is their middle name until their daughter posts online a video of her parents drunk and acting stupid.

Sobering and embarrassing.

Dry Hard very quick read. I don't know if it's because I don't find drunks funny, but truth be told, I got irritated with our protagonists and their first world problems. Truth be told, I found the protagonists whinny and I got irritated with them, even when some of their struggles, issues rang true. I also thought that the author was trying too hard to make it funny.

Sometimes I find books humorous enough to make me smile. This book had me laughing so hard that my husband asked me what was so funny. Nick Spalding has an amazing way with words. Dry Hard was a sweet, serious, but touching book about one family’s fight against alcoholism.

Meet Kate & Scott, two 30-something worker bees who seem to have a wee problem with alcohol. While the first two chapters delve into the more humorous aspects of what their lives are like, the next chapter exposes us to how their behavior affects their teenage daughter. It’s heartbreaking to see how what they do makes her so unhappy, but she has one novel way of dealing with her angst. Her teenage vlog lets her journal her life for the world to see. And after one rather frightening night of seeing her parents drunken behavior ruin yet another holiday, she decides to use her vlog to expose their behavior to the world.

Holly uploads the video of her parents enjoying their holiday just a tad too much. The video goes viral unexpectedly and the repercussions ensue. While Kate and Scott are mortified to know the world has seen them behaving badly, Holly wants to use this to her advantage to get them to quit drinking. This is how our story gets moving into the year of sobriety for Kate and Scott.

Even though alcoholism is not a funny subject, Nick Spalding does an amazing job of allowing us to see human frailty and recognize that these people were just doing their best when the alcohol took over their lives. Stress and other influences took what was once just a social and occasional thing to another level. I really appreciated how Spalding dealt with such a tough subject in a way that most of us can relate to.

This was my first Nick Spalding book — it will not be my last. Fast and funny — I had a blast reading this and laughed out loud more than I can remember doing in a long time. Read this. You’ll enjoy it.

DNF at 25%. I didn't find Dry Hard funny at all--and as it is supposed to be a comedic novel I knew that meant it's not for me.

if you loved Fat Chance by Nick Spalding, you will love this.
It confronts a social issue that in my view needs confronting but it isn't done in an offensive way.
You go on an emotional rollercoaster with the family featured in this book and I have to be honest I really enjoyed it, even if it made me cry towards the end.
Another great book by nick spalding

***3.5 rounded up to 4 stars***

A lighthearted fun read that was a good change up genre for me. Kate and husband Scott are drinkers..BIG drinkers; functioning alcoholics to say the least. They can be outlandish when they drink and therefore some parts of this book were showing a serious issue in a downplayed manner. When their daughter, Holly uploads an embarrassing drunken video of them on social media, it goes viral and they are forced to address their issues. I really enjoyed how modern day social media involvement was brought into this story. The alternating point of views from both Kate and Scott helped show the struggle both individuals went through which made you understand each character better. I was cheering for Kate and Scott's sobriety, had some laughs, and really enjoyed this read.

Special Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked it, didn't love it, not what I expected about alcohol addiction... This is funny and weird.
A couple who drinks too much and get into embarrassing situations, their daughter who decides to film them and post it online... How they try to get sober...
You wonder if those people can even communicate if not drunk!

I liked it, it made me laugh. But not my favorite book in 2018.

My first time reading Nick Spalding, I don't regret it.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC of this book! This is my honest review.

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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 like reading this author's books. They are always very easy to read if sometimes a teeny bit crude.
This story was a little sad, Scott and Kate drink too much and their daughter Holly is fed up, so they end up trying to gice up drink live on line. Things don't go swimmingly, though.

This was just what I needed after a overload of thrillers and historical fiction. I devoured this light and hilariously funny book. Far fetched but a few home truths being a similar age to the main characters with teenagers and a love of wine myself! Wonderful characters that are so well described you can visualise them so well. A laugh out loud book with stunning commentary.

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.

When Kate and Scott Temple are involved in sticky situations at work involving a tractor and some errant fireworks it becomes apparent that they both have a bit of a problem. A wine bottle shaped problem.
Their teenage daughter, Holly, is thoroughly sick of her parents behaviour after they've had a few - and she decides to film their drunken antics (women's underwear may be involved. Oh, and a Christmas tree...) She then does what any normal seventeen year old girl would do and posts the footage onto YouTube. However, what Holly wasn't counting on was her video being spotted by YouTube sensation PinkyPud. After he shares the video it goes viral before you can say 'drink problem' and Kate and Scott become a laughing stock.
However, it's not all bad - Kate & Scott's antics becoming an overnight sensation prompt them to finally do something about their drinking. And not only that, but with Holly's help they decide they are going to document their mission to become teetotal for a year online - and so begins #DryHard.
Kate and Scott know that giving up drinking isn't going to be easy, but it soon becomes apparent that whilst staying sober the pair have got a whole other load of problems to contend with, perhaps most importantly the sudden disintegration of their marriage without the crutch of alcohol...

Nick Spalding is one of those rare male writers who absolutely nails comedy from both women's and men's perspective in a genre that is highly populated by female authors. This makes him very special indeed and I absolutely love his books (and the good news is he has written loads! Be sure to check them all out in your next book-buying spree...)

I found myself becoming immersed in Kate and Scott's lives pretty quickly. The opening chapter detailing Kate's escapades is comedy gold (it's the tractor bit I referred to earlier) and Scott's predicament involving bright orange gin doesn't end any better. You can see what is about to happen but you still sit there with your hands covering your eyes, inwardly groaning 'DON'T DO ITTTTTT.'
I really felt for Holly when it became apparent that this behaviour was quickly becoming the norm with her parents. Let's be honest - parents can be embarrassing enough at the best of times, but when they are completely blotto and your dad is trying on your mum's underwear before face-planting into the sofa - definitely not good.
I was glad that she decided to upload the footage of Kate & Scott onto YouTube, but even she had no idea that it was going to take off in the way that it did. This then opened up a really interesting aspect of the story, as it began to touch upon the world of YouTube. As a YouTube viewer I found this side of things fascinating to read about as we began to meet other YouTube stars who were jumping on the bandwagon and muscling in on #DryHard. I pretty much hated them all; especially 'PinkyPud' who was infuriating (but his restaurant Control, Alt, Del-Eat is probably the coolest named restaurant ever. Not that I'd want to eat there...Ick) Dry Hard really does explore the impact that social media and YouTube has on our world at the moment and I really enjoyed how this was such a big part of the story. I also liked how some of the people online really got behind Kate and Scott and supported them in their journey. There were, of course, the usual handful of faceless trolls, but it was nice to read about people being kind on the internet, as that is something which often seems a bit of a rarity these days.

One of the things I love most about Nick's writing is how he can take a very serious subject and put a humourous spin on things. Yes, alcohol addiction is a serious and scary subject, but Nick adds just the right amount of comedy to make these subjects seem slightly less scary, but they also remain very real.
I adored Scott and Kate and I was rooting for them all the way. They were both extremely charismatic and relatable characters who many people will be able to identify with. (I didn't think I could love Kate any more than when she had a breakdown over a cucumber...)
Holly was a wonderful character too; I loved how she supported her parents and towards the end of the book we get to see the lengths that Kate and Scott will go to for their daughter, which was both touching and in true Nick Spalding style - really funny at the same time.

The format in which the book was written was also really effective as each chapter is told in first person by one of the three main characters. This enables you to really get to know them all on just that little bit more of a personal level and helps you to really empathise with their situation, whether that's the struggles that the 'Temple Twosome' (aka Scott and Kate) are going through, or the feelings that Holly is experiencing on the other side.

If you're doing Dry January then this book should be required reading, but Dry Hard is wonderful enough to brighten up anyone's dreary January, regardless of whether processco is on the menu or not.

Full of belly laughs and with a gripping storyline at its heart, I'd highly recommend this thought-provoking, engrossing novel about the choices that we make and ultimately, the importance of family.

Another cracking read from Nick Spalding. Laugh out loud funny, a great pick me up on a lazy weekend. I look forward to future work by Nick as his books never fail to disappoint.

If you enjoyed previous titles from Nick Spalding, this one will not disappoint. It tackles the subject of excessive drinking and the consequences. It's incredibly funny at times and incredibly thought provoking in others. Anyone who has ever had one too many will relate to the events covered in the book. It's told from three different angles, Mum, Dad and teenage daughter, and the stories converge quite nicely. It's a roller coaster of events and emotions which leaves you wondering how this story will end right up to the final chapter.

I really enjoyed this book, like many of Nicks other books - he hits the perfect comedy timing for his characters.

I was reading this on the train and I belly laughed at the “nose picking” so much that someone came over and asked me what i was reading. I had no hesitation in recommending this book!

I enjoyed this book. At the beginning, I wasn't quite sure about the characters. They were ridiculous, but not in a cute and fun way - they were just plain train wrecks where you couldn't look away but you kept cringing. Which, I would assume was the authors intention (good job there!). Then, with the characters development, I sort of started enjoying them and their growth. I did, however, really enjoy how the book came together in the end and it made me want to cheer for the characters. I liked how the story was told, except for the chapters when it was the narrators turn - I felt it was very disjointed and weird. Overall though, I did enjoy it as a mostly easy read, although I had to keep putting it down when it got a bit too silly. But I would definitely give it a 4/5!

Dry Hard left me in a bit of a conundrum. I knew going in this was a book that wouldn’t be for everyone since it was about a married couple who were functioning alcoholics so I was really expecting some dark humor. What I wasn’t expecting was the first 25% to be full of over-the-top slapstick comedy such as . . . .

Deciding it would be a good idea to DRIVE A TRACTOR (while having zero experience as a farmer) through a wedding reception;

Deciding it would be a good idea to OPERATE A PROFESSIONAL FIREWORKS DISPLAY (while not even being a closet pyromaniac let alone a licensed professional);

Pretending to boff the Christmas tree and then adorning the lingerie purchased for the Mrs. in an attempt to prove it wouldn’t make her look like a prostitute as she suggested.

^^^The last one served as the catalyst (via a viral video) that made the duo decide to try and give up drinking for a year.

It’s also where the book took a strange turn that had me saying: Didn’t see that one coming! You see, the underlying tone of this book most certainly is one that attempts to inform the masses that social media (You Tube and its vloggers in particular) may be what eventually leads us to complete devolution.

I think I need to give this author’s other book a shot to see what I really think about his stuff because this one was a mixed bag for me. Good news is it costs zero dollars on Kindle Unlimited so if you have that you won't be out anything by picking it up.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!

Unfortunately I have to rate this book compared to Spaulding’s other novels which I enjoyed. I wanted to like it but just didn’t care about any of the characters and had a ‘so what?’ feeling throughout each chapter.
I definitely like this author, but feel like this one was a swing and a miss...

Another cracking comedy from Nick Spalding. He’s achieved the perfect balance of comedy timing with some serious topics throughout this book. Some of the plots are a little far fetched but funny nonetheless. An easy read with a touching ending.

I was expecting this roaring comedic book. I may have laughed twice in the beginning but other than that it was not funny. I didn't enjoy it at all. I guess that I didn't care for the story or how it was layer out. I guess this author is just not for me

Thanks netgalley for this ARC.

As you would expect with a Nick Spalding book this is really funny. In fact I don't think there is a chapter that doesn't involve an embarrassing incident, drunken shenanigans, the sublime or ridiculous, leading to everything from giggles to full on belly laughs.

I mean you wouldn't think one couples attempt to give up alcohol for a year would be so funny but it is. Yet within the humour there are clearly important modern social issues touched up.

There is a lot about the whole YouTube "fame" culture, and features assorted YouTuber, there is a young adult who just wants her parents to drink less and as a result videos them over Christmas and ends up with a viral video from which everything spirals.

Yet even before Christmas, we meet both Kate and Scott in individual chapters, where they both have a rather ridiculous drunken mishap. One involving a tractor and a wedding and the other involving fireworks and a gin distillery!

Then Holly's chapters felt like they were written from an omniscient point of view, but also fly on the wall documentary tone. It felt like the voice was all knowing but at the same time, it really was highlighting very key issues that could resonate with readers.

This is actually a very clever novel, I thoroughly enjoyed whizzing through the pages and really didn't want it to end. Dry Hard had quite a different feel to it than other books I've read, and I think it would translate perfectly into a sitcom, with each chapter being a different episode.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This was my first Nick Spalding book and what a really enjoyable read! It was funny, engaging and heartwarming in equal amounts. I definitely recommend it, particularly if you're looking for a lighthearted read that still has plenty of substance. I shall certainly be reading more of Nick Spalding's back catalogue. Fast and funny, I had an absolute blast reading "Dry Hard" and laughed out loud more than I can remember doing for quite a while. You must get yourself a copy of this book as I'm sure you’ll enjoy it.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Kate and Scott don't realise their marriage is based on drinking until their daughter Holly films them extremely drunk. Once they decide to go sober things start to fall about. The book while funny has a serious element to it, when the video goes viral everyone has an opinion and they have to find a way through that, with lots of soul searching and falling off the wagon and embarrassing moments they start to find out who they both are. A really entertaining read.

A light hearted funny read that made me laugh out loud in places. I love Nick Spalding and this book certainly didn't disappoint.

Funny and relatable as always, great characters, good story and lots of fun to read. Would recommend

Oh my goodness, I had to stop reading this on the commute to work. People were staring at me as I couldn't help laughing out loud at another funny and relatable book but Nick Spalding. Hilarious.