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This Thirtysomething Life
A romantic comedy for anyone who is, has been or is ever likely to be a grown up.Being a thirtysomething man isn't easy (especially when you still yearn to be a twentysomething man). Meet Harry Spencer. History teacher, lover of snack food and terrified of growing up. However, when his wife Emily drops the P-Bomb, Harry is suddenly thrust into the role of expectant father. When he's tempted by the greener grass of an ex-girlfriend past, Harry has to make the most important decision of his life. Does he have what it takes to become a man, or will he succumb to the lure of adolescent fantasy?This is a love story about what happens after we've fallen in love, when we've swapped frolicking in the bed for cigarettes in the shed and Match of the Day for Mothercare. Brutally honest, laugh-out-loud funny and heart-warming, this is a diary about one man's bumbling journey on the road to adulthood.Visit Jon's website at www.jonrance.com or follow him on Twitter @JRance75. You can also email him at jonrance@yahoo.com.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2011
38 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Jon Rance
26 books94 followersJon Rance is the author of seven novels: the Kindle top ten bestseller, This Thirtysomething Life, Happy Endings (both published by Hodder and Stoughton), This Family Life, Sunday Dinners, Dan And Nat Got Married, About Us, and The Summer Holidays Survival Guide. He's also the author of the Christmas novella, A Notting Hill Christmas.
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 3, 2017
Wait? Did I really started this book on 2nd September?
But yayyy! Finished a book. Not a great one, but a good book for a throwaway reading anyway. Review later.
UPDATED REVIEW BELOW
First of all, I cannot believed that I can finished the book within two days. Maybe because it's such a light reading with simple writings, so it's not that difficult to finish the book during the weekend.
Anyway, This Thirtysomething Life (TTL) is an okay book for a perk me up, throwaway book, light reading, lazy reading, clear-your-mind-from-stuff reading, destress reading and etc. etc. Kind of like reading the Shopaholic series where you can get a good laugh and chuckles here and there.
Though, if I'm being completely honest, TTL is quite a meh for me. Yep, it's funny but it's not that hilarious. I can only remember once that I snorted because that part was quite funny, but that's just it. I seriously, literally said LOL at that time and that's it. There's no LOL, LMAO, ROFLOL moments while reading TTL. That's how bland it is.
And please don't get me start on the main character! Harry Spencer is the most annoying, dependent, immature, stupid, selfish thirty-one going on thirty-two idiot! Throughout reading TTL, I can't tell you how much I'm frustrated with Harry Spender and his own actions. He plays victim even though clearly he's the one who's at fault. He whines A LOT and acted irresponsibly, despite he's going to be a father in a couple of months. I really felt sorry for poor Emily Spencer for having to keep up with this guy. It also makes me wonder, how on earth that they got married in the first place?
Other than that, the characterizations of the characters in this book are weak and lack of personalities. Even the things we know about Harry Spencer himself is he loves to drink, smoke and constantly thinking about sex. And poor Emily Spencer is always sleeping every single day. Granted, she's pregnant but is sleeping the only thing a pregnant woman can do?
However, despite the lack of literature values in TTL, it is still a good book for those who needs a break from heavy, dragging and flowery stuff. It's a pleasure too to read things regarding British people as they have this sort of quirkiness and eccentricity.
But yayyy! Finished a book. Not a great one, but a good book for a throwaway reading anyway. Review later.
UPDATED REVIEW BELOW
First of all, I cannot believed that I can finished the book within two days. Maybe because it's such a light reading with simple writings, so it's not that difficult to finish the book during the weekend.
Anyway, This Thirtysomething Life (TTL) is an okay book for a perk me up, throwaway book, light reading, lazy reading, clear-your-mind-from-stuff reading, destress reading and etc. etc. Kind of like reading the Shopaholic series where you can get a good laugh and chuckles here and there.
Though, if I'm being completely honest, TTL is quite a meh for me. Yep, it's funny but it's not that hilarious. I can only remember once that I snorted because that part was quite funny, but that's just it. I seriously, literally said LOL at that time and that's it. There's no LOL, LMAO, ROFLOL moments while reading TTL. That's how bland it is.
And please don't get me start on the main character! Harry Spencer is the most annoying, dependent, immature, stupid, selfish thirty-one going on thirty-two idiot! Throughout reading TTL, I can't tell you how much I'm frustrated with Harry Spender and his own actions. He plays victim even though clearly he's the one who's at fault. He whines A LOT and acted irresponsibly, despite he's going to be a father in a couple of months. I really felt sorry for poor Emily Spencer for having to keep up with this guy. It also makes me wonder, how on earth that they got married in the first place?
Other than that, the characterizations of the characters in this book are weak and lack of personalities. Even the things we know about Harry Spencer himself is he loves to drink, smoke and constantly thinking about sex. And poor Emily Spencer is always sleeping every single day. Granted, she's pregnant but is sleeping the only thing a pregnant woman can do?
However, despite the lack of literature values in TTL, it is still a good book for those who needs a break from heavy, dragging and flowery stuff. It's a pleasure too to read things regarding British people as they have this sort of quirkiness and eccentricity.
November 5, 2012
I think I must have read a different book given all the 4 star reviews on here?
Whilst there are whimsical moments in here I find it slightly incredulous that people found it THAT funny.
It reads like a male version of Bridget Jones Diary to some extent, except the daily update regards snack foods.
It does tackle men v women issues, but there's a distinct lack of originality in here, it felt like reading every second rate sit-com from the last decade.
To balance things up slightly, there was some genuine warmth in the realtionship between the protagonist and his Grandfather, but even some of that was engineered for comic effect.
I'd read more by this author, but would want a more original and fresh approach please.
Whilst there are whimsical moments in here I find it slightly incredulous that people found it THAT funny.
It reads like a male version of Bridget Jones Diary to some extent, except the daily update regards snack foods.
It does tackle men v women issues, but there's a distinct lack of originality in here, it felt like reading every second rate sit-com from the last decade.
To balance things up slightly, there was some genuine warmth in the realtionship between the protagonist and his Grandfather, but even some of that was engineered for comic effect.
I'd read more by this author, but would want a more original and fresh approach please.
May 26, 2012
This book was a hoot. Laughed out loud - loved it!
June 19, 2017
Hari je urnebesan!
August 3, 2014
The front cover tells us that this is a hilarious, heart-warming bestseller. It’s funny, but not hilarious. But it is definitely heart-warming.
It tells the story of Harry Spencer, whose wife is pregnant with their first child, and is tempted by the younger days and an old flame.
Usual, so you might say. But what intrigued me about this book was the author. The male author, Jon Rance. Sure, there are a lot of male authors, but one who doesn’t write about mystery, suspense or fantasy? That’s new. And different, at least for me. So I was itching to read about what men thinks of these “things”: starting a family when you’re not ready, being seduced and of cheating, etc.
And it wasn’t bad. The novel was told through diary/blog entries. At first, it was hard to imagine a man, a married man, still keeping a diary. (Or even having one!). But I guess a “blog” would be more apt since men seem to enjoy their “toys/gadgets/whatever”, and some do talk (or write)… a lot. And the entries didn’t just like feel like ramblings or realisations or random musings of the writer, but with the way he tells the detailed events of his day, it was just like reading a ‘normally-told’ story.
Of course, this was just a light, if not happy, read. And I believe that JR gave the men, at least, some justice on why they are what/who they are. I don’t know if I would give the same rating if this was written by a woman. We, women, like to assume, afterall. This was written in a male POV, and it was refreshing when it was written by an actual male. It’s almost always so weird when reading about male POV stories, when it is written by a woman. I tend to want to share it with male friends, and confirm if they would actually say or feel what it says.
Now, I’m just curious as to how JR would write a woman’s POV in a story. That ought to be fun. : ))
I just hope his books would be readily available in print here in the Philippines, because I would love to read the prequel (This Twentysomething Life) and the sequel (This Family Life). Cheers to male authors! Good job, JR!
It tells the story of Harry Spencer, whose wife is pregnant with their first child, and is tempted by the younger days and an old flame.
Usual, so you might say. But what intrigued me about this book was the author. The male author, Jon Rance. Sure, there are a lot of male authors, but one who doesn’t write about mystery, suspense or fantasy? That’s new. And different, at least for me. So I was itching to read about what men thinks of these “things”: starting a family when you’re not ready, being seduced and of cheating, etc.
And it wasn’t bad. The novel was told through diary/blog entries. At first, it was hard to imagine a man, a married man, still keeping a diary. (Or even having one!). But I guess a “blog” would be more apt since men seem to enjoy their “toys/gadgets/whatever”, and some do talk (or write)… a lot. And the entries didn’t just like feel like ramblings or realisations or random musings of the writer, but with the way he tells the detailed events of his day, it was just like reading a ‘normally-told’ story.
Of course, this was just a light, if not happy, read. And I believe that JR gave the men, at least, some justice on why they are what/who they are. I don’t know if I would give the same rating if this was written by a woman. We, women, like to assume, afterall. This was written in a male POV, and it was refreshing when it was written by an actual male. It’s almost always so weird when reading about male POV stories, when it is written by a woman. I tend to want to share it with male friends, and confirm if they would actually say or feel what it says.
Now, I’m just curious as to how JR would write a woman’s POV in a story. That ought to be fun. : ))
I just hope his books would be readily available in print here in the Philippines, because I would love to read the prequel (This Twentysomething Life) and the sequel (This Family Life). Cheers to male authors! Good job, JR!
July 12, 2013
Why did I read this? There were some funny parts, but it was generally a waste of time. The main problem:
Major lack of characterization. Here's what we know about the main character, Harry:
He's a History teacher, but for unfathomable reasons (he doesn't seem particularly interested in History or educating youth). He's not particularly interested in sports. He's not particularly interested in anything other than drinking and sex, either. (Not that there's anything wrong with liking those things, but have some other interests for crying out loud!) He wants to "be a good husband and father" but we get absolutely no clue as to why he fell in love with Emily in the first place. All we know about her is even less--she's fit and wants to be a mom. Of course, most of the book involves Harry trying to avoid the temptation of cheating on his wife with an ex (who does not deviate from the sexually-unsatisfied-housewife stereotype).
If someone like Harry is what a woman these days can expect from a husband, please, someone, tell me where The Other Team does their batting practice.
Harry and Emily were both so stereotypical, flat, and boring I found myself rooting for them as a couple because I cringed at the idea of either of them being thrust upon someone who actually has a personality.
The characters over 60 were the only ones worth reading about: Granddad, Mrs. Crowley, and the Headmistress.
They're not in it enough, and it's not worth buying or borrowing this book just to wade through page after page of stereotypes just for a couple of laughs.
Major lack of characterization. Here's what we know about the main character, Harry:
He's a History teacher, but for unfathomable reasons (he doesn't seem particularly interested in History or educating youth). He's not particularly interested in sports. He's not particularly interested in anything other than drinking and sex, either. (Not that there's anything wrong with liking those things, but have some other interests for crying out loud!) He wants to "be a good husband and father" but we get absolutely no clue as to why he fell in love with Emily in the first place. All we know about her is even less--she's fit and wants to be a mom. Of course, most of the book involves Harry trying to avoid the temptation of cheating on his wife with an ex (who does not deviate from the sexually-unsatisfied-housewife stereotype).
If someone like Harry is what a woman these days can expect from a husband, please, someone, tell me where The Other Team does their batting practice.
Harry and Emily were both so stereotypical, flat, and boring I found myself rooting for them as a couple because I cringed at the idea of either of them being thrust upon someone who actually has a personality.
The characters over 60 were the only ones worth reading about: Granddad, Mrs. Crowley, and the Headmistress.
They're not in it enough, and it's not worth buying or borrowing this book just to wade through page after page of stereotypes just for a couple of laughs.
July 10, 2014
A diary type of story which tells the story of Harry, who is in his 30's and lives with his wife. Then he finds out they are expecting their first child. What follows is in Harry's words and how he see's life. He guides us through the growing up process and even in to his darkest thoughts when he's ex from school pops up.
Being a teacher also has us laughing through the chapters as his job hangs on the line, while new neighbours pose a total terrorist attack. Add to this his granddad who has found a new love of his life in the OAP home and you will be reaching for tissues to wipes the laughter tears.
I'm off to find Harry in this family life now :)
Being a teacher also has us laughing through the chapters as his job hangs on the line, while new neighbours pose a total terrorist attack. Add to this his granddad who has found a new love of his life in the OAP home and you will be reaching for tissues to wipes the laughter tears.
I'm off to find Harry in this family life now :)
June 26, 2015
Fresco, leggero, scorrevole e divertente, questo libro narra, in forma di diario, le vicende di un poco più che trentenne londinese che sta per diventare padre e fatica ad accettare la fine dell'adolescenza.
L'argomento principale, piuttosto classico, è la contrapposizione tra l'immaturità maschile e l'impegno femminile (entrambi volutamente un po' estremizzati) ma vengono accennati anche altri temi come il tradimento (visto come evasione), la morte, la solitudine.
Interessante l'ambientazione britannica, in termini di stile di vita (serate al pub etc) come anche di cibi (il porridge al mattino, ad esempio).
Si legge velocemente e con piacere.
L'argomento principale, piuttosto classico, è la contrapposizione tra l'immaturità maschile e l'impegno femminile (entrambi volutamente un po' estremizzati) ma vengono accennati anche altri temi come il tradimento (visto come evasione), la morte, la solitudine.
Interessante l'ambientazione britannica, in termini di stile di vita (serate al pub etc) come anche di cibi (il porridge al mattino, ad esempio).
Si legge velocemente e con piacere.
January 28, 2013
This book was not as funny as expected. I smiled more with the writing than roared with laughter (as I was led to expect from the synopsis). There's nothing wrong with this book really but it reads more like a journal than a story as the people and scenes are not fleshed out enough. Just a beach read set in the U.K. with humour.
October 14, 2015
I have to say that the two main characters were the most annoying people to read about. The female lead slept through her pregnancy and the male lead fantasized and committed cyber sex because he didn't want to grow up. They had really annoying friends as well. I could not wait for the end of the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2012
Really funny book! Reminded me of the male version of Rebecca in the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. It is the diary of a man in his early thirties whose wife becomes pregnant. Many funny situations with some serious life events thrown in. A very light, easy read.
December 11, 2012
Unimpressed with this one. If society deems this to be funny and witty I am afraid the human race is doomed. Littered with cliches and trying way to hard without coming across as sincere at all. Sorry but not recommended at all!
June 10, 2012
This book was a real fun-filled adventure into a male mind.
May 30, 2012
Cute and funny read. Exactly what I think young men feel about the transition between college years and adulthood.
December 2, 2012
Easy to read - a few laugh out loud moments- escapism! Perfectly enjoyed the book but not a lot to say about it - a throwaway read.
January 4, 2013
amusing enough in parts, typical bloke style narration.
some goodbits, some bad bits, but an averagely ok read to pass a few hours.
some goodbits, some bad bits, but an averagely ok read to pass a few hours.
January 10, 2013
I really don't rate it at all it bored me and dragged and any teacher getting that drunk should be shot, terrible book and I had hard time finishing it .
December 13, 2023
“Сите мораме еднаш да пораснеме…”, вака почнува книгата и до самиот крај не престанува да е смешна и забавна, притоа одејќи и кон сериозни теми и проблеми со кои се соочуваат ликовите. Главниот “проблем” е тоа што мажот треба да ги смени дотогашните навики и да почне да се однесува како глава на семејството кое тукушто се развива, но има уште еден куп непредвидени работи кои се појавуваат во меѓувреме. Без да откривам уште многу, конечна оценка е: ја препорачувам! 😄
П.С.: И мене ми беше препорачана да ја прочитам 😬
П.С.: И мене ми беше препорачана да ја прочитам 😬
May 11, 2020
Mildly amusing and a light, a nice enough read although the characters are very caricature-like in that they are very stereotypical of every sit com's take on male and female relationships and embracing the adult world.
October 16, 2022
Bojack Horseman wanna be. Zvezdica više za čitljivost. Sadrzaj prosek, sa bljutavim, očekivanim zavrsetkom. Stil 'oću budem Erlend Lu. Nije vredno vremena, osim da te iznervira i iznova podseti koliko su neki muškarci emotivno nezreli, neodgovorni bezvrednjakovici i koliko im se toleriše.
March 24, 2018
Read this in less than 3 reviews....review soon.
August 27, 2019
Hilarious... :)
November 4, 2020
Interesting, but nothing spectacular.
December 19, 2020
Brilliant...if you want a light hearted funny read. Choose a Jon Rance book...all have been brilliant
April 9, 2021
I found this book humorous and could relate to it.
October 25, 2021
Zabavna razbibriga
March 7, 2022
Great humor! I laughed all time while i was reading this book. I did not expect something special from this book who is like diary but i got many tips. Great story realistic!
June 21, 2024
If I could give this a zero I would. The most unlikeable main character ever with the most undeserving happy ending ever.
February 17, 2025
Great , funny read , characters are brill especially Harry & grandad
Love how it’s written & laid out, easy to follow.
Love how it’s written & laid out, easy to follow.
December 29, 2025
Funny, witty, fast read, and also had emotional roller coaster reading it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews