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Dry Hard
From the bestselling author of Fat Chance and Checking Out comes a hilarious story about giving up… but definitely not giving in. 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 #DryHard! With the eyes of the Internet upon them, can Kate and Scott stay teetotal…and save their marriage in the process?
303 pages, Paperback
First published January 8, 2019
1620 people are currently reading
1888 people want to read
About the author
Nick Spalding
36 books1,385 followersNick Spalding is an author who, try as he might, can't seem to write anything serious.
Before becoming a full-time author, he worked in the communications industry, mainly in media and marketing. As talking rubbish for a living can get tiresome (for anyone other than a politician), he thought he'd have a crack at writing comedy fiction - with a very agreeable level of success so far, it has to be said. Nick is now a multimillion seller. This flabbergasts him every single day.
Nick is now in his fifties - and is rather annoyed at the universe about it, because it gave him no choice in the matter. He's also addicted to Thai food and roast potatoes (not together), loves Batman and Warhammer, and has a dreadful singing voice.
***
Find out more about Nick and his books at www.nickspalding.com
Before becoming a full-time author, he worked in the communications industry, mainly in media and marketing. As talking rubbish for a living can get tiresome (for anyone other than a politician), he thought he'd have a crack at writing comedy fiction - with a very agreeable level of success so far, it has to be said. Nick is now a multimillion seller. This flabbergasts him every single day.
Nick is now in his fifties - and is rather annoyed at the universe about it, because it gave him no choice in the matter. He's also addicted to Thai food and roast potatoes (not together), loves Batman and Warhammer, and has a dreadful singing voice.
***
Find out more about Nick and his books at www.nickspalding.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 361 reviews
January 14, 2019
Commitment
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 serious life-changing events with such slap-stick comedic scenes, that it is not understated to say the reader's 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 manageable, while others feel so monumental that we fear to make mistakes. 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 unbelieving that 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 reset.
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 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 serious life-changing events with such slap-stick comedic scenes, that it is not understated to say the reader's 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 manageable, while others feel so monumental that we fear to make mistakes. 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 unbelieving that 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 reset.
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.
May 17, 2021
If you’ve seen the movie A Star is Born with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, there is one particularly cringe-inducing thing that Bradley’s character does while intoxicated that, even though you’re watching what you know to be fiction, causes you physical pain. That’s what reading about the characters in this novel do while under the influence that is not funny--it makes you wince.
Most often, if a loved one doesn’t realize on her own that she might have a problem with alcohol, a person will stage an intervention. In this case, Kate and Scott’s daughter uses her phone to record their wild antics on Christmas Day. She shows the video to them, and though they are mortified, they protest that they just like to let off a little steam every now and again. Then Holly posts it online, it goes viral, and her parents admit maybe they do have a problem and should stop drinking.
This is when the books stops being painful and starts being enjoyable. There is some humor with the use of language, but it’s rarely laugh-out-loud funny. They try to stay sober through willpower, but I don’t know any people who identify as alcoholic who would say that willpower will sober them up. (In this book, that word is rarely used, but Scott or Kate might acknowledge they have an addiction to alcohol.) After all, if a person could will herself sober, she could also just will herself to stop at a drink or two.
Sobering up puts other challenges in Kate and Scott's path—like what do they talk about without liquid lubrication?
I do love stories where characters have a challenge and do their best to overcome it and grow as human beings, and in that way, this delivers.
For more reviews, please visit http://www.theresaalan.net/blog
Most often, if a loved one doesn’t realize on her own that she might have a problem with alcohol, a person will stage an intervention. In this case, Kate and Scott’s daughter uses her phone to record their wild antics on Christmas Day. She shows the video to them, and though they are mortified, they protest that they just like to let off a little steam every now and again. Then Holly posts it online, it goes viral, and her parents admit maybe they do have a problem and should stop drinking.
This is when the books stops being painful and starts being enjoyable. There is some humor with the use of language, but it’s rarely laugh-out-loud funny. They try to stay sober through willpower, but I don’t know any people who identify as alcoholic who would say that willpower will sober them up. (In this book, that word is rarely used, but Scott or Kate might acknowledge they have an addiction to alcohol.) After all, if a person could will herself sober, she could also just will herself to stop at a drink or two.
Sobering up puts other challenges in Kate and Scott's path—like what do they talk about without liquid lubrication?
I do love stories where characters have a challenge and do their best to overcome it and grow as human beings, and in that way, this delivers.
For more reviews, please visit http://www.theresaalan.net/blog
February 7, 2019
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
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 and went from this . . . .
To this . . . .
Didn’t see that one coming! Yes, 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 . . . .
There’s a very good chance readers will need to see Shelby in order to pick up . . . .
(Don’t forget to fill them out in triplicate.)
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!
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 and went from this . . . .
To this . . . .
Didn’t see that one coming! Yes, 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 . . . .
There’s a very good chance readers will need to see Shelby in order to pick up . . . .
(Don’t forget to fill them out in triplicate.)
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!
January 18, 2019
Dry Hard is a hysterically funny novel that chronicles one couple as they move through the stages of addiction recovery. From their manic highs in the throes of drunken oblivion to their lows of hitting rock bottom, author Nick Spalding infuses enough humor to make the journey one in which the reader fully engages, cheering for the characters to make it to full sobriety.
Spalding’s genius here is in his ability to make us laugh, even whilst we simultaneously wince. Kate and Scott Temple, both in their forties, are given voice in alternating chapters, the first several of which detail their drunken behaviors in separate high profile, awkward situations. The farcical nature of their retelling of events will cause even the most cynical of readers to truly laugh out loud, but not without an underlying feeling of unease and perhaps even a bit of guilt over finding the couple’s alcohol-induced actions amusing. This tightrope is walked throughout—we snort at their slapstick antics then silently follow Kate and Scott as they explore the depth of their self-deception and fight to recover.
The other character here that plays heavily into the plot is the couple’s sixteen year old daughter Holly. While her parents’ chapters are told as if Kate and Scott are speaking directly to the reader, Holly’s actions are retold through a narrator who addresses us as if we are sitting next to him. This was an interesting choice on the part of the author, and one that results in seeing Kate and Scott as unreliable storytellers, often drowned in their own indulgences. The recounting of events through an omniscient narration, however, is felt to paint a more authoritative picture, as we find ourselves audience to Holly’s internal teenage angst, revealed without a filter.
Dry Hard also takes a comical swipe at the iconography of British contemporary culture. YouTube is featured as both a vehicle of destruction and of redemption, and Spalding takes shark-jaw-sized bites out of Krav Maga, Piers Morgan and even Boris Johnson. Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny is also skewered in one of the funniest paragraphs in the book:
The Temples are watching Jools Holland’s Hootenanny.
Nobody in their right mind watches Jools Holland’s Hootenanny. It’s one of the rules of New Year. The BBC broadcast it—as is their right—and the entire population of Great Britain completely ignores it, as is theirs.
Only those suffering severe infirmity, or suicidal loneliness, have ever sat through Jools Holland’s Hootenanny. To do so under any other circumstances would just be plain wrong.
In the end, Dry Hard does devolve into a bit of banality, but the trip there makes this novel deserving of a read and worthy of high praise. Well written, with a focused plot, no extraneous filler and loads of laughs, Dry Hard may be destined to take its place among the funniest books written this year. Spalding will most certainly widen his fan base with this release—and rightfully so. The book definitely made a fan of this reviewer.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Spalding’s genius here is in his ability to make us laugh, even whilst we simultaneously wince. Kate and Scott Temple, both in their forties, are given voice in alternating chapters, the first several of which detail their drunken behaviors in separate high profile, awkward situations. The farcical nature of their retelling of events will cause even the most cynical of readers to truly laugh out loud, but not without an underlying feeling of unease and perhaps even a bit of guilt over finding the couple’s alcohol-induced actions amusing. This tightrope is walked throughout—we snort at their slapstick antics then silently follow Kate and Scott as they explore the depth of their self-deception and fight to recover.
The other character here that plays heavily into the plot is the couple’s sixteen year old daughter Holly. While her parents’ chapters are told as if Kate and Scott are speaking directly to the reader, Holly’s actions are retold through a narrator who addresses us as if we are sitting next to him. This was an interesting choice on the part of the author, and one that results in seeing Kate and Scott as unreliable storytellers, often drowned in their own indulgences. The recounting of events through an omniscient narration, however, is felt to paint a more authoritative picture, as we find ourselves audience to Holly’s internal teenage angst, revealed without a filter.
Dry Hard also takes a comical swipe at the iconography of British contemporary culture. YouTube is featured as both a vehicle of destruction and of redemption, and Spalding takes shark-jaw-sized bites out of Krav Maga, Piers Morgan and even Boris Johnson. Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny is also skewered in one of the funniest paragraphs in the book:
The Temples are watching Jools Holland’s Hootenanny.
Nobody in their right mind watches Jools Holland’s Hootenanny. It’s one of the rules of New Year. The BBC broadcast it—as is their right—and the entire population of Great Britain completely ignores it, as is theirs.
Only those suffering severe infirmity, or suicidal loneliness, have ever sat through Jools Holland’s Hootenanny. To do so under any other circumstances would just be plain wrong.
In the end, Dry Hard does devolve into a bit of banality, but the trip there makes this novel deserving of a read and worthy of high praise. Well written, with a focused plot, no extraneous filler and loads of laughs, Dry Hard may be destined to take its place among the funniest books written this year. Spalding will most certainly widen his fan base with this release—and rightfully so. The book definitely made a fan of this reviewer.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2019
. . . nothing seems entirely impossible when you're three sheets to the wind, does it?
After Kate Temple gets bombed at a client's wedding, and has a disastrous encounter with a tractor, she's forced to admit that maybe, just maybe, her drinking has gotten a little out of hand.
I should probably quit drinking. At least for a while. Prove I don't need it. Prove I can quite easily get through life without a glass of something fun in my hand. Easy-peasy.
And, funny . . . her husband Scott has been thinking the same thing about himself.
It's a horrible thing to admit, but when life gets difficult or trying for me, I tend to jump into a bottle of something nice to make it all better.
But, it takes an embarrassing viral video, uploaded to YouTube by their teenage daughter, to really set this pair on the road to total temperance. Soon Scott and Kate are living an alcohol-free life, and finding out that staying sober can be a little . . . sobering. It's just SO MUCH HARDER to cope with every day annoyances without that pleasant buzz in the background. And, what on earth should they talk about when they're alone together? Why, they're almost like strangers! Could it be that their marriage is not as strong as they thought it was?
Now, though, I'm deathly afraid that the foundations of our marriage are actually pretty damn weak - and made out of empty gin and wine bottles.
Never fear! Turns out nothing unites a pair of married strangers like having a common enemy. And, sweet, sweet revenge tastes better than even the sweetest wine.
Spalding takes a serious topic, and gives it a humorous spin. You really care about his likable characters: wincing when they screw up, and cheering for their triumphs. Recommended to anyone looking for a light, comic novel.
After Kate Temple gets bombed at a client's wedding, and has a disastrous encounter with a tractor, she's forced to admit that maybe, just maybe, her drinking has gotten a little out of hand.
I should probably quit drinking. At least for a while. Prove I don't need it. Prove I can quite easily get through life without a glass of something fun in my hand. Easy-peasy.
And, funny . . . her husband Scott has been thinking the same thing about himself.
It's a horrible thing to admit, but when life gets difficult or trying for me, I tend to jump into a bottle of something nice to make it all better.
But, it takes an embarrassing viral video, uploaded to YouTube by their teenage daughter, to really set this pair on the road to total temperance. Soon Scott and Kate are living an alcohol-free life, and finding out that staying sober can be a little . . . sobering. It's just SO MUCH HARDER to cope with every day annoyances without that pleasant buzz in the background. And, what on earth should they talk about when they're alone together? Why, they're almost like strangers! Could it be that their marriage is not as strong as they thought it was?
Now, though, I'm deathly afraid that the foundations of our marriage are actually pretty damn weak - and made out of empty gin and wine bottles.
Never fear! Turns out nothing unites a pair of married strangers like having a common enemy. And, sweet, sweet revenge tastes better than even the sweetest wine.
Spalding takes a serious topic, and gives it a humorous spin. You really care about his likable characters: wincing when they screw up, and cheering for their triumphs. Recommended to anyone looking for a light, comic novel.
November 23, 2018
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.
Dry Hard was a 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. At times, I found them whinny and irritating, even when some of their struggles, issues rang true. I also thought that the author was trying too hard to put a funny spin on things. It didn't quite work for me.
3 stars
I've received this novel via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
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.
Dry Hard was a 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. At times, I found them whinny and irritating, even when some of their struggles, issues rang true. I also thought that the author was trying too hard to put a funny spin on things. It didn't quite work for me.
3 stars
I've received this novel via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2019
Well this was a shocker, I didn't like this one. Usually Nick Spalding can make me laugh until I hurt myself. "Dry Hard" really didn't work for me though because I think that Spalding left out some things that could have rounded out the book more. We hear about how badly Kate and Scott behave when they drink. And there's even references to their families realizing it and avoiding them. I think it would have been more realistic to have the parents and siblings back up Holly (their daughter) about how they behave when drinking. Instead Spalding seems focused on showing why YouTube stars are a problem, unless it's his characters reaping the benefit.
"Dry Hard" follows Kate and Scott who though are happily married, wish that they had more time together. When both get stressed they like to drink. Unfortunately when they drink they don't have a stop button and it causes both of them trouble at work. When they finally turn into boozy messes on Christmas their daughter Holly films them and then posts it on her YouTube channel in order to get her parents to realize they need to stop drinking. So that's what Kate and Scott pledge to do. For a whole year, no drinking.
Of course we are supposed to laugh about them getting into scrapes and both wishing for a drink, but I didn't find it very funny. Both characters are alcoholics full stop. Every description of them thinking about drinking, drinking til they black out, and the remarks made by friends and family shows that they are not seen as sober/competent. Unlike with the other couples Spalding has introduced us to over the years, I couldn't warm up to Kate or Scott. Them deciding to chronicle their non-drinking on YouTube seemed out of character and also stupid. Spalding does this to tie together the whole YouTube culture thing and it doesn't work at all. I get we are supposed to be rooting against someone, but the Kate and Scott were hot messes.
The other characters get very little development. Even though we switch to Holly at times, I think Spalding could have included more of her issues with her parents drinking. We get mentions of why she never invites friends to stay over. You think her parents would realize that and also really really apologize for it. The therapy session scene we get once again sucks.
The book wasn't that funny to me. I mean at first I was smiling, and then cringing the whole way through. Probably because I have a brother who used to drink to the point he would black out and wake up and accuse everyone around him of all sorts of things. I also had an ex who was a "functioning" alcoholic. I just couldn't find the book very funny. I think I would skipped over this if the synopsis hadn't made it seem as if Kate and Scott don't really have an issue with drinking, they just over drink a bit and get caught in a viral moment.
The ending was so unrealistic. I think we're supposed to cheer on how things end up. But I already have issues with so-called YouTube stars using their platforms and how it can leave bad impressions on teens and adults. I am not going to lie, I will watch a video on how to snake a toilet or fix a sink. However, based on all the articles about "BS influencers" and how some people selling products are pretty much blackmailed into giving these "stars" money or get bad reviews I just have a bad taste in my mouth about the whole platform.
"Dry Hard" follows Kate and Scott who though are happily married, wish that they had more time together. When both get stressed they like to drink. Unfortunately when they drink they don't have a stop button and it causes both of them trouble at work. When they finally turn into boozy messes on Christmas their daughter Holly films them and then posts it on her YouTube channel in order to get her parents to realize they need to stop drinking. So that's what Kate and Scott pledge to do. For a whole year, no drinking.
Of course we are supposed to laugh about them getting into scrapes and both wishing for a drink, but I didn't find it very funny. Both characters are alcoholics full stop. Every description of them thinking about drinking, drinking til they black out, and the remarks made by friends and family shows that they are not seen as sober/competent. Unlike with the other couples Spalding has introduced us to over the years, I couldn't warm up to Kate or Scott. Them deciding to chronicle their non-drinking on YouTube seemed out of character and also stupid. Spalding does this to tie together the whole YouTube culture thing and it doesn't work at all. I get we are supposed to be rooting against someone, but the Kate and Scott were hot messes.
The other characters get very little development. Even though we switch to Holly at times, I think Spalding could have included more of her issues with her parents drinking. We get mentions of why she never invites friends to stay over. You think her parents would realize that and also really really apologize for it. The therapy session scene we get once again sucks.
The book wasn't that funny to me. I mean at first I was smiling, and then cringing the whole way through. Probably because I have a brother who used to drink to the point he would black out and wake up and accuse everyone around him of all sorts of things. I also had an ex who was a "functioning" alcoholic. I just couldn't find the book very funny. I think I would skipped over this if the synopsis hadn't made it seem as if Kate and Scott don't really have an issue with drinking, they just over drink a bit and get caught in a viral moment.
The ending was so unrealistic. I think we're supposed to cheer on how things end up. But I already have issues with so-called YouTube stars using their platforms and how it can leave bad impressions on teens and adults. I am not going to lie, I will watch a video on how to snake a toilet or fix a sink. However, based on all the articles about "BS influencers" and how some people selling products are pretty much blackmailed into giving these "stars" money or get bad reviews I just have a bad taste in my mouth about the whole platform.
March 28, 2019
This book has a strong beginning (if you like cringing moments with your humour) and a strong ending.
It sagged for me a bit in the middle but works as a social commentary and a quick funny read.
It sagged for me a bit in the middle but works as a social commentary and a quick funny read.
March 21, 2019
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.
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.
December 15, 2018
***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.
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.
November 9, 2020
Fed up with her parents' drunken behavior, Holly uploads a video of their antics to YouTube in the hopes that the embarrassment will shock them into changing their ways. It works. Kate and Scott pledge to be sober for a year and allow Holly to document their progress with her channel, but quitting alcohol is tough enough when you don't have the ever-present eyes of the camera following you. Plus, what happens when the family learns that drinking is one of the foundations of Kate and Scott's relationship and you take that away?
Nick Spalding doesn't disappoint with the humor. I mean, drunk people ARE funny sometimes. What surprised me was how well he described the thought process of an alcoholic. I'm not a big drinker, but it almost made me want to run to the store and buy a bottle to enjoy. It's a little sad that a book about alcoholism made me want to drink, but there it is. I can tell you that the desire was diminished by the end of the book, but not altogether absent.
If you liked the author's other books, you should like this one too. I like how he incorporates the social media aspect into the plot, and his portrayal of teenage Holly was well done. As a side note, I am happy to report that aside from an errant fart, the potty humor was at a minimum in this book (something that was starting to bug me about his other books). See Nick, you can still be funny without resorting to human waste as the butt of your jokes. (see what I did there?)
Nick Spalding doesn't disappoint with the humor. I mean, drunk people ARE funny sometimes. What surprised me was how well he described the thought process of an alcoholic. I'm not a big drinker, but it almost made me want to run to the store and buy a bottle to enjoy. It's a little sad that a book about alcoholism made me want to drink, but there it is. I can tell you that the desire was diminished by the end of the book, but not altogether absent.
If you liked the author's other books, you should like this one too. I like how he incorporates the social media aspect into the plot, and his portrayal of teenage Holly was well done. As a side note, I am happy to report that aside from an errant fart, the potty humor was at a minimum in this book (something that was starting to bug me about his other books). See Nick, you can still be funny without resorting to human waste as the butt of your jokes. (see what I did there?)
August 20, 2019
I’m not sure where to begin with this book. It was funny then depressing and then funny again and then sad and so it was a bit of a roller coaster. We follow a couple who have issues with alcohol, it was actually funnier when they were drinking though which I don’t think should be the takeaway from this book. There were several actual laugh out loud funny bits (a problem when I was sneakily reading the book at work - giggling at my desk does not look like someone hard at work!). The writing was good and the story, despite being exaggerated for comedic effect, is well written enough that the characters start to feel like real life people. They certainly grew on me, although at times they are a little sickening. I absolutely hated the way the perspective kept changing from first person narrative to third person. Overall and for the most part this was a funny read and I really enjoyed it, for that I will give it 4*/5.
January 9, 2019
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.
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.
February 11, 2025
Comedy is a special kind of thing. It works best when it is recognizable, but it has to be blown out of proportion to be truly hilarious.
Kate and Scott have a vice, let’s be honest, we all have our vices. But this isn’t enough for Nick Spalding; for Nick Spalding their shared vice has to be a crippling embarrassment to everyone around them.
Spalding created some of the best absurd, down-to-earth normal people that I have come across in a book. They are a rather normal middle-class family, with all of the stresses and problems that any normal family has – how they handle those problems is what really makes this story so much fun. I frequently found myself saying to the two of them, “No, please don’t do that; you’ve gone far enough. Please! Stop! Now!” These two were a couple of great characters.
I can picture Spalding writing Dry Hard. He has this great premise and with every aspect of the story he is trying to figure out how to constantly up the ante; and he does.
What I really appreciated about Dry Hard is that it is more than just a hilarious story about a family working out their problems. It goes a few places as well. This makes the story so much more, separating it from the rest.
*5 Stars
Kate and Scott have a vice, let’s be honest, we all have our vices. But this isn’t enough for Nick Spalding; for Nick Spalding their shared vice has to be a crippling embarrassment to everyone around them.
Spalding created some of the best absurd, down-to-earth normal people that I have come across in a book. They are a rather normal middle-class family, with all of the stresses and problems that any normal family has – how they handle those problems is what really makes this story so much fun. I frequently found myself saying to the two of them, “No, please don’t do that; you’ve gone far enough. Please! Stop! Now!” These two were a couple of great characters.
I can picture Spalding writing Dry Hard. He has this great premise and with every aspect of the story he is trying to figure out how to constantly up the ante; and he does.
What I really appreciated about Dry Hard is that it is more than just a hilarious story about a family working out their problems. It goes a few places as well. This makes the story so much more, separating it from the rest.
*5 Stars
January 17, 2019
Absolutely hilarious!!!
Loved it :)
Loved it :)
October 29, 2018
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.
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.
September 30, 2019
I have read a couple of Nick Spalding books and was in the mood for some humour and this latest offering didn't disappoint. I have seen mixed reviews on this but in all honesty I think it depends on your own drinking habits and that of friends and family as well as your sense of humour. I have many friends that are big drinkers and it's all a bit of a giggle in my world when those people get themselves into mischief. This book is a light-hearted take on all of that and I absolutely loved it.
This book had me giggling very hard in places (especially the opening scenes with Kate) along with numerous others. In a nutshell Kate and her husband Scott are embarrassed by their daughters idea of uploading a video of them roaring drunk onto You Tube, so much so that they decide to give up the drink altogether. We follow their struggles with it as they attempt to do a whole year with zero alcohol. This book is not going to be everybody's cup of tea, but as I was reading it I was mentally ticking off a list of friends who have to read this! A great and light hearted read which cheered me up no end.
This book had me giggling very hard in places (especially the opening scenes with Kate) along with numerous others. In a nutshell Kate and her husband Scott are embarrassed by their daughters idea of uploading a video of them roaring drunk onto You Tube, so much so that they decide to give up the drink altogether. We follow their struggles with it as they attempt to do a whole year with zero alcohol. This book is not going to be everybody's cup of tea, but as I was reading it I was mentally ticking off a list of friends who have to read this! A great and light hearted read which cheered me up no end.
July 19, 2019
Good, but I don't know that anything NS writes can't beat Fat Chance...
February 22, 2021
Now, Nick Spalding has always been my go to for funny, easy reads. I've never come across an author who writes such funny fiction. His Love From… series is one of my all time favourite series.
But the last couple of books I've read of his, including this one, Dry Hard, have just fallen a little flat for me and I'd struggle to recommend them if I'm honest.
Dry Hard follows a similar vein to some of his other novels, Logging Off and Going Green. They all seem to follow this same formula of taking something, such as drinking, or social media, and having to give it up usually involving a lot of public humiliation and madcap slapstick scenes.
I feel like I'm reading the same book over and over again! In fact the characters from Dry Hard and Going Green all worked for the same PR firm!
I felt like this one just tried too hard to be funny. Kate and Scott have a drinking problem. They just get off their face drunk and end up doing ridiculous things. Their teenage daughter Holly has had enough and uploads a video of their drunken antics to YouTube for the world to see, and of course it quickly goes viral. The rest of the book follows Kate and Scott as they try to give up drinking whilst Holly documents it online as a rising YouTube star.
It just didn't work for me. I didn't enjoy the YouTube side of it all and why this teenage girl was ruling the house and her parents. Not once did I laugh out loud reading it which is usually a given with Spalding's books!
I mean, I'll still buy his next book, because I'll always be a fan, but I'm really hoping the next one doesn't involve giving up something, at this point I'm not sure there's anything left to give up!
If you want to try this author, I highly recommend his Love From Both Sides book, it's brilliant and hilarious!
But the last couple of books I've read of his, including this one, Dry Hard, have just fallen a little flat for me and I'd struggle to recommend them if I'm honest.
Dry Hard follows a similar vein to some of his other novels, Logging Off and Going Green. They all seem to follow this same formula of taking something, such as drinking, or social media, and having to give it up usually involving a lot of public humiliation and madcap slapstick scenes.
I feel like I'm reading the same book over and over again! In fact the characters from Dry Hard and Going Green all worked for the same PR firm!
I felt like this one just tried too hard to be funny. Kate and Scott have a drinking problem. They just get off their face drunk and end up doing ridiculous things. Their teenage daughter Holly has had enough and uploads a video of their drunken antics to YouTube for the world to see, and of course it quickly goes viral. The rest of the book follows Kate and Scott as they try to give up drinking whilst Holly documents it online as a rising YouTube star.
It just didn't work for me. I didn't enjoy the YouTube side of it all and why this teenage girl was ruling the house and her parents. Not once did I laugh out loud reading it which is usually a given with Spalding's books!
I mean, I'll still buy his next book, because I'll always be a fan, but I'm really hoping the next one doesn't involve giving up something, at this point I'm not sure there's anything left to give up!
If you want to try this author, I highly recommend his Love From Both Sides book, it's brilliant and hilarious!
February 16, 2019
This was a very quick read! First of all and I don’t mean to sound snotty (!) but can I suggest the author uses ‘sitting’ instead of ‘is sat’. Ok, back to the book. There were some genuinely really funny moments in the story of Kate and Scott and their issues with alcohol. Kate getting totally trollied at a wedding was extremely funny and Scott’s escapades at a marketing function at Camberwell Distillery although not quite so funny, were amusing. Their daughter Holly is fed up of their drunken behaviour and records them at Christmas and when they continue with their antics and don’t see it as she does, out of frustration she uploads it to YouTube where it gets thousands of hits.
Kate and Scott give up drinking and what a sad reflection that at this point in the book there were not very many funny moments. I’m sure this is exactly as the author intended but I have to say I enjoyed the funny bits more and perhaps that says more about me!! The Krav Maga section was funny but that was about it after they stopped drinking. This also impacted on their relationship as they realised alcohol was the glue that kept them together. They eventually go to a marriage counsellor and that section was silly as was the ending.
I think the book makes an interesting point and it’s a quick read if that’s what you need one afternoon or evening.
Kate and Scott give up drinking and what a sad reflection that at this point in the book there were not very many funny moments. I’m sure this is exactly as the author intended but I have to say I enjoyed the funny bits more and perhaps that says more about me!! The Krav Maga section was funny but that was about it after they stopped drinking. This also impacted on their relationship as they realised alcohol was the glue that kept them together. They eventually go to a marriage counsellor and that section was silly as was the ending.
I think the book makes an interesting point and it’s a quick read if that’s what you need one afternoon or evening.
January 5, 2019
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.
November 22, 2018
★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
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 originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
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.
February 2, 2025
4.5*
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. It's no Rachel's Holiday but it's a close second. One chapter involving Kate and Krav Maga had me literally laughing out loud. Great characters, modern themes. Would make a fabulous TV mini-series. Nice one Nick. You still need how to use the word 'sitting' though!
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. It's no Rachel's Holiday but it's a close second. One chapter involving Kate and Krav Maga had me literally laughing out loud. Great characters, modern themes. Would make a fabulous TV mini-series. Nice one Nick. You still need how to use the word 'sitting' though!
January 24, 2019
This book flitted between third and first person in a very annoying way. The constant attempts to shoehorn social media in were also very annoying.
January 13, 2019
My rating: 5 of 5!
Published: the 8th of January 2019
Written by: Nick Spalding
Series: Standalone
Length: 293 pages
Source: Free copy generously provided.
Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to receive a free copy of this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. However, please note that all opinions and views are my own.
The first person we meet is Kate. As a PR she's attending a wedding for a new client, along with one of her colleagues. At this wedding Kate isn't happy or even remotely okay with being there, so she unknowingly drowns her sorrows in Prosecco. After (at least) one too many glasses of the sparkly wine, her alcohol induced mind throws caution to the wind and find it a totally good idea to drive a tractor. Who wouldn't!
Then it's time to meet Scott, who's a marketing director for a gin distillery. Part of his job is to promote the companies alcoholic beverages and convince clients they're ahmazing, by drinking it. Yep, this man is basically paid to drink and tell people how great the gin is. But when he almost burns down an event, after thinking it's a great idea for himself to be in charge of the fireworks. Both Kate and Scott have a shared epiphany during their drunken escapades: things are better when they're together !
But when Kate and Scott join drinking forces on Christmas, their 17 year old daughter, Holly, has had enough. She films their out of control, embarrassing and quite frankly pathetic behaviour, to show them what they really look like. But when mum and dad doesn't take her serious, she decides to take drastic measures. She uploads the entire thing to YouTube. Thanks to a big time Vlogger named PinkyBud sharing it with his audience, the entire thing goes viral. Not only are Kate and Scott proper named and shamed in the public sphere, they're also forced to take a closer look at what they're labelling "just having a good time". Following this they both decide to go sober for an entire year, and Holly are to upload regular recordings of how they're doing, to her YouTube channel. This is how #DryHard comes to be the new way of living in the Temple household.
Read the full review on my blog
Published: the 8th of January 2019
Written by: Nick Spalding
Series: Standalone
Length: 293 pages
Source: Free copy generously provided.
Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to receive a free copy of this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. However, please note that all opinions and views are my own.
The first person we meet is Kate. As a PR she's attending a wedding for a new client, along with one of her colleagues. At this wedding Kate isn't happy or even remotely okay with being there, so she unknowingly drowns her sorrows in Prosecco. After (at least) one too many glasses of the sparkly wine, her alcohol induced mind throws caution to the wind and find it a totally good idea to drive a tractor. Who wouldn't!
I know I should only have the one drink right now, as I still haven't had anything to eat yet. The smells of cooking coming from somewhere unidentifiable, being borne through the open barn on the light summer breeze, tell me that food is in my near future. This appeals greatly to my stomach, but not so much to my brain, which has now had its first hit of alcohol and wants more.
Then it's time to meet Scott, who's a marketing director for a gin distillery. Part of his job is to promote the companies alcoholic beverages and convince clients they're ahmazing, by drinking it. Yep, this man is basically paid to drink and tell people how great the gin is. But when he almost burns down an event, after thinking it's a great idea for himself to be in charge of the fireworks. Both Kate and Scott have a shared epiphany during their drunken escapades: things are better when they're together !
But when Kate and Scott join drinking forces on Christmas, their 17 year old daughter, Holly, has had enough. She films their out of control, embarrassing and quite frankly pathetic behaviour, to show them what they really look like. But when mum and dad doesn't take her serious, she decides to take drastic measures. She uploads the entire thing to YouTube. Thanks to a big time Vlogger named PinkyBud sharing it with his audience, the entire thing goes viral. Not only are Kate and Scott proper named and shamed in the public sphere, they're also forced to take a closer look at what they're labelling "just having a good time". Following this they both decide to go sober for an entire year, and Holly are to upload regular recordings of how they're doing, to her YouTube channel. This is how #DryHard comes to be the new way of living in the Temple household.
Holly records her father's antics on her iPhone with mounting horror.
'Kate! Kate! Look at this!' Scott Temple giggles with drunken glee as he thrusts his groin into the large Scots pine sat in the corner of the living room. 'Jus' like that dog we saw last week when we went to get the tree, eh?'
'Scott! For crying out loud! My ... my mother's here! Kate cries in the mock horror from her position on the blue couch, next to her thrusting husband.
Read the full review on my blog
January 13, 2019
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 well needed entertainment in these dark sober days after the festive season.
Another massive hit for Mr Spalding and a joy to read.
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 well needed entertainment in these dark sober days after the festive season.
Another massive hit for Mr Spalding and a joy to read.
April 17, 2019
Don't judge a book by its cover
The novel about a British couple and their daughter is funny and touching. It seems that both parents are alcoholics and don't realize it until Holly, their daughter, videos a particularly embarrassing and ugly drunken Christmas Eve--and then uploads it to YouTube, where it immediately goes viral. "Dry Hard" is the British equivalent of "cold turkey," which is what the parents agree to do, the whole time being filmed. There are many poignant scenes and a whole lot of laugh out loud ones. It's a comedy novel with a message or two and well worth your time, for the grocery store incident alone! Ever fought with a self-checkout and withdrawal at the same time?
The novel about a British couple and their daughter is funny and touching. It seems that both parents are alcoholics and don't realize it until Holly, their daughter, videos a particularly embarrassing and ugly drunken Christmas Eve--and then uploads it to YouTube, where it immediately goes viral. "Dry Hard" is the British equivalent of "cold turkey," which is what the parents agree to do, the whole time being filmed. There are many poignant scenes and a whole lot of laugh out loud ones. It's a comedy novel with a message or two and well worth your time, for the grocery store incident alone! Ever fought with a self-checkout and withdrawal at the same time?
December 6, 2019
Love Nick Spalding. Contemporary life.
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.
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.
January 16, 2019
a very funny book , when a husband and wife love a drink, they binge drink to excess , after a pretty fluid Xmas they are shamed into giving up alcohol for a year by their daugher when she uploads a video of them in a drunken state into you tube. to help them give up the drink she decides to keep a blog on line. this is a funny year for them.
a great read and very funny.
a great read and very funny.
May 30, 2020
Laugh out loud
Once again Nick has written a funny book.I've always laughed out loud to his books..it feels like a normal real life that makes it more enjoyable to read. If you havnt read one of his books you should..any will do..they all do the same.thing.... Make you giggle and thats a positive thing isn't it
Once again Nick has written a funny book.I've always laughed out loud to his books..it feels like a normal real life that makes it more enjoyable to read. If you havnt read one of his books you should..any will do..they all do the same.thing.... Make you giggle and thats a positive thing isn't it
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