Great idea for a book and really well executed. A thoroughly good read. Highly recommended. .

Thanks to netgalley for the copy of Checking Out by Nuck Spaulding. This lighthearted, funny "coming to" story was exactly what I needed.

There were parts of this story which were quite funny. But as an overall book, there was something terribly off that left me feeling like I'd rather not have read this. It was steep slope after slope of the plot sinking to things I didn't care about reading about. I appreciate the references and occasional wit but was overall disappointed.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

I had to push through this one, having already put it down early on twice but I'm glad I persevered in the end.

This is full of Nick Spalding's usual dark humour, which is needed with the topic really and helps to make the book enjoyable despite the fact that we know Nathan's prognosis. I love the author's writing style generally, he is frank and to the point- there are no long monologues describing how the leaves move on a tree and that works perfectly with the book and Nathan's personality.

It's also a really quick read, I read all of it in a morning and barely stopped, this is again because the writing is so endearing.

As always, the book is funny and life affirming. It's an enjoyable read that makes you laugh, makes you think and makes you sad. If you've enjoyed anything by Nick Spalding before, you're sure to enjoy this one too.

This book was exceptional. And has it all... Rare tumor in hard-to-remove location in the brain? Check. Bucket list not completed? Check. Love? Check. A wonderful, tender and coming to terms with a death sentence? Check. You will not go wrong reading this heartwarming journey as one man faces his pending death and how he tries to accomplish what he can and accept his upcoming death with Grace,, dignity and a sense that he did ,in fact, achieve something greater and above all, self satisfaction.

Didn’t like the main character one bit at the start and was a little disappointed with the book to begin with. Not one of Nick Spaldings best beginnings humour wise. Stick with it would be my advice. It soon warmed up and I felt like the old Nick was back. Enjoyed it eventually.

First book I have read by this author. although it ws humorous at times, it wasn't laugh out loud for me.
It was an emotional story about Nathan, who has just found out he is terminally ill with a brain tumour. the book folows his journey, how he deals with it and how it changes him as a person.

This covers a tough subject for a comedy, but Nick Spalding made it work and provided some humour in the situation. Definitely worth a read. Kept me entertained until the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this.

A perfect read. Checking Out is not only extremely funny, with some brilliant comic set pieces - Nathan's disastrous visit to the donkey sanctuary will stay etched on my memory for a very long time - but its also a book with real heart and humanity. Mr Spalding has done it again. Five well earned stars.

Thank you so much to the author, to the publishers and to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this lovely book.

Liked this. Quite hilarious.

Did a lot of skim reading. Didnt like those fruity song bits though.

Sometimes boring. But asserts the moral that let's you appreciate the life you have and to make the most of it. And to stop worrying.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for this review copy.

I have read one of Nick Spalding's other books and laughed hysterically, however I could not get past the first few chapters of this book. It was just too riddled with vulgarity and sexual themes for my taste.

I really wanted to love this book because Nick's previous books have had me laughing out loud especially "bricking it". Nathan has been told he is dying so to start with you think 'ok, how can that be funny' and I think that is the problem the book tries too hard. It's full of words about fruit and vegetables that dance! A lot of sex talk which believe me I am not a prude but its unnecessary and too much, although nothing wrong with a bit of innuendo. I read 3/4 of it so don't know how it ends. Sorry.

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

Nathan has just sold his creation, the Foodies for an nice settlement. He's excited about what is to come next in his life when he finds out he has a rare brain tumor. There's nothing to be done, he has to come to terms with the fact that he could drop dead at any moment.

But no! He hasn't had the time to do anything important. There was so much he wanted to accomplish. He feels like it's all too late.

He's really been a twit up to this point. Pretty much selfish, with his head firmly inserted in his bum. Let's hope he can sort something out before he checks out!

It's been awhile since i last read a book from a Brit, a male brit to be exact. And I forgot how enjoyable it could be.

Nathan finds out that he has a tumor in his brain, in a spot that makes it very difficult to remove. And with this discovery, his world is turned upside down and realizes his life has been to date, shallow and superficial.

This is the story of his journey to accepting his fate and trying to leave his mark in the world before his time is up. Hahaha. Remembering the donkey and the commune...

I liked this book a lot! Nathan's shallow but finds his depth soon enough. His mother is such a character as well. And I was rooting for Allie to the end to knock some sense into Nathan. I think I'll be checking out other books of Nick Spalding later.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the copy!

'Wake Up, Sir!' by Jonathan Ames is one of my favorite books of all-time. In it, Alan Blair, the main character, gets himself into a number of bizarre (and completely hilarious) situations while attempting to leave some of his personal demons in the past. This book, 'Checking Out' made me think about Alan Blair because its main character, Nathan James, also gets into several unfortunate, yet laughable, situations while trying to deal with his own issues.

Nathan James is the famous creator of a children's show called Foodies, which I imagine to be similar to Yo Gabba Gabba in obnoxiousness, but with food-based characters. He is in a shallow relationship with a shallow girlfriend, living a shallow existence. That all changes when he is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor which leaves him questioning his entire purpose in life. He is left without a sense of accomplishment over his whole 33 years of life. In order to ease his discontent over his pre-tumor life, he sets out on a number of different 'adventures' in search of fulfillment.

Despite the sad and depressing diagnosis and timeline of Nathan's illness, Nick Spalding creates a book full of laugh-out-loud hilarious moments, clever writing, and witty dialogue. I haven't laughed so much with a book in a long time.

Nathan James is one of the most well-written main characters I have encountered, with a total relatability and realness about him. I thought the supporting characters were well developed, with bits of humor entwined with their struggling acceptance of Nathan's illness.

This book easily ranks within my top 3 books of 2018. Nathan James will remain a memorable character for me, much like Alan Blair has. There are not many books that I read twice-over, but I know I would find enjoyment whenever I picked up this book again in the future.

Nathan only 33 years old has been diagnosed with a brain tumour that is incurable.
Although in shock he realises he must tell his nearest and dearest as soon as possible, their reaction to his news borders on the sublime to the ridiculous.
As he starts to assess his life there are many hilarious laugh out loud moments which sounds very odd, but so works.
Funny, thought provoking, this is a wonderful book, obviously there is no happy ever after ending but that said all is dealt with beautifully. I honestly found this book uplifting and although obviously very sad, it had an important message to convey.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for opportunity to review this book.

Another 5 star read from Mr Spalding. I was initially worried that this book wouldn't have the same naughty humour as his previous books due to the more sensitive subject matter. However, there was no need for concern as I was giggling away throughout. It takes real talent to not only write well, but to create a story that is sad and funny and absolutely fizzing with with creatively fabulous characters.

Review I've read quite a few of Nick Spalding's books now, and one thing you're always guaranteed is a good laugh, so I was a little worried when I read the blurb and I thought it was going to be a depressing read. I was wrong of course. All of the trademark humour and warmth was there- which is hard to do when such a serious subject is being covered. The author manages to perfectly balance the humour with the romance and left me thoroughly satisfied.

I was itching to start reading this book as I've previously read books by this author and they were always good. This book did NOT disappoint! It takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions and makes you appreciate life. I was laughing one minute (all I can say is donkey..) and then crying the next, especially at the bit where he connects with Callum and he's holding his finger.
Highly recommend this book as it's a proper page turner!