This book is like sinking into a marshmallow cloud. I read it in one sitting. Told from the perspective of Eileen and Leena her granddaughter it covers a multitude of subjects from love ,grief,and age. With two very strong women as lead characters it romps along at a steady pace. Lots of laugh out loud moments as well as tears. I thought the Flatshare was good but this is even better.

A book to make you believe in relationships being the meaning of it all. I warmed to both "Eileens" and enjoyed the quirky premise, however unlikely it is that it could happen in real life! I loved the notion that struggling to deal with grief doesn't make us 'messed up...' it makes us entirely normal. A happy, life affirming read that made me smile at strangers in the street because we're all people, in this life together.

I really enjoy Beth O'Leary's meringue-light, sardonically funny writing style, but I didn't love this quite as much as The Flatshare. The thing about The Flatshare was that it felt like an entirely up-to-date romance, touching on the housing crisis and gaslighting, whereas The Switch didn't feel quite as fresh and original, despite the adorable characters. There have been a lot of books recently in which drifting young people make friends with an OAP and learn a life lesson and this felt very similar to a lot of those, although much better written than most.

New review- The Switch by Beth O’Leary
Eileen and Leena Cotton are grandmother and granddaughter. Leena is a Highflyer in a large company in London and is going through a meltdown following the death of her sister from cancer. So both decide to swap homes to find themselves again. Leena Swaps her technology with her gran taking her her old basic ancient Nokia in their New lives they both begin to live. Eileen discovers online dating whilst Leena discovers other people their lives issues and fresh air and open space learning to live again.

The quirkinesses of life and people makes you laugh and cry in equal measure - Beautiful read recommend this book to all. Fantastic book all round ! Loved it.

I loved Beth’s first book and was really excited to get an arc of her new one. It did not disappoint. An interesting premise with Leena and her grandmother Eileen temporarily ‘life swapping’ . I loved both lead characters and that it was a story told from the perspective of two different generations which you don’t often get in romance. Funny, warm and charming throughout. A really good read all round.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus for granting my wish to review this book.

Beth O'Leary has done it again. This book is every bit as spectacularly enjoyable as her first, The Flatshare, and I devoured every word of it.
Leena and her grandmother Eileen are both struggling with finding where they need to be after the death of Leena's sister, Eileen's granddaughter. When Leena is told to take a few months of work, no arguments, she's at a loss for what to do. Speaking to her grandma, she comes up with the madcap idea that they swap places for their two months. So they do. Leena relocates to Eileen's sleepy country village in Yorkshire, while Eileen moves into a trendy flat in London, to hit the online dating scene and take the capital by storm.
I absolutely loved this book. It was delightfully written, with two great main characters, and a wonderful cast of supporting characters also. Leena and Eileen both have some things to sort out, and as they explore their new lives, they get into all kinds of fun scrapes and scandals. It was really refreshing to read a book with an older character who's not lost her interest in sex, romance, and dating, and Eileen's forthright manner and Yorkshire ways make her experience in London unlike any other. Starting a social club for other lonely silver surfers in the shared area of Leena's building is maybe slightly unrealistic, but utterly heartwarming, and the neighbours that Eileen meets are delightfully diverse. I particularly liked the sole owner of a vehicle in the building, who offered some wonderful comic relief.
For Leena, in Yorkshire, this time is about finding herself, coming to terms with her terrible loss, and reconnecting with her mother. And if there's a handsome primary school teacher about, well, that can't be too much of a problem either.
What I particularly loved about this book was Leena's experience of dealing with her grief about her sister. Every time I read a paragraph which described their relationship and their final days together, my eyes started to burn and my throat welled up. Beth O'Leary writes so delicately, I was filled with compassion and love for my own sisters. But it never felt maudlin or overdone, just perfectly handled, giving us an insight into Leena's grief and her process of dealing with it.
There was so much to love in this book, both laughter and tears, and honestly I don't know how to review it all. I heartily, thoroughly recommend The Switch, and can't wait to see what Beth O'Leary does next.

What a heartwarming book! Having read and loved The Flatshare I was very excited to get into this and it certainly did not disappoint - more than just another romance, O'Leary has created another fun, entertaining and ultimately uplifting read.

The story of a grandmother and granddaughter, Eileen and Leena, who swap homes for 8 weeks and navigate aspects of each others lives while they try and re-find themselves, it is a story of family, grief, friendships and relationships that draws you in, sweeps you along and wraps you up nicely. Told from alternate perspectives, the characters are well drawn and it is refreshing to have an older woman who is determined to embrace life as such a central character, And it is not just the two main characters who come to life - the other characters all have a part to play and you care about them too. It is not all light and fluffy though - it also deals with some big issues that stop it becoming overly saccharine, though those do not get in the way of its overall charm and the feel-good nature of the book

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review..

When I requested an ARC of The Switch I thought it had the potential to be brilliant or a total disaster... I loved the author's first book and I was happy to find here some the things that I enjoyed so much in The Flatshare. Mixing a heavily emotional story with lighter and often funny topics is a good choice here, and I think both are done skilfully. My problem is that at some point the lighter topics took over the more emotional (and in my opinion more interesting) ones and the book lost a lot of its power in the second half. I loved seeing the different grieving processes of all the Cotton women but at some point the book started to focus almost exclusively on Eileen and Leena's love lives, and there were so many background stories going on that I got a bit lost. My second issue is that all stories are resolved too perfectly to feel real - I understand the value of a feel-good story, but the ending was downright cheesy and over-the-top.

So the result is far from a disaster, but not perfect either. Still, this is a really good choice for a heartwarming read when in need of an uplifting book with a heavy side of romance.

Absolutely beautiful! I wasn't sure Beth's new novel could beat The Flatshare but this was absolutely wonderful. Two characters, two generations, two stories but both were engaging and I loved them equally. This will certainly be a bestseller!
The Switch is a beautiful, heartwarming novel about the power of change, believing in yourself and how age is just a number!

Tje Switch was every bit as enjoyable as The Flat Share! The characters leapt from the pages and I ended up reading in one sitting!

Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy of this book for review.

Usually when I get a book on NetGalley, I try to read it close to the release date, so I can remember and talk about it when it comes out. But I just couldn’t resist. I wanted so desperately to jump back into Beth O’Leary’s writing and, let’s be honest, of course I’ll read it again in April.

The Switch tells the story of Leena and Eileen, a granddaughter-grandmother pair, who switch lives for two months for a bit of a shakeup to their usual lives. Leena is forced from work after a huge mistake, caused by overworking and ignoring her sister’s death; she moves away from London to reconnect with her mother and face the reality she’s tried to bury. Eileen is recently single and nearly 80, but has no chance at love in her tiny village; the chance to move to London will give her the lease of life that marriage took away.

In this book, Beth O’Leary creates two incredibly funny, strong women that narrate the book, as well as a whole cast of fully developed supporting characters. All the interactions are interesting and add to the story. There’s also an LGBT+ character who isn’t main, but certainly often appears.
It’s funny, happy and cute, but that’s not all. Just like in The Flatshare, this book also deals with some more serious themes. This time it’s grief. We’re told there’s no one way to grieve, and that grief doesn’t instantly disappear after a certain amount of time. Grief hits you at all times, prompted by the smallest memory. It’s something I’ve been fortunate enough to not have had to deal with, but it feels like it was done really well.
This book forms some strong relationships. Yes, there’s a romance and yes, I didn’t hate it, but romance is just one part of it. The more important relationships are formed between unlikely friends or in communities where first impressions are challenged.

I can’t wait to have an actual copy to pass around (and one in an extra large print for my nan!)

The Switch by Beth O’Leary a five-star read that you won’t want to switch for anything. Beth O’Leary wrote one of my favourite books to recommend the Flat share and she has managed to do it again; I know I can recommend these two to anyone and they will have great read no matter what genre they read. This was a great story and even just the descriptions of the Dales had my eyes shining as you could see the emotion coming through the description, it was so detailed and well done that you could smell the peaty rain and imagine you are standing on the Buttertubs pass, (not mentioned in the story, but if this inspires you to visit a must see place) you can taste the bitter blackberries like they are in your mouth and not on the page. Leena and Eileen have both won a place in my heart, Eileen just warmed me with every little thing she did, especially her little hall project. (There really should be more of those everywhere, you will so get that when you read the story and you need to read it, even if you only read one book this year!!)
Beth O’Leary brings you a story that will make you care and make you think, she has a way with writing people that will lodge them so deep into your heart even a triple bypass wouldn’t shift them. She has a way of describing people that you can identify with and makes you see them as real people and not just a character on a page. Never have I wanted to know more about a neighbourhood watch meeting in my life!! Each of the characters in this story play a massive role even if they only have a tiny part, there is no one that you could cut out and still have a strong story, that’s the test of a great story in my eyes.

My library book club were lucky enough to receive her first book, 'The Flat Share' for free to review on the radio and so I was excited to read this book through Netgalley as I was in the mood for an uplifting book. Of the two, I think that I preferred this novel as I love the idea of 'The Switch', with a grandmother and granddaughter swapping lives for eight weeks as this also meant different friends, a different place and a break from work.

I liked that this book involved some serious themes, such as death, grief and depression whilst also including thoughts, feelings and rediscovery of how to live again alongside hardships. There was something about this text that was very relatable, making it a quick read yet easily managing to juggle many different characters and places. The novel is split between the worlds of the two narrators in the first person and it was easy to identify which narrator was which without the need to look at the name at the start of each chapter.

I gave this book 4 stars simply because I found that the characters journeys were too predictable for me; as much as I enjoyed the overall story and structure, I found that I was constantly guessing the next step and that is an issue for me as I do like to be surprised. However, that isn't the be all and end all as I did like the story and found the two narrators endearing and wanted to see them in a better place physically and mentally. The author did a fantastic job of handling difficult issues sensitively so I don't think a trigger warning would be required for people to enjoy this book. One thing that I do really like about O'Leary's writing style is that it is a very easy read, I managed to finish this on a long train journey and got into the text within pages, which is a positive thing and I would recommend others to read it as although it isn't the best book I've ever read, it is the kind of book i would read on journeys when I want an easy, enjoyable read.

I loved The Flatshare and I loved The Switch too - it’s funny, sweet, tender and oh so charming. The Eileens are a breath of fresh air and I loved their journeys of healing.

A really lovely read from the author of The Flatshare which has been practically impossible to avoid over recent months. The Switch is about the lives of Eileen and her granddaughter Leena who decide to swap homes for 8 weeks (think The Holiday but with half the characters being in their later years of life). It moves quite fast at some stages and can make some passages feel a little disjointed but overall a book you want to sink into and become part of the friendship groups that are new and the established ones that further develop, somewhat unexpectedly for those involved. Beth O'Leary is a master at creating stories that essentially focus on where a character is living and who they encounter because of their situation.

I can think of no better words to sum up The Switch than ‘yay!’ and ‘joy’.

Demonstrating that Flatshare was no fluke, The Switch is utterly fabulous. Building on a clever hook and then taking the reader along with characters who, with no exception, you really care about. It it is said that making a book a pleasure read is the hardest job and Beth O’Leary does it with guile. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments and a page turning finale. I would heartily recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in consideration of an honest review.

A slow but entertaining, and complete with vibrant characters - older ones stole the show!

Won't lie, post The Flatshare, I was expecting a contemporary romance along similar lines, and equally fun, if not more. This one is different and honestly quite fresh.

It's not really a romance, although it's a part of this book, but more about relationships with people - the ones around us as well as the ones in our family. There's a quirkiness in Beth O'Leary's writing and despite having read only one other book of hers, I've come to appreciate the warmth it brings along.

If you pick it up expecting the same magic as her previous book, you might be slightly disappointed. Otherwise, The Switch is quite an entertainer.

*note, I will publish this review in April 2020 around the Australian publication date.

In depth

Beth O'Leary has done it again! With her trademark charm, humour and compassion, O'Leary has crafted a heartwarming, feminist tale that will leave you feeling uplifted. Readers should note triggers for cancer-related death and grief, controlling relationships and infidelity.

Following a major panic attack during a work presentation, rising star Leena Cotton is sent on two months' leave, not negotiable. At the same time, her grandmother Eileen Cotton is moving on from her husband leaving with their dance instructor, and contemplating the very limited romantic options in her Yorkshire Dales village. When Leena visits Eileen and learns of her wish to find love, she suggests they swap homes for two months. The plan is perfect - Leena can take the time deal with her suppressed grief and Eileen can meet all sorts of interesting London men. Of course, nothing is quite that simple, and the ensuing tale is emotionally rich and utterly charming.

(Sidenote: while it sounds similar to the film, The Holiday, and will be enjoyed by fans of the film, the details of the premise are unique and, I think, much better!).

Both Leena and Eileen are wonderfully drawn characters - strong yet flawed in ways that allow them to grow throughout the novel. Leena's emotional growth stems from her grief and her tendency to use work as a crutch, while Eileen is confronted by the trials of modern dating and the distance between people living in cities (both physical and emotional). I loved Leena's professional mind and drive, but also her compassion and self awareness when in the village of Hamleigh. Likewise, Eileen's ability to bring people together and fight loneliness, as well as her eagerness to learn, were empowering and endearing. Everyone wants a grandmother like Eileen.

The Switch also has a diverse cast of supporting characters - some felt a bit peripheral/underdeveloped, but many stood well on their own two feet - especially Jackson, Arnold and Betsy in Hamleigh, and Leticia, Martha and Fitz in Shoreditch. Both communities felt like places I wanted to be part of - a testament to O'Leary's skill.

O'Leary's writing flows with such ease, painting evocative pictures of both Shoreditch and Hamleigh that made me want to hop on a plane to England, stat! She is a master of knowing which details to leave in and which to leave out, so nothing ever feels padded or too sparse.

The underlying message of The Switch is about how much intergenerational relationships have to offer; that is, both youth and the elderly can learn from one another. She also has positive messages about mental health, forgiveness, women standing up for themselves and the importance of community, even in this day and age.

Highly recommended as a well-written, heartwarming tale with wonderfully strong female characters. This is the kind of book you never want to end.

Recommended if you liked: The Lido

I received a copy of The Switch from Quercus Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

"I breathe out slowly, my paintbrush suspended in mid-air. It's easy to forget when you're missing someone, that they're more than just the person you remember: they have sides to themselves they only show when other people are around."

29 year old Leena Cotton, a project manager, lives in London with boyfriend Ethan. Her 79 year old grandma, Eileen Cotton, lives in the Yorkshire Dales, in the fictional village of Hamleigh-in-Harksdale. Following the death of beloved sister, Carla and mistakes caused by overwork and stress at work, Leena is give two month's sabbatical to recuperate. At the same time Eileen, also grieving Carla, worrying about daughter Marion and having recently been left by husband Wade, is floundering and in need of direction.

Both want a change in their lives, so Leena suggests a temporary switch, whereby they move into each other lives for two months. Having planned to move to London before meeting Wade, Eileen eagerly agrees to. This also gives Leena chance to build bridges with mother, Marian, who Leena blames for not persuading Carla to have experimental treatment that could have prolonged her life.

So they make the switch and soon become friends with each others friends, helping out where they are needed - both being kind, warm women who are natural organisers. Leena finds she enjoys the company of older people, Ethan finds he doesn't like the Dales so rarely visits and Eileen finds herself a boyfriend, Todd, through online dating.

Uplit at its best, Leena and Eileen are strong, funny, joyous and real. I thoroughly enjoyed this escapist read with its hilarious characters, beautifully written world, and entertaining plot. Their journeys are somewhat predictable, in terms of the changes in direction their lives take and who they bring with them, but this doesn't detract from this charming read, which will no doubt be loved by fans of O'Leary's debut, The Flatshare.

It is never too late to start a new chapter in your life. Leena Cotton and her grandma, Eileen Cotton, decide to swap places for two months - both are dealing with some serious issues, each of them needs a change of scenery and a space to think. Eileen is moving to fancy apartment in London, a place she once dreamed of conquering, and Leena comes to a small village in Yorkshire to take care of her estranged mother and keep up with all the village projects and gossip. This idea might not sound like everyone's cup of tea, but bear with me, it actually works! Firstly, massive kudos to the author for making Eileen one of the main characters - not that many authors wants to talk about older people like regular humans with their own ideas, dreams and (dare I say) NEEDS. Eileen might be older, but she makes plans, meets men, engages with other people, is nosy, makes mistakes and want to have fun. Secondly- the language. This book was funny, smart and under the sunny exterior managed to convey some important messages - dealing with grief, loneliness of older people, toxic relationships and managing own expectations. Perhaps it all seems a bit too predictable, too obvious in places, but I do not care. For me, this book seemed to tick all the boxes.