Breaking News!! I have a new must-read author!! Beth O’Leary has followed up The Flatshare with a book just a great!
My Interest

I loved just about everything in The Flatshare, so I knew I had to read or listen to this one, too. I’m so glad I did!
The Story

Lena has a great life in London. She has flatmates she loves, a great boyfriend, a career… a career that…well…no spoilers.

Up in Yorkshire, her Granny, Eileen, at 79 is stuck in a rut created by the life she led with the husband who ditched her.

Both need a break from their lives. Oh, and then there’s Lena’s Mum, who is still deep in grief. Yeah. That, too.

Lena and Eileen decide to swap lives. No, not in a weird but funny Freaky Friday sort of way–they really just swap residences. So for two month Lena lives at her Gran’s and takes part in her Gran’s activities and Eileen lives in London with Lena’s 20-something aged flatmates.

The result is amazing!
My Thoughts

This book was so much fun. Never did she play on stereotypes of “old” people which was the best part. 79 year old Eileen goes and does what she would have done in her 20s had she not married. Lena, who has been London- and career-centric for most of her 20s puts her talents to use while walking in her Grandma’s footsteps around her hometown. Both learn more than therapy could ever teach.
4 Full Stars

This will be such a cute movie if done right. But I insist on Julie Walters (of course) for Eileen and, of course, Jeremy Irons for Todd!

I really enjoyed this second novel from Beth O'Leary! I'm not sure it reaches her debut novel The Flatshare, but it comes really close. In this book Leena is required to take a two month sabbatical from her job, because she's a workaholic and her last pitch didn't go so great. She chooses to take that sabbatical at her grandmother, Eileen's house, in Yorkshire village. Eileen on the other hand is ready to break out of this small village and find her someone to date a live her 80 year old life on the edge. They decided to trade places, and Eileen goes to London while Leena stays in Yorkshire. Stepping into each others lives and taking care of the necessities is a lot more challenging than each lady anticipated.

This novel was full of laughs, tears, and romance. Maybe love is where you least expect it. Beth O'Leary has written another really fun novel.

I received the audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. I struggled with this one deciding whether or not to give it 2 or 3 stars. I feel like 3 stars is an average book, not making you really feel anything and this was a bit below average for me. The plot line doesn't have any points of interest. If I had it in book form, I would have struggled to pick it up to finish it, luckily audio made it easier just to turn it on and listen. The characters are lacking depth to me & the audio gets very annoying at some points- lip smacking & the repeating of the same line over and over when Ilene is typing to her online dating prospects. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this read.

This was my first Audiobook ever, it will not be my last. The narrators were great at doing their character's voices and the side characters'.
The book is about Leena and her grandmother Eileen. It's a dual POV. Leena has been given a mandatory two-month vacation from work because she basically has the coolest boss that can see how hard she is pushing herself, especially after the recent death of her sister, and wants her to take a breather. She decides to switch lives with her grandmother on the pretense that Eileen has always wanted to live in London (where Leena lives) and her grandmother's small town obligations will offer her the vacation she has been mandated.

The characters of this book are likable. Eileen was my favorite, listening to her meddling personality and overall grandma attitude plus her sexy adventures made me laugh and snort through the book. Leena's character wasn't as original, she was likable and interesting but she felt like every other romantic comedy heroine, clumsy, non-self-aware, "messy but in a cute way", that said, the development of her and her mum's relationship was my favorite plot of the book, and her love subplot was the second one.

Speaking of plots, there were so many subplots in this book you'd think they would be superficial but all of them were perfectly tied by the end and they touched on important topics, making the large cast of characters feel well-rounded, life-like.

I'd recommend this book if you liked If Only by Melanie Murphy, contemporary, lighthearted novels, and if you want great British narrators pick up the audiobook.

This story had me wanting to give it 2 starts in the first half. The main characters were sooo annoying! And their “adventures” were a bit too silly (in particular, the grandma’s) but then things started to right themselves and, despite unnecessary plot lines that came from nowhere, the ending was good and solid and even a little cute. And that cozy little town with quirky residents was very well written from the start and what made me continue reading really worked it’s magic on me I guess.
The narrators were not bad but they didn’t stand out as great either.
I’m curious to read The Flatshare to see how it compares to this one.

I listened to and very much enjoyed the audiobook version of The Switch. The narration is outstanding. From the description I anticipated a breezy rom-com. There are many aspects of what I expected but so much more also.
This is a heartfelt story about a family sufferig a tragic loss. And trying to figure out how to move forward.
When a twenty something granddaughter and her almost age eighty grandmother switch living arrangements for a period of time, all while both wory about the woman in-between, Lena's mother, Eileen's daughter, who suffered the loss along with them, as well as a very difficult decision and a strained relationship with her surviving daughter. It gets emotional and complicated.
Overall an excelleent story and much enjoyed.

💫 The Switch by Beth Leary💫

This was my first time to listen to an audio book from Netgalley and I admit I was a little nervous as I feel audio books can be very hit and miss.
I needn’t have worried in this case! Daisy Edgar-Jones did a great job and I absolutely loved listening to Alison Steadman’s Eileen. I really enjoyed my daily walks while listening.

The. Switch is a lovely romantic story about a young woman and her grandmother who decide to swap lives for a couple of months. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it anyone looking for a feel good read. I also think it’s great that an older woman had a main role. I think The Switch would work really well as a TV drama too.

Thanks to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio Books and Flatiron Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. 💕

This was my first time listening to an audiobook on NetGalley but what a good one to start out with! This was not only a delightful story but a well-produced audiobook. Both narrators did their parts credibly as well as managing to give the supporting characters a cohesive sound that I could pick out in each narrative but still sounded different enough . I could perfectly believe that all these voices inhabited the same world and went together. I can be a bit picky about my narration but both ladies did so well and suited their roles beautifully while really infusing the story with a lot of heart and life. I absolutely adored this book. I had such a wonderful time and immediately turned around and bought the ebook so I could lend it to my mom to whom I enjoy recommending books to. I knew, listening to it, she would love it as much as I did especially with the added fun of having an older leading lady in it and not just the young adults I tend to favor. One of the things I really appreciated about the Switch is that it is so easy with dual POV books to have one POV be a bit stronger or more interesting than the other but I found myself just as interested in Eileen's adventures in London as I was in seeing Leena grow in Hemdale. There were so many lovely characters in both storylines and I loved how they all wove together in fun ways. A truly delightful story and a great audiobook. I will definitely be checking out the author's previous book and keep my eye out to see whatever else she puts out in the future! This was a really fun read and very well-written and narrated.

I almost stopped reading this book and I am so glad that I did not! It was so good. At first I was concerned about reading about a grandmother trying to find love again. It isn’t what I would usually go for. But I trusted the author and pushed through. As soon as they switched lives it was perfection. Eileen is so funny, I want to be her when I grow up. I had a harder time connecting with Leena, but I was rooting for her, hoping living in a small town would give her the character development I hoped for.

The book is full of humour and I continually found myself smiling while listening.

I recommend listening to the book if you’re looking for a fun and light read. It was a perfect book to listen to because you didn’t need to pay crazy attention to the book.

I listened to the audiobook and was very impressed. You can’t go wrong with British accents, the readers did a really great job and I liked how they changed the sound when talking on the phone, it really helped get into the book.

I gave it 4/5 stars because it was a fun read and I would recommend to someone looking for a light hearted book.

What a lovely swap story, Beth O'Leary created a very entertaining and interesting story. Both main characters are a joy to follow their adventure as they switch lives. The book also talks about some important topics related to elderly people, loneliness and grief.
I enjoy a lot this book except the turn on Leena it felt unnecessary and very predictable in my opinion. Sends almost a message that I believe is not the most correct. I wish that part was a bit different.

Overall was a very good book and I would recommend to everyone who wants a good time!

I listened to this audio book every day when I went walking and it really made me want to get out everyday so that I could get back to this book. I loved it! This is the first book that I have read by this author and I was drawn into the story from the beginning. I could feel the emotions of the characters, and loved Leena and her grandmother Eileen. They are both wonderful main characters and had their own personalities that added to the story. I also liked the supporting characters, especially Arnold. The way that the story is written, I felt like I was seeing everything and I was carried along as the story progressed rooting for them all. I loved the ending and can't wait to go back and read the other book that this author has written. She will definitely be on my must read list going forward!

I received a complimentary copy of this audio book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

💫 Book Review 💫
The Switch by Beth O’Leary

I think I’ve found a new book focus that makes me cozy and warm: relationships between two generations. You know books like “The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett” or “A Man called Ove”. I can now add “the switch” to that grouping and thank @netgalley and @quercus for gifting me this audiobook copy.

Leena, an early twenty year old woman has an anxiety attack at work which prompts them to giving her a 2 month leave. In a tiny town away from Leena, is her grandmother who finds herself at 80 years old and single after a philandering husband.

Eileen may be almost 80 but her heart is still wanting some love and adventure; and Leena doesn’t know how to stay still as the family’s classic overachiever. So when Leena comes up with an idea to swap lives for 2 months, they think that it will give them both a chance to change the rut that they find themselves in.

I’m sure you’ll find some of it predictable in the most brilliant sort of way 💗 but it’s a book that makes me miss my own Gram and reminds me that we all have something to learn from each generation.

Ps. Eileen needs to meet up with Eduora. They would be fast friends!

Oh my word this book was absolutely amazing on audio. I totally loved it and the narrators were both fantastic. This story made me laugh and cry at times and I was actually sorry when it ended 5 massive stars from me

4,,5/5!
If this book were a movie, I'd watch it every week!
I loved the multiple pov format, and liked both Eileen and Leena's chapter equally. It felt like reading two books at once! Also, I feel the narrators fit the characters really nicely.
Some may call this story predictable, which it was, but I really didn't mind, While I knew what was going to happen, I enjoyed the road leading up to it too much to care.
I would really like if there was a sequel to this, even if it were just a novella about their further lives.
I definitely recommend this book and will probably gift it to someone for Christmas!

The premise of a young woman switching places with her grandmother, so that she'd get some rest in the country while her grandmother tries to find romance in the big city is simply too adorable to be true and backed by O'Leary's amazing writing the novel really proved to be an amazing experience, The narrators were both perfect as their respective characters and the production on the audiobook was pretty good. I loved the themes that the novel explored, the vibrant cast of characters and how heartwarming it was overall.

Leena & Eileen need a change. After a really rough year of losing a husband (to another woman) and a sister (to cancer) something has to give. Leena and Eileen (granddaughter and grandmother) decide to swap lives, phones and all, for 2 months. Will they fall apart or maybe is this what they both need to move on?

This book is a very touching look at how grief can change you. It’s also funny, and moving. I highly recommend this book and this author.

When the concept of body-switching is used in a story, it usually involves the souls of the two characters interchanging, but for this book, that wasn't the case. Leena and her grandmother, Eileen, switched places for two months. Leena took over her grandmother's place in her Yorkshire village to reconnect with her mother, to do her grandmother's duties, and to take a break from work. Eileen went to London to find love.

I absolutely loved reading this book. I enjoyed the respective journey that Leena and Eileen went through, most especially their respective romantic journey. I listened to this on audiobook and the production is amazing. It even has a special effect on all the call dialogues, which was a first for me. I definitely recommend this book!

I am a huge fan of Beth O'Leary. She takes an unusual approach to have her characters see themselves in a different light.

In The Switch, you have a granddaughter and grandmother switch lives; trading places, and experiencing all of the charms and downfalls that come with their respective lifestyles. Life in someone else's shoes isn't always what it looks like from the outside, but it always helps you grow a deeper connection and understanding.

This book provides that flawlessly.

After messing up on a presentation as work, Leena Cotton is forced to take a 2-month long holiday. She goes to visit her grandmother, Eileen, who is wanting to start dating again at 80. Leena comes up with the plan to swap lives. Eileen spends 2 months at Leena's place in London and Leena spends 2 months at her grandmother's place in a tiny Yorkshire village. Will things go as they both hoped?
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I loved this book. I thought it was a cute and pretty chill read. It wasn't all action and crazy shenanigans but it was still super enjoyable. There were moments throughout the story that felt a little dull, though. The storyline of The tragedy in the Cottons’ hit so hard throughout the book. In each scene that it was talked about, I could really hear and feel the hurt from the characters. I almost cried a couple of times because there were so many feelings and it reminded me of a similar thing I went through with my family. I also loved the little romantic moments. Too cute.

I mentioned that there were some dull moments throughout the book but I was ok with that because not every moment needs to be exciting. Plus listening to the audiobook really helped. The narrators of this story had such soothing voices and they both kept me interested in the story throughout the novel and made even the dullest moments enjoyable. I especially loved Leena's narration. Something about it just touched my soul. Eileen's narrator took a little more getting used to but it was only a chapter or two before I fell in love.

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version of this novel.

First of all, thank you to Macmillian for access to the audiobook to The Switch!

I've seen Beth O'Leary's books around Instagram, so I wanted to give this one a shot!

At blowing a work presentation, Leena is sent away on a 2-month sabbatical. Escaping to her grandmother Eileen's college, she offers Eileen her flat in London whil she stayis in the Yorkshire village. Both suffer under their new circumstances. Leena's long-distance relationship is falling apart, and she's falling for a local school teacher, meanwhile Eileen is flourishing in London, though not in her romantic life as she'd originally hoped.

I loved the book. I really enjoyed Daisy Edgar-Jones in Hulu's Normal People, so it was cool to hear her! I wasn't as much a fan of Alison Steadman's narration. Over all enjoyed it! Good pacing, crisp and clear, and easy to listen to.