⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was such a great little listening experience. Leena and Eileen switching places- both at very different points, times and ages of their lives but each looking for change. There was so much growth here, which I loved. With both ladies. Some love interests and relationships, but I don't really classify this as a romance. More of a learning experience. Loved it!

One of my favorite books of all time! So in love with all the characters! The writing and settings were perfect-

I really enjoyed this story and the narrator, I loved reading about two women at completely separate points in their lives. The narrator did a fantastic job I loved how she changed her voice for the characters.

Beth O'Leary is one of my new favorite authors. I loved this! I especially enjoyed the spunk of 79 year-old Eileen and her refusal to sit at home and become a wallflower. I listened to this on audio and I struggled a bit with Eileen's narration at first, but I got used to her style and she became the character for me. Both characters were fun to follow on their journeys. Loved this one!

A unique concept for a book. I was excited to listen to this especially knowing how much I enjoyed The Flatshare. I don't feel this was on the same level as that book, maybe due to the fact that I was listening rather than reading (slightly harder to get into it) but would be willing to give another go actually reading the book. Overall, still a cute and fun read.

I was not able to listen to this audio in time for review - sorry. I've heard great things about this author.

I was looking forward to this book. The premise was fun but the story went all over the place. I can suspend very well. But in this case, it was almost impossible. Very disappointing.

I absolutely loved The Flatshare and while I loved the premise of The Switch, the audio version just did not work for me. Read 50% and was totally taken out of the story by the narrator. May try again in the future as I did very much enjoy the alternating point of view of grandmother and granddaughter, found it to be a very unique concept.

I loved the relationships in this book. It was wholesome and a great, untold story. I love the characterization of the grandmother and the granddaughter. This was an unprecedented story.

This was a cute story about a grandmother and granddaughter changing lifestyles for a little while. Leena moves from city to country and expects her grandmother to be the one having great adventures in the city. This was a feel-good, heartwarming read that I couldn't put down and loved both of the main characters.

Written by Beth O’Leary, The Switch was exactly what I was looking for. The writing was wonderful, the narrator was easy to listen to, and the plot was pretty much what I was expecting. And, for me, that was what I was looking for – a nice, sweet read that would give me some fuzzy feelings.

In this novel, two folks switch lives for a while. One going to the city, and one moving to a small town in the country (in the UK, of course), and I loved the supporting characters as much as the main. They were all very well written, and make me want to hop the pond in hopes of finding people like them.

If you are looking for a cozy, sweetheart of a read, I highly recommend this novel. It has some romance, folks tired of their lives and trying to get away, and some really wonderful characters.

If you are wanting fast pace and adventure, though, you should keep looking.

I was given a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes life just gets to be too much to handle, and it’s important to take time out from the daily grind—whether that means a long walk or a weekend getaway. But in the audio edition of The Switch by Beth O’Leary, one woman finds that she needs much more than just a quick breath of fresh air...

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery

Trading Places
Who hasn't wondered what it would be like to have a different life for a stretch? To step outside of one's own day-to-day existence and be someone else? That's exactly what Birdy does in Lizzy Dent's fun summer read The Summer Job (Putnam, $16), when she pretends to be her best friend Heather and heads off to work as a sommelier in a recently refurbished boutique hotel in Scotland (despite knowing nothing about wine). Birdy quickly learns that impersonating someone else is no easy feat, as she builds lie upon lie to keep up her ruse.

That same step-into-someone-else's shoes set-up lays at the heart of Tana French's The Likeness (Penguin, $9.99), the second in French's Dublin Murder Squad series (though it can be read out of order, or as a standalone). When it's discovered that young detective Cassie Maddox bears an uncanny, almost unbelievable resemblance to a recent murder victim, she's sent undercover into the life of the deceased woman to try to root out a killer--but finds instead an unexpected sense of belonging in a life that isn't hers.

There's no undercover trickery in Beth O'Leary's heartwarming second novel, The Switch (Flatiron, $16.99), when Leena Cotton and her grandmother Eileen both decide to live in each other's homes (and lives) for a stretch in order to break out of their respective ruts.

Though the premise of each of these stories is slightly different, their messages are in many ways the same: there's something to that old adage about walking a mile in someone else's shoes, and the benefits of a change of perspective as a key to understanding others--and oneself. --Kerry McHugh, blogger at Entomology of a Bookworm

The Switch is easily my favorite book of the year! The author writes an adorable story with discontented granddaughter and grandmother who decide to switch places in an attempt to finding their happiness again.
Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys fun fiction with a happy ending!

I received a copy of this audiobook via Netgalley and I’m reviewing it voluntarily. Leena Cotton is a busy executive who is burned out living the fast paced life in London, Eileen Cotton is finding her life in the country stale and boring. When Leena is forced to take a two month paid sabbatical from work, she and her grandmother Eileen decide to switch lives. Both Leena and Eileen find adventure in their new lives thats bring them closer together.
Beth O’Leary delivers a well written book that is sweet and easy to read. The character development was just okay, I never got lost in these characters or felt any emotion about them one way or another, even the mention of cancer, death, and infidelity felt impersonal. I listened to the audiobook and often found myself falling asleep if I wasn’t doing something else because the voices and story are rather bland. The narrator who voiced Eileen needed to be better edited, the mouth noises during her parts were distracting. This book was just not my cup of tea, I am giving it two stars,

I DNF this book about 15% in. I thought I would really enjoy this book, especially seeing as I had the audio version to listen to but it did not live up my expectations. I was board. I could not find myself connecting to the characters. I didn't realize how uninterested I was in the grandmother/granddaughter dynamic until I read this.

This was a cute, light fun read. I love grandmother Eileen’s character and the relationships Leena makes.

The Switch was a lighthearted easy fast paced read, although I listened to the audio version. At first I took this as a romance read but in the end think it falls more under the genre of women's lit. I found the story believable. At first I thought, it can't be that simple to switch places with someone but it was so well written the details made it plausible. There were so many part that I loved and so many times when I was rallying for the love the listener could here blossoming. but, there were also a few times when I was horrified but what was happening like the Howard situation, I was so embarrassed for Eileen! In my opinion, Carla was the biggest character despite never actually doing anything since she died before the plot line. The underlying theme was taking a walk in someone else's shoes. While there was so much learned and so much experiences I think the whole situation was designed to rebuild the relationship between Lena and her mom. As for the listening portion. I really liked the two voices representing the two points of view, I think when audible books have that sort of depth it really helps the reader separate the story lines. Overall I think The Switch was great read and I gave it 4 stars.

I adored this book! The Switch by Beth O'Leary is a story about two women looking for change. Leena and Grandma Eileen’s switch comes after Leena is given a two-month sabbatical from her job and Eileen’s husband leaves her for the dance instructor. While I wouldn’t put this firmly in the romance category, it’s more women’s fiction, it does offer not one but two happily-ever-afters that satisfy this romance-lover’s heart.

Leena is living in London, putting everything she has into her career. After the death of her younger sister two years prior, Leena struggles with grief, depression, and anxiety. When an important meeting at work brings everything boiling to the surface, Leena’s boss gives her two months of mandatory leave. Not sure what to do with herself, she finds her way to her grandmother’s home in a small village in Yorkshire. One thing leads to another and before she knows it, Leena is agreeing to swapping lives with her grandmother.

I love Eileen! Eileen reminds me of my great-grandmother who passed away several years ago. Fiercely independent and the matron of the family, she has a truck load of responsibility and does it all with a smile. For the last few years while mourning her granddaughter’s death, she’s been attempting to help her own daughter with her grief and Leena as well. In the midst of this, she’s had to deal with divorce. Now well into her 70s, she’s lonely and maybe ready to get back into the dating scene. Switching places with Leena could solve two problems: reconciliation between mother and daughter and Eileen could find a beau.

Alternating the chapters from both women’s perspectives allows the readers to see each character in a different light. I loved seeing Leena through Eileen’s eyes as it allowed me to understand her better. Leena thinks she’s doing well, coping with her grief and anxiety, and yet seeing what Eileen sees you realize she isn’t. Same with how Leena sees Eileen. I also love the narrators, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Alison Steadman. They bring the characters to life with subtle inflections and pacing.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Switch. Both Leena and Eileen are wonderful characters. I liked seeing the juxtaposition of Eileen on the dating scene and Leena being a “parent” to her. Their relationship is wonderful, and I loved how the story was resolved. If you are a fan of women’s fiction, I highly recommend it.

I wanted to listen to this book after reading The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary.. this book did not disappoint. I loved that we got to have a taste of older and younger characters in this book. The family relationships were real and very much appreciated! The narrators were great. Sometimes I struggle with audiobooks depending on who is reading, but I really enjoyed this book!