Member Reviews
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
At the story's beginning, I was a little put off by all the scientific talk and the copious amounts of footnotes. Thankfully they lessened as the story progressed. I found myself laughing out loud a lot, especially after the main characters swapped bodies. I particularly laughed at a scene where our hero in his female body has his first 'monthly'. There were many funny scenes where each character had to deal with life in the opposite gender body. Although very funny, the story isn't just a comedy, the romance in it is beautiful. There were some very sentimental moments where both characters interacted with their families. There was a lot of soul-searching.
I had no idea how the story would end, whether the characters would be able to return to their bodies, and if they could, would have their happy ending. What started as a slow-burning story that I wasn't sure I would like, ended up being one which I loved and would I listened to the audiobook of Switched by Sarah Ready. The narration by two people was decent although the male narrator had a smaller part in reading than the female.
At the story's beginning, I was a little put off by all the scientific talk and the copious amounts of footnotes. Thankfully they lessened as the story progressed. I found myself laughing out loud a lot, especially after the main characters swapped bodies. I particularly laughed at a scene where our hero in his female body has his first 'monthly'. There were many funny scenes where each character had to deal with life in the opposite gender body. Although very funny, the story isn't just a comedy, the romance in it is beautiful. There were some very sentimental moments where both characters interacted with their families. There was a lot of soul-searching.
I had no idea how the story would end, whether the characters would be able to return to their bodies, and if they could, would have their happy ending. What started as a slow-burning story that I wasn't sure I would like.
I really wanted to enjoy this one a lot more, I thought the premise of this book was really fun, I loved the idea of a Freaky Friday type romance. I also love seeing women in STEM representation (as I often can relate to the FMC) but I think there was just way too many explanations of physics concepts and I found myself constantly skimming through them. It felt like it was overshadowing the plot/romance for me.
Switched is a fun book with a swapped body story(which you don't see every day) with some science thrown in.
Serena is a free spirit and her colleague, Henry, is a tight ass. They had a one night stand before she discovered he was her boss. They both work at the Hadron Collider and end up switching bodies after an electrical storm. Them being in the other's body is pretty funny with getting used to new body parts. They have to understand each other and how they tick so I liked that added part.
I did kind of glaze over certain parts. I like science but there was a lot of it in this book. The book got a lot more interesting at the end and I kept reading to see what would happen.
Sarah Ready gets into the character and does not leave loose ends. If you like science with a nice romantic twist, this is a book for you.
Thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Ready and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.
📈Final Rating: 3.3 out of 5 🌟🌟🌟
💕Would you recommend this book?
Yes! It’s cute.
🪶Favorite Quote:
“I’ll always want you. We’re like binary stars— we’re bound tight. Gravity keeps us orbiting each other.”
🌶️ Spice Level: 🔥
Very tame, but definitely more for young adults.
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Rating Rubric:
🌟 Horrible - “Why did I even waste my time?”
🌟🌟 Unimpressed - It could have been better.
🌟🌟🌟 Good/Average- I would recommend this, but nothing was too out of the ordinary; it’s what’s expected.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Great! - There were some good surprises, but not enough to blow my mind.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Outstanding - Above & Beyond, It left me wanting more and thinking more about it.
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📝Writing Style: 4/5
The writing is organized and does break down the fourth wall in some parts of the book. I love the cute drawings and diagrams included and the use of footnotes. The diction was also not difficult to understand. I wish we got more of Henry’s perspective but we only “see” one chapter of it.
🗺️Plot: 3/5
The title of the book & synopsis is very straight forward— the characters switch bodies. It reminds me of Freaky Friday and The Hot Chick but with minor science involved. There’s no real “conflict” or “villain” in the plot, except internal conflict with the main character. The plot is nothing new to the romance-comedy world and is predictable, but it is very light hearted and a cute feel-good read. I love how they made the characters British and American, so we get a scene when they’re learning each other’s accents!
👨👩👧👦Characters: 3/5
The main female character (Serena) is definitely the one going through internal conflict when it comes to love. We do see her character development near the end of the book.
The main male character… he was a sweetheart. I didn’t see much growth in him though, except getting to understand Serena as they switched bodies.
I feel like there could have been more backstory for him. We get more of Serena’s backstory, since she is one-dimensional at first (all about her hard core love for astronomy and physics).
I also didn’t get some closure with Lorna and that situation with Henry. I would love to know how Serena and Henry were like with each other’s families in their “normal bodies.”
🗯️Overall Impression:
Predictable, but this is a cute and light read! I loved the diagrams shown in the book and the use of footnotes to break down the fourth wall. There wasn’t too many scientific terminology, and just enough comedy-romance to make you laugh and feel giddy.
It was an enjoyable read. As a STEM girlie I was excited to read a book where the FMC is a brilliant badass physicist. It's Freaky Friday, but with a romantic element, what's not to like? I did enjoy the STEM content, although I'm not sure some people would agree. I'm also a sucker for a one-night stand turned lovers trope, so this book was right up my alley.
The whole concept was fascinating and parts where they were figuring out the nuances of their "new bodies" were hilarious. I only wish men would be able to experience menstrual cramps at least once in their lives to be able to understand what we women have to go through every month, but I digress. Overall, the book was fun and quirky, although I enjoyed the first book Ghosted a bit more than this one.
Such a cute romance book!! I’m not usually into these kinda books but I’m glad I read this one. I’ll have to Check out other books by the author
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this advance copy
Serena & Henry's meet cute was the stuff of Romcom GOLD! This was our first read of Sarah Ready books, and her writing had us from the beginning, the story was a cute and quirky take on a Freaky Friday - Romance Version EPIC! The love making, the moments, the banter, just obsessed. I have to say the switch these two characters made, in my opinion helped make the story what it is. The characters learned so much about one another when they were each out, the secrets and the craziness that occurs. Just loved it! Thank you Sarah for the LOLs and the aww yay love moments.
Tropes:
» Insta love
» Women in stem
» One night stand
» Forced proximity
» Fake dating
Thank you to W.W. Crown an Imprint of Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
4.1 rounded down to 4/5.
Sarah Ready's "Switched" delivers a delightful blend of romantic comedy and science fiction, offering readers a fresh take on the classic body-switching trope. Set against the backdrop of the Large Hadron Collider and filled with witty banter and unexpected twists, this novel is a charming and entertaining read from start to finish.
At its heart, "Switched" tells the story of Serena Otaki and Henry Joules, two individuals whose lives couldn't be more different. Serena, the free-spirited Californian physicist, and Henry, the uptight British scientist, find themselves thrust into an extraordinary situation when a mysterious electric storm causes them to switch bodies. What follows is a hilarious and heartwarming exploration of identity, love, and the complexities of relationships.
One of the novel's standout features is its clever use of humor, which is infused into every aspect of the story. From Serena and Henry's initial shock at finding themselves in each other's bodies to their humorous attempts to navigate their new lives, the novel is filled with laugh-out-loud moments that keep the reader thoroughly entertained.
While the premise may seem fantastical, Ready grounds the story in relatable emotions and experiences, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level. Despite their differences, Serena and Henry are both endearing and multifaceted characters, and their journey of self-discovery is both compelling and heartfelt.
The pacing of the novel is well-executed, with the plot picking up momentum as the story unfolds. While the heavy use of footnotes may initially be distracting, they ultimately add an additional layer of humor and depth to the narrative.
However, one minor drawback is the lack of a fully explained rationale behind the body switch, leaving some questions unanswered. Additionally, some readers may find Serena's tendency to compare emotions to scientific theories or experiments a bit unbelievable.
Overall, "Switched" is a delightful rom-com that offers a fresh and entertaining twist on the body-switching trope. With its charming characters, witty humor, and heartfelt moments, it's a must-read for fans of romantic comedies and science fiction alike.
I went into this book with a bit of reservation— I wasn’t sure if I would like a “Freaky Friday” esque book with a male and female, but it worked! Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised! It got to a point where I couldn’t put it down and just wanted to devour it! It goes beyond switching bodies, and has such a lovely message about love. I definitely recommend this book!
Switched delivers a lighthearted escape of classic body-swap comedy with a dash of science fiction. The premise is undeniably fun: Serena, a free-spirited physicist, and Henry, her uptight colleague, find themselves inhabiting each other's bodies after a freak electrical storm. The body-swap premise creates hilarious situations as Serena and Henry navigate each other's worlds. However, the story follows a familiar rom-com formula, with well-worn tropes and predictable plot points. Serena and Henry fall into classic opposites-attract stereotypes, which feel one-dimensional. The initial scientific intrigue fades as the focus shifts entirely to the romance, but it lacks the charm and sweetness of Ghosted. Serena and Henry are finely written characters, but they lack the necessary chemistry to overlook the predictable plot.
Title: Switched
Author: Sarah Ready
Genre: Romance
Media: ebook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Favorite quote: “Jillian! I’m in a man’s body! I have a beard growing in. I have a deep voice and an Adam’s Apple. I have testicles and a penis! A penis! And you think the strangest thing is that I’m tall?”
Sum of this book in 5 words or less: N/A
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Themes: romance, family, only one bed, body switch
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Thoughts:
I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Short summary - Henry and Serena meet one night at a bar and hit it off. She discovers that he is her new boss and doesn’t want to fall in love. They work together for over a year before they switch bodies one night.
This book was so cute! I loved all of the little drawings in it and Serena breaking past the fourth wall many times.
The entire thing was hilarious and I’m so happy that I was able to read this gem. I cried at the end because of them finally getting together - Serena realizing that she loves Henry and has the entire time.
I love that we got Henry’s POV when Serena was sitting in the hospital. I love the one chapter one offs for characters!
This didn’t get interesting until 34% in and then I debated whether or not to finish it. It wasn’t great. It was repetitive and so far fetched that it wasn’t interesting. I've read some of the author's previous books and I enjoyed those, but this one wasn't for me.
Funny gender switching rom com about seeing the other point of view.
Serena is scared of falling in love, she doesn’t want to lose herself in a relationship. Henry on the other hand is looking for love. The two scientists meet one night and feel the pull of attraction but after a night of passion Serena discovers Henry is her new boss and she dumps him. Hurt Henry gives Serena the cold shoulder until one night the switch bodies. Now the two must pretend to be the other while discovering a different point of view.
This book has its moments of joy and romance but it is an extreme case of the miscommunication trope. There is also forced proximity but in different bodies. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I enjoyed reading it and usually I love a gender switch but this one just didn’t resonate enough with me.
If you like STEM romances, gender bending, forced proximity, miscommunication, scared of love, tall mmc, then this is for you!!
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for this arc. I voluntarily read this and all opinions are my own.
Switched is a body-swapping story starring messy, free-spirited but decidedly against love Serena and the neat, serious and decidedly into love Henry. They meet, have an extremely intense encounter, and Serena freaks out. Then one night, somehow they're switched into the other's body and they have to learn to understand each other.
I'm not sure where to go with this book. I VERY nearly put it down after the first chapter. If it wasn't for this review, I would have. So, I kept going, and it was fine if I skipped over all of the very long explanations of physics and unnecessarily long descriptions. I didn't actually get into the story until about 3/4 of the way through. I was still skimming over parts, but not nearly as many. In the end I was very invested in the story and wanted to know how it ended. Hence, the more than 1 star rating.
Parts were confusing with the gender swapping. And the breaking of the 4th wall that luckily only happened at the beginning and end was annoying.
But, I did end up liking the characters and the story.
This is the first book I've read by Sarah Ready, and it didn't disappoint! This contemporary opposites-attract romance had absolute Freaky-Friday vibes. Serena and Henry's relationship was so cute and loved the ending. This was a fun read and will definitely be reading more by the author.
Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Such a fun read. A bit weird science meets freaky Friday with some unrequited love thrown in. The author did a great job building reader empathy for both leads in their efforts of self preservation when it came to falling for each other and balancing dreams with prior experiences of love.
Thank you WW L Crown for the ARC in exchange for a review. I love a body swap moment, but I don't think it necessarily works with a heterosexual couple. Regardless, the writing was crisp and clean, and the book was well-researched. I would read something else of hers.
Felt like a breath of new air among other books - changed my perspective on physics
Like seriously, I didn't know physics could be explained in such an enthralling way, If I end up taking any endeavours with physics, the credit would go to this book lol - I will try to learn more about this domain
This was a really refreshing read among all the romance books that exists, instead of the usual predictable tropes - I really enjoyed it's newness
Don't get me wrong, I really love other tropes, I binge on them too
But this one really threw me off hook in the best way possible
I didn't have much expectations going on, but they were sooo cute omg
I am never a fan of books that start with one-night flings, but this one portrayed the plot so beautifully
Henry was absolutely adorable and so was she when they were taking care of each other - the way the tropes were remixed is a chef's kiss
I LOVE loved the footnotes, it felt like author was my bsf and she was telling me the story
The little doodles explaining stuff >>>>>
I really enjoyed this book! I love the characters and I felt like the writing is really wonderful. The plot is very interesting and well thought out!
great book! I wasn't sure if the book is for me because I´ve never read something like it but it was perfect! it felt like reading an 90s romcom and I loved it! I really liked the characters and the way the story went! I giggled a few times and cried a little at the end! I would really recommend it and I will definitely read the other books in this series because they're the perfect rom-com with a twist!
(thank you netgalley for this arc-copy!)