Member Reviews
I loved this book! Sarah Ready is one of my must read authors. She writes so beautifully and this book was no exception. I loved the premise of this book and hearing the narrators bring this story to life was absolutely magical.
I slept on this book for way too long. The cover caught my eye, and I was able to get an audio arc before it released (thanks Netgalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC) , but then I didn’t listen! I have now and it was delightful. I didn’t know the plot but it was very fun and fresh. The narrator was fantastic- and had such a tricky job to do with the “switch” (which was complicated by the accent). I enjoyed listening to her as our FMC but she did great work navigating the dialogue and tricky aspects of the interactions. I can’t wait to check out more of this series from Sarah Ready.
Sarah Ready’s Switched offers a playful and unconventional take on romance, blending body-swap shenanigans with a heartfelt exploration of personal growth, attraction, and compromise. At its core, the story is a charming mix of opposites-attract and fish-out-of-water tropes, set against a backdrop of scientific intrigue and romantic tension.
The protagonist, Serena Otaki, is a brilliant and passionate physicist whose obsession with her work has left little room for relationships. Her world collides—quite literally—with her grumpy, perfectionist new boss during an electrifying storm that forces them to swap bodies. The ensuing chaos is both hilarious and tender as the pair are forced to navigate each other’s lives, quirks, and perspectives while attempting to reverse their predicament.
Initially, the book’s heavy reliance on science jargon feels overdone. While it helps to establish Serena’s character and expertise, the repetitive references to physics may test the patience of readers looking for a more balanced narrative. The first quarter of the book feels overly cheesy, with moments that seem contrived rather than organic.
However, the story truly finds its stride as the characters’ dynamic deepens. Serena and her boss evolve beyond their initial stereotypes, revealing layers of vulnerability and charm that make their relationship more compelling. The body-switch element becomes a clever vehicle for self-reflection and mutual understanding, allowing the protagonists to grow individually and as a pair.
The romance unfolds with increasing emotional resonance, and Ready’s signature wit ensures there’s plenty of humor to offset the more heartfelt moments. By the end, the characters’ journey feels satisfying, even if the premise requires a suspension of disbelief.
While Switched might not appeal to everyone—especially readers who prefer grounded romances—it’s a delightful choice for those who enjoy quirky, high-concept love stories. The book strikes a balance between science-infused storytelling and the timeless appeal of opposites-attract romance.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Ready, and W.W. Crown for providing the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Henry and Serena have the most confounding meet cute when Serena is stuck, literally, to a booth in a pub and she borrows Henry's coat and leaves her pants and undies behind. After spending the rest of the night together, Henry is smitten and Serena can admit to herself there is something there but she is committed to her career and pushes down those feelings. However, she soon finds out Henry is her new boss. Oh my! They get on each other's nerves, as you would expect, but when they are at work during an electrical storm, BANG! something happens and they are in each other's bodies. Oh what fun this was. This all happened just before Henry's brother's wedding so Serena, in Henry's body, had to be Henry. But then there was a family emergency and Henry had to pose as Serena in her body. Confused yet. Imagine how Henry felt when he realized he was experiencing her period! I laughed at that one. They had to work together to find a way to reverse the BANG. Will they work together when they are back in their own bodies once more?
This book was everything I needed and wanted. It was fun, engaging, and had a swoony type of romance that I will recommend to everyone. I went into the book without reading the others in the series, but that didn’t stop me from having a good understanding of the story and characters (which I was worried about). Now, I can't wait to read more books by Sarah in the future. The audiobook was an amazing experience.
The choice of the narrator was amazing though I did find it a bit strange when a new voice entered and was only there for that chapter.
The similes and metaphors this book contained also made me laugh out loud. I have read a lot of romance and have gotten used to many of the terms used but incorporating science terms was something I was not expecting (in the best way possible).
I’m not typically a huge fan of magical realism, but this is an exception. It was an interesting take on switching bodies including the physical differences of living in a man vs women’s body, while falling in love with after a meet cute one night stand. I also enjoyed the scientific side.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC! I really enjoyed listening to this story. Definitely recommend.
Switched by Sarah Ready is a delightful, romantic twist on Freaky Friday, featuring two physicists, Serena and Henry, who swap bodies during an electric storm. Their journey of understanding each other’s lives is filled with humor, awkward moments, and heartwarming romance. Narrated by Kelsey Navarro Foster and James Anderson Foster, the audiobook brings the characters to life, enhancing the charm and wit of this fun, lighthearted read. Perfect for fans of opposites-attract stories with a sprinkle of science and humour.
A romantic spin on Freaky Friday - I didn't know I needed this until I read this book. A pair of physicists unexpectedly switch bodies and discover that maybe their lives are better with each other in them. Be prepared to pee your pants laughing - starting with a hilarious meet-cute and many awkward situations.
As I've stated previously, this isn't usually the type of book I'm drawn to, however, I loved the first book in this series, so I had to keep going. I wasn't disappointed. Serena is a bit of a mess, but in a very endearing way. Henry is her complete opposite. He's uptight, organized, and a bit obsessive. Together they create a fire and ice collision that may just melt your heart.
If you're a bit of a nerd, this book was made for you. Be prepared for a lot of science and Star Trek references. And of course, the delightful and undeniable chemistry of two opposites. (Chemistry - see what I did there!)
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kelsey Navarro Foster and James Anderson Foster, and it was absolute perfection. Kelsey Navarro Foster is one of my absolute favorite narrators, so I knew this would be a hit.
I am always down for a Freaky Friday theme. Switched by Sarah Ready is a fun and lighthearted story that is made all the better by the strong narration.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.
As always, Sarah Ready never fails to deliver. Everything was absolutely perfect, and the characters felt real. I fell in love with Serena when I caught a glimpse of her in Ghosted and couldn’t wait to read her story. The concept was very interesting and Sarah Ready managed to explore it and make it into a great book. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it but at the same time, I didn’t want it to end and to savour it for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley, the Author, and Publisher for the Audiobook Arc.
I made a point to read the 1st book in the series before listening to this book and I do think it helped.
Good points: the writing was very well done and the narrator was excellent. I enjoyed listening to it! The story flowed easily and went right along.
Bad Points: Male and females should not swap. I don't even think this is a heterosexual couple thing, I think this is just across the board, It was just weird, gross, yucky, and so many other adjectives!! And swapping bodies shouldn't mean your personality and what makes you who you are changes. I am still me! It was just yuck having Serena fall for Henry while Henry looked and acted like her (suddenly he likes coffee, like her, instead of his usual tea) and liking how her hands felt caressing her (while she was in Henry's body). I just couldn't get past it. She falls in love with Henry as her, not Henry, in my opinion.
I am giving 2 stars because the writing was very good and the flow of the book was good.
The style of writing for this isn't usually my cup of tea -- the first person sometimes quasi-breaking a fourth wall -- but it worked here, probably because it was somewhat necessary to pull off the crazy plot. I wasn't sure if I would be able to suspend disbelief with the premise, but I found I eventually was able to because Ready's capable description of the experience from each perspective worked so well. And of course, I laughed out loud endlessly at the period pains, so frankly, the book was worth reading just for that.
Serena Otaki is a self-proclaimed science geek, happily single and focused on her work—until a mishap at a bar leaves her stuck to a booth seat due to some freshly applied varnish. With no warning sign in sight, Serena is relieved when Henry Jones comes to her rescue, offering his coat to help her get unstuck. What starts as a flirty encounter quickly escalates into a steamy night, but Serena isn’t ready for anything serious. However, when an unexpected electric storm, combined with a bit of science, causes their consciousnesses to swap bodies, Serena and Henry find themselves navigating each other’s lives. Now, they must work together to figure out how to reverse the switch—and learn a lot more about each other in the process.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Kelsey Navarro Foster and James Addison Foster, and their performances were both charming and engaging. I could easily connect with the characters as they experienced the body swap and dealt with family dynamics. Serena’s humorous comments and footnotes to the audience added a unique touch, but at times, they detracted from the main story. They provided valuable insights into Serena’s life philosophy but occasionally pulled me out of the more emotionally-driven moments between her and Henry.
I listened at my usual speed of 1.5x and found the pacing to be just right for the audiobook format. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience that blended humor, romance, and a touch of science fiction in a fun, lighthearted way.
I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for Henry. He falls for Serena, but she’s either unable or unwilling to look past the physical, until, of course, she ends up in his body and can no longer walk away. The humor in their body swap is undeniable as they navigate each other’s lives, dealing with family dynamics and unexpected situations along the way.
Overall, it’s a lighthearted and romantic read, full of laughs and heartwarming moments.
This is a unique and fun read that held my interest from start to finish. The story is well-crafted, with interesting characters that I enjoyed getting to know. The author did a nice job in creating vivid imagery that made it easy to immerse myself in the world they crafted.
Serena and Henry are both physicists, both completely loving what they do. But where Serena is completely content in her world of atoms, messiness and chaos, and has no plan of finding that special someone, Henry thrives on cleanliness and orderliness and is ready to settle down. When Henry and Serena meet, there undoubtedly is an attraction between them and sparks fly. But they are total opposites and completely wrong for each other. Then, during an electrical storm, something freaky happens and they switch bodies. Now is when the magic happens and they get a true glimpse of each other's lives.
The pacing was just right, balancing suspense, and emotion, with a touch of sci-fi which made this an entertaining read.
The plot twists were surprising but felt natural, keeping the story engaging without seeming forced. Each chapter left me eager to see what would happen next. I listened to this as an audiobook which made the experience even better. The narration was done well and really brought the story to life.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I loved how the narrators brought Serena and Henry’s story to life! It was so fun listening to the building chemistry especially after the fun switch!
Another fantastic instalment from Sarah Ready - I love each book in this series as much as the last!
This was surprisingly good! Freaky Friday but with a sciencey romance twist. It gave me Ali Hazlewood vibes and satisfied my need for a light rom com that didn’t take itself too seriously.
Review to come, I accidentally got this one and didn’t download before archive. Will read and update