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capybooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t perfect, but I think it is definitely worth a read if you enjoy the forced proximity and friends to lovers tropes. I like that the chapters were shorter, and I absolutely adore how Tiffy and Leon communicate via post-it notes. I didn’t expect Leon’s brother’s storyline, but it was a nice surprise that gave the novel more depth. This book had a lovely ending. I hated how Leon’s chapters were written, even though I can appreciate it reflects how he is as a person. My least favourite characters were Kay and most definitely Justin.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Blood, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, and Alcohol
ellariawrites's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Moderate: Gaslighting and Medical content
Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Chronic illness
erinosgood's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Flatshare does exactly what you want it to do. A love story sweet enough without being saccharine, it is a perfect warmer on a winter day. O'Leary sticks with conventions of the romance genre without it feeling tired - it's a very accomplished debut.
Moreover, I felt truly compelled to keep reading. The plot and romance went hand in hand - it didn't feel as if one was sidelined in favour of the other, but that a creative logic was applied in making things fall into place.
My only caveats lie with the occasionally clichéd writing that feels a little too Bridget Jones for my taste, but that's just personal preference. I also wondered at times if O'Leary could have explored the supporting characters in a little more depth - yes, I cared the most about the romantic leads, but it's a pet peeve when best friends and colleagues seem to exist purely to further the protagonist's narrative. This isn't the case here, but I feel like there was potential for a little more depth, namely with Mo and Gerty. Nevertheless, will definitely read again when I need something light!
Moreover, I felt truly compelled to keep reading. The plot and romance went hand in hand - it didn't feel as if one was sidelined in favour of the other, but that a creative logic was applied in making things fall into place.
My only caveats lie with the occasionally clichéd writing that feels a little too Bridget Jones for my taste, but that's just personal preference. I also wondered at times if O'Leary could have explored the supporting characters in a little more depth - yes, I cared the most about the romantic leads, but it's a pet peeve when best friends and colleagues seem to exist purely to further the protagonist's narrative. This isn't the case here, but I feel like there was potential for a little more depth, namely with Mo and Gerty. Nevertheless, will definitely read again when I need something light!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Chronic illness
katiecharlesworth's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Stalking
Moderate: Medical content and Violence
Minor: Blood, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Cancer, Chronic illness, and Death
arys_library's review against another edition
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really loved this book! Not enough to give it 5 stars, but close. It wasn’t anything different, of course the plot was original but it was a typical romance book. And I loved it. It was a quick read, it got me out of a reading slump pretty easily and I can see myself reading this again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse
Minor: Chronic illness
lea_talisa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I have to say I actually didn’t like the first half of the book due to the slow pace of progress and the very unique writing of Leon’s perspective… apart from that I loved the second half of the book when the plot went on faster and you could see Tiffy and Leon interact and fall in love more and more♡♡♡ I also really like Tiffy’s personal mental progress regarding her past toxic relationship and the way you could see her transform and find back to herself ♡
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Stalking, Infidelity, Chronic illness, and Confinement
ranjanireviewsreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Flatshare was a sweet, romantic book that wrapped around me like a much-needed hug. Tiffy feels like coming back home after a vacation and finding your bed is as soft and warm as you remember it. Leon is, well, as perfect as realistic characters can get. He gave me butterflies - in my heart, because I really ached for him to be real.
This novel is far from perfect - the whole Johnny White treasure hunt felt a little out of place even though it led to important plot developments.
The writing style O'Leary adopted for Leon, while unique, was hard to get used to. I can see why it was an issue for many readers. It was very formal and unemotional. Though I kind of feel like that was the point; Leon struggled with emotional intelligence and vulnerability. It improves with the story and I do think his chapters become more 'normal' re: style of writing though they still remain detached.
I loved how the romance took its time. I really liked reading about Leon and Tiffy's friendship. Their notes and rituals were precious and I will definitely hold this book close to my heart. Most of the times, a friends-to-lovers (which I'm still not convinced this is not) in the friends stage is very irritating to me. It seems performative almost. But not here. It was done wonderfully.
Most of all though, I really liked how Tiffy's recovery was portrayed. Emotionally abusive relationships are so hard to leave, much less overcome. My favourite part was how Tiffy definitely has not overcome her ex - and this sounds very wrong but allow me to explain. Many other novels I've read will rush to make it clear that Tiffy has 'recovered' from years of gaslighting and manipulation. Most will say it is because of a new romance that Tiffy recovered. But O'Leary takes a step away from that and makes it abundantly clear that it takes intensive therapy, a solid friend group (emotional support), and quite some time for Tiffy to get better. That is rare and amazing of O'Leary to do.
So, would I recommend this book? Yes! Wholeheartedly.
CW/TW:
--> Emotional abuse (from intimate parter); detailed, flashbacks, on-page
--> Emotional manipulation; on-page
--> Stalking; on-page
--> Sexual content; slight, fade-to-black
--> Side character in prison
>Falsely accused of crime
--> Character almost drowns
--> Hospice scenes (character is a palliative care nurse)
--> Child minor character with cancer; on-page, discussion of illness.
This novel is far from perfect - the whole Johnny White treasure hunt felt a little out of place even though it led to important plot developments.
The writing style O'Leary adopted for Leon, while unique, was hard to get used to. I can see why it was an issue for many readers. It was very formal and unemotional. Though I kind of feel like that was the point; Leon struggled with emotional intelligence and vulnerability. It improves with the story and I do think his chapters become more 'normal' re: style of writing though they still remain detached.
I loved how the romance took its time. I really liked reading about Leon and Tiffy's friendship. Their notes and rituals were precious and I will definitely hold this book close to my heart. Most of the times, a friends-to-lovers (which I'm still not convinced this is not) in the friends stage is very irritating to me. It seems performative almost. But not here. It was done wonderfully.
Most of all though, I really liked how Tiffy's recovery was portrayed. Emotionally abusive relationships are so hard to leave, much less overcome. My favourite part was how Tiffy definitely has not overcome her ex - and this sounds very wrong but allow me to explain. Many other novels I've read will rush to make it clear that Tiffy has 'recovered' from years of gaslighting and manipulation. Most will say it is because of a new romance that Tiffy recovered. But O'Leary takes a step away from that and makes it abundantly clear that it takes intensive therapy, a solid friend group (emotional support), and quite some time for Tiffy to get better. That is rare and amazing of O'Leary to do.
So, would I recommend this book? Yes! Wholeheartedly.
CW/TW:
--> Emotional abuse (from intimate parter); detailed, flashbacks, on-page
--> Emotional manipulation; on-page
--> Stalking; on-page
--> Sexual content; slight, fade-to-black
--> Side character in prison
>Falsely accused of crime
--> Character almost drowns
--> Hospice scenes (character is a palliative care nurse)
--> Child minor character with cancer; on-page, discussion of illness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Stalking
Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
bubbly_lara's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
One of my top 3 reads is 2021! Cutest story, lovable cast of characters, and Tiffy and Leon's story is just heart-warming. Have been raving about this non-stop and is now my go-to book to give as gift since I finished it :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Gaslighting
Minor: Chronic illness, Cancer, Alcohol, Terminal illness, and Injury/Injury detail
whrohala's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Nice fluffy romance with a bit of realistic drama and a dash of spice. I'm happy I went with the audio version because having dual POV, read by actors I could actual picture as their characters was lovely.
Miscommunication trope, but is resolved fairly quickly.
I've rated it a 3.5 rather than a 4, only because I had some trouble getting into it. Nothing against it at all, it just didn't hook me for some reason.
Miscommunication trope, but is resolved fairly quickly.
I've rated it a 3.5 rather than a 4, only because I had some trouble getting into it. Nothing against it at all, it just didn't hook me for some reason.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, Classism, Racism, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
mamawantsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Police brutality, and Sexual assault