Reviews

What more can I say other than the fact that I thought this book was going to be about a young and old woman switching bodies like in Freaky Friday. Except, they wouldn’t know who the other person is and the older woman would go clubbing and the younger one would be trapped in a retirement home. It would still be a wild book but I’m glad nonetheless to get a more reasonable version.

Eileen and Leena are grandmother and granddaughter. After the death of Leena’s sister to cancer, Leena has been experiencing panic attacks. This jepardizes her work and they force her to go on a sabbatical. Eileen is now single after her husband cheated on her with the dance instructor and wants to find someone new. In a bout of negotiation, the two work out a deal that the other would head off to either London or Yorkshire for a bit of R&R. What actually ensues is a myriad of fun coincidences and a bit of romance.

I loved the characters. Eileen is a riot with her approach to other characters. She isn’t afraid to get to know her neighbors which makes her arc really involved. Just as well, Leena is straightforward and a go getter allowing the plot to move quickly. We expect Eileen to be a stubborn old coot but in reality she’s really open minded and show that not all old people are judgmental. Leena demonstrates just as much acceptance from initial confusion to the kind of life style her elder community embodies and understanding that life is just as colorful in anyone’s old age.

While to story focuses on finding love, what’s most important is Leena recovering from the loss of her sister to cancer. She blames her mother for not trying hard enough to save Carla. It’s an irrational anger in place of the grief Leena holds on to. In fact, I see Leena as whole heartedly not the rational minded person the book tries to portray her. She gets into a petty rivalry with the resident cottage core hottie because she desperately wants to be liked. That’s a running theme people. Her insecurity makes her forgive her boyfriend Ethan when he’s using her because can you spell out abandonment issues? Eileen on the other hand likes to be needed as well. Her willingness to paint her daughter as fragile in order to run to her rescue is also how Eileen uses her skills for good. Seeing people as vulnerable makes Eileen want to talk to the overlooked.

I whole heartedly recommend this for fans of conventional romance but done with competence. There’s a happy every after for everyone except the “bad guys” who are comically bad that you can dismiss them as people entirely because why should anyone in a relationship have to think deeply about their own accountability.

alainamccartney's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

clairey_fairy82's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring 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

4.0

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