Reviews

Echange : Loft londonien contre cottage bucolique by Beth O'Leary

jeybey's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

The Switch is the second book I read by Beth O‘Leary and I did the big mistake to read it in German. Pretty sure that a lot of the English banter and Beth funny writing style got lost in translation. Too bad because I really enjoyed reading „The Flatshare“. In my opinion the German translation also slowed down the pace of the book. 

Cute and heartwarming story about a grandmother and their granddaughter who are switching life for two months. Leena is living in busy London and is a workaholic. Eileen is living in the countryside and has been left by her husband. Both are looking for a change in their lives. Leena has to learn to new find a way to grief about the loss of her sister Carla. Eileen wants a new adventure in love. Can a switch help them?

In the book are many loveable characters who are perfectly fitting in their surroundings (London/Hamsleigh). It’s a funny and character-driven story with no big plot and it’s a little predictable. Great read for vacations, the daily commute or as bedtime story.

kristym's review against another edition

4.5

Loved Eileen story so much and wanted to love Leenas story more. I found the loneliness for the elderly to be such a true and heart-warming. Honestly could have done without the Ethan OR Betty storyline as it seems the story was just trying to fit everything in one book. Also the scam part seemed too much but loved the swap life and cottage lines

tieganlucy's review against another edition

3.0

Picked up about 2/3rds of the way through and from there on I flew through it. Struggled at the start

siobhanwalshe's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Really fun easy read - loved the Yorkshire setting and the old people!

meggie82461's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars, rounded up! This was a gem

rainbowunicorn's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

teganla_veena's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad 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? No

4.25

jess_mango's review against another edition

4.0

The Switch is the latest novel by Beth O'Leary, who also wrote Flatshare (which I haven't read yet). This was a cute story set in London and Yorkshire Village. Leena Cotton is a twenty-something living in London and playing the role of overachiever at her job. When her HR department forces her to take a 2 month paid sabbatical, she decides to switch residences with her 79 year old grandmother Elaine. So, Leena moves to her mothers house in a small village and Elaine moves in with Leena's housemates.

Elaine is looking for love with a little help from Leena and her roomies, sets up an online dating profile. Meanwhile, Leena can't simply rest and take it easy so she starts tackling a project list at her grandmother's place. Both Elaine and Leena find unexpected challenges with their switch but they work through them and as a result discover things about themselves and what makes them happy.

This was a cute, laid-back read. I see it tagged as a romance and while there are some relationship side stories, in my opinion, Elaine and Leena are the main focus and their stories of self discovery take the forefront. I enjoyed this one and recommend it to anyone looking to cozy up with a book.

I listened to the audio version and they did a great job with it. There were different narrators for the Elaine and Leena chapters that helped get the personalities of these women across.

Thank you to the publisher and MacMillan Audio for the Audio ARC!

alejaeger's review against another edition

5.0

Ai meu coraçãozinho!!!

rebwingetwalls's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Grief and Cancer