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wordsofclover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.75
Lena Cotton isn't having a great time - she's just suffered a panic attack in work and has been granted a two-month sabbatical to get it together and finally face up to her grief after losing her sister to cancer. Lena's grandmother Eileen is also in a rut, especially romantically now her cheating husband left her for a younger dancer. The two decide to switch lives with Eileen taking on London's internet dating scene for the over 70's, and Lena coming home to Yorkshire to reconnect with her mother and help out on the neighbourhood committee - how hard can that be?
This was a charming, fun and often emotional novel that I really enjoyed and utterly charmed me by the end. I've read two other Beth O'Leary books and this one is definitely my favourite so far.
I think I actually liked Eileen's chapters best as I loved seeing an older character (she's a very sprightly 79) living her best life in London, and taking on dating, new projects and even battling her granddaughter's yuck boyfriend. I think this book did such a great job at showcasing how society often fails older people in so many ways and how there should be so many more facilities and events for people of a certain age who may be lonely to socialise. I also appreciated that the book showed through Eileen that you're never too old to find love again, or just enjoy a bit of a good time with a fling.
On the other hand, Lena's chapters and her time with the neighbourhood committee felt like it was something straight from The Vicar of Dibley in the best ways, and I came to really love the myriad of characters from Betsy, Basil and Penelope, not to mention Roland and his mobility scooter. The way Lena processed her grief, and allowed herself to heal and also understand and make up with her mother following the dark times of her sister's illness and death were done really well and I often found myself close to tears as I listened to the book. I think the subject of grief was done sensitively and showcased that while losing someone never gets any easier, you learn to live with it everyday and remember that person in lots of different ways and that includes speaking about them freely and easily instead of bottling everything up.
Overall, this was just a lovely read and I really enjoyed my time with it. I think I'll be getting a copy of this book for my gran too as she might just love it as well!
This was a charming, fun and often emotional novel that I really enjoyed and utterly charmed me by the end. I've read two other Beth O'Leary books and this one is definitely my favourite so far.
I think I actually liked Eileen's chapters best as I loved seeing an older character (she's a very sprightly 79) living her best life in London, and taking on dating, new projects and even battling her granddaughter's yuck boyfriend. I think this book did such a great job at showcasing how society often fails older people in so many ways and how there should be so many more facilities and events for people of a certain age who may be lonely to socialise. I also appreciated that the book showed through Eileen that you're never too old to find love again, or just enjoy a bit of a good time with a fling.
On the other hand, Lena's chapters and her time with the neighbourhood committee felt like it was something straight from The Vicar of Dibley in the best ways, and I came to really love the myriad of characters from Betsy, Basil and Penelope, not to mention Roland and his mobility scooter. The way Lena processed her grief, and allowed herself to heal and also understand and make up with her mother following the dark times of her sister's illness and death were done really well and I often found myself close to tears as I listened to the book. I think the subject of grief was done sensitively and showcased that while losing someone never gets any easier, you learn to live with it everyday and remember that person in lots of different ways and that includes speaking about them freely and easily instead of bottling everything up.
Overall, this was just a lovely read and I really enjoyed my time with it. I think I'll be getting a copy of this book for my gran too as she might just love it as well!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Domestic abuse
sparklycowboy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
I was in the mood for something funny and easy to read (listen to) and this really fit what I was looking for!! A wonderful and entertaining storyline with hilarious, relatable characters. I love books with characters I can look to as role models or inspirations, especially because of the way they deal with the their own flaws.
I enjoyed the light romantic plot line that wasn’t overly erotic or graphic. Now, the book isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, there is conflict and sadness and grief, but it’s dealt with in humorous, wholesome and heartwarming ways.
I enjoyed the light romantic plot line that wasn’t overly erotic or graphic. Now, the book isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, there is conflict and sadness and grief, but it’s dealt with in humorous, wholesome and heartwarming ways.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Grief
Minor: Mental illness and Domestic abuse
molly_appleby's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, and Death
Minor: Mental illness, Domestic abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
phoebemagdalena's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Despite the slow start I found myself reading this book at a breakneck speed, eager to find out what each Eileen was getting up to. Heartwarming and a little heartbreaking, always a tad funny
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Cancer
Minor: Domestic abuse
ruthhelizabeth's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Infidelity and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
There is a character who is explicitly xenophobic and this is never really tackled- it is presented like a quirk of their character rather than ever been explicitly challenged.ajourneythroughpages's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I was quite disappointed by this book, as I loved The Flatshare. The whole premise was unbelievable from the go - two months paid leave for one panic attack? Unlikely. The story was too slow, no actual plot, a lot of significant things for the characters happened off page, there were no real stakes and every little thing got resolved far too easily. I didn't feel like I really knew or connected with the characters. That being said, it was an easy read for a few days, with some enjoyable story points. Overall I do feel that this was a bit of a hit-and-miss.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Cancer, Death, Deadnaming, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Terminal illness
ramreadsagain's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I had high hopes after loving The Flatshare last year, but unfortunately this one did not live up to my expectations.
Truth be told it was just really boring! Not a great deal happens, it was super predictable and the characters were pretty unlikeable or just one dimensional stereotypes. My favourite part was the Leena-Jackson romance so I truly think O’Leary should stick to pure romance as that does seem to be what she’s best at.
Truth be told it was just really boring! Not a great deal happens, it was super predictable and the characters were pretty unlikeable or just one dimensional stereotypes. My favourite part was the
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
Minor: Domestic abuse and Infidelity
c_totume's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Grief
theonlybaillie's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
samreadsthings's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Death, and Cancer