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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Light, a little formulaic, but heartily delightful.
I really liked The Flatshare last year, and O'Leary's follow-up, The Switch, proved a bit of a tonic in these Lockdown days of Groundhog-like monotony.
I'll mix my genres up, read heavy literary works and then lighter frothy books, non-fiction, anything that takes my interest. O'Leary's debut meant I was always going to try her next, and I did thoroughly enjoy the story of Leena and Eileen.
With a family tragedy dogging their lives, Leena's insane London job is starting to suffer as she struggles with her grief. Grandmother Eileen is a spry 79 and has recently seen her husband move out with another woman, and prospects for love are very slim in her little Yorkshire village. The two decide, as you do, to swap - houses, phones, lives. City girl Leena is faced with Neighbourhood Watch meetings, grumpy neighbours and walking a teacher's overactive puppy. Eileen finds a city of uncaring neighbours, lots of Leena's young friends with issues she's itching to solve, and a world of internet dating to discover.
There is a lot here that you'll be able to predict. Not that I cared. It was a journey I was happy to take, I really liked both Leena and Eileen (though Eileen in particular was rather exhaustingly perky for a 79-year-old!). There's a male version of a(n anti) Manic Dream Pixie, curmudgeonly old men who may not be quite so crotchety as they seem, and lots of nice 'old person trying out the Internet' scenes that familiar younger readers will smile at.
I enjoyed the dual locations, ages and storylines taking place simultaneously, with old and young women slotting into a new role (quite easily it turns out) and bringing their own energy, skills and personalities to a new setting. There's a thread of plot concerning the family tragedy, which is tied in nicely with both plotlines, and romantic storylines for both women that go just as you'd expect.
A wonderfully warm way to while away a few hours in the house.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
I really liked The Flatshare last year, and O'Leary's follow-up, The Switch, proved a bit of a tonic in these Lockdown days of Groundhog-like monotony.
I'll mix my genres up, read heavy literary works and then lighter frothy books, non-fiction, anything that takes my interest. O'Leary's debut meant I was always going to try her next, and I did thoroughly enjoy the story of Leena and Eileen.
With a family tragedy dogging their lives, Leena's insane London job is starting to suffer as she struggles with her grief. Grandmother Eileen is a spry 79 and has recently seen her husband move out with another woman, and prospects for love are very slim in her little Yorkshire village. The two decide, as you do, to swap - houses, phones, lives. City girl Leena is faced with Neighbourhood Watch meetings, grumpy neighbours and walking a teacher's overactive puppy. Eileen finds a city of uncaring neighbours, lots of Leena's young friends with issues she's itching to solve, and a world of internet dating to discover.
There is a lot here that you'll be able to predict. Not that I cared. It was a journey I was happy to take, I really liked both Leena and Eileen (though Eileen in particular was rather exhaustingly perky for a 79-year-old!). There's a male version of a(n anti) Manic Dream Pixie, curmudgeonly old men who may not be quite so crotchety as they seem, and lots of nice 'old person trying out the Internet' scenes that familiar younger readers will smile at.
I enjoyed the dual locations, ages and storylines taking place simultaneously, with old and young women slotting into a new role (quite easily it turns out) and bringing their own energy, skills and personalities to a new setting. There's a thread of plot concerning the family tragedy, which is tied in nicely with both plotlines, and romantic storylines for both women that go just as you'd expect.
A wonderfully warm way to while away a few hours in the house.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book - and the narration. Just putting that all out at the start...
The Switch isn't a book I would normally request from NetGalley but audiobooks are brand new there and I love audiobooks! The selection isn't huge just yet so I figured I'd try something out of my usual categories which run much darker than this.
I'm so glad I gave it a try. The situations the characters found themselves in, the humor throughout, and the deeply emotional aspects all worked so well. I didn't want it to end.
Absolutely recommended!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the audiobook.
The Switch isn't a book I would normally request from NetGalley but audiobooks are brand new there and I love audiobooks! The selection isn't huge just yet so I figured I'd try something out of my usual categories which run much darker than this.
I'm so glad I gave it a try. The situations the characters found themselves in, the humor throughout, and the deeply emotional aspects all worked so well. I didn't want it to end.
Absolutely recommended!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the audiobook.
jerricarae's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
alicebme's review against another edition
4.0
Always enjoy books that include different generations of women. Great city/small town back and forth. Lovely characters.
gretamitg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
5.0
sarahthereadingaddict's review against another edition
5.0
What amazing idea for a story. This reminded me a little of freaky Friday.
There are a few laugh out loud moments in this book. One of the was Leena's first walk with Hank, it was so funny.
The descriptions are brilliant of how things progress and how the relationships unfold.
I particularly like the friendships between Bee and Lena and Eileen and the eccentric Letitia. Leena and Bee's friendship is very similar to my bestie and I.
Eileen's projects and love of lists made me laugh because I can really relate to that. Who doesn't love a good list.
There is one character, who I wont spoil for others, but it's interesting how the story can change and you can like a character at the start and hate them at the end.
You may need a tissue for the ending of this book. Fantastic read.
It's full of anxiety, loss, love, anger, frustration and some brilliantly annoying characters.
There are a few laugh out loud moments in this book. One of the was Leena's first walk with Hank, it was so funny.
The descriptions are brilliant of how things progress and how the relationships unfold.
I particularly like the friendships between Bee and Lena and Eileen and the eccentric Letitia. Leena and Bee's friendship is very similar to my bestie and I.
Eileen's projects and love of lists made me laugh because I can really relate to that. Who doesn't love a good list.
There is one character, who I wont spoil for others, but it's interesting how the story can change and you can like a character at the start and hate them at the end.
You may need a tissue for the ending of this book. Fantastic read.
It's full of anxiety, loss, love, anger, frustration and some brilliantly annoying characters.
tigs01's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
samira2205's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
becward's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0