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chalkletters's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
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? No
3.5
For professional reasons, I’ve read a lot of self-published romance novels, but they’re not usually something I pick up for fun. Despite enjoying romantic comedies, I’ve just never particularly gravitated towards them. I took The Flatshare home from an office book sale because it had a unique premise in two characters who share space, but don’t actually know one another. I then didn’t get around to reading it for ages, because two book clubs makes it tricky to fit other new reads into my schedule. When a space opened up, The Flatshare got picked partly because I’d seen posters for the new Paramount adaptation, and partly because it’s one of the thickest books on my tottering vertical pile…
The Flatshare is very unlike those instalove romance novels where the characters are immediately and overwhelmingly attracted to one another and can’t stop thinking about getting intimate. Tiffy and Leon’s only understanding of the other’s appearance comes from Facebook photos, descriptions and context clues. Needless to say, their attraction builds slowly, and is based on personality rather than physical chemistry.
The epistolary elements came as a very pleasant surprise. While Tiffy and Leon’s notes aren’t as amusingly eccentric as Jaclyn Moriarty’s use of post-it notes, they are full of character. Beth O’Leary distinguishes between her two characters’ voices excellently, though the switch between Tiffy’s effusiveness and Leon’s spare use of words can be a little jarring.
As is probably necessary in a story where the two leads can’t meet face-to-face, both Tiffy and Leon have a number of things going on in their lives outside their interest in one another. While Tiffy’s life as an assistant editor is rather more glamorous (and involves rather less actual work) than is realistic, Leon’s relationship with his brother is a foundational element of the novel. All the threads of plot and subplot are woven together expertly, with Tiffy having a place in Leon’s stories, as well as he in hers.
The climatic misunderstanding, necessary in all romance novels, involves a huge heaping of dramatic irony. It’s certainly tense enough to keep readers on the edge of their seat, though whether that’s pleasurable or painful might depend on individual tastes. The ending is predictable, of course, but effective and very sweet.
This was a fun change of pace for me, and I appreciated how easy to read it was at a time of year which can be pretty hectic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood, War, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Cancer, and Death
georgiesutton's review against another edition
3.75
I think if I’d known the first half of this book is REALLY sad and not the rom com I’d hoped for I wouldn’t have picked up this book. The second half is good and fun but I’m not sure it was worth the heartbreak to get there for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, and Death
carlaah1984's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Stalking and Domestic abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Death
claracavanaugh's review
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Physical abuse and Death
norwegianforestreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Classism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
chrisljm's review against another edition
challenging
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? Yes
4.5
love tiffy and leon
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Terminal illness
Minor: Death, Fatphobia, War, Cancer, Homophobia, Medical content, Racism, Cursing, and Sexual assault
downtown_kb's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death and Medical content
thefatpaperback's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
Cute read! While I love Tiffy and Leon, I feel like Richie stole the show. Ms. O’Leary I want to officially request a Richie novel please.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Terminal illness, Body shaming, Cancer, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
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
hayleygray's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.75
This was such an easy and fun (yet, emotional) read that I really enjoyed. The overall story was so well-written and the different narrative styles helped with character-building as both Tiffy and Leon's personalities were shown through the ways that they speak.
There was a strong focus on emotional abuse and trauma which I think O'Leary dealt with well as she highlighted the ignorance of some people towards emotional abuse in comparison to physical abuse – yet, she also included progression and development of those people through education and experience towards an accepting and helpful mindset.
I liked the majority of the characters (even with their flaws) and got through the book pretty fast because I enjoyed reading it. It was the cheesy, easy and emotional romance that I craved.
There was a strong focus on emotional abuse and trauma which I think O'Leary dealt with well as she highlighted the ignorance of some people towards emotional abuse in comparison to physical abuse – yet, she also included progression and development of those people through education and experience towards an accepting and helpful mindset.
I liked the majority of the characters (even with their flaws) and got through the book pretty fast because I enjoyed reading it. It was the cheesy, easy and emotional romance that I craved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death