Cover Image: The Flatshare

The Flatshare

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Member Reviews

I love this book! It is written from two different points of view, which was very well done. And these two characters communicate mostly through sticky notes, which I thought was quite clever, and might even be considered a bit old fashioned, since we tend to use our phones for everything these days. A very enjoyable read-highly recommended!

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I lovvvved this cute story. The chapters alternating POV was a great way to slip into the main characters personalities. A slowburn romance enmeshed in women’s contemporary fiction. Low on steam but high on quirky humor.

Can’t wait for the next book from the author.

I received a complimentary e-ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All comments/opinions are my own.

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This was so. freaking. cute! Slight spoilers on netgalley as cannot hide.

I'd heard lots of good things about this one and how awesome is the synopsis? I loved the first chapter but then it changes to Leon's chapter and I had to re-read it like 5 times. It's like I was speeding along and then got slogged down by mud. It was so jarring and it really pulled me out of the book. I immediately went on to goodreads on netgalley to see if other people had issues with it and if it was this way in the whole book. I saw lots of people talk about it but they were still highly rated (with a few low ratings) so I pushed through. His chapters did get easier to read but I still wasn't a big fan of them - until suddenly I was. I don't know if they got smoother or if I just got more settled into the story, but after about 45% ish, I couldn't put this down. So yeah. I understand *why* she wrote his chapters the way she did, it was just a bit jarring and it took me out of the book. I was never close to DNF-ing, but it did feel like it might bother me enough to detract a star.

So, clearly, if I am rating this 5 stars, *that's* how good this book is, that the good outweighs any annoyance I had about that. Also, it helps that I did get used to his chapters and they didn't bother me at all for the last half.

Okay, on to the actual book. I loved Tiffy. I loved Leon. I loved Tiffy's friends, I loved Richie, Holly and Mr Prior. I loved every character, even loved to hate Justin. What a piece of poop. I knew it would all work out but I was scared for Tiffy. I loved how everything happened, the plot, the conflict, the resolution. That epilogue! Oh my hearts. So much swoon. So much love. I hope hope hope Richie and Rachel get a book? Or even just Richie if that wasn't a hint. I totally called Gertie and Mo, so my radar is on pars with Rachel's. Wink.

I have read books before that start off where the characters don't actually meet face to face for quite some time and sometimes they drag and you want it to hurry up. Not the case in this one. I loved meeting them separately and then reading their notes and then their meeting! OMG! I laughed. I covered my face. So many feelings.

Ok, what else. Everything about this book is freaking delightful. defreakinglightful. I just... love. So much freaking love. I need more from this author.

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A charming contemporary fiction piece that combines romance, comedy and drama. Both protagonists are extremely likable from their first appearances combined with an original meetcute, The Flatshare is a surprisingly interesting and fresh romantic dramedy!

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This story was lighthearted and sweet, and has just enough drama to keep things interesting but not depressing. The characters were well-developed and likable, and the chemistry they built before even meeting each other was really great. I really appreciated that both of the main characters had extremely unique voices and narrative styles, which isn't always the case with dual perspectives.

I'll definitely recommend this book to friends who are looking for a feel-good summer read! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

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***ARC received for an honest review***

I went into this read with super low expectations and was pleasantly surprised.

Tiffy, sliding out of a relationship, suddenly needs a place to stay. Leon, who works nights, has come up with the weird plan to rent out his single bedroom flat for the hours he’s not there. They communicate through adorable little notes that give you a peek into their personalities and let you watch them start to like one another.

Tiffy and Leon each have a supporting cast that’s fully involved as they metamorphosize from weird flat mates to more. Recalcitrant Leon is a nurse. Compassionate and beloved - he’s not the chattiest of fellas. His notes take some getting used to bc he doesn’t use pronouns. But they sum up Leon for you.

And Tiffy...Tiffy. Seems ridiculous. And that name. But there’s this surprisingly intense issue that arises in the book related to her. I kept thinking I’d get frustrated by the way she handled it. I kept waiting for her to do something unrealistic. But I ended up really liking this unexpected depth.

And I think unexpected depth is the phrase for this sweet little book. It neatly floated just between fluffy and intense in a happy middle ground that felt like Baby Bear’s porridge.

Y’all know I’m like a crunchy taco. Hard on the outside but oh so soft and cheesy and gooey in the middle. I will perpetually enjoy an intelligent light read - and this had wit and supportive friends and a heroine who saved herself and therapy and emotional triggers and realizations about deep-seeded fears and gaslighting all with an underlying light that shone from Tiffy herself.


I’ve been busy and intense lately. This was the perfect happy not sappy read for a weekend of work-traveling.

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The Flatshare is Beth O’Leary’s debut novel. This contemporary romance follows two people, Tiff and Leon, in London who are in a financial bind and agree upon a peculiar roommate agreement. I loved this book! It was lighthearted and fun, but also dove into serious issues such as emotional abuse in relationships and finding justice. The story is unique and maintains the reader’s interest from start to finish. All the characters are quite lovable and realistic. The alternating perspectives were refreshing, however, Leon’s perspective took a bit to get used to as the writing was a bit choppy. I definitely recommend picking this up if you love lighthearted and fluffy romance novels.

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I am a huge romance reader. Like romance is the name of my reading game. I have read it all or so I thought until I picked this little gem up! The Flatshare is so different from anything I've ever read. I thought this was going to be a funny, light hearted romantic-comedy and it was all those things but it also deals with some issues that are all to real and complex.

Beth O'Leary has taken the romance genre by storm and gave us something new, different, heartwarming and oh, so charming.

Now let me preface this by saying for a moment I was so confused by Leons' POV. It's written in a sort of list format and it's very dry but as you continue reading and ultimately fall in love with Leon you realize that O'Leary is just capturing his personality in her writing and I LOVED it. It took a moment but I loved it so much!

So this is how it goes...
Leon needs money and Tiffy needs a cheap place to stay, so one things leads to another and Tiffy and Leon end up sharing a bed, not at the same time though.
As time progresses so does their friendship and ultimately their feelings for one another, but there's a lot of emotions and hilarity in-between.

This book had me laughing, crying, and then had me crying some more.
I fell in love with every single character in this book and I wish I could just hold them all in my arms and give them a big group hug.

I loved this book so very much and it has easily taken a spot in my favorite reads of 2019!

**Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review**

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this digital ARC.
I was very excited about this book because of the premise. Two people sharing a bed but not at the same time? What could possibly happen?
There were things that I liked about this book and disliked. Leon and Tiffy were both good characters that had depth to them. I enjoyed getting to know them and their friends/family throughout the book. There was a nice build-up with when and how they were going to finally meet and that did not disappoint. Justin was an awful character (but well-written) and the way the author touched upon gaslighting and emotional abuse was done pretty well.
Then there was the writing style. I get that Tiffy and Leon are different people but the style was pretty different between the two of them. While I liked Leon and his story, I hated the way it was written. It felt juvenile and not as well thought out as when it was Tiffy's chapters. That definitely hindered my enjoyment of the story as a whole.
The notes that Tiffy and Leon left for each other were probably my favorite part of the whole story.
I don't think book brought anything particularly special to the table and it felt middle of the road for me so that's why it's getting 3 stars.

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I haven’t had this much fun with a book since, Where’d You Go Bernadette! The Flatshare is hilarious and uplifting and full of characters that you cannot help but fall in love with. I was initially drawn to this one after reading the synopsis and seeing it was about two people who’ve never met and fall in love over post it notes. A premise like the one could have gone a lot of ways, but O’Leary absolutely nailed it! Tiffy and Leon’s banter is funny and awkward at first but quickly moves to explorative and tender and I could not stop smiling!!

Tiffy is a book editor (!!!) coming out of an emotionally abusive relationship and is trying to stand on her own two feet and Leon works nights as a palliative care nurse in order to help earn as much money as he can to help his brother (you’ll have to read to find out why). The relationship between them is sweet and there is no denying the fire in their chemistry, but do not come into this expecting a lot of smut. I’ve seen this one recommended to fans of The Kiss Quotient, which, let’s be real, is basically pornography in novel form. And while I’m all here for that, The Flatshare is very PG by comparison.

Although the main storyline would have been enough to make this a memorable and enjoyable romcom, it is all of the quirky side plots that really give it charm and depth. Despite being a romcom, The Flatshare tackles several serious issues and O’Leary handles them all with great care and sensitivity. I am so impressed by this book and have recommended it to basically everyone I know. It is a classic story that would make a perfect movie staring Karen Gillian and Richard Ayoade (side note, my friend Ellen should cast movies).

I am so grateful to Flatiron books for the review copy of The Flatshare in exchange for my honest review–I legit squealed when I saw that i was approved on Netgalley! I am going to read everything else that Beth O’Leary writes and keep my fingers crossed for a movie adaptation!

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This was such a fast, fun, and sweet read. The premise of the book is what drew me in. Can you fall in love with someone you've never actually met?

I love that it is written from both main characters' points of view. We get to learn what each one is thinking of the other as their story unfolds. Both of these characters are such genuinely nice people, and both are in relationships with partners who may not fully appreciate the wonderful people they are. Tiffy is eccentric and quirky, but so lovely and fun. Leon is a compassionate palliative care nurse who works the night shift while also dealing with some family turmoil.

It was interesting to read how the characters got to know one another just by what was in their flat; eating habits, clothing style, even what kind of mood they seem to be in. In the beginning of their flatshare, they leave each other notes about normal day-to-day task, but slowly they evolve into pesonal and insightful notes about what's going on in their lives.

Not only did this book have two wonderful main characters, the friends and family of these two were equally endearing.

While this book was a fun read, it also covers the effects of abuse that can stay with us long after a relationship is over and how those affect your behavior in future relationships. I adore books that show the importance of loving and being yourself, and most importantly, not to settle for anyone who does not love you for who you truly are.

If you are looking for a great read for the beach this summer, or any time of the year, this amazing book is available May 28th, and I can't recommend it enough!

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Did I just read a book with a male leading character written in a charmingly similar writing style to Bridget Jones, with Gilmore Girls and Pride and Prejudice references?!? Am I in rom com book heaven right now!?! Yes, the answer is yes.
This book was adorable, and I gotta say...Leon. He has my stamp of approval.
Both Tiffy and Leon have distinct and relatable personalities, and watching them interact through post it notes was the cutest thing! My introvert heart was bursting with warmth the whole time!
My true book rating is 3.75-4 stars
-I would recommend this book to any fans of Sophie Kinsella, Sally Thorne, and Helen Fielding.

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This book was a bit of a surprise to me. I was expecting a light-hearted contemporary romance but this book was much more than that. The main characters, as well as the secondary characters, were all given a substantial amount of depth which made them easy to relate to for the reader. The story lines were not just simple rom-com; they dealt with real life issues of people as they search for love, deal with past relationships, and relate to their families. My only criticism was that the male character's family was given a great deal of attention while the female character's family was only lightly addresses and I would have liked to have seen that relationship explored more as it would have provided an interesting juxtaposition. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy British literature like Sophie Kinsella or contemporary fiction with a romantic flare like Christina Lauren. This book is so much more than just a romance though, and I see myself recommending it often this summer.

Trigger warnings: emotional abuse, conversational coarse language, wrongful imprisonment

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Closer to 4 1/2 stars, but rounded it up because I unashamedly devoured this book in two days and it left me prickly-eyed in the end.

First off, I loved the premise: two people sharing a flat (and bed) at different times of day, thus never actually having to meet. Conversation via sticky notes in ensues in an adorable romance.

I loved the pacing. O’Leary kept me waiting just long enough for the right scenes to keep me turning page after page. The characters were all wonderful (especially Leon and Richard!) and I was sad to let them go at the end. Tiffy had good character development as well- the issue of abuse was handled tactfully and realistically.

My only real issue with the book was that Leon’s chapters took some time to adjust to and at first I didn’t like them very much. The prose is much more stilted and short during them, but soon enough it and it began to feel very Leon-y and ceased to bother me at all. All in all, a nice romance for anyone looking for a light, entertaining romance.

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Tiffy has been dumped by her boyfriend and needs a place to live. Leon needs money to help with his brother's legal issues. Leon decides to rent out his flat during the hours he's not there to make some extra money. Not only do they share a flat, they’re also sharing a bed but at different times. Leon and Tiffy have not met in person and communicate via notes left around the apartment.
This book is perfect for anyone who loves reading and watching romcoms. The writing is superb and the storyline is endearing. The characters, both main and secondary, are easy to fall in love with. I can totally see this book as a Richard Curtis film (Love Actually, Four Weddings & A Funeral). I basically read it in one sitting. I couldn’t be bothered to put the book down even though I had a lot of other things that needed to get down.
I highly recommend The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary. It’s so much more than what you think it’ll be.

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When I picked up this book I thought it would be cute and fun, but it turned out to be more than that. I loved the notes back and forth between the two main characters. I loved the British words for everything (I even learned a few new ones). I loved the secondary characters and their individual stories (I would have loved more from Holly especially). This book grappled with dark themes such as emotional abuse and wrongful imprisonment while somehow still making me smile and laugh. Really the only criticism I have is that I wish it was a bit more steamy. That aside, I loved the main characters, especially Leon. And even Tiffy, who I had a hard time relating to since we aren’t very similar, I loved for her wit and how unapologetically herself she was.

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Tiffy and Leon are strangers who happen upon each other when Tiffy needs to get out of her ex boyfriend's apartment and Leon needs someone to help pay the bills. They will share a bed and nothing more; not even meeting each other before Tiffy moves in. However, through notes left to one another they develop a friendship and eventually something more. One of the best romances I've read this year with two of the most likable characters I've read about in a long time.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It went beyond the sometimes flat and predictable characters in contemporary rom-com/chick lit. The characters were likable, well-rounded and utterly charming.

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Thank you to Netgalley and Flatiron Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!


Tiffy is going through a bad breakup with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. She also needs to find a cheap place to stay in order to finally get over him for good. When she sees an ad for a cheap Flatshare it seems like perfect timing.

Leon is overworked and broke, which drives him to rent out his flat hoping to gain some money back. What’s even better is that they enter an agreement to share the flat, and bed, at rotating times so that they never even have to meet. How could that go wrong?

First off, I loved that there were rotating chapters and I loved the dynamic between Tiffy and Leon. Having a rotating narrative was nice so that we could learn both backstories and didn’t have to hear one secondhand.

Leon was adorable and passionate about helping people while Tiffy was eccentric and loveable! My favorite scene towards the beginning was when Leon came home for the first time to see Tiffy’s stuff everywhere. His reaction is realistic and just cracked me up laughing.

While Tiffy and Leon are the main characters, Beth O’Leary created some loveable side characters as well. I would absolutely love a Gerty and Mo spin off! They were complements of each other but they also were exactly the friends Tiffy needed! Ritchie was also a great character, funny and good for Leon, and I adore him because of his resilience despite being in a bad situation!

The flow of the writing felt fast in some places especially since the chapters are broken down into months and I would have enjoyed seeing just a little more of the post-it note conversations. Due to the writing feeling faster, at times it felt like I wasn’t seeing enough of their relationship before they meet.
The only other reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5, is that it took me quite a while to get into the way Leon’s chapters were written. They are very short and lack personal pronouns, but once I got further in I got used to them.

Overall, The Flatshare is a mostly light-hearted read although it does work through topics such as abuse, and if you are looking for a quick read or romcom with a slightly different premise, this one's for you!

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Smart, funny, witty, sweet, unputdownable. The writing style is quick, quirky and unique to each character. The characters are almost instantly loveable. This isn’t too over the top cheesy and is just a fun and enjoyable story with love—not just a love story.

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