Swapping houses never slipped into my mind. Maybe because of the trust issues, or maybe because in my country this thing never happened. Probably never happened at all. I happened to know this swapping house thing from Holiday movie. You know, the one with Kate Winslet and Jude Law ? I thought I watched it numerous times. So, when I knew this book is sharing the same theme, I intrigued. Just thinking about how they could trust each other to swapping houses are enough for me to be amazed.
Lena and Olivia are an old acquaintance who decided to swap their house. Lena wanted to escape from her abusive husband, while Olivia was running from her chaotic divorced life. They swapped house between Charleston and Northern Neck, Virginia. Both places I never encountered but seemed so beautiful from the novel perspective.
The story was simple and light enough. Both main characters looking for their self after their own problems took over their life. I mean, we all ever been in this situation right ? So it hits home very well. I enjoyed their adventure in new environment, which is something that I always nervous about. I liked how our characters developed and try different interesting things. Things like what ? Things like photography, writing a novel, and befriended with locals. The book featured so many bookish things as well. You can even get book recommendation from the author in this book. So it’s quite interesting.
What I liked in this story is the ability to make me feel there’s something else beyond what I got right now. In this story, they all are having different issues like everybody had and they passed the test. I learnt that it’s okay to chasing dreams and it’s totally okay to feel scared about it in the beginning. Because life is never on loan, like this swapping house things. Life is yours and yours truly.
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with this ARC.

LIFE ON LOAN by Ashley Farley is a beautifully-written story of friendship, love and fresh starts in life. By chance, college friends Lena Browder and Olivia Westcoat meet again after thirty years when they are waiting in an airline lounge for their flights. Both women are trying to escape from the painful reality of their current lives, hoping to find a new, more fulfilling direction to turn for the future. They decide to swap homes for month and come back together after they have had time to reflect on and refocus their lives. What follows is a heart-warming and inspiring story of their struggles, triumphs and the self-discovery that leads to permanent changes in their relationships with their friends and family. I was completely immersed in their emotional story and found myself cheering them on from beginning to end. I loved the descriptions of the two settings, Charleston and the isolated river community in the Northern Neck of Virginia. The characters are delightful and wonderfully-portrayed. For anyone who has wished for the courage to start over, this is a must-read. I couldn’t put it down! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

WALLOW. That is exactly what I wanted to do…wallow in this yummy book. It has such pretty settings, nice characters and the excitement of unlimited choices in life.

Life on Loan by Ashley Farley is a wonderful story about two women who experience midlife changing events and are forced to start over and reinvent themselves. The journey is exciting and challenging making you happy you have come along for the ride.

These two women are so likeable you feel happy, sad, heartbroken and frustrated with them. You want to be their friend and wish you could pick up the phone and say “What are you thinking?”. These are characters you will remember for a long while. This novel is definitely worth your time!

I received this book from NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

I first discovered Ashley Farley's writings with Nell and Lady, and since,I've loved her style of writing and this book is a personal story of trust, betrayals, and love .
I'm not sure if in real life, one can loan out their life to another, and be able to spent over 3o days or so in each other's life and home. It brings out an awareness how sometimes women spend most of their lives caring for their families and neglect their own needs in order to continue being happy and fulfilled and to still be appreciated.
Lena, one day gets up and flees her life temporarily from her selfish husband Charles and daughter Kayla (who came home from college temporarily and never left), The two are too concerned on what they need from her even days later, before they realize she has really left the house for an unknown period of time.
She was a photography enthusiast and takes her camera with her. She had abondoned her hobby,like everything else in her life, to care for them (and their dog Biscuit ,(probally the only one who appreciated her in the household).
Olivia, lives in Charleston adjusting to a divorce since two years , ,and has a blog High Living In the Low Country, aka as High-Lo with the Millenials, and The Kates(two toxic competitive women always trying to outdo each other)...she has to leave to distance herself from them.
Lena and Olivia are two college freinds who havent seen each other in 30 years.They meet by accident at the Atlanta airport due to a layover delay in Atlanta Georgia ...and drinking wine at the Sky CLub Lounge killing time, Lena spills wine on her tunic top
Olivia who is sitting nearby hands her napkins, then recognizes her and their 30 yr long lost freindship they had at the VCU university is quickly picked up.
This is where ideas begin on swapping their lives and exchange each other's homes on a loan for 30 days , Lena has a riverfront cottage in Irvington VA, and Olivia's waterfront condo in downtown Charleston.
This story brings a lost freindship back together , and new ones, with a mystery that unfolds when an elderly woman that Lena befreinds, turns into a twist and has you hanging on for justice.
Lena's freind Alistair lives next door to Lena's cottage and he too is lost and lonely , mainly because he has lost his wife two years ago. He has known Lena's family since their cottage weekend getaways and the cottage Lena inherited.
There is romance, pain, laughter, and spiritual growth in each character';s life and I couldnt put this book down.
I am looking forward to her next book in 2020! Thank you Netgalley for letting me read and review this book Life eon Loan!

Olivia Westcoat and Lena Browder are both at a crossroads in their lives when they meet again at the airport in Atlanta after a long absence. They are escaping their pasts in the hope of reviving their zest for living, both with memories of their unhappy marriages following them together with their luggage. They both NEED this break so much. Thirty years ago they were friends at University and attended most of their lectures together. On a whim they arrange to swap holiday homes for 34 days until 1st November when they planned to reunite at the airport and tell each other about their adventures in an area far away from what they left behind. Amazingly both of their lives change forever (and for the better) in those long sunny days as they create happy memories searching for new beginnings.
Lena loans Olivia’s swish modern condo in Charleston whilst Olivia sets off to the Northern Neck in Virginia to live in Lena’s remote riverside cottage. There they realise that they both lead lives that are totally different in so many ways and must challenge themselves to embrace their new life, albeit for just a smidgeon longer than a month. This is the premise for the novel and also the story of what happens in that month and beyond as both women change almost beyond recognition.
The idea of this unique story, although unlikely and totally off the page, gripped me from the very first few chapters. The story was full of action and revelations and was very well written. The differing locations were beautifully described and I could easily recognise who was who, aided by well-crafted character development. I enjoyed both stories almost equally but of the two women I preferred friendly, gentle Lena. Both stories shocked me in different ways and I felt empathy for them both. I would have definitely preferred to loan the riverside cottage even without its helpful close by neighbour. The idea of the peace, tranquillity and beautiful setting would agree with the way I would like to live and Lena’s love of literature made me warm to her most of all. I love taking landscape and natural life photographs as well, so I would feel like I had found a four leafed clover!
I received this book through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Lake Union Publishing in return for an honest review. Thank you most sincerely for my copy. This novel is sheer, blissful escapism. It is an easy and full of fun read. It’s a 3.5* review from me.

When I was a little girl, sometimes I wanted to "run away" and find an escape from what was miserable in my life. I thought there was going to be something better somewhere else. Lena and Olivia are in lives that have pushed them to that point. Escape and find some breathing space to figure out what happened to themselves, find out who they really are, and leave those miserable lives for even a little while. The two former college friends unexpectedly run into each other in the airport and reconnect. They decide to "swap" houses and try to find the person they seemed to have lost in the years their lives were on hold.

Ashley Farley writes wonderful characters. They are so very relatable and easy to become friends with. These characters are written into situations that take a lot of courage and determination to overcome. It's a story of rediscovery of who they were meant to be. It's not an easy thing to walk away from 30 years of "life" that they became rooted into. But when there's no where to go but up from the deep and troubled lives they're in, they have to pack up and go. There's no other option. This is also a story of mending relationships that have suffered because of the tensions and struggles of living in miserable conditions, with spouses who are not who they thought they were. It's a story of developing new relationships that are supporting and unconditional.

As I read through the pages, Ashley Farley had me transferred into the settings with such amazing descriptions. I felt as though I were walking the streets in Charleston, I was seeing the views in New York City, I was in the serene and peaceful Northern Neck of Virginia. Ms. Farley has even described streets and buildings down to the minutest of details. It was so easy to picture myself there with each character and experiencing their emotions as well. I had a virtual journey with the characters in this book that I was able to escape into.

The story is one that brings hope for readers to know that taking a chance to change things in their lives is possible. It is a story written with a powerful message that there is hope in situations that might seem impossible. It is encouraging to find that place where "life is no longer on loan" and step out and live the best life possible. Finding out what that life is, is part of the great adventure! It might not always be a "walk in the park" or "living the high life" but there is a way to balance it all out and find happiness.

I want to thank Ms. Farley, Netgalley, and the Georgia's Porch, Ashley Farley's Team on FaceBook for the honor of reading this wonderful book. It's very highly a five star read for me!

Life on Loan - a delightful light read. Two women who haven’t seen each other since college, meet by chance in an airport. Both running away from their lives - one from a meaningless marriage, the other dealing with a painful divorce. They decide to switch homes for a month, and try to re-invent themselves. Some family drama, and some romance, This is the first book by this author that I’ve read - I’ll look out for other books by her when in need of light entertainment.

Ashley Farley is a master storyteller. Every book I have read is different, full of emotion and makes me think for days afterwards. This book is another one that I cannot stop thinking about. I finished it yesterday and waited a day to gather my thoughts before writing a review.

Two women reach a point in their lives that they need time to reflect and make adjustments for the future. They make the brave decision to take a month (34 days) off their normal lives and try to regroup. They "by chance" meet in the same airport, chat and find they are both taking time to escape. They change their next original plan and decide to do a house swap instead, and the story begins.

It is a month of self-discovery, spirit renewal, turmoil, doubt, friendship and strength. The author did a fantastic job of describing the two areas Olivia and Lena stayed. I want to visit each place! The characters are very well developed and I felt I knew them as people, not characters in a book. The plot moved along at a great pace and was extremely well developed. I did hope for the outcome that occurred, but was not certain that the book would end that way. It did have me guessing if I would be correct.

I enjoyed this book so much. The people in it have a very different life style than I do and it was nice to visit their world for a bit. They have the means to drop their lives and take a plane to escape and have financial situation to do that. I think most people have jobs that they could not walk away from. Also they do not have the money to spend on a month's self-discovery. These characters seem to always be dining out in the best places, drinking wine or mixed drinks. That may be the world out there, but not my life. It was nice to see how these two women, living lives so different from mine, resolved the issues in their lives.

I want to thank NetGalley.com and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me the pleasure of reading this inspiring book. It made me feel, think and travel. That is a great thing for a book to do.

Would you want to run away or change places with someone for a day, a week, or a month to add something that is missing from your life?
This is this premise of Life on Loan by Ashley Farley.
Lena and Olivia meet up by chance after 30 years and agree to live in each other’s home for the next 30 days to find themselves, or at least find out who they are and what they want for the rest of their life. Ashley Farley continues to deliver excellent women’s fiction and this book of second chances is perhaps a dream of all of us at one time.
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book. The above review and comments are of my honest opinion.

Life on Loan by Ashley Farley


An accidental meeting of two former college friends in an airport lobby leads to a spontaneous
decision ….that they should trade houses for a month.

Both women, Lena Browder and Olivia Wescoat are running away from their current lives. Lena is running from her emotionally abusive husband and daughter and Olivia is fleeing from a divorce. Olivia goes to Lena’s country cottage and Lena goes to Olivia’s Charleston condo. Can they find their lives again in only a month? Can they find the happiness they once had?

The story grabs your interest from the very beginning, as it is easy to identify with these women’s problems and issues. The story of finding oneself after a crisis is a common one, but what is not common is the complex way these two stories interconnect and progress to a common understandable resolution. It was a enjoyable book to read with well developed characters, dialog, and believable situations. The skill of the author to carry the reader along and make you really concerned and vested into the outcome shows what a good storyteller she is.

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in return for fair and honest review.

Ashley Farley has done it again with a wonderful life changing book! It pulled me in right from the the very first page and had me reading late into the night. I loved the premise of the book about two woman who were unhappy with their lives and decided to swap houses for a month. They both did a lot of soul searching while making new friends and doing lots of sightseeing in the new locations that they ended up in.
I highly recommend this or any of the authors books. She has become one of my top favorite authors! This book definitely deserves a big 5 stars on this very entertaining and enjoyable story!
Thanks to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for granting me an arc at my request. All thoughts in this review are my own and are completely voluntary.

I think many of us have wanted to or thought about leaving it all behind and starting over. This book is rich in relationships, friendships, struggles, and joys. I found it so relatable to my own life and could empathize with the characters on many levels. Ashley Farley writes about relationships so well that you find yourself immersed in her stories and Life on Loan is no different. Friendships and mother/daughter relationships to second chances at love are all here with some surprises that will have you wondering, "What would I do?" Another fabulous novel from one of the premier voices in Southern Women's Fiction. This is one you'll be thinking about for some time. Highly recommend and a favorite of 2019. 5 stars!

I loved everything about this book! Strong female characters and good character development with a wonderful message of overcoming and rediscovery of one's self. Loved everything including the author's note at the end. I've said it before and I'll repeat it now; If you haven't read any of Ashley Farley's books, you need to start now! What a fabulous author :)

#life on loan #netgalley
Thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The basic premise of this book is: two women who need a break switch homes for a month.
I,myself needed a break from the mystery/thriller books I've been reading. This is my first book by this author. Life on Loan provided a little romance, a little family life, and enough intrigue to keep my mystery loving mind happy. I enjoyed the characters and felt connected to them. A good beach read.

A story about two women who knew each other in college and reconnect years later. This was a lovely story with great characters. It quickly sucked me in and kept my interest to the very end. I really enjoyed the story! Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union for the early copy

Excellent story. Read and find out what happens when the characters make the decision to change their path in life. Would you be brave enough to take a chance and make different choices? This story touches the heart with emotions that people can relate to and understand. Each one of us has opportunity to start over if we need to do so. The bravery and dedication to family and friends in this story is inspiring. I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required.

Ashley Farley knows how to reach out to her readers, grab their hearts, and squeeze them tightly. This book was another one that spoke to me personally...something that happens a lot with the author's books.

This story covers the relationship between two women and the relationship with their family...specifically their husbands and daughters. It was interesting to see how Olivia and Lena react to their personal situations and decide what to do with their future. You will find yourself enveloped in the efforts these ladies make in personal growth, new relationships, and healing. There are lots of moments of drama, anger, tears, and cheering. You will experience the gamut of emotions!

Thank you to the author for an ARC exchange for my honest review. I love this author's books and always look forward to each new release.

I really enjoyed Life on Loan. Ashley never disappoints, her characters are interesting and the plot entertaining. Lena and Olivia were college. Classmates 30 yrs ago when they meet up at the Atlana Airport. Both women at a crossroads in life and " running away " to find themselves. The flight they were both on has been canceled and they start talking. They decide to swap homes for one month. This book is what evolves as they both chance their lives. I think you will enjoy this book as much as I did.
Thank you to Ashley Farely and Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for a fair review.

I really enjoyed reading how two middle aged ladies turned their lives around by doing a house swap. Easy to read, with romance thrown in for good measure.

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Lena and Olivia are both at a crossroads in life , needing a change they both set out on a whim to leave their "real life behind for a month of recharging and finding themselves again .By chance they meet each other at the airport where they each loan out their houses, Lena and Olivia both find out there's more to life to fulfill and restore thier faith for the future .Love this Author and the way you feel as your reading you are going on a Journey with these two ladies.