Cover Image: The Switch

The Switch

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Member Reviews

This is a huggable book. I dont know what it is about an elderly character if it reminds us of our grandparents and we seek that nostalgia or if they are just humbled from a longer life but I love it in a story.

This may be my second favourite O’Leary and the audio narration really brought this story to life.

Highly Recommend.

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I didn't think I would find this book that interesting when I first read the synopsis. But this was such a pleasant surprise! There was so much heart and adventure in this story! I loved the intergenerational themes of the novel and the characters' willingness to experience new things! The narrators were also fantastic!

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I have decided that Beth O'Leary is not really for me. I have tried several of her books and find myself a little bored. This one was no different unfortunately. Although the narrators were great, and I'm sure there is a large audience who will love them, I just do not. 2 1/2 stars rounded up. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for allowing me to listen in return for an honest review.

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Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 STARS

I loved this one. The narration was great and this story was a delightful read!

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The Switch is a charming, sweet and entertaining read!
I loved the audiobook, the narrators were fantastic and I feel like the embodied their characters perfectly,
if you love Beth's other books, I highly recommend listening to this one!

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This was a DNF for me.

I have found overtime that I just don't connect with Beth's writing and her storytelling style.

I didn't mind the narration overall and the set up was cute.

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Loved the characters of Eileen and Leena. I liked the premise of the book, it was an uplifting thoughtful read and how relationships through difficult times can have glimmers of hope.

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What a cute premise, with Lena and Ellen swapping places. I just didn't connect as much with the characters as I had hoped I would. That's okay thought it was probably me! Loved all of the British content and locales, this is like a warm hug to me!

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Leena is at work doing a presentation when she basically has a nervous breakdown. It's brought on by the fact she's been working like a maniac to avoid the grief of having recently lost her sister to cancer.

Her grandmother, Eileen, lives in a tiny hamlet near Marian, Leena's mother. Yes, there are three generations of women in this story, although Marian is a bit of a backseat character.

When Leena is forced to take a couple months off with pay, she and her grandmother switch houses. Eileen moves to Leena's shared apartment in London, where she sets about turning the residents of the building into a real community. She dates a sexy rich guy and has a blast. Leena, meanwhile, heals and learns to navigate the politics of the hamlet and becomes friends with and useful to the members of the community.

It was great to read about an older woman (Eileen is 79) living an empowered life.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, although the romance angle was too contrived, and there wasn't any real heat between the players. I think this book could have done better as straight fiction without the romantic angle, but it was still good.

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My very first audio book and I can confidently said I loved it, was a beautiful sweet telling of a love story with a difference. The characters were so well written I felt like I knew them it was like watching a movie in my head. Perfect for any romance lover

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Thank you so much to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for this digital audiobook in exchange for my honest feedback. My review is late, only because I though that this would be a fantastical body-swap type of book, and hadn't found myself in the mood to suspend that kind of disbelief. I'm not the type to read jacket copy and like to go into each book a little bit "blind." In this case, I'm sorry that I didn't pick this up sooner- I found it absolutely delightful!

This was not a Freaky Friday type of switch. Lena and Eileen, a granddaughter and her grandmother, are grieving the loss of their granddaughter/ sister, find themselves stuck. They decide to literally swap lives for a bit. They exchange phones, homes, and social circles. This novel was billed as a rom-com, but it was so much more than that. It dealt with topics centering around grief, finding love in your golden years, and overcoming the struggle to find who you truly are in your late 20's.

I would recommend this book to women of all ages who enjoy witty banter, depth, a comeback, and slow build romance. Grab this book and settle in with a cup of tea and enjoy!

The audiobook narrators, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Alison Steadman, did a truly wonderful job- the audio switches between the granddaughter and the grandmother, giving a different voice to each perspective, which I thoroughly enjoyed! If you're unsure whether to grab a paper copy or the audio, I'd recommend the audio here for sure!

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The Cotton women are all stuck- especially following the death of the youngest. Lena has not coped with losing her sister and is falling apart at work. When she has a panic attack in the middle of a presentation, she is forced to take two months off. Eileen's world has also drastically changed since the death of her youngest sister. Her husband left her and her daughter is not doing well. Lena and Eileen decide to switch- Eileen will stay in Lena's London flat for two months and Lena will stay at her grandmother's Yorkshire home. The change of scenery helps everyone move forward in their lives.

This is a cute story- I especially liked Eileen's story of finding herself at 80. It shows it is never too late! It was sweet that Lena kind of turned into her grandma a bit, after stepping into her shoes.

While the characters are grieving, this is not a heavy, grief laden book. It is hopeful and the characters all begin coping well.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you NetGalley

First of all I love The flatshare, it was an amazing romcom and I was so excited for this one but I couldn't connect at all. I try with the ebook and then with the audiobook but I just could't.

I still gonna continue trying with O'Leary and I'm convinced that it was just this book.

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3.25 stars. Women’s fiction with a bit of a romantic subplot, not my usual genre. Very well narrated.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my chance to review.

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I tried to listen to this one and I struggled with the audio. I think it just wasn't for me. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.

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Every book I’ve read by Beth O’Leary has been a full 5 star but this one was definitely more of a 4 and a half star. It was a beautiful book and I honestly enjoyed it so much, the grandma reminds me so much of Lesley Manville especially her character in the film mrs Harris goes to Paris helping someone find love as well as going off on her own adventure. The only reason it lost half a star was it was very predictable but I honestly didn’t mind much it was an enjoyable read and a concept I definitely want to see more!

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This is one of my favorite audiobooks ever!! The narration was AMAZING!!! I think this is my favorite Beth O'Leary book so far! Highly recommend this to everyone!!

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This fell flat for me after The Flatshare which I absolutely loved. Maybe it was beginners luck for me and this author?

Thanks to NetGalley / Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

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Have you ever hated your life? Are you tired of the same thing day in and day out and just wish you could switch with someone?

In the switch, we meet two women, separated by decades, who yearn for a life different from the one they are living.

Eileen is 79 and desperately wants to find love again. Unfortunately, her tiny yorkshire village isn't bustling with eligible bachelor's. Her granddaughter, Leena, has escaped the hustle and bustle of the city to take a much need sabbatical.

Leena thinks she has come up with the perfect arrangement. She suggests that they switch lives for a two month period. Eileen will go live her best life in the city and search for love, while Leena will stay in the village and take care of things for her grandmother there.

Both ladies will quickly learn that switching lives isn't quite as easy as they thought it would be. Will they find happiness in their swapped lives, or will they learn to appreciate the lives they already have?


Honestly, this book is precious. Eileen is the quintessential grandma that we all know and love. Her character is such a doll! The relationship between her and her granddaughter is also very cute. I loved the alternating storylines between the two women.

I listened to an audio copy of this novel, and I want to say narrators did a fabulous job!

As always, thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review

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I decided to give this one another go. And I am sadly disappointed that it didn’t work out. I wanted to love it. But I didn’t. It did give off a fun and flirtatious vide that makes it a fun read. It just wasn’t for me.
I really do appreciate the opportunity Netgalley and the publisher gave so I could read and review for my honest review. I just wish I could love every book.

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