This was a non-magical take on switching lives. The two main characters - Eileen and Lina - choose to switch lives by swapping each others homes. Eileen is Lina's grandmother, and she wanted the opportunity to experience living in London (the big city) since she never got to in her youth. Lina needed a change of pace after a rough year and work troubles, so her grandmother's small town was the perfect spot. This audiobook was enjoyable. Lina and Eileen alternate perspectives, and there was a different audiobook narrator for each. I enjoyed Eileen's character, story, and development far more than Lina's. Lina's story fell flat for me as she often seemed to just go through the motions. I did not experience depth with her character. My only issue with the audiobook is that Lina's narrator's pace was quicker than Eileen's. However, this could also be considered a strong character choice as grandmother's often speak slower than younger folks. As a listener, I had to alternate my listening pace so I could catch everything Lina was saying. Overall, I liked this story, but due to half the story line falling flat, it was a solid 3-stars for me. I will read more of O'Leary's work in the future.

This book was so sweet and fun, while also dealing with some tough topics, like grief, infidelity and the often forgotten elderly.
Leena is in her twenties and forced to take a two month sabbatical from work. She is distraught about it because she is a workaholic that has been hiding in her work to avoid dealing with the grief of losing her sister to cancer. Her grandmother Ilene is a 79 year old, vivacious woman who had dreamt of living in London before she got pregnant and stayed in her town. Her husband recently left her for a new woman and she has been struggling.
The two decide to switch lives for two months and what follows is a delightful rom com. Ilene attempts internet dating and tried to build a community in the London flat Leena share with several roommates. Leena takes on all the little things her grandma does to keep her town afloat. I really enjoyed the growth between them both and all the little side characters. I liked that it showed the elderly in a lively way. My grandmother is in her 80s and still things she can take care of everyone and I enjoyed seeing that side of an elderly person portrayed in a novel.
The audiobook was excellent, I liked the use of the two different narrators for them both. Would recommend if you want a fun read with a bit of substance.

The Switch is such a delightful book! Main characters Leena and Eileen both grabbed me by the heart, and I’m still thinking of them a few days after finishing the book. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye!

O’Leary’s characters were so relatable, down-to-earth, and filled with personality. I felt like I knew them as friends, and I was rooting for their happiness. Granddaughter Leena and Grandmother Eileen are both attempting to deal with life in the best way they know how after suffering from loss and heartache. But neither of them are living their best lives and both are dreading certain aspects of their future, and they decide a switch is just what they need. Neither of them anticipated the changes that would occur when Eileen moves into Leena’s flat and Leena heads to her grandmother’s cottage.

I was so impressed with Eileen and how she dealt with the changes in her life. She had so much sass and gumption! Her ability to make friends, care for her neighbors and community, and lift up those around her was so inspiring and heart-warming. I want to be Eileen when I grow up!

The cast of secondary characters was also fantastic. O’Leary brought them all to life in a way that never detracted from the main characters, but instead enhanced the entire story.

This book tackles tough subjects such as the death of a loved one, a cheating partner, and feeling alone, in such a heartfelt and meaningful way. While the book hits these serious points, it’s also a light-hearted and uplifting story of hope, family and community, with a little romance thrown in!

I listened to this on audio and narrators Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones did SUCH a good job!! I loved the dual narrators and they complemented each other so well.

I need to go read Beth O’Leary’s first book, The Flatshare, now!

Happy Tuesday! This morning I’m finishing up the new book by @betholearyauthor , courtesy of @blackwellbooks for my copy ahead of the US release, and @netgalley for my audiobook! If you liked her last book, then you will love this one too! The premise - a grandmother and granddaughter switch homes and scenes for 2 months to get fresh perspectives on their lives. Like in #theflatshare , the author doesn’t shy away from heavier themes that influence the character’s choices, but overall this is a feel good, lighthearted read. I also appreciated a “mature” heroine as one of our narrators (she’s 79!) and her romantic endeavors, as those are not nearly represented enough in contemporary literature. This book releases in the US on August 18th!

Thanks to @netgalley and @quercusbooks for my free audiobook in change for my honest review (the audio is awesome, with very expressive narrators!)

The Switch is the latest novel by Beth O'Leary, who also wrote Flatshare (which I haven't read yet). This was a cute story set in London and Yorkshire Village. Leena Cotton is a twenty-something living in London and playing the role of overachiever at her job. When her HR department forces her to take a 2 month paid sabbatical, she decides to switch residences with her 79 year old grandmother Elaine. So, Leena moves to her mothers house in a small village and Elaine moves in with Leena's housemates.

Elaine is looking for love with a little help from Leena and her roomies, sets up an online dating profile. Meanwhile, Leena can't simply rest and take it easy so she starts tackling a project list at her grandmother's place. Both Elaine and Leena find unexpected challenges with their switch but they work through them and as a result discover things about themselves and what makes them happy.

This was a cute, laid-back read. I see it tagged as a romance and while there are some relationship side stories, in my opinion, Elaine and Leena are the main focus and their stories of self discovery take the forefront. I enjoyed this one and recommend it to anyone looking to cozy up with a book.

I listened to the audio version and they did a great job with it. There were different narrators for the Elaine and Leena chapters that helped get the personalities of these women across.

Leena Cotton has not dealt well with a family crisis and she ends up having a panic attack during a critical meeting at work. Her boss places her on paid leave to work through the issue and come back as her normal high performing self.

Eileen Cotton, her grandmother, is 79 and is working through her recent divorce. She would like to find love again but her small town does not hold any possibilities.

Eileen and Leena decide to swap locations- Eileen will check out the dating scene in London and work to find a relationship. Leena will take a needed break and cover her grandmothers responsibilities

This is a sweet story of love and the complicated way our lives run. I enjoyed the book and found myself laughing out loud quite a few times!!

An audio version of this was provided to me through NetGalley for an honest review.

This book was perfect! It had a sweet romantic thread that underscored the life rediscovery journies that our coheroines were on. A loving bond between grandma and granddaughter, the loss of a beloved family member, small town quirk, and heart for days this is the feel good book of the fall! A must read for everyone who has been warn down by the anxieties of this year. Truly lovely.

I really enjoyed this book. The story was great. The characters were very believable and relatable.
It is a great story about families and how they interact with each other. It is about how each family member lives through and heals from a tragic event that they share.
The story ended well. It was not rushed or left open.

The voices for the audiobook were great. I will definitely look out for more books read by both of them.
Already reviewed on Goodreads

A grandmother and her granddaughter switch houses, cell phones, computers, and lives for 2 months. The sassy, funny, strong willed grandmother was my favorite. Loved listening!

My biggest issue with this audiobook is that when the narrator tried to convey Leena's anxiety, crying, fear etc her voice became a whisper that I could barely hear. I had to raise the volume and then lower it when it went back to normal, especially Eileen's sections. The technical issues caused by that voice-acting choice made it very hard to keep track of the plot.

Although I often prefer audiobooks for these genre of books, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it myself.

This was the cutest book!! I loved listening to the whole thing!! I want everyone to read this!! A family is having a hard time after a family member passes away. Grandma and granddaughter decide to switch lives for two months. Cell phones, places, and all!!! What happens, is they help each other to grow together and individually.

This was super cute, but I was expecting a little more romance. I did love both point of views though and that this involved an older and younger character. I loved how they both seemed so real. It was refreshing reading about their story.

I could not get into the audiobook, but I requested an Ebook and I really loved that. I recommend physically reading if you cannot get into the audiobook. It was adorable.

I cannot wait to read more from this author.

The Switch is told in two perspectives - Leena Cotton (29) and Eileen Cotton (79). Leena recently lost her sister and suffered a panic attack at her high-powered job before being put on a forced leave by her boss. Working around the clock to distract her from her loss and strained relationship with her mother has caused major anxiety for Leena and she can’t even focus on the business that she has been wanting to start with her best friend. Meanwhile, Leena’s grandmother Eileen is dealing with the death of her granddaughter and being left by her husband for a dance instructor. Despite Eileen being extremely active within her community, she can’t shake the idea of needing something more - a second chance at love and the sense of adventure she missed out on in her youth. Leena realizes that her grandmother deserves this adventure and will have a much harder time finding someone in her small town than in London. Eileen realizes that Leena needs to slow down and try to patch things up with her mother. Both realize a Switch may be just what they need - for just two months they will temporarily switch houses, friends, and even phones in an attempt to heal.

Opinion - I found the first few chapters slow going but was happy with how absolutely beautiful the story grew to be. I adored Eileen’s chapters and I think it was because of how warm and witty she came across that it actually took a bit for Leena to grow on me. The narration on this book was wonderfully done and very fitting, which only helped me enjoy the book more. The Switch does, of course, deal with love but the true beauty behind it is how well it celebrates life, family, community and healing. The book tackles dealing with loss and what it means to grieve in a multitude of ways (breakups, familial distancing, and death). I hope that you will all enjoy it as much as I did.

Book Review!!

The Switch by Beth O’Leary
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This was such a sweet and lovable read. I was able to snag this thanks to my partnership with @libro.fm. I have been in a more serious reading mindset of late, and decided to give myself something a wee bit lighter.

The characters in this novel truly made the story. I loved this idea of a young girl switching places with her grandmother. These two women end up growing extravagantly so into brand new people. I loved every aspect of this book, and I felt like I was right there, along for the journey.

The two voices that narrated the audiobook were so incredibly fun! I loved that the accents were true to where the story was taking place, and also that there was a more mature and a younger voice.

I found myself thinking of this novel when I wasn’t listening. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. If you need a pick me up of a read, grab this one to listen to. You won’t be disappointed! (But you will want a cup of tea.)



(Thank you to @libro.fm & @netgalley for the ARC!)
(@fyebooks on Instagram!)

The Switch was fantastic! I had read The Flatshare last year and really enjoyed it. Beth O’Leary has now joined the ranks as an automatic buy author. I listened to the book and found the narration to be perfectly cast with Daisy Edgar-Jones as Lena and Alison Steadman as Eileen. The two women captured their characters brilliantly. The only complaint was the times when characters are having telephone conversations it’s difficult to hear the person on the other end of the line. O’Leary seems to have a gift for capturing real life and balances joy, sadness, mental health, work, family, relationships, and life. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to The Switch.

Sweet story about how to repair familial relationships after a death of a beloved. I wish there was more romance (duh) but it was lovely story. I listened to the Audio (thank youuuu NetGalley & MacMillian Audio!), and the narrators were absolutely great. The two voices of Eileen & Leena helped make the story fit with their unique voices. Perfect!

The Cotton family are struggling with the death of their beloved, Carla. Grandmother, Eileen, and granddaughter, Leena, decide to try a 2 month long swap. Eileen will spend the time in London trying online dating, while Leena takes a 2 month leave from her job and stays at Eileen’s Yorkshire cottage. Will this swap help them find peace?

What a lovely story! It was a sweet, funny story. I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook!

The Switch is my first time reading a book written by Beth O’Leary. I picked it assuming a book about an adult granddaughter, Leena, and her grandmother, Eileen, doing a life change would be a fun, light read. I was right and wrong. It was fun. Absolutely as entertaining as I expected. Leena was a young woman like many I know. Stressed out, overworked, boyfriend issues but added to that is a deep grief at her sister’s passing that results in a employer requested 2 month sabbatical. Eileen has lost her husband, not to death but to another woman. So the story had a lot more going on than just a light read.
Leena decides to visit her grandmother and that visit turns into a switch of homes for the two. Leena decides to take care of her grandmother’s house, family and community duties while Eileen goes to Leena’s London home. London has a much wider selection of eligible men. Yes, at 79, Eileen is diving into the London dating scene! You are never too old for love.
Listening to this book had me emotionally everywhere. It tackles some heavy issues but balances them out with love and humor. The ending had me good crying. The narrators, one was Leena the other Eileen, were just what this audiobook deserved. It honestly felt like I was a part of it. A friend listening in, a nosy neighbor eavesdropping. That was me. It is marketed as a romance but it offers so much more. Real happens in this book. It’s messy, it’s painful, the characters aren’t perfect and, it is at times, incredibly hilarious and touching. Eileen is the grandmother everyone wants to have. Honest, caring and at the stage of life where she will do as she pleases. Leena is not as strong. She is still discovering who she is and who she wants to be, in my opinion. The strong bond of love between them will warm anyone’s heart. The supporting cast of characters were just as awesome. This book gave me laugh out loud moments and tears streaming down moments. It left me emotionally satisfied.
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I received an advanced copy for review consideration from MacMillan Audio through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and written based on my experience with this audiobook.

The Switch by Beth O'Leary, narrated by Daisy Edgar-Jones and Alison Steadman, is my second audio book by Macmillan Audio via NetGalley Shelf. My first book was glitchy so I wanted to give this method another try and this time the book worked perfectly. What a joyful treat this one was, very cute and heartwarming, which are things I normally don't get to say because of the type of books that I usually choose. 

Grandmother Eileen switches locations for two months, with her granddaughter, Leena. Leena experienced a panic attack during a very important presentation at work and was forced to take a two month leave of absence. Seventynine year old Eileen is finally ready to jump into dating since her husband left her for a much younger woman.. The thing is, the dating pool in the small community where Eileen resides is much too small for there to be a chance to find anyone to date and Leena needs to get away from the hustle and bustle of her city life or she'll never be able to unwind enough to recover from her anxiety. So they swap homes and start doing their magic in their new locations. The synopsis makes it sound like this swap was hard for both women but I didn't see it that way at all. I feel like it revived them despite the difficulties (or because of them) of learning new things in each life. Both women brought people together and helped people change. But, both women are also still mourning the death of Carla, Leena's sister, and being back in her grandmother's little town, where Carla died, makes Leena face the grief that she had been stuffing down with work and busy-ness. 

This book is full of the people from both women's lives and the author and narrators brought them all to life. I need to read/listen to more books like this one because it certainly put a smile on my face. I also know that I'm beginning to get attached to audio books because of this experience. 

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.

This book is ADORABLE. It’s fun and uplifting the whole way through. That’s not to say it doesn’t cover some serious stuff but it does so with dignity.
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The story is told from two perspectives. The first is 29-year-old professional woman named Leena. She lives and works in London. Leena is floundering at work. Her boss is forcing her to take time off and at first she is very resistant. The other protagonist is her grandmother, Eileen. Eileen is almost 80 and has recently been dumped by her husband. She is also floundering. She wants to start dating but lives in a tiny village in Northern England with few prospects. They decide on a whim to switch places for two months. Leena will take over her grandma’s community work and Eileen will stay at Leena’s London flat and try internet dating. Both of course are fishes out of water and it leads to some entertaining circumstances.
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The thing that has both woman reeling is a death in the family. One year earlier Leena’s sister and Eileen’s only other granddaughter died very young of cancer. The family is shattered and they have to decide to move on. Not just survive but to live fully and find a place for their grief that lets them love the person lost but not lose themselves.
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The book is sunshine and will leave you feeling a little better about the world.