I just loved this book, so special - the very best in escapism.

The story is told from the perspective of Lena and her Grandmother who switch places and live each others lives - with hilarious consequences!

It's just brilliant from start to finish - go and buy this book.

Absolutely loved this audiobook, narration was excellent. Nice and easy to listen to, characters were all so well thought out

Have a box of tissues ready, you're going to be crying tears of sadness one chapter and then tears of laughter the next!

I had a lot of fun with this one. The story is about a young woman in her 20s dealing with the loss of her sister and is given a two month sabbatical from her job in London. She decides to swap lives with her granny, a 79 year old woman living in a small village who is determined to find new love and adventure after her husband leaves her for a younger woman.

The story is full of hilarious and heartwarming characters and the shenanigans will leave you laughing out loud (yes, I would literally laugh out loud while listening to this audiobook on my daily commute).

Anyone who is looking for a fun, heartwarming, feel-good book will definitely enjoy this! Would also recommend listening to this as an audiobook because the narrators; Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones, were hilarious and brilliant.

Thank you so much to #Netgalley, Flat Iron Books and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of the audio book in exchange for an honest review!

The story is set in and around London. I loved the characters, some quirky, some too serious, of course a few are grumpy and the list goes on. There a quite a few characters and I was getting a little lost with the storylines. There are really two main characters, Leena and her grandmother Eileen. Both have had a recent lost of a sister/ granddaughter and trying to get on with their lives. Things go down hill for Leena in London and she was given a two month leave of absent. She decides to go home to family and try to find herself again. There she comes up with the brilliant idea of Grandma should follow her dreams and move into Leena flat in London, while she takes over Eileen duties in the quiet little village that is home in Yorkshire. The switch is not as easy as one would think, there are a few good laughs and the ladies are very determine to make it work. A enjoyable listen with a ending that very well done.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you Netgalley, Macmillan Audio (publisher), and Beth O’Leary (author) for providing me with a free review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an impartial review.

I’d been seeing this book everywhere and I was glad when I was able to get my hands on it via Netgalley. It landed a spot on my TBR immediately. It was a really good book, but I had the hardest time getting into it. The pacing at the beginning was too slow for me and I kept waiting for things to pick up pace. When I got into it, however, it was an amazing ride. I loved the 2 narrators, especially the narrator for Eileen. I ended up loving this book very much, and it was the first time I read a romance novel with an old woman as the protagonist. The story unfolds through two PoVs - Eileen (the grandma) and Leena (the granddaughter). They switch houses and routines for two months and we’re introduced to each woman’s friends and hometown. The story unfolded beautifully, and the author introduces and deals with themes of love, family, anxiety, friendship, betrayal, and community.

Eileen’s PoV was my favorite, and I always looked forward to reading her parts of the book. There were so many parts there that made me smile and laugh out loud. I loved meeting the other characters. The enemies to lovers trope was also written beautifully into this book. It was also interesting to see Eileen, a traditional old lady, get introduced to technology like WhatsApp and online dating.

I also really loved that this book wasn’t entirely romance-focused, but it was focused more on each woman’s journey in a new town and exploring new things. I really recommend this one, and it was a nice read.

The Switch
Beth O’Leary
Narrated by: Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones

Beth O’Leary’s latest is a sweet, heartwarming Brit-chick-lit about love, loss and starting over. With a combination of humor and somber, a steady paced plot and exceptional visualizations Beth weaves her intriguing entertaining tale starting with a realistic dose of dysfunctional family dynamics and fixing those dynamics by the end of her story. The two main protagonists Eileen and Leena are the genuine real deal and both are stand outs in the novel, Eileen is insightful and wise and Leena is compassionate and caring and it’s fun to watch them both get the nudge they need to be the best they can be. If you love chick-lit, women’s fiction or just a good story with fantastic family dynamics, the novels of Kristan Higgins or Susan Elizabeth Phillips this is your next must read.
NARRATION:
The narration duo of Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones is brilliant both are spot on for their respective characters bringing all the crucial emotions and perfect voice intonations and making the audio version the way to go.

Grandmother Eileen Cotton and her granddaughter namesake Leena Cotton haven’t dealt well with the death of Carla, Leena’s sister. Eileen is also dealing with her husband leaving her for a younger woman and Leena can’t seem to put her head into her work and its starting to cost the company clients, so they decided to switch lives for a while. Leena will take a sabbatical from work and move into her grandmother’s cottege in the country and Eileen will move into Leena’s London flat. This will give Eileen the chance to dip her toes into big city online dating and it will give Leena the chance to slow down while taking over her grandmother’s live. At first the two are both fish out of water but soon they start to get into a rhythm and pieces start falling into place. Can it last for the two months they’ve planned for or will something else happen to upset the apple cart?

I loved it. This was so good. The Switch gave me a really good dose of sweetness and my heart is all warm and happy now.

I have to be honest, when I first started this book I expected a romance where the main relationship would take most of the focus and time but I was happily surprised it wasn't like every other romance out there. The focus was on both characters (Leena and her grandmother, Eileen) and their little adventures, while still giving me a nice dose of romance.

Surprisingly, my favorite character was Eileen. No hesitation there, she was the best. The older characters were definitely more lovable even though the younger ones (Leena and Jackson) were still likable. I loved them all but you know, if I had to spend a day with a fictional character in this book, it would be Eileen.

I didn't have any expectations going into this book so I think it helped. Now, I can't wait to read Beth O'Leary's other book, The Flatshare which I hesitated to read or not. After The Switch, I am going to dive into it for sure. I don't know when but it's going to happen.

(Thank you for letting me listen and review an ARC via Netgalley)

Rasie your hand off you’ve always wanted a British accent ✋🏿🙋🏿. I love the audio of this book, I really appreciate the different narrator for Lena and Irene . This is a story of love, lost, healing , family and friendship . Irene is everything I want to be. She full of life and passion. Her personality came through clearly in the audio . She reminds me so much of my grandmother who always so “ I may be old, but I ain’t cold“ 😂😂.

I though the idea of switching places was a bit cliche , like been there , done that, but this was a nice surprise . It wasn’t switching places, per se, but taking a break from our everyday life , which is something we can all say we have thought about.

After having a panic attack during an important work presentation Leena Cotton is forced to take 2 months leave. She heads out to her grandmother's house in a small town to get away from her busy London life. Eileen Cotton wants to find love again after her husband left her for another woman, but the small town she lives in has very limited options, especially in the over 70 category. Leena thinks the perfect solution is a swap, just for 2 months, they'll live in each other's lives.

The Switch is an absolutely delightful book. It's sweet, funny, touching, and has wonderful characters. Both of the narrators in the audio version did an amazing job. I loved that Eileen was looking for love in her 70's, but it's about so much more than just finding love, we also see Leena working on and repairing her relationship with her mom, and dealing with the emotional fallout from losing her sister. The love story aspect was a slow burn on both accounts, but so sweet and worth the wait. This is a fantastic feel-good story, highly recommend.

Thank you Flatiron Books and Netgalley for the free ALC, all opinions are my own.

The Switch is told in alternating POVs between granddaughter, Leena, and grandmother, Eileeen. I loved how effortlessly and subtly O’Leary switches the voice between a 29 year old and a 79 year old woman. It’s a sweet and cozy read that transports you back and forth from an English country village to life in London.

If you’re expecting this book to have a lot of romance, I’d recommend adjusting your expectations. This is more of a story about the love of family (across three generations of women), community, and self discovery. There is romance, but it’s minimal. The book has so much to offer that it wasn’t needed, however I really wanted more as the little we got was so good!

4+ stars - For fans of cozy Brit lit like Jill Mansell; there’s also an amazing community of secondary characters that gave me certain Backman vibes.

Audiobook review: I absolutely love the audio narration and production for this book! The Leena and Eileen chapters have separate narrators and they’re both wonderful. The production details like the phone calls actually sounding like phone call are so fun! Highly recommended!

4.5 stars! I loved the duel narration to this book, it was so refreshing because it wasn't male/female POV, it was Leena and her grandmother Eileen and it was perfect. Leena is stressed out with work and has a meltdown so when she visits her grandmother, she devises a plan to switch places with her for 2 months. Eileen feels like she let her life pass her by after she finds her husband cheated on her and now at 79, is alone again. She wants to get some of her mojo back and Leena thinks London is the way to do it.
This book is about more than romance, it is about finding yourself after tragedy and learning what is important in life may not be what you once thought it was. Leena thinks Eileen's life is slow and small, but once she is in her shoes, she realizes it is full of love and laughter and she has realized she has changed her views on what she wants out of life, but once she gets back to London will she fall back into the same person she was before? Both of these characters have so much love in their hearts and are so broken. It is great to see them both open up their views and become the women they were meant to be. I really enjoyed this. Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and the author for an early audio copy of this book!

I work from home, alone, 40 hrs per week. Listening to podcasts and audio books really helps to pass the time. I generally read and listen to true crime and heavier fiction but really enjoyed Beth O'Leary's The Flatshare so I decided to give it a go. What a delightful departure from my normal picks! The story was adorable and I found the narration very engaging. So fantastic, in fact, that I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much in print. I highly recommend The Switch and look forward to the author's next offering.

I was given this free review copy audio at my request and have voluntarily left this review. You're crying, I'm not crying! The Switch by Beth O'Leary sure knows how to pull at those familial heart strings. Lena and Eileen were not happy with their lives in the city and in the country so what to do? Switch lives and shenanigans ensue! I loved every heartfelt minute of this book. Lena learning to find herself in the country while Granny Eileen learned about dating in the city. I loved the dual POV. The narration was great. I need to read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus for an ARC audiobook of The Switch by Beth O'Leary in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Beth O'Leary is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I absolutely adored The Flatshare and her newest book The Switch did not disappoint. I love audiobooks. I especially love it when the novel reads (in this case, listens) like a movie. I could just see everything playing out in my imagination as the narrators brought the story to life. Leena, a twenty-something driven, single woman in London and Eileen, Leena's 79 year old grandmother need a break from their own lives. Losing Leena's sister Carla has thrown everyone out of sorts and they need to find their way back to themselves and each other. The two heroines decide to switch lives for two months. The results are funny, poignant and just gives you all the feels.

I enjoyed Eileen's character especially. I will say on a side note that the audio version picked up on a lot of extraneous "mouth noises" that were, at times, distracting and a little cringy (apparently I have a problem with that, who knew?) Eileen's character was just delightful in her outlook and handling of things being the matriarch of the family. I just found myself rooting for her most of all.

I cannot wait for more from Beth O'leary. Another 5 star read from me. Enjoy.

Beth O’Leary is back in a big way after her debut novel The Flatshare last year won hearts and fans. The Switch is the lovely book you’ve been waiting for this summer. I’m excited to share a pro-tip reader friends, you’re going to want this on audiobook!
Leena, newly sent on a two month break from her job in London swaps homes with her grandmother, Eileen, in Yorkshire. As Leena takes over Eileen’s many activities in the village, Eileen discovers internet dating in London. Nosy neighbors, family drama, unfinished business, and how to move forward are all questions both Leena and Eileen must figure out.
The audiobook is excellent, taking the story next level. Told in alternating chapters by Leena narrated by Alison Stedman, and Eileen narrated by Daisy Edgar-Jones of Normal People. Unique is the phone calls between Leena and Eileen when the audio is slightly altered to mimic a phone line where someone is further away. It’s very effective. I really enjoyed both of these narrators and will be looking for other audiobooks they have narrated.
I recommend The Switch on audiobook to readers of women’s fiction, character driven books, and those looking for a quiet book that just feels happy.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced lister copy and the chance to review The Switch by Beth O’Leary. All opinions are my own.

I read and really enjoyed O'Leary's debut novel, The Flatshare, so I dove into this one with open arms. This is a cute, charming and wholesome story about a grandmother (Eileen) and a granddaughter (Leena) who switch "lives" for two months. They switch cities/homes, responsibilities and even cell phones.

This book focuses on relationships, but mostly familial and friendships. Yes, there's some romance thrown in there, but that's not really what the story centers around.

I LOVE audiobooks and listen to them constantly. Nine times out of ten, the narrator will affect my overall "reading" experience. In The Switch, the narration by Leena was excellent. However, I was rather turned off by the narrator for Eileen. There was an excessive amount of mouth sounds and noises, which became rather annoying and very distracting.

After reading The Flatshare earlier this year, I was desperate to read something else from O'Leary. Although I compared it straight away to her debut, The Switch was such a heartwarming story that I know I will think about in years to come.

O'Leary has a true talent for making her characters feel real. Throughout the book, I actually forgot I was reading about fictional characters and started to think of these people as my friends - maybe that says a little too much about me as a person. I smiled, I laughed, I cried. What a lovely story.

I received the copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review by Netgalley and MacMillian Audio. Thank you Netgalley and MacMillian Audio!!

REVIEW

The Switch is the story of a Grandmother (Eileen Cotton) and Granddaughter (Leena Cotton) who swap their lives for the betterment of their inner-selves. The story is narrated from the perspective of both of them, which highlights the events of their life and how this swap helps them. It’s a lighthearted and a feel good book without much complexities of the toxic world outside. The writing style of the author was very glossy and smooth. And the way Daisy Edgar-Jones and Alison Steadman narrated the story was really amazing and almost felt like a soothing song filled with full of life and excitement. Their voice and their way of narration will make the listeners fall in love with the book even more. Alison and Daisy are as much a reason for the success of this audiobook apart from the author’s writing skill.

The plot-line was something really exciting and new. The plot itself deserves a great amount of appreciation. This book weighs more importance on the value of family and friendship. How both the characters Eileen (Grandmother) and Leena (Granddaughter) try to fit themselves into their new lives was really interesting. The chemistry between Eileen and Leena’s friends was refreshing and adorable. Their friendship proves age is just a number when it comes to friendship. The character of Eileen was swaggy and funny. She was so full of life and light, she is somebody whose presence would immediately brighten up anybody’s day. The way she help Leena’s friends unknowingly to bring up the best in them and how she changes the entire aura of their apartment building in London was so good read. And with Leena Cotton, her bond with their neighbor Arnold was peculiar and sweet. Leena’s crush Jackson, the only young person in the vicinity, his presence was heart-throbbing but the readers cannot expert a lot of romantic sequences between them, well that was kind of disappointing. The life at the Yorkshire Village was amusing, this place can cleanse anybody who had been affected by the city life. It’s such a nice place to take a break.

There were plenty of supporting characters in the book, each and every character helped the lead characters in every possible way to sustain their lives at a new place at the most. Without the help of these characters the leads wouldn’t have managed to have started a new adventure in their lives.

On the whole the story was funny and breezy. But it felt somewhat incomplete, in the aspect of the experiencing the emotional side of the characters. It was a good story with minimum emotional touch to it. And especially Leena’s life at the Yorkshire village could have been much more detailed. These are the only minus points of the book. Other than that the book felt really amazing to read.

MY VIEW

So first of all, this is my first ever audio book, I have always had some kind of reservations against audio books until recently. Because I’m a bad listener and I tend to get distracted easily but when Netgalley first announced they are going to add audio books, I was really excited about the idea and I wanted to give it a try. Initially it was quite difficult but within few minutes I got used to the audiobook. And I should say I absolutely loved the experience I gained with this audio book and the new Netgalley app. I might start listening to more audio books henceforth, lets hope!!

I loved this book, especially for Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones, I love both their voice and the way they spoke was really amazing. If not for the book, you should definitely listen to it for their voices. I would recommend this book to Rom-Com, Chicklit, feel good book lovers. You guys would definitely like it.

My rating for this book would be 3 out of 5 stars
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I hope you will enjoy reading this book!!

Happy Reading Folks!!!

~Meenu

I enjoyed this audiobook version of The Switch. The story was much better than The Flatmate. I loved the bond and relationship between granddaughter and grandmother. The grandmother was very spunky for her age. I like how they worked through a common problem and were better people in the end. The narrators were enjoyable.

4/5 ⭐️
I got a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
So this definitely reminded me of the movie Freaky Friday, but instead of mother and daughter, it’s a grandma and her niece. It was a charming light hearted read about life and love and that you’re never to old to try something new.