Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first time reviewing an audiobook through NetGalley using the app. The app has a significant flaw in that you need the audio stops at the end of each chapter and you need to return to the app to press play on the next chapter. I listen while I’m driving, so this was especially problematic.

4 stars

This was an interesting premise and I liked the parallels between the two leads and their generational differences. I think I could have listened to both narrators all day. The story took its time and I enjoyed watching the characters grow. I will read more from this author.

This was a book about a Grandmother, Eileen who was the most interesting character to me and her Granddaughter. Both need a change in their lives. So, they decide to Switch residences for a while to see how life will be. 

It was a good concept and interesting book, but I did want more from the characters. The author wrote The Flatshare, so expected more from this book. It was good.

I can’t believe I’ve stayed up all night finishing this but it was such a compelling story, I couldn’t put it down.

The premise is refreshing and not something I was expecting to enjoy, I’ll be honest. However, I find that Beth O’Leary can do no wrong in my eyes and I’ll love everything she writes. It’s a heartwarming story about family, both biological and chosen, new beginnings and forgiveness.

I usually write long reviews but I really can’t think of anything I disliked other than Ethan and Ceci because they’re fucking cunts.

If you’ve loved The Flatshare, I’m pretty sure you’ll love O’Leary’s newest novel. I highly recommend it to everyone looking for something different.

The Switch made me seriously want to switch

Sometimes I wish I could switch lives with someone else. The problem, however, is no one wants to switch lives with me.
Perhaps I have shared too much …

Regardless, The Switch, by author Beth O'Leary was just what the doctor ordered to tame my raw nerves after a long day's work.

As a commuter, I listened to the Switch on audio, a treat that utterly enchanted me, leaving me spellbound by the character voices of Allison Steadman and Daisy Edgar Jones.

Published by Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books, The Switch hit the shelves of booksellers in August 2020.

In this story, three generations of Cotton women face vastly different lives from the ones they lived at the time of 20-something family member Carla's death. 

Now estranged from her once-close mother, 30-something Lena tries to bury herself in work to avoid dealing with her deep grief as grandmother, Eileen, picks up the pieces of her daughter's devastating life. 

Lena faces her emotional breaking point after having an anxiety attack at a corporate meeting while Eileen reels from the abandonment of her life-long husband, who left in haste and never returned. 

Boy, can I relate. 

Eileen and Lena, who share a  special closeness, decide it's time for a break and the result is shocking.

Hmm.
Secretly, if I wanted to be one of these characters, I'd choose Grandma Eileen. So classic. So reserved. So … shocking.

Set in both London and rural England, The Switch is like most other fish-out-of-water stories that successfully entertained readers and moviegoers through the years.

Lena's textured and trendy friends move this story forward and Eileen's friend set are cliché but truly wonderful.

What do you expect from old people? (Just kidding. I'm old.)

The Switch's characters transform what could have been another formulaic story into a stress-reducing pass time worthy of this commuter's long drive.

Heck, there were a few days I took the long way home to hear a few more chapters.

Though this story is somewhat predictable in its nature, the Eileen storyline is original and often surprisingly fun.

I give The Switch a 9 on my stress-reducing scale.

The Switch is perfect for young and … ah, older women reader's who want to relax with a good read,  escape the kids for a 30-minute soak in the hot tub, or hide from their own lifelong husband.

Loved this audio narrator, they brought the book to life! Such a delightful story as well. This was exactly the light content I needed right now and I finished this one in less than 24 hours. I couldn't stop listening!

I really enjoyed these sweet characters, funny situations they got into, and while parts were sad, it wasn't overwhelming with emotion. I quickly got sucked into their lives!

I received an advanced copy of The Switch on audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for a review. 

Honestly this was probably one of the least exciting audiobooks I have listened to. It was well done and the story was fine but I was never excited to pick up this book to listen. It was relatively feel good but overall I won't remember this book next week.

I thought The Flatshare was a better story, but this was still cute. I listened to the audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Burned out grandma and granddaughter switch homes for 2 months in order to get a break from their current lives. I really enjoyed how this process helped them to discover themselves and brought their family closer together.

Unfortunately, this didn't make it for me. I think the concept is adorable and I loved the narrators- but I think it's the "time of corona" that made it hard for me to get invested in the drama. I did love seeing an older woman with a robust life on the page- they are so rarely represented, and when they are represented, it's usually as a background. It was also hard for me to listen to them speak about the sister who passed away from cancer- as I find that a personally triggering storyline. Overall, most definitely not a bad book,  but one that was not for me at the time.

An adorable "coming of age" story of two women with the same name. Grandma Eileen Cotton and granddaughter Eileen "Leena" Cotton re-discover themselves after they each take a sabbatical from their lives, by switching places! In a cheeky nod to "Freaky Friday" and the like, this book starts with the two women's lives in a rut. Leena has an anxiety attack during an important business meeting while Eileen is reeling from her husband's recently revealed infidelity. The two concoct a plan: Leena will escape to her Grandma's Yorkshire village home while newly single Eileen will have a wild, romantic adventure in London. 

What is meant to be time to relax and reflect after Leena is forced to take leave from work, turns into a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and growth as she befriends her new elderly neighbors (and one charming local confidant). Leenamaneuvers her way through rural life with grace and humility, learning that her Grandma has more responsibilities than she realized! It's not all May Day festivals and neighborly chats over tea, however, as Leena learns a long-distance relationship with high-powered co-worker Ethan isn't as romantic as it seems. 

Eileen, tired of being 79, embraces the fast-paced city life quickly and charms her way into favor with new flatmates and neighbors. As she navigates online dating and Leena's smartphone (yes, they even switch technology!) she feels more herself than ever. While helping her neighbors come out of their shell and organizing a club for those her age, Eileen forgets to check in with her Grandaughter and gets to know the term "catfish" on a personal level.

While worlds apart, the two have a shared underlying sadness woven throughout their witty, sweet, wholesome, and hilarious new experiences. Leena's sister and Eileen's only other Grandaughter, Carla, has recently passed away. Neither realized the pain they were still carrying from this unimaginable loss, and both find a welcomed sense of healing in their new circumstances.

I fell in love with these ladies instantly and this heartfelt story is just what I needed to cozy into fall. While at times, the narrative feels predictable, I found myself surprised more than once at Eileen's modern view of the world or Leena's take on the crotchety folks next door. Well written, easy to read, and simply sweet. This romantic-and-also-not book is truly about looking out for one another and embracing people for who they are. We all have pasts, some darker than others, and none of that matters when your neighbor needs a friend. The moral of this story? Sometimes a bit of well-meaning meddling is just the thing we need!

This was such a cute story.  It's not unfamiliar - 2 people switch lives in hopes of finding what's missing from each of their own lives.  Leena is overworking and killing herself slowly.  Eileen is tired of being 79 and feeling like she's missing out on things.  Leena goes to Eileen's small town, and Eileen goes to London to live it up in the big city.  Hilarity ensues.  The book is so heartwarming and the life lessons they learn both seem so sincere.

This would have probably been 5 stars for me if I hadn't listened to the audio.  Maybe my headphones are too good, but I could hear every swallow, tongue flick, page turn, etc.  It drove me insane.  The narrators were both fantastic, but I can't stand hearing someone else swallow or make sounds with their mouths.

I unfortunately did not finish this book because I really did not enjoy the narrator. It's nothing against her...I just did not think the voices aligned with the characters and it made me unable to get into the book. I will definitely try this book again, but in a physical format.

I absolutely loved listening to this audiobook!  I will miss listening to the alternating characters Eileen and Leena.  Eileen is 79 and is seeking a change in her life after her husband left her for another woman.  Leena, her granddaughter, lives in London. She is overworked and desperately needs a break.  Her boss makes her take a leave of absence after she blew a presentation.   Eileen and Leena decide to switch their homes for two months. I liked Eileen the best!  She is a hoot!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this book

I had high hopes for The Switch as I gave The Flatshare a 5 Star review, and this did not disappoint - however I don't think I enjoyed it quite so much, so this is a 4 star from me. I loved the concept of 79 year Eileen and her granddaughter Leena swapping lives for a while.  I thought the author did a great job at delving into their personalities and the characters that they encounter along the way, so much so that I did feel very involved in the story. The only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars is because I wanted more romance from the ending.....I was left wanting more (which I don't feel is a bad thing!)

Many thanks to Netgalley and Publishers for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy this audiobook!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my free digital copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
I had heard about this book recently on a few podcasts and loved the idea that the book switches between grand daughter & grandmother. It was just the cozy endearing novel to read during this crazy time. Like a lot of other reviewers, I too felt most drawn to the older characters in this book and almost wished for spin offs so we could learn more about each of them. Eileen was my favorite character. It was the perfect feel good book for an escape to Yorkshire & London. This was a wonderful one to do on audio.

I liked this one! It was hard to get through in some spots because of the narrator who I was not a fan of, but it was a good read. Easy to listen to while doing other activities and easy to follow along with! The story was cute and feel good as well.

"Leena is too young to be struck.
Eileen is too old to start over.
It's time for 'The Switch'."

Leena lives in London and works round the clock. When she experiences a panic attack in the middle of a conference, her boss advises her to take a break from work, which Leena accepts half-hearted. Meanwhile Eileen, Leena's grandma living in Hamleigh, wants to go on adventure and find love. She's struck in the small town with limited resources.
They meet and decide to switch places.

This book describes how Leena and Eileen adapt to the new atmosphere and befriend neighbours. I had so fun reading it—like eating scoops of your favourite Ice-cream. So charming ♥️

This book was fun to listen to, plus I loved the narrators' voice and the smooth flow of the storyline. The character development of each character was beautiful. 
The book has wit, charm, humour and chemistry. 
I personally felt that it was a sweet story and I would like to thank @netgalley for this free audiobook because it had been on my tbr for way too long.

The Switch by Beth O'Leary comes to life with the audiobook narrations. I fell in love with the characters of Leena and her grandmother Eileen. The Switch is a beautiful story about finding yourself as you navigate life and develop from shared moments of grief. It was a perfect balance of romance, family, friends, and self-discovery. Leena and Eileen both tell the story from their point of view.  I love it when books are written this way. I found Eileen to be hilarious! (I secretly wish Eileen could be my grandmother!)  I cannot wait to read Beth O'Leary's novel The Flatshare now!

3.5 stars for this contemporary fiction (this isn't romance).  This is a cute novel about a young woman and her grandmother who switch locations and step into each other's lives.  I really enjoyed the audio since it flipped back and forth between each of their viewpoints.  It's sweet and charming.  I particularly enjoyed Eileen (grandmother's) point of view.  Deals with heavy topics such as grief in a relatable way.

This is the first time i listened yo an audiobook on netgally and i enjoyed it. Will soon post a review