In The House Swap, Jo Lovett gives us a cute, lighthearted tale of Cassie and James who decide to swap houses for an extended period of time. Each has their own reasons for wanting a change of scenery and so via an AirBnB type app, they agree to swap. Cassie leaves her remote island home and James leaves London. Neither one gets what they expected but end up with exactly what they wanted.

The story is cute, the characters likeable, and there are occasional flashes of humor and comedy. Lovett's writing is fine, if sometimes rushed and uneven; sometimes the narrative would jump ahead in time, or a scene might feel rushed, but the story itself was intact.

I enjoyed the descriptions of both locations very much and I felt like all of the characters were engaging and interesting.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!

The House Swap, the newest novel from Jo Lovett, is an excellent example of a modern-day love story. All love stories don't follow the same formula, and Cassie and James' story is an interesting one. Quick summary (with minor spoilers):

Cassie and James meet through a house-swapping website (both desperately need a change of scenery). A strong friendship ensues, although both have poor opinions of each other at first. Cassie lives on an island on the East Coast, and she is surrounded by a close, comical bunch of islanders (think Gilmore Girls), and James basically comes from the exact opposite. He lives in a posh flat in London, hates commitment, and has never even met his neighbors. Needless to say, the house-swaps are good for both Cassie and James, and a romantic relationship develops. Then something BIG happens. I'll let you read for yourselves to discover how the experience changes both of their lives.

Here are a few of my thoughts on the story:

1. I really liked how Cassie and James' relationship blossoms. It isn't immediate and all-consuming. It's a slow burn, and I think that works for both of them.

2. The book is a closed-door romance, so no love scenes. Just wanted readers to know that going in.

3. I loved the islanders! Cassie's friends and neighbors on the little island are adorable! They are funny, charming, and sweet, and they eventually win over James' cold heart. I loved every single part of the novel that they were included.

4. I felt, however, that the side stories revolving around each of their families was out of place. To me, they didn't mesh well with the rest of the story that went on around them.

5. Cassie is currently attempting IVF, and her quest to become a mother is so real and raw.

6. James' actions towards the end of the book were just horrible. That is just a personal opinion, of course. Lovett does a great job at writing a 35 year old male--his fears, vulnerabilities, and his bad attitude.

Overall, this was a heart-warming story about two people trying to find love, and I appreciated that they were mature characters (she is 37 and he is 35). If you're looking for a slow burn love story, this is the book for you.

This was an adorable book with the perfect premise. I don't think it can even remotely be a spoiler that these two are going to end up together - I do think we read these kind of books because we know this is how it will end, after all - but I really liked that the two protagonists spent much of the book on two entirely different continents and that there relationship was built on conversation and connection rather than love or lust at first sight. It made such a nice change!

While I did find how far the relationship went through the book pretty unrealistic (once they were together it seemed to all go at a million miles per hour, quite a change from the months just chatting), but it was a sweet book that I flew through in the space of 24 hours.

A very cool premise for a book does swapbnb actually exist because I need to look into that! Cassie and James definitely started out as enemies? And then became hesitant friends and it turned into more. I reallly really didn't like James at the beginning and his attitude would've been hard to get past but I'm glad that they got their happy ending.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing an arc for an honest review.

The House Swap follows both Cassie and James who, as the name suggests, do a house swap with each other. Cassie goes to James' fancy London apartment, while James goes to stay at Cassie's remote island home. James is very distraught by the lack of wi-fi and the expectations that he is supposed to help plan a neighbors 80th birthday party, meanwhile Cassie turns up to the London apartment with zero food, bedding, towels and then James' crazy ex shows up! Needless to say, they are not very pleased with each other. Anyway, as the book continues, they eventually settle into each persons respective lives and soon don't even want to leave!

Personally, this was much more of a 'contemporary' novel than a romance novel to me. James was such a jerk at the beginning and sure he has baggage that kind of explains the way he is, but ultimately he just comes across as an a-hole. Cassie on the other hand, I really liked. She was sweet and caring. She wasn't afraid to put James in his place while still being polite. I also really enjoyed the fact that the characters were in their middle - late 30's and their personal growth was really inspiring.

This was a quick, cute read (despite several grammar and spelling errors), however not much really happens in the book. The first 50% was slow, then all of a sudden, I felt like we rushed to a conclusion.

SPOILER: [I also hated the fact that Cassie got pregnant after one night. If only life were that easy!] It's probably a personal issue, but because of this, I could not rate it very highly. 3/5 stars for me

Two lovely people, two gorgeous locations and two dreamy evenings spent in this wonderful “The Holiday” inspired life-swap romance. I absolutely loved this (would love to hear more from this couple too, it would make a fantastic series)

When Jo Lovett's lovely book "The House Swap" begins, James is about to propose to his girlfriend Emily. Or not. A hilarious scene to start and an accurate description of James' character.

Cassie is a Jordanian author from Glasgow living on a remote island in Maine. She is silly, kind to animals and desperately wants a child.

James needs a break from his desperate ex-girlfriend turned stalker and Cassie needs to be in London for 6 months to write a book. Hence begins "The House Swap".

In the beginning, it seems all Cassie and James do is butt heads. While Cassie buys fresh sheets, makes up all the beds, leaves pages of notes and food in the refrigerator; James leaves his London penthouse stark with no notes, linens or food. In the beginning, they speak a lot as James has much to complain about but as time goes on; they swap stories that have nothing to do with the agreement and a friendship forms.

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There are many beautiful things about this novel, one being James' character development from cold and corporate to have friendships, developing a love for animals and becoming a warmer person. Though a trigger for many, Cassie's infertility journey is authentic and accurately displays the emotions of wanting a child and not easily being able to have one.

The descriptions of beautiful coastal Maine were spot on, if a little optimistic about the weather. Coastal Maine is freezing 10 months out of the year. "The House Swap" is a warm little book that I would recommend to anyone looking for a mini-vacation into the lives of others.

The House Swap is marketed as saying “fans of One Day in December, The Hating Game, and The Flatshare will fall head over heels for The House Swap.” Now, I love all these books so I was instantly drawn in. And The House Swap did not disappoint - I loved it!

The House Swap follows the storyline of Cassie and James who find each other on a house swap website. Swapping houses is the perfect solutions for them both. But apparently it’s tricky switching homes without getting involved in each other’s lives. But what happens when it’s time to swap back houses?

The House Swap has everything I love in a book. Great characters, humour, a slowburn romance (not to mention TERRIFIC chemistry)...and yes, I totally cried. If you love a book with any of these features, I can’t recommend The House Swap enough!

The House Swap will be released April 19th, 2021 - definitely try and get your hands on a copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I really want to thank @netgalley and @bookouture for giving me access to the digital ARC! It was my first NetGalley read and I’m so, so happy it was!

*This book does deal with sensitive issues such as domestic abuse, infertility, addiction, and loss of family members*

This book was perfect, heartwarming and so hysterical. I found myself going through all possible emotions whilst reading this! It was also the perfect pace, I’ve never read a book quite like it where there were time jumps that were just placed so perfectly that I never found myself wanting to skip ahead or skim some paragraphs.

One thing I usually struggle with when reading romantic contemporary novels is the how unrealistic I sometimes find them, however Jo Lovett has clearly planned this book out SO well! Everything made perfect sense, the slow burn, kind of enemies-to-lover storyline was just a delight to read.

I could go on for hours about how lovely I found this book, it comes out on April 19th 2021.

Definitely pick this one up! I’ll be reading Jo’s other book ASAP!

I adored this book. It was a sweet and tender read. Cassie, a woman from Glasgow but who happens to live beach side in Maine is a writer who desperately needs an escape, for both professional and personal reasons. James, an English man who prefers the all-work-and-no-play lifestyle with minimal emotional attachments and a stick family history, also needs an escape. The two cross paths on a hose swap site, much like that from the romantic comedy movie "The Holiday". But when after their first brief encounter plus following mishaps, communication, and overall differences, the two realize the only thing they have in common is their need to escape. Over time while house swapped, the two start to form a friendship and realize, although so different, they are able to find solace in their relationship, even while thousands of miles apart. The book is centered so much on the importance of personal growth and allowing those around you to help fuel that growth. Both of the main characters, James and Cassie, were easy to love, as well as all those around them in their respective communities. I enjoyed the book thoroughly, from start to finish.

Thank you to Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After being in a reading slump for a while, I knew I needed something light to get me out of it. This was exactly that: light, cute, and quick read.

This was nothing life changing, but helped get me out of a slump. I wish I connected with the characters more, but the story was nice overall.

One of those books that just puts a smile on your face, this is the perfect feel good read. I whizzed through it in a day - testament to its readability - and fell in love with the characters quickly.

Fantastic read, highly recommended.

When I saw the title and synopsis of this book I was so excited because it gave me major ‘the holiday’ vibes which is one of my favourite movies, I was right to be excited because I absolutely loved it!

James was my fav type of love interest, comes across as rude and kind of snarky but is actually a sweetheart when you get to know him and I really loved Cassie as soon as I met her. The supporting characters were also a great addition in the book too.

I really enjoyed following Cassie and James from the first time they messaged each other on the house swap website to where they ended up, and I think they both went on their own individual journey, particularly James tackling his past and coming to terms with why he feels so guilty about certain things, whilst developing their own relationship over the course of the book. I also really liked that when Cassie was considering and having IVF on her own her friends were really supportive and it was approached in a positive manner.
I definitely saw the ‘twist’ coming but I still enjoyed seeing how it all played out and I loved the ending.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, I would definitely recommend and I look forward to rereading it again in the future!

The House Swap by Jo Lovett a five-star read that will take you somewhere special. This just warmed me so much, it took a while to get into but once I did, I loved it. Cassie and James will suck you into their opposite’s attraction and sheer craziness. Then when you throw in some brilliant secondary characters like Laura and the pets you have a great story with twists galore, will James ever become less of a grump, but with his luck I can understand why he is grumpy. This is just a lovely warm story that will warm your heart and your soul.

While the premise of The House Swap is great I just couldn’t get passed the fact that while this certainly seemed to start off strong it quickly became muddled in fertility issues and a kinda/sorta curmudgeon that suddenly had a change of heart? The story seemed disconnected and I ended up putting this one down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this galley in exchange for my honest review.

Very cute read! I read this in one day at the beach. Easy and fun with very likable characters. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

A wonderful story that had me wrapped around Cassie and James’ fingers. I absolutely loved their story as a couple, but also as individual adults navigating the cards that life had dealt them. I love a romantic-comedy that has sarcasm, quick-witted characters and drama - so it checked all the boxes for me.

I enjoyed the concept of a House Swap and them having to navigate why each of them felt compelled to switch up their scenery. I felt like James' character development was maybe a little rushed, but I can also see why he drastically changed in such a short amount of time.

A couple of things worth mentioning: I think their could have been more relationship drama with Cassie’s ex, and less of James’. I also feel Cassie’s IVF journey would be worth sharing in the synopsis and less of the 'shocking discovery'. I feel like the synopsis could be alluding to the ending when it would be better as a surprise.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this story and would love to read more books by Jo Lovett.

A pleasant story about Cassie and James who get to know one another long distance whilst living in each other’s homes. Despite the distance between them for most of the book I did like their chemistry when they interacted. I did feel the slow burn of their relationship could have been a little slower and better developed but I ended up liking how things eventually played out between them. I really liked how James’ time on the island and growing friendship with Cassie helped him open up and come to terms with his difficult childhood. There is an unexpected plot point which should probably be included in the blurb as it is a major part of Cassie’s storyline. Overall an enjoyable read (3 1/2 ⭐️).

I really tried to get into this book, but it just wasn’t for me. The first chapter was funny and I really liked James. But overall this book just wasn’t for me.

I didn’t really connect with the characters. I was really looking forward to it because the synopsis sounded so fun.

I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

Just the reading I needed, a beautiful RomCom that projects two characters that are impossible not to love.
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James needs to escape his London apartment to avoid his ex drama and Casie has to live in London in order to write her next book. So they agree to swap homes for a couple of months, but they can be more different, and ending to have to deal with each other's obligations and neighbors and to reach an agreement they begin to talk and discuss daily, by phone.
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it's ideal for fans of The Holiday and the Enemies to lovers troop, this is the perfect story.
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I liked how the characters interacted with each other, and how they both found a safe place to grow in each other.
I still have images of Casie's house in Maine and her adorable llamas in my head.
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I really enjoyed #TheHouseSwap, thanks to #NetGallery and Bookouture for give me the chance to read it before goes on sale this 19 April 2021 i'll be looking forward to read more of her works