3.5 stars – rounded

Thirty-something Cassie is an author who relocated to a coastal Maine farm after her books took off. Now her publisher wants something more – and set in London. Not having done more than visit the city from her native Glasgow, she’s decided that trading places via a “house swap” for a few months is just the ticket. Thirty-something James is a venture capitalist with a ‘minimalist’ view to the niceties in life. His relationship has just gone south, and he’s in need of a change and a place to hide, so when he saw the option for a rural retreat in the US – he jumps at it. Never did he expect chickens, alpacas, spotty wi-fi or neighbors who just won’t go away.

These two are VERY different in personality and outlook, and while Cassie has her own set of issues and desires – she's much more a people (and animal) person than James, and far more optimistic in her outlook. Aside from reveling in the hustle and bustle of London after her rural life, she’s also looking into IVF for she wants a child, and things just seem more ‘accessible’ in London. For his part, James is all about work, privacy, his alone time and isn’t particularly nice in his approach to getting what he wants. He’s difficult to muster a positive emotion for at the start, but we do see him grow and come to soften a bit – even if it seems to take a long time.

Dialogue and conversations are clever and smart – and as the two develop a rapport, you can see that there is a “more to come” with these two – even as they are spared the 20-something angsty issues, or the high-powered take chemistry forward and damn the torpedoes sort of connection that is prevalent in many romances. Having a couple that is in their 30’s with some life experience, some goals achieved, and both settled into careers helped to ground them, and the development of this VERY slow burn romance felt natural and plausible. It was one of those ‘predictable but satisfying’ stories that has moments to laugh, to be frustrated, and others to just enjoy as you escape from the everyday for a few hours.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aUC /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I couldn't get into this book. I found the main male character unlikeable. The writing style was serious and didn't match the tone I think the book was going for. I was hoping for a cute romcom like The Holiday and instead had an unlikable main character and being told the story through dialogue rather than narrative. Also, infertility plots are a huge trigger for me and I wish the blurb had mentioned it so I could pass on this.

Synopsis sounded cute, but I didn't enjoy this book as I thought I would.
Maybe it is just not for me.

While the premise was cute, this book just wasn’t for me and that’s okay. I’m sure others would enjoy this book more

When first requesting this book I was super excited to read a romance story that spans 10 years. I really tried with this book, but the jumping from year to year made it challenging to really get to know the characters. I had a hard time connecting with the MC and was very frustrated by her behavior and how she treated the closest people she has.

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

This cute story is perfect for lovers of Flatshare! I loved Cassie and James, and their slow burn romance. I love how outgoing Cassie is and how she makes friends with all James' neighbors.

As someone who has had multiple miscarriages, seeing the heartbreak of them portrayed in this book was truly exceptional.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher, Bookouture, for an eARC for my honest opinion.

ThIs book was cute, if very very predictable. As soon as they got together I could easily predict what would happen. I did enjoy all the side characters like the neighbors on the island.

This was a funny one. I liked the chemistry between the characters. It was a bit slow though. i would have liked more

This book gave me the cute feel-good romance that I like to have between more intense books. It is a palate cleanser that gave me vibes similar to those of the book, The Flatshare as well as the movie, The Holiday. James and Cassie gave me hours in their world and an escape into their reality during a time when I really needed it. Overall, there were some questionable moments, but it was a book that I would recommend to others who are looking for something similar to The Flatshare and The Holiday.

This book was so fun and charming. I didn't expect to find it so funny as well! James and Cassie have such great chemistry and I loved them together. At first I was unsure on James as he came across as quite cold hearted and unapproachable but as we get to know him I really liked him and feel like the two characters are so good for each other. The character development in this book is great, they both grow together and learn more about themselves as well as each other.

The plot didn't interest me as much but I did still enjoy it.

Cassie, an aspiring writer living in Maine wants to write her book based in London and James, who wants to move out of London to have some peaceful time meet on a house swap website and decide to swap their houses.

But the situations when they swap their houses were not as expected by them. Cassie who loves to make lists has several to-do and not-to-do lists prepared for James and not to forget the alpacas and nosy neighbours. Whereas Cassie was not much impressed with James's apartment as he has not left any lists for her reference.

Slowly they get to know each other through call and emails although with bickering at first but later turn into lovers. It was like the enemies to lovers romance which I liked the most. Each of them has different expectations from a relationship and how they handle it is interesting to read.

The story was a slow burn romance and I liked Cassie's fun yet strong character a lot. I loved the way the story handled some sensitive topics like infertility, miscarriage, breakup, grief, childhood abandonment etc but at the same time, I felt the ending was a bit rushed. And a bit more humour would have been nice. Not the best Rom-com I have read but overall it was a good story and I enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was attracted to this novel as it reminded me of the movie « The holiday ». And it was exactly the same genre and lived up to my expectations and more. I enjoyed the Maine beachside cottage versus the flat in London and differences in lifestyles. Of course, this is key in a house swap story!!, Except in this case, the two main characters fall in love with each other and must conquer love and a future together through the distance.

This is a romcom that I do recommend! I know it was predictable but I enjoyed it so much more than some really hyped up romcoms.

I can very easily picture an Hallmark movie being made out of this one. I am now curious about other books from this author. When you have no expectations, you really do find some gems such as this one!

After reading the synopsis and other reviews, my expectations were quite high. But unfortunately I ended up feeling disappointed. The story fell a bit flat for me, and I wasn't feeling the chemistry between Cassie and James at all. Also, I pretty much hated James throughout the entire book. He comes across as such a douche! I didn't hate the story, but wasn't really feeling it either. It's a 2-star read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC, in exchange for an honest review.

I actually really enjoyed this one. What a fun concept. Thank you netgalley for the earc. I will definitely be purchasing a copy for my library.

Cassie and James decide to swap homes to get away and focus on their work. Within the few months this goes on, they talk on the phone and meet their new neighbors which become new friends. Cassie and James finally meet in person and soon start talking on the phone to each other everyday. They soon develop a friendship together. They end up seeing each other in person finally within a mutual friends birthday party and when Cassie has to return to London after their swap is over. They develop feelings for one another and once Cassie returns home, she discovers she's pregnant. Cassie and James have very different feelings when it comes to having children and when she finally tells him, he somewhat ghosts her for a few weeks with only a text here and there. Then he pulls his head out of his ass and is all lovey dovey and wants to be with Cassie and be there for their child.
For a man who didn't want a relationship or to settle down, he sure told Cassie he loved her mighty quickly which confused me. This was just an okay read.

After an uncomfortable break up, James decides to take some time away from his busy London life. Cassie has a book deadline looming and decides to seek inspiration for her book in London. James and Cassie swap houses through a website.
Their lives are so worlds apart, it takes them both quite some time to settle into their new lives and it gives them each a chance to assess what was missing before and what was really important.
James was not an immediately likable character for me, but he does have a lot of walls built up and it takes a while to see the softer side to him.
I enjoyed the storyline, and the bickering was hilarious!

I can't believe I'm saying this but I just had to DNF this one. I had such high expectations for this book but I couldn't bring myself to finish it and to be honest, I can't pinpoint why.

One of my favorite movies is “The Holiday” so I pretty much had to read this book. The synopsis was enticing and the author did a pretty good job of keeping me interested. It slowed down a little half way in but then it picked right back up.

Cassie needs to leave her island community and charming coastal house (including alpacas and chickens!) to spend a few months in London to research her next book. James needs to get out of town (leaving his swanky London flat) to escape the drama of his psychotic ex. Despite their vast difference in personality and opinions, Cassie and James agree to swap houses for the summer. I really loved the format of this story. It has very short chapters that alternate between Cassie and James, which make it quick and easy to read. I fell in love with the island and it’s quirky inhabitants.

This book has lots of heavy topics such as miscarriage, infertility, childhood neglect, alcoholism, and sibling death. Despite all the heavy topics, this is not a heavy book. It’s written in a very lighthearted style. I found it to be very charming and funny. My only complaints would be that all of the side characters were underdeveloped and some of the subplots were very surface level and insignificant.

This is a super fun read. I really enjoyed this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Such a sweet, & fun loving story 🥰 I was in the mood for an easy read, & this was perfect!

I loved the idea of swapping homes & the way both Cassie & James grew in ways they didn’t even know they could was fun 🤩 also this story gave me major The Flatshare vibes 😍

The one thing I think that made it a 4 instead of a 5 for me was the length. There were times I felt it was dragging, or that some parts could've been cut down. There was so much time that passed that we didn't hear about, or that was only summed up in a paragraph. I wanted more details in some areas, and less 'fluff' I guess in others.

I haven’t seen this one on #bookstagram much, or anywhere really, but I’m glad I gave it a shot 💕