Meant to be working at home today. I just thought i'd have a cuppa and a chapter of this book before I started. Big mistake! Several hours later I've just finished this brilliant book but got no work done! I absolutely loved this book. It involves two different characters swapping lives for a period of time, getting out of their depth before discovering more about themselves and changing their lives as a result. Yes its been done before but this one involved a swap between a woman and her grandmother and it was just perfect. I particularly loved Eileen's story (a surprise as I thought i'd relate to Leena's story more) ; she was wise, feisty and oh so realistic but also made me think about the loneliness of old people in today's fast-paced society. This book had it all: self-discovery, angst, reconciliation,romance, friendships and even a sprinkle of cute animals. What more could you want?

The Switch is a lovely uplifting funny, sometimes sad but inspirational story. Leena is burnt out from working all hours since her sister died, having a panic attack during an important presentation she is give two months off work to recover and rest. Her grandmother Eileen’s husband has up and left after over 40years of marriage. Eileen wants to find a new man, Leena just wants to rest. They decide to swap their lives around, Eileen will go live in Leena’s flat in London and Leena will live in the quiet Yorkshire village to recuperate. Both initially find the change difficult but slowly both see the advantages and settle and enjoy themselves. Full of a great cast of characters this is a book that entertains throughly, exploring loss, love and relationships it is simply just wonderful. My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

I really loved this audiobook and I enjoyed it very much. It was an easy going, comforting book about a grandmother called Eileen and her grandaughter Lena, who both swapped places to enjoy living each other's different lives. It was quite a funny book and it made me smile a lot. I enjoyed all the different characters and their quirky ways.. The ending was lovely and I was happy to see Eileen and Lena settle down and be happy. This book reminded me of the book A Man Called Ove, although I would say this book is better. This was a new author for me, but I would love to read more books by this author. I loved the narrators in the audiobook; they really made the story come alive and listening to the book helped to get the good humour across, especially when Eileen was talking about her love life.

I can pretty much count on one hand the titles of contemporary fiction that I have genuinely adored, and Beth O’Leary’s books take up two of those spots. Her first novel, the Flatshare was an excellent debut, and her second, The Switch just goes on to prove what an amazing writer she is. She has a way of making you feel like her characters are people you know, and by the end of the book they feel so real, it is sad to say goodbye. Her writing is often compared to Jojo Moyes and Marian Keyes, and having not read either of those authors, I cannot say whether this is a true likeness. For me, her writing reminded me of one of my other favourites, Eleanor Oliphant, sweet and serious, funny and sad, and above all completely heart-warming. I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was on FaceTime with some friends the other day, having coffee. As you do. When someone mentioned the ‘The Flatshare’, a conversation then started about how it was the best book they’d all read so far in isolation. I chimed in with “Oh, I read it last year… it’s great isn’t it?”. Cue a load of ‘OHHHH ALRIGHT THEN MISS TAYLOR’... I like to do things first (ha). But the thing is, they’re right. The Flatshare is wonderful. I went through the books I read last year and it was in the top five. I loved it, so much. In fact, I’ve just bought it for my Kindle (my paperback copy is currently in lockdown with my colleague) and sometimes you just need a pick-me-up. I’m telling this story as ‘The Switch’ is as good, if not better; I loved it just as much. I’m so in awe of it. I’m actually giddy with relief that Beth O’Leary wasn’t just a one-hit wonder. This book continues what she began in her debut as she continues to reshape romantic fiction in an utterly wonderful way, but without losing the parts of the genre that make my toes wiggle in glee as I grasp the book to my chest. The world may be going a bit mad, but its novels such as this that are keeping me sane (well... sane-ish). I sped through the pages curled in a ball in the corner of my mother’s kitchen as she brought me cups of coffee and glanced suspiciously at me whilst I laughed throughout. O’Leary has the wondrous talent of creating a world of characters you adore and cheer for. The prose is witty and charming and fun. I’m not going to say I didn’t cry, I did. With all this said, I also bought a copy for myself (as this copy was kindly sent to me by Quercus via NetGalley) which I’ve already leant to my Mum. And that, THAT is the highest of praise. Ladies and Gentleman, I have another author to watch, and I’m thrilled by it.