The Switch: the joyful and uplifting novel from the author of The Flatshare

Product Information

Through this, they live a different life to the one that they’re used to, which ultimately leads them to the life they do want to live. Beth O’Leary’s first novel, The Flatshare, was a global phenomenon and has been adapted into a hit TV show for Paramount Plus. It depicts the blossoming relationship between two flatmates who share a bed but never meet. Leon’s job keeps him working the night shift, while Tiffy works more regular hours at a publishing house. Their lives slowly but surely intertwine, and Tiffy manages to expunge a no-good ex from her past and her future to make space for a new romantic adventure. Readers around the world fell in love with both protagonists, and the cast of engaging and hilarious secondary characters who surround them. I had heard great things about the audio, but was in the mood to read it, but I can totally see what a good audiobook it would be! Praise to Beth O’Leary who has given a 79-year-old grandmother centre stage in this feel-good novel, instead of the beautiful 20-30 year olds in a lot of books. A woman who is feisty, courageous, and spirited and equipped with 79 years of worldly knowledge and experience, she is something to treasure.

Writing: I always appreciate snappy writing! The Switch is engaging and the complications that the characters face are unique and not too predictable. The story is told from dual viewpoints and we follow two separate timelines in alternating chapters. You need space and time as your book evolves. Some authors spend months planning before they start writing, but if you’re not one of those authors, then perhaps you still need that time – just during the writing process instead of before it begins.I loved it! It was a total joy to read. I loved the concept, the relationship between Eileen and Leena and the wonderful cast of friends both in London and Yorkshire. And it was such a breath of fresh air to read about a 79-year old woman dating (and even – hurrah! – having sex!) The exact kind of thing I believe we need to see more of in books and films. Eileen gives me great hope for the future! I shall be recommending it to my friends.”

I know this is a bit strange, because of course it does all come out of my brain. But I find it really helpful to conceptualise novel writing in this way. Not to say , I need to come up with a great story, but to say , there’s a great story here and I just need to discover it. It takes the pressure off, perhaps – but it also fits with my methods. If I’m trying to find something, then of course the journey is taking me all over the place. Of course I cover more ground. Of course it’s messy unearthing the story. These people. There’s such a fierceness to them, such a lovingness. When I got here, I thought their lives were small and silly, but I was wrong. They’re some of the biggest people I know.

Write fiction for pleasure

You ready, Bee, Leena?” the CEO’s assistant calls as he makes his way across the Upgo office floor. After reading Beth O'Leary's first book, The Flat Share, which was funny, feel good, fresh and totally surprising - I was massively looking forward to her second book, The Switch.

Leena meanwhile really gets to know the neighbors in Yorkshire. It’s a small town and everyone knows everyone’s business. She finds herself in charge of the local May Day event which is more work than she imagined. She also finds that her long time boyfriend, Ethan, isn’t very good at long distance romance while there is someone in this small town that she finds more than a little interesting. This story was light on the romance, but heavy on the friendships, family dynamics, and heartwarming moments. Overall, I had so much fun listening to the audiobook (narrated flawlessly by Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones) and highly recommend it! After falling head over heels for The Flatshare last year, this was quite possibly my most anticipated book of 2020. I am so, so happy to report that this completely lived up to my expectations and that I absolutely adored it. Beth O'Leary has a way of writing characters that feel so completely REAL and true to life and I think I can now confidently call her a favorite author. My only real complaint about this one is that I feel like the romantic relationships weren't quite as flushed out as I would have liked them to be, but I also recognize that they were not intended to be the main aspect of the story so it would make sense that they would pale in comparison to the relationships between Eileen and Leena and Marian. Also-- I listened to this one partly via audiobook (thank you, NetGalley & Macmillan Audio!), and it too was SO well done. The voice actors were incredible and really brought Eileen and Leena to life in the BEST way. Honestly, y'all, this book was just an absolute delight and I can guarantee that I will be re-reading it for years to come. I highly, highly recommend. Eileen and Leena were such delightful characters, they felt like old friends. Loved all the secondary characters as well the quirky residence of the small town and the posh London roommate/friends. Admittedly I think I favored Eileen’s story just a little more. I just adored how sweet and pure she was. How tremendously optimistic, always wanting to bring everyone together and thinking the best of all. Just can’t say enough good things about this book! Definitely going to make my top reads of 2020 list. In all, this book was delightful but not the shining star that I was expecting. Make no mistake, I'll definitely be reading more of O'leary's future books.Once Leena learns of Eileen’s romantic predicament, she proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile, Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. But with gossiping neighbours and difficult family dynamics to navigate up north, and trendy London flatmates and online dating to contend with in the city, stepping into one another’s shoes (‘The Switch’) proves more difficult than either of them expected. didn't think i'd ever prefer the second-chance romance of an elderly woman to the christmas movie style high-powered consultant who moves to a little village, but it turns out anything's possible. These people. There’s such a fierceness to them, such a lovingness. When I got here, I thought their lives were small and silly, but I was wrong. They’re some of the biggest people I know.” Leena on the other hand was not really to my liking. It's nothing against her, I just felt I couldn't connect to her character and she felt very one dimensional.

Their narratives alternate, and though I enjoyed both women, Eileen’s chapters were my favorite! I absolutely ADORED her! ?? Brilliantly encompasses all the humor and whimsy of The Flatshare while delving into emotional topics like grief and the importance of watching out for neighbors. Charismatic Eileen stands out as the star of this witty, joyful show, illustrating that mature women need love, too.” ― Booklist starred reviewAfter the death of her sister to cancer, successful young London business consultant Leena Cotton finds herself struggling to cope and is sent on a two-month sabbatical by her company. At the same time, Leena’s feisty 79-year old grandmother, Eileen, recently abandoned by her husband and watching over Leena’s grieving mother, Marian, in quaint little Yorkshire village, Hamleigh-in-Harksdale, decides she’s ready to find love - or a fun fling at the very least. In this heart-warming, feel-good twist on the rom-com genre, Leena and Eileen agree to switch places for eight weeks, Eileen moving in with Leena’s roommate, Martha, in London, and Leena moving into Eileen’s Hamleigh home for eight weeks. Once Leena learns of Eileen's romantic predicament, she proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. But with gossiping neighbours and difficult family dynamics to navigate up north, and trendy London flatmates and online dating to contend with in the city, stepping into one another's shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected. Trading homes opens up whole new worlds for these two, introducing Eileen to online dating and Leena’s eclectic mix of flatshare building residents, and throwing Leena into the - mostly elderly - village Neighborhood Watch and planning committee for Hamleigh-in-Harksdale’s annual May Day festival. Both scenarios created plenty of smiles and laughs, and I loved Eileen and Leena’ storylines equally. As an aside, I have to admit it was mildly uncomfortable for me to hear about a 79-year-old woman getting jiggy with her online match - but then again it’s kinda the same phenomenon that happens when kids don’t want to imagine their own parents having “happy” time. I digress.