Review | The Switch by Beth O'Leary

Blurb

Eileen is sick of being 79.

Leena's tired of life in her twenties.

Maybe it's time they swapped places...

When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen's house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She'd like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn't offer many eligible gentlemen.

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.

Leena learns that a long-distance relationship isn't as romantic as she hoped it would be, and then there is the annoyingly perfect - and distractingly handsome - school teacher, who keeps showing up to outdo her efforts to impress the local villagers. Back in London, Eileen is a huge hit with her new neighbours, but is her perfect match nearer home than she first thought?

Review

Oh my gosh! Where do I start? It is funny, feisty & full of heart seriously don't miss it!

Full disclosure, I was really worried this book wouldn't meet the lofty heights I hold The Flatshare to (best read of 2019! to be reread & treasured on my forever shelf!) but I am over the moon to report those worries were unfounded and The Switch completely blew me away and now holds the title of my best 2020 read so far!

It is absolutely perfect! O'Leary weaves another fabulous totally unique tale that sweeps you up into the lives of Eileen & Leena, the whole cast of characters are superb! - they have real substance and will no doubt find a way into your heart, even grumpy old Arnold! (& a couple will find their way into your bad books).

I laughed, I cried and above all, I was left feeling uplifted with that warm fuzzy glow inside wondering if it was too soon to reread it. The Switch is going right next to The Flatshare on my treasure forever shelf. I cannot wait to see what O'Leary comes up with next! ....how long do we have to wait for book 3?

Honestly, if there is only one book you read this year make sure it is this one! It envelops you into a community you didn't know you needed to be part of, it will steal your heart and stay will you long after the last page.

Thanks to Netgalley for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

PS. The fabulous Beth O'Leary did a brilliant Q&A with me! I know how lucky was I... if you missed it click here to go check it out!