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The Switch
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Leena is too young to feel stuck.
Eileen is too old to start over.
Maybe it’s time for The Switch…
Ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, Leena escapes to her grandmother Eileen's house for some overdue rest. Newly single and about to turn eighty, Eileen would like a second chance at love. But her tiny Yorkshire village doesn’t offer ...more
Eileen is too old to start over.
Maybe it’s time for The Switch…
Ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, Leena escapes to her grandmother Eileen's house for some overdue rest. Newly single and about to turn eighty, Eileen would like a second chance at love. But her tiny Yorkshire village doesn’t offer ...more
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Krissy
April 16th is the UK and AZ release while August 18th is the CAN/US release
Community Reviews
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Beth O'Leary proves that her brilliant debut The Flatshire was no fluke with this smashing follow up, the perfect reading material for our anxious and self isolated times. 79 year old Eileen Cotton's husband, Wade has recently left her for a dance instructor, and for the tree climbing Eileen, she is far from addled, she is searching for sex, love and another man. Living in the Yorkshire Dales and the tiny village of Hamleigh-in-Harksdale, there are slim pickings, as Eileen reflects on how she ha
...more
this is exactly the kind of wholesome, endearing, and sweet content everyone needs in their lives right now.
so it makes me so sad that i didnt love this as much as i wanted to, but its definitely not the books fault. i just wasnt in the mood for such a slow, character driven novel.
the entire story is explained in the synopsis - nothing new is given to the reader, everything that happens is mentioned in the blurb. so there really wasnt anything for me to look forward to in terms of plot because ...more
so it makes me so sad that i didnt love this as much as i wanted to, but its definitely not the books fault. i just wasnt in the mood for such a slow, character driven novel.
the entire story is explained in the synopsis - nothing new is given to the reader, everything that happens is mentioned in the blurb. so there really wasnt anything for me to look forward to in terms of plot because ...more
I absolutely loved the authors debut The Flatshare. I remember gobbling that book up in a day. While The Switch had the same easy and effortless-to-read writing — I never felt the same enthusiasm while reading this. Maybe it was just me though.
What came as a nice surprise was how much I preferred the older characters in this book to the younger ones! I found them hilarious and charming. Eileen especially was a favourite. She was just such a joy of a character!!
These people. There’s such a f ...more
What came as a nice surprise was how much I preferred the older characters in this book to the younger ones! I found them hilarious and charming. Eileen especially was a favourite. She was just such a joy of a character!!
These people. There’s such a f ...more
From this day forward, I should only read about elderly people.
Yes, I am only 22, and no, I do not enjoy the real-life opinions or habits of our society’s most aged individuals, but I am tired of the antics of young people.
This book, for example, follows a grandma/grandkid duo who swap lives, and I ran out of energy for the younger half of the cast on approximately page 7. Which is unfortunate, because Leena (the aforementioned grandkid, who is actually a grown woman in her 20s) being extremely ...more
Yes, I am only 22, and no, I do not enjoy the real-life opinions or habits of our society’s most aged individuals, but I am tired of the antics of young people.
This book, for example, follows a grandma/grandkid duo who swap lives, and I ran out of energy for the younger half of the cast on approximately page 7. Which is unfortunate, because Leena (the aforementioned grandkid, who is actually a grown woman in her 20s) being extremely ...more
The Switch by Beth O'Leary, narrated by Daisy Edgar-Jones and Alison Steadman, is my second audio book by Macmillan Audio via NetGalley Shelf. My first book was glitchy so I wanted to give this method another try and this time the book worked perfectly. What a joyful treat this one was, very cute and heartwarming, which are things I normally don't get to say because of the type of books that I usually choose.
Grandmother Eileen switches locations for two months, with her granddaughter, Leena. Le ...more
Grandmother Eileen switches locations for two months, with her granddaughter, Leena. Le ...more
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
...more
Can I compare this book to my cat? I want to because both are warm, cuddly, and super adorable.
I decided to read this specifically because I wanted a simple, feel-good story and it was perfect for that.
I really enjoyed Leena's half of the book. She's fun and feisty. And I thought the author did a great job portraying her grief over her sister and anger at her mother in a positive and endearing way. It also gave the book more depth than I was expecting.
I also liked Eileen, and appreciate the q ...more
I decided to read this specifically because I wanted a simple, feel-good story and it was perfect for that.
I really enjoyed Leena's half of the book. She's fun and feisty. And I thought the author did a great job portraying her grief over her sister and anger at her mother in a positive and endearing way. It also gave the book more depth than I was expecting.
I also liked Eileen, and appreciate the q ...more
A book is a 5-star read if you end up hugging it by the end, right?
This made my heart feel utterly warm! It made me laugh and I was completely charmed by the characters, especially Eileen. She’s who I want to be if I ever get to the age of 79. Heck, she’s who I want to be right now! The elderly folks really have no shame or filter. And they use those traits with wisdom too. And wit.
Beth O’Leary continues to write a world I don’t want to leave. This story had the perfect balance of heartfelt and ...more
This made my heart feel utterly warm! It made me laugh and I was completely charmed by the characters, especially Eileen. She’s who I want to be if I ever get to the age of 79. Heck, she’s who I want to be right now! The elderly folks really have no shame or filter. And they use those traits with wisdom too. And wit.
Beth O’Leary continues to write a world I don’t want to leave. This story had the perfect balance of heartfelt and ...more
Eileen makes me miss my gran 😢 she’s so courageous and witty and encouraging ❤️ she was such a likable character. I loved the idea of this granny and granddaughter swapping lives. While it was predictable, it was still entertaining! 🙂
Last year (Jan 2019) I had the good fortune of reading Beth O'Leary's debut novel, The Flatshare, as an ARC from NetGalley and it was a book that really gave me great hope in her abilities as a writer because she managed to find a fresh and unique spin on the romantic dramedy genre of fiction...
And with this new novel The Switch she has once again shown that she is a brilliant storyteller in this area.
I loved this book.
Utterly loved it.
It gave me all the feels I could ever have hoped for and ...more
And with this new novel The Switch she has once again shown that she is a brilliant storyteller in this area.
I loved this book.
Utterly loved it.
It gave me all the feels I could ever have hoped for and ...more
It's only fitting that I review this wholesome and heart-warming love letter to Yorkshire on actual Yorkshire day, whilst drinking a cup of Yorkshire tea!
Eileen is 79 and wants a change, and to start dating again,
Leena needs a break, she's tired, stressed and grieving,
So they decide to swap lives for two months!
Will a change of scenery help the two women?
The Switch was just what I needed! It was like having a cuppa with an old friend! The plot was nothing new (hello 'The Holiday') but this charm ...more
Eileen is 79 and wants a change, and to start dating again,
Leena needs a break, she's tired, stressed and grieving,
So they decide to swap lives for two months!
Will a change of scenery help the two women?
The Switch was just what I needed! It was like having a cuppa with an old friend! The plot was nothing new (hello 'The Holiday') but this charm ...more
This is delightful, heartwarming, poignant, beautiful novel with different likable narrators/heroines: grandma and granddaughter.
I have to admit: I wasn’t a great fan of Flatshare. It was good written story, both in my opinion the characters and the progression of their romantic involvement failed me during my reading. So I have second thoughts when I decided to try another novel of the same author but surprisingly this book worked so much better for me because its genre is a women’s fiction an ...more
I have to admit: I wasn’t a great fan of Flatshare. It was good written story, both in my opinion the characters and the progression of their romantic involvement failed me during my reading. So I have second thoughts when I decided to try another novel of the same author but surprisingly this book worked so much better for me because its genre is a women’s fiction an ...more
I loved EVERY SINGLE MINUTE of this delightful audio book, narrated by Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones of Hulu's "Normal People"!
The Flat Share was a 5?? book for me last year, so, I have been eager to read (or listen to) this latest offering by Beth O’Leary, and it did not disappoint!
In fact..I enjoyed it even more!
29 year old Leena Cotton has just been ordered to take a 2 month Sabbatical from work.
Her Grandmother, 79 years young Eileen, would like a second chance at love but she has kno ...more
The Flat Share was a 5?? book for me last year, so, I have been eager to read (or listen to) this latest offering by Beth O’Leary, and it did not disappoint!
In fact..I enjoyed it even more!
29 year old Leena Cotton has just been ordered to take a 2 month Sabbatical from work.
Her Grandmother, 79 years young Eileen, would like a second chance at love but she has kno ...more
4 stars
Fun fact; somewhere in my stone cold heart, I have a tiny soft spot for grandmas. I don’t know why but I just really enjoy their company. I won’t swoon over babies but whenever I see a nice old grandma I grew ridiculously soft. Let me tell you, grandmas are the best company you could ever have!
Now the reason I’m mentioning that is because I truly adored Eileen (the 79 years old grandma) I adored her character and her charming personality. Her chapters were a delight to read and I truly w ...more
Fun fact; somewhere in my stone cold heart, I have a tiny soft spot for grandmas. I don’t know why but I just really enjoy their company. I won’t swoon over babies but whenever I see a nice old grandma I grew ridiculously soft. Let me tell you, grandmas are the best company you could ever have!
Now the reason I’m mentioning that is because I truly adored Eileen (the 79 years old grandma) I adored her character and her charming personality. Her chapters were a delight to read and I truly w ...more
It's time for my BEST BOOKS OF 2020 LIST
___________________________________
Update August 2020: I'm going to listen to the audiobook, and I already know I'll LOVE it 💕
Update September 2020: I finally finished the audiobook, I had some minor issues with the audiobook, but the story managed to pull me in.
___________________________________
Now, after finishing The Switch, I know why I loved The Flatshare so much. It’s the writing, not just the story that speaks to me.
the writing
For me The Switch re ...more
___________________________________
Update August 2020: I'm going to listen to the audiobook, and I already know I'll LOVE it 💕
Update September 2020: I finally finished the audiobook, I had some minor issues with the audiobook, but the story managed to pull me in.
___________________________________
Now, after finishing The Switch, I know why I loved The Flatshare so much. It’s the writing, not just the story that speaks to me.
the writing
For me The Switch re ...more
This is a romance book. I listen to the audiobook of this book, and I have to say I like to listen to my audiobooks at a faster then normal speed. There was two narrators (Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones) for this book. I have to say I love the narrator that did Eileen's (The Grandmother) parts, but the narrator that did Leena's (The grand-daughter's) parts I did not love or hate. The story was so fun or good. I loved the characters, and they have so much personally. I was kindly provided
...more
Jul 26, 2020
Dorie - Cats&Books :)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobook,
contemporary-fiction
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY***
This is a contemporary fiction novel about a grandmother and granddaughter who switch their lives and their homes for 2 months. This was an audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrators. They captured what I felt was the tone and feeling of the book.
Leena lives in London and has been working so intensely that she finally has a panic attack during a major presentation. She is “ordered” to take a 2 month paid vacation. Problem is, Leena doesn’t know where to go. She final ...more
This is a contemporary fiction novel about a grandmother and granddaughter who switch their lives and their homes for 2 months. This was an audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrators. They captured what I felt was the tone and feeling of the book.
Leena lives in London and has been working so intensely that she finally has a panic attack during a major presentation. She is “ordered” to take a 2 month paid vacation. Problem is, Leena doesn’t know where to go. She final ...more
A true gem! Beth O’Leary brightened my day and lifted my mood with this charming tale. Uplit at its absolute best! Leena is a type a workaholic who suffers a panic attack at work one day while giving a presentation. Forced into a two month sabbatical by her boss Leena heads to her grandmother’s house. Eileen it’s 79 and spunky, recently left by her husband for a dance instructor. Leena needs to relax and regroup. Eileen wants to find love, but the pickings in her small town are few. SO grandmoth
...more
Such a wonderful story that hits the salient points of a “switched” storyline.
Eileen and Leena (grandmother and granddaughter) decide to swap homes for two months. Eileen will leave all of her duties and try to find love three hours away. Leena (on LOA from her job) will try to enjoy the freedom of not having a job, and take up the “jobs” her grandmother left for her.
This story has some of the most wonderful characters I’ve ever read about, and it’s a real treat to read. There are many readers ...more
Eileen and Leena (grandmother and granddaughter) decide to swap homes for two months. Eileen will leave all of her duties and try to find love three hours away. Leena (on LOA from her job) will try to enjoy the freedom of not having a job, and take up the “jobs” her grandmother left for her.
This story has some of the most wonderful characters I’ve ever read about, and it’s a real treat to read. There are many readers ...more
What an adorable book! Just loved it.
We have two very different (maybe not) women, a grandmother, Eileen and her granddaughter, Leena needing a change.
Leena's sister, Carla passed away from cancer a few months back. This has left Leena feeling a terrible loss, her grief is consuming her and she is struggling at work. After having a panic attack during one of her presentations to a big client, her boss tells her to take two months off to relax.
Leena decides to visit the town her grandmother ...more
A delightful read guaranteed to leave an ear-to-ear smile on your face.
Leena seemingly has it all in her busy London life. A top-tier job and a strikingly handsome boyfriend. Suddenly she finds her back against the wall after being unceremoniously forced into a sabbatical from her position.
Eileen is eighty and not about to give up on life or love. When granddaughter Lee arrives in her Yorkshire home she welcomes her with open arms. And dear grandma Eileen may just have a clever plan to help them ...more
Leena seemingly has it all in her busy London life. A top-tier job and a strikingly handsome boyfriend. Suddenly she finds her back against the wall after being unceremoniously forced into a sabbatical from her position.
Eileen is eighty and not about to give up on life or love. When granddaughter Lee arrives in her Yorkshire home she welcomes her with open arms. And dear grandma Eileen may just have a clever plan to help them ...more
What a wonderful gem of a book!!! The audio was fantastic!!! This is cute and heart-warming. The story alternates between Leena and Eileen. I enjoyed both stories equally.
Leena lives in London and has been suffering greatly since the passing of her sister. Her Grandmother, Eileen who lives in a tiny village in Yorkshire has also been feeling down since her husband of over fifty years has recently left her. They decide to switch places for two months. Leena will go off to Yorkshire and live in h ...more
Leena lives in London and has been suffering greatly since the passing of her sister. Her Grandmother, Eileen who lives in a tiny village in Yorkshire has also been feeling down since her husband of over fifty years has recently left her. They decide to switch places for two months. Leena will go off to Yorkshire and live in h ...more
Aug 06, 2020
Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill by:
Jayme
Shelves:
netgalley
Very cute! My first audio book...ever! I must say I did hesitate for a hot second because I wasn't sure if I would like an audio book. Everyone kept saying how amazing this one was and I must agree. It did take me a bit of getting used to at first but once I did...I loved it!
What was not to like about this book?! The Switch..guess what it is about? Yesss! You are right, it is the classic switch. Except this time, it is totally charming, sweet and entertaining. Leena has struggled with the death ...more
What was not to like about this book?! The Switch..guess what it is about? Yesss! You are right, it is the classic switch. Except this time, it is totally charming, sweet and entertaining. Leena has struggled with the death ...more
Cute as a Button!
Can love be found at any age? Maybe!
When Leena Cotton is forced to take a two month leave from her job, she has an idea. Her Grandmother Eileen Cotton lives in Hameligh-in-Harskdale and has always wanted to live in London, thus the two decide to switch lives, with Leena moving to Hamleigh and Eileen moving to London.
Sounds like an adventure of a lifetime right?
For Eileen Cotton it is. She suddenly finds herself looking for love on a dating website for the elderly and what she ...more
Can love be found at any age? Maybe!
When Leena Cotton is forced to take a two month leave from her job, she has an idea. Her Grandmother Eileen Cotton lives in Hameligh-in-Harskdale and has always wanted to live in London, thus the two decide to switch lives, with Leena moving to Hamleigh and Eileen moving to London.
Sounds like an adventure of a lifetime right?
For Eileen Cotton it is. She suddenly finds herself looking for love on a dating website for the elderly and what she ...more
Jan 18, 2021
Kat
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adventure,
favorites,
parent-child-relationships,
friendship,
romance,
fiction,
humor,
feminism,
relationships
First of all, let me give a shout-out to my friend, Tina, who recommended I listen to the audiobook, because I can’t imagine a better way to experience this book than through the charming narration of Daisy Edgar-Jones and Alison Steadman. They really brought this story to life, and I loved every second of it! After my last frustrating audiobook attempt with The Thursday Murder Club, I feared my mind would go wandering again, so this time I put a leash on it and read along to the audio in my Kin
...more
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Could The Switch feel any more like a giant hug?
Leena is falling apart. It’s been happening for a while, ever since her sister died, although she’s been able to press on. But when she blows a big presentation at work, her boss forces her to take a two-month sabbatical.
Her grandmother Eileen is trying to move on after her unfaithful husband left her, but dating at 79 isn’t easy, especially in her tiny Yorkshire village of Hamleigh-in-Harksdale. (She knows all of the men ...more
Could The Switch feel any more like a giant hug?
Leena is falling apart. It’s been happening for a while, ever since her sister died, although she’s been able to press on. But when she blows a big presentation at work, her boss forces her to take a two-month sabbatical.
Her grandmother Eileen is trying to move on after her unfaithful husband left her, but dating at 79 isn’t easy, especially in her tiny Yorkshire village of Hamleigh-in-Harksdale. (She knows all of the men ...more
in 5 words:
a pure and utter delight
in decidedly more than 5 words:
"Grandma... what if we swapped? What if I came up and looked after all your projects and you had my flat in Shoreditch and I stayed here?"
the Switch follows 29 year old Leena and 79 year old Eilleen, who after a botched presentation at work and a wish to try something new, decide to swap lives. Overachiever and constant do-er, Leena gets the chance to slow down and enjoy country life, and Eileen is thrown into the bustling life o ...more
a pure and utter delight
in decidedly more than 5 words:
"Grandma... what if we swapped? What if I came up and looked after all your projects and you had my flat in Shoreditch and I stayed here?"
the Switch follows 29 year old Leena and 79 year old Eilleen, who after a botched presentation at work and a wish to try something new, decide to swap lives. Overachiever and constant do-er, Leena gets the chance to slow down and enjoy country life, and Eileen is thrown into the bustling life o ...more
3.25 stars
I wanted to love this one but it just wasn’t an awesome read for me. Nothing significantly wrong with the story, but I just didn’t connect with the characters as much as I would have liked. And since I really enjoyed the authors previous book, I do feel somewhat disappointed this one didn’t quite work out for me. It still was a decent book though so it's not like I regret reading it.
Leena Cotton messes up a big presentation and is asked to take a 2 month break from work to hopefully re ...more
I wanted to love this one but it just wasn’t an awesome read for me. Nothing significantly wrong with the story, but I just didn’t connect with the characters as much as I would have liked. And since I really enjoyed the authors previous book, I do feel somewhat disappointed this one didn’t quite work out for me. It still was a decent book though so it's not like I regret reading it.
Leena Cotton messes up a big presentation and is asked to take a 2 month break from work to hopefully re ...more
Seventy nine year old Eileen Cotton and granddaughter Leena swap lives for two months as both of them need a break away from their homes and in Leena’s case, her job. Eileen lives in a charming cottage in the Yorkshire Dales and Leena is a trendy apartment she shares with two friends. What unfolds for both women is unexpected and totally life changing.
Although both women are grieving the loss of Leena’s sister Carla from cancer, this is very much a feel good book. The characters are fantastic a ...more
Although both women are grieving the loss of Leena’s sister Carla from cancer, this is very much a feel good book. The characters are fantastic a ...more
Jul 16, 2020
Christy
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2020-four-stars,
2020-audio
4 stars
The Switch is Beth O’Leary’s sophomore novel and one I’ve been looking forward to. ‘The Flatshare’ was one of my favorite books last year so I had really high expectations for this. Though I didn’t love it quite as much as O’Leary’s debut, it was still a strong 4 star read that didn’t disappoint!
Eileen is an almost 80 year old grandma from a small town, and her granddaughter Leena is a twenty something from London. After Leena is forced to take an extended break from work and Eile ...more
The Switch is Beth O’Leary’s sophomore novel and one I’ve been looking forward to. ‘The Flatshare’ was one of my favorite books last year so I had really high expectations for this. Though I didn’t love it quite as much as O’Leary’s debut, it was still a strong 4 star read that didn’t disappoint!
Eileen is an almost 80 year old grandma from a small town, and her granddaughter Leena is a twenty something from London. After Leena is forced to take an extended break from work and Eile ...more
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| BookDrop ebook deals: September deals: The Switch by Beth O'Leary | 1 | 3 | Sep 17, 2020 06:55AM | |
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| YA Buddy Readers'...: The Switch by Beth O'Leary - August 8th 2020 | 34 | 26 | Aug 17, 2020 05:21PM |
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Beth studied English at university before going into children’s publishing. She lives as close to the countryside as she can get while still being within reach of London, and wrote her first novel, The Flatshare, on her train journey to and from work.
You’ll usually find her curled up with a book, a cup of tea, and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather).
You’ll usually find her curled up with a book, a cup of tea, and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather).
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“You were healing. You’re still healing. You’ll maybe always be healing. And that’s OK. It’ll just be part of what makes you you.”
—
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“That’s the way with old friends. You understand each other, even when there’s not enough words out there for everything that should be said.”
—
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