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The House Swap
Island house off coast of Maine, with private beach, sea views and the occasional farmyard animal, seeks super swanky Central London penthouse overlooking Holland Park, complete with concierge service and spurned ex-lovers…
When thirty-somethings Cassie and James find each other on a home swap website, it feels meant to be. City hotshot James needs a bolthole after a relationship goes sour and Cassie needs to leave the comfort of her little island to research her new book.
Soon, James is living in Cassie’s cute but ramshackle beachside cottage, and Cassie’s living in James’s luxurious London apartment. It’s the perfect solution.
Except James didn’t imagine he’d be sharing his home with eleven chickens and three alpacas, not to mention the unusually friendly neighbours, who seem to find any excuse to drop by. And Cassie is less than impressed when James’s ex-girlfriend turns up at his door, demanding to know where he’s gone.
The more Cassie and James talk, the more the tension between them mounts. But as the insults fly so do the sparks, and when the time finally comes to swap back, Cassie and James find they aren’t quite ready to give each other up.
But there’s more than just distance between them – and when Cassie makes a surprising discovery, the pair are forced to confront their feelings and decide what kind of life they really want.
An utterly heart-warming love story that will make you laugh and cry, fans of The Flatshare, The Hating Game and movies like The Holiday will fall head over heels for The House Swap.
When thirty-somethings Cassie and James find each other on a home swap website, it feels meant to be. City hotshot James needs a bolthole after a relationship goes sour and Cassie needs to leave the comfort of her little island to research her new book.
Soon, James is living in Cassie’s cute but ramshackle beachside cottage, and Cassie’s living in James’s luxurious London apartment. It’s the perfect solution.
Except James didn’t imagine he’d be sharing his home with eleven chickens and three alpacas, not to mention the unusually friendly neighbours, who seem to find any excuse to drop by. And Cassie is less than impressed when James’s ex-girlfriend turns up at his door, demanding to know where he’s gone.
The more Cassie and James talk, the more the tension between them mounts. But as the insults fly so do the sparks, and when the time finally comes to swap back, Cassie and James find they aren’t quite ready to give each other up.
But there’s more than just distance between them – and when Cassie makes a surprising discovery, the pair are forced to confront their feelings and decide what kind of life they really want.
An utterly heart-warming love story that will make you laugh and cry, fans of The Flatshare, The Hating Game and movies like The Holiday will fall head over heels for The House Swap.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 570 reviews
April 6, 2021
I'm surprised by the overwhelmingly positive reviews for The House Swap. While I loved the premise of this book, it wasn't my favourite - disappointing, because it just sounds so darling and fun.
First things first, assuming you've read the blurb and are just hear for the dirt, I'm going to dive right in. The "hero" is a douche. A few chapters go by and we find out his entire job is buying distressed companies and making hoards of people redundant. A man comes to his flat and begs him to reconsider, since he's worked for this company for twenty-eight years and in three months, he'll have access to the pension he's been paying into for all that time. If he's made redundant now, he can't ever access that money. Our hero James - the guy we're supposed to root for - pauses in the foyer of his multi-million-dollar apartment and basically says "that's too bad but that's also life! I have to go! Please never bother me again with the fact that I just torpedoed your entire retirement!"
It's awful. This is mentioned once and basically never again. James is also callous about pretty much everything. When he swaps homes with Cassie because of his psychotic ex-girlfriend (and REALLY he NEVER caught a glimpse of her behaviour before? This was hugely far-fetched), she leaves him lots of helpful notes, puts new sheets on the bed and food in the freezer and even waits around so she can give him a tour. He's enormously rude to her, shocked that she would go to so much trouble (he stripped his own flat down to the basics and leaves her to buy everything she needs) and by and large, he's irritated by everyone he meets. How does this dude have friends?
Again, a douche.
Throughout the story, the plot is revealed solely through dialogue, which left me unmoored at times. Cassie is supposed to be an author of a successful book series, but she never writes, researches or spends any time on WHAT BROUGHT HER TO LONDON IN THE FIRST FUCKING PLACE. James doesn't seem to do much of anything besides complain about his surroundings. He plays around with the idea of destroying a wildlife habitat in order to put up a hotel for millenials who hate nature, but his dreams of ruining the landscape that Cassie loves are quashed.
There's also a large plot around Cassie's supposed infertility and her quest to undergo IVF. I admit her longing for a baby was alien to me (she never seemed to want an actual child, if that makes sense, just a squishy baby to cuddle - which, I get it, but that kid is going to grow up my dear) and I didn't find that it entirely fit with the plot, even though I can see how the author thought it would, since James is determined to be child-free.
Onto the "love story". Cassie and James apparently fall in love, though they sure didn't in my copy of the book. This is largely due to the time jumps. All of a sudden, a month has passed and Cassie and James have apparently been "talking every day"!! Well that's lovely! Would have been nice, as a reader, to be privy to that! It just felt lazy to me. We need to be shown the love, not just told about it. Not to mention, the dialogue between them doesn't sound like the way human beings talk. It's as if they're aliens trying out English for the first time.
The drama between them seems manufactured at best.
I wanted to like this very much, because the premise seemed so escapist and lovely, but the abundance of dialogue, time jumps, asshole hero who makes people redundant for a living and everything happening behind the scenes (please show me the characters falling in love!!!) make this a two-star read for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First things first, assuming you've read the blurb and are just hear for the dirt, I'm going to dive right in. The "hero" is a douche. A few chapters go by and we find out his entire job is buying distressed companies and making hoards of people redundant. A man comes to his flat and begs him to reconsider, since he's worked for this company for twenty-eight years and in three months, he'll have access to the pension he's been paying into for all that time. If he's made redundant now, he can't ever access that money. Our hero James - the guy we're supposed to root for - pauses in the foyer of his multi-million-dollar apartment and basically says "that's too bad but that's also life! I have to go! Please never bother me again with the fact that I just torpedoed your entire retirement!"
It's awful. This is mentioned once and basically never again. James is also callous about pretty much everything. When he swaps homes with Cassie because of his psychotic ex-girlfriend (and REALLY he NEVER caught a glimpse of her behaviour before? This was hugely far-fetched), she leaves him lots of helpful notes, puts new sheets on the bed and food in the freezer and even waits around so she can give him a tour. He's enormously rude to her, shocked that she would go to so much trouble (he stripped his own flat down to the basics and leaves her to buy everything she needs) and by and large, he's irritated by everyone he meets. How does this dude have friends?
Again, a douche.
Throughout the story, the plot is revealed solely through dialogue, which left me unmoored at times. Cassie is supposed to be an author of a successful book series, but she never writes, researches or spends any time on WHAT BROUGHT HER TO LONDON IN THE FIRST FUCKING PLACE. James doesn't seem to do much of anything besides complain about his surroundings. He plays around with the idea of destroying a wildlife habitat in order to put up a hotel for millenials who hate nature, but his dreams of ruining the landscape that Cassie loves are quashed.
There's also a large plot around Cassie's supposed infertility and her quest to undergo IVF. I admit her longing for a baby was alien to me (she never seemed to want an actual child, if that makes sense, just a squishy baby to cuddle - which, I get it, but that kid is going to grow up my dear) and I didn't find that it entirely fit with the plot, even though I can see how the author thought it would, since James is determined to be child-free.
Onto the "love story". Cassie and James apparently fall in love, though they sure didn't in my copy of the book. This is largely due to the time jumps. All of a sudden, a month has passed and Cassie and James have apparently been "talking every day"!! Well that's lovely! Would have been nice, as a reader, to be privy to that! It just felt lazy to me. We need to be shown the love, not just told about it. Not to mention, the dialogue between them doesn't sound like the way human beings talk. It's as if they're aliens trying out English for the first time.
The drama between them seems manufactured at best.
I wanted to like this very much, because the premise seemed so escapist and lovely, but the abundance of dialogue, time jumps, asshole hero who makes people redundant for a living and everything happening behind the scenes (please show me the characters falling in love!!!) make this a two-star read for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2021
Blog Review: https://trishadoeseverythingbutstudy2...
I received a free e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
This is more 4.5 stars than 4.
I just loved this!
I love the Flatshare, so when I saw that cute cover, and read the synopsis with these people living in each other's homes and absolutely hating the change at first, and then getting used to it, I had to request it!
While I loved most of this book, I felt that the end was too fast, and worked out too well somehow. I didn't like that the main conflict regarding pregnancies was resolved very quickly, and very unsatisfyingly, given that most of the conflict that they should have been working around magically disappeared somehow?
I loved Cassie and James, both having interesting occupations, and very different outlooks on life. I loved the slow-burn in this; Cassie and James connect with each other through a house swapping website, and leave each other to not see the other again till the time of the swap in over, but given that their respective houses for the next so many months are so not what they expected, they connect through notes (though this was only on Cassie's side), messages, and phone calls.
I loved that this started out like The Flatshare, getting in a new house, making space for yourself, finding stuff you need, and not knowing whether the bed sheets are fresh ;). Like with the Flatshare, the first part of the book with the connecting and meeting each others' friends and whatnot is really more exciting, and the second part where they know each other and fall into some kind of relationship is somewhat lacking.
I loved the alpacas and the characters' bonding over said alpacas (because that was so cute), and I loved how outgoing and friendly Cassie is (rather reminds me of Tiffy), how she makes friends with all the people around James' house, people James has never even reacted with. Similarly, I loved the way James was interacting with Cassie's friends at her house, albeit rather reluctantly at first.
The ex-girlfriend side plot was rather entertaining, but it didn't exactly go anywhere in the end? I do like the way the novel ended the way it started with James' POV and that seriously similar scene (thankfully it went well the second time).
The other big side plot was Cassie's wish to become a mother, after her (this is how much of my review I'd written last night, and saved in keep, anticipating exactly this kind of GR-will-lose-everything. So, thanks to my paranoia, we have most of this review, minus the conclusion.) multiple miscarriages. It was really heartbreaking to see her struggles with failure, and eventual happiness, but not quite, and then finally all of it ending nicely, with the exception of being a bit too rushed.
I loved it, and I recommend it to anyone who loved The Hating Game and The Flatshare, and who loves the enemies to lovers trope, slight epistolary vibes, slow burn, insight into IVF and struggles with becoming a mother, insight into bookwriting, and general fun and enjoyment you get from a rom-com.
Pre-reading review:
Netgalley needs to stop approving me for so many books when I have to wait 10 more days before being able to start something THANK YOU NETGALLEY
I received a free e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
This is more 4.5 stars than 4.
I just loved this!
I love the Flatshare, so when I saw that cute cover, and read the synopsis with these people living in each other's homes and absolutely hating the change at first, and then getting used to it, I had to request it!
While I loved most of this book, I felt that the end was too fast, and worked out too well somehow. I didn't like that the main conflict regarding pregnancies was resolved very quickly, and very unsatisfyingly, given that most of the conflict that they should have been working around magically disappeared somehow?
I loved Cassie and James, both having interesting occupations, and very different outlooks on life. I loved the slow-burn in this; Cassie and James connect with each other through a house swapping website, and leave each other to not see the other again till the time of the swap in over, but given that their respective houses for the next so many months are so not what they expected, they connect through notes (though this was only on Cassie's side), messages, and phone calls.
I loved that this started out like The Flatshare, getting in a new house, making space for yourself, finding stuff you need, and not knowing whether the bed sheets are fresh ;). Like with the Flatshare, the first part of the book with the connecting and meeting each others' friends and whatnot is really more exciting, and the second part where they know each other and fall into some kind of relationship is somewhat lacking.
I loved the alpacas and the characters' bonding over said alpacas (because that was so cute), and I loved how outgoing and friendly Cassie is (rather reminds me of Tiffy), how she makes friends with all the people around James' house, people James has never even reacted with. Similarly, I loved the way James was interacting with Cassie's friends at her house, albeit rather reluctantly at first.
The ex-girlfriend side plot was rather entertaining, but it didn't exactly go anywhere in the end? I do like the way the novel ended the way it started with James' POV and that seriously similar scene (thankfully it went well the second time).
The other big side plot was Cassie's wish to become a mother, after her (this is how much of my review I'd written last night, and saved in keep, anticipating exactly this kind of GR-will-lose-everything. So, thanks to my paranoia, we have most of this review, minus the conclusion.) multiple miscarriages. It was really heartbreaking to see her struggles with failure, and eventual happiness, but not quite, and then finally all of it ending nicely, with the exception of being a bit too rushed.
I loved it, and I recommend it to anyone who loved The Hating Game and The Flatshare, and who loves the enemies to lovers trope, slight epistolary vibes, slow burn, insight into IVF and struggles with becoming a mother, insight into bookwriting, and general fun and enjoyment you get from a rom-com.
Pre-reading review:
March 23, 2021
After reading an intense book, I need something lighter and The House Swap fit those qualifications perfectly. This was a fun lighthearted story about two people on two different continents needing to swap houses for different reasons. James and Cassie are two totally different people, James, the serious one in London and Cassie the free-spirit in Maine. Both have different issues holding them back from a full and happy life and when they first switch houses at Cassie’s house in Maine they don’t get off to a good start.
James eschews entanglements and never wants a family. Cassie’s greatest desire is to be a mother. As they switch homes and continents, their personal lives intrude on each other. James’s stalker ex shows up and infuriates Cassie; James despite being a loner becomes entwined in Cassie’s small town friendships and their nosiness. James and Cassie begin texting and calling and a friendship blossoms.
I totally enjoyed the first two thirds of the book and could totally see where it was heading. Towards the latter third I felt the way James changed didn’t ring quite true, but just rolled with it. All in all it was a likable story and I gave it three stars. I thank NetGalley and the publisher, Bookouture, for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.
James eschews entanglements and never wants a family. Cassie’s greatest desire is to be a mother. As they switch homes and continents, their personal lives intrude on each other. James’s stalker ex shows up and infuriates Cassie; James despite being a loner becomes entwined in Cassie’s small town friendships and their nosiness. James and Cassie begin texting and calling and a friendship blossoms.
I totally enjoyed the first two thirds of the book and could totally see where it was heading. Towards the latter third I felt the way James changed didn’t ring quite true, but just rolled with it. All in all it was a likable story and I gave it three stars. I thank NetGalley and the publisher, Bookouture, for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.
April 25, 2021
Super cute! This was the sweet lighthearted story I was in the mood for! Cassie is a free spirit living in a beachside cottage in Maine. James is more buttoned up living in a flat in London. The two of them meet on a house swap website when both of them are in need of a change of scenery. Cassie is less than pleased when she is confronted by James’s stalker ex-girlfriend. And James doesn’t know what to think, he was not expecting alpacas and a bunch of nosy neighbors. I know it sounds somewhat predictable, but the journey was so fun!
Loved how Cassie and James got to know one another through messages and phone calls. It was a definite sort of enemies to lovers slow burn Romance and I was here for it. Now I think if I had to choose Maine or London I’d probably choose Maine? Cassie was a fabulous character from the get go James on the other hand... He did however have quite a bit of character growth throughout the story and I did like him by the end. I really really liked Cassie and James together. This was just a totally adorable story that put a BIG smile on my face!
Loved how Cassie and James got to know one another through messages and phone calls. It was a definite sort of enemies to lovers slow burn Romance and I was here for it. Now I think if I had to choose Maine or London I’d probably choose Maine? Cassie was a fabulous character from the get go James on the other hand... He did however have quite a bit of character growth throughout the story and I did like him by the end. I really really liked Cassie and James together. This was just a totally adorable story that put a BIG smile on my face!
March 8, 2021
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating: 2.5
After having some problems with his ex (aka she becoming a stalker), James decided to put an ad for his house in a house swap website and finds Cassie. She wants to go to the big city to do a research for her new book and his London apartment is the perfect opportunity for that.
Throughout this time, they communicate because of problems they are having in the new houses, but they start to develop a kind of friendship and then something else obviously. Well, I was disappointed by this book. I thought it would have a vibe like the movie The Holiday and the book The Switch and to be fair, it kind of does, but it doesn't have the same sparkle.
I didn't really feel chemistry between the characters and I was not invested in the romance at all and considering it's a romance book, it's a pretty big deal. Also the writing was not doing it for me at all. Is it bad? Not really, but it didn't make me really connect to the characters and it was a bit shallow at times.
I feel like there could be other readers who might enjoy it, but for me, it was a disappointment.
Actual rating: 2.5
After having some problems with his ex (aka she becoming a stalker), James decided to put an ad for his house in a house swap website and finds Cassie. She wants to go to the big city to do a research for her new book and his London apartment is the perfect opportunity for that.
Throughout this time, they communicate because of problems they are having in the new houses, but they start to develop a kind of friendship and then something else obviously. Well, I was disappointed by this book. I thought it would have a vibe like the movie The Holiday and the book The Switch and to be fair, it kind of does, but it doesn't have the same sparkle.
I didn't really feel chemistry between the characters and I was not invested in the romance at all and considering it's a romance book, it's a pretty big deal. Also the writing was not doing it for me at all. Is it bad? Not really, but it didn't make me really connect to the characters and it was a bit shallow at times.
I feel like there could be other readers who might enjoy it, but for me, it was a disappointment.
April 20, 2021
Cassie is a Glaswegian writer who relocated to a small island in Maine several years ago after a very sad life event. She is a successful children's book author and has been asked to come to London to talk about setting some of her stories there. She doesn't want to leave her island, but when her agent pushes, she decides to go. The problem is where will she stay. James is a very successful venture capitalist who is being stalked by his ex-girlfriend. He wants to leave for awhile and decides that there are some people he would like to meet up with in the Boston area, so decides he will go to the U.S. He just needs to find a place to stay. The both turn to Swapbnb. James will swap his swanky flat in Central London for Cassie's rambling house in Maine and vice versa. This sounds like a great trade, but Cassie and James couldn't be more different. Cassie is outgoing, friendly and helpful, while James is uptight and doesn't even know his neighbours. How is this going to work and how will two people who swap homes with an ocean in between going to get to know each other.
This was a great story. There was so much to like. First, the characters were great. Cassie is the kind of person that everyone wants to be friends with. She is so upbeat and friendly, as well as generous and caring. James starts off as an unlikable, rich, businessman that was too busy for everyone, but as the story goes on, he changes. He gets to know Cassie's neighbours and we see a different side of him. Daily phone calls and messages between the two of them allow them to really get to know each other on a different level. They are both in their thirties, so they are not looking for a fling, in fact, Cassie really wants a child. The secondary characters are wonderful. It is through them that James is able to grow and change. Both of them have some baggage, but James has kept his a secret and has been unable to heal. This was a story of friendship, personal growth, family and determining what you really want in your life. This is up-lit at its best. I really enjoyed this story and recommend it to anyone who wants love, friendship, new beginnings and happy endings. I want to thank Bookouture for generously providing a copy of this book upon my request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
This was a great story. There was so much to like. First, the characters were great. Cassie is the kind of person that everyone wants to be friends with. She is so upbeat and friendly, as well as generous and caring. James starts off as an unlikable, rich, businessman that was too busy for everyone, but as the story goes on, he changes. He gets to know Cassie's neighbours and we see a different side of him. Daily phone calls and messages between the two of them allow them to really get to know each other on a different level. They are both in their thirties, so they are not looking for a fling, in fact, Cassie really wants a child. The secondary characters are wonderful. It is through them that James is able to grow and change. Both of them have some baggage, but James has kept his a secret and has been unable to heal. This was a story of friendship, personal growth, family and determining what you really want in your life. This is up-lit at its best. I really enjoyed this story and recommend it to anyone who wants love, friendship, new beginnings and happy endings. I want to thank Bookouture for generously providing a copy of this book upon my request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
January 8, 2024
3.4 stars
June 12, 2021
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.
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.
April 28, 2021
Check out my book blog here for this review & others + more bookish content!
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Buddy read with Joy :)
3.5 stars ⭐
✦ ✧ ✦ ✧
James and Cassie, two thirty-somethings, decide to put their houses up on a housing swapping website, which is where they meet each other. James is looking for a place to stay after a bad break up and Cassie wants to research for her new book and step outside of the comfort zone that is her small island. Soon, James is living in Cassie’s cute but ramshackle beachside cottage, and Cassie’s living in James’s luxurious London apartment. It’s the perfect solution. Well, at least that’s what it seems at first, until it leads to a rocky relationship between the two. But as the tension wears off and gives space to friendly chatter, a beautiful friendship begins to form and then, something more.
✦ ✧ ✦ ✧
At first, James was really cold and off-putting and I really did not like him. Eventually, though, he warmed up to Cassie and they slowly started talking more and more and he became a lot kinder and understanding and less judgmental and presumptuous. On the other hand, I liked Cassie from the beginning. She is going through a bit of a hard patch in her life because she really wants to get pregnant and has been undergoing IVF treatments which, unfortunately, haven’t been working. When you initially put the main characters together, you can’t really see how they would end up falling for each other because they have such different life ambitions and personalities. However, both of them change and grow a lot throughout the story, especially James, and it made them a great couple. Something that I think a lot of people will like about this romance novel is that the protagonists are in their late thirties instead of their twenties, which, in my experience, you don’t see a lot. It was nice reading this romance from a perspective of two people who are in completely different phases of their life than what I’m used to.
The side characters added a lot to the story too, both Cassie and James’ neighbours. They gave a light-hearted tone to contrast the sadder moments and it all fit really nicely. Arguably not as important, but Cassie’s alpacas were super cute 🥺
Another aspect that is worth pointing out is that this book doesn’t have any explicit sex scenes. HALLELUJAH!!! The romances I’ve been reading have been full of them, so it felt really good to “detox” from all of that and read a romance that’s more focused on the emotional side, rather than the characters thinking about sex ALL. THE. TIME. (obviously, I’m not trying to shame any one, it’s just that I read way too many books with explicit sex scenes followed very closely by one another)
That being said, I wasn’t a huge fan of how everything wrapped-up. Without wanting to give away spoilers, the romance wraps up in a way that you could probably predict because it’s the only way to make it work, really. Personally, I do not like the trope used. The ending is still heartwarming but too picture-perfect in my opinion. The main conflict is resolved way too quickly and easily for its importance.
In addition, it took me quite a long time to get into this book because the romance is definitely very slow-burn. Also, although I like Cassie and James, I don’t love them and their story isn’t very memorable for me.
All in all, The House Swap is a romance novel that is able to tackle more serious topics such as grief and miscarriage, but does so whilst deliving a cute, slow-burn romance with a grumpy-on-the-outside-but-soft-on-the-inside hero and a strong, lovable heroine.
Content warnings: infertility, miscarriage, addiction issues (mentioned), death of loved ones (sibling and parent), childhood abandonment.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Buddy read with Joy :)
3.5 stars ⭐
✦ ✧ ✦ ✧
James and Cassie, two thirty-somethings, decide to put their houses up on a housing swapping website, which is where they meet each other. James is looking for a place to stay after a bad break up and Cassie wants to research for her new book and step outside of the comfort zone that is her small island. Soon, James is living in Cassie’s cute but ramshackle beachside cottage, and Cassie’s living in James’s luxurious London apartment. It’s the perfect solution. Well, at least that’s what it seems at first, until it leads to a rocky relationship between the two. But as the tension wears off and gives space to friendly chatter, a beautiful friendship begins to form and then, something more.
✦ ✧ ✦ ✧
At first, James was really cold and off-putting and I really did not like him. Eventually, though, he warmed up to Cassie and they slowly started talking more and more and he became a lot kinder and understanding and less judgmental and presumptuous. On the other hand, I liked Cassie from the beginning. She is going through a bit of a hard patch in her life because she really wants to get pregnant and has been undergoing IVF treatments which, unfortunately, haven’t been working. When you initially put the main characters together, you can’t really see how they would end up falling for each other because they have such different life ambitions and personalities. However, both of them change and grow a lot throughout the story, especially James, and it made them a great couple. Something that I think a lot of people will like about this romance novel is that the protagonists are in their late thirties instead of their twenties, which, in my experience, you don’t see a lot. It was nice reading this romance from a perspective of two people who are in completely different phases of their life than what I’m used to.
The side characters added a lot to the story too, both Cassie and James’ neighbours. They gave a light-hearted tone to contrast the sadder moments and it all fit really nicely. Arguably not as important, but Cassie’s alpacas were super cute 🥺
Another aspect that is worth pointing out is that this book doesn’t have any explicit sex scenes. HALLELUJAH!!! The romances I’ve been reading have been full of them, so it felt really good to “detox” from all of that and read a romance that’s more focused on the emotional side, rather than the characters thinking about sex ALL. THE. TIME. (obviously, I’m not trying to shame any one, it’s just that I read way too many books with explicit sex scenes followed very closely by one another)
That being said, I wasn’t a huge fan of how everything wrapped-up. Without wanting to give away spoilers, the romance wraps up in a way that you could probably predict because it’s the only way to make it work, really. Personally, I do not like the trope used. The ending is still heartwarming but too picture-perfect in my opinion. The main conflict is resolved way too quickly and easily for its importance.
In addition, it took me quite a long time to get into this book because the romance is definitely very slow-burn. Also, although I like Cassie and James, I don’t love them and their story isn’t very memorable for me.
All in all, The House Swap is a romance novel that is able to tackle more serious topics such as grief and miscarriage, but does so whilst deliving a cute, slow-burn romance with a grumpy-on-the-outside-but-soft-on-the-inside hero and a strong, lovable heroine.
Content warnings: infertility, miscarriage, addiction issues (mentioned), death of loved ones (sibling and parent), childhood abandonment.
June 19, 2022
This was sweet, and one of the best stories I've read that describes a couple slowly falling in love.
April 16, 2021
3 More Than A Swap Stars
* * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
Today there is an answer for everything...they are called Apps. Yes, you want a romance, click on the app. You want to just hook up, no emotions, yup, there is an app for that too. So when you have a writer who needs more backstory and understanding about London, there is an app for her to swap her beloved, "unique", Maine home.
Lucky for Cassie, James needs to get away from his London apartment due to a casual dating partner didn't realize it was supposed to be casual and becomes a stalker when James ends it.
Arrangements are made, James comes to Maine, isn't the most lovely to Cassie, Ms. Friendly/Nice, and off she goes to live in James' home. When she gets there she is shocked to see how unwelcoming it is, no sheets, towels, or food. Again, what a lovely reflection of the man.
What happens is this continuing texting and calls about what is needed for them to live in each's home. This communication reflects more about them and over time, a sort of relationship develops.
The plus of this story is that they are not 20, they are grown people who still are able to see their needs to adapt and maybe change. There is no insta-anything, more a rolling, developing of feelings. Nice.
The House Swap
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A gifted copy was provided by Bookouture via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
Today there is an answer for everything...they are called Apps. Yes, you want a romance, click on the app. You want to just hook up, no emotions, yup, there is an app for that too. So when you have a writer who needs more backstory and understanding about London, there is an app for her to swap her beloved, "unique", Maine home.
Lucky for Cassie, James needs to get away from his London apartment due to a casual dating partner didn't realize it was supposed to be casual and becomes a stalker when James ends it.
Arrangements are made, James comes to Maine, isn't the most lovely to Cassie, Ms. Friendly/Nice, and off she goes to live in James' home. When she gets there she is shocked to see how unwelcoming it is, no sheets, towels, or food. Again, what a lovely reflection of the man.
What happens is this continuing texting and calls about what is needed for them to live in each's home. This communication reflects more about them and over time, a sort of relationship develops.
The plus of this story is that they are not 20, they are grown people who still are able to see their needs to adapt and maybe change. There is no insta-anything, more a rolling, developing of feelings. Nice.
The House Swaphttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A gifted copy was provided by Bookouture via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
September 24, 2021
3.5 Stars
Cassie needs to work with her agent in London for a few months and James needs a break from London and has work he can do in Boston. They meet on a house swapping website when each other’s home seems like the answer to their search. They are quite opposite in every way: personality, lifestyle, and attitudes. This deal leads to humorous communication and house swapping experiences. Do opposites attract?
If you are looking for an easy reading, light women’s fiction story with tropes of opposites attract, grumpy meets sunshine, and slow-burn romance, this rom-com might be exactly the book for you! Because of the genre, you can expect predictability and HEA. But at times, that’s just right for a certain reading mood! This is a closed door romance.
The House Swap has a cute premise and is light and engaging with some charming banter and cleverly written meet-cutes. Although it is inferred that James had a less than happy childhood and Cassie is worried about her biological clock, there are no heavy themes presented here. There is also almost zero profanity, which I appreciate.
Cassie and James are thirty-comething professionals each missing something in her or his life. While Cassie is free-spirited, artistic, animal loving, environment protecting, and friendly, James is an organized, detached, and grumpy clean-freak. Although Cassie is a writer and James is a venture capitalist (I think?!), no part of the story is spent on their respective careers (except as a catalyst for the swap). James is unlikable at first (thus the trope)….and I’m not quite sure how he made the transformation but suddenly at book’s end, he’s a terrific guy! The grump/sunshine trope is tried and true and reminds me a bit of the trope in Wait For It.
I’m recommending this heartwarming and uplit story for readers who love the rom-com genre and the tropes. I picked it up because I was in the mood for a brain break white reading Cloud Cuckoo Land and it didn’t disappoint. Readers who are looking for closed door romance with no profanity will appreciate The House Swap.
For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review first appeared.
Cassie needs to work with her agent in London for a few months and James needs a break from London and has work he can do in Boston. They meet on a house swapping website when each other’s home seems like the answer to their search. They are quite opposite in every way: personality, lifestyle, and attitudes. This deal leads to humorous communication and house swapping experiences. Do opposites attract?
If you are looking for an easy reading, light women’s fiction story with tropes of opposites attract, grumpy meets sunshine, and slow-burn romance, this rom-com might be exactly the book for you! Because of the genre, you can expect predictability and HEA. But at times, that’s just right for a certain reading mood! This is a closed door romance.
The House Swap has a cute premise and is light and engaging with some charming banter and cleverly written meet-cutes. Although it is inferred that James had a less than happy childhood and Cassie is worried about her biological clock, there are no heavy themes presented here. There is also almost zero profanity, which I appreciate.
Cassie and James are thirty-comething professionals each missing something in her or his life. While Cassie is free-spirited, artistic, animal loving, environment protecting, and friendly, James is an organized, detached, and grumpy clean-freak. Although Cassie is a writer and James is a venture capitalist (I think?!), no part of the story is spent on their respective careers (except as a catalyst for the swap). James is unlikable at first (thus the trope)….and I’m not quite sure how he made the transformation but suddenly at book’s end, he’s a terrific guy! The grump/sunshine trope is tried and true and reminds me a bit of the trope in Wait For It.
I’m recommending this heartwarming and uplit story for readers who love the rom-com genre and the tropes. I picked it up because I was in the mood for a brain break white reading Cloud Cuckoo Land and it didn’t disappoint. Readers who are looking for closed door romance with no profanity will appreciate The House Swap.
For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review first appeared.
August 20, 2021
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The House Swap was all kinds of cute. In it, you will meet Cassie and James. One lives on a private beach on an island near Maine. The other lives in a London penthouse. Both places sound equally amazing in my eyes so it would be hard to pick which one I would like to visit.
After meeting these two, I honestly couldn't stop shipping them. It didn't matter if nothing really happened between them but I did adore how awkward they were. Plus watching them develop a friendship during their little swap was really cute. Especially when James was becoming friends with her animals.
Then there's the drama with James and his ex. Wow. She was psycho through and through. I felt bad for the girl because she wanted more in their relationship and he didn't. It was the way she reacted though that mad me dislike the girl.
Other than that, it was a really cute book. Definitely happy that I got the chance to dive into it because these two just put a smile on my face.
The House Swap was all kinds of cute. In it, you will meet Cassie and James. One lives on a private beach on an island near Maine. The other lives in a London penthouse. Both places sound equally amazing in my eyes so it would be hard to pick which one I would like to visit.
After meeting these two, I honestly couldn't stop shipping them. It didn't matter if nothing really happened between them but I did adore how awkward they were. Plus watching them develop a friendship during their little swap was really cute. Especially when James was becoming friends with her animals.
Then there's the drama with James and his ex. Wow. She was psycho through and through. I felt bad for the girl because she wanted more in their relationship and he didn't. It was the way she reacted though that mad me dislike the girl.
Other than that, it was a really cute book. Definitely happy that I got the chance to dive into it because these two just put a smile on my face.
April 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I had already enjoyed Lovett's first book: The First Time We Met, but I think The House Swap must be my favorite Lovett book now.
I must admit that at first I strongly disliked one of the main character - James. He came across as a pretty rude and rigid character, which I didn't really like. Luckily, this changes throughout the story. Luckily, both main characters - Cassie and James - turned out to be pretty funny and friendly, both with their own haunting past.
From the moment on I felt like the book was picking up pace, I quickly flew through it.
This story is both funny and emotional all at once. It has been a long time since a book made me tear up, but The House Swap managed to do that to me.
Another factor I liked is that the scenery of the island on which Cassie/James lives is explained so well. I loved imagining how the island looks with the alpacas and chicken.
This is basically a slow burn romance book, but in a way that makes you squeal when finally something happens (at least that's what I did).
The only reason why I didn't give this book 5 stars is that at times I had a feeling that there were too many time jumps. We'd suddenly make a time jump of for example 3 weeks, which I didn't really like.
Thank you NetGallley and Bookouture for the free e-copy. This in no way affected my opinion.
I must admit that at first I strongly disliked one of the main character - James. He came across as a pretty rude and rigid character, which I didn't really like. Luckily, this changes throughout the story. Luckily, both main characters - Cassie and James - turned out to be pretty funny and friendly, both with their own haunting past.
From the moment on I felt like the book was picking up pace, I quickly flew through it.
This story is both funny and emotional all at once. It has been a long time since a book made me tear up, but The House Swap managed to do that to me.
Another factor I liked is that the scenery of the island on which Cassie/James lives is explained so well. I loved imagining how the island looks with the alpacas and chicken.
This is basically a slow burn romance book, but in a way that makes you squeal when finally something happens (at least that's what I did).
The only reason why I didn't give this book 5 stars is that at times I had a feeling that there were too many time jumps. We'd suddenly make a time jump of for example 3 weeks, which I didn't really like.
Thank you NetGallley and Bookouture for the free e-copy. This in no way affected my opinion.
March 22, 2021
2/5
This was light-hearted, fun, and reminiscent of The Holiday movie with Cameron Diaz. I've never actually heard of anyone doing a house swap in real life, but I'm sure it's a thing. It's a great vacation read where you don't want something really heavy or intense so I would recommend it for that.
Unfortunately, there were just a few things I didn't enjoy. The book suffers from that thing that some authors do where they try to tell the story through entirely dialogue. And there is no descriptions of facial expressions, hints of personality, etc. and it's just dialogue bouncing back and forth including some conversations that really didn't need to happen and seemed very extraneous. There were also a lot of time jumps. A LOT of them.
Since James and Cassie were in each other's houses, I felt like the author really needed to spend more time investing in their relationship and showing how they slowly fall in love through notes and phone conversations. I felt like this didn't happen, I felt zero chemistry, and was surprised when time would pass by and all the book would say is "they call each other every day now"... Alright then... cool cool. Then bam, they're both soooo in love and I didn't actually feel convinced of that at all. I'm sure they're friends, but love? Eh. On the other hand, The Flatshare is a book that does the whole falling-in-love-while-separated thing very very well and that was what I was expecting when I started this book.
Also, trigger warning for IVF. I actually tend to stay away from books with IVF because it's quite depressing so if that was in the description, I would not have requested this arc to review... So I really didn't appreciate the book not having a trigger warning for this.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an arc of this book for me to review.
This was light-hearted, fun, and reminiscent of The Holiday movie with Cameron Diaz. I've never actually heard of anyone doing a house swap in real life, but I'm sure it's a thing. It's a great vacation read where you don't want something really heavy or intense so I would recommend it for that.
Unfortunately, there were just a few things I didn't enjoy. The book suffers from that thing that some authors do where they try to tell the story through entirely dialogue. And there is no descriptions of facial expressions, hints of personality, etc. and it's just dialogue bouncing back and forth including some conversations that really didn't need to happen and seemed very extraneous. There were also a lot of time jumps. A LOT of them.
Since James and Cassie were in each other's houses, I felt like the author really needed to spend more time investing in their relationship and showing how they slowly fall in love through notes and phone conversations. I felt like this didn't happen, I felt zero chemistry, and was surprised when time would pass by and all the book would say is "they call each other every day now"... Alright then... cool cool. Then bam, they're both soooo in love and I didn't actually feel convinced of that at all. I'm sure they're friends, but love? Eh. On the other hand, The Flatshare is a book that does the whole falling-in-love-while-separated thing very very well and that was what I was expecting when I started this book.
Also, trigger warning for IVF. I actually tend to stay away from books with IVF because it's quite depressing so if that was in the description, I would not have requested this arc to review... So I really didn't appreciate the book not having a trigger warning for this.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an arc of this book for me to review.
March 30, 2021
Thank you to Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After being in a reading slump for a while, I knew I needed something light to get me out of it. This was exactly that: light, cute, and quick read.
This was nothing life changing, but helped get me out of a slump. I wish I connected with the characters more, but the story was nice overall.
After being in a reading slump for a while, I knew I needed something light to get me out of it. This was exactly that: light, cute, and quick read.
This was nothing life changing, but helped get me out of a slump. I wish I connected with the characters more, but the story was nice overall.
March 23, 2021
I have received an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Bookouture and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. The Pub date of the book is April 19th. This review will be posted on my Goodreads, Facebook page and Instagram.
Like its written on the cover, this book was utterly gorgeous. It’s the first I read of this author and I love it very much. For sure I will read more of her. She knows how to captivate us to read more and to fall in love with her characters.
One of the things I liked about this book was the feelings that gave me while I read it and that it felt real. The story itself, the problems, the moods, the conversations and the slow but beautiful connection of our heroes.
In the beginning I was calling names to James…like, excuse me you rude bastard. What kind of beast are you?! But I was laughing at the same time, because its impossible not to. The secondary characters were a blast too – I liked them a lot, really. And while I continued reading, I felt good and happy – even in the parts that were not so happy. I could totally enter the story and switch places with both heroes. Cassie’s problems and fears and James fears and feelings of guilt. It hit close to home to me. The relationships of the characters with their friends and family were very beautifully written – showed us that they were real people and not just some tool for the moment.
The only thing I liked less was that Cassie – unfortunately – spent so much time thinking about “that” problem. I understood her pain, but I liked her to be happier!
I tried to give my opinion without spoilers. Hope I get it.
I’m very happy to have read this book. It will be one of my faves.
Like its written on the cover, this book was utterly gorgeous. It’s the first I read of this author and I love it very much. For sure I will read more of her. She knows how to captivate us to read more and to fall in love with her characters.
One of the things I liked about this book was the feelings that gave me while I read it and that it felt real. The story itself, the problems, the moods, the conversations and the slow but beautiful connection of our heroes.
In the beginning I was calling names to James…like, excuse me you rude bastard. What kind of beast are you?! But I was laughing at the same time, because its impossible not to. The secondary characters were a blast too – I liked them a lot, really. And while I continued reading, I felt good and happy – even in the parts that were not so happy. I could totally enter the story and switch places with both heroes. Cassie’s problems and fears and James fears and feelings of guilt. It hit close to home to me. The relationships of the characters with their friends and family were very beautifully written – showed us that they were real people and not just some tool for the moment.
The only thing I liked less was that Cassie – unfortunately – spent so much time thinking about “that” problem. I understood her pain, but I liked her to be happier!
I tried to give my opinion without spoilers. Hope I get it.
I’m very happy to have read this book. It will be one of my faves.
March 13, 2021
This was a super cute book! It was sweet and simple, but still incredibly fun.
I definitely enjoyed the beginning of this more than the end, but that's the case with most romances. The interactions and banter between James and Cassie were so funny, and I loved reading about them. I'm a fan of enemies-to-lovers, so their semi-hatred at the beginning had me hooked. The last 25% just got a bit too sweet for me, everything worked out too well.
But the real star of this book were the alpacas. Every time they showed up, i knew we were about to get an amazing scene. James slowly growing to care and worry about them was one of the best things I've ever read. Especially because he was some tough business man, and ended up crooning to an alpaca.
The concept of this was super unique, and it kept me hooked the entire time! It was a super fun read, and I'd definitely recommend it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Jo Lovett for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
I definitely enjoyed the beginning of this more than the end, but that's the case with most romances. The interactions and banter between James and Cassie were so funny, and I loved reading about them. I'm a fan of enemies-to-lovers, so their semi-hatred at the beginning had me hooked. The last 25% just got a bit too sweet for me, everything worked out too well.
But the real star of this book were the alpacas. Every time they showed up, i knew we were about to get an amazing scene. James slowly growing to care and worry about them was one of the best things I've ever read. Especially because he was some tough business man, and ended up crooning to an alpaca.
The concept of this was super unique, and it kept me hooked the entire time! It was a super fun read, and I'd definitely recommend it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Jo Lovett for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
April 4, 2021
A quick, simple and nice read. Ideal for disconnecting the brain from reality for a while.
Extremely well written, very funny with hilarious dialogue, but with very touching moments too. The story is a bit predictable, but in a good way, the way that makes you feel all cosy inside. The characters are well defined, including the secondary ones (Laura is a great example!)
Overall a recommended reading to spend a few hours of pure escapism.
And with a gorgeous cover as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheHouseSwap #netgalley Bookouture
Extremely well written, very funny with hilarious dialogue, but with very touching moments too. The story is a bit predictable, but in a good way, the way that makes you feel all cosy inside. The characters are well defined, including the secondary ones (Laura is a great example!)
Overall a recommended reading to spend a few hours of pure escapism.
And with a gorgeous cover as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheHouseSwap #netgalley Bookouture
May 2, 2021
This is a sweet romance that made me smile with gushiness today as I got to ride along with a couple as they found their way to a Happily Ever After beginning. I wasn't quite sure I was going to get there with them because at the beginning of the story was not a huge fan of James. He was a bit too cold and distant for my taste. I couldn't see how Cassie was going to fall in love with him because I wasn't falling in love with him, even though I was in his head for half the story.
I liked the idea of a house swap app, similar to an Air Bnb situation, where you swap houses with someone else for an extended period of time. I can't imagine how this would work in real life. Our houses are full of US ... our things, our memories, our comforts. The thought of just inviting a stranger into our space while we hung out in their space feels a bit weird to me. But for the purposes of this story it was fascinating. I liked seeing the seemingly cold and distant Londoner, James, find himself in the open and friendly small island atmosphere of Maine. Cassie was familiar with London, so it wasn't as big of a leap for her to be in James's space, but I liked seeing her befriend his neighbors and find her own inner strength as she lived in James's space.
On paper these two don't seem to be the right fit. James is uptight and orderly. He doesn't open up to anyone, really. Not even his closest friends. Definitely not his family. He's got some serious baggage in his past that he is not really dealing with other than to push everyone away so that he doesn't have to deal with it. Cassie has a few issues as well, but they come from a different place. She wants to have a baby, and she has decided to do it through IVF since she doesn't have a partner, and she is approaching her upper 30s. She doesn't want to miss her window of opportunity. Cassie is open and friendly and tries to be helpful ... even when James just wants to be left alone.
With the two main characters living on opposite sides of the Atlantic for a good portion of the story, it could have been tricky to create a romance where we root for them to find love with each other. For some reason this works. After avoiding Cassie forever, James initially approaches her because he wants to get her to consider selling part of her property for an ecotourism project. She says no and is irritated that James would only talk to her because he wants something. But this little blip is the beginning to James and Cassie slowly getting to know each other. Despite the fact that they aren't around each other in person, it is easy to feel their love and friendship growing as they become comfortable enough to speak their truths to one another. The distance actually creates the atmosphere where they can feel free to be themselves. Once this starts happening I couldn't help but root for them.
James and Cassie have a huge thing keeping them apart, and it isn't just the Atlantic Ocean. I could really appreciate this stumbling block because it felt real and not manufactured for the sake of the story. Cassie is desperate for a baby. James has no interest in one at all. His past has made him decide that he is not fit to be a father. Sometimes a plot device like this drives me crazy. We aren't our parents, for goodness sakes! We can make our own paths in the world. But, on the other hand, it is true that we can carry some bad parenting habits over (along with the good ones), and because James's family history is so dysfunctional, I can see why he's hesitant to be a dad. But he's working on theory here. He's never actually been in a situation where he was close to having to decide in a real life situation if he wanted to be a father. Long story, shorter ... I could see why they had to separate, and I could see why it was killing them to do it.
Without spoiling anything, I'll say that when James finally decides to commit ... LOVELY! His gesture was just lovely. I'm glad he fought his dragons and found a way to be happy. I'm glad that Cassie found her HEA when she was close to despairing that it would never happen. I'm glad I got to hang out with them in this story to see it come to pass. I wish there had been more of the two of them together in this book so that I could have seen more of them as a unit, but I think it played out exactly as it needed to. I give this book four stars. I really liked it.
I liked the idea of a house swap app, similar to an Air Bnb situation, where you swap houses with someone else for an extended period of time. I can't imagine how this would work in real life. Our houses are full of US ... our things, our memories, our comforts. The thought of just inviting a stranger into our space while we hung out in their space feels a bit weird to me. But for the purposes of this story it was fascinating. I liked seeing the seemingly cold and distant Londoner, James, find himself in the open and friendly small island atmosphere of Maine. Cassie was familiar with London, so it wasn't as big of a leap for her to be in James's space, but I liked seeing her befriend his neighbors and find her own inner strength as she lived in James's space.
On paper these two don't seem to be the right fit. James is uptight and orderly. He doesn't open up to anyone, really. Not even his closest friends. Definitely not his family. He's got some serious baggage in his past that he is not really dealing with other than to push everyone away so that he doesn't have to deal with it. Cassie has a few issues as well, but they come from a different place. She wants to have a baby, and she has decided to do it through IVF since she doesn't have a partner, and she is approaching her upper 30s. She doesn't want to miss her window of opportunity. Cassie is open and friendly and tries to be helpful ... even when James just wants to be left alone.
With the two main characters living on opposite sides of the Atlantic for a good portion of the story, it could have been tricky to create a romance where we root for them to find love with each other. For some reason this works. After avoiding Cassie forever, James initially approaches her because he wants to get her to consider selling part of her property for an ecotourism project. She says no and is irritated that James would only talk to her because he wants something. But this little blip is the beginning to James and Cassie slowly getting to know each other. Despite the fact that they aren't around each other in person, it is easy to feel their love and friendship growing as they become comfortable enough to speak their truths to one another. The distance actually creates the atmosphere where they can feel free to be themselves. Once this starts happening I couldn't help but root for them.
James and Cassie have a huge thing keeping them apart, and it isn't just the Atlantic Ocean. I could really appreciate this stumbling block because it felt real and not manufactured for the sake of the story. Cassie is desperate for a baby. James has no interest in one at all. His past has made him decide that he is not fit to be a father. Sometimes a plot device like this drives me crazy. We aren't our parents, for goodness sakes! We can make our own paths in the world. But, on the other hand, it is true that we can carry some bad parenting habits over (along with the good ones), and because James's family history is so dysfunctional, I can see why he's hesitant to be a dad. But he's working on theory here. He's never actually been in a situation where he was close to having to decide in a real life situation if he wanted to be a father. Long story, shorter ... I could see why they had to separate, and I could see why it was killing them to do it.
Without spoiling anything, I'll say that when James finally decides to commit ... LOVELY! His gesture was just lovely. I'm glad he fought his dragons and found a way to be happy. I'm glad that Cassie found her HEA when she was close to despairing that it would never happen. I'm glad I got to hang out with them in this story to see it come to pass. I wish there had been more of the two of them together in this book so that I could have seen more of them as a unit, but I think it played out exactly as it needed to. I give this book four stars. I really liked it.
October 21, 2021
I very much wanted to like this book. The blurb made it sound like exactly the kind of rom-com I enjoy, and I have enjoyed movies about house swaps. I stopped reading about 1/3 of the way through and then read the last few chapters to see how it ended.
I didn't like James. He was a thoughtless jerk and mostly interested in making money. I didn't buy the "softer side" that he was showing at the end, based on his attitudes and actions at the beginning of the book.
I was not remotely interested in the dramatic side-story of Cassie's desperation to become pregnant and her difficulties with IVF. Had I know that this was what the character was obsessed with, to the point of not really doing anything else in the story, I would never have started the book. I also know that this is an incredibly sensitive issue for many women and don't think it was appropriate in a book that was advertised as being light-hearted.
I didn't really find much "com" in the rom-com. The parts of the story I read I really didn't find funny--mildly amusing, maybe, but not anything that made me laugh out loud. I was offended by the book summary describing Cassie's home as a "ramshackle cottage", when it very clearly was not. I didn't find the whole "Emily" storyline to be even remotely humourous and I found Cassie's neighbours to be annoying almost to the point of being creepy instead of being enjoyably quirky. These all contributed to the reason I didn't finish the book.
The killing blow to this story, for me, was the fact that although, as a man in his 30s, James knew that he didn't want to be a father, he unhesitatingly and joyfully embraced parenthood by the end. I am sick of books that portray people who know absolutely that they don't want children to suddenly decide that being a parent is the greatest thing ever. It sets up false expectations for readers ("I know my girl/boyfriend *says* she/he doesn't want children, but if I get/get her pregnant, I'll/she'll realize I/she was wrong the second he/she holds the baby for the first time!"). That trivializes both an adult's ability to know what they do and don't want and the real commitment it takes to have a child.
I also know that many people don't share these opinions, so if you find IVF fascinating, being a parent is the best job in the world, and believe that selfish jerks can be reformed by love, then you will almost certainly enjoy this book and you should absolutely read it.
I didn't like James. He was a thoughtless jerk and mostly interested in making money. I didn't buy the "softer side" that he was showing at the end, based on his attitudes and actions at the beginning of the book.
I was not remotely interested in the dramatic side-story of Cassie's desperation to become pregnant and her difficulties with IVF. Had I know that this was what the character was obsessed with, to the point of not really doing anything else in the story, I would never have started the book. I also know that this is an incredibly sensitive issue for many women and don't think it was appropriate in a book that was advertised as being light-hearted.
I didn't really find much "com" in the rom-com. The parts of the story I read I really didn't find funny--mildly amusing, maybe, but not anything that made me laugh out loud. I was offended by the book summary describing Cassie's home as a "ramshackle cottage", when it very clearly was not. I didn't find the whole "Emily" storyline to be even remotely humourous and I found Cassie's neighbours to be annoying almost to the point of being creepy instead of being enjoyably quirky. These all contributed to the reason I didn't finish the book.
The killing blow to this story, for me, was the fact that although, as a man in his 30s, James knew that he didn't want to be a father, he unhesitatingly and joyfully embraced parenthood by the end. I am sick of books that portray people who know absolutely that they don't want children to suddenly decide that being a parent is the greatest thing ever. It sets up false expectations for readers ("I know my girl/boyfriend *says* she/he doesn't want children, but if I get/get her pregnant, I'll/she'll realize I/she was wrong the second he/she holds the baby for the first time!"). That trivializes both an adult's ability to know what they do and don't want and the real commitment it takes to have a child.
I also know that many people don't share these opinions, so if you find IVF fascinating, being a parent is the best job in the world, and believe that selfish jerks can be reformed by love, then you will almost certainly enjoy this book and you should absolutely read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2021
Cassie needs to move to London for several months to research the next book she is writing. James needs to move out of London to escape his whackadoodle ex girlfriend. So they exchange homes through a home swap website. While Cassie is now living in a swanky London penthouse, James has traded that in for a farmhouse on the coast of Maine that comes complete with animals and nosy neighbors. The pair end up getting to know each other through texts and phone calls, at first with complaints but then settling into friendship & more.
The overall writing of this book is well done, and the pacing is good. But I think this book just wasn’t for me. First of all, it was billed as a “funny and utterly gorgeous feel good love story“. There wasn’t one funny line in this book, and I don’t know anyone who would find the story funny. The disagreements and misunderstandings at the beginning of the story were just frustrating and anger inducing, not funny. The chemistry between Cassie and James was almost nonexistent, and a lot of the friendly overtures that James makes in the book seemed very out of character for him. But my biggest complaint with the book is that the baby/IVF storyline really should have been disclosed in the book description. There are readers who will find this content triggering, and readers who simply have no interest in reading about a baby-desperate woman. Just my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The overall writing of this book is well done, and the pacing is good. But I think this book just wasn’t for me. First of all, it was billed as a “funny and utterly gorgeous feel good love story“. There wasn’t one funny line in this book, and I don’t know anyone who would find the story funny. The disagreements and misunderstandings at the beginning of the story were just frustrating and anger inducing, not funny. The chemistry between Cassie and James was almost nonexistent, and a lot of the friendly overtures that James makes in the book seemed very out of character for him. But my biggest complaint with the book is that the baby/IVF storyline really should have been disclosed in the book description. There are readers who will find this content triggering, and readers who simply have no interest in reading about a baby-desperate woman. Just my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2021
This was a cute enemies to lovers story and although I liked it, I didn’t love it-mainly because there was a little too much cheese factor for me. And James, one of the main characters, started out as such a brash, self-centered jerk and then magically turned into this caring, super friendly guy that everyone loved. It was just too much of an abrupt change in character for my liking. But the idea behind the story is cute.
James’ ex is stalking him so his friends talk him into doing a SwapBnB to get away for a while so she could move on and he wouldn’t have to deal with her. Cassie has had a bad break up but has had some great success in her career and needs a change of scenery to write her next book series, so she decides to swap as well. They chat online and decide to swap for 6 months. Of course they are very different types of people and as such, challenges exist in adapting to each other’s houses and lives so they are in constant communication and start to grow feelings for each other.
They finally meet in person and sparks fly. Overall, there was cute banter and some of the support characters were fun. I enjoyed that they didn’t just immediately fall in love -and I loved that Cassie had alpacas and chickens and lived a simple life and James was ultra modern. It was like country mouse and city mouse lol
Cute little story and though there were a few minor hiccups for me, I liked it overall.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
James’ ex is stalking him so his friends talk him into doing a SwapBnB to get away for a while so she could move on and he wouldn’t have to deal with her. Cassie has had a bad break up but has had some great success in her career and needs a change of scenery to write her next book series, so she decides to swap as well. They chat online and decide to swap for 6 months. Of course they are very different types of people and as such, challenges exist in adapting to each other’s houses and lives so they are in constant communication and start to grow feelings for each other.
They finally meet in person and sparks fly. Overall, there was cute banter and some of the support characters were fun. I enjoyed that they didn’t just immediately fall in love -and I loved that Cassie had alpacas and chickens and lived a simple life and James was ultra modern. It was like country mouse and city mouse lol
Cute little story and though there were a few minor hiccups for me, I liked it overall.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
May 3, 2021
City hotshot James needs a change after a relationship goes sour and Cassie needs to leave the comfort of her little island to research her new book. When Cassie and James find each other on a home swap website, it feels meant to be.
Soon, James is living in Cassie’s cute but ramshackle house off the coast of Maine, and Cassie’s living in James’s super smart London penthouse. It’s the perfect solution.
Except it turns out it’s difficult to switch homes without getting involved in each other’s lives. Cassie’s unimpressed when James’s ex turns up, and James is furious when he discovers that the internet connection is going to be an issue and he’s going to have to help organise Cassie’s neighbour’s eightieth birthday party.
But as the insults fly, so do the sparks, and when the time finally comes to swap back, Cassie and James find they aren’t ready to give each other up – until a shocking discovery brings the pair crashing back to reality and forces them to decide what life they really want.
This is an easy and light hearted read. It’s sweet and adorable at the same time.
The plot is obviously predictable and the ending is slightly too good to be true, but the characters are so enjoyable, that you don’t mind it! Cassie is amazing right from the start. Her outgoing and friendly personality is what makes you love her throughout the book. James starts off as unlikable, but as the story progresses, his attitude changes and we get to discover a different side of him.
What I liked the most about this book was that in spite of it being cute, sweet and all things nice, it also had a message. Through the traumas and struggles that Cassie and James were facing, the author was able to highlight the importance of family, friendship, learning and discovering one-self through various life experiences.
Overall, a good read. Highly recommended for a light weekend read!
Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
Soon, James is living in Cassie’s cute but ramshackle house off the coast of Maine, and Cassie’s living in James’s super smart London penthouse. It’s the perfect solution.
Except it turns out it’s difficult to switch homes without getting involved in each other’s lives. Cassie’s unimpressed when James’s ex turns up, and James is furious when he discovers that the internet connection is going to be an issue and he’s going to have to help organise Cassie’s neighbour’s eightieth birthday party.
But as the insults fly, so do the sparks, and when the time finally comes to swap back, Cassie and James find they aren’t ready to give each other up – until a shocking discovery brings the pair crashing back to reality and forces them to decide what life they really want.
This is an easy and light hearted read. It’s sweet and adorable at the same time.
The plot is obviously predictable and the ending is slightly too good to be true, but the characters are so enjoyable, that you don’t mind it! Cassie is amazing right from the start. Her outgoing and friendly personality is what makes you love her throughout the book. James starts off as unlikable, but as the story progresses, his attitude changes and we get to discover a different side of him.
What I liked the most about this book was that in spite of it being cute, sweet and all things nice, it also had a message. Through the traumas and struggles that Cassie and James were facing, the author was able to highlight the importance of family, friendship, learning and discovering one-self through various life experiences.
Overall, a good read. Highly recommended for a light weekend read!
Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
June 29, 2022
It was a fade to BLACK? In a romance book? This was misleading. I hated the pregnancy plot... 😒
March 16, 2021
4 1/2.
I really liked this one, even though it's not completely perfect. The writing is really good and the settings worked great for the characters' needs.
Let's talk about Cassie and James. I can't remember a pair of main characters that grew as much as they did throughout the story, especially James. He was such a jerk in the beginning, and by the end, he had really grown on me.
I couldn't see at first how the house swap would be a medium that would bring them together and interacting, but it did, and they were able to grow into friendship and attraction, and eventually more.
I loved the island and all the neighbors and animals in Maine, and the neighbors in London, and they all related to Cassie and James.
The ending was perfect and I highly recommend this book!
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
I really liked this one, even though it's not completely perfect. The writing is really good and the settings worked great for the characters' needs.
Let's talk about Cassie and James. I can't remember a pair of main characters that grew as much as they did throughout the story, especially James. He was such a jerk in the beginning, and by the end, he had really grown on me.
I couldn't see at first how the house swap would be a medium that would bring them together and interacting, but it did, and they were able to grow into friendship and attraction, and eventually more.
I loved the island and all the neighbors and animals in Maine, and the neighbors in London, and they all related to Cassie and James.
The ending was perfect and I highly recommend this book!
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
April 17, 2021
I enjoyed that this was a quick and light read after a series of heavier books. It was cute, funny and heavy on the romance tropes IE: enemies to lovers. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed the dialogue between James and Cassie, and found it quite funny at times. My only critique is that the story line felt a bit predictable but otherwise it brought out real emotional responses from me.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced e-book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced e-book in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2021
Cassie and James give me life. This book was sweet, funny, emotional, yet not too heavy. Just….chefs kiss….wonderful. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I’m looking forward to a future that includes more Jo Lovett.
June 7, 2025
Cheesy palette cleanser. I love rom coms for the escapism so this checked those boxes, however the plot was a little all over the place. Without spoiling too much, main characters having total changes to who they are.. it tidies up in a nice bow, but I had difficulty believing they really fell in love as the story says they did. However it was a feel good read so it gets the 4 stars but I really feel like it’s a 3 or 3.5
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