#BookReview: THE SWITCH by Beth O’Leary @OLearyBeth @QuercusBooks @Hannah_Robbo

Publication: 16th April 2020 – Quercus

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 many eligible gentlemen… So Leena proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love, and L Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire.

But with a rabble of unruly OAPs to contend with, as well as the annoyingly perfect – and distractingly handsome – local schoolteacher, Leena learns that switching lives isn’t straightforward. Back in London, Eileen is a huge hit with her new neighbours, and with the online dating scene. But is her perfect match nearer to home than she first thought?

Amazon.co.uk: https://amzn.to/3alvdpz

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Last year, I read The Flatshare and I fell in love with the protagonists Leon and Tiffy, their story, and Beth O’Leary’s brilliant writing. And now, one year later, Beth O’Leary is back with another beautiful and addictive story.

One afternoon, a few days ago, I sat down on the couch, I picked up The Switch, I am not sure, but I think at some point I had dinner, and suddenly it was 2am and I had finished reading the entire novel.

The Switch is a fantastic story of family and friendship with a bit of romance in it. The protagonists are Eileen and her granddaughter Leena who, following a rough year, decide to switch their lives, The Holiday-style. Leena, on a sabbatical from work, moves to her grandmother’s house in Yorkshire and takes on her many many projects. On the other hand, Eileen moves to Shoreditch to live with her granddaughter’s roommates and give a try to online dating.

Both protagonists get involved in many hilarious situations that brought tears to my eyes from laughing. Eileen and Leena are funny, strong, and generous and I simply adored them. All the characters are well-crafted and witty. From Leena’s roommates and friends to the members of the Neighbourhood Watch, I liked them all and they made me laugh out loud.

The Switch is a terrific and engrossing novel that everyone needs to read, especially right now. With the right amount of comedy and a few emotional moments, it will keep you entertained and establishes Beth O’Leary as an amazing storyteller that knows how to grip the reader’s attention. I am definitely a huge fan of this author and I can’t wait to see what she has planned next…

A huge thank you to Quercus and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel.