Beth O'leary

The Switch

'O'Leary does it again! The Switch is a warm, funny and feisty tale of generational location swapping that will have you laughing and tearing up in equal measure. Populated by a cast of characters you'll wish you knew in real life. It's an absolute joy from beginning to end' MIKE GAYLE, author of Half a World Away Eileen is sick of being 79. Leena's tired of life in her twenties. Maybe it's time they swapped places... When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen's house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She'd like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn't offer many eligible gentlemen. Once Leena learns of Eileen's romantic predicament, she proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. But with gossiping neighbours and difficult family dynamics to navigate up north, and trendy London flatmates and online dating to contend with in the city, stepping into one another's shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected. Leena learns that a long-distance relationship isn't as romantic as she hoped it would be, and then there is the annoyingly perfect - and distractingly handsome - school teacher, who keeps showing up to outdo her efforts to impress the local villagers. Back in London, Eileen is a huge hit with her new neighbours, but is her perfect match nearer home than she first thought?

Katie Thyer

Beth O'Leary

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'SO CHARMING, SO SWEET AND SO LOVELY' MARIAN KEYES 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 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? Praise for The Switch: 'Another life-affirming joy' HEAT MAGAZINE 'Warm, witty, and a cast of characters I wish I was friends with - I truly loved it!' LAURA JANE WILLIAMS 'I am blown away. I didn't think Beth could top The Flatshare but she has. It sparkles with wit, warmth and compassion. It deserves to be huge!' GILLIAN McALLISTER 'Heartwarming and uplifting. Everyone should have an Eileen in their life!' HEIDI SWAIN 'Eileen Cotton proves you don't have to be in your thirties to be Bridget Jones. A triumph of a second novel!' ANSTEY HARRIS 'Bursting with warmth and humour' LOUISE O'NEILL 'I loved it! A total joy to read. Such a breath of fresh air' LIBBY PAGE 'It's an absolute joy from beginning to end' MIKE GAYLE 'I just loved The Switch! What a beautiful story with such memorable characters. I have been well and truly Eileened! It's an absolute triumph!' EMMA COOPER 'Beth O'Leary has absolutely smashed it out of the park with The Switch. Brilliant, warm, funny, full of heart. Completely loved it!' RICHARD ROPER

the joyful and uplifting Sunday Times bestseller

Sarah Campbell

When people talked about loss, they always say that you’ll never be the same, that it will change you, leave a hole in your life.” My voice is choked with tears now. “And those things are undoubtedly true. But when you lose someone you love, you don’t lose everything they gave you. They leave something with you.”

Jenna-Lee Gordon

Gelaine Trinidad

anna

This was such a sweet book, I really enjoyed reading it! I still like the Flatshare more than this one tho.

I really wanted to enjoy this book… However, I was so close to DNFiing it… 

I read The Flatshare a few times and I really enjoyed that book, so I was expecting a similar feel for this book. That was not the case. The idea was a great one! like switching your life with your grandma, that sounds like a good plot idea. However, I really did not enjoy reading about the grandma’s new life… It just wasn’t for me. And I may or may not have skipped a few chapters…

I did finish the book but it took me a while and that usually happens if I like a book so much that I don't want to finish it, or I don't like the book and don't want to read it. Unfortunately, it was the second case this time...

alara

I really wanted to enjoy this book… However, I was so close to DNFiing it… 

I read The Flatshare a few times and I really enjoyed that book, so I was expecting a similar feel for this book. That was not the case. The idea was a great one! like switching your life with your grandma, that sounds like a good plot idea. However, I really did not enjoy reading about the grandma’s new life… It just wasn’t for me. And I may or may not have skipped a few chapters…

I did finish the book but it took me a while and that usually happens if I like a book so much that I don't want to finish it, or I don't like the book and don't want to read it. Unfortunately, it was the second case this time...

Tracy K

Predicate in a delightfully unpredictable way.

Kerry McHugh West

Petaco

I could not finish the print book. I was able to listen to the audiobook though the writing was not as enjoyable. I don't know why.

Camryn Wren

Eileen is sick of being 79.Leena's tired of life in her twenties.Maybe it's time they swapped places...When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen's house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She'd like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn't offer many eligible gentlemen.Once Leena learns of Eileen's romantic predicament, she proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. But with gossiping neighbours and difficult family dynamics to navigate up north, and trendy London flatmates and online dating to contend with in the city, stepping into one another's shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected.Leena learns that a long-distance relationship isn't as romantic as she hoped it would be, and then there is the annoyingly perfect - and distractingly handsome - school teacher, who keeps showing up to outdo her efforts to impress the local villagers. Back in London, Eileen is a huge hit with her new neighbours, but is her perfect match nearer home than she first thought?

Lynn

It took me a while to get properly into this book, it is a slow burner but well worth it in the end! The English countryside vs the business of London and the contrast between the two ‘Eileens’ made this book so interesting. The deeper connections between the characters and how they all deal with grief differently adds a sharper edge to this otherwise romantic novel. Well-worth a lovely rainy Sunday read!

Joana da Silva

This is my January pick for my podcast's book club. So, I'll be hiding the entire review for those who want to save it for the discussion episode. Proceed at your own risk.

(view spoiler)[ This book was a great surprise. I've been meaning to pick this up for months but was afraid to do so because I loved The Flatshare and it marked such a turning point of my reading habits that I was very afraid to be disappointed by other works from the same author (coff coff Sally Thorne). However, I'm glad I ended up choosing it for the book club because it's a great story and I think everyone will find something to like about it. The characters are so complete and full of life, it's impossible not to fall head over heels for them. This is a romance but the romantic plot is far from the spotlight. It's a story about taking back your life, changing what's not working, no matter how hard it feels. I can't stop gushing about this one, such a cute read to lighten the January blues.  (hide spoiler)]

This is the Last of Beth O’Leary’s books that I have on my shelf to read, and I think that I saved the best for last; this was the book that I needed right at the perfect moment, The perfect effortless reading experience that just made it perfect to get lost in the book and the word O’Leary created. Even when I put the book down all I wanted to do with pick it back up again.

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 had planned on going to London before pregnancy and marriage. Living in a warehouse flat in Shoreditch, London, overachieving Leena has a panic attack during a presentation to a client, forced into a two-month sabbatical by her boss, she visits her grandmother, Eileen, in Yorkshire. Upon learning of her grandmother's dilemma, she suggests they swap lives and switch homes.

O'Leary has a remarkable talent in writing with wit, charm and humour whilst creating the kind of characters you cannot help but adore. The real star of this novel is undoubtedly the unforgettable and strong Eileen, willing to do the right thing by protecting her granddaughter even whilst knowing that will once again bring heartbreak to her. I really enjoyed both Characters perspectives and it’s difficult to pick a favourite out of the pair of them as I enjoyed getting lost in both. Overall: this is sweet, entertaining, well-crafted, humorous, romantic enjoyable family, self-discovery, grief, life, and happiness story. Highly recommend.

Ian Brakspear

This is the Last of Beth O’Leary’s books that I have on my shelf to read, and I think that I saved the best for last; this was the book that I needed right at the perfect moment, The perfect effortless reading experience that just made it perfect to get lost in the book and the word O’Leary created. Even when I put the book down all I wanted to do with pick it back up again.

 

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 had planned on going to London before pregnancy and marriage. Living in a warehouse flat in Shoreditch, London, overachieving Leena has a panic attack during a presentation to a client, forced into a two-month sabbatical by her boss, she visits her grandmother, Eileen, in Yorkshire. Upon learning of her grandmother's dilemma, she suggests they swap lives and switch homes.

 

 

O'Leary has a remarkable talent in writing with wit, charm and humour whilst creating the kind of characters you cannot help but adore. The real star of this novel is undoubtedly the unforgettable and strong Eileen, willing to do the right thing by protecting her granddaughter even whilst knowing that will once again bring heartbreak to her. I really enjoyed both Characters perspectives and it’s difficult to pick a favourite out of the pair of them as I enjoyed getting lost in both. Overall: this is sweet, entertaining, well-crafted, humorous, romantic enjoyable family, self-discovery, grief, life, and happiness story. Highly recommend.

Monique Nagel

I really wanted to like this book, I just think my reading tastes have changed so much over the last couple months that this book just didn’t do it to me. I DNF’d this book, I was really stuggling to stay focused while reading and tried reading it multiple times, but just ended up a bored and somewhat uninterested. Maybe I’ll give it another go later on in the year, but right now it just wasn’t for me.

Addie 🌻

Wow. Okay. Really liked this book a lot more than expected!!

victoria

I am in love with this book, seriously! Despite her fame, I had never read anything by this author, this was the first one I got interested in and now I want to read all the others. The writing is very detailed, but in no way is it tiring, it's very fluid so you read on and you don't even realize that several chapters have passed, both the protagonists and the supporting characters are very identifiable so you end up clinging to even the grumpy old men lol. In addition to family relationships and self-discovery, there's also fluffy romances just the way I like it. It may not be a book for everyone, but it's great for warm the heart, a great comfort book!

A grandmother and granddaughter swap lives in The Switch, a charming, romantic novel by Beth O’Leary, who has been hailed as “the new Jojo Moyes” (Cosmopolitan UK)... When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen's house for some long-overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She'd like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn't offer many eligible gentlemen. So they decide to try a two-month swap. Eileen will live in London and look for love. She’ll take Leena’s flat, and learn all about casual dating, swiping right, and city neighbors. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire: Eileen’s sweet cottage and garden, her idyllic, quiet village, and her little neighborhood projects. But stepping into one another's shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected. Will swapping lives help Eileen and Leena find themselves...and maybe even find true love? In Beth O'Leary's The Switch, it's never too late to change everything....or to find yourself.

A Novel

very cute story line. i loved the the writing in eileen’s point of view. was a bit slow in some parts but overall a cute little book. 

Tori Albin

Rachel Kanyid

This was probably one of the most fun, compelling chick-lits I have read in AGES!

This made me a bit sad thinking of my grandma

Annabella

Alice Myles

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books for early access to this audiobook

I wholeheartedly adored this book! After reading and loving The Flat Share I knew I wanted to read this book as well so when I saw it was available as an audiobook on NetGalley I jumped at the chance to get to read it. Also, the fact that it was narrated by the absolute ICON that is Alison Steadman and Normal People's Daisy Edgar-Jones really sold it to me! I love when audiobooks have multiple perspectives narrated by different actors as I feel like it adds a lot to the story that you don't always get from a single narrator. This was just so charmingly Beth O'Leary and I loved this one just as much - if not more than I loved The Flat Share. I loved all of the characters and this was such a fun read but it also deals with very serious topics as well such as death, grief and abuse but all rolled up in a charming little tale of love, friendship and family. It gave me major Hallmark Christmas movie vibes as in I kind of knew how it was going to end right at the start but it was so fun and sweet and it was nice just to do life with the characters. I couldn't recommend this book enough!

very wholesome and light hearted book w romance on the side

Janna Niemi

Leena is overworked Londoner who on the brink of a nervous breakdown returns home and changes lives with her grandmother Eileen. 
Eileen goes to London to try the dating scene there and to try out Leena's life. 
Switching lives turns out to be the best decision they've ever made. 

I really enjoyed this book. The story plot is brilliant and I really like how much good they manage to do in each others lives. It is also interesting to see how they work through the grieve they all have. I mean that is the inner point of this book in my opinion. The different ways people try to get through grieve. The book has both deep and serious and humorous and light tones to it. And all those tones make the book the brilliant piece of literature it is. 

The characters are also interesting. I have not read too many books with an older lady as the main character so this was a new experience for me. I quite liked reading the dating adventures of Eileen. I also like Leena a lot, although her plain trust in Ethan frustrated me a bit, especially in the end. And speaking of Ethan, I really disliked him from the start. He just never gave me positive feelings. 

All in all I enjoyed this audiobook. It is super cool that there is too different narrators, to give Eileen and Leena their own voices. It gives story more layers and it's also a lot easier to follow. 

* ARC received from the publisher through Netgalley

Gisela Ayala 

The best way I can describe this is like a Hallmark movie but 1000x better because I actually don't like Hallmark movies. One of the characters even comments on that fact in the book, which cracked me up. The book is so wholesome without being censored in any way. It's exactly the kind of book that gives you a hug which is much needed during a pandemic. Both of our main girls, Lina and Eileen were stellar. It goes to show you that no matter how old you are there is always room for more adventure and love. 

Narration was phenomenal!

This book took a while for me to get into and felt a bit like a lot was being said with no actual content at the beginning, but once I got further in, it got better. It is based in the UK and it definitely for readers who enjoy the dry British humour. 

The Switch

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