When I read the blurb for The Flatshare I was immediately intrigued- two people sharing a flat, and a bed, who communicate entirely through post-it notes and have never met. It felt like it might be a bit reminiscent of "You've Got Mail" (which is my favourite film!) so I was really eager to read it.

The Flatshare ended up being one of the best reads of the year for me. It was so easy to pick up and be instantly immersed in the story. It's a gorgeously uplifting romantic comedy from beginning to end. The main characters are immediately likable and they bring the story to life. There's enough darkness and reality to the plot to make it believable, but enough cuteness, coincidence and wonderfully happy endings to make reading it a fantastic escape.

Tiffy and Leon's romance built in a really realistic way, this wasn't an instant love situation which all too often happens in romance books. I loved the notes they sent to each other, how they slowly became friends by leaving meals and baking out for each other, the reluctance on Leon's part to meet Tiffy and Tiffy's unstoppable personality proving irresistible to him.

The Flatshare is the best romantic comedy I've read in years. I can't believe it's a debut for Beth O'Leary. Her writing is warm and witty, with a fantastically well shaped plot. The Flatshare will leave you with a warm, cosy feeling in your heart long after you've finished reading.

This was a really fun, easy-to-read, generally rather delightful book. The concept is an original and interesting twist on the rom-com. There's a great cast of characters and you really end up warming to them and rooting for them as a reader. Would definitely recommend to a friend as an enjoyable, heartwarming, well-written read.

Tiffy has broken up with her horrible boyfriend, Justin, and needs somewhere to stay. Her job publishing rather niche crochet books pays a pittance, so she is tempted with an interesting flat-share proposition; for cheap rent, she can inhabit Leon's flat during the nights and weekends while he is at work at the hospice and staying with his girlfriend, Kay. Tiffy and Leon share a bed, but never at the same time. It seems like an ideal solution, but things change and life gets in the way of the best laid plans.

I really enjoyed this. Yes, it's a bit predictable and there are some amazing coincidences that the plot relies on heavily. However, it's a cheerful and lively read that will keep you turning the pages as Tiffy and Leon get to know each other without meeting - the trails of notes are really sweet. There are also lots of likeable characters and some real pantomime villains. It does occasionally get a bit dark in places, but there are some lovely humorous touches too; I especially liked Katherin, the crochet queen, and Rachel, the oversharing work friend.

Overall, there is a lot to enjoy here and it was great to read something light and happy. I'd recommend this and will look for more from this writer in the future.

I always have my favourite go to authors whose books I look forward to each year, but I also love to find new debut authors who offer something original to enjoy and that was exactly what I was expecting when I saw The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary appear on my social media timeline.
After Tiffy breaks up with her partner Justin she is desperate to find somewhere affordable to live but with prices so high her options are slim.
Leon is in desperate need of cash, he works nights as a nurse so he comes up with a perfect plan of renting out his flat and his bed!
Can Tiffy and Leon make the situation work even with the words of warning from friends and loved ones?
I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline, it was the perfect book at the right time as I had read a lot of deep dark storylines so I needed something uplifting, romantic and witty and that was exactly what this book had instore for me. I can say that this is the first book I have ever read ( and I wouldn’t mind betting there are no others out there) that features a bed rental and it surprisingly worked incredibly well even if I did have SO many things going through my head regarding the logistics of how they were going to make this work.
Although this was a witty and uplifting read the author does also touch on a couple of issues that both Leon and Tiffy are both facing and both were weaved into the storyline perfectly to create awareness and give a bit more depth to the storyline without it dulling the mood.
The storyline is told from both Tiffy and Leon’s points of view which worked really well in this book considering they do not meet for a large part of the book. I found Tiffy’s chapters easy to read from the start but it did take a little getting used to with Leon’s point of view as the dialogue didn’t flow as well but after a few chapters I got used to his narrative.
What I loved most in this book was the post it note conversations, they were humorous and I loved watching the friendship between Tiffy and Leon blossom through their words. I was routing for both of our characters as they both had such an honest, loyal friendly personalities who only deserve the best and it wasn’t long before Tiffy’s quirkiness draws Leon out of his shell and rather than finding her quirks annoying he soon finds them comforting and somewhat endearing.
This is a praiseworthy debut as Beth has developed such loving and memorable characters and her storytelling is one that sweeps you up and doesn’t let you go. I was quite sad to leave these characters behind but I am excited to see what else this author brings us in the future. I do think that fans of Lindsey Kelk and Jane Costello will definitely enjoy The Flatshare.

Well written and engaging but I'm afraid I didn't buy the central conceit, that two people would share a bed and not meet, so on that level the book didn't work for me.