The Switch is a nice re-telling of Freaky Friday but instead of mum & daughter we have Grandma & Granddaughter switching places. I listened to the audiobook and it was easy to follow. It is not the best book I've read in 2020 but it really is a lovely, "rosie" one for when you want to have a rest from Thrillers and True Crime.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Leena Cotton has a panic attack in the middle of an important meeting. Instead of getting sacked her employer orders her to take a two month paid holiday. tory

Leena goes to visit her grandmother Eileen. It has been quite a while since Leena made this journey because she is avoiding her mother.

Leena and Eileen decide to swap lives. Leena will get a much needed rest and Eileen will get to experience life in London and maybe find a little romance.

What ensues is a story filled with friendship making, dicovering love, growing as a person in ways the characters did not expect, mourning, facing awful truths.

This story comes with all of the feelings. I quite enjoyed it. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for and honest review.

I really wanted to like this book, but the story was too unbelievable for me. The author is a great writer and the words flowed. It was the story line I couldn’t get on board with. I did like Eileen’s character the best.
I like the idea of the swap, but a lot was left unexplained. The reader doesn’t see Leena explaining the swap or that she was leaving for two months to her boyfriend Ethan or even to her flatmates. I would have liked to know what they thought about it. I can’t imagine the flatmates would agree so quickly with Leena’s grandma living with them. It’s not like they know her. I also thought it was unrealistic for Leena and her grandmother to switch devices. Some of the conversations between characters were unrealistic and abrupt as well. Leena’s mom lives near and Leena said she would look in on her, but she doesn’t call her for three weeks. I know she is not happy with her mom, but it seemed like too much time passed to make a phone call. There are several time jumps that made me pause, and too many scenarios happened off the page, jarring me once they were revealed as an afterthought.
The Flat Share by the same author got great reviews. I will check that one out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I used the author's first book, The Flatshare, in a library program I ran in July. I liked the parts of that one that I skinned before the program, and most participants seemed pretty excited about it. Just before the program, I saw early press for this book and gave a 2-sentence promo during the program. Checking stats in the weeks afterwards, The Flatshare had some holds, but the records for the pre-order for this title had more. When I saw this on NetGalley's new audiobook service, I thought it would be a good title to use to try out their app for audiobook listening. Whew, I don't usually give backstory for why I picked a title!

This is a sweet story about facing grief and personal growth. It was a little Hallmark-Channel-y for me, but I think that was because of the reading-- when Lena's narrator was speaking, I constantly found myself thinking how I would have read the line differently in my mind: I would have added some snark, or force, wry humor, an understood eye-roll. Instead, Lena came off as whiny and/or sappy. I guess this why I don't usually listen to audiobook fiction-- the narrator makes the lines come out only one way, whereas when we read to ourselves, there is more room for ambiguity, interpretation, other emotion creeping through. None of this is bad, just that this reading of Lena was not necessarily how I would have read it.

The narrator for Eileen was very good, except some listeners will hear all her mouth sounds and want to stab something. It was a near thing for me sometimes. Listeners sensitive to that should steer clear!-- which is a shame, because she's otherwise excellent.

Recommended in multiple formats for public libraries and readers who like women's fiction.

I tried several times to finish this audiobook as I was enjoying the story. Sadly, I couldn't seem to bookmark where I'd got to and I had to listen to huge chunks all over again if I stopped listening at any point. It may be user error with the software, but it spoilt my enjoyment of the book and ultimately meant I couldn't finish it.
What I did listen to was thoroughly enjoyable and I want to know how things turned out in the end!

This is exactly the kind of wholesome, endearing, and sweet content everyone needs in their lives right now.

It makes me so sad that I didn't love this as much as i wanted to, but its definitely not the books fault. I just wasn't in the mood for such a slow, character driven novel.

The entire story is explained in the synopsis - nothing new is given to the reader, everything that happens is mentioned in the blurb. so there really wasn't anything for me to look forward to in terms of plot because I already knew how the story would play out. That's not always a bad thing, especially if a reader is able to connect to the characters, but I definitely needed more from this.

I never did read the Flatshare, but I wanted to give this one a try. The british writing style is so hard for me, and I just found myself not enjoying this audiobook. This is also women's fiction and not romance, and I don't really like women's fiction. The plot was also really predictable.

I admit I was a little hesitant going into this book. I was afraid of encountering a Freaky Friday type of plot, so I didn’t have high hopes. I’m so glad I was wrong!

A grandmother and her adult granddaughter are stuck in their respective ruts and decide to switch lives for two months to each try something new and gain some perspective on their lives. Even though this book is essentially a Hallmark Christmas movie (minus the Christmas), with its predictable city-girl-meets-country-boy side-plot, I nevertheless found myself really enjoying it. I felt invested in the characters and their goals, I loved the grandmother’s cheeky humour, and the primary plot felt original and engaging.

I would definitely watch The Switch if it were a movie, and I will enthusiastically recommend this title to readers seeking romantic comedies, light reads, hope, family stories, happy endings, and small town/village settings.

This book moved a bit slow at times but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved that I could identify with both main characters despite the age differences and it moved me to tears quite a few times. I appreciate that the author was able to paint a picture in my head of the two separate yet intertwining lives that grandmother and granddaughter are living. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a light but heartfelt romance novel that doesn't take itself too seriously! Stick with it through to the end and you'll smile at the wrap up.

This was is one of my favourite reads of 2020. It is so feel good and I was smiling for pretty much the entire book. It is pretty predictable and hits all the expected beats but this didn't impact my enjoyment at all. It is so nice to see a elderly protagonist in a romcom, and I absolutely adore Eileen's time in London. She is witty and take charge and loved all her interactions with Leena's friends and those in the apartment. The characters really are the true strength of this book. Both protagonists are absolutely wonderful and the the large cast of side characters are well developed and shine through on page. I reread on audio thanks to netgalley and the publisher, and would highly recommend both narrators were fantastic and did a brilliant job bringing the story and characters to life.

THE SWITCH--in which Leena Cotton and her grandmother Eileen switch places--was just as winning as The Flatshare, despite being heavier on family and friendship than romance.

As the family struggles with a recent loss and each of them has her own reasons to need a break from their current lives, grandmother and granddaughter decide to switch: Eileen will spend time in Leena's London flat (taking her cell phone and laptop with her), while Leena retreats to the town her estranged mother is still in, and where her sister died.

A strong cast of secondary characters ensure that, while this deals with some tough topics--cancer, grief, infidelity, and an emotionally abusive relationship--it is overall a heartwarming tale. I was pulling for the romance, but even more, pulling for Leena and her mother's reconciliation, for everyone to come terms with their grief, and for Eileen's romantic adventures to fulfill dreams she thought she left behind decades earlier.

Recommend this one to anyone, not just romance readers!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
I really enjoy Beth O'Leary's storytelling. I saw another individual posting that, "The actress reading for the character Eileen has an engaging voice...; however, the audio technical quality did not find the right way to prevent hearing all the mouth noise of the actress, who seemed to have dry mouth/ thick saliva. This was distracting and off-putting, since I often listen to audiobooks on ear buds. I have never had that experience before with any other audiobook, and I'm sure that many voice actors make mouth noises, but it's imperative for the recording technicians to fix that issue before releasing the final recording."
I would second that notion. It was quite distracting. The story was enjoyable but I think you'd be able to reach more readers if the audiobook was fixed.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Another great read by Beth O'Leary! She creates wonderful characters.

Feedback on the audiobook quality: The actress reading for the character Eileen has an engaging voice, and I really cared for her and wanted wonderful things to happen for her character; however, the audio technical quality did not find the right way to prevent hearing all the mouth noise of the actress, who seemed to have dry mouth/ thick saliva. This was distracting and off-putting, since I often listen to audiobooks on ear buds. I have never had that experience before with any other audiobook, and I'm sure that many voice actors make mouth noises, but it's imperative for the recording technicians to fix that issue before releasing the final recording.

The Switch by Beth O'Leary is a happy and hopeful story about a grandmother-granddaughter duo who set out to discover themselves. Eileen is just shy of 80, single and sick of her life. Leena, in her twenties, is suddenly put on a two month sabbatical from her job and in desperate need of a change so the two decide to switch lives. This book is the perfect pick-me-up for 2020.

Thank you for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

This was my very first audiobook! I adored the narration - there was so much personality which really added to the story. I have realized though, that audiobooks are not really for me. It was difficult to remain focused and not doze off. I was constantly rewinding the audiobook, hence why it took me so long to get through!
I thought the story was so witty and fun. I was constantly giggling to myself. Leena and Eileen had such a genuine and pure relationship - it was so interesting to see how things unfolded during their “switch”.
I would love to pick up a hard copy of this book so I can re-read it! I feel like I was not able to truly appreciate the story via audiobook.
Overall, I certainly would recommend this book to anyone seeking a lighthearted, fun, easy read!

4.5/5 stars

One sentence summary: The Switch is like a Hallmark movie if Hallmark movies were actually good.

Eileen and Leena Cotton are stuck. Leena was forced to take a two-month sabbatical from her high-intensity London-based job after having a panic attack during a big meeting; Eileen is 79-years old, newly single, and bone tired. They are both (struggling to) cope with the recent death of Carla (Leena's sister and Eileen's granddaughter). In a moment of genius, they decide to "switch lives," where Eileen goes to London to live out her big-city dreams and Leena stays in Hamleigh-in-Harksdale taking care of all of her grandmother's daily, small-town tasks.

What a DELIGHTFUL little story!!! I am absolutely blown away by the depth and love woven throughout. I'm not sure what I expected to read, but this exceeded all of my expectations. This book is full of heart and I was completely unprepared for how emotional it made me throughout. Within the first 5 chapters, I was tearing up on my commute to work. Beth O'Leary perfectly encapsulates how grief feels, on multiple spectrums, that it felt like I, too, lost Carla. All of the characters felt so human in a way that I haven't experienced in a while. Not only Eileen and Leena, who I came to absolutely adore, but all of the side characters as well were fully fleshed out and you cared about all of them. From Martha and her baby, to Leticia and all her antiques, and Betsy's frigid exterior. I loved all of the small touches O'Leary added in to create deeper emotional connections with the characters as well - all the side glances and snarky comments.

This was just a joy to read (& listen to - which I'll get to!!). The writing is just captivating - beautiful but also simple to understand. The dialogue is snappy and laugh-out-loud funny. Truly everything I could ever ask for. I want more stories with bad-ass old ladies living their lives. While I really enjoyed Leena's chapters, Eileen really stole the show for me. I would read 10 books in her POV.

The audiobook narrators were also incredible. Alison Steadman was perfect as Eileen and Daisy Edgar-Jones (sporting a British accent vs. the Irish one from Normal People fame) truly depicted the characters how I envisioned. They made a wonderful duo and their voices were just neutral enough that it didn't distract me from the story.

My ONLY complaint is that I think it ended a little too easily - things wrapped up way too cleanly for all of the characters (though given the trauma they've been through, they probably deserve it.) I was just left wanting a little bit more, but otherwise just sublime. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the review copy of The Switch in exchange for an honest review

“Check it out Grandma, Four hundred men just waiting to meet you in London.”

Beth O’Leary’s amusing novel, The Switch, is a version of the Country Mouse and The City Mouse, but in this case we have a septuagenarian grandmother and her grief stricken single granddaughter.

Leena, still reeling from the death of her sister from cancer, suffers a full blown anxiety attack while giving a presentation at work. She is ordered to take a two month holiday. Most people would jump at the chance, but the prospect of leaving the crutch of her work routines is daunting. Meanwhile Leena’s grandmother, now on her own since her errant hubbie ran off with his dance instructor, trolls the local dating prospects. Slim pickings.

Leena suggests a house swap, so Eileen travels to London under the assumption that there are more eligible men there swarming the streets, while Leena moves up to Yorkshire to take care of her grandmother’s home and rest in the countryside….



The Switch is a light breezy read, leaning towards chick lit–were it not for the fact that Eileen is in her 70s. Hold on… I take that back, this still seems like chick-lit. Leena is concerned about her career and finding solace after her sister’s death which caused an estrangement with her mother. Eileen, instead of drowning in self-pity at her husband’s desertion, is convinced that there’s still time for romance in her life.

This is not a typical read for me, but I listened to the audio book version. Eileen’s sections were read by Alison Steadman, and she’s an actress I like to watch so I reasoned I’d like to listen to her too. Leena’s sections were read by Daisy-Edgar Jones. I must say that I enjoyed Eileen’s sections far more, as her voice is rich, deep and pleasant to listen to. Leena isn’t as much fun to listen to, or read about. Dating, well the dating antics of others are always fun to watch or read about, and Eileen jumps right into internet dating, dauntlessly. It’s never too late to admit you’re lonely.

Woven with optimism and a zest for life, this is a light read. This would make a good TV series.

I listened to this via audio. The Switch by Beth O'Leary is narrated by Daisy Edgar-Jones and Alison Steadman.

I liked how the audiobook had two different narrators for the two different perspectives!

Leena works a lot and is overworked. Her boss notices and forces her to take a leave of absence to relax. Leena lives in busy London and there's no way she can relax there so she decides to go back to her home town. Leena's grandmother Eileen has just got cheated on and is looking for some fun. Eileen signs up for a dating site and realizes there is nobody in her nearby area, she decides to say at Leena's flat in London where there are lots of people. The two switch places.

This was so much fun, I loved both perspectives so much! They both grew a lot through out the story and learned things about each other. The bond was very cute. The granddaughter and grandma relationship was my favourite and I think that's why I enjoyed it so much!

This was okay. I think I went into this thinking there would be more romance like The Flat Share but that was my own misconception.