The Switch is a cute story about a grandmother and granddaughter who switch places. The change helps each of them sort out their feelings after traumatic events. I enjoyed getting to know the quirky characters of Gran's village and Leena's London friends. The narrator of this audio book did a super job of varying accents and voices. I enjoyed this review copy from #NetGalley.

Wholesome, wonderful, heart-warming content. That is exactly what this is, if anyone was wondering. I received a copy of the audiobook from the publisher via Netgalley, and I'm so glad I did. I requested it on a whim and now it is a new favourite.

This book follows two Eileen Cottons. Eileen in Yorkshire, and Lena in London; grandmother and granddaughter. After Lena is forced out of work for 2 months because of her grief over her sister's death, and Eileen is trying to move on from her husband leaving her in her late seventies, they decide to switch places. Lena will move to the tiny Yorkshire village to take over her grandmother's projects and try to patch things up with her mother; Eileen will move in with Lena's flatmates in Shoreditch to give online dating a go.

This was so well-executed, and reminded me of some of my favourite Sophie Kinsella novels. It's funny, entertaining, heart-wrenching and warming, and just a wonderful book all around. I couldn't quite decide which arc I enjoyed more of the Cotton women, because they were both so endearing. They are both fabulous characters who go through a journey of self-discovery that leaves them both better people in the end. Lena's path through her grief and coming to grips with who she can blame/rely on was well done, if terribly sad. And Eileen's dating adventures ... well, let's just say it could have been worse for her. I'm terribly pleased with how it all worked out for both of them in the end.

Props to the narrators, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Alison Steadman, who did a fabulous job in bringing this book to life!

Interesting story about grief and families and life. Having been through much of the experiences myself, I could relate to the characters' viewpoints. Nicely told.

When Leena is forced into a two month vacation from her job, she decides to switch places with her 79-year-old grandmother, Eileen. They’re both struggling to find happiness in their lives, so they agree that they need a change of pace. Leena takes over her grandmother’s place in the councils of the small town, and Eileen joins the online dating world in London. They both have to face their new gossipy friends and a different pace of life. Their lives change during those two months in ways that are irreversible.

I loved the audiobook version of this book. There were two different narrators, for the alternating chapters of Leena’s and Eileen’s perspectives. The two women had great voices that really suited the characters.

I liked that Eileen was an older character in this story. I’ve heard complaints that a lot of romantic comedies usually feature young adult characters, rather than characters who are middle aged or seniors. Eileen’s position as a senior actually made for some funny situations as she learned about online dating. Her elderly friends were also funny in the way they obsessed over little details in the small town. I’m glad to see this diversity of the age of characters in a contemporary romance.

This is a great story! I highly recommend the audiobook!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As the premise indicates, The Switch is not a romance, but contemporary fiction (or women's fiction) with a romance component. It took me a while to sink into this one, because I wasn't entirely prepared for the grief component, but once the swap happens, I was totally on board.

One trope I've always enjoyed is the sassy grandmother, and Eileen is such a delight, as are all the other old folks in her small town honestly. They have a local crime watch group that's an excuse to hang out, drink tea, and eat biscuits. They squabble and support each other, and it's pretty precious. Eileen's 79 but ready for adventure and possibly for a new love. Rarely do you see older people finding love, especially in a book not targeting that demographic, but Eileen finds both sex and love.

The narration alternates between Eileen and her granddaughter Leena. It took me longer to connect to Leena, but I think that may have been by design. She's been so focused on work, rote, going through the motions, and she's really lost her connection with herself. Though she's in a long-term relationship, there doesn't seem to be much passion there either. Outside of her usual places and daily goals, she begins to question what she's been pursuing.

The relationships are the highlight of this book. The romantic ones are cute, yes, but it's all the relationships between this large cast of characters. Eileen bonds with Leena's friends in a way that felt very adorable and authentic, and she also makes an old lady friend in their building. Meanwhile, Leena bonds with Eileen's grumpy neighbor and rival. And the main theme of the book is about the importance of communicating openly and being vulnerable together in building a healthy relationship.

This hit me in my heart space again, and it just made me feel happy. The audio performances are amazing as well, so I very much recommend that format.

This book was smooth and well polished. It was warm and healing. I felt sad when it ended and enjoyed the progressions of the characters, the development of them as people and the depth they achieved when given a chance to reestablish or readjusted their place in the world. All in all it was a lighthearted, everyone ends up where they should be by the end, feel good romance.

I LOVE this book!! Honestly one of my favourites of the year. Such a heartwarming and delightful story. I loved how unique and creative the concept is. We need more books about grandmas!! All the characters are so lovely and likeable. The story of Carla and the healing all the women are going through is so realistic. Leena’s journey of finding herself and realizing what she wants out of life, even coming to terms with some of her misguided choices was endearing. I loved how she embraces her grandmas friends and the town of Hamley. And Eileen is now one of my favourite characters ever. She is so positive and inspiring and unafraid of a challenge. I will be buying this book for everyone I know.

Love this sweet book about love, family and grief. Both female characters are strong, fun and moved the story along with charm and humor. Enjoyed O’Leary’s first novel, and this follow up didn’t disappoint. The audio is excellent with a great performance by both narrators. Great relationships, beautiful setting, and a story I won’t soon forget!

First of all, I'm not sur this book is an actual romance I think this is mostly contemporary fiction or maybe even women's literature. Now, with that out the way this book took a bit to get into. This book is dual perspective between Eileen (grandmother) and Leena (granddaughter) dealing with grief and needing a change. Each chapter you see both women addressing different stages of their development. We start with Leena having a panic attack which results in a 2 month sabbatical from work. A visit to her grandma out in the country to get a break. This visit inspires the women to switch locations Eileen will have the adventure she never had as a young woman and Leena out to Yorkshire.

This book is an interesting take on grieving, community, and friendship. These components are handled really well, especially O'Leary take on how the elderly should have a place to interact to avoid loneliness but similarly youngsters don't have the same sense of community even with technology. In the end it was a sweet book. The book covers a lot of ground finding love at any age, friendship and commitment to family, friends, and community, and even more. We are introduced to a cast of characters with a personality of their own. Very cute but definitely not a romance.

CW: cancer death, grief, adultery, domestic violence, catfishing, and gaslighting

I've read the book already, so really enjoyed the audiobook version too. Beth O'leary is fast becoming an automatic read for me.

The Switch was a charming book with a new twist in the women's literature genre. Leena is ordered to take two months leave from work. She visits her grandmother Eileen, and the two hatch a plan to swap homes for the two months. Leena leaves behind her friends and boyfriend in London, and Eileen leaves Yorkshire to hunt for love.

So many books in this genre focus on younger women-usually under 35. It was so refreshing to see an author include an older woman and tell portions of the story from Eileen's perspective. Eileen is an active, vibrant woman in her 70s, whose husband has left her. She does not believe she will find love in her hometown, so moving to London and venturing into internet dating is extremely appealing to her. I found Eileen a delightful character. Her warmness and vitality are palpable. Leena spends time in her grandmother's home following Eileen's schedule. Leena threw herself into her work after the death of her sister, so much of what we see of Leena is a reawakening of sorts-she has to spend time with herself and deal with her emotions. Leena also works on her relationship with her mother while there, as a rift arose after the death of her sister. I felt like there was so much growth in her character throughout the story and I enjoyed the ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for providing an advance audiobook.

Lena is a smart up in coming professional woman who has totally lost it. After a devastating pitch to a new client is met with an anxiety attack Lena learns she has to take a sabbatical. So she goes to see her grandmother whom she was named after. In her grandmothers kitchen over tea and her tasks book they come up with the scheme To switch lives

One will to to Lindon and one will stay in the small town and take over her grandmothers What follows is how life goes on after death and grief is done differently by all however in the end you end up being the person you are meant to be.
This is a great book, I did the audio version and the narration was so great filled with the the right voices for each character. Can not recommend enough.

LOVED LOVED LOVEED!!!!! Beth writes so poetically, it flows so well that you really feel the emotions of the characters, and the book is beyond entertaining. I’m SO happy I was able to get this advanced audio to listen to and provide feedback for. I can’t wait for beths next book! She’s become a go to author for me.

I loved the audio for this book! It made for a lovely commute. Beth O’ Leary’s books are just the right amount of cheesy romance without being over the top. This was my first NetGalley audio book, so thank you NetGalley!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the review copy via audiobook!

This was such a cute contemporary novel. The author did a great job writing such a cute plot and story. It was so much fun to read their story. I loved reading as Eileen and Leena find their place in the world. This book reminded me of the movie "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz & Kate Winslet. It did have some emotional spots in the book for me so it drew me in more on those spots. Great job author!

I highly recommend this read!

Cant get enough of British rom-coms, Beth O'Leary does it again. I loved The Flatshare and The Switch is just a brilliant. The narrators of this audiobook truly brought the story to life. Two thumbs up from me. If you're looking for a sweet listen, this is a book for you.

I enjoyed the audio version of this book. The book held my attention andI thought the story was sweet.

I really enjoyed this story. It was a sweet RomCom although more women’s lit than romance. Some really entertaining characters that I loved getting to meet.

“These people, there’s such fierceness to them, such a lovingness. I thought their lives were small and silly but I was wrong. They’re some of the biggest people I know.”

I now want a bracelet that says “WWECD” What Would Eileen Cotton Do!!!
I loved listening to this on audiobook and enjoyed the narration.
-4.5 Stars-
#NetGalley

The Switch was such fun! It was hilarious at times, emotional at others, and overall a great read. Eileen is so feisty, and I hope that I’m just like her when I’m that age. Some of the things that came out of her mouth made my jaw drop. It was glorious.

Though I wasn’t wowed or blown away, The Switch did not disappoint as a comfort read! Even during the more emotional parts, the overall tone was light-hearted. And I can’t get over how much it made me laugh! It was charming and uplifting, and I recommend it to anyone needing a bit of a break from life.

I enjoyed this charming little read! I found it predictable but the thing i loved most was how calming the narrator was. Thank you for this story and for my copy!