Thank you Macmillan and NetGalley for providing me with the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about the “switch” between a spry septuagenarian grandma ,Eileen and her twenty something granddaughter Leena.

Leena is the quintessential overachiever and workaholic but struggling with panic attacks and anxiety issues. Due to this predicament much to her dismay she gets a two month leave from work.

This paid leave from work paved way for Eileen and Leena to switch their homes from quaint village life to the fast paced city life and vice versa. The whole story is weaved around this switch which has a mix of romance and finding themselves in the midst of it all.

I really warmed up and instantly liked Eileen and her feisty demeanour, it was also quite interesting to read about her finding love and being a happy go lucky ,unbridled from the situations around her. Albeit, Leena didn’t quite connect with me and I wasn’t much invested with her part of the story.

I did not like the book as much as I had envisaged but I am looking forward to read more from the author.

2.5 rounded to 3 stars.

The audio version of this book was just not working for me. I struggled to follow along. The readers were very monotone. I have heard amazing things so I look forward to getting my hands on a hard copy so I can truly sit and indulge and give this the review it deserves.

The Switch by Beth O’Leary is a fun and interesting audiobook to listen to. The story is endearing with its multigenerational cast of characters who have a host of quirky personalities. As well, both narrators are engaging to listen to and really bring the story to life.

I have really been in the mood for some lighthearted reading right now and The Switch really fits the bill. While there are some issues that both Leena and Eileen are struggling with, there are so many warm and humorous aspects to the story that make this book really enjoyable. It is hard to pick a favourite, but hearing about Eileen’s experiences online dating are laugh-out-loud at times.

❀ EILEEN IS A FAVOURITE

Eileen is definitely a favourite character in the book as she quickly adapts to city life in her granddaughter’s apartment. The way she inspires the people in the building to come together and create a common space for gathering is admirable. She is a down-to-earth woman who seems to help everyone, even if it is sometimes a bit meddlesome.

❀ WELL-NARRATED AUDIOBOOK

The narration of this audiobook is also quite well-done. Having two narrators to give the perspectives of Leena and Eileen really gives depth to the characters. If you are familiar with the actresses, Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People) and Alison Steadman (Pride and Prejudice, Orphan Black), you are in for a real treat. Alison Steadman brings so much life to Eileen’s character and I couldn’t imagine reading this book any other way.

❀ ENJOYABLE CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Fans of contemporary romance and multigenerational stories will really enjoy The Switch by Beth O’Leary. It is a heartfelt story that will bring out lots of emotions. I highly recommend this well-narrated audiobook.

A bright and breezy story if you want a light easy read. It’s predictable, however, the storyline of the switch was a fun idea.

Eileen is in her 70s and Leena, her granddaughter, is approaching her 30s. Both are in somewhat of a quandary in their lives, so why not “switch” them for a short break? Leena’s stressful and busy London life and Eileen’s tranquil Yorkshire Dales life couldn’t be more opposite and just what the other needs.

A tale of family tragedy, unfaithful men, finding happiness and lots of shenanigans from grandma! If I’m honest, I did feel a little uncomfortable reading about grandma’s love life, although, it was amusing in parts. Also loved that she called her cats Ant and Dec!

I did however, find both the narrators a bit irritating so think I would have enjoyed this more in print.

I really enjoyed the Flatshare by the same author, although this isn’t as good in my opinion.

OH MY GOSH!! I can't even stand how adorable this book was! Got a copy of the audiobook (Great audiobook btw.. loved the two narrators) via Netgalley, but I will be picking up a Hard Copy for my collection! This book has cemented Beth O'Leary as an auto-buy author for me! I loved the idea of this book and it lived up to my expectations! I love that Beth (first name basis lol) write multi-generational, I have forever hung out with "old" people #grannyatheart and love that they are represented in her books!

Loved the ending! Loved everything honestly!

Beth O'Leary wins our hearts all over again. After thoroughly enjoying The Flatshare, I was nervous that I would not enjoy her follow-up novel. But no worries, I really enjoyed it. The Switch is a perfect stay home, pandemic read.

Summary

Leena Cotton, an overworked overachiever, is forced to take a two-month sabbatical after bombing a big work presentation. She retreats to her grandmother Eileen's house for some overdue rest. Eileen, 79 years old and newly single/abandoned by her trash husband, would like a second chance at life and love, but her small Yorkshire village doesn't offer many qualified and age-appropriate gentlemen.

After learning of her grandmother's romantic goals, Leena proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen will live in London in Leena's place and look for a bit of a romantic adventure. At the same time, Leena will take care of everything back home in her grandmother's community in Yorkshire Dales and the tiny village of Hamleigh-in-Harksdale.

Lenna navigates medaling and gossiping neighbors, tackles long avoided and complicated dynamics with her mother, and her long-neglected emotional health. Grandma Eileen lives her best (and steamy) life with Leena's trendy London flatmates and online dating.

Eileen and Leena learn some valuable lessons about life, love, and themselves.

Review

The Switch is a funny and lovely tale about finding yourself and even romance at any age. Set in contrasting locations with related women in very different times of their lives, The Switch is whimsical while feeling plausible.

The Cotton women (Leena, her mother, and her grandmother) are still grieving the loss of her sister, a loss that has resulted in an estrangement with Leena's mother. Both Eileen and Leena are strong personalities and forces of nature in their community. These community leaders and organizers give us many pages of story to help find a little joy and peace during the crazy that is 2020.

O'Leary confirms she is a charming and witty storyteller whose humor I can vibe with. She crafts beautiful worlds that I now find that I love exploring. She isn't afraid of a non-traditional storyline or set of characters that you can't but help adore.

Comments on Narration for Audiobook Listeners

The voice actor did a solid job. The acting was neither annoying nor a distraction. The narrator was emotive, clear, and consistent. There was a quirky over the phone audio sound change when the characters would talk on the phone, which some might find annoying, but I actually like. Overall solid, and if your preference is for Audiobooks, I think you won't have any material issues or complaints with The Switch.

Steamy Rating

Since this technically falls under Romance in some categories, we should note the steam levels for the sex/intimacy scenes: They are mostly on the part of the grandmother, which is awesomely inclusive. No long and drawn out thirst bucket scenes, which I prefer because I don't vibe with literature that reads like porn. The steam makes sense and does not feel forcefully and endlessly inserted into the narrative.

The thing I loved most about the book was the fantastic simplicity of it all. And while that may sound strange, I think it's my favorite thing about the author in general. The writing flows so wonderfully and the characters are son natural and charming and had such great chemistry with each other.

The story follows Leena and Eileen, as they switch lives for two months. For Leena, a twenty-something dealing with the death of her sister, it's a chance to rest and reset her mind. For Eileen, Leena's 79-year-old grandmother, it's a chance to have one more adventure.

Last year, I read The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary and greatly enjoyed it and I am so glad I got to read this one as well. The author does a wonderful job of writing about mundane things in such an intriguing way.

I have to admit that while I loved both the characters, I liked Eileen much more than Leena. I preferred her POV and wished to spend more time with her. I actually would get a bit disappointed when we switched back to Leena.

That said, Leena's POV wasn't bad or anything. I loved her interactions with all the village people. I never would have thought that reading about the casual lives of elderly folks would be so entertaining.

Unfortunately, as I said, I didn't much love Leena's story the way I did Eileen. Near the end, it felt like Leena wasn't told that this was, for some odd reason,  marketed as a romance novel only realize it at the last second then promptly rush to have some sort of romantic moment with someone that should have remained her friend.

But, I digress.

The characters were generally wonderful.

And since I received this ARC as an audiobook, let me just tell you that I absolutely loved the narrators. I'm biased so I liked Eileen's narrator just a little bit more. But, don't get me wrong, both did a fantastic job at reading and I highly recommend listening to the audiobook.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Not as much as the author's previous book, The Flat Share, but still a good read.

Leena's been forced to take a sabbatical from work after having a panic attack during an important presentation and goes to visit her grandmother Eileen. They then decide to switch lives for two months. Leena will take her grandmother's place in her Yorkshire village and Eileen will look for love and have an adventure in London.

This book is full of wonderful characters that are completely human. Beth O'Leary has a way of writing characters that make them feel so real, as the reader actually knows them. While there is romance it's not at the forefront of the novel. This book centers on Leena and Eileen's individual journeys of self-discovery, dealing with grief, gaining a new perspective, and being a better version of themselves. This book is emotional and made me feel all the feels, I laughed. I cried. I enjoyed this book immensely. I loved that it's written in dual perspectives because we really get inside Eileen and Leena's heads and experience the world that they're in.

I listened to the audiobook. The voice actors did an amazing job of bringing Eileen and Leena to life.

TW: loss of a loved one

Leena Cotton is a problem solver. As a business consultant, she is at the top of her game. Until she has a major meltdown in a client presentation. Her boss looks at her record and sees that she hasn’t taken much personal time, and she orders her to take a 2-month sabbatical to get her head in a better place.

Eileen Cotton, Leena’s grandmother, is a 79-year-old, suddenly single woman. After her husband of decades ran off with a dancing teacher, Eileen finds herself alone again and ready for a new adventure.

When Leena goes to visit her grandmother to get sympathy for what happened at work, she finds her grandmother making a list of the all the single, age-appropriate men in her small village. Leena takes a look at the slim pickings there and sets her grandmother up for online dating. When the options nearby are still pretty thin, Leena has an idea—for the next two months, her grandmother can take her place in London and date men there, and Leena can stay in her grandmother’s cottage in Leeds and take over all her responsibilities.

Leena knows she can handle whatever her grandmother usually does, except maybe for one thing. Taking care of Leena’s mother. Leena has barely spoken to her since her sister died of cancer the year before. It had been a really difficult time for them both, and the very different ways they’ve dealt with their grief has isolated them further. But now, Leena has promised her grandmother she would check in on her mother, so she adds that to her list of things to do, along with the neighborhood watch and helping put on the village festival.

Meanwhile in London, Eileen struggles to overcome her fear of the big city and fights her loneliness to figure out what she needs to spice up her life. As she gets to know Leena’s roommates and best friend, and as her online dating profile starts to get some interest, Eileen remembers herself as a young woman, wanting to come to London and change the world.

As both women become acclimated to their new homes, they are forced to face their fears and feelings and everything that has been holding them back from tier true selves. But the weeks they spend in a new place brings them both back to their truest selves and help them finds new ways to serve their friends and neighbors.

The Switch is a charming novel about the things we lose along the way in life and how a journey to find ourselves can bring huge rewards and unexpected surprises. Beth O’Leary’s sophomore novel is a warm and wonderful celebration of life and all its small miracles.

I listened to the audio book of The Switch, which is narrated by Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones as the voices of Eileen and Leena. The book goes back and forth between the two characters, and the narrators bring both stories to life with personality and charisma. Having two narrators makes it easy to fix yourself in the story of each character. When you hear Eileen, you know you’re back in London, and when you hear Leena’s voice, you find yourself back in Yorkshire. It’s a lovely way to experience this story, and I highly recommend it!

I really loved The Switch. I was so impressed with these women and how hard they work to better their lives as well as the lives of those around them. Watching them both find their centers again and reach out to those hurting around them was enchanting and inspiring, and I loved every word of this fun, soulful story.

A copy of the audiobook for The Switch was provided by Macmillan Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the Advance Listening Copy of The Switch in exchange for a review.

Content Warning: Emotional/Mental abuse.

I enjoyed listening to this book so much, that I kept coming up with excuses to continue listening - lengthening my walk, taking the long way home when I returned home from my weekly errand run. Not enough time for my audiobooks and podcasts sure makes me miss my commute (on the other hand, I'm loving the extra sleep, and extra non-work productivity hours).

The book is told in dual POV. There's Leena, a workaholic in her mid-to-late 20s, and then you have her grandmother, Eileen, who is 79 years old, and ready to start dating again. Loved how the narrators brought each of the characters to life.

It all begins with Leena, who has been struggling to stay afloat since the death of younger sister 18 months earlier, being forced to take an eight-week sabbatical, after a panic attack during an important work presentation. At a lost, she visits her grandmother that first weekend. Eileen is newly single after her husband runs off with a dance instructor earlier in the year, is ready to start dating again, but there are not that many age appropriate single guys in her small town/village. It is during Leena's visit to Eileen that they decide to completely switch lives for the next two months.

I absolutely loved Eileen, and found her to be refreshing. She seems to be fiery, active, and a go-getter. She's a busybody, but not an offensive one, just enough of one to get things done. She will not let any obstacles get in the way of her getting things done. I love her confidence to try new things.

The book is not only about changing lives and forming a new perspective, or even dealing with uncomfortable situations. It's about repairing the parent-child bond (in this case mother-daughter), finding (emotional) independence, letting go of grievances.

I've been seeing this book all over social media for a couple of months now. I was lucky enough to get my copy from netgalley and I simply loved it. Lighthearted and fun, but also at times so deep. 79 year old Eileen lives in the rural Yorkshire, and after her granddaughter, Leena, has a nervous breakdown at work and is forced to take a two month sabbatical, they switch places. Eileen moves to London to have some fun and find herself after her husband leaves her for the pilates instructor, and Leena, moves to Yorkshire, to have some time to calm down and live a simpler life. Adventure and self discovery follow with many funny moments, and equally as many poignant ones that teach these two women and those around them about life. I listened to this on audio and the English accents were a wonderful added bonus. I loved every minute!

Happy Pub Day!!! 🎉🎉
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy audio copy of #theswitchbook by #betholeary ., for an honest review. This was a 4 ⭐️ read for me.
Such a sweet read about a grandmother and grand daughter both at a turning point in their lives. They decide to switch lives, homes and even cell phones. Eileen and Leena need to make changes and decide how to move to forward in their lives.. I loved this story line so much. Such a great read during these crazy times. I found myself lost in this story, in the best possible way.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of the delightful The Switch!
I absolutely loved this book! When Lena is forced to take a leave of absence from her London job, she ends up switching places with her Grandma, Eileen, in a sleepy Yorkshire village. Eileen finally gets to have a London adventure, and Lena finally has to deal with the grief of loosing her only sister.
The narrators were absolutely marvelous, totally embodying both Eileen and Lena. It’s a look at dealing with grief, being yourself, and leaning on your people.

“This swap isn’t just for my benefit you know.” The Switch by Beth O’Leary

3.5 stars. Been meaning to read the book but then the audiobook was granted to me by NetGalley so I decided to listen instead.

The story is about Leena and Eileen Cotton, granddaughter and grandma respectively, switch flats for about 2 months, taking a break from their own lives and stepping into the other’s for a while.

The story is nice and I like how their adventures planned out. Leena would get on my nerves sometimes, but she sorts herself out so all is well.

I love how the audiobook was narrated, especially when it’s Eileen’s POV. Sounds just like a grandma. 😁 Honestly I haven’t reached the credits, since I wanted to post this as soon as I was done. But the narrators did a great job with this book. Not sure how Yorkshire accents go but it’s still lovely to hear a British accent. Well, it’s set in UK so it just got to, right?

Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book! I enjoyed listening to it.

After enjoying reading The Flatshare recently by Beth O'Leary, I was delighted to be able to take up the opportunity to listen to The Switch. 

If you are thinking of reading this book and like audiobooks this is the way to go. I loved the characters, Leena and Eileen of course especially. Eileen - what a 79 year old! However there are other minor characters who fit in so well and make this book a delightful reading experience.

It is full of humor and fun, yet has its serious side in that Leena and Eileen are still deeply missing Leena's sister who died not so long ago. It has left a huge hole in their hearts. Taking up the challenge to live in each other's place for a while provides them with new experiences, new people and eventually new ways of seeing life.

The narrators absolutely do an excellent interpretation of the the two characters of Leena and Eileen. For me, they became those characters. Their pacing, expression and just the right emotional tone totally enhanced the story.

So looking forward to the next book by Beth O'Leary.

Thanks, #netgalley @macmillanaudio for a complimentary ALC of #theswitch
Opinions in this review are entirely my own.

3.5 Stars

Would you switch places with your grandmother?

Grandmother Eileen and granddaughter Leena, both dissatisfied with their lives for different reasons, impulsively decide to swap places for two months. Seventy-nine-year-old Eileen moves into Leena’s London flat and twenty-something Leena escapes to her grandmother’s small home in a tiny rural Yorkshire village. They even switch phones! Eileen experiments with online dating and easily makes friends with Leena’s young flatmates. Leena tries to fulfill her grandmother’s responsibilities on various committees and attempts to gain credibility with the community.

I always appreciate snappy writing! The Switch is engaging and the complications that the characters face are unique and not too predictable. The story is told from dual viewpoints and we follow two separate timelines in alternating chapters.

It’s refreshing to have characters that include a spunky mature lady! In fact, the grandmother has a wonderful positive attitude, is definitely a “people person,” and sees most of the romantic action in the story. I think, though, that she is portrayed as being too young for her age at points. Online dating and looking for romance at 79 might work better if she were 69. Climbing a tree at 79? Not very realistic. The grandmother has a more entertaining storyline and the Type A granddaughter who is forced into a two-month sabbatical from her job has a more realistic storyline in which she contemplates some thoughtful changes in her life. I appreciate that both characters are fearless and determined in their own ways.

The swapping of lives lends itself to many entertaining circumstances including the grandmother growing accustomed to a smartphone and an online dating website and the granddaughter experiencing small-town life, quirky characters, and committee politics. I think both storylines are compelling and they intersect briefly at the beginning and end.

Poignant themes include friendship, grief, second chances, romance, granddaughter/grandmother relationship, mental health, and difficult domestic issues.

If you’re looking for a light and entertaining women’s fiction read, this could be a great read for you. Recommended for fans of rom-com, light romance, and HEA. The Switch makes an ideal vacation, weekend, or escapist read. Book clubs looking for lighter fiction might enjoy this story.

Content Considerations: an incidence of spousal abuse intervention with a secondary character, grief over the loss of a family member

Leena leads a busy life in the city with all her efforts directed towards her job...until her employer insists she take a two month paid vacation. Leena’s grandmother, Eileen, leads a busy life in the country but wants to find love...something she might have better luck finding in the big city. So, Leena and Eileen switch residences and whimsical adventures ensue!


-Setting: Yorkshire and London
-Narration: There are two wonderful narrators. One for Leena. One for Eileen.
-Language Warning: This is an enchanting story. However, it does include curse words.

Title: The Switch
Author: Beth O'Leary
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrated By: Alison Steadman & Daisy Edgar Hies
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"The Switch" by Beth O'Leary

My Speculation:

I loved this idea that this author gives so well to the readers the switching of the daughter [Leena] and the 79-year-old grandmother [Eileen]! Also, there was the mother that will be of interest in this read. The story was one sweet, fun, and charming storyline read that touched a little on the more substantial topic like sadness and grief, community, and family. Some quirky characters in a small town community setting that will keep one's interest in the read. Be ready for a little bit of romance where each of the women will begin to take charge of their own life. How will this all turn out? Well, this is where I say you will have to pick up "The Switch" to find out.

I enjoyed the flow of the read as these two narrators did an excellent job with there deliverance of the story making it quite enjoyable to listen. Would I recommend it? YES!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy of this book!

The Switch is about Leena, a young woman living in London who's burned out and struggling with severe anxiety, and her grandmother Eileen who is 79, newly single, and a little bored with her life in the English countryside. Leena and Eileen decide to switch lives and homes for two months, à la the movie 'The Holiday', to see if they'll benefit from a change of scenery.
⁠
The themes explored in the book were far more serious than the description would have you believe – grief, anxiety, abuse, etc. But they were handled very well and the book still didn't feel heavy. I loved all the characters, from Leena and Eileen to their wacky neighbors, to the men in their lives. I felt like I knew them all. Although the plot felt a little slow in the first third, it soon picked up. This is the rare book that I think will be enjoyed by both those who like character-driven stories and those who prefer a focus on plot. And because it has some serious plot points in it, I think even non-romance readers would enjoy it.⁠
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And a note about the audiobook – I am not normally an audiobook lover (I don't feel like I have great auditory processing skills), but I LOVED listening to this book on audio. It was read by British actors Alison Steadman and Daisy-Edgar Jones (you may recognize her voice from Normal People where she played Marianne!) and they did a fantastic job. I could have listened to them talk forever. So if you're looking to branch out into audiobooks, this is a great one to start with!⁠"

I'll also be posting a review of this book on my blog, HopefulHanna.com, on August 31st, 2020. At that point it can be found at https://hopefulhanna.com/read-in-august-2020. good

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing the audiobook for this book.
i loved the story , i went into it very hesitant since i didn't like the Flatshare very much.
it turned out awesome . i loved the premises of this book where they actually switch lives.
very heartwarming read.