I was thrilled to listen to The Switch after reading O'Leary's first book, The Flatshare, earlier. I am a sucker for all things British, and this contemporary romance worked well for me, especially on audio. The dual narrators (one as Leena, the granddaughter; the other as Eileen, the grandmother) helped visualize the switching chapters and narrators, and emphasized the humor in O'Leary's writing. I might have missed on some of that if I had only been reading in print.

I appreciated the character of Eileen especially- it was refreshing to read an elderly character with a rich, full life who seized the opportunities that came her way.

This was my first audio ARC from NetGalley.

I really loved this audiobook. The characters were fun and believable, (I mean, who would not want a grandma mother like Eileen Cotton) and the story itself was delightful. I also thought that the narrator did a fabulous job!
This is the first book I have read by Beth O'Leary, definitely but not the last. I would very highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley, Beth O'Leary, and Macmillian Audio for the ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Switch by Beth O'Leary. Although I was expecting more of a focus on the love lives of the characters as the summary suggests, the book is much more focused on relationships in all aspects of their lives; Leena's love story almost seems like an afterthought, and Eileen's is more of a tongue-in-cheek reference throughout her story. However, I became attached to Leena, Eileen, and everyone else, and I found myself thinking about each character's struggles in equal measure. I always like finding characters I can root for, and O'Leary provides them in spades here. There were moments that felt contrived for the sake of The Plot, but they were few and far between. Furthermore, the narrators of the audiobook are superb! I want Daisy Edgar-Jones to narrate everything. If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer out loud, this is the book for you.

What a sweet story! Beth O'Leary is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. After truly adoring The Flatshare, I knew I had to request this book. When Leena is required to take a 2 month sabbatical from work and learns that her grandmother Eileen is looking to find love again, they decide to swap lives. They swap apartments, phones and even charity and volunteer duties.I loved the story from start to finish, and will continue reading anything this author writes!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a much appreciated digital audiobook download, in exchange for an honest review.

I had already read and loved this book. The narration on this is lovely, I liked both narrators and felt that they gave the story an extra level.

I really enjoyed this sweet story. It's told in dual POV by the grandmother and granddaughter and it's lovely to get an older character that feels fully realised and just as important as the younger characters.
Both main characters are narated really well and bring out the humour in the book but it's not just fluffy and the romances almost feel incidental, it's more about both characters finding their way through grief and back to themselves.
Overall, this was adorable but sincere and enjoyable throughout, recommended!

I loved this one!!!
The narrators add Soo much to the story. I could totally relate to Leena and Eileen's one as a friend and the other as a loving grandma.

Also this book made me miss my grandma more than ever.

I loved her personality and I think we could all learn from her.

This is my second book by Beth OLeary

Delightful, funny & heartwarming!

An absolute pleasure to listen to! I loved this uplifting tale so much. The audiobook was absolutely perfect!

I thought the narrators did a great job, their voices clearly reflected women of the ages of the characters. I liked how phone calls sounded different.

I want to be Eileen Cotton when I grow up! I absolutely adored this book!

When I first read the description of this book, I assumed it was going to be another version of The Holiday in book form. While there were similar themes, it was really refreshing to read. I loved the relationship between Leena and Eileen and how they both very easily fit into their "new lives" after switching homes for two months. There is a certain level of suspension of disbelief needed to buy into this story (especially as an American! Would a London company really give someone 2 months paid leave in a situation like this!? I doubt it). Either way, I found this story extremely charming and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a light, fun read. Everyone could use a story like this right now when so many things in the world are so heavy. An excellent palette cleanser!

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Switch

I Picked Up This Book Because: I couldn’t wait to try a Netgalley audiobook. Plus it sounded cute.

The Characters:

Leena Cotton:
Eileen Cotton:


The Story:

I loved the story here. Eileen and her granddaughter Leena decide to switch lives after Leena has an unfortunate breakdown due to recent family tragedy. This time away gives them both what they need to heal along with some new friends and some fun. I could rant all day but I’ll just say I loved it. I like the nosy neighbors and the interesting flatmates and the emotional ending.

There was only one thing I didn’t love and this is such a personal pet peeve but I can’t keep it to myself. I’m not sure what kind of microphones they used to record this but they were way too sensitive. I could hear every mouth sound from the narrators. Swallowing, smacking, general mouth wetness, it was DISGUSTING! I got it a lot more from Eileen than Lena but it was still there and by the end of the book I was at my wits end with it. I couldn’t even really enjoy Eileen’s final speech or the epilogue because I just couldn’t take it anymore. So had I known this going in I would have much rather read the book than listen to the audio. I don’t want anyone to think this is a jab against the narrators; they did an excellent job, it's a production issue and it was big enough for me to reduce my rating by half a star because it really did ruin my enjoyment of an otherwise nice story.

The Random Thoughts:


3.5 Stars

”you’re grieving. And maybe you always will be, and that’s okay” ❤️

This was such a heartwarming story!

After experiencing a panic attack during a work meeting, Leena is forced to go on a two month sabbatical. She and her grandmother Eileen (with whom she is incredibly close) decide to switch places. Eileen living the London life and Leena living the countryside life in Yorkshire.

I loved the aspect of rediscovering one’s self and that it was from both an adult’s POV and an elderly person’s POV. Seeing the wisdom and naivety from both in women, in two entirely different walks in life, navigating similar situations such as love, romance and grief was very refreshing and the growth among the characters was wonderful.

I listened to the audio version of this via NetGalley and loved the narration! I’d also listened to the audio version of The Flatshare (also by this author) last summer and wholeheartedly enjoyed it!

So far Beth O’Leary is 2/2 in heartwarming stories - excited for what she has up next!

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an ARC of the audio in exchange for an honest review!

Oh how I loved this book. It made me laugh and cry. I wanted grandma Eileen as my grandma she was so cute and endearing. If you haven’t read a book by this author I suggest you change that. Won’t be the last book I read by her. The audio narration was perfect!

Beth O'Leary has come through again with a delightful book. The character of Eileen is particularly charming. The dual settings paired with the dual character storylines really works. Great on audio as well.

What a wonderful novel When I saw this was classified as Women's Fiction, I wasn't sure what to expect. The Switch turned out to be a story of wisdom that can only come with age, grieving after losing a loved one, family being there for each other, unexpected romantic relationships, and wonderful intergenerational friendships. I think this would have been a wonderful book to read a physical copy but I am so glad I heard the audio format. The narrators were wonderful, especially the grandmother. I would have never read her portions of the book hearing the authentic wise and aged voice only grandparents possess. Listening to The Switch really felt like I was being told a true story!

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

After Leena Cotton has a panic attack in the middle of a big work presentation, she is given a 2-month paid sabbatical to sort herself out. Leena's grandmother, Eileen, is ready to enter the dating field after her husband left her a few months ago; the only problem is that her small town doesn't have any suitable men. Leena suggests that she and her grandma switch places for these 2 months. Leena will take care of her grandma's duties in Yorkshire, and Eileen can check out the dating opportunities in London.

This was a cute, funny story, and I enjoyed it! I loved that the author included the dating life of an almost 80-year-old woman; that is not a story line you see very often. I enjoyed both story lines in this story, both Elieen's and Leena's, equally. There were a few parts that went outside expected for funny moments, but there are a lot of serious issues brought up in the book, too. I definitely plan to check out O'Leary's other books.

This was a fun book. I liked both Leena and Eileen's stories. This was a fun story and the supporting characters are great as well (including a dog!). Eileen came across as a strong woman, but not rude or mean. I liked that she was portrayed as good person. Leenas growth and change after the loss of her sister was also well done. This had me smiling lots while I read it! I thought the narrators did a great job with the voices. Thank you to Netgalley, I thoroughly enjoyed my first audiobook ARC!

This is the first audiobook that I received from NetGalley and it was a great listen. Grandmother(Eileen) and Granddaughter (Leena) are both in desperate need of a change and so they switch homes for 2 months. Eileen (at almost 80 years old) starts dating in London and Leena (29 years old) helps in community activities in her small village and they both thoroughly enjoy the change. There are lots of other wonderful adventures and experience that both women enjoy throughout the book.
I loved the narration in the story. A different narrator for both Eileen and Leena makes it easy to follow the story. I also loved to way that even though there is a huge age difference, all characters work together and get along. No spoilers but there are relationships that get resolved in this story and that makes me very happy. This was a wonderful and uplifting story and I enjoyed listening to this during my daily walks!
I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 4
Pace: 3
Plot development: 3
Characters: 3
Enjoyability: 3
Ease of Reading: 3
Narrator: 2

Overall rating: 3 out of 5

The Switch is a charming and heartwarming novel about two women- grandmother and granddaughter who both find themselves in need of a change of scenery.

When Leena is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical from her high-pressure job in London, she decides to go her grandma Eileen's house in the English countryside for a change of pace. Eileen, almost 70 and newly single, needs a change of pace as well and decides to switch lives with her granddaughter. She moves to London and starts online dating while Leena stays in her hometown and tries to mend her relationship with her mother and unplug from her hectic corporate life.

This was such an endearing and fun story, and I love the dual narrators who brought the story to life.

Many thanks to Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy.