This was a lovely listen. It's half a Hallmark movie (and it even references those in the text) style story (big city woman goes to the country and discovers the joy of neighborliness, community, etc.) and half a later in life coming of age (grandmother on her own learns to find love, believe in herself, etc.). I love how clearly the author demonstrates that the same traits in people can manifest in different ways depending on the environment. The book also deals well with grief and the importance of not just expecting people to understand you're there to help -- that sometimes you need to be explicit about what you'll do.

My only real quibble is that the dual narrators, while both skilled, had very different takes on the voices so it was a little jarring to hear them do each other's voices in the alternating chapters. Also, the beginning the phone conversations with a little crackle and lower volume was a bit annoying since I usually listen to audiobook while I drive and the suddenly lowered volume usually meant I needed to rewind. And, of course, the last thing I want to do while driving is turn my attention to fiddling with an audiobook.

This is exactly the heartwarming, wholesome book I was truly hoping for, and exactly the right book to take people's minds of the world right now. With charming three-dimensional characters and a delightful storyline, I was smiling the entire time. Not quite up to par with O'Leary's The Flatshare, but definitely recommend if you're looking for a bit of an escape.

Thank you for the Advance Audio Copy:?.. Very fun listen. The narrators did a wonderful job narrating this story! Author did a great job creating her characters. At first I didn't want to like Leena but had to remember people grieve in their own way... Highly recommend this listen. Thanks again to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC
I enjoyed listening to this story and once again Beth O’Leary did not disappoint with her story telling although I did not enjoy this as much as her previous novel. The characters were relatable and likeable. And the relationship between Leena and Eileen was interesting given their opposing personalities, particularly given that Leena was the grand daughter and introvert whereas Eileen was the grandmother and extrovert. The slower pace of the story did at times feel a bit too slow for me but overall a good book.

After missing Gerite and Leon from her first novel The Flat Share I devoured this just as quickly! A wonderful way with words. Can’t wait till her next!

Having loved The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary, I was delighted to have the chance to listen to The Switch. Told in alternating viewpoint between grandmother Eileen and granddaughter Leena, this charming tale, reminiscent of The Holiday, whisks readers to bustling London and bucolic Yorkshire as these two trade lives. This book explores themes of friendship, independence, grief, and love - both familial and romantic, which can blossom at any age.

The experience of reading this book was amplified by narrators Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones. I’m an Anglophile and a sucker for accents, so it really brought the characters to life for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this story, it had such a unique premise and full of quirky characters. I loved the grandma Eileen, her storyline was fun from start to finish. The book did take me a while to get into though. I thought it started slow, but as the two got used to their new lives and all of the characters were introduced it became more fun to read.

The narrators were great, and their different voices really added to the story. I would recommend this to someone who wants a good light-hearted read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this audiobook! It was a fun one.

This book is so good. Beth makes you love the characters and are rooting for them the make the right decisions...even when you know they aren’t. Love the relationship between Grandmother and Granddaughter!

What a delightful read! Honestly, the clever and unique premises that Beth O’Leary dreams up for her books are just... delightful!

I loved this little switcheroo, the small town feel but also the big city insight, the mild and adorable romance. It was lots of fun.

And the audiobook is fabulous with its dual narrators! And the British accents of course. 😉

"The Switch" by Beth O'Leary is a novel about Leena and Eileen, a grandmother and granddaughter that both need a switch to jumpstart their lives. With a previous family tragedy hanging heavy in the air, young professional Leena is overloaded at work and about to have a breakdown. She is given a forced paid vacation by her job and she decides to switch homes with her grandmother and spend some time in the small town of Hamleigh. Her grandmother will come and stay in London and try her hand at online dating since she is divorced. Will switching places help these two women to reconnect and sort out their lives?

This audiobook was an adorable, fun and fast read! The main characters were both likeable, but the grandmother Aileen stole the show! Her storyline was interesting, entertaining and quite funny at times. I loved the online dating sections and the messages sent between parties. Another highlight of the book were the dynamic familial relationships which were moving and emotional. Between the three generations of women, the dialogue and sentiment was strong and will leave a lasting impression on readers.

The voice actors did a wonderful job with this production. Eileen's voice was wonderful, warm and rich. I enjoyed her portion of the book the most. However, Leticia's voice (accent) was hard to listen to and made me dislike the character even though this surely was not the intended impact. I wish that Leticia would have had a different tone/voice. Also to note, the different sections of the book are clearly understood since the voice actors switch during the different points of view. As a listener, I appreciated this.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a highly anticipated read for me after adoring Beth O'Leary's Flatshare and the anticipation did not disappoint!

What I loved in The Switch was the relationship between Eileen (age 79) and her granddaughter Leena (age 29) when they decide to swap lives for awhile. It was especially satisfying to see a journey with an older and younger woman navigating family, friendships, and love.

Funny, lighthearted but also sad at times, I would predict The Switch to be the newest Beach Read!

What I thought would be a fun, lighthearted read turned out to be so much more. These characters, dealing with the death of a loved one, deal with it in their own way and grow. They discover more about each other and this more about themselves. Along the way there iAd a lot of fun- a 79 year old Grandmother on a dating site and having an affair! I enjoyed this one so much.

Thank you netgalley and mcmillian audio for the free review copy.

This book was an absolute joy. Leena and her grandmother Eileen trade lives for two weeks- one to get some rest and one to jump start a new dating life. I really loved these two characters switching lives!

Eileen and Leena are both hurting in different ways and need a change in their lives. Leena is burnt out at work and still mourning the loss of her sister -She needs to unplug. Eileen is 79 and wanting a second chance at love- she needs a brand new atmosphere. Eileen and Leena decided to trade lives for two weeks. Eileen is headed to London, and Leena is headed to the small town with some familiar faces.

I loved the relationship between Leena and Eileen. It was so warm and pure. You could tell immediately they shared such a special bond. It was interesting to see this crazy idea unfold for each person. I found myself looking forward to hearing Eileen's story more because I just couldn't get enough of her character. She was wise, sassy and big hearted. Her positivity rubbed off on everyone she encountered. Leena's journey and relationship with her mother was the big plot point of her story. It was interesting to hear about the generation between Eileen and Leena. I really enjoyed this one!!

The audio narration was fantastic! I loved that there were two main narrators, it really kept the two stories easily distinguishable and clear. 

Don't miss this fun story! Out August 18th!

BOOK REVIEW: The Switch by Beth O'Leary ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Eileen Cotton is tired of being 79 and Leena Cotton is tired of life in her twenties.

Overachiever Leena is told to take a 2 month sabbatical from work after blowing a big presentation at work. She decides to go visit her Grandma's home for some much needed rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn 80. She is wanting a second chance at love but her small town doesn't have a lot of eligible gentleman. When Leena learns about her Grandma's predicament, she proposes a solution: a two month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile Leena can look after everything in rural Yorkshire.

I absolutely loved this book. There was some banter which I love. The small town where Eileen lives sounds adorable and the town meetings remind me of the ones on Gilmore Girls. This was such a nice relaxing read.

The switch a good and entertaining story, that will keep you wanting more.

Lenna needs to start all over she feels like, after that blow with one of her presentations, nothing is working for her anymore, she needs to think and reboot and that's why she felt it necessary to spend some time with her grandmother.

Eileen just turned eighty, she feels like her life needs a little more sauce so she is on a quest searching for her second love or her second chance in life.

The switch has the right amount of angst and situations that will give the story even more depth, it is a great summer read, that I definitely enjoy.

I really don't want to give much away but this book definitely is for anyone who wants to chillax and enjoy a good story with great characters. this is a summer story to take with you anywhere and enjoy it.

The only thing that I really didn't like was the narrators I had a hard time with one of them because I felt like she was reading the book than narrating the story but even that was not enough excuse to take away the great story of The Switch.

This was my first audiobook with NetGalley and i did enjoy it so much.

Leena has struggled since the death of her sister, but when she messes up a big presentation at work, her boss orders her to take a two month sabbatical. Meanwhile, after her husband leaves her, Leena’s Grandma Eileen is ready to start dating again, but the men in her small town leave her wanting. Leena has a great idea though. They can switch lives for two months. Leena can relax in her Grandma’s small town and hopefully fix her relationship with her mom, and her Grandma can enjoy Londons dating scene! They both learn more about themselves, and each other, then they ever imagined.

I loved The Flatshare, so I had high hopes for The Switch. I have to tell you, it did not disappoint. I loved this book! Both Leena and Eileen were just fantastic characters, and I loved the crazy little group of friends both of them had. Eileen reminded me a bit of a my Grandma (though her and my Grandpa are still married.) She was spunky, fun, and did not let her age hold her back. She was constantly trying to help others and always had a new project she was taking on. I loved how her cast of characters took Leena on (some of them) and helped her to see her true self and desires. This one was a truly beautiful story of love, loss, friendship, and even a little bit of hatred at times. This one gave me all the feels!

Okay, so there aren't really any big surprises here. The "life swap" aspect is kind of fun. We can all benefit from a change in circumstances from time to time to get us out of a rut or make us realize what else is out there. But more the most part, the story line is pretty formulaic and you'll see most everything coming from a mile away. If you're looking for fluff, this will do. If you're looking for more substance, this might fall flat for you. I did really enjoy the narrator.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I was so looking forward to Beth O'Leary's upcoming release "The Switch," but unfortunately I was disappointed. I particularly didn't enjoy the narrator who voiced Eileen; it was difficult to make my way through her sections.

This is the first audiobook I have ever tried to listen to. I was a bit dubious as to whether I would like them and I’m afraid to say I was correct.

Unfortunately audiobooks just aren’t for me I don’t concentrate enough and much prefer the visual aspect of reading.

That being said I loved that The Switch used double narrative and the audiobook provides this. As popular actors I recognised their voices right away and feel they were perfect for the roles.

Although I DNF I will be placing an order with my local bookshop for a physical copy.

"Grandma... what if we swapped? What if I came up and looked after all your projects and you had my flat in Shoreditch and I stayed here?"

the Switch follows 29 year old Leena and 79 year old Eilleen, who after a botched presentation at work and a wish to try something new, decide to swap lives. Overachiever and constant do-er, Leena gets the chance to slow down and enjoy country life, and Eileen is thrown into the bustling life of London.

I haven't read Beth O'Leary's debut, The Flatshare, but now my excitement has increased tenfold. If she can make me enjoy this book, (which I admittedly would never have picked up if not for her name attached to it) she can do no wrong.

I was initially a bit nervous about the Eileen's POV, because she is so out of the normal age range I read. (I know, I know- ageist right? But considering my typical protagonists are teenagers- an almost 80 year old is a big jump) But my worries were for naught, because Eileen was so fun to read about! I loved reading about her life, and the gossip filled neighbourhood watch meetings she attended. She was such a lovely, bright and honest character that I couldn't help but love.

"Grandma, what are you doing?"
"Medding!" I yell cheerfully. "It's my new 'thing'!"

Leena was a character I related to quite a bit. Always doing doing doing, to the point where she couldn't physically do anymore. She had been almost on autopilot since the death of her sister, Carla. A change of pace was well overdue, but at first she finds it difficult to adjust to the slow life. Gradually, she begins to develop relationships with the people around the town, which was precious.

"Arnold is basically Shrek, I've concluded: a grumpy green ogre who's forgotten how to be nice to people. And I plan on being his Donkey"

There were two whole casts of characters, as the story is told in dual POVs but I loved each and every one of them. From the dog to the next door neighbour- they each had a unique and loveable personality.

the overall tone of this book was really enjoyable. It put a smile on my face the whole time I was reading it. The Switch is truly the perfect wholesome, pure and feel good read for times such as these. While it may not be anything life changing, it is perfect escapism.

Although, it was not completely happy-go-lucky. There were emotional moments, and some important issues were tackled. I almost cried at one point, partly out of sadness and partly out of happiness. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Betsy- the original badass.

Overall, this was the perfect read for me at the perfect time. If you are looking for a relatively slice of life, character driven book- look no further!