This really didn't disappoint. The characters Katy and Rachel are an absolute dream, I could read a billion books with them in. The setting, the writing, it was just a really gorgeous book. Especially after reading so many thrillers, this was like a slice of chocolate cake, I devoured it!

Genre: General Fiction | Adult Fiction

Release Date: Expected 4th November 2021

Publisher: Headline Review


Katy and Rachel aren't just twin sisters. They really are best friends, or at least they used to be.

Now, it's not just distance that's coming between them. Each of them thinks the other has crafted the perfect life without them - Rachel thinks Katy is a sucessful socialite working in London as an event planner and Katy thinks Rachel has the perfect countryside life with the perfect marriage and the perfect home in their childhood cottage. But both of them are very wrong.

The grass is always greener on the other side, and our sisters have spent years jealous of the life the other has created. But when they swap homes for a week when Rachel says she has a work conference to attend, they both finally get to see each others lives for the first time in years, and maybe they'll find out they have more in common than they thought.

"Just because a family doesn't look how you thought it might doesn't make it broken."
House Swap was a hilarious, bordering on ridiculous at times tale of family, loss and love that was ab absolute joy to read. Our two heroines were both very likeable despite the fact they've been living a lie, each so very memorable. The other cast members we meet were brilliantly written and make me laugh far too much.

As we learn more about why their family has become so distant, this book definitely started to pull on some heartstrings but managed to keep that upbeat, uplifting, easy to read vibe continuing throughout the entire book.

Add in the very cute boy next door, a very annoying dog and plenty of cake and you've got one brilliant book.



RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Olivia Bierne, Headline and Netgalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Loved this novel! Having sister myself, I could closely relate to the feeling of sometimes comparing myself to her. The sisters in the story choose to swap houses for a while, but this simple geographical change brings with it a lot more...

House swap is very much a lighthearted and feel good read which is exactly what I wanted when I chose to pick it up.

Although the dynamic between some of the characters felt a little odd and the plot was entirely predictable, it didn't take away from the sweet nature of the book and its easy going storyline.

A lot of reviewers seem to have found the book witty and laugh out loud which I didn't find to be the case at all, I'm actually struggling to work out which parts they may have found funny.

Overall I enjoyed the book and found it a pleasant way to spend a few hours away from reality.

What a fabulous, feel good book. The story is about twin sisters who have grown apart. Katy moved to London for a great job, but ends up with something very different. Rachel stays in Wales in her childhood home. The sisters have many secrets that they don’t share with each other and after swapping houses for a week begin to see some of the truths.
The book is funny, sad and is an easy read. I couldn’t put it down as I wanted to find out more and more about the sisters. 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this book for an honest review.

A nice, solid romance perfect for a day on the sofa, on a sun-lounger or in the park. Twins Rachel and Katy Dower have fallen into their roles as town mouse and country mouse, and they hardly ever speak to each other - or when they do, it isn't to say anything meaningful. Mourning the breakdown of their parents' relationship and the death of their beloved cake-and-amphibian-loving grandmother who kept the family together, Rachel retreats into her seemingly perfect marriage in rural Wales while Katy lives the life of a London events planner - well, that's what they think the other one is doing...

After a strong start and a great showstopper piece at a charity auction that goes wrong, the action slowed down and I found myself skipping to the end, but this is a well-constructed book and the supporting characters Fiona and Peggy helped keep things ticking along!

The quick pace and lighthearted nature of this book makes it a great summer read! I enjoyed the use of the emails at the start and the end, and even though the ending is predictable, I don't necessarily think that this is a bad thing. There were parts of the book which I found a bit frustrating, mainly times when I thought Katy was obviously going to guess Rachel's secret, and I think the biggest thing I struggled with was how convinced Rachel was that Katy would leave her, when I felt there wasn't that much evidence of that? Having said that, the fast pace makes this easier to read as you're not waiting for ages for the resolution. Whilst this wasn't a favourite, it's definitely a fun and enjoyable read!

I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
A sweet and heartwarming read, perfect for a summer afternoon. The characters are well fleshed out and very relatable. There is a strong plot and plenty to get stuck into.

Rachel and Katy are twins who have drifted apart after the death of their beloved grandmother who supported them through their parents unhappy marriage and subsequent divorce. While Rachel remains in the Welsh cottage which they shared with their gran, Katy seeks a new life in London leaving behind her twin who has backed out of the move. She also leaves behind Isaac, the man she has loved since their schooldays. Each believes the other is living their dream life. Their communication is reduced to emails and texts which hide so many secrets. It takes time spent living in each other's homes for them to really get to know each other again, through the eyes of each others. It is a journey through pain, grief, alienation, expectation and ultimately love very reminiscent of Amanda Prowse with it's gentle humour, compassion and empathy. I really enjoyed it

Thank you to Olivia Beirne, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this one.

The opening emails between the twins had me hooked straight away, reminding me of myself and my sister. I wanted to find out more instantly!

Twins Katy and Rachel are living very different lives. One in the Welsh countryside, and one in the hustle and bustle of London. They don’t tell each other much at all and keep in touch mainly over email. Both have the idea that the other has a perfect life… but how much of this is just pretence?

Don’t get me wrong, at times I wanted to yell “JUST SPEAK TO HER”. But I loved their characters despite their flaws,

I thought this would be very similar to The Switch (which I loved) but I was pleased to see that House Swap was different and great in its own unique way!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this gem of a story. A super easy read with likeable characters and a plausible plot. Twin sisters dealing with loss in their own way, shutting each other out and missing out on key struggles that each other is facing. The obvious boy next door sub plot adds the "aahhh" moments, the children are inquisitive and their dialogue adds humour. Very relatable and a page turner, perfect for the times when you are able to curl up and escape.

Loved this book! It had everything I look for in a summer book….likeable characters, humour, romance, feel good storyline and, of course, a happy ending. There were some laugh out loud funny moments and some really touching parts too and I devoured it in one day. I can’t wait to read more by this author and I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.

I am really not sure what to make of House Swap, Its kind of like your typical twins swap places story but the difference being that Kate doesn't know Rachel's big secret, and everyone knows the girls have swapped.

Although Kate was believable, I didn't feel the same about Rachel or the dynamics between the various characters.

It was however, a mice easy read to while away a few quiet hours in the evening.

What a wonderful story of family dynamics and how we sometimes don't tell it as it is. The twin's relationship was well explored. I was in tears St the end. A fabulous bit of writing.

Twin sisters who don't know anything about each others' lives and who haven't seen each other in ages swap homes. The way they do that felt rather contrived and not particularly credible, but it's an enjoyable enough read. Both of them are likeable and their voices come across clearly.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy read, and the main characters, Katy and Rachel, were both likeable and their voices well-written. I was invested in the story, and really enjoyed the presence of Fiona and her children - I would have loved more of the story there.

I was thinking about what rating to give this, and whether a 5 was too much, but this book made me laugh, cry and swoon so I thought it deserved a 5. I loved the style of writing and thought the characters were super fun and relatable too. I will definitely be trying other Olivia Berne books!

This was a well written book. Love how the characters are shown but aren’t actually like that. Love the notion of not knowing exactly what the half does or lives. It was nice to see how the ending comes and family comes together.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable novel with endearing characters each of whom keeps their feelings hidden, living a different life to the image that they create for others. The novel is fast paced and absorbing, nicely written with a sense of humour. Predictable ending with a family uniting after previously living separate lives. Ideal holiday relaxing read.

I absolutely loved this story! Katy and Rachel remind me of me and my sister so much! A perfect story of families and finding your way through life with your sister by your side. This story covers loss and abandonment. Love and relationships. I loved how the story came together and the ending wasn’t what I expected! Thank you to NetGalley, Olivia and Headline for the chance to read this. I would recommend this, it would make the perfect beach read!