Warda's Reviews > The Switch

The Switch by Beth O'Leary
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it was amazing
bookshelves: audiobooks, i-fell-in-love, mental-health, reread-worthy

A book is a 5-star read if you end up hugging it by the end, right?

This made my heart feel utterly warm! It made me laugh and I was completely charmed by the characters, especially Eileen. She’s who I want to be if I ever get to the age of 79. Heck, she’s who I want to be right now! The elderly folks really have no shame or filter. And they use those traits with wisdom too. And wit.

Beth O’Leary continues to write a world I don’t want to leave. This story had the perfect balance of heartfelt and emotional moments, whilst making you laugh out loud. Plus, I was convinced these people were a part of my life. I didn’t, and still don’t, want to let go.

The main premise of the story is that Eileen and Leena swap lives after Leena has a breakdown at work and you only have a breakdown once life catches up to you.
Through this, they live a different life to the one that they’re used to, which ultimately leads them to the life they do want to live.

If there are two words that sum up the essence of ‘The Switch’ for me is that it’s healing and about community. Beth O’Leary perfectly captured all of those aspects in every sense of the word and more.
The whole thing was just clever. I loved that it felt so goddamn British - there was so much tea drinking present! - and charming. Everything about it felt real. Every time I picked up to read this book, I was there, in a trance, but there.

Sigh.

Now, I’m off to make myself some Yorkshire Tea and mope around for a bit. I don’t think I’ll ever forget these characters. I can’t wait to revisit them.
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Reading Progress

May 17, 2019 – Shelved
May 17, 2019 – Shelved as: to-read
January 1, 2021 – Started Reading
January 1, 2021 –
page 0
0.0% "Obligatory first-read-of-the-year status.

Buddy-reading with Farhina! 🐢"
January 2, 2021 –
page 72
21.95% "“The tea leaves look like…genitals. Male genitals.”

This is an almost 70 year old woman having her future told to her. 😂
This is so bloody charming so far, I love it."
January 4, 2021 –
page 228
69.51% "I need to read more stories with characters that are in their 70s and 80s. They have no shame, no filter and they’re wise."
January 5, 2021 – Shelved as: i-fell-in-love
January 5, 2021 – Shelved as: audiobooks
January 5, 2021 – Shelved as: reread-worthy
January 5, 2021 – Shelved as: mental-health
January 5, 2021 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-30 of 30 (30 new)

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message 1: by Laura (new)

Laura So glad you liked it! I'm definitely adding this one to my immediate TBR (who am I kidding, there already are 100 books on there lol). The synopsis to me sounds like a retelling of the film The Holidays, which for me is the most British thing I've ever seen. Your review is honestly adorable and you already make me love the book somehow. Oh you beautiful Warda, stop making me fall for books! Haha x


Warda Laura wrote: "So glad you liked it! I'm definitely adding this one to my immediate TBR (who am I kidding, there already are 100 books on there lol). The synopsis to me sounds like a retelling of the film The Hol..."

That’s literally the job I’ve taken on, to make you fall in love with the books I’ve loved! 😆 I can’t wait for you to read this. It was such a good time. Xx


message 3: by A Robin Reads (new)

A Robin Reads Awesome that you liked it so much!


Warda A Robin Reads wrote: "Awesome that you liked it so much!"

I really did! 😄


EmBibliophile I’m so glad you loved this! It was so heartwarming and yes I agree with you about the elderly folks, I just enjoy their company so much??? Eileen is who I want to be too, lol!!! She was the start and the main reason I loved this book!! Lovely review, Warda! xx


message 6: by Türkan (new) - added it

Türkan OMG Yaaaaay I've been so hesitant to pick this one up, although the flatshare was one of my all time faves ❤️ SO happy you loved it


Warda EmBibliophile wrote: "I’m so glad you loved this! It was so heartwarming and yes I agree with you about the elderly folks, I just enjoy their company so much??? Eileen is who I want to be too, lol!!! She was the start a..."

Thank youuu!! Love that you sound just as excited about it lol T=the elderly really make this book. xx


Warda Türkan wrote: "OMG Yaaaaay I've been so hesitant to pick this one up, although the flatshare was one of my all time faves ❤️ SO happy you loved it"

It was close to being as good as The Flatshare! Hope you love it, babe. ❤️


farwa✩ (hiatus; exams) so glad you loved it🥺now imma add this to my tbr😤


Warda ✨farwa✨ wrote: "so glad you loved it🥺now imma add this to my tbr😤"

Thank you!!! 😄
And you’re welcome! 😌


message 11: by Arini (new)

Arini great review, warda! i looovee when there are grandmas or elderly side characters in a romance, but never read a book that has them as the main character. i dont think i’d like this book, but so happy you loved it. 💗


Warda Arini wrote: "great review, warda! i looovee when there are grandmas or elderly side characters in a romance, but never read a book that has them as the main character. i dont think i’d like this book, but so ha..."

Thank you, Arini! It was a nice change to see them as a main character. :) x


Fatima Zubair This book is a gem. A gem!


Warda Fatima wrote: "This book is a gem. A gem!"

Isn’t it just?! 😍 so glad you loved it!


Fatima Zubair Warda wrote: "Isn't it just?! 😍 so glad you loved it!

Yess! Same here ❤️


preoccupiedbybooks Love this review! Wish I could have some Yorkshire tea and mope about with you 😂Dud you know she has a a book called the road trip out in a couple of months?!


Warda preoccupiedbybooks wrote: "Love this review! Wish I could have some Yorkshire tea and mope about with you 😂Dud you know she has a a book called the road trip out in a couple of months?!"

Yessss! I've pre-ordered it! I so cannot wait for more Beth O'Leary! 😍


message 18: by Val (new) - added it

Val (pagespoursandpups) Putting this on my list now! Love your review.


Warda Val wrote: "Putting this on my list now! Love your review."

Thank you so much! 😃


message 20: by Lucy (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lucy I read this book recently and agree it'd be hard to forget Leena and Eileen. It's a great book! 😃


Warda Lucy wrote: "I read this book recently and agree it'd be hard to forget Leena and Eileen. It's a great book! 😃"

They really are! The author is so skilled at creating memorable characters. 😃


message 22: by Aoife - Bookish_Babbling (last edited Apr 24, 2021 02:42AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Aoife - Bookish_Babbling Fantastic review hun!
I was better earlier this year about (a) writing reviews and (b) going through my friends reviews of the same books to share thoughts...but i seem to have sadly fallen out of the habit and now I'm racking up the reads and missing out the chats #babblingbookgirlproblems 🙈

Warda wrote: "She’s who I want to be if I ever get to the age of 79. Heck, she’s who I want to be right now! The elderly folks really have no shame or filter. And they use those traits with wisdom too. And wit."

100% agree with all of this and think we need to start a trend of be more like Eileen lolz, altho sometimes I did cringe and wish she hadn't quite butt'd in as forcefully lolz, but she was just so adorabubble in her endeavours that i still have total 🤩 & warm fuzzy feelz from this read 🙃


Warda Aoife - Bookish_Babbling wrote: "Fantastic review hun!
I was better earlier this year about (a) writing reviews and (b) going through my friends reviews of the same books to share thoughts...but i seem to have sadly fallen out of ..."


Thank youuuu! ♥️
You’re not the only one that has fallen behind. It’s been hard to keep on top of Goodreads.

Exactly, she was too adorable so her behaviour was excusable lol every time I think about it, the warm, fuzzy feels come back. I’m so glad you enjoyed it too. 😍


Aoife - Bookish_Babbling It was such a fun time, makes me more excited for her upcoming release & to backtrack and finally read The Flatshare as I have only ever heard great things!


Warda Aoife - Bookish_Babbling wrote: "It was such a fun time, makes me more excited for her upcoming release & to backtrack and finally read The Flatshare as I have only ever heard great things!"

The Flatshare is GOLD!!! I can't wait for you to read that one. :D


message 26: by Aoife - Bookish_Babbling (last edited Apr 26, 2021 09:57AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Aoife - Bookish_Babbling Warda wrote: "The Flatshare is GOLD!!! I can't wait for you to read that one. :D"

The plan is to BR soon'ish 😈🙃


Kaleigh First book I've read and actually had tears.
Such a heart felt book that's out of my usual comfort zone of thrillers


Warda Kaleigh wrote: "First book I've read and actually had tears.
Such a heart felt book that's out of my usual comfort zone of thrillers"


I'm so glad it was such a win for you!


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Excellent review Warda 💖


Warda Margaret M wrote: "Excellent review Warda 💖"

Thanks so much! Highly recommend this story too. 😊😊


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