Mark Porton's Reviews > The Switch

The Switch by Beth O'Leary
Rate this book
Clear rating

by
18643650
's review

it was ok
bookshelves: modern-fiction

After reading Beth O'Leary's first book, The Flat Share, which was funny, feel good, fresh and totally surprising - I was massively looking forward to her second book, The Switch.

However, The Switch didn't really hit the mark for this Mark. The story of a Grandmother and Grandaughter switching lives (albeit partially), swapping houses and towns was just a bit too ridiculous to believe. I couldn't warm to the main characters and the supporting cast were really clones of those endured in the scores of 70s and 80s British Sit-Coms I've seen over the years.

The funny bits weren't funny and the sad bits weren't sad. Everything was all a bit too predictable and pedestrian. Which is a shame, as O'Leary's first book gave me some genuine laugh out loud moments.

I won't give up on this author, due to the quality of her first book. This book however, I won't remember with any great degree of fondness.

2 stars

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
114 likes · flag

Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read The Switch.
Sign In »

Reading Progress

January 2, 2020 – Shelved
January 2, 2020 – Shelved as: to-read
March 15, 2020 – Started Reading
March 17, 2020 – Shelved as: modern-fiction
March 17, 2020 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-13 of 13 (13 new)

dateUp arrow    newest »

Robin Joyce My feelings exactly. Totally agree with you. High expectations severely unfulfilled


Mark  Porton Onya Robin - this was a massive disappointment 😒


Bianca Sorry, it didn't hit the mark, Mark. I enjoyed it. Stay away from The Road Trip.


Mark  Porton Bianca wrote: "Sorry, it didn't hit the mark, Mark. I enjoyed it. Stay away from The Road Trip."

Yes I did see that one and decided to avoid it Bianca - but thanks for the heads up anyway!


Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!] Errk😕 ... Thanks Mark, not that I was likely to pick this as a "Want To Read" anyway!


Mark  Porton Yep Yikes indeed Tezza, this wasn't good. Glad to see you have steered clear!!!


message 7: by Leo (new) - rated it 2 stars

Leo I thought the premise sounded cute but this wasn't a hit for me either!


Mark  Porton Toria wrote: "I thought the premise sounded cute but this wasn't a hit for me either!"

Snap! 2 Stars each on this one Toria - very disappointing!


message 9: by Suz (new) - rated it 5 stars

Suz Oh bugger the mark missed the Mark! Happy you aren’t giving up on the author, though..


Mark  Porton Suzanne wrote: "Oh bugger the mark missed the Mark! Happy you aren’t giving up on the author, though.."

Yeah I think maybe the author had a work experience student working on this one - only joking Suzanne, and no disrespect of your blistering 5-stars, sometimes books just dont work. But Flatshare was excellent tho - and funny :))


message 11: by Suz (new) - rated it 5 stars

Suz Yes, did love Flatshare. I haven't read Road Trip yet, the audio is quite banked up.


Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!] Nice to see you " ... don't mind fluffy ...", Mark!
Some of the stuff you've been reviewing lately has seemed pretty non-fluffy to me, mate! (j/k!)


Mark  Porton Terence M - Books~Interruptus (I'm studying Latin) wrote: "Nice to see you " ... don't mind fluffy ...", Mark!
Some of the stuff you've been reviewing lately has seemed pretty non-fluffy to me, mate! (j/k!)"


For sure Tezza, like the one I am reading at the moment Daddy Love.....talk about as non-fluffy as you can get. But this book wasn't for me mate


back to top