preoccupiedbybooks's Reviews > The Switch

The Switch by Beth O'Leary
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it was amazing

It's only fitting that I review this wholesome and heart-warming love letter to Yorkshire on actual Yorkshire day, whilst drinking a cup of Yorkshire tea!

description
Eileen is 79 and wants a change, and to start dating again,
Leena needs a break, she's tired, stressed and grieving,
So they decide to swap lives for two months!
Will a change of scenery help the two women?


The Switch was just what I needed! It was like having a cuppa with an old friend! The plot was nothing new (hello 'The Holiday') but this charming, heartfelt book was all about the characters and their relationships. It won't be a book for everyone, it's quite a slow building character driven plot, and more about family and friendships, than a full on romance read, but I really liked it! Last year The Flatshare ended up being one of my favourite reads, despite it taking a while for me to get into it. This book charmed me from the very start, with its lovable characters, charming village life, witty banter and feel good storyline!

Told from both Eileen and Lina's POVs, I was engaged and entertained no matter which one of them I was reading about! However, Eileen really shone out of the pages! She was hilarious, wise and just an amazing character. I really want to be her when I'm 79! I really liked both characters, and hoped for the best for them, on their paths of self discovery. I also loved many of the side characters, from grumpy Arnold (I ❤️ him!), snarky Nicola, sharp Betsy, easy-going Jackson, Basil and Hank the dog in Yorkshire, to Bee, Martha, Fitz in London! This book was all about family, friendship and the importance of a community. It had some important things to say about loneliness, and how hard it can be for the older generation, when sometimes their house becomes more of a prison than a sanctuary. It also looked at grief and anger at the loss of a loved one, and family estrangement. I laughed and I cried at both the village life antics like the May day fair and Hank the dog taking Leena for a walk, and also loved Eileen learning about internet dating, and figuring out London.

I had heard great things about the audio, but was in the mood to read it, but I can totally see what a good audiobook it would be!

Basically I just want to visit Hamleigh-in-Harksdale, to sit and have a cuppa with all of these characters! This book made me smile, it made me feel good. What more can you ask for?! I see that Beth O'Leary has another book out next year, The Road Trip,and I will definitely be reading it!
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Reading Progress

July 30, 2020 – Started Reading
July 30, 2020 – Shelved
August 1, 2020 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-50 of 60 (60 new)


Michael David (on hiatus) Excellent review, Fran! This sounds great, and I love "The Holiday".


Farrah Fantastic review! 😀 Love seeing all the stars!


Christina What a great review, Fran! I’m just beginning listening now and totally also thought of The Holiday. Glad to hear you loved it!


Warda I’m even more excited to pick this up now. Amazing review as always, Fran! 😃💕


preoccupiedbybooks Michael wrote: "Excellent review, Fran! This sounds great, and I love "The Holiday"."

Thanks Michael! 😊 It's a bit less dramatic than the holiday, and more family orientated, but yeah I like it too!


message 6: by Nadia (new)

Nadia Lovely review Fran, sounds like a great summer read.


preoccupiedbybooks Farrah wrote: "Fantastic review! 😀 Love seeing all the stars!"

Thanks Farrah! Sometimes I just want a more wholesome read! 🤗


preoccupiedbybooks Christina wrote: "What a great review, Fran! I’m just beginning listening now and totally also thought of The Holiday. Glad to hear you loved it!"

Thank you Christina! I hope you love the audio! Eileen was the best! 😊


preoccupiedbybooks Warda wrote: "I’m even more excited to pick this up now. Amazing review as always, Fran! 😃💕"

Thanks Warda! 💕I hope you love it! Eileen is just the best!


preoccupiedbybooks Nadia wrote: "Lovely review Fran, sounds like a great summer read."

Thanks Nadia! Yes it was! 😊


Ginger Oh, this sounds great! Lovely review Fran and adding it to my TBR list!


Ceecee As a Yorkshire resident I think I’ve just got to read this!! Fab review ❤️


preoccupiedbybooks Ginger wrote: "Oh, this sounds great! Lovely review Fran and adding it to my TBR list!"

Thanks Ginger! Lovely to hear from you, I haven't seen you around much lately! I hope you're well x


preoccupiedbybooks Ceecee wrote: "As a Yorkshire resident I think I’ve just got to read this!! Fab review ❤️"

Aye you do Ceecee! Although isn't a cuppa a brew in Yorkshire? They drank lots of it but called it tea. Thanks 😊I've been to Leeds, York and Sheffield, and have friends in Halifax, Huddersfield and Whitby, love it!


Javier Fantastic review, Fran! I can’t wait to get my hands on this one!


Jayme Glad you loved it too! 💗 Great review and thanks for the heads up on “The Road Trip”!


preoccupiedbybooks Javier wrote: "Fantastic review, Fran! I can’t wait to get my hands on this one!"

Thanks Javier! I hope you enjoy it too!


preoccupiedbybooks Jayme wrote: "Glad you loved it too! 💗 Great review and thanks for the heads up on “The Road Trip”!"

Thank you Jayme! I was on the fence about reading this, but your review convinced me 🙌
Your so welcome, I got all excited when I saw 'The road trip!' 🤗


Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill Fantastic review Fran! I am literally listening to this right now. Glad you enjoyed!


Giorgia Reads Great review Fran! I just bought this the other day and your review couldn’t come at a better time. Can’t wait to read it.


message 21: by Brandice (new)

Brandice I thought The Flatshare was pretty good and I loved the Holiday :) Great review!


preoccupiedbybooks Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill wrote: "Fantastic review Fran! I am literally listening to this right now. Glad you enjoyed!"

Ah its a popular audio at the moment! 🙌Thank you so much Kim! 😊


preoccupiedbybooks Giorgia ~ Reads wrote: "Great review Fran! I just bought this the other day and your review couldn’t come at a better time. Can’t wait to read it."

Thanks Giorgia! Ah that's great timing! I hope you enjoy it too! 😊🤗


preoccupiedbybooks Brandice wrote: "I thought The Flatshare was pretty good and I loved the Holiday :) Great review!"

Oh you will probably enjoy this then too Brandice! Thank you!


Ceecee Yeah some people call it a brew! I’d say cuppa. I live near gorgeous York!!! 😁


preoccupiedbybooks Oh I loved York! I say cuppa too but I'm a southerner, here it's just tea, as in are you making a tea 😂


message 27: by Mrinmayi (new)

Mrinmayi OMG this book sounds hilarious!!😂


Aoife - Bookish_Babbling Fantastic review hun, deffo going to have to pick this up...after i finally read the flatshare 😇


EmBibliophile I was hesitant about whether I should get the audiobook for this one or not. I guess your review settles that! This sounds like a cute heartwarming book, let’s hope I end up loving it too! Great review, Fran! xx


message 30: by megs_bookrack (new)

megs_bookrack Great review! This does sound delightful ☺


preoccupiedbybooks Mrinmayi wrote: "OMG this book sounds hilarious!!😂"

Some of it was Mrin! It was just a really heartwarming book x


preoccupiedbybooks Aoife - Bookish_Babbling wrote: "Fantastic review hun, deffo going to have to pick this up...after i finally read the flatshare 😇"

Thanks lovely! 😊


preoccupiedbybooks EmBibliophile wrote: "I was hesitant about whether I should get the audiobook for this one or not. I guess your review settles that! This sounds like a cute heartwarming book, let’s hope I end up loving it too! Great re..."

Thank you Em! Yes I hope you like it too, it was heart warming!


preoccupiedbybooks megs_bookrack wrote: "Great review! This does sound delightful ☺"

Thanks Meg! ☺️Delightful is a good word for it!


Mandy Radley Great review, I just picked this up from our library and look forward to reading it. Belated happy Yorkshire day from a Yorkshire lass now in NZ.


preoccupiedbybooks Mandy wrote: "Great review, I just picked this up from our library and look forward to reading it. Belated happy Yorkshire day from a Yorkshire lass now in NZ."

Thank you! 😊 What a great library find Mandy! I hope you enjoy it too! Wow NZ! 🙌


Susanne Fab review Fran! So glad this was a winner! I just grabbed it and am looking forward to it.


Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) - in a book slump :( Lovely review Fran! I will definitely have to make a cup of tea (American, and thus subpar!) while I read this one! The fact that it reminded you of the Holiday is even better, because that's one of my favorite movies! 💕😊


preoccupiedbybooks Susanne wrote: "Fab review Fran! So glad this was a winner! I just grabbed it and am looking forward to it."

Thank you Susanne! Oh I hope you love it too 😊


preoccupiedbybooks Catherine wrote: "Lovely review Fran! I will definitely have to make a cup of tea (American, and thus subpar!) while I read this one! The fact that it reminded you of the Holiday is even better, because that's one o..."

Ha tell me you don't make it in the microwave, like that video that saw online recently?! 🙈When I worked on a summer camp, the tea was so awful, I got my dad to post me some ha ha! Thank you Catherine 😊


GHita Abouzaida I really love that review ")


preoccupiedbybooks Thank you GHita!


Christina Thanks for this great review. I just finished this audiobook and LOVED it!


preoccupiedbybooks Christina wrote: "Thanks for this great review. I just finished this audiobook and LOVED it!"

Oh yay, I'm so glad Christina! 🙌🙌Can't wait to see your review!


Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) - in a book slump :( preoccupiedbybooks wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Lovely review Fran! I will definitely have to make a cup of tea (American, and thus subpar!) while I read this one! The fact that it reminded you of the Holiday is even better, be..."

Oh I would NEVER put it in a microwave, I saw that video and it was terrifying! 😂 100% kettle all the way. That's so sweet your dad sent you some while you were away, that's love! ☕💕


message 46: by preoccupiedbybooks (last edited Aug 04, 2020 06:42PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

preoccupiedbybooks Catherine wrote: "preoccupiedbybooks wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Lovely review Fran! I will definitely have to make a cup of tea (American, and thus subpar!) while I read this one! The fact that it reminded you of the..."

Oh good, I was horrified watching it! 😂 Yep my dad sent me tea and Cadbury's chocolate too, what a gem😊


Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch Great review, Fran!


Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) - in a book slump :( preoccupiedbybooks wrote: "Catherine wrote: "preoccupiedbybooks wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Lovely review Fran! I will definitely have to make a cup of tea (American, and thus subpar!) while I read this one! The fact that it r..."

Oh and Cadbury's to boot? You were so lucky!! 😍


Aoife - Bookish_Babbling As a longtime, nigh on permanent, expat - Cadbury's is always the perfect gift 🤤


preoccupiedbybooks Brenda - Traveling Sisters Book Reviews wrote: "Great review, Fran!"

Thank you Brenda! 🤗


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