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The Switch
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
164 posts | 160 read | 1 reading | 76 to read
Eileen is sick of being 79. Leena's tired of life in her twenties. Maybe it's time they swapped places... When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen's house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She'd like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn't offer many eligible gentlemen. Once Leena learns of Eileen's romantic predicament, she proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. But with gossiping neighbours and difficult family dynamics to navigate up north, and trendy London flatmates and online dating to contend with in the city, stepping into one another's shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected. Leena learns that a long-distance relationship isn't as romantic as she hoped it would be, and then there is the annoyingly perfect - and distractingly handsome - school teacher, who keeps showing up to outdo her efforts to impress the local villagers. Back in London, Eileen is a huge hit with her new neighbours, but is her perfect match nearer home than she first thought?
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review
Emma_PK
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this as an easy summer read. Just the right amount of humour (laugh out loud in places) with shades of The Vicar of Dibley and Thursday Murder Club. I liked the two parallel stories of Eileen and Leena but I would have wanted the book to be twice as long with more detail and extrapolation as it was such a lovely world I wanted to stay there!

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AnneCecilie
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

Leena, 29, is working around the clock. After a collapse at work, she‘s given 2 months paid leave, the end of the world. After a telephone talk with her grandmother, Eileen, they decide to switch homes for 2 months. Leena will take on Eileen‘s responsibilities and Eileen will be given the opportunity to leave the London life she wanted to live over 50 yrs ago before she got married. As they are living new lives, this might change

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OriginalCyn620
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

Loved it! A grandmother and granddaughter, Eileen and Leena respectively, decide to swap lives in order to shake up their lives. Leena heads to Eileen‘s small village to get some much needed rest after suffering a panic attack at work, while newly single Eileen goes to bustling London to meet available men. This was funny and touching, and I loved Eileen so much!

#bookspinbingo - my #bookspin for this month
#24in2024
#readordonate
#readaway2024

Jas16 I liked this one too. 8mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! I really enjoyed this one also!! 8mo
julieclair How fun! Stacked! 8mo
DieAReader 🥳Great 8mo
43 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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quietlycuriouskate
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Mehso-so

Read for library's book group.
It's a lemon meringue pie in book form: a tang of sharpness under a mass of sugary fluff.
I couldn't care less about the romance aspect and, as a whole, it was a pleasant but formulaic read.
I'm not saying it's a bad book: I'm saying it's not to my taste.

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OriginalCyn620
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Very excited for my #bookspin and #doublespin picks this month! 🌸🌱🌼

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! 9mo
36 likes1 comment
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OriginalCyn620
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Finally decided on my #readordonate books for April! These either get read or they get donated. 📚

peanutnine Ooh I enjoyed both of these, but especially the Switch! 😊 9mo
julieclair These both look good! 9mo
willaful I DNF'd the Switch the first time I tried it but then went back to it and liked it. 9mo
34 likes3 comments
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AileenRR
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Mehso-so

My 2nd book by this author. I enjoyed it more than The Flatshare, but I‘m wondering if I‘m missing something with this author of if I haven‘t been in the right mood for her 🤔

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DebinHawaii
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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#NewYearNewBooks

#Grandparents 👵🏼🧓🏼 This one has been on my #TBR for a while now. A twenty-something woman living in London swaps places for two-months with her almost 80-year-old grandmother in a small Yorkshire village.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 😍 11mo
Eggs Sounds fun! 11mo
Prairiegirl_reading Eileen is a great character! 11mo
57 likes1 stack add3 comments
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DebbieGrillo
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

Lena's sister and Eileen's granddaughter died just over a year ago, and both women are still deeply grieving. When Lena is forced to take a 2 month sabbatical, she suggests that she snd her grandmother switch homes so she can rest in the English countryside and Eileen can have a city adventure. Chaos, hilarity, and healing happen. The perfect heartwarming story as I continue on my own grieving/healing journey.

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TheEllieMo
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

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Read4life
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

When 20 something Lena leaves London to switch places with her 79 year old grandmother in the Yorkshire Dales for 2 months, she has to face her grief & her mother. All 3 ladies learn, grow & make life changing decisions.

The Summer of a Fall is a short memoir not in the database.

#BookSpinBingo #MagnificentMay

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! I enjoyed The Switch when I read it. 2y
51 likes1 comment
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Cupcake12
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

Lena is in her twenties living the high life in London but dealing with grief. Eileen (her grandmother) is 79 and wanting an adventure before it‘s too late! They propose a two month swap…London for the Yorkshire Dales.
Gossiping neighbours, a change in family dynamics -stepping into each others shoes is more problematic than exoected!
Wholesome, endearing and an enjoyable read. O‘Leary writes with charm, wit and feeling. A great set of characters.

29 likes1 stack add
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Cupcake12
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Looking forward to starting this tonight 👓📕

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Nebklvr
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

I loved this. Three women find the braver, happier, stronger versions of themselves as they work through the grieving process. The neighbors, be they in London or Hamleigh-in-Harksdale, are quirky and feisty. I laughed so hard I cried.

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K.Wielechowski
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Mehso-so

Leena is a consummate overachiever, her way of coping with her sister‘s untimely death. When she‘s ordered to take a sabbatical from work, she heads to her grandmother‘s tiny village.
Eileen, is newly single & lets her granddaughter talk her into switching lives for 2 months. Eileen heads to London to try out casual dating while Leena takes care of her grandmother‘s obligations. They both find love but not how they expected.
Finished 10/30/2022

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DanaManiac
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

4.5 ⭐️

After enjoying 'The Flatshare' so very much, I wondered if perhaps Beth O'Leary might be one of my new favorite authors. This was a very enjoyable take on the 'characters switch lives' storyline- especially with an 80 year old being cast as a love interest. I'm on to select my next O'Leary book just to make sure it wasn't beginner's luck with these first two picks, haha.

Moll I adored The Flatshare!! I've been reluctant to give another of her books a go in case it can't compare...but you may well have tempted me to give it a try with this post!! 2y
DanaManiac @Moll I felt the same way, but I‘m so glad I did decided to. They‘re so different, so it‘s hard to compare, but both so great. If you decide to read The Switch, I can‘t wait to hear if you like it! 2y
25 likes2 comments
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willaful
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY

i'm glad #doublespin got me to give this a second chance. (I had DNF'd it on audio.) It's a warm, comforting sort of book -- not really a genre romance, but it provides plenty of happy endings for those of us who love them. (There are dark patches and a lot of grieving though.) I'm growing really fond of these novels you can trust to also satisfy the HEA urge.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
5 likes2 comments
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Gissy
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

What I liked about this book was the relationship between Leena and Eileen, her grandmother. So cute. Not only both of them swap houses but also responsibilities in their communities. They will grow with these experiences, they will heal emotional scars. You will love Eileen who at age 79 she “still can open jars” as she says, is in charge of the neighborhood watch committee and who can be active in many ways. So optimistic! I loved her! 3.5/3.8⭐️

Gissy Orilius Readathon Autumn Equinox Career-Mage Hunter class-Spells and Incantetion (ordinary) =pick a book cover that match the color wheel assigned (light green)

August 2022 #BookSpinBingo &TheAromaOfBooks

#2022ReadingGoals old tbr
2y
BiblioLitten I loved this one. Fun, quick read but also well-written. 2y
Gissy @BiblioLitten Yes!❤️ 2y
58 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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rainbowsandblackink
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY

I‘m currently 71% through - but I have to come here to say the moment we get to the event in the other village and this “leader” is wearing a hardhat and blaring orders through a megaphone I immediately thought of Taylor from Gilmore Girls. This brings me joy. Hahah

So far this book has been absolutely perfect. I‘m absolutely laughing my way through this lovable romcom!

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booksandsympathy
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
Pickpick

Finished this last night. I enjoyed this heart-warming story about Leena and her grandmother, Eileen, switching lives for two months in order to help them move on after loss. A fantastic cast of supporting characters. I loved how Leena's young friends completely embraced Eileen and how she changed their lives for the better. She's a spitfire. Leena showed real growth in embracing the quieter life. Just a really great read.

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peanutnine
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

This was my first O'Leary and definitely won't be my last! I loved this sweet story about a woman and her grandmother switching lives for two months. Eileen was adorable and so spunky! Leena was a relatable hot mess with some trauma to work through. I loved all the supporting characters - they added so much charm 💕

Kimberlone Her first book The Flatshare is still my favorite. Highly recommend! 2y
peanutnine @Kimberlone I put a request in at my library for that one as soon as I finished this one 😅 2y
41 likes2 comments
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BoundByBooks
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

One of the most heartwarming books I have read. After being forced to take a sabbatical leave Leena escapes to her grandmothers house in the north of England in a small village. Eileen is new to the life of a single lady and is soon to be 80, she‘s interested in a second chance at love, unfortunately her village doesn‘t have many people to offer, a life swap seems a reasonable solution. It soon becomes complicated.

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Rachiiebookdragon
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
Pickpick

Listened via my library app, a good book.

4/5

Read for prompts for:

#TheDisneyReadingChallenge2022
#ReadHarder2022

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fictionaddictbooks
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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11 likes1 stack add
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Julsmarshall
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

Sweet and funny, a lovely story with a grandmother and her granddaughter who switch lives for a couple of months to deal with grief and uncertainty and new outlook on life. I love O‘Leary‘s characters and how she makes them feel like old friends.

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fictionaddictbooks
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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'I think we should swap', I tell Bee, bobbing up into a half-squat so I can talk to her over my computer screen.

#FirstLineFridays

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janeycanuck
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

Okay, definitely getting old because I felt closer kinship with Eileen than Leena. I loved Eileen, she was such a riot. And overall, this was a sweet (sometimes bittersweet) story with strong women & delightful secondary characters.

Prairiegirl_reading I LOVE Eileen!! 2y
BiblioLitten I loved loved Eileen so much. ❤️ 2y
janeycanuck @Prairiegirl_reading @BiblioLitten She‘s so great - I want to be like her when I‘m older!! 2y
38 likes3 comments
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Bamazin
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Bailedbailed

#27 another dnf, I was just bored 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

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Curvybookgirl
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

This was a fabulous book. I absolutely loved it. It‘s the perfect feel good book for when you want a cozy day or a beach day. Can‘t wait to read more of her books

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thebluestocking
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

Charming and comforting, this was just the book I needed on a dreary winter day. A year after losing her sister, Leena is living in London and is burnt out and flaming out at work. After losing her granddaughter and being left by her husband, 79-year-old Eileen is ready for a change from her Yorkshire life. Grandmother and granddaughter switch places for two months and delightful things ensue.

BiblioLitten I loved this one! Especially the characters and it reminded me of one of my favourite movies, The Holiday 3y
thebluestocking @BiblioLitten So cute. I haven‘t seen The Holiday, but I need to check it out! 3y
73 likes2 comments
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Ang203l
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Finally a cool enough day to snuggle with me again!

7 likes1 stack add
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cerijones
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Loved the flatshare and loving this so far and looking forward to reading the road trip too.

6 likes1 stack add
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Birdsong28
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

Good. Nice to see a main character who is normally pushed to the sidelines because she is an elderly person. Loved the way that it shows that they still have life in them and that they have plenty to teach us.

#Quercus
#HachetteUK

Andrew65 Loved this. 3y
51 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Birdsong28
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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That would definitely get me interested 😉😉 😊😂

DivineDiana Couldn‘t agree more! ❤️ 3y
34 likes1 comment
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RedxoHearts
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this story of a grandma and granddaughter switching lives to take a little break from their own. Along the way there are plenty of interesting characters to meet. I think the switching POVs worked well in this book. It was a cute light hearted read. Also probably my favorite book I've read in a long time!

33 likes1 stack add
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Kathfidler
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

I loved this book, so heart warming and yet funny. Definitely recommend

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RedxoHearts
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY

I love the grandma in this book she's adorable 💕

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5280reader
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

Initially I was looking for a copy of The Flatshare but substituted this one instead. Love O‘Leary‘s light writing style and her characters- an almost eighty year old grandmother from the Yorkshire Dales switching abodes with her workaholic 20 something granddaughter from London. Reminiscent of The Holiday…Love, friendships and adventures await! #bookspinbingo

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Sangeetarelan
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Just picked it up.
#QOTD what are your views on this?

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Mrs_B
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

This was a lovely book to read this week (very very stressful work week). It‘s so cute. I feel like I know Leena and Eileen so well and adore them both. It may have been a little predictable, but I enjoyed watching it all unfold.

Prairiegirl_reading Eileen is such a great character!! 💜 4y
BiblioLitten This was my last read. I really enjoyed it even though it‘s not the genre I usually go for. 💕 4y
Mrs_B @BiblioLitten my neighbour says one of her other books is just as good and worth a read! 4y
Mrs_B @Prairiegirl_reading she was! I loved hearing about her living it up in London and organising everyone‘s lives!!! 4y
BiblioLitten I‘ll check that out. Thanks😊 4y
81 likes5 comments
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coffees
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

Surprisingly, this one ended up being my #bookspin title for this month and wow, I DEVOURED it!! Recd by my coworker, the story follows Leena (granddaughter) and Eileen (grandma) who decide to "switch lives" to relax/spicen up their lives and oh boy did they succeed in the unexpected. Super fun with AMAZING grandma narration, I ? recommend! #family #romance #anxietyrep #grief

https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm135487

TheAromaofBooks I really enjoyed this one!! 4y
coffees @TheAromaofBooks it is an unexpected favorite, i really enjoyed it 😂😂 4y
See All 7 Comments
TheAromaofBooks Did you read her earlier book, The Flatshare? I liked that one, too, although it took me longer to get into since the male MC's sections have kind of an odd cadence to them. 4y
coffees @TheAromaofBooks this is the first book by her I've read but now i want to read more of her others, I've heard good things about that one, will check it out :D what was off with them? 4y
TheAromaofBooks They aren't bad at all, it's just that Leon's first-person sections feel a little choppy at first because his stream-of-thought process isn't exactly the way mine works - but once I got into his groove & got to know his character better, it felt like a good reflection of who he is. 4y
coffees @TheAromaofBooks ohhhh now I'm intrigued 😏😏 4y
16 likes7 comments
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coffees
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Coworker recommended The Switch and ohhhhh I've had a blast with it, wish I'd recorded more thoughts but here are the ones on my GR

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BiblioLitten
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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A grandmother and granddaughter switching homes...I‘m getting The Holiday-like vibes here. Good thing because I love that movie. Unexpected snowy day but the redbud looks so pretty. 💕 #currentlyreading

Ruthiella Sounds like a fun romance. That‘s so not my genre, but I did read The Flat Share by her and it was cute. 😀 4y
EvieBee Snow?!? That‘s unexpected. Beautiful pic, too! 4y
BiblioLitten @Ruthiella I usually stay away from romance too but this was a good one. I loved the characters.💕 4y
50 likes3 comments
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dylanisreading
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

I loved this book. It was like a balm to my soul, especially after having multiple pain flare ups last month.

Leena and her grandmother Eileen decide to switch lives--with Leena going to live in Eileen's Yorkshire village and Eileen living in Leena's shared flat in London for two months. What ensues is funny, heartwarming, empowering, and tea-filled. If you like Gilmore Girls, you'll probably like this. (Did I mention there's a cute dog?)

62 likes1 stack add
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MaggieCarr
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

While I found a section long and slow moving the beginning and last 1/3 were amazing. I enjoyed the characters, their individual grief and healing stories, the coming-of-age/understanding regardless of what "once was" knowing they can temporary step in another's shoes and get a new prospective.

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LouBeth
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

This was so good. It was sweet and cozy with a few tearing up moments.

43 likes1 stack add
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poiuyt
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
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Pickpick

A very adorable book about a family grieving the loss of a young family member. We follow these women having a hard time coming to terms with their loss but do while finding themselves in the process. I enjoyed this book very much.

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Angeles
The Switch | BETH. O'LEARY
Mehso-so

It was only OK. A sweet contemporary romance it starts really great with a fun premise but midway through it drags. Also, it is hard to pull charmingly the old trope of scrappy nice country person (in this case old lady) comes to the big city and teaches those lost, clueless city people how to re-connect and be friends.