THE SWITCH by Beth O’Leary

My series of 2020 amazing books continues with THE SWITCH by Beth O’Leary. Yes, she done it again! She stole my heart with The Flat Share and once again with her new book that came out at the beginning of April and soon become Number one on Amazon best sellers

Although publishing a book in these crazy times is not an easy thing to do, Beth admitted on her Instagram account that she was “blown away by all the kind messages and posts from you lot ever since” (only a week after the book came out). She also mentions: ” Sending a novel out into the world is scary, and it’s been BEYOND joyful to see so many of you saying you’re enjoying Leena and Eileen’s story.”

Honestly speaking, I am totally in love with her writing and I really hope she’s already working on a new book because I will definitely pre order that one just as I did with THE SWITCH (that obviously unless the publishing company will decide to send me a copy beforehand – dream coming true that will be)

Coming back to the story in hand I can tell you that once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. It is such a wonderful and funny story with such intense and colorful characters that were masterfully created to steal ones heart. Although the book is joyful and filled with laugh out loud moments, it also touches sensitive aspects of life and family, making it all seem like depicted from real life.

THE SWITCH is all about Eileen and Leena – a grandmother and a granddaughter who decide to live in each other’s shoes for eight weeks and have a bit of a change. Eileen is a 79 year old woman, recently left by her cheating husband and living with the feeling of lost youth having to marry as she was pregnant. She wants a second chance in love but her little Yorkshire town doesn’t give her much choice in the matter. Leena is a 29 year old woman working too much so she can numb the pain and frustration of her sister’s death. When Leena finds out about her grandmother’s romantic predicament, she offers the swap.  Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. From here, things get very interesting, very quickly. 

Both women have lessons to learn and experiences to live and soon it all proves to be quite complicated. Leena opens her eyes and sees that a long distance relationship never works. Plus there is that handsome school teacher showing up just about everywhere and distracting her and trying to outdo her efforts to impress the local villagers.

Back in London, Eileen is living the life having a torrid affair with a charming West End actor and wins everyone’s hearts in the flat with her frankness and bubbly personality. Although life seems perfect in the city, Eileen realizes that her attractive man is just a short lived romance, not having much in common with the handsome gentleman. Not to mention that soon she finds out a big secret that will affect her granddaughter’s life and bring her so much pain.

THE SWITCH is just delicious to read and absolutely uplifting. I have to say that Beth O’Leary wrote THE BOOK that I needed right now.

If you haven’t read it, please do! It will bring such a smile on your face and warm your hearts.