The Switch: A Novel

by Beth O'Leary

Overview

A grandmother and granddaughter swap lives in The Switch, a charming, romantic novel by Beth O’Leary, who has been hailed as “the new Jojo Moyes” (Cosmopolitan UK)...

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 long-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.

So they decide to try a two-month swap.

Eileen will live in London and look for love. She’ll take Leena’s flat, and learn all about casual dating, swiping right, and city neighbors. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire: Eileen’s sweet cottage and garden, her idyllic, quiet village, and her little neighborhood projects.

But stepping into one another's shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected. Will swapping lives help Eileen and Leena find themselves…and maybe even find true love? In Beth O'Leary's The Switch, it's never too late to change everything....or to find yourself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250769862
Publisher:	Flatiron Books
Publication date:	08/18/2020
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	71,963
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Beth O’Leary worked in children's publishing before becoming a full-time author. She is also the author of the Sunday Times bestselling novel The Flatshare, which has been translated into more than thirty languages.

Editorial Reviews

“The Switch brilliantly encompasses all the humor and whimsy of The Flatshare while delving into emotional topics like grief and the importance of watching out for neighbors. Charismatic Eileen stands out as the star of this witty, joyful show, illustrating that mature women need love, too.”
—Booklist, starred review

"[A] cozy, hopeful escape that will make readers laugh, cry, or feel inspired." —Kirkus, starred review

“The Switch was refreshing, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable. This story has everything you could ask for: witty characters, strong female relationships and a view about love that’d make anyone hopeful.” —Helena Hunting, New York Times bestselling author

“In this time of increased isolation, The Switch offers a hopeful reminder to reach out to our neighbors with an open mind. It’s a cozy, lovely story about how community matters more than ever.”
—BookPage, starred review

“I am SO LOVING The Switch! It's so sweet and uplifting and SUCH a balm in these wretched times.” —Marian Keyes, internationally bestselling author

“Reading this felt like checking in on old friends. A bright, life-affirming story with beautifully rich characters.” –Abby Jimenez, bestselling author of The Friend Zone

“I loved it! It was a total joy to read. I loved the concept, the relationship between Eileen and Leena and the wonderful cast of friends both in London and Yorkshire. And it was such a breath of fresh air to read about a 79-year old woman dating (and even – hurrah! – having sex!) The exact kind of thing I believe we need to see more of in books and films. Eileen gives me great hope for the future! I shall be recommending it to my friends.”
—Libby Page, author of The Lido

Praise for Beth O’Leary:
“The new Jojo Moyes.” —Cosmopolitan (UK)

“Perfect for fans of Helen Hoang's The Kiss Quotient and Sally Thorne's The Hating Game.” —Booklist

“Add this to your summer reading list...Everyone needs to devour immediately." —USA Today

“Set to become the romcom of the year…a Sleepless In Seattle for the 21st century.” —Sunday Express Magazine (UK)

“The novel equivalent of a cup of hot tea.” —Refinery29

From the Publisher

★ 2020-07-01
A grieving British woman and her grandmother switch homes and lives in an attempt to shake things up.

Leena Cotton knows she hasn’t exactly been herself since the death of her beloved sister, but after she has a panic attack in a big meeting, she’s shocked that her boss insists she take a two-month sabbatical. The absolute last thing Leena wants is a break—with so much free time, she might actually have to confront the way her relationship with her mother has deteriorated since her sister’s death. But there is one family member Leena still adores—her grandmother Eileen, who’s incredibly active in her small town even at the age of 79. Eileen’s main focus is finding a new man after her husband left her, but Hamleigh-in Harksdale, population 168, doesn’t boast many eligible bachelors. Leena and her grandmother hatch an unlikely plan that just might help both of them—they’ll switch lives. Leena will live in Eileen’s charming, fairy-tale–worthy cottage in Hamleigh while Eileen will stay in Leena’s London flat with her roommates. Leena will oversee all of Eileen’s many projects while Eileen can experience the big-city adventures she missed out on while she was unhappily married. Soon, Eileen is going on dates and adjusting to city life while Leena handles Neighborhood Watch meetings and attempts to fit in with a crowd of mostly elderly people. Although there’s slightly less romance than in O’Leary’s debut, The Flatshare (2019), this novel is full of the charm and warmth readers expect, with an increased focus on family bonds. Leena’s attempts to deal with her sister’s death and heal her relationship with her mother are quite moving while the eccentric cast of town residents and her quirky London roommates provide plenty of laughs. But Eileen, as a nearly-80-year-old woman who’s allowed to have hopes, dreams, and a vibrant sex life, truly shines. She never gives up on helping others or finding her own happily-ever-after, proving that it’s never too late to start over.

A cozy, hopeful escape that will make readers laugh, cry, and feel inspired.

Kirkus Reviews

Daisy Edgar-Jones and Alison Steadman team up as a fun, quirky grandmother and granddaughter pair in this lively narration. Leena is sent on a two-month vacation after work-related stress affects her performance. Her grandmother, Eileen, a divorcée living in the country, makes a deal to swap living quarters with Leena so Leena can get the rest she needs while Eileen looks for potential suitors in London. The two narrators, each portraying her respective character’s point of view, are a perfect match. Leena sounds genuine, kind, and sometimes dreary, while Eileen is quaint yet snarky. Other vibrant characters such as the ladies’ neighbors add to a flamboyant story that will entertain listeners. Edgar-Jones and Steadman are a winning combination. G.M. 2021 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2020 - AudioFile