Book Review: The Switch by Beth O’Leary
If you loved The Flatshare and are wondering whether The Switch is worth picking up, here’s my honest review.
The Switch (at a glance)
Author: Beth O’Leary
Genre: Contemporary fiction / women’s fiction
Published: 2020
My rating: ★★★★☆
Best for: Readers who enjoy uplifting, character-driven stories, family dynamics, and gentle, feel-good fiction
The Switch Review
I was a huge fan of The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary, so I went into The Switch with pretty high expectations. It’s another heart-warming story, but this time the focus leans more towards family, grief, and finding yourself than romance.
The novel centres on Eileen and Leena, grandmother and granddaughter, who are both at turning points in their lives. Eileen lives a quiet life in rural Yorkshire, while Leena is a high-powered consultant in London.
Their lives couldn’t be more different, which makes their decision to swap homes for two months feel both unlikely and completely perfect. Each is hoping that a change of scenery will give them the space they need to reset.
The story is told through alternating perspectives, and I really grew to love both Eileen and Leena as the book went on. There’s a genuine warmth to their relationship, and you can feel the care that’s gone into their character development.
Eileen was the standout for me – she’s quirky, headstrong, and full of life, and I found myself wishing I knew someone like her in real life. She’s the kind of character who could easily feel clichéd, but instead comes across as vivid and endearing.
That said, if you’re going in expecting the same romantic focus as The Flatshare, this does feel quite different.
The Switch is more about personal growth and community than it is about love stories, and while there is romance, it felt a little rushed at times, likely because the book is juggling multiple characters and storylines within a relatively short space.
For me, this didn’t quite reach the same heights as The Flatshare, which was an instant five-star read.
But I still gave The Switch four stars – it’s an easy, enjoyable read with plenty of heart, even if it didn’t leave quite the same lasting impression.
I’d still recommend it, especially if you enjoy uplifting, character-driven stories or loved books like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. It’s the kind of novel that feels comforting to read, without being overly sentimental.
Find out more about The Switch here:
Amazon | Bookshop.org (UK)
Check out my reviews of other Beth O’Leary novels here:
