The Switch by Beth O'Leary

“You were healing. You’re still healing. You’ll maybe always be healing. And that’s OK. It’ll just be part of what makes you you.”

2020 has been one heck of a year to say the least. It has impacted every single part of my life but I never thought it would impact my reading. I normally read two to three books a week. I like heavier books even though I do enjoy a light read thrown in every once in a while. But lately heavy reads have been something I actively have shied away from. Life is heavy and reading is my escape. I have been reading books I normally would have shelved for later. So when my public library had The Switch I figured no better time than the present to dive into something light and easy. I enjoyed the author's previous book ,The Flatshare, which I thought was effortlessly charming and quite lovely. So I dove on into this one with somewhat high hopes.

When Leena Cotton is ordered by her boss to take a two month sabbatical ,due to a presentation gone horribly wrong at work, she runs to her grandmother's house for some rest that is sorely needed. Eileen , Leena's grandmother, is newly single and about to turn eighty. She wants a do over in love but her small English village offers very few prospects. Once Leena finds out about her grandmother's predicament, she offers a very unique solution. She proposes the women swap houses for the next two months. Leena will look after her grandmother's house in Yorkshire and try to relax a little. Eileen will live in in Leena's hip apartment in London and try to find her new love interest. While the switch may seem easy, it sure doesn't go off without a hitch! With nosey neighbors and gossip galore in Yorkshire, Leena has her hands full. Being new to online dating and being new to the bustling city of London, Eileen thinks she might be in over her head. But little do the ladies know, exactly what they both needed might be closer than they think.

I loved this book! It felt like a warm hug and cup of hot chocolate all in one. It was a little deeper than I thought it might be but I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing. Leena is dealing with grief from her sister dying of terminal cancer. She never fully dealt with it and is somewhat masking that grief with anger towards their mother. She is forced to take the sabbatical from work due to her boss realizing Leena needs to take care of herself and come to terms with what has happened. I enjoyed Leena due to both of us being overthinkers and overanalyzers. Leena wants to take care of all the ones she loves even at the expense of her own mental health. Which I think a lot of people tend to do which is quite unhealthy. You cannot pour into anyone else if you've ran yourself dry. Eileen, her grandmother, is hilarious and the quintessential grandmother. She loves Leena and can see she's burnt out and needs a change asap. Eileen meddles in those she loves lives but in a loving and pretty funny way. She knows sometimes people need a little push to just get on out there! I enjoyed how once her husband left her instead of sinking into despair she wanted to live her best life! She was actually my favorite character in the whole book and I definitely laughed out loud to a lot of her parts.

I cannot think of a better time for anyone to read this book. I truly think laughter is good for the soul and reading is great for the mind. Put both together and you've got a hit! A book that can deal with grief, death of a love one, and growing older in a real but hopeful way is always a winner to me. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars easily. I also recommend everyone read The Flatshare by the same author. It's a romantic novel but one of the most unique and beautifully written books I've read. Beth O'Leary is a true talent and anyone whose isn't reading her books is missing out!