Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

The Switch by Beth O'Leary

103 reviews

kamrynkoble's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

3.5 stars! I read this for my local library’s book club. This was a sweet story. I truly enjoyed the dual-POV of a grandmother and granddaughter.

Even with all the online dating/talk about relationships, this reads more as contemporary than romance. I wish we would’ve gotten a little more time with the actual romance, lol! But this has a lot of profound yet simple reflections on grief and life. I’d read more from this author. 

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theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

If you liked Freaky Friday and/or The Holiday then you’ll love this book.

If you like cozy England towns and/or the hustle and bustle of a big city then you’ll love this book. 

If you like it when the nice guys don’t finish last and the baddies always get their comeuppance then you’ll love this book. 

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filipacmiranda's review

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emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.25

Este livro fez-me lembrar The Holiday, se a troca de casa desse filme ocorresse entre elementos da mesma família e unicamente no Reino Unido. A melhor parte é que o segundo romance de Beth O’Leary não desapontou! 

Como no seu primeiro livro, a autora pega num enredo imaginativo e aconchegante e polvilha-o de assuntos sérios. “The Switch” aborda uma panóplia alargada de questões que se estende da ansiedade, do luto e da violência doméstica à parentalidade, à importância da comunidade e à sexualidade na terceira idade. 

Tanto Leena como Eileen são personagens das quais é fácil gostar e com as quais se empatiza sem esforço. Não obstante, para mim, Eileen e a representação que é feita dos mais velhos, através da sua personagem, são os pontos altos deste romance. Com frequência, a vida não acaba antes dos 65 anos, mas é raro encontrar histórias que tenham pessoas mais velhas como protagonistas. Com este livro, O'Leary contribui para a desmistificação dessa fase da vida, apresentando as diversas facetas de Eileen e caracterizando-a como muito mais do que apenas a avó de Leena. Este arco torna-se ainda mais relevante, quando é justaposto a histórias de isolamento e abandono (também patentes neste livro). 

A meu ver, o ponto menos bem conseguido de “The Switch” foi a relação entre Leena e Jackson. Ao longo do livro, a relação entre os dois pareceu sempre mais de amizade do que romântica. Acredito que uma melhor exploração da sua relação poderia ter contribuído para o desenvolvimento pessoal de Leena e para a sua apreciação da vida que encontrou em Yorkshire.

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sicemsinger's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Fun, cute, easy read. Romance was there but didn't drive the plot, which is refreshing.

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imds's review against another edition

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  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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k8lynn's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

what a charming read!! can't deny that eileen the grandmother is my favorite & i loved her storyline the most, but altogether such a wonderful book. these characters are emotional, loving, whimsical, funny, creative, and so entertaining. the ending gave me FULL body chills!! head to toe!!!!

the only thing i absolutely hated about this audiobook was the inclusion of the sounds of the narrators swallowing or, like, licking their lips? i'm not sure if they were trying to make it more authentic, but it just sounded like their mouths were dry and they needed water or chapstick or something and i couldn't stop noticing it throughout my readthrough. almost took me out of it at times but i plowed through. for that -.25stars. 

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spectacles_and_books's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I love Beth O' Leary's writing so much and the choices for her audiobook narrators are always excellent. As an author, she imbues her characters with so much personality, hope and humour. I was initially hesitant at the premise of a grandma and grand-daughter swapping lives. But this story was so engaging, poignant and sweet. Both Eileen Cottons have my heart.

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krandazzo725's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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gracer's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I like that O’Leary’s books (at least the two I’ve read) add a psychological element. It makes the book more interesting, more grounded, less fluff. This one still does rely on a misunderstanding a bit too long, which happens a lot in these types of books, but it was an enjoyable way to pass some time. 

I don’t have much else to say about this book. It’s told by two narrators, who alternate chapters, resulting in rather a lot of characters - but somehow I found it wasn’t that hard to keep track, and in moments where I couldn’t remember someone, it didn’t really matter. It worked well that way.

It lacked the surprise gravitas that I found in The Flat Share, but it met expectations for a fun, light read with a couple surprises. 

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laurahollis's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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