Helpful Score: 1
This was a delightful novel with more substance than I anticipated. The "switch stories" I've previously enjoyed in novels and movies swapped two people of the same age. In The Switch, 20-something Leena leaves her fast-paced career-driven London life to live in her 79-year-old grandmother Elieen's small village cottage for two weeks during a "sabattical" mandated by her employer. Grandma Eileen uses this opportunity to stay in Leena's London flat and live the exciting big-city life for 14 days. Of course hilarity and missteps ensue.
I enjoyed watching Leena be reminded of the importance of connections to one's neighbors, a skill she neglected in London, and seeing Eileen teach that lesson to Leena's flatmates, fellow building residents, and the larger neighborhood. Eileen's antics to 'investigate' Leena's boyfriend were enjoyable if not somewhat unrealistic. Of course, the love stories were sweet and delightful. I also appreciated the far more serious plotline of Leena, Elieen, and their mother/daughter mourning the loss of Carla, Leena's sister.
It was fabulous to read this as an audiobook as the British accents of Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones brought great authenticity to the large cast of characters, especially Eileen and Leena.
I enjoyed watching Leena be reminded of the importance of connections to one's neighbors, a skill she neglected in London, and seeing Eileen teach that lesson to Leena's flatmates, fellow building residents, and the larger neighborhood. Eileen's antics to 'investigate' Leena's boyfriend were enjoyable if not somewhat unrealistic. Of course, the love stories were sweet and delightful. I also appreciated the far more serious plotline of Leena, Elieen, and their mother/daughter mourning the loss of Carla, Leena's sister.
It was fabulous to read this as an audiobook as the British accents of Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones brought great authenticity to the large cast of characters, especially Eileen and Leena.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a heartwarming story of a grandmother (Eileen) who lives in the country (Hamleigh) and a granddaughter (Leena) who lives in the city (London). They decide to switch places for 2 months as they are both grieving the death of Leena's sister, Carla. Leena is also feeling overworked from her job and Eileen is upset about her husband leaving her for a younger woman. The writing is enjoyable and the narrators for the audio capture the characters well. It was sad in some parts but also quite humorous too. I loved how their new lives helped them to heal and the affect they had on the people around them. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a free copy for an honest review. Recommended.
