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TOtimes Books: THE SWITCH by Beth O’Leary

Welcome 2021! As my first read of the year, I am ecstatic to say that Beth O’Leary is quickly becoming my favourite fiction writer. Despite only having two books out, I simply love everything about her storytelling. Reading this book is like slipping into your favourite pyjamas, and under fresh sheets in a cosy dream cottage by the sea. It’s almost as if you’re not in lockdown, there is no pandemic, and everything is just right.

On the outset “The Switch” has the appearance of yet another fluffy rom-com. In fact, I expected something similar to Beth O’Leary’s debut novel, “The Flatshare” (which I LOVE – see my review here). And while, yes, “The Switch” is written in the same voice and style as O’Leary’s first book (thank goodness!), it holds so much more depth and intrigue for the reader.

The story opens in London, England, and spans north to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Each chapter ‘switches’ back and forth between young, busy, corporate Leena, and older, wiser, but a little bored, grandma Eileen.

The two decide it’s time for a switch, as they both experience life-changing events that need sorting out. Naturally, they swap lives, not bodies, thankfully. No ‘Freaky-Friday’ happenings here! Once they’ve switched they discover a whole new version of themselves.

“The Switch” is certainly a light read, and will whisk readers off into its little world, but there is so much more beneath the surface. This story battles themes of grief, family, identity, and the power of communication in the pre-internet era. The star of the show, and perhaps my favourite element, is the deluge of older characters. Not only is the protagonist a mid-seventies firecracker, but her group of friends are fully fascinating and highly entertaining. They hold such a fierce presence within the story and have made me realise how most authors I’ve been reading lately seldom utilise the older aged characters. I see this as an opportunity for me to expand my library and seek out authors with more diverse casts of characters.

I was literally gripping (see wrinkled cover photo above) this novel, so Beth O’Leary is here to stay in my library, and I look forward to her next book, “The Road Trip!” I believe it comes out in April 2021 so stay tuned for that!