Management consultant Leena Cotton has reached a breaking point. It’s been almost a year since her sister Carla died and she’s lost her focus. It took a meltdown during an important presentation for her to take a two-month sabbatical, forced upon her by her company. Her beloved grandmother Eileen invites her to leave London and return to her hometown for a respite and repair her broken relationship with her mother. Once there, Leena helps the recently divorced Eileen set up a dating site profile but realizes pickings are slim in their small Yorkshire town. Eileen comes up with the idea that they switch locations for the next two months. She’ll live with Leena’s flatmates and Leena can stay and assume her responsibilities. They decide to do it and the results are surprising and not without consequence.
One of my very picky international friends (that’s you Inge) raved about this book so I added it to my shelf early while I waited for the US editions to arrive. I also knew I wanted the audio version and I’m so very glad I waited. Two narrators were used for the voices of Leena and Eileen and both were wonderful. Surprisingly, the 79-year old Eileen was the one that captured my heart. She was willing to completely put herself out there after having been dumped by her husband and ended up winning over everyone within her orbit in London. Leena’s journey was rockier as she needed to heal, make peace with her mother and come to terms with her sister’s death. Both women were interesting in their own rights with lots of heart and skills.
There were many laugh out loud moments but the foundation of this story was bolstered by the strength of these two women and a host of well defined secondary characters. Leena may have been a bit damaged but was not down and out. She eventually made her mark in her hometown and regained her equilibrium. Eileen never let her age be an excuse for anything and used the occasion of her husband’s abandonment to embrace a more vibrant life. Both narrators did these characters justice and made a wonderful story even more delightful. I’d expected to be entertained but was unprepared for one of such substance. Another book where I was sad to reach the end.
(P.S. – It’s being developed into a feature film starring The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s Rachel Brosnahan!)
Book Info
- Release Date: August 8, 2020
- Narrators: Alison Steadman, Daisy Edgar-Jones
- Audio Length: 10 hours, 30 minutes
- Publisher: Macmillan Audio
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(Thanks to NetGalley and Libro.fm for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Wonderful review Jo! I’m so glad you enjoyed this on audio, and that you discovered that it’s been made into a film!!
Thank you, Nicki💜 I think Rachel will be perfect as Leena!
I like the sound of this (and the narration) Another for my audible library 🙂
Cathy, I think you’ll be pleased!
Lovely review! I’m thinking English narrators so that would be a plus too.
Anne – Books of My Heart
Thank you, Anne💜 Yes, they’re British narrators, which made it even better!
Lovely review! I really enjoyed this book too and I’m intrigued to hear it’s being developed into a film.
Thank you, Hayley💜 I just found out yesterday! Glad you enjoyed it, too.
This is a fun read!
Most definitely!
OMG there will be a film??????? YES!!!
Yes! It was announced in May. When I went to the author’s Twitter page, she had the announcement pinned. The fact that Brosnahan is already signed means it’s a reality.
I checked the page you linked and it does feel like it’s a don’t deal 😁 very exciting
I didn’t know about the film, Jonetta! I recently finished this audio and also thought it was delightful! Fantastic review!
Thank you, Jennifer💜 Imagine finishing this book and finding out this news about an hour later…it felt like Christmas🥰
Love your glowing review, Jonetta! It sounds like a wonderful story.
Thank you, Marialyce💜 You should go for it!
Great review! It sounds like the audiobook was really charming (I read the print version, and really enjoyed it too.) I hadn’t heard about the movie version — how exciting!
Thank you, Lisa💜 Isn’t that just great news?!
Excellent review Jonetta, and I’m so glad you loved this too! I didn’t realize it was going to be made into a feature film – that’s awesome!! 💖
Thank you, DG💜 I figured you loved it, too. The movie is a nice surprise!
Excellent review, Jonetta. I loved this one on audio too and am excited to hear that it’s being made into a movie.
Thank you, Suzanne💜
I’ve heard nothing but good things about this one – I must go and add it to my wishlist 🙂
Great review.
Thank you, Jules💜 Oh, I do hope you decide to get The Switch!!! It was such a wonderful listening experience.
Wonderful review! I loved The Switch even more on audio too; both narrators did an excellent job bringing the characters to life. xx
Thank you, Yvo💜 Definitely agree!