Beth O'Leary
The Flatshare

The Flatshare

I read this entire novel in one sitting on a Sunday afternoon; it's a romantic comedy that manages to tackle serious issues while maintaining a light and breezy feel. Don't miss the backstory on how the author's personal life inspired the premise, and how she managed to write nearly every word of the 320-page novel on her own commute in and out of London. There are a few spicy scenes but this romance is mostly closed-door.

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The Switch

The Switch

In a plot reminiscent of The Holiday, a grandmother and granddaughter switch flats to shake up their stalled lives. Though Leena is twentysomething and Eileen 79, they have one thing in common: their lives have lost their luster, and their love lives are depressing. And so Leena proposes a two-month change of scenery for each. The lonely Eileen will take over Leena’s London flat so she can enjoy the city’s bustle and meet eligible bachelors, and workaholic Leena will enjoy a needed break in Eileen’s Yorkshire cottage, doing her chores and taking Eileen’s turn in the neighborhood watch group. This sweet, lighthearted tale makes for a joyful summer escape.

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The No-Show

The No-Show

You may know O'Leary from works like The Flatshare and The Switch; I've been looking forward to her latest. This is a tricky one to discuss without sharing massive spoilers, which also means it would make an excellent book club read! The premise is this: three women are stood up by the same guy on Valentine's Day—one for breakfast, one for lunch, and one for dinner. As the story unfolds, the reader gets to know each woman, plus the no-show, and slowly begins to figure out what might have happened on that terrible day. This felt like a romantic comedy in the beginning, but gradually gave way to a deeper and surprisingly touching story of love, forgiveness, and second chances.

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