Author : Beth O’Leary
Title : The Flatshare
Pages : 390
Publisher : Quercus
Publication date : April 10, 2019
| ABOUT THE BOOK |
Tiffy Moore and Leon Twomey each have a problem and need a quick fix.
Tiffy’s been dumped by her cheating boyfriend and urgently needs a new flat. But earning minimum wage at a quirky publishing house means that her choices are limited in London.
Leon, a palliative care nurse, is more concerned with other people’s welfare than his own. Along with working night shifts looking after the terminally ill, his sole focus is on raising money to fight his brother’s unfair imprisonment.
Leon has a flat that he only uses 9 to 5. Tiffy works 9 to 5 and needs a place to sleep. The solution to their problems? To share a bed of course…
As Leon and Tiffy’s unusual arrangement becomes a reality, they start to connect through Post-It notes left for each other around the flat.
Can true love blossom even in the unlikeliest of situations?
Can true love blossom even if you never see one another?
Or does true love blossom when you are least expecting it?
| MY THOUGHTS |
During one of those weeks where numerous books found their way back onto the bookshelf after just a few pages, I thought to myself “Self, why don’t you just pick up something completely different? Why not step away from the crime and the psychological thrillers?”. And so I did, because Self is often wise. This is how I ended up reading up-lit. As you do.
Tiffy needs a new place to live after being dumped by her cheating boyfriend. Leon needs money to pay for his brother’s solicitor and Leon has a flat, which he only uses between 9am and 5pm and never at the weekends. So during the hours when he’s not around, why not let someone else enjoy the flat? This is the start of a most unusual arrangement.
Now, I was prepared for this story to be predictable and in some parts it absolutely was. Yet, there are also some deeper issues running through the storyline that I wasn’t expecting at all. Tiffy’s relationship with the ex-boyfriend isn’t as straightforward as it looks and Leon’s job as a nurse on a palliative ward made me feel rather emotional at times. What won me over more than anything though, were the incredibly delightful characters. Quirky Tiffy is absolutely fabulous and often made me chuckle and her network of friends were a true delight to get to know as well. Both Tiffy and Leon, and also Leon’s brother, are characters you root for from start to finish.
The Flatshare is an uplifting story about love and friendship but also one about letting go, making changes and finding yourself. To my surprise (because this isn’t normally something I’d read), I actually thoroughly enjoyed this one and I read it one sitting. My only niggle was the way Leon’s chapters were written, which I found rather annoying. But ultimately, this book does exactly what it says on the tin. Sometimes moving, often funny; it left me with a huge smile on my face.
The Flatshare is available to buy!
Affiliate link : Bookdepository
Other retailers : Amazon US | Amazon UK | Kobo | Waterstones | Wordery
Book 3 from my 20 Books of Summer list
So happy to hear you enjoyed this one as well! I see what you mean about Leon, I had the same feeling at first but then I felt it got better. It’s such a sweet novel, I wish there were more reads like this. Great review Eva!
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I’m sure there are. We just need to find them! (sorry for the late reply, your comment somehow ended up in spam 🙄)
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Lovely review! I keep forgetting I have this ARC, the downside of NetGalley books hidden away on the Kindle app.
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I haven’t touched my Kindle in so long, I have no idea what’s on there anymore so I definitely get it!
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Fab review! Sometimes you just need a break from the usual genres… And this story sounds perfect for that.
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You really do! Especially when you’ve read what you think may be your “book of the year” in a particular genre 😂
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True! It’s hard for any other book to live up to that haha.
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Eva, I love that conversation with yourself😂😍 Do more of that because I think you made a fab decision in choosing to read this book. I’m #1 in the library queue for the audiobook and can’t wait.
Excellent review💜
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Should probably not admit how often I have conversations with myself 😉😂
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Oh, you just acknowledged what we ALL do😏
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Great review! This sounds like a delightful read. The perfect kind of book to mix in amongst all the darker thrillers and crime fiction. 💜
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Very much so!
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This really does sound fantastic. I’m so itnrigued by this book!
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*intrigued #fatfingers
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😂😂
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I think it’s something you might like!
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Wonderful review, Eva! I loved this one and the quirky characters! I didn’t expect it to be deeper than it was, and I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much.
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Bit the same for me, I think. It’s not usually a genre I read so I had no expectations at all. Glad to hear you enjoyed it too!
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I don’t typically read this genre either, but I’ve been gravitating towards fluffy the past couple of months when my mind has headed to dark places with grief. This one helped when I was in one of those spots-mindless reading, I guess I call it. Thanks!
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I can understand that completely ❤️
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❤
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Goodness, I’d never heard of “up-lit” before! Which probably means I should stop reading so many downright depressing books… grumpy-lit. 😀
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I do like me some grumpy-lit. Not sure that label will catch on though 😂
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I loved this book! Cute and airy, a perfect summer read.
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