The Premise:

Cassie (a writer, lives on a utopic secluded island) and James (banker types, lives in a swanky apartment in the middle of London). They swap houses, inadvertently get involved in each other's lives, opposing personalities clash... but an unlikely bond forms.

My Thoughts:

This was a light read, with reasonable characters and an interesting set-up. I really enjoyed the premise and the characters. The story was engaging, as were the protagonists and the other characters. There are some definite flaws, that prevent it from being a rom-com hall of Famer, but there is enough promise.


Here are some itemized thoughts:

Pros:
1) Refreshing premise, making it nice and distinct from the other typical rom-coms we are usually inundated with.
2) Interesting, well-formed characters with their own distinctive personality.
3) This is a personal one: I liked that for once the enemies to lovers trope didn't have the guy pining for the girl since the get-go and in the end there is a declaration of how he has always loved her but resorted to childish, petulant antics, leading to more misunderstandings. I mean I enjoy those when done well (re: the spanish love deception by elena armas), but not so much when it's used as a cop-out.
4) The characters being in their mid-thirties added a welcome experienced texture.
5) I liked the secluded island setting.

Cons:
1) The first half sags a little at points, while the setup is interesting, you have to push through at points.
2) It is a 2 POV book (Cassie and James), but it's not told in a first POV style, which made reading parts of it a little clunky. Was not as smooth as I would have liked it to be for me to really get into the character's frame of mind.
3) 2nd half rushes a little to wrap things up.
4) Basically points 1 and 3 lead to: a lot of setup (albeit some really interesting things), but a rushed ending.
5) I wasn't a huge fan of the expository nature of the development of the main relationship, like for example, at several points we are told instead of shown, how their relationship progresses: eg: we speak daily now. I don't think their relationship is completely out of left-field, I do see the seeds in the first half. The gratification is a little rushed. I would have enjoyed a longer book making the characters feel more lived-in, us following their journey a little more closely, more interactions that showed us their connection rather than us simply reading they have one.
6) Personally, I don't mind, but it can be a trigger for a lot of people. IVF and Miscarriage triggers.

The verdict:

Rom-com lovers, give it a go, push through some of the slower parts, It's not a life-changing book, but a sweet, and light book. However, it may leave you longing for a better pay-off. I do think the writing can be polished more, but I am excited to read more from the author.

I recieved an ARC from Netgalley and the Publisher: Thank you!

It's a typical birthday party. Music, champagne, over-dressed adults, confetti and an expected proposal that never comes. For James, who was expected to propose to his casual girlfriend of a few months, the need to escape London for a while is necessary. For Cassie, who lives on a tiny island in Maine, a trip to London is necessary in order to write her next book. James has a flat in London, Cassie has a house in Maine - the opportunity is perfect. Or maybe not so perfect. From lengthy lists to grumpy phone calls, James and Cassie begin an unexpected relationship that spans continents in this heart-warming, meet-cute that almost isn't. An endearing read that also manages to touch on weightier subjects with a deft hand, Jo Lovett's The House Swap is worth a read.

A quick, simple and nice read. Ideal for disconnecting the brain from reality for a while.
Extremely well written, very funny with hilarious dialogue, but with very touching moments too. The story is a bit predictable, but in a good way, the way that makes you feel all cosy inside. The characters are well defined, including the secondary ones (Laura is a great example!)
Overall a recommended reading to spend a few hours of pure escapism.
And with a gorgeous cover as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#TheHouseSwap #netgalley Bookouture

This book was so hard for me to get into. Honestly rather boring at times, and very repetitive. I had to put it down and read something else because I didn’t find it enjoyable. I had wanted to love it, but it wasn’t for me.

So I don’t ever really know what to expect with NetGalley reads, but this one took me by surprise. It did take me a couple chapters till I got invested, but once I did I was here for it.

It’s been a while since I have read dual narration and I always forget how much I love it. You get to see so much more of both characters. I had reasons I liked and disliked both of them. Which makes for good writing.

At first I worried this would be another basic enemies to lovers (which is fine, but all I read nowadays) but once you really get into it is about a lot more than that.

It wasn’t a simple romance. It had a lot more of a story, especially with Cassie’s POV. ♥️

Like I said, I at first wasn’t sure, but it turned into a 5🌟 read!

This ARC came at the perfect time. I was in a reading slump and these kinds of books are the ones that usually get me out of it.

I read the book in one sitting, it was a quick, cute read. The reasons I gave the book 2.5 stars:

- I never connected with the characters. There was a lot of telling, and very little feeling or showing.

- The drastic change in James' personality.

- The ending was very predictable.

Overall, The House Swap was enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked Cassie and James, and especially loved watching James’ character development. The story is pretty slow and at times I wish the storyline was more detailed. Overall it was a really cute concept and I enjoyed it.

James needs to escape his miserable life and Cassie needs to get off the island and live a little they find each other though a house swap app and the rest is history.

Cassie packed her life up and move from Glasgow to a little island off Maine to write and live in peace. Her animals and her neighbours are her companions yet there is one thing missing in her life. Her publisher suggests coming to London to scope out some content for her new book series and Cass reluctantly agrees.

James’s life couldn’t be more opposite. He doesn’t speak to his family he works too much and he’s just dodged the bullet that was Emily. The girl he was seeing yet she thought they were about to get engaged. He needs out of London and some time to get everything back in order.

They swap started rocky and expectations on little things weren’t communicate. I loved Cassie’s detailed lists she left for James (something I’d totally do) and thoughtful things left for him, while James left the loft bare surprising Cass and causing some frustration between one another.

James meets the neighbours and begins to adjust to life in solitude with shitty wifi. After having an awful run in with Emily Cass finally starts to find her feet and settle in. Two things on her mind. Deciding whether to go ahead with IVF or not and her book.

The more the two talk they more tension forms between them. This soon turns to chemistry when the pair finally cross paths again. When the swap comes to an end the pair struggle to part ways. Both growing so much being away from their homes. The sparks are there but is it enough when they both want different things in life, or so they think!

This warm and fuzzy love story is for lovers of the switch and the hating game! I really enjoyed the story and the middle aged life topics of marriage, children and IVF.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
-----
He needs an escape. She needs an adventure.

So why not swap lives?

When Cassie and James find each other on a home swap website, it feels meant to be. City hotshot James needs a bolthole after a relationship goes sour and Cassie needs to leave the comfort of her little island to research her new book.

Soon, James is living in Cassie’s cute but ramshackle house off the coast of Maine, and Cassie’s living in James’s super smart London penthouse. It’s the perfect solution.

Except it turns out it’s difficult to switch homes without getting involved in each other’s lives. Cassie’s unimpressed when James’s ex turns up, and James is furious when he discovers that he’s going to have to help organise Cassie’s neighbour’s eightieth birthday party.

But as the insults fly, so do the sparks, and when the time finally comes to swap back, Cassie and James find they aren’t ready to give each other up – until a shocking discovery brings the pair crashing back to reality and forces them to decide what life they really want.

An utterly heart-warming love story that will make you laugh and cry, fans of One Day in December, The Hating Game and The Flatshare will fall head over heels for The House Swap.
-----
So I read this in one day, which definitely suggests that I loved it. And I LOVED it. It's an old premise. There have been other books and even a fantastic movie along the same lines. Two people need a break from their normal lives. They swap houses for a time. The story is one that is worth being told.

Other reviews I have read suggest that this book is hit-or-miss for people, but this was a big hit for me. The characters were fantastic...they were well-rounded and quirky and fun. Even more minor characters got the full treatment, which is not always the case, and I appreciated it. Cassie and James were delightful, and I found myself rooting for them both, and their story was one I enjoyed reading. I do agree that this book would be a great match for someone who loved The Hating Game, as I believe that was another one-day read for me. In any case, if you are a fan of romance, definitely pick up The House Swap...it was a fun way for me to spend most of a day off!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

I am sorry but this book didn't keep me interested .


I will give it 3 stars since it had great setting and characters but it was very slow for me .



Hope you people like the book:)

I really enjoyed the House Swap by Jo Lovett. It had a great mix of comedy, tragedy, and romance that I appreciated and I was very drawn to the main character.

**ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This book is great if you're looking for something light, simple, and fun. A quick read.
Personally, I didn't always feel the connection between the two main characters, James and Cassie. But there were a few moments between them that I enjoyed.
I also thought that James' character development was quite abrupt. He went from this tough, brash character to being completely caring and friendly almost instantaneously. I would have preferred if the transition was more drawn out.
I also enjoyed some of their banter and I adored the side characters!
I liked it. There were a few bumps in the road, but nothing too major.

This was an enjoyable and humorous read with interesting characters and a heartwarming romance developing between the two protagonists through their emailed conversations after they swap homes on different continents . Initially the two have a mutual dislike for each other but their feelings soon change . Their interactions with the neighbours in their respective new homes lead to some amusing episodes too. I liked how each of them developed over the time of the swap , with both changing in ways for the better by the end of the book.
I found it a very heartwarming read and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Zara stonely.

I loved this fun, charming & easy read. I instantly liked Cassie and James and enjoyed it even more that they annoyed each other! Enemies to lovers always makes for a fun read!

This story was told from dual viewpoints which really allowed the reader to get to know each character, their struggles, and their growth. I loved that they each had their own demon’s to slay and watching their story unfold both individually and together made the story even better.

Aside from James and Cassie’s story, I thoroughly enjoyed James’ transformation while in Maine. I found it hilarious that he became quite the animal farmer. I mean who wouldn’t love chickens and alpacas?! Plus, anytime he spent with Laura always brought a smile to my face. She brought a little extra spunk to the island. She was my favorite minor character as I'm a sucker for an elderly, quirky neighbor.

Overall, this is a very sweet story and I think fans of Beth O’Leary will want to snatch this up.

TW: Miscarriage, IVF, Alcoholism, & Drug Overdose

Thank you NetGalley & Bookouture for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

The House Swap is a slow-paced haters to lovers romance. All in all the premise is interesting and unique but the execution is really quite ordinary, in my opinion. Many of the chapters were chopped up in really short scenes that could've been put together smoothly and given the story a bit more fluidity. Cassie's great obstacle, her past failed pregnancy, and still frustrated wish to have a baby was not very unique (literally the last book I read had the same thing) although I very much enjoyed James' personal struggles. Unfortunately, in both cases, the characters were a bit too transparent from the start, with no actual mystery in any part of the story to keep my interest peaked.

All things considered its an average contemporary romance, a comfortable (even if sometimes monotonous) read and would only recommend if that's specifically what you're looking for.

This was a slow burn romance, but I liked seeing how the two main characters evolved over the six month period. I liked seeing how they slowly grew fond of each other's personalities and quirks from a distance. I also liked that each character was tackling their own demons separately, with inspiration from the other person, but still independently finding their own strength. The supporting characters were awesome, and the Alpacas were a nice touch (I love books with sassy animals)

I also felt like it was a reverse relationship in some ways. Usually you meet someone and hit it off, but the real adjustment comes when your lifestyles bear the other person. Do they fit? It was a cool twist for things to play out how they did, in some ways they fit into each other's lives better then their own.

I however feel like for a romance, there could have been more steam. I waited forever for them to finally hook up and then when it finally happened, I blinked and it was over! All the intimate moments were skipped over or rushed through and I would have liked to see more of their physical connection.

Overall it was a really nice story. I very much enjoyed the ending

PS - WHY is James' hair BLACK on this cover when he is Blonde?

THE HOUSE SWAP – JO LOVETT
PUBLISHED BY BOOKOUTURE
PUB DATE 19TH APRIL
TRIGGERS – INFERTILITY
PLOT - Cassie lives in a beautiful countryside of Maine and needs an adventure in order to write her next novels much to her agents insistence!
James lives in a swanky London apartment and needs to escape from his Ex!
So here comes the perfect opportunity to swap homes with each other for 6 months!
But how can one swap homes without getting involved with each other’s lives ( dealing with James Ex and dealing with Cassie’s ever nosy neighbours).
From irritation to friendship to lovers, James and Cassie will have to decide about what they truly want from life!!

MY THOUGHTS
• I loved the dual POVs throughout the book hence each one’s perspective and feelings were clearly portrayed from their highs to lows.
• I felt the romance a bit flat was rushed in the end but the way the characters grow and overcome their difficulties due to the swap – getting their perspective and life priorities back was very well described.
• The only drawback was that I found the romance a bit lacking!

Thank you Netgalley and BOOKOUTURE for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cassie and James each need a change of venue: Cassie so she can work on her next book and James to escape the fallout of a disastrous relationship. They find each other’s listings online and do a house swap. Things start out pretty rocky but eventually they settle in to their new abodes and start to find out more about each other as well.

I was drawn by the fun concept to build a romance off of a house swap. I loved the two very different places that were the set up for this story. Concert jungle of London and a sleeply quiet island off Boston. However, I could not connect to any of these characters! I wanted to so badly but Cassie and James both irked me. Several moments that made me cringe.

I struggled with the romance, this was supposed to be a contemporary romance and the romance was pretty lacking. I found myself rereading a few paragraphs to make sure I understood what had been hinted at.

The ending was good and you could see massive growth of the characters. I understand where some reviews felt the changes were to sudden or not true to who they were, but I think the moral was love can move and change a person into becoming better.

3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Cassie and James both need a change of location, and they end up on a house swapping website. Despite what seems like a through job of communicating beforehand, they navigate through a bunch of misunderstandings in the first few weeks. Quite a few funny/uncomfortable things happen. It's delightful to see how each grows more comfortable in their new "life" - getting used to new surroundings, neighbors, etc. In my opinion, the romance builds like a roller coaster.
Both characters have a lot of baggage/past hurts they need to work through, so they are real and flawed. The story is enjoyable, and I really liked the two different locations.

I was immediately hooked by the premise of a house swap when I read the info on this book and I was rewarded with a lovely read that also included one of my favorite tropes—the .”strangers to lovers/enemies to lovers” dynamic!

I enjoyed this book so much. I found the characters engaging from the beginning and grew to care even more as I learned their backstories.

Cassie and James each need a change of venue: Cassie so she can work on her next book and James to escape the fallout of a disastrous relationship. They find each other’s listings online and do a house swap. Things start out pretty rocky but eventually they settle in to their new abodes and start to find out more about each other as well

I found the writing pleasant, the progression of the story made sense, the issues that held them back and caused conflict also made sense and were very believable. I think the plausibility of their back stories and who they have become as a result of those experiences rang true, but this book also gave both characters an arc of personal growth and explored their vulnerability in a realistic way.

I liked the lead characters. I wanted them to be together. Their chemistry worked. I was invested in them and their stories. The side characters on both sides of the Atlantic added to the narrative and made the experience richer.

I’d read more about these two. I’d read more of this author’s books.

TW for frank discussions of fertility issues, IVF, pregnancy loss, and addiction. I do think these issues were handled sensitively and were appropriate for the story line.

4.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.