A pleasant story about Cassie and James who get to know one another long distance whilst living in each other’s homes. Despite the distance between them for most of the book I did like their chemistry when they interacted. I did feel the slow burn of their relationship could have been a little slower and better developed but I ended up liking how things eventually played out between them. I really liked how James’ time on the island and growing friendship with Cassie helped him open up and come to terms with his difficult childhood. There is an unexpected plot point which should probably be included in the blurb as it is a major part of Cassie’s storyline. Overall an enjoyable read (3 1/2 ⭐️).

I really tried to get into this book, but it just wasn’t for me. The first chapter was funny and I really liked James. But overall this book just wasn’t for me.

I didn’t really connect with the characters. I was really looking forward to it because the synopsis sounded so fun.

I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

Just the reading I needed, a beautiful RomCom that projects two characters that are impossible not to love.
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James needs to escape his London apartment to avoid his ex drama and Casie has to live in London in order to write her next book. So they agree to swap homes for a couple of months, but they can be more different, and ending to have to deal with each other's obligations and neighbors and to reach an agreement they begin to talk and discuss daily, by phone.
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it's ideal for fans of The Holiday and the Enemies to lovers troop, this is the perfect story.
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I liked how the characters interacted with each other, and how they both found a safe place to grow in each other.
I still have images of Casie's house in Maine and her adorable llamas in my head.
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I really enjoyed #TheHouseSwap, thanks to #NetGallery and Bookouture for give me the chance to read it before goes on sale this 19 April 2021 i'll be looking forward to read more of her works

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

Reading the synopsis really intrigued me, it had similar vibes to ‘The Holiday’ (rom com classic). The beginning was bearable to say the least, but as I read more I got bored.

It was very repetitive, James was being an arrogant a-hole, Cassie was being sweet. Repeat. Towards the middle/end James completely changed, talk about character development? No! This was a new man... it was actually concerning. He was a complete ‘gentleman’. At this point him and Cassie are friends now, thought I don’t quite understand how they got there. The chemistry between these two felt rushed. One minute James could not stand Cassie and the next he looked forward to her calls, or thought of bogus reasons to call her.

One thing I feel is mentionable is Cassies IVF journey, it was very inspiring to hear that she went about it all alone. People believe that you need a man, but I feel like Cassie was so brave and transparent about in since the beginning of the story. (Would also like to note that I would die for Cassie.)

Overall, I enjoyed some aspects of the book and I found others intolerable. At times I felt like flipping a page was moving on a month in the book. With anything your opinion on this book could be different from mine, I do believe this has the potential to be popular with other readers.

3.5 stars
A lighthearted story featuring Cassie a writer who lives in Maine and James who lives in London. They meet online via a house swap site but don't meet in person. Their original correspondence is via text and phone and doesn't get off to a good start. As the book continues they chat more and a friendship develops. A typical rom com but a good read
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the copy in exchange for an honest review, Opinions are my own

I had a few problems with this book, there are not TW when I requested and I really feel bad about the infertility/IVF situation since I think it was treated with the respect that topic needs.

The love story is fine, I like enemies to lovers, but what mainly happen in this one, I need more deep character construction, with Cassie and James what I feel most of the time that I cannot figured out their faces or their expressions, I just now about them that he is blond and have rugby complexion and she is mixed race with curly hair (of course she is petite, because he must be 6" tall or so, she must be shorter than him)
Most of the situations were resolved through dialogues but without essence I felt that were just words.
They swap homes, James goes to Maine and Cassie to London.

The thing is with the Maine USA situation is that I did not feel that was in Maine, if it were settle in the UK will have more sense.

The love story was sweet, how the pass from enemies to friends to lovers.
I think using the pregnancy to finally make them together after all the IVF mmm I did not like much. Since the infertility was treated like if you are going to the dentist.

The House Swap is romance story I wish for myself. Equally funny and heart-breaking and I loved it so much.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.

Concept - Think The Holiday if Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz fell in love with each other. Cassie is an author who lives on a small island off the coast of the US. James lives a fast paced life in London. The two who couldn’t be more different from one another decide to swap houses for six months and slowly fall in love through regular phone calls.

What I loved—
Cassie is a a very sweet heroine, she felt like a very sweet heroine and her struggles felt real to life.
Cassie’s island neighbours brought a lot of fun to the story and I could see why they won James over.
It’s a very sweet romance and the pages flew by quickly.

What I didn’t like—
Some of the times jumps felt a bit jarring at times.
This is a closed door romance, which I normally enjoy. In this case it made be feel as though I’d missed a few pages in terms of their emotional connection.

Thanks NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review

The story is about James and Cassie; Cassie lives on an island in the US, whilst James lives in London. Cassie is an author who lives on an island in the US and needs to go to London to finish her book deal. James needs to escape from London due to personal problems and his ex. Both homes are put on Swap BnB and agree to swap for 6 months.
Cassie and James are very different to each other as are their homes.

For me it was slow paced and easy read. Slow at start until they get together and then it escalates quite quickly. You know this will happen at some point as it is a romance. I did enjoy the book. The characters were interesting, likeable and full of personality. The settings were great and a lovely contrast to each other.
I would recommend this book and will be looking out for more from Jo Lovett.
I want to thank NetGalley, the author and publisher Bookouture for the ARC of this book.

Some of the topics in the book may not be easy for some to read about, IVF, infertility and pregnancy loss. Overall I did enjoy the book.

The House Swap reminds me of the movie The Holiday. James needs to escape a crazy ex-girlfriend and Cassie needs to research London locations for work. They both agree to swap houses for a few months, not realizing how their new locations and each other will become such an important part of their lives.

This was such a cute love story! I did not want to put this sweet romance down. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the copy in exchange for my honest review!

What a fun concept. I love that these two individuals find ways to connect outside of their normal lives.

This story captured how some stories need to be spoken from the individual even when they don't want to be said.

I connected with the male character quite a bit considering we have VERY similar backgrounds. I appreciated the poignant way the author approached those childhood traumas.

My only big issue was the length of the novel. This could have been condensed greatly.

Overall, I enjoyed the read but I dont think I would read it a second time.

I recieved this book from the publisher in advance for an honest opinion. 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for a honest review.

•• What's this about? ••

Cassie needs spend some time in London for two reasons. First, she needs to know better the city for her next book. Second, it's the perfect opportunity to try a IVF treatment because she really really wants a baby.

James need to escape from London. His ex-girlfriend is stalking him after he didn't proposed. Also, he is escaping from a ver bad past with his family.

When their friends tell them about a house swap, they met each other online and settle a house swap for six months.

So Cassie goes to London to James' tidy apartment. And James arrives in Cassie's bright house.

Just one thing, they missed to tell some things. Like stalker girlfriends and very friendly neighbors.

•• What do I think about it? ••

The first half of the book is about the new life of Cassie and James in new places. The way they grow as persons and how they know each other during that time.

The second half is about the relationship between James and Cassie after the house swap.

I have to say that I enjoyed more the first half. It has very good scenes between the main characters and their new neighbors.

I really loved the secondary characters. They were a huge part of the story. My favorites were Laura, Anthony and Juliet. They were so funny and cutes.

And the epilogue... oh God, it was so lovely.

Maybe it's kind of slow in some parts but it's a very lovely reading.

But, I do recommend it. It has a very good and lovely story.

I read this one as a break from some really deep and topical reads and it's absolutely perfect for that. It's cheesy (in a fun way) and sticky sweet, but it's exactly what you'd look for and expect from a rom-com enemies-to-lovers trope. If you're expecting a soul-seeking, life-altering novel, you've come to the wrong place, but I found it to be delicious escapism.

Major 'The Holiday' vibes with this book! There were a lot of touchy subjects that came up regarding infertility and pregnancy loss.

This was exactly what I needed in my life at this very moment of time!!
First time I've read a book by Jo Lovett but will definitely be heading over to the kindle store to see what else is available

In general: 4.5 stars. But massive TW to those dealing with infertility, pregnancy/baby loss. Also discussions of addiction, esp. alcohol feature prominently.

Overall impression: Cute enemies-ish to lovers slow burn adult Rom Com. If you have absolutely no experience with any sort of infertility/pregnancy trauma or loss you will probably enjoy it.

I really liked this book until the last 15% (I'll put any spoilers at the end of this review). Cassie and James swap houses and end up in a relationship that grows slowly and organically. It was a slow burn, but I was really rooting for them. I felt pretty invested in both their lives, and it felt like a real part of the story not just filler like some Rom Coms have.

Cassie is a little bit of a Mary Sue, but not overwhelmingly so. James is not very likable up-front, but he goes through a character arc (a little too quickly IMO, but I won't quibble) that completely changes his personality over the course of 7 months.

The rest of my review is going to make you wonder why I am giving it 4.5 stars, but it's really just me airing a niche grievance. If you have no problem with infertility storylines, etc. you will probably like the book and you should stop reading now/ignore me. Overall I really did enjoy the book!

---Spoilers---
As someone who has gone through fertility treatment, including (successful) IVF, I HATED the accidental pregnancy thing. It became obvious as the story progressed that there was no way to resolve things otherwise, but I was disappointed that the author chose to go that route. Before that the author had dealt with the topic in a way that I found refreshingly delicate. Not 100% great, but better than I've ever read in a romance novel.

Then, just when I had reconciled that okay, maybe the story dealt with it in a way that I could accept, the epilogue introduced a SECOND unplanned pregnancy, and that's when I got mad about it. Come on! It's a little overkill, and I would argue pretty insensitive for an author who seemed to know what she was doing when dealing with these sorts of themes.

There was also a bit of emotional gatekeeping that the author put in (more than once) that rubbed me the wrong way. All the mentions of older, childless NOT by choice people being "bitter" in old age. Totally unnecessary and rude. It's okay to voice disappointment and be upset about a major life experience that you missed out on.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 2.5 Stars
This review will be shared on my goodreads and twitter.

James and Cassie for their own respective reasons decide to swap houses for a period of time. Over the months spent in each others homes they slowly learn to become friends and learn the ups and downs of each others lives - despite their relationship starting on bad footing. Cassie is what one might call a quirky girl who loves a good pop of color and feeding her pet alpacas and chickens in the comfort of her own backyard. She also has struggled with infertility and miscarriage which has driven her to try IVF in the hopes of becoming pregnant. While James is your stereotypical businessman who is determined not to have children due to his dark past.

I was prepared to give this book 3 stars until the very end. Not only does it end with a miracle pregnancy there are TWO miracle pregnancies. On top of that James makes the decision to propose with an implied wedding for a year later on their daughters birthday?! I cannot stand pregnancy trope especially when the pregnancy occurs as a plot twist at the end of a book where the main character has struggled to get pregnant. It feels insensitive to people who have been trying but I personally don't have experience so I don't want to speak on that too much

The characters felt really shallow in the sense that they had no depth. They had their own issues but it was heavily dialogue driven, everything we found out was through conversation between the two. I really liked James and Cassie but their relationship moved so quickly and there was so many time skips where there could have been more inner monologue or description of events that were merely skimmed over.

I don't normally pick up books that talk about IVF because I don't think many authors portray it well and I didn't realize this was a book like such until after I got the ARC. While there are some things I don't like I think that it was a nice story with a light hearted cast of characters and friends. Having the main character have alpacas was new and it was interesting to imagine James having to go and feed them everyday considering he's such a city boy.

PS. I feel so cat fished by the cover because James is BLOND! Still a really cute cover though it is welcoming and nice to look at.

The House Swap is pretty much a book version of The Holiday, similar to Beth O'Leary's The Flatshare, though that book is better. I liked that it delivered what the synopsis promised, with likable enough characters who are developed well over the course of the novel's events. As with most stories where the romantic leads are kept apart, however, The House Swap does suffer in that it's hard to become fully invested in the relationship. That being said, the few moments where there's a bit of a turn from the expected are when the characters do come together and *surprise* they don't just fall madly in love, or have sex and feel awkward about it later. Overall, I'd say it's worth reading if you're a big fan of the genre, or want 'more of the same'.

A very engaging, easy read with relatable characters, “The House Swap”, by Jo Lovett (Bookouture), features a wonderfully unsympathetic hero (in the beginning) and a contrasting friendly heroine.
James is such a cynical, aloof man, sometimes rude and cold, and the way the author wrote his nastiness is really fascinating and full of humor. Only a gregarious, warm person as Cassie could awaken such a emotionally closed-off person.
Perhaps the changes his character goes through are too radical, but the gradual revelation of his backstory shows how deeply it molded his actions and personality. I loved seeing the world through the character’s lenses and the cohesiveness the author kept about it throughout the book.
Cassie is a great heroine with the right amount of warmth, kindness and wit.
This was a fun, entertaining read, with great secondary characters, two different, interesting settings and a few cute animals, too.

Very cut light rom-com that was a pleasant surprise! Fun characters and great settings. Enjoyed it very much. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher!