Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

I really liked the premise of this book, it really intrigued me. Although I enjoyed the first half of this book, I found the second half kind of predictable. I didn't particularly like any of the characters so by the end I didn't really care what happened to any of them.

I am very interested to see what others will think of this chilling yet seductive read. I reviewed it in October, eight months before it’s being released and I doubt I’ll have stopped thinking about it when June comes around. On first read, the plot is one of cinematic design – ie, there’s no way this could be possible in real life. But as you read on, and the plot will grip you, I’m sure of that, you’ll start thinking differently. Elena, so desperate for a new friend, is dazzled by Sophia, elegant and poised, with a handsome husband and a perfect life. Elena is happy with her own partner, Adam but when Sophia suggest a way of changing things up in both their relationship (not quite keys in a bowl but not far off), how will Elena react? Enough to cause mixed feelings, and certainly the build up of mixed messages. But what started out as a bit of fun turns into something very, very sinister. You’ll feel scandalised, possibly, and shocked, but you won’t want to stop reading.

This was such a brilliant book, and it was so well written and executed and crucially- enjoyable.
I at no point in time did I have to suspend my belief at the plot or the structure or the way it worked.
I didn’t like Sophia she somehow came across at being horrid that I didn’t feel any sympathy but then in about turn - I did.
I would recommend this book to all my friends
#Netgalley #TheSwitch

I loved the intriguing premise and raced through the first half of this book that sticks to a realistic examination of what happens between two couples when secret adultery becomes a game.

However, the second half swoops off into a different direction altogether and becomes another one of those twisted dark domestics where all the gothic tropes are shovelled in to a contemporary set-up in... Wimbledon!

With 'mad motherhood', murder, abuse, secrets and lies, switched identities, poisoning and a 'madwoman in the attic' tribute act, the whole thing becomes fevered and ridiculous with silly twists taking the place of the careful build-up from the first half. As characters lose all reality, I lost interest.

I wish Samson had stuck with the racy and intriguing first part of the plot: 4 stars for the first half, 2 stars for the second = 3 stars for what turns into a crazy mash-up of nonsense.

It took me a while to get into this storyline but wasn't as hooked as I thought I would be from the description, although I did enjoy the different timelines.

For me personally it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat but thank you to Netgalley and Random House (Cornerstone) for allowing me to read this ARC.

I was drawn to the book by the blurb. I must admit my moral compass was spinning wildly reading this. A bit like a car crash, and you can't help but look, I really should have put this down, but I just couldn't. I could only see it ending badly, so I had to find out.

I liked how it was written. The dual timelines worked well, but I just didn't truly enjoy the storyline

The plot intrigued me but I don’t think it lived up to my expectations. It didn’t grip me and I just wanted it to finish.

Rounding up to 3 🌟


I was rolling my eyes at the characters and their actions very soon into this book.
Nobody was believable or that likeable to me, but it was an easy read, so I just went with it.
At times I felt like I was having a good gossip with myself , the sheer audacity. "Can you believe they did this?"

Plenty of twists and turns before the end, but ultimately for me, I don't think it was one I enjoyed enough to recommend.

The Switch is an entertaining novel that stretches credulity more than a bit but is a fun read with a good twist, actually several good twists.

Elena and Adam are house-sitting in the posh part of Wimbledon when fate brings them into the orbit of their sophisticated and Bohemian neighbours ,Sophia and Finn. Entranced by the enigmatic Sophia ,when a bit of girl talk reveals a touch of boredom in the bedroom on both sides ,Elena agrees to a daring prank, a bit of covert partner swapping. This goes almost to plan aside from Elena finding the earth moving a lot more than she'd envisaged and becoming smitten with Finn...............and falling into a trap.

At first the book appears to be a fairly lightweight tale of suburban naughtiness but as it develops the story gets more complex and intriguing with surprises and shocks in store for all of the main characters.

An enjoyable book with a bit of spice,a bit of mystery and a great ending.

I’ve seen a lot of advance publicity for The Switch so was really looking forward to reading this. When Elena and Adam house sit in an upmarket Wimbledon neighbourhood they meet Sophia and Finn and soon become part of their lives. Sophia proposes ‘the switch’ - without the men’s consent the women sneak into each other’s partners bed for a late night sexual encounter. I found this idea quite unsettling but the author writes convincingly and I became immediately drawn into the manipulative relationship between Sophia and Elena. The first half of the book is extremely compelling and the author is skilled at writing about relationships - between the women and the couples. However I found that when the plot moved to France it weakened for me. The study of the relationships was strong enough without the secondary plot involving Claudine. The novel is told primarily from Elena’s point of view but when it moved to Sophie’s point of view I found this far less compelling.
A mixed read for me with lots of promise.
3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

When Elena and Adam, a young couple saving up money to buy their own home, are given the opportunity of house-sitting in upmarket Wimbledon Village for some months, they jump at the chance. Staying in Adam's aunt's home will not only allow them to save on rent, it also give them access to this beautiful area and its many amenities.

But when a chance encounter leads to Elena unexpectedly crossing paths with the beautiful Sophia and her gorgeous husband Finn, Elena finds herself increasingly dissatisfied with her life. Although she loves Adam deeply, there are aspects of their life together which are distinctly lacking, and not only in the financial sense. Elena's mother-in-law, and the twisted relationship she has with Adam, doesn't help matters.

Strongly attracted to Finn, Elena is shocked but soon tempted when Sophia suggests a switch: without either of the men's knowledge each woman will have a sexual encounter with the other's partner in the marital bed in the early hours. It will require careful planning, but Sophia has it all worked out, even if she insists she has never done anything like this before...

I was a little apprehensive about approaching this book because the entire plot sounded so sordid. But Samson has pulled this off surprisingly well, for the most part. The Switch is an engrossing read where events move fast, but not fast enough to dodge the bullet that lies behind such an audacious idea. I give it 3.5 stars.