The pacing of this story was very fast, and I flew through it as a result. It was consistently engaging and easy to read.

However, I was left feeling disappointed and somewhat incredulous after the second half of the book. I’m all for suspending belief when reading thrillers - sometimes, the crazier a story is, the better - but I was seriously raising my eyebrows at some of the turns. Ultimately, the twists weren’t enough to save it and I wouldn’t really recommend reading this if you want a thriller of substance.

I like to think I can see something good in any book I review. Unfortunately, this is not the case here. The Switch is billed as a sexy, psychological thriller. Sadly, it is anything but.

The story opens with Elena, who is house-sitting in the area and encounters Sophia. Sophia is extremely upset as she has had her purse stolen. The two women get talking and the scene is set. From this meeting, they forge a friendship and their lives become intertwined. They start to do dinner parties as a foursome with their respective husbands, Elena’s husband Adam and Sophia’s husband Finn.

We then move into absurd territory as Sophia comes up with an idea to spice up their respective marriages. The two women will initiate a sex game called The Switch. The two women will pretend to be each other in the middle of the night, swapping jewellery, clothing, perfume, body wash etc. Then with the help of some blackout blinds, they will have sex with each other’s husband. In the beginning. Elena questions the morality of what they are doing, but Sophia assures her that it isn’t rape, because men are grateful for any sex that they can get. This is the part where I nearly did not finish the book. Non-consensual sex by deception is not ok. If this had been a male author referring to females in this way, nobody would have been comfortable with it. The same should apply regardless of gender. As they progress with their plan, Elena starts questioning Sophia’s motives, but by then she is completely obsessed with Finn, so she just carries on.

The chapters are told from the perspectives of Elena and Sophia with dual timelines with Adam and Finn more as secondary players. None of the characters have a single redeeming feature, making the shaky plotline even worse. Then later in the book, we have a whole succession of domestic thriller tropes, career challenges, more betrayals, financial woes and historical abuse. All seemingly thrown in to uphold the psychological thriller description rather than the salacious nonsense it actually is.

There are a few lame twists which you can see coming a mile off. Then it has a limp ending which can only be described as disturbing with no sense of justice or redemption.

Trigger warnings all the way through, but particularly at the end.

Not sure if thanks cuts it, but I would like to acknowledge NetGalley, Penguin Group Viking – Pamela Dorman Books and Lily Samson for the ARC.

Oh this had so much promise! I was so in need of a new thriller, but this one fell a bit short.

The premise confused me to begin with. I understood it, but couldn't figure out the logistics as to how it worked or how it would become a thriller. And if I'm honest, it wasn't much of a thriller for the most part, in my view.

But lets look at the characters first. Our main players are Sophia and Finn, and Elena and Adam. And they were all quite a bit boring, a bit too caricature-ish. I quite liked Elena. For starters, she's a proofreader, which I am (ignore my typos 😊), so that was instant brownie points. She felt more familiar than Sophia, she was sort of mucking through life, working hard. There were a few catty moments, but my overall impressions of her were far more favourable than any of the others. And talking about Sophia, I didn't like from the start to the end, she was very snobbish, full of name-drops, she felt like she was superior to the others, she was hiding things, and just really quite annoying.

And then the two men. It was harder to form opinions on them because they were sort of pushed to the background by the women. But Adam felt useless and Finn felt slimy.

I also got really confused because I kept forgetting which wife was with which husband, and the chapters flitting from THEN to NOW, and then Part 1 to Part 2 etc.

There were also other characters involved, such as Adam's Mother, but they never felt like they were properly a part of the story. If you're going to add other characters, then give them a reason for being there. They felt surplus to me.

I did read it very quickly, I was involved and it was enjoyable, but it seemed to be too slow, but at the same time, too frantic. It didn't feel like a thriller, at least for the first half, it was just plodding along, felt a bit repetitive. But then towards the end it exploded, almost like a completely different book. But then I thought she had thrown too much at it, every thriller trope you could think of. I would rather have a handful of topics or goings-ons that were executed well, than lots of unfinished ones; it was just too jarring.

I didn't find it very realistic. For me, what makes a good thriller is that it feels like it could happen to you. But this was a bit...you had to suspend belief a bit, which meant you don't get that familiarity which makes it more thrilling - at least for me.

I'm not saying it's a bad book, because it's not, there were just a few things that hampered the experience. It felt like it was trying to reach something, achieve something that it never quite hit. I thought it was unique and interesting, but just fell far too short. It needed tidying up, cleaned up, made shorter, and then it might have been more of an enjoyable read. Perfectly fine, but falling short of my expectations.

This started so well, two couples Elena and Adam and Sophia and Finn live close to each other. Elena and Sophia develop a friendship after meeting in a coffee shop and soon they are doing things as a foursome.

Things take a strange turn when Sophia suggests they swap partners during the night for an hour or so without them knowing and after some persuasion, Elena agrees.

The book from here on in becomes, in my opinion, fairly dull and predictable. I had guessed the “twists” so there was nothing unknown left in the book.

If you are a fan of and read a lot of psychological thrillers, this is not one for you. However if you are trying as a new genre, it may be one to try. The writing is good and the story is ok but just too predictable for me

3.5 out of 5 stars for The Switch.

So I did like this novel overall but it was just far fetched!

Elena moves to leafy Wimbledon with her boyfriend Adam and quickly becomes firm friends with Sophia after a chance meeting in a cafe. Together with Sophia’s husband, Finn, they have dinners together and get to know each other. So far so good.

And then it gets a bit hard to believe as Sophie and Elena set up a few incidences of secret partner swapping, where Adam and Finn are seemingly completely unaware.

Elena becomes suspicious of Sophie’s past and her and Finn’s back story gradually comes out. It was an entertaining enough read, and good as a summer book on holiday.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing an advance copy in return for my honest opinion. I have also published this review on Goodreads.

I enjoyed this read, a bit steamy at points!
Elena and Adam befriend another couple, Sophia and Finn. Elena is very attracted to Finn. As Sophia and Elena become closer, Sophia suggests they swap husbands for a night, they meticulously plan the switch so that the husband's don't know they're sleeping with someone else.
Elena is shocked at how great it was. Sophia suggests another switch.
It seems there's more to Sophia and Finn than they first thought, what's their ulterior motive, how long can they get away with it and what happens if it goes too far.
I recommend this book.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

How well do you know your partner? It seems for Adam, not very well at all. Adam's partner Elena befriends (or is befriended by) Sophia. Not quite neighbours but close enough. The two get on rather well, with Elena a bit jealous of Sophia's life and her dashing husband Finn. When it's suggested by Sophia they play a prank on their partners by switching beds in the middle of the night, just for an hour or so, Elena is aghast. However, she relents and gives it a try. In reality she gives Finn a try and Sophia likewise with Adam. Well, you know this isn't going to end well but its a bit more convoluted than that because there is method in Sophia's madness and the switch is a means to an end. What's even more clever is that there is one massive switch which underpins the novel. I think I got an inkling of this when the couple holidayed in France together but I am not going to give anything away here, you'll have to read it for yourself.
A commendable debut novel with a plausible story if you suspend your belief you'd know your partner anywhere. For that reason I will deduct half a star but with rounding it becomes five.

An enjoyable read, not sure if this would work in real life or maybe I'm just being naive! I got a bit bored in the middle after the switches but carried on and enjoyed the main twist that I hadn't seen coming. Sort of guessed a bit of the ending but not all of it and thought it a bit far fetched.

This book really isn't for me and after multiple attempts I have had to admit defeat and mark as dnf.

Rating: 1.5/5

Lily Samson's debut thriller takes its inspiration from Roald Dah's 1974 short story collection, "Switch Bitch", which I have to admit I have never read. Although there are elements of the novel (particularly in the earlier stages) that display some promise with regard to the author's writing style, overall, "The Switch" is a bit of a far-fetched mess.

There are sections where Lily Samson manages to create a genuine sense of atmospheric tension and this would appear to be one of her strengths. Unfortunately, even the basic premise of the story stretches credulity and this undermines the positive aspects of her work. Sadly, as the narrative unfolds, so the plot developments become increasingly outrageous. Ultimately, the reader is asked to suspend disbelief on too many occasions and it just doesn't hold together.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

When Elena bumps into Sophia in a chance encounter, they hit it off, despite their differences. It doesn’t take long for one of them to suggest that they swap husbands/partners for the nights - allegedly without the men knowing. It all goes well until underlying motives are reveal…

I realllllllly had to suspend my disbelief for this one. Although the women seem to have thought of everything, down to loosening the lightbulbs in case the men got suspicious, I can’t believe that a men would not recognise the feel of his long-term partner’s body, breath etc, even in the dark.

*TRIGGER WARNING* The book also tackled some taboo topics including incest and child abuse. For me it pushed it even further towards the fantastical and I feel like the story and characters could have played out much the same way without either of these topics.

The ending of The Switch really disappointed me. I had high hopes for Elena and cannot at all understand the choices she made. There’s no way that whole situation can stay hidden for long.

Definately not for me

I lost interest as the plot progressed. I mean, it just sounded unrealistic and I just found it disappointing- definitely not my choice of a good book. However I read it to the end, and again disappointed

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House

Elena and Adam are housesitting in Wimbledon when they meet Sophia and Finn and are instantly drawn into their lavish lifestyle.
As Elena and Sophia grow closer, Sophia offers Elena a proposition. They swap partners for one night in secret. But can they really pull it off? Will it actually work? As Elena experiences a sexual awakening that turns to a love affair, she doesn't see that Sophia has different plans up her sleeve. Will the couples get out of this unscathed, or does it mean the end?

This was very fast paced and gripping. There were so many twists and turns that I never really knew where I was going to end up. A lot of these characters were unlikeable but I feel like it added to the story. The only thing stopping this from being 5 stars was that I guessed some of the twists before they happened. Highly recommend!

An enjoyable, but totally unbelievable plot, as it went on, it got less and less believable.
I would call it a bit of lighthearted holiday reading, preferably around Nice.
It is nicely written, with a lot of twists and turns, but really you have to suspend disbelief to read this. Enjoyable

This book is scandalous!! Without giving anything away this book will keep you guessing until the very end! So suspenseful, you won’t be able to put it down!

Having reading the blurb and all the comments by reasonably well known authors regarding the “thrill” and “menace” to be found between the covers of this book – or in my case sliding from right to left on my Kindle – I was prepared for a really – really – good few hours….

Flat-dwellers in a not-so-desirable part of London, Elena and Adam can’t believe their luck when they’re given the opportunity to house sit in swish Wimbledon. They quickly become entranced by the wealth and opulence of their surroundings, and do their best to fit in. By chance Elena meets the beautiful, elegant and enigmatic Sophia and falls under her spell, and then, upon meeting Sophia’s husband Finn, Elena is smitten and starts to have more than just a little fantasy about him. Meeting regularly in a local cafe, Sophia suggests a game – she has told Elena previously that her sex life is somewhat wanting and wouldn’t it be fun if a little husband-swapping took place? Their innocent men-folk would be kept in the dark, obviously, both literally and metaphorically, as the women sneak about under cover of darkness, swapping houses and a hell of a lot more. Now what could possibly go wrong…

You would be forgiven for thinking Elena is a young, naive 21-year old but she is in her late thirties! Okay, she admits to having Finn-laden fantasies, but come on, her behaviour is nauseating. There are several inconsistencies, one of which is that the author has forgotten, or overlooked, the fact that Elena doesn’t have a driving licence, but still managed to hire a car, drive a substantial distance.

The first part of the book is quite fast paced and somewhat intriguing but after “the deed” it all becomes so preposterous I gave up. There isn’t one likeable or relatable character, the dialogue is cheesy, the plot beyond silly, and the writing often clunky.

I haven’t been able to finish it and don’t intend to go back and try again. This one is for deleting immediately.

My thanks to Netgalley for an ARC to download

Thank you to NG for the ARC in exchange for a review.

I thought the premise of this book was good but did wonder how it would last for a full book without getting repetitive. I was surprised, therefore, to see the 'switch' happen quite early on in the book so I was unsure how the plot was going to develop.

Sadly, for me, it went a bit weird and became too farfetched. Whilst I quite liked the main character, Elena, Finn and Sophia seemed to change personalities frequently so I find it hard to engage with them. For me, Adam added nothing either. I'd predicted a couple of the big twists reasonably early so perhaps this played into how I felt about this book.

On the plus side, it took me back to my days living near Wimbledon Village which I had always loved!

Not the best book for me but I suspect this will definitely capture the imagination of others.

So I went into this automatically thinking there was going to be a murder to solve. I don't know why...possibly because most suspense thrillers have a murder at the centre of its plot. So I was surprised by how refreshing I found it that the premise of this book was different and much more psychological in its suspense and anticipation of something going awry.
The Switch is a brilliant book. I think what fascinated me most and had me hooked was the thought that people probably actually live out the fantasy we see being enacted in the story. Which is the great power of all books...anything is possible. Although quite how people would get away with what we witness our 2 female leads accomplishing here is beyond me. Which in turn made this book exciting, dangerous and intriguing throughout.

Elena is bored with life despite feeling that Adam, is her safety net. When she meets the stunning Sophia in a coffee shop by chance, she is excited to have made a new friend with such vivosity for life. A couples date is arranged and Elena finds herself just as enticed by Sophia's gorgeous husband Finn so much so that when Sophia suggests they 'switch', Elena wonders if its all too good to be true.

Naturally, chaos ensues, feelings are rampant, secrets are kept and lies are told. The perfect ingredients for a captivating read!

Really enjoyed this. Was a brilliant read and finished it very quickly! Thanks so much for this. This was my first time reading one by this author and it was a great read. Have already been recommending it to others!!

I enjoyed The Switch, the characters were intriguing although quite unlikable and I definitely think it will be a hit. It was full of twists and turns and although I did guess the twists quite early on, I did question whether I was right a good few times. I did find it a bit long and the second half dragged slightly.

There was a slight inconsistency that annoyed me.. Elena said she’d never learnt to drive but then hired a car and drove to Cornwall? Hopefully this is just a proof copy issue and will be amended before release.

Overall, a good domestic thriller with a unique (although very unbelievable) storyline.