Monday, May 17, 2021

REVIEW: The House Swap by Jo Lovett


OUR REVIEW:

When I read the synopsis for The House Swap it kinda reminded me of that movie The Holiday, minus the actual holiday. You too? So I jumped right in. 


There are many things to enjoy about this novel. If you love British characters, as we do over here at MRBoD, then this will hit that spot for you. The slang, the various places visited, even the snobbery of the main male character and the quirkiness of our main female character are all good stuff. There's also the quaint and lovely American village that seems sweet and romantic and small town--lots of good stuff there. 


But really, the novel is captured in phone calls, text exchanges, and the adorable annoyance that each of these characters have for each other. It's through these exchanges and the down time between them that we get to know their histories and broken hearts. It's through these exchanges that they learn more about each other, let down their guards, and become genuine friends and companions...lovers and a couple. 


While there were definitely times when I felt that the writing was a bit long and more verbose than I normally like, I did ultimately enjoy the premise and characters. 


BUY IT: https://amzn.to/2Ro0eWd


SYNOPSIS: Island house off coast of Maine, with private beach, sea views and the occasional farmyard animal, seeks super swanky Central London penthouse overlooking Holland Park, complete with concierge service and spurned ex-lovers…


When thirty-somethings 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 beachside cottage, and Cassie’s living in James’s luxurious London apartment. It’s the perfect solution.

Except James didn’t imagine he’d be sharing his home with eleven chickens and three alpacas, not to mention the unusually friendly neighbours, who seem to find any excuse to drop by. And Cassie is less than impressed when James’s ex-girlfriend turns up at his door, demanding to know where he’s gone.

The more Cassie and James talk, the more the tension between them mounts. 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 quite ready to give each other up.

But there’s more than just distance between them – and when Cassie makes a surprising discovery, the pair are forced to confront their feelings and decide what kind of life they really want.

Post a Comment

Comments are bloggy food.

Feed our blog...

© Must Read Books or Die. Made with love by The Dutch Lady Designs.