How cool does this book sound from the synopsis???
I mean two strangers technically sharing a bed, even though it would not be at the same time? To me this sounded slightly weird to start with and I thought, do they have to change the bed sheets daily? Where would their stuff go? As Tiffy was technically there only of an evening and weekend what was she allowed to do and not do in the flat?
This was explained throughout the book in such a clever way… the book itself is written or told from Tiffy and Leon’s point of view. So one chapter in Tiffy’s “voice” and the next in Leon’s. This was so well done and the book flowed beautifully for me.
I loved Tiffy. She had such a big personality to me on the page that just jumped out. Her clothing choice for one made me smile and shout “you go girl” I love how she is described by Leon in one part of the book,
“She seems entirely oblivious of how many eyes she catches as she walks by, which only makes the whole effect more attractive”
I love this, I mean it made me swoon a little, she is described to me as quirky and I love how that she allows herself to be who she wants to be and dress how she wants. Another favourite part of the book when they are back on the topic of first impressions of each other. This part really struck a chord with me and (SPOILER) have added it into my review.
“Look’, he says, “Have you ever looked forward to reading a book so much you can’t actually start it?
“Oh, totally. All the time – if I had a grain of self-restraint I never would’ve been able to read the last Harry Potter book. The anticipation was painful. You know, like which if it doesn’t live up to the last ones? What if it’s not what I hope it’ll be?
“Right well’ He waves a hand at me. ‘I think it might have been…. like that’
‘But with me?’
‘Yeah. With you’
I look down at my hands in my lap, trying very hard not to smile”
I mean COME ON! This is such a good way to describe what they are feeling for one another! I also can’t help but love how Leon is described with his hair that when wet grows and curls, he also just sounds attractive!
Leon I needed a bit more time to warm up to but after he “met” Tiffy through Post-It notes I warmed up to him immensely. He is a lost soul who was in a relationship that was not happy and once he was able to open up more and be himself especially with Tiffy he blossomed.
Ok so down to some nitty gritty parts of the book…. so for some this may have some triggers so this is your warning. Tiffy was in a relationship and the reason she had to do the Flatshare with Leon was because she was dumped by her ex-partner. Going through the book it is explored that this was not a happy relationship and actually and abusive one. I am talking about emotional abuse here. She was put down by her ex-partner, made to feel isolated and told at times what to do and wear. This is unacceptable on every level but she was able to move on and get the help she needed when it became apparent that it had affected her more than she thought. This part of the story is very well written throughout the book and I applaud O’Leary for it. I also wanted to punch the character Justin in the face and maybe the private areas a few times!! But this is my opinion on the matter.
I also wanted to add my appreciation for the secondary characters in the book, Gerty, Mo and Rachel three of Tiffy’s best friends that have her back no matter what. Gerty is sarcastic and blunt, but she is a Barrister so what do you expect! But there is a soft side to her especially when it comes to Tiffy she is like a mumma bear! Mo who is a Therapist and living with Gerty, is Tiffy’s go to for advice and who helps ground her in a way Gerty cannot. Rachel.. oh I think I love Rachel the most as she reminds me of me! She is sarcastic, witty and knows how to make Tiffy smile! I also can’t forget Richie, Leon’s brother. He plays a pivotal role in this book especially with Leon’s character and he also brings some light humour to the book.
SO back to Tiffy and Leon the love (SPOILER) that blossoms between the two is so sweet. It starts basically with little notes on POst-Its which I find so adorable, at this point they haven’t actually met one another but probably know more about each other than some of their friends, well Leon knows more about Tiffy..
Does it have a happy ending? well that would be telling but did the ending make me reach for a tissue as I might of had a slight tear in my eye? Possibly!!
I just can’t gush enough about how much I enjoyed this book it was a lovely written contemporary book that I needed to brighten my mood. It made me laugh out loud (on the train I might add) and made me sniffle a little at the cute and sad parts. It also had me outraged at points with the ex-partner scenes!
Overall I would recommend that if you want a fun quick read then pick this book up!
I mean two strangers technically sharing a bed, even though it would not be at the same time? To me this sounded slightly weird to start with and I thought, do they have to change the bed sheets daily? Where would their stuff go? As Tiffy was technically there only of an evening and weekend what was she allowed to do and not do in the flat?
This was explained throughout the book in such a clever way… the book itself is written or told from Tiffy and Leon’s point of view. So one chapter in Tiffy’s “voice” and the next in Leon’s. This was so well done and the book flowed beautifully for me.
I loved Tiffy. She had such a big personality to me on the page that just jumped out. Her clothing choice for one made me smile and shout “you go girl” I love how she is described by Leon in one part of the book,
“She seems entirely oblivious of how many eyes she catches as she walks by, which only makes the whole effect more attractive”
I love this, I mean it made me swoon a little, she is described to me as quirky and I love how that she allows herself to be who she wants to be and dress how she wants. Another favourite part of the book when they are back on the topic of first impressions of each other. This part really struck a chord with me and (SPOILER) have added it into my review.
“Look’, he says, “Have you ever looked forward to reading a book so much you can’t actually start it?
“Oh, totally. All the time – if I had a grain of self-restraint I never would’ve been able to read the last Harry Potter book. The anticipation was painful. You know, like which if it doesn’t live up to the last ones? What if it’s not what I hope it’ll be?
“Right well’ He waves a hand at me. ‘I think it might have been…. like that’
‘But with me?’
‘Yeah. With you’
I look down at my hands in my lap, trying very hard not to smile”
I mean COME ON! This is such a good way to describe what they are feeling for one another! I also can’t help but love how Leon is described with his hair that when wet grows and curls, he also just sounds attractive!
Leon I needed a bit more time to warm up to but after he “met” Tiffy through Post-It notes I warmed up to him immensely. He is a lost soul who was in a relationship that was not happy and once he was able to open up more and be himself especially with Tiffy he blossomed.
Ok so down to some nitty gritty parts of the book…. so for some this may have some triggers so this is your warning. Tiffy was in a relationship and the reason she had to do the Flatshare with Leon was because she was dumped by her ex-partner. Going through the book it is explored that this was not a happy relationship and actually and abusive one. I am talking about emotional abuse here. She was put down by her ex-partner, made to feel isolated and told at times what to do and wear. This is unacceptable on every level but she was able to move on and get the help she needed when it became apparent that it had affected her more than she thought. This part of the story is very well written throughout the book and I applaud O’Leary for it. I also wanted to punch the character Justin in the face and maybe the private areas a few times!! But this is my opinion on the matter.
I also wanted to add my appreciation for the secondary characters in the book, Gerty, Mo and Rachel three of Tiffy’s best friends that have her back no matter what. Gerty is sarcastic and blunt, but she is a Barrister so what do you expect! But there is a soft side to her especially when it comes to Tiffy she is like a mumma bear! Mo who is a Therapist and living with Gerty, is Tiffy’s go to for advice and who helps ground her in a way Gerty cannot. Rachel.. oh I think I love Rachel the most as she reminds me of me! She is sarcastic, witty and knows how to make Tiffy smile! I also can’t forget Richie, Leon’s brother. He plays a pivotal role in this book especially with Leon’s character and he also brings some light humour to the book.
SO back to Tiffy and Leon the love (SPOILER) that blossoms between the two is so sweet. It starts basically with little notes on POst-Its which I find so adorable, at this point they haven’t actually met one another but probably know more about each other than some of their friends, well Leon knows more about Tiffy..
Does it have a happy ending? well that would be telling but did the ending make me reach for a tissue as I might of had a slight tear in my eye? Possibly!!
I just can’t gush enough about how much I enjoyed this book it was a lovely written contemporary book that I needed to brighten my mood. It made me laugh out loud (on the train I might add) and made me sniffle a little at the cute and sad parts. It also had me outraged at points with the ex-partner scenes!
Overall I would recommend that if you want a fun quick read then pick this book up!