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Flatiron Books (2019), 321 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: What if your roommate is your soul mate? A joyful, quirky romantic comedy, Beth O'Leary's The Flatshare is a feel-good novel about finding love in the most unexpected of ways. Tiffy and Leon share an apartment. Tiffy and Leon have never met. After a bad breakup, Tiffy Moore needs a place to live. Fast. And cheap. But the apartments in her budget have her wondering if astonishingly colored mold on the walls counts as art. Desperation makes her open minded, so she answers an ad for a flatshare. Leon, a night shift worker, will take the apartment during the day, and Tiffy can have it nights and weekends. He'll only ever be there when she's at the office. In fact, they'll never even have to meet. Tiffy and Leon start writing each other notes �?? first about what day is garbage day, and politely establishing what leftovers are up for grabs, and the evergreen question of whether the toilet seat should stay up or down. Even though they are opposites, they soon become friends. And then maybe more. But falling in love with your roommate is probably a terrible idea...especially if you've never met.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member RidgewayGirl
When Leon, who works nights and spends his weekends with his girlfriend, needs to raise some money and Tiffy is dumped by her boyfriend and needs to find a place to live in a hurry, the answer seems simple. They never even have to meet each other. This is a delightful novel in which two people
What makes this Chick-Lit so good is that both characters have full lives, friends and family outside of their relationship, and the needs of secondary characters are just as important to Tiffy and Leon as their own relationship and, most importantly, none of the conflicts in the novel were ones that were based on a lack of communication. This was a fun book and certainly one of the best of the genre.
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communicate by leaving notes for each other and who find themselves entwined in each other's lives before they've even said hello. What makes this Chick-Lit so good is that both characters have full lives, friends and family outside of their relationship, and the needs of secondary characters are just as important to Tiffy and Leon as their own relationship and, most importantly, none of the conflicts in the novel were ones that were based on a lack of communication. This was a fun book and certainly one of the best of the genre.
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LibraryThing member StefanieGeeks
Absolutely pitch-perfect romantic comedy. I haven't read something this funny and heartening in the genre since Bridget Jones' Diary. The main characters and their friends/family are lovable and fascinating. Highly recommended for lovers of brainy romance like The Kiss Quotient.
LibraryThing member foggidawn
Tiffy has got to get out of her ex-boyfriend's apartment, but the only places she can afford on her budget are sketchy, indeed . . . until she runs across an ad for a flat sharing situation. It would be a little weird, as she'd literally be sleeping in a stranger's bed, but since Leon, the owner of
Ahh, this book is so adorable. I stayed up just a tiny bit late to finish it last night. Leon and Tiffy are such genuinely nice characters that their story might have been a little too sweet and easy, except that some more serious elements are introduced by way of secondary characters. A common complaint in books with two narrators is that the voices are too similar, but one could not make that complaint regarding this book -- Tiffy's narration is bubbly and verbose, Leon's is telegraphic and streamlined, and the book's pacing is perfectly balanced between alternating chapters from each viewpoint. It's a feel-good story that leaves the reader with a smile and a happy sigh at the end. I would recommend this book widely, particularly to readers who enjoy this genre.
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the flat in question, works the night shift as a palliative care nurse, they'd never actually be in the flat at the same time. In fact, since Leon's girlfriend Kay sets up the interview with Tiffy, Leon and Tiffy don't actually meet for quite some time, communicating instead through post-it notes left around the house. But when they do meet . . . no, I can't tell you, you'll just have to read it for yourself!Ahh, this book is so adorable. I stayed up just a tiny bit late to finish it last night. Leon and Tiffy are such genuinely nice characters that their story might have been a little too sweet and easy, except that some more serious elements are introduced by way of secondary characters. A common complaint in books with two narrators is that the voices are too similar, but one could not make that complaint regarding this book -- Tiffy's narration is bubbly and verbose, Leon's is telegraphic and streamlined, and the book's pacing is perfectly balanced between alternating chapters from each viewpoint. It's a feel-good story that leaves the reader with a smile and a happy sigh at the end. I would recommend this book widely, particularly to readers who enjoy this genre.
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
This book was precious!! I absolutely ADORED the quirky, awkward, crafty, tall, adorable protagonist, she was so relatable to be. She could have been me (in my mind) or my best friend. Tiffy just had her heart ripped out of her chest and she needs a new place to live immediately. Shes an editor at
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a small arts and crafts publishing house so she doesn't exactly have a large salary to find something in London. In desperation she finally decides to answer an ad for a flatshare. At first, she's skeptical, she's never even met the man she's living with due to his opposite schedule, maybe he's a psychopath! But soon as they get to know each other through: coffee cups left out, loads of laundry hanging up to dry, leftovers, and post it notes. The flatshare turns out to be the best thing that could have happened to either of them. Leon is a third shift hospice nurse who devotes all his free time trying to get his brother out of prison for a crime he didn't commit, he barely has time for his girlfriend, let alone a weird flatmate, but soon coming home to Tiffy's notes and stress induced baking is the best part of his day. How long can they go on living together without meeting? Can you find your soulmate without ever laying eyes on them? Charming and wonderful. I adored this book! Show Less
LibraryThing member nicx27
You know when everyone in the world seems to have read a book and you haven’t? Well that’s how I felt about The Flatshare. Now I have finally read it I’m pleased to say it exceeded my high expectations for it.
It starts with a very unusual premise and once which made me think a lot about how
Well, quite a few things actually. I had to smile at Leon’s consternation at all of Tiffy’s belongings around his man-flat, all her unusual clothes and snazzy beanbags. In a one-bedroom flat it must have been quite cluttered. And yet he finds himself warming to this woman he’s never ever met. They start to get to know one another through post it notes left stuck to practically every surface and it’s just the most wonderful and heartwarming thing to witness.
I think this is a book that in different hands could have been twee and fluffy. It isn’t that at all. It’s so humorous but also goes into serious subjects as well. There are one or two truly horrid characters but thankfully there are a lot more lovely ones. Tiffy and Leon are an absolute delight to behold, and Tiffy’s friends and Leon’s brother make up the fabulous cast of characters. The least said about Justin, Tiffy’s ex, the better!
I can’t praise this book highly enough. It’s full of charm and wit, it has a clever and original storyline and the most gorgeous characters. If you want a book that leaves you with a massive smile on your face then look no further, The Flatshare is your book (if you’re one of the very few people who haven’t already read it, that is!).
It starts with a very unusual premise and once which made me think a lot about how
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it would really work. Leon has a flat, a one-bedroom flat. He needs more money for something very important to him and so he advertises for a flatmate, but not only that, a bedmate! Leon works nights though and spends weekends at his girlfriend’s so the lucky person can have the flat evenings, overnight and weekends, with Leon only being there in the day to catch up with sleep. What could go wrong…….?!Well, quite a few things actually. I had to smile at Leon’s consternation at all of Tiffy’s belongings around his man-flat, all her unusual clothes and snazzy beanbags. In a one-bedroom flat it must have been quite cluttered. And yet he finds himself warming to this woman he’s never ever met. They start to get to know one another through post it notes left stuck to practically every surface and it’s just the most wonderful and heartwarming thing to witness.
I think this is a book that in different hands could have been twee and fluffy. It isn’t that at all. It’s so humorous but also goes into serious subjects as well. There are one or two truly horrid characters but thankfully there are a lot more lovely ones. Tiffy and Leon are an absolute delight to behold, and Tiffy’s friends and Leon’s brother make up the fabulous cast of characters. The least said about Justin, Tiffy’s ex, the better!
I can’t praise this book highly enough. It’s full of charm and wit, it has a clever and original storyline and the most gorgeous characters. If you want a book that leaves you with a massive smile on your face then look no further, The Flatshare is your book (if you’re one of the very few people who haven’t already read it, that is!).
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LibraryThing member bookworm12
This one caught me completely by surprise. I was expecting an easy romance and instead it had a lot more depth. It hit a little too close to home at times as someone I’m close to is dealing with the same kind of emotional abuse discussed in the book. I loved the two different POVs and was
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delighted by Leon & Tiffy’s notes to each other. In addition to two great main characters, I loved the supporting cast of friends & Leon’s imprisoned brother as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member SquirrelHead
After reading a few books with serious tones/subjects I wanted a lighter and brighter book. I very much enjoyed those previous books but I was ready for a chick-lit kinda thing to break it up.
The Flatshare is Beth O’Leary’s first novel. I knew the term flat share meant to have a roommate,
The deal is that for a mere $350 a month she will have the flat from 6pm – 8am Monday through Friday and on weekends. The remaining times belong to Leon, who could use the extra cash that this arrangement will bring and never the two shall meet.
I’ve never heard of sleeping in the same bed as your room-mate and I can say it would never have been something I would have done.
They speak to each other via notes and letters left tacked to the fridge or on a table. When one is out at work and the other person at home, they find a note. And usually food! Sometimes they forget they haven’t had conversation in person. They are getting to know one another slowly as pen-pals who live together, but have not met. Weird and quirky.
The beginning was a bit confusing for me as Leon pondered about Kay and Ritchie, people who were not introduced to the story. Who are these people, I wondered. It all fell together shortly and I knew the character’s places.
Tiffy’s job is assistant editor at a DIY publishing house. She sums it up: “I love working here. This is the only possible explanation for the fact that I have been assistant editor for three and a half years, earning below the London living wage, and have made no attempt to rectify the situation…….”
As for the supporting characters a good deal of the book focuses on Tiffy’s favorite author, Katherin, who writes about knitting and crocheting. Also a treacherous coworker named Martin which you will just slightly loathe in the beginning and yes, this will deepen as you get to know him more.
Leon is such a good person. He’s a night nurse at a hospice, taking tender care of a little girl named Holly who has leukemia and senior patients who need constant care. Can’t be easy being a nurse. His supporting character is his brother Richie who resides in prison for a crime he says he didn’t commit. All the characters’ stories merge and overlap at different parts of the book.
I was looking for something light with a bit of humor and I found it in this book. What I wasn’t expecting was subject of emotional abuse and how well this author handled it. It wasn’t a constant but when it needed to be addressed in the story it was deftly woven in. Overall a funny, romantic lighthearted book but it certainly did touch on serious subjects at times. Happy endings for most 🙂
There was a bit of food in this novel! Tiffy is a baker and Leon likes to cook so we had a variety of tempting treats. Homemade oat bars, mushroom stroganoff, risotto, Victoria Sandwich with Homemade jam, carob date brownies, banana bread, ales and cocktails.
Much thanks to Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. Publication date is May 28, 2019. I will look for more by this author. All opinions are mine and I was not compensated for this review.
Sharing with
Joy’s Book Blog for British Isles Friday
Heather for the May Foodie’s Read
The Flatshare is Beth O’Leary’s first novel. I knew the term flat share meant to have a roommate,
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sharing an apartment – each with their own bedroom. But in this novel they share a bed, not at the same time. One works nights and the other days.The deal is that for a mere $350 a month she will have the flat from 6pm – 8am Monday through Friday and on weekends. The remaining times belong to Leon, who could use the extra cash that this arrangement will bring and never the two shall meet.
I’ve never heard of sleeping in the same bed as your room-mate and I can say it would never have been something I would have done.
They speak to each other via notes and letters left tacked to the fridge or on a table. When one is out at work and the other person at home, they find a note. And usually food! Sometimes they forget they haven’t had conversation in person. They are getting to know one another slowly as pen-pals who live together, but have not met. Weird and quirky.
The beginning was a bit confusing for me as Leon pondered about Kay and Ritchie, people who were not introduced to the story. Who are these people, I wondered. It all fell together shortly and I knew the character’s places.
Tiffy’s job is assistant editor at a DIY publishing house. She sums it up: “I love working here. This is the only possible explanation for the fact that I have been assistant editor for three and a half years, earning below the London living wage, and have made no attempt to rectify the situation…….”
As for the supporting characters a good deal of the book focuses on Tiffy’s favorite author, Katherin, who writes about knitting and crocheting. Also a treacherous coworker named Martin which you will just slightly loathe in the beginning and yes, this will deepen as you get to know him more.
Leon is such a good person. He’s a night nurse at a hospice, taking tender care of a little girl named Holly who has leukemia and senior patients who need constant care. Can’t be easy being a nurse. His supporting character is his brother Richie who resides in prison for a crime he says he didn’t commit. All the characters’ stories merge and overlap at different parts of the book.
I was looking for something light with a bit of humor and I found it in this book. What I wasn’t expecting was subject of emotional abuse and how well this author handled it. It wasn’t a constant but when it needed to be addressed in the story it was deftly woven in. Overall a funny, romantic lighthearted book but it certainly did touch on serious subjects at times. Happy endings for most 🙂
There was a bit of food in this novel! Tiffy is a baker and Leon likes to cook so we had a variety of tempting treats. Homemade oat bars, mushroom stroganoff, risotto, Victoria Sandwich with Homemade jam, carob date brownies, banana bread, ales and cocktails.
Much thanks to Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. Publication date is May 28, 2019. I will look for more by this author. All opinions are mine and I was not compensated for this review.
Sharing with
Joy’s Book Blog for British Isles Friday
Heather for the May Foodie’s Read
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LibraryThing member .l.p
This is so much more than a charming, unique and quirky romance - not only does is it have such a delightful premise I was pleasantly surprised to find a lot of depth in this love story. Through Tiffy and Leon’s everyday experiences with family, work, friends and past relationships,The Flatshare
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explores issues dealing with emotional abuse, bigotry and problems with the justice system - but not in a heavy handed way that you lose the magic and charm of a love story. With such a wonderful cast of characters, plenty of laughs along the way and the endearing Leon and Tiffy there is so much to love about The Flatshare and it is such a feel good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member charl08
"There's just something fundamentally try-hard about tulle."
I liked this, an ARC I picked up to read after a nudge from a rave review on Litsy. Modern romance with a darker side: Tiffy is getting over a rather strange ex, Leon has a brother inside. Desperate to survive London's crazy rent prices,
"She has started signing really quite loudly and doing some sort of castle dance (which is quite hip shaky), and though we have ascertained that there are no senior members of staff in the kitchen, you never know when they'll show up. It's like that thing people say about rates - there's always one six feet away from you at all times."
I liked this, an ARC I picked up to read after a nudge from a rave review on Litsy. Modern romance with a darker side: Tiffy is getting over a rather strange ex, Leon has a brother inside. Desperate to survive London's crazy rent prices,
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they come up with a novel solution. (Except it's not really novel, but I'm going to pretend it is here because otherwise I'm that boring history person who just goes on all the time about how Everything has Happened Before). So they're sharing the house as she works 9-5 and he works nights, and start up an endearing conversation via post it note. Leon's voice reminded of Bridget Jones (not a criticism) - made me laugh out loud in places. "She has started signing really quite loudly and doing some sort of castle dance (which is quite hip shaky), and though we have ascertained that there are no senior members of staff in the kitchen, you never know when they'll show up. It's like that thing people say about rates - there's always one six feet away from you at all times."
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LibraryThing member Narshkite
Sweet story, lovely main characters with depth and humor. I loved that they loved their jobs and so it was worth being a little poor to do work they were proud of. I loved that the quirky, independent character was coming out of an emotionally abusive relationship -- so often abuse survivors are
This book is light as air, but it does not aspire to be great literature. It was a bit trite but also truly fun to listen to and made me happy while sitting in traffic. That earns it a high 3/low 4.
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seen as weak, and it is often not the case. Everyone has insecurities, and abusers know how to play on them. Anyone can be brainwashed. I also liked the social justice storyline. Lawyers do a lot of good things, and you wouldn't know it by the way they are portrayed in most entertainment and media.This book is light as air, but it does not aspire to be great literature. It was a bit trite but also truly fun to listen to and made me happy while sitting in traffic. That earns it a high 3/low 4.
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LibraryThing member ethel55
I thought this was a fun concept for a story, a great set-up for a brilliant, rom-com/Sophie Kinsella style read. Tiff is in need of a place to stay after a break-up and Leon needs the extra cash, plus works untraditional hours as a palliative care nurse. The post-it notes added a great touch to
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convey how the two begin to know each other. I could envision them covering more and more of the flat. When Tiff is in need of someone to crochet samples for a new book, and Leon just happens to have a stellar knitter in his care, you know it won't be long before they cross paths in real life. It was a fun read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lisa2013
I enjoyed this book. It’s a great romance book for readers not normally romance fans, and I’m not. Romance and horror and religion are the only genres I don’t often read. In this book, I loved the humor and the sweetness and the few serious storylines too. It’s light and fun and funny but Domestic abuse. Unjust unfair imprisonment. Hospice care. Challenging relationships of various sorts. Sick children. At first I felt a bit old as these characters are much younger and in a different stage of life than I am, but soon I warmed up to them as people and enjoyed their storytelling. I liked the alternating voices of Tiffy and Leon and the way that was done throughout the book. Delightful British English/Irish terms, found even more in the audio than the hardcover edition. The words in the two editions did not match exactly. I read the hardcover but simultaneously read the audio much of the time. I liked the audio narrators. In some ways what happened was utterly predictable and in some ways it veered at times from what I would have expected. I really liked it.
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it touches on some very serious topics. Show Less
LibraryThing member Herenya
Tiffy and Leon share a one-bedroom flat but haven’t met each other -- Leon works night shift and spends weekends at his girlfriend’s, so he’s only ever home when Tiffy is at work. It’s a bit of a desperate arrangement, but Tiffy needed to move out of her ex’s place and Leon needs money
The flatshare arrangement had the potential to feel ridiculously contrived -- we’re sharing a bed because the plot says so! -- but it doesn’t, because so much of the story is about the circumstances which led them to agree to this arrangement. Tiffy has to deal with the aftermath of an abusive relationship (which was handled more thoughtfully than I expected) and Leon’s main focus is getting justice for his brother.
I enjoyed the characters getting to know each other through letters and through indications in the flat of the other’s personality and mood; I liked how they supported and cared about each other. I’m not always a fan of dual POV but it worked well here -- and a dramatically different narrative style and voice for both characters is much better than narrator’s voice being too similar.
(The epilogue left me feeling like the book was almost-but-not-quite something I could have liked more, but anyway, this book was fun to read.)
As I peel the Post-its and taped scraps of paper off cupboard doors, tables, walls and (in one case) the bin lid, I find myself grinning. It was a weird way to get to know Leon, writing all these notes over the last few months, and it sort of happened without me noticing -- one minute I was scribbling him a quick note about leftovers, the next I was in a full-on day-to-day correspondence.
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for his wrongly-convicted brother’s legal fees. They communicate through post-it notes. The flatshare arrangement had the potential to feel ridiculously contrived -- we’re sharing a bed because the plot says so! -- but it doesn’t, because so much of the story is about the circumstances which led them to agree to this arrangement. Tiffy has to deal with the aftermath of an abusive relationship (which was handled more thoughtfully than I expected) and Leon’s main focus is getting justice for his brother.
I enjoyed the characters getting to know each other through letters and through indications in the flat of the other’s personality and mood; I liked how they supported and cared about each other. I’m not always a fan of dual POV but it worked well here -- and a dramatically different narrative style and voice for both characters is much better than narrator’s voice being too similar.
(The epilogue left me feeling like the book was almost-but-not-quite something I could have liked more, but anyway, this book was fun to read.)
As I peel the Post-its and taped scraps of paper off cupboard doors, tables, walls and (in one case) the bin lid, I find myself grinning. It was a weird way to get to know Leon, writing all these notes over the last few months, and it sort of happened without me noticing -- one minute I was scribbling him a quick note about leftovers, the next I was in a full-on day-to-day correspondence.
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LibraryThing member mcelhra
When Tiffy and her boyfriend break up and she has to move out, she needs somewhere to go on short notice that she can afford. She answers an ad for a flatshare. Leon, who works nights as a hospice nurse, wants to share his flat with someone who works during the day. It’s the perfect arrangement
Tiffy and Leon communicate with each other through Post-It notes. Their notes are short and sweet at first – don’t forget to take the trash out, help yourself to the brownies I made, that sort of thing. But as the arrangement goes on, the notes become more and more personal. The Flatshare is a romantic comedy so I’ll bet you can guess what happens next!
The Flatshare alternates between Tiffy and Leon’s first-person narration. The author gave each of them such a unique voice that there isn’t really a need for the chapter headers indicating who is narrating. I love Leon. His clipped, droll way of speaking and note-writing was endearing. Tiffy was fun but she was similar to most female leads in British rom-coms – slightly daffy and unable to fully function without relying on her small friend group every step of the way. I would have liked for her to be a little less needy.
The Flatshare was one of my book club’s January pick. There was a surprising amount of discussion to be had. Probably because there is some substance in this book in addition to the rom-commyness. Leon and Tiffy have some serious stuff going on in their lives apart from all of the note writing. It’s got a good balance of humor and pathos. Recommended.
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– Tiffy will work while Leon sleeps and he will work while she sleeps. They never even have to meet. In fact, Leon’s girlfriend prefers it that way, which is why she agrees to make all of the arrangements with Tiffy on Leon’s behalf.Tiffy and Leon communicate with each other through Post-It notes. Their notes are short and sweet at first – don’t forget to take the trash out, help yourself to the brownies I made, that sort of thing. But as the arrangement goes on, the notes become more and more personal. The Flatshare is a romantic comedy so I’ll bet you can guess what happens next!
The Flatshare alternates between Tiffy and Leon’s first-person narration. The author gave each of them such a unique voice that there isn’t really a need for the chapter headers indicating who is narrating. I love Leon. His clipped, droll way of speaking and note-writing was endearing. Tiffy was fun but she was similar to most female leads in British rom-coms – slightly daffy and unable to fully function without relying on her small friend group every step of the way. I would have liked for her to be a little less needy.
The Flatshare was one of my book club’s January pick. There was a surprising amount of discussion to be had. Probably because there is some substance in this book in addition to the rom-commyness. Leon and Tiffy have some serious stuff going on in their lives apart from all of the note writing. It’s got a good balance of humor and pathos. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member humouress
{Stand-alone. Chicklit, romance} (2019)
When Tiffy's controlling, rich ex-boyfriend wants her to leave the flat he rarely uses or pay the rent, she has to look for another place that she can afford in Central London and the only decent offer is an ad from someone whom she may never meet as they
Leon is a palliative care nurse at a hospice. His brother, Richie, is in jail for a crime he didn't commit and the only ways Leon can afford the fees for an appeal are to do nightshifts, which pay more, and sublet his flat for the times when he's not there.
We see a little bit behind the scenes at Tiffy's and Leon's jobs and the people they make friends with there. We also see a lot about the emotional abuse that her ex boyfriend put her through without her being aware of it at the time although her friends could see it.
Although they never meet (for the first few months), Tiffy and Leon build up a friendship through the notes and the food that they leave in the flat for each other so that when they do meet, they feel like they already know each other. Tiffy has a huge, bubbly personality whereas Leon is more thoughtful and quiet and it comes through in their notes, too.
The story is told in the present tense from a first person point of view and through their notes of both Tiffy and Leon in alternating chapters. Leon's chapters were written in a sort of note form which irked me a bit (I'm always going on at my kids to use their conjunctions and verbs properly) though I do see that O'Leary was trying to differentiate his chapters from Tiffy's and, for the most part, it worked.
Fun, feel-good and everyone gets their HEA. (I'm pretty sure that that's not a spoiler.) The bedroom scenes are hot but not heavy, as in they take you as far as the bedroom and leave the rest to your imagination.
3-3.5 stars
When Tiffy's controlling, rich ex-boyfriend wants her to leave the flat he rarely uses or pay the rent, she has to look for another place that she can afford in Central London and the only decent offer is an ad from someone whom she may never meet as they
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work the nightshift and will be away on weekends.Leon is a palliative care nurse at a hospice. His brother, Richie, is in jail for a crime he didn't commit and the only ways Leon can afford the fees for an appeal are to do nightshifts, which pay more, and sublet his flat for the times when he's not there.
We see a little bit behind the scenes at Tiffy's and Leon's jobs and the people they make friends with there. We also see a lot about the emotional abuse that her ex boyfriend put her through without her being aware of it at the time although her friends could see it.
Although they never meet (for the first few months), Tiffy and Leon build up a friendship through the notes and the food that they leave in the flat for each other so that when they do meet, they feel like they already know each other. Tiffy has a huge, bubbly personality whereas Leon is more thoughtful and quiet and it comes through in their notes, too.
The story is told in the present tense from a first person point of view and through their notes of both Tiffy and Leon in alternating chapters. Leon's chapters were written in a sort of note form which irked me a bit (I'm always going on at my kids to use their conjunctions and verbs properly) though I do see that O'Leary was trying to differentiate his chapters from Tiffy's and, for the most part, it worked.
Fun, feel-good and everyone gets their HEA. (I'm pretty sure that that's not a spoiler.) The bedroom scenes are hot but not heavy, as in they take you as far as the bedroom and leave the rest to your imagination.
3-3.5 stars
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
This imaginative romance is a delightful story from beginning to end. Tiffy needs a place to live ASAP and Leon needs a person to share his flat. He works nights, and so only needs the flat during the day. He spends the weekends at his girlfriend’s. It’s a perfect, if slightly quirky, match.
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Leon’s girlfriend handles all the details, and the two protagonists don’t even meet. They do start to communicate through ever lengthening post-it notes, and they gradually learn about each other’s lives and the problems they have. The author does a great job of writing a romance tale that has grit and substance and yet never loses that romantic undercurrent. Good character development and a clever and intriguing plot all combine for a highly entertaining tale. Show Less
LibraryThing member yvonnekins
This was a fun, cute, quick read... which is everything one would want in a romance novel. I don't think it will stick with me for a long time (but who knows I may come back in a year and say I haven't stopped thinking about it) but it was thoroughly enjoyable, and a great distraction from boredom.
LibraryThing member amandanan
The quirky personality, her being a book editor, her spontaneity. All of it. I yearn to be more like Tiffy!
LibraryThing member samnreader
I took one look at this stupid, headless cover and dismissed it. (You guys, I cannot express how typically anti-pastel I am). The I saw my friend Blackjack's review and did that thoughtful head tilt thing. She mentioned the notes...and of course I clicked that I'd give this ugly cover book a
I'm coming to the conclusion I'm a weirdo for a romance where two people are essentially living separate lives. I find them easy to relate to in surprising ways, and the growth and development of the relationship is lovely in a secondary way, as it is here.
The hero's narrative style is distinct from the heroines. I quickly realized he narrated in fragments, and it did take some getting used to. But I also loved his voice and the sweet, misanthropic, care-taking hero won me over really quickly. Like immediately. I would pause for a story here about how for about 5 years my husband and I thought our neighbor was a straight-up dick. For five years, we only got the bro chin tilt, then it progressed into a steering wheel finger wave. Then he would kind of be present and chuckle, and say things like "right" After about 8 years, frequent silences were still the norm, for he'll never be chatty, and he constantly speaks in fragments. The guy is painfully shy, introverted, and this just reminded me of exactly how I think his brain must sound. There's no flowery embellishment going on, it's a factual presentation that is still quite sensitive, but super straightforward. IT's a little of the hating game recipe here (artsy, free-spirited heroine and shy hero), but without the animosity and you know, the face-to-face.
For me, there was very little that I wouldn't recommend about this book. if that narrative style will bug you, skip it. If the slow reveal/non-face to face time will drive you nuts, after all it's nearly 30-40% before the meet in real life, then it's not for you. However, if getting to know someone through post-its, possessions, and, well, the people who love them appeals--this book will certainly delight you.
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chance.I'm coming to the conclusion I'm a weirdo for a romance where two people are essentially living separate lives. I find them easy to relate to in surprising ways, and the growth and development of the relationship is lovely in a secondary way, as it is here.
The hero's narrative style is distinct from the heroines. I quickly realized he narrated in fragments, and it did take some getting used to. But I also loved his voice and the sweet, misanthropic, care-taking hero won me over really quickly. Like immediately. I would pause for a story here about how for about 5 years my husband and I thought our neighbor was a straight-up dick. For five years, we only got the bro chin tilt, then it progressed into a steering wheel finger wave. Then he would kind of be present and chuckle, and say things like "right" After about 8 years, frequent silences were still the norm, for he'll never be chatty, and he constantly speaks in fragments. The guy is painfully shy, introverted, and this just reminded me of exactly how I think his brain must sound. There's no flowery embellishment going on, it's a factual presentation that is still quite sensitive, but super straightforward. IT's a little of the hating game recipe here (artsy, free-spirited heroine and shy hero), but without the animosity and you know, the face-to-face.
For me, there was very little that I wouldn't recommend about this book. if that narrative style will bug you, skip it. If the slow reveal/non-face to face time will drive you nuts, after all it's nearly 30-40% before the meet in real life, then it's not for you. However, if getting to know someone through post-its, possessions, and, well, the people who love them appeals--this book will certainly delight you.
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LibraryThing member reenum
The Flatshare is a very sweet book, and never stops being so.
The main thing I loved was that there was no explicit evil character. There are a few people who are bad, like Tiffy's ex, but they don't rise to the level of true villain. In this time of corona, it was nice to read a book that was
As I researched more, I saw that this book could be considered part of the Up Lit genre. I will be looking for other great Up Lit books. 2020 is hard enough without having to have the things we read also be depressing.
The main thing I loved was that there was no explicit evil character. There are a few people who are bad, like Tiffy's ex, but they don't rise to the level of true villain. In this time of corona, it was nice to read a book that was
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simply a pleasure to read.As I researched more, I saw that this book could be considered part of the Up Lit genre. I will be looking for other great Up Lit books. 2020 is hard enough without having to have the things we read also be depressing.
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LibraryThing member dsc73277
I listened to the abridged version on BBC Sounds, rather than this particular version. Middle-aged men with fast receding hairlines are probably not the target market, but I enjoyed it. It's fairly obvious from early on how the story will develop, but there is room in our lives for that.
LibraryThing member SandyAMcPherson
An epistolary novel of sorts, via post-it notes, written in a very accomplished narrative voice that gave distinctive personalities to the two main characters, Tiffy and Leon. It worked surprisingly well, interspersed with descriptive action. A pretty solid read that engages the reader, assuming
The realistic relationship situation with Tiffy and her ex-boy friend was pretty edgy for me, and felt very real. The flatshare set-up with Leon on nightshift while Tiffy is on a daytime job is realistic, since people in the UK have to go to extraordinary lengths to afford living in London. Altogether, there was very little aspect of worn-out tropes showing up, which is a big plus.
The layering with Leon's brother, Ritchie, was a nice fleshing out of how life can be so fraught with other issues. O'leary wrote well in terms of building Leon's psychological background from childhood. I wanted to learn more about Tiffany's, other than her recent hassles with the ex-BF.
The plot did become rather long-drawn out, a phase about two-thirds of the way through. Creating a misstep in the narrative's trajectory pulled me out of the story from time to time. The ending was okay, though quite abrupt in cutting off the action. Readers are left with too much of a sense that there is unfinished business ~ not conducive to satisfying dénouement.
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that the genre is appealing.The realistic relationship situation with Tiffy and her ex-boy friend was pretty edgy for me, and felt very real. The flatshare set-up with Leon on nightshift while Tiffy is on a daytime job is realistic, since people in the UK have to go to extraordinary lengths to afford living in London. Altogether, there was very little aspect of worn-out tropes showing up, which is a big plus.
The layering with Leon's brother, Ritchie, was a nice fleshing out of how life can be so fraught with other issues. O'leary wrote well in terms of building Leon's psychological background from childhood. I wanted to learn more about Tiffany's, other than her recent hassles with the ex-BF.
The plot did become rather long-drawn out, a phase about two-thirds of the way through. Creating a misstep in the narrative's trajectory pulled me out of the story from time to time. The ending was okay, though quite abrupt in cutting off the action. Readers are left with too much of a sense that there is unfinished business ~ not conducive to satisfying dénouement.
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LibraryThing member Slevyr26
The absolute perfect, sweetest romance. English women know how to do it right.
LibraryThing member rmarcin
I absolutely loved this story about the quirky editor, Tiffy, who is getting over a break-up with her long-time boyfriend, Justin, and needs a new place to live. She sees an ad for a flatshare with Leon, a palliative care nurse. Leon works nights, is away for weekends with his girlfriend, Kay, so
They start a friendship by leaving notes for each other, and making observations about each other's habits. Tiffy is over-the-top, and Leon is quiet and reserved.
There are a few stories here-Richie, Leon's brother, is in jail for a crime he didn't commit. Leon's patients care for Leon, and vice-versa. Leon tries to find the love of Mr. Prior's life-a love that was forbidden during WWII. There is also a storyline about abusive and controlling relationships.
This was an enjoyable, sweet story about a couple who build upon a strong friendship. Adorable.
#TheFlatshare #BethOLeary
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they will never be in the flat at the same time.They start a friendship by leaving notes for each other, and making observations about each other's habits. Tiffy is over-the-top, and Leon is quiet and reserved.
There are a few stories here-Richie, Leon's brother, is in jail for a crime he didn't commit. Leon's patients care for Leon, and vice-versa. Leon tries to find the love of Mr. Prior's life-a love that was forbidden during WWII. There is also a storyline about abusive and controlling relationships.
This was an enjoyable, sweet story about a couple who build upon a strong friendship. Adorable.
#TheFlatshare #BethOLeary
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LibraryThing member beckyhaase
The FLATSHARE by Beth O’Leary
The book started out as a ditsy sex filled romance. By page 25 I could hardly wait to get to page 50 (my self-imposed cutoff) so I could abandon it and read something worthwhile or just entertaining. And then…. It turned into an intelligent exploration of boy-friend
The characters were unique and well-developed. The story was interesting and full of realistic situations and common sense. Her controlling ex-boyfriend did all of the horrid things controlling ex-boyfriends do. Her friends were supportive and intelligent. Even the comic character, Kathrin, was authentic and original.
Altogether, a very nicely done romance with both heart and intelligence.
4 of 5 stars (for a trashy beginning)
The book started out as a ditsy sex filled romance. By page 25 I could hardly wait to get to page 50 (my self-imposed cutoff) so I could abandon it and read something worthwhile or just entertaining. And then…. It turned into an intelligent exploration of boy-friend
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emotional abuse. Yes, the main character was still a bit of a ditz, but she made sense. Her flatmate, a slightly repressed male nurse, and her friends started to sound sensible, although still somewhat sex-obsessed. The characters were unique and well-developed. The story was interesting and full of realistic situations and common sense. Her controlling ex-boyfriend did all of the horrid things controlling ex-boyfriends do. Her friends were supportive and intelligent. Even the comic character, Kathrin, was authentic and original.
Altogether, a very nicely done romance with both heart and intelligence.
4 of 5 stars (for a trashy beginning)
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Awards
RUSA CODES Reading List (Winner — Romance — 2020)
Authors' Club First Novel Award (Shortlist — 2020)
Comedy Women In Print (Shortlist — 2020)
Language
Original publication date
2019-04-10
ISBN
9781250295644