THE FLATSHARE BY BETH O’LEARY // spoiler-free book review: splendid british adult romance debut that you NEED in your life

Hi hi hello, yes this is strange but alas, welcome to Ruby’s updated review of this book because the I,,, *cough* it was awful *cough* need to do this book better justice!

Yeah so I read this book back in 2020 and just absolutely ADORED it (made it to my top 2020 list) but for some reason was incapable of writing a review? I don’t even know the reason to this so don’t ask. Anyways, I was gifted this cute new copy so here we are with an actual review, because I love this book with my whole heart and you all need to read it <3<3<3

Let’s just get into it!!!

Title: The Flatshare
Author: Beth O’Leary
Page count: 329
Date published: 10 April 2019
Genre: Adult contemporary romance

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Synopsis:

Tiffy and Leon share a flat
Tiffy and Leon share a bed
Tiffy and Leon have never met…

Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time.
But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly imprisoned brothers and, of course, the fact that they still haven’t met yet, they’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…

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Big thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for the review copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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STAR RATING: (5 out of 5 stars)

Trigger warnings for emotional abuse, emotional manipulation and stalking

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This book was my very first venture into adult romance, if I’m remembering correctly. And it truly was a perfect start and it’s a book I highly recommend if you’re wanting to do the same. The Flatshare is such a perfect introduction and if you’re wanting to get into the genre, this book will tick off all the boxes!

We’ll first start writing, which actually you might not all love. It’s told in first person dual POV, which I personally loved, but our male MC has quite the unique voice and it takes some time to get into. Leon is a sweetie though, so you’re good. Tiffy, our lead, is just such a brilliant female MC and I adored her to pieces. The writing was great, easy to read with just enough description, but what makes it stand out is how real the characters felt and we just love to see it. I also loved how each of the side characters was very well-developed. They had their own stories that I was also invested in. I loved how amazing Tiffy’s friends were. Round of applause to Ms Beth O’Leary!!!

One of the most unique parts about this book is that yes it’s a romance, but it’s also a story about healing, which is why I appreciated it so much. As I mentioned, this book deals with abuse, Tiffy is essentially being harassed by her ex and it’s a lot. The author does an excellent job at giving this element of the story a focus and it’s not brushed over, which I thought was amazing. And you get to watch Tiffy deal with this on her own, but also have Leon by her side.

The romance between Tiffy and Leon was so so so wonderful and healthy and just all the YES from me. (Also no there is NO cheating in this book, I was afraid for a minute but have no fear). I loved the romance, their chemistry and their care for one another. It was just so great. I loved the notes. I just loved how weird the whole set-up was but also how it made sense. My heart was giddy omg.

This entire book WAS JUST SO GREAT I CANT EVEN!!!

Also, brownie points for everything British in this book *sighs

I just,,, wow. Loved it loved it loved it.!!!!! If you’re looking for forced proximity adult romance with letter writing that has a little bit more to it, then this book was just made for you. She’s yelling READ ME as we speak. Plus, you can read before the adaption (indeed I am SO EXCITED!!)

 

“Remind myself that there is no saving of people —people can only save themselves. The best you can do is help when they’re ready.”

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“Have you ever looked forward to reading a book so much you can’t actually start it?”

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“Your brain can do amazing stuff to protect itself from pain,” Mo tells me. “But it’ll struggle to keep secrets from the rest of you for long.”

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“Who’d have thought — you say something true enough times, you try hard enough, and maybe it sinks in.”

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“People struggle to see it’s not about whether she’s going to die – palliative care isn’t just a place you go to slowly slip away. More people live and leave than die on our wards. It is about being comfortable for the duration of something necessary and painful. Making bad times easier.”

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“The last time I was on a cruise it was through the Greek islands with Justin, and I was positively glowing with love and post-sex hormones. Now, huddled in a corner with three Aldi bags of knitting needles, crochet hooks and wool, accompanied by an ex-hippy and a sardine sandwich, I can no longer deny the fact that my life has taken a turn for the worse.”

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“You’re lovely, and I will never hurt you how he hurt you. (That part was me.) Leon xx”

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“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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“It was never home until you were there, Tiffy.”

HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? WHAT DID YOU THINK? WHO WAS YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER? HAVE YOU READ ANY OTHER BOOKS FROM THIS AUTHOR? I’D LOVE TO KNOW!