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chalkletters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The Flatshare is very unlike those instalove romance novels where the characters are immediately and overwhelmingly attracted to one another and can’t stop thinking about getting intimate. Tiffy and Leon’s only understanding of the other’s appearance comes from Facebook photos, descriptions and context clues. Needless to say, their attraction builds slowly, and is based on personality rather than physical chemistry.
The epistolary elements came as a very pleasant surprise. While Tiffy and Leon’s notes aren’t as amusingly eccentric as Jaclyn Moriarty’s use of post-it notes, they are full of character. Beth O’Leary distinguishes between her two characters’ voices excellently, though the switch between Tiffy’s effusiveness and Leon’s spare use of words can be a little jarring.
As is probably necessary in a story where the two leads can’t meet face-to-face, both Tiffy and Leon have a number of things going on in their lives outside their interest in one another. While Tiffy’s life as an assistant editor is rather more glamorous (and involves rather less actual work) than is realistic, Leon’s relationship with his brother is a foundational element of the novel. All the threads of plot and subplot are woven together expertly, with Tiffy having a place in Leon’s stories, as well as he in hers.
The climatic misunderstanding, necessary in all romance novels, involves a huge heaping of dramatic irony. It’s certainly tense enough to keep readers on the edge of their seat, though whether that’s pleasurable or painful might depend on individual tastes. The ending is predictable, of course, but effective and very sweet.
This was a fun change of pace for me, and I appreciated how easy to read it was at a time of year which can be pretty hectic.
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, and War
em_davies7019's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cancer, Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Chronic illness, Medical content, Abandonment, and Alcohol
norwegianforestreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, and Classism
bwbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
livruther's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Medical content, and Stalking
Minor: Body shaming and Racism
thebankofbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Chronic illness and Panic attacks/disorders
tatianars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
capybooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Blood, and Alcohol
ellariawrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Moderate: Medical content and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness
erinosgood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moreover, I felt truly compelled to keep reading. The plot and romance went hand in hand - it didn't feel as if one was sidelined in favour of the other, but that a creative logic was applied in making things fall into place.
My only caveats lie with the occasionally clichéd writing that feels a little too Bridget Jones for my taste, but that's just personal preference. I also wondered at times if O'Leary could have explored the supporting characters in a little more depth - yes, I cared the most about the romantic leads, but it's a pet peeve when best friends and colleagues seem to exist purely to further the protagonist's narrative. This isn't the case here, but I feel like there was potential for a little more depth, namely with Mo and Gerty. Nevertheless, will definitely read again when I need something light!
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Minor: Chronic illness