Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

55 reviews

r3ader's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

To be honest it took me some time to get used to the way Leon's chapters were written, but after some time and understanding why it was written like that, I got used to it. 

I had no idea what deep subjects are in this book, but I was positively surprised. 

In the beginning I was kinda annoyed by Tiffy, but learning with her about her past and her changing makes you look on the beginning differently. 

Over all, while I am not a total fan of the writing in Leon's parts, I really enjoyed this book and finished it quickly, because you can hardly stop reading!

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sabrina0_venus's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


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sarahholliday's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Beth O'Leary does it again! I think I will always listen to her books (rather than read physical copies) because the narrators are always delightful and it really gives insight into the characters' personalities, which are what shine so brightly in O'Leary's stories.

I appreciate how tightly plotted this story is—the story isn't rushed, and there are several smaller, subtler story lines that are just as fleshed out as the main narrative. I think the only element I wish was more fleshed out is Leon's relationship with Kay. It seemed like O'Leary was implying that their relationship, if not as abusive as Tiffy and Justin's, was at least problematic and a bit toxic towards the end. It would've been nice to see that discussed a bit more, especially as a means of Tiffy and Leon bonding over shared experiences.

The Flatshare is filled with poignant insights, laugh-out-loud humor, and the kind of happy ending that feels grounded in reality. A total win.

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frantically's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Definitely one of my 2023 highlights and one of my new favourite romances! Never did I think I would say this about a book where it takes the mc's SO long to actually meet but it worked so well and the post its oh god!! so in love. 

Tiffy is such a relatable character for me, especially when it comes to thinking about her size/body and I appreciated that much. 

The way Leon worries for Tiffy? Peak whump. So much suffering but also! so much love, so it was fine xoxo

This book had me laughing out loud while I was in bed sick and I could gush about it for forever but give it a chance! The writing style in Leon's chapters always made me DNF but it fits so well into the book and really just adds it's own magic, I promise!

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jackiie's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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immovabletype's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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ewalkergrace's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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theirgracegrace's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The Flatshare was my book club's first book of 2023 and I will say that I was not initially thrilled with the idea of a romance novel. That was shattered when I actually started reading it! The characters are loveable and real in a very millennial way, the "arrangement" in the heart of the plot is a bit on the nose, and the subplots are where a lot of the most interesting action happens. The "side" plot of Tiffy's
gaslighting and abuse by Justin
caught me off guard, as it reasonably would, and became the most emotionally charged part of the book for me. All in all, an incredible work and one I will love to reread!

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laheath's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Enjoyable romance and more, told from alternating POV's. After leaving an emotionally-abusive relationship, Tiffy needs an inexpensive place to live and the only option within her budget is sharing an apartment with Leon, a palliative care nurse. More specifically, with one working days and the other working nights, they have set hours to occupy the apartment, meaning they may never meet though they sleep in the same bed. They begin leaving friendly notes to each other, then finally meet under embarrassing circumstances and sparks fly. As they learn more about the struggles the other is facing, they're able to see beyond themselves to help the other.

Initially, the living arrangement seemed bizarre, but not only did they make it work, it made sense for them. There were a few secondary characters causing some tense scenes, as the book addresses serious issues such as emotional abuse, gaslighting, a loved one in prison, and hospice, but also several laugh out loud moments thanks to the supportive, and sometimes quirky, family and friends of the MC's. 

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laurajordensharris's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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