Equal parts quirky and charming, this story will slowly capture your heart and never let go. The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary is a refreshing love story, filled with heart and plot twists that will leave you entirely enamored. I give The Flatshare an overall rating of 4-stars. Keep reading to hear all about it!
The story follows two protagonists, Tiffany (Tiffy) and Leon. Leon is in desperate need of extra money and Tiffy is in immediate need of a new apartment. Together they find the perfect solution: the flatshare. The two share the same living space, even the same bed, but only in shifts at separate times. Through post-it notes and shared leftovers, the two form a friendship that will eventually have an exponential impact on both of their lives.
This story happens through the eyes of both protagonists, and the difference between Leon and Tiffy's writing styles were dramatic. Tiffy's is wordier and more explanatory than Leon's, who writes in short and incomplete sentences. To my frustration, Leon's chapters had many missing words and an atypical flow to them. This technique of a spit narrative creates for some excellent dramatic irony later, as well as differentiating the two voices throughout the novel. It also opened up an opportunity for delayed gratification, perhaps even more so than with only one narrator. The reader gets some satisfaction from that dramatic irony of knowing more than the characters do, and therefore the author can draw the tension out even longer without the reader getting bored or annoyed.
Tiffy and Leon are not your typical love story counterparts. They are not the average stunning woman who doesn't know it, opposite a beautiful man who is secretly sensitive. I also loved that the two were not initially attracted to each other, but instead, build a relationship based on friendship first, and become attracted to each other later based on more than just their appearances. I also appreciated that Leon was a sensitive quiet type, rather than overflowing in masculinity with a tough exterior, which is common for male characters within this genre. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy those stories and characters immensely too, but it is so lovely to get some variety.
If an indie rom-com is your movie of choice, this is the type of book you are going to enjoy. The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary certainly won my heart and kept my romance reading streak alive. If you enjoyed this book, I recommend you check out The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang or Wish You Were Here by Renee Carlino. Until next time, happy reading!
Yours Literarily,
Lauren.
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