The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary

“Tiffy & Leon share a bed

Tiffy & Leon have never met…” (Beth O’Leary: The Flat Share, 2019)

The debut novel by Beth O’Leary is a heart-warming and uplifting read, immersing you into the world of Tiffy and Leon from the very first page.

I struggled to put this novel down from the instant I picked it up. I became engrossed in Tiffy and Leon’s stories individually and as they developed a relationship through their notes between each other.

Tiffy is an editor at an independent publishing house in London, specialising in craft and DIY books. The novel commences with Tiffy looking around a flat, needing to move out of her ex-boyfriend’s place after their breakup. But with Tiffy’s low income she can’t afford much, especially with London prices, and has to choose between a dingy run down flat or flat share with a complete stranger.

Leon is looking for someone to share his flat so he can get some extra money, with his brother in prison and needing to pay off the bills for his lawyer, money is tight. Working night shifts and spending any other free time at his girlfriend’s place, he knows that someone working a normal 9 to 5 would fit perfectly into sharing his flat and he’d never have to worry about them crossing paths with each other.

The classic romance genre with intimate, personal moments between the two characters is juxtaposed with the two parallel lives of Tiffy and Leon as they live amongst the others’ belongings. The gradually increasing want for them to meet is heightened as they share the apartment without coming into contact with the each other for the first few months and at times creates a sense of longing and urgency as they become dangerously close to meeting. Though when they finally do meet it doesn’t disappoint.

I couldn’t help but laugh at their first encounter, the cliché event making me cringe from second-hand embarrassment and feel happy that their paths have finally crossed. It’s an accidental walk in when the other is showering encounter, that instantly ignites a spark between them and from that moment their post-it notes are suddenly more than just a bridge between them. The represent a deeper connection and care for the other.

The idea of a flat share seems to be the perfect fit for both Tiffy and Leon until feelings get involved. With crazy ex boyfriends, castle getaways and a lot of crochet this novel is packed full of adventure, excitement and hope for Tiffy and Leon as they embark on a future together.

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Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this recommendation. Please let me know your thoughts on the novel if you have read it! The edition that I have referenced is available for purchase on Amazon: Beth O’Leary, The Flat Share, (London: Quercus Editions Ltd, 2020)

~ Mary