The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

“It’s weird how easily you can get to know someone from the traces they leave behind when they go.” - Beth O’Leary, The Flatshare

This book is so effing wholesome. It’s exactly the much-needed dose of sweetness for this chaotic time. Honestly, I might get cavities just from reading this sugary, fluffy, cutesy romance. It's been such a long time since I last read a romantic novel, let alone one that I can relate to. When I was in high school, romance was the only genre that I read, and I guess I kinda reached my saturation point. So The Flatshare took me by surprise as it reminded me how joyous reading romance could be.

The book revolves around the two protagonists: Tiffy and Leon. They share an apartment, but their arrangement is a little bit unconventional, to say the least. Leon occupies the one-bedroom apartment during the day (He is a palliative care nurse who works night shifts), and for the rest of the day, the apartment is Tiffy’s. Although they don’t get to see each other, Tiffy and Leon find their way of communication: through Post-it notes and leftovers.

For me, the concept of getting to know somebody through the “traces” of their lives is riveting and original. It’s a nice break from the usual tropes in romantic novels. Moreover, it’s refreshing to read a romance book that is not solely about the love story of the protagonists. In The Flatshare, both Tiffy and Leon have their personal lives with their own friends, careers, and aspirations. By the way, speaking of friends, the side characters are also marvellous. They are well fleshed out and multifaceted with great character developments. If I have to choose my favourite one, I’ll probably go for Tiffy. Although I was initially sceptical of her (because she seems like another cliché “quirky” female lead), her character gradually grows on me as the story unfolds. Her quirkiness seems genuine, not too forced or exaggerated. Instead of shoving into our faces that her heroine is eccentric and “not like the other girls,” the author clearly puts a lot of effort into building a realistic female protagonist with minor (but adorable) foibles and a convincing backstory.

Overall, I’m so glad that I picked up this book. Considering that this is her debut novel, I’ll definitely check out her other works. If you are looking for a light-hearted romance book with an incredibly cute and hilarious cast of characters, I’ll happily recommend The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary to you. Happy reading!