Welcome to Litsy!

This was the final book of my honeymoon TBR and it was SO GOOD. The description doesn‘t give it justice — this book covers some heavy stuff. But it‘s also a book that has two people falling for each other without having ever met, which allows their friendship to develop first and the physical attraction to come later. (This is a romance; these are not spoilers! 😂)

CW: emotional abuse

#WinterGames #TBRRead #TeamFestivus

" Remind myself that there is no saving of people--people can only save themselves. The best you can do is help when they're ready.”
― Beth O'Leary, The Flatshare

I was expecting a light romance, but instead I got a multilayered story of two real, complicated people who fall in love through unconventional means. I really liked the premise and the characters‘ journeys. I‘d love to read a sequel, or a book about the friends!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Really liked this one - bargain today #99ponkindle

This book had a sub plot line I was not anticipating ( TW: domestic violence and emotional abuse), sometimes this can come off as insincere in romances, but this read as genuine and relatable. The characters are flawed but loveable. #romantsy

Loved this one! What a sweet lovely story! Read it

I've been trying to eat healthier and decided to try the whole cauliflower rice thing tonight... The result: this mushroom and cauliflower risotto. It actually ended up being surprisingly tasty! 🙈😋

On a bookish note, I'm reading The Flatshare right now and I'm definitely enjoying it so far. I do hate Tilly's behavior towards Justin though! Seriously frustrating. 🤐

Adorable. A super fun rom-com and audiobook with English accents. Definitely recommend!

This is seriously one adorable book, with heavier undertones. Very well done - the audio too. #scarathlon 6pts to #teamslaughter also, #bbrc #growup #newin2019

Trying to stay awake to finish this book.
#readingproblems

This one caught me completely by surprise. I was expecting an easy romance and instead it had a lot more depth. It hit a little too close to home at times as someone I‘m close to is dealing with the same kind of emotional abuse discussed in the book. I loved the two different POVs and was delighted by Leon & Tiffy‘s notes to each other. In addition to two great main characters, I loved the supporting cast of friends & Leon‘s imprisoned brother.

I loved the premise of sharing an apartment but never meeting, all the while communicating through notes. But I felt like the stage of them getting to know each other wasn‘t given enough detail, so the build up to their ultimate meeting felt somewhat anticlimactic. The side stories with the brother and the obsessive ex also felt like filler at times. There was potential here, but it didn‘t completely hit the mark in my eyes.

Loved this book! Couldn‘t wait to read it and then was sad when it was over. Would be a great movie. Leon and tiffy were adorable together. Hope this author will write more books.

Gotta say it exceeded my expectations.

I thought this book was really great. It was unique and fun and the characters were so engrossing. The side stories really moved the story along and it was a quick read with a very satisfying storyline and ending. I definitely recommend this one!

I‘m very picky about British literature, but as the Brits might say, I‘ll give this one a go.

So, this is the dumbest premise for a romance, very contrived even after reading the note at the end. That being said, this is a good one. It‘s not a mindless romance - it deals with emotional abuse, the aftermath, PTSD and the problems with the judicial system - all while making me care about a crochet book and gay WWII soldiers. It was a lot, but it worked so well, once it gets going. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 1/2

“...it just makes them compliment me on my ‘proportions‘ a lot. I think what they‘re really saying is ‘Gosh, you‘re big, but without being particularly fat!‘ or, ‘Well done on being tall but not lanky!‘ Or perhaps, ‘You are confusing my gender norms by being very woman-shaped despite the fact that you are the height and width of an average male!‘”

Loving this book! Easy, light, fun, and endearing. Just returned from London...makes it that more enjoyable.

The Flatshare by Beth O‘Leary is an enjoyable and light hearted read. I‘d call it cosy; perfect with a cup of tea, a warm duvet, and not too much distraction. I wouldn‘t call it gripping, and it‘s certainly not a masterpiece, but the storyline is original, and romantic in a more real life way than other rom coms, and their are some of the best side plots you‘ll ever come across (Mr Prior/Johnny White)

I did not want this book to end! I wanted more of tiffy and leon. I loved everything about them - it left me with a smile on my face.

I cannot day enough wonderful things about this book. I absolutely loved it. It does switch around POVs but that‘s not off putting. Such a great story. And the girl lead is not some push over powder puff. ❤️❤️❤️

After a recommendation found on #modernmrsdarcy im digging into this one!

A fun listen about two people that share an apartment but have such different schedules that they literally never see each other. They fall in love over a bunch of post-it notes messages. I enjoyed the side story of the brother in prison. Of course, the first time the roommates meet is cliched, but it is a rom-com. The female voice acting really elevated the enjoyment of the novel for me.

I only finished three books in August, unfortunately, but that was largely due to how busy I was during the first half of the month. I do most of my reading on my days off, and for three weeks straight I worked 6/7 days. I did start 4 other books during August that I didn‘t finish, which should give me a a good head start on September.

This was...cute. It sort of lost its luster for me once they stopped communicating via Post-it and I found the manner in which Leon‘s chapters were written to be sort of odd. Having said that, it‘s sweet and would probably make a good chick flick. 3⭐️

Enjoyable closed door romance that had a different spin on the usual romance novels that I have read this summer. Very enjoyable!

Came across this on Libby, as a “skip-the-line” loan. Since it‘s a shortened loan duration, I‘m starting it immediately. Hopefully I can be a bit more reading in before I crash for the night.

#summersendreadathon

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - such a fun concept that was executed well. Both main characters were very likable, and it was nice that Tiffy had good friends who weren't just "crazy sidekick" stereotypes. The drama with Tiffy's ex did seem to go a tad overboard, but overall this was a fun read and an excellent debut.

Usually Sunday is my quiet day to organize the upcoming week, but this past Sunday was packed end-to-end, and it's left me feeling off-kilter ever since! A very busy week all around, but sometimes that's just how life is. I've been thoroughly enjoying reading this book whenever I have a second - for some reason it reminds me of Rainbow Rowell's Attachments, and I can't explain why!!

I only have 5 more days with this book before it is due back at the library, so I started it in the car wash today.

Sneaking in a cup of coffee and some reading before I head into the office for a few hours today (Monday is normally my day off).

Evening reading 😊

Got my errands all done early today so now I am settling down to read a bit before I need to finish my chores. I have had this book on hold from #Libby for so long and it‘s finally come it, so I am super excited to start this!

Loving the sun, but it‘s soooo windy right now that I‘ve got goosebumps on my legs!

#AyUpAugust
The #pillowtalk in this contemporary romance, is mostly by post-it note, left on the pillow of the bed they share, yet they‘ve never met!
A perfect book to throw in your hand luggage/beach bag, this charming British rom-com is full of really likable characters.
The premise is ridonkulous, but the resulting post-it relationship of the 1st half is cute, and Tiffy and Leon just made me smile on every single page. A fun summer romp. 🧠🍬

What a gloriously romantic write. The concept sounded rather outlandish to start... but you quickly warm up to the idea. Enjoyed being a fly on the wall seeing it all come together. Delightfully good!!!

It‘s fun to experience a rom-com unfold to its happy ending, and I thought the shared flat scenario for this one was intriguing.
Also, it successfully addresses a serious issue (gaslighting) using a comical perspective. It could help readers who are burdened with this kind of emotional abuse.

Very cute and well written. Liked that it was told from 2 perspectives

I‘m glad I didn‘t notice the “new Jojo Moyes” blurb on the cover until after I had finished listening to this, since I felt so-so about the only Moyes I‘ve read, Me Before You. (I‘m romance averse, as you may have noticed.) I really enjoyed O‘Leary‘s jaunty wit and the deft way she handles a serious topic: emotionally abusive relationships. The alternating voices are performed by Carrie Hope Fletcher and Kwaku Fortune in this engaging #audiobook.

I stop dead in my tracks. Someone behind me walked into me and swears. Stopping abruptly in central London is a heinous crime and immediately gives the people around you permission to kick you.

@monalyisha thank you for your #flatshareandsharealike #giveaway. You are so generous.

My recommendation isn‘t exactly cute, but there is a beautiful love story in The Summer Country. Actually two of them.

Thank you so much @monalyisha for hosting this awesome #FlatShareAndShareAlike #giveaway This book sounds amazing!!

For my recommendation I would like to submit Finding Fraser by KC Dyer. It is a super cute read about a woman that goes on the search for her own Jamie Fraser, I loved it!!

I really loved the sweet, innocent romance in The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy. For something more recent there's I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella! #FlatshareAndShareAlike

#FlatshareAndShareAlike is promoting a giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity to play @monalyisha

1. The Flatshare. I'm actually hosting a giveaway of the book (#FlatShareAndShareAlike) but no one's entered! If I still have nobody by Sunday, I might just end it a day early & give it to my friend who's visiting.
2. “Alyish da Feesh.“ 🐟 (I really love/d to swim).
3. Veggie samosas; buffalo cauliflower; calamari.
4. Working on Saturday then attending a friend's bridal shower; visiting with a childhood friend on Sunday.
5. Dos!
#FriYayIntro

I‘ve been listening to the tagged audiobook while I pit millions of sour cherries from my garden. Made jam this morning. Currently preparing a big jar of preserved cherries that involves 3 stages: a week in vinegar, a week in sugar, then they are dried. (Side products are cherry vinegar and cherry syrup.)

How I Spent My Summer Vacation (well, July, anyway):

July reading recap: 22 (not including bailed: 4)

**********

*4-star reads (in order of reading)*

The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver (reread)

Red, White & Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston

The Flatshare, Beth O'Leary

The Lager Queen of Minnesota, J. Ryan Stradal

[see comment for more]

So sweet, somewhat fluffy, unexpected, and adorable! I read several reviews that said it is slow in the beginning, so I was prepared going in. I felt the exact same, and also thought about bailing out. I'm glad I kept going because it got really sweet, and more of a page turner later on. I enjoyed this #romance even though I never read this genre. #audiobook #libby #romantsy #librarybook

I read this after seeing great reviews in a fb book club group. It started a little slow for me, I was very close to not continuing on, but with so many people saying they loved it, I had to see what the hype was about. This was definitely a good book, I enjoyed the main storyline and the side story involving the brother. There were certain times that I could not stop reading, but other parts were just ok. In the end, I would recommend this book.

#Giveaway alert!

I finished The Flatshare poolside today. Aside from one drip-drop of water from the ends of my chlorinated hair (which landed on the naked cover) & a couple of dog-eared pages, it‘s NEW. It could be yours!

Rules:
1) Share this photo.
2) Tag me & hashtag #FlatshareAndShareAlike.
3) Recommend a recent fiction book with an adorable love story.
4) No Christina Lauren (I‘ve read them).
5) US only (💸).

Winner announced Mon, 8/5/19!