*spoilers ahead*
The Flatshare is the perfect feel-good book, making it one of my favourite books this year. With all the depressing news of COVID, I found myself in a reading slump struggling to pick up any book. I decided to go for The Flatshare as it had great reviews and I wanted something light-hearted to take my mind off anything stressful, and it did just that!
This book has an interesting premise whereby Leon, one of the main characters, is on the search for a new flatmate as he is in desperate need of the money. But, not only is this a flatshare, but a bed share too. Initially, I found this a rather unrealistic situation one would put themself in, especially as Leon had a girlfriend who could have helped with this situation. However, you soon learn that with Leon being a nurse who does night shifts he would only be in the flat during the day to sleep, leaving the other flatmate to have the place to their self during the night. Tiffy, the other main character, is finally leaving her toxic ex-boyfriend, Justin, and needs a place to stay. But with being on minimum wage in her job in publishing she is struggling to find anything on her own. Tiffy becomes the perfect flatmate as she works 9-5, the exact time Leon would be at home, with Leon leaving for work as soon as Tiffy is done at work, so the two would have their space in the flat.
Not only did I find the concept of a flatshare unusual with two strangers living together, but the fact that when Tiffy got in contact with Leon, Leon did not meet Tiffy himself, leaving it to his girlfriend to decide whether Tiffy would be suitable. It was months before Tiffy and Leon met, despite living in the same flat and sharing the same bed, albeit at different times. However, their way of communication before meeting in person was endearing. They both would write each other notes and leave them around the flat, each time becoming more personal, with the characters consonantly looking forward to the other person’s notes. From these, the reader gained a huge insight into the personalities of these characters.
The writing of The FlatShare instantly reminded me of Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella in terms of the quick humour and wittiness. I grew to love Leon and Tiffy and even though it is not surprising that the two became romantically intertwined, you hope this happens right from the start as they both deserve happiness. I enjoyed how the chapters alternated in Tiffy and Leon’s perspectives. The sub-characters, including Kay (Leon’s girlfriend at the start of the book), and Tiffy’s best friends Mo and Gerty, as well as Justin, are well developed and interesting throughout. I quickly took a disliking to Kay, Leon’s girlfriend, as she was not supportive of Leon and so it was very satisfying when they broke up later in the book.
My dad likes to say, ‘Life is never simple’. This is one of his favourite aphorisms.
I actually think it’s incorrect. Life is often simple, but you don’t notice how simple it was until it gets incredibly complicated, like how you never feel grateful for being well until you’re ill, or how you never appreciate your tights drawer until you rip a pair and have no spares.
The FlatShare
However, the only aspect I struggled with initially was that there were no speech marks for when Leon’s perspective was told in every other chapter. This reminded me a lot of Normal People by Sally Rooney which I disliked, but it was easier to adjust in The FlatShare. This may be because it was only used for Leon and not Tiffy and so it was refreshing to have the different styles when the chapters changed. O’Leary’s writing is also very well-paced, therefore it wasn’t confusing to keep track on whose perspective was being told at one time.
Whilst romance was the main theme throughout the story, the situation regarding Leon’s brother, Richie, being in prison is also very well done. Initially, you are not sure whether to believe Leon’s trust of innocence in his brother or to relate more to Kay’s perspective, who believes Richie is guilty and Leon should move on. When Tiffy learns of this and gets Gerty (who is a lawyer) to help, this is the beginning of Leon and Tiffy’s blossoming relationship. Alongside this we also join Leon’s journey on finding one of his patient’s long-lost love, travelling around the country to find the true Jonny White. This is another way Tiffy and Leon get closer, as they go together to Brighton to meet the potential lover. As Leon also learnt more about Tiffy’s ex-boyfriend, both the reader and Leon become increasingly protective over Tiffy and hope she is strong enough not to go back to him.
O’Leary should be credited in her ability to raise awareness in how destructive emotionally abusive relationships can be. As the reader you find yourself going on a journey with Tiffy to discover just how manipulative Justin was, constantly gaslighting her even after they had broken up. The watershed to this was when Tiffy was at a book launch being congratulated on stage and Justin publicly proposes to her on stage, despite not having been in contact for months. Without Tiffy saying a word, Justin turns to the audience and exclaims that Tiffy said yes, all conveniently being filmed online by an influencer Justin had paid.
Whilst rather predictable, I was really glad the book had a happy ending, especially Justin who later got arrested and so he got the justice he deserved. Richie’s innocence was proved and Leon and Tiffy’s relationship grew increasingly stronger. The book had the perfect ending with Leon proposing to Tiffy, with her friends and families blessing, back in Brighton where they had first properly bonded.
It was never home until you were there, Tiffy.
The FlatShare
I have a soft spot for Brighton as it is one of my favourite places, but this made the book all the more heart-warming. I would definitely recommend The FlatShare for anyone looking for a charming story and I’m looking forward to reading more of O’Leary’s books – I have already added The Switch to my wish-list!
5/5 stars
Soph's Library 