The Flatshare

February 15, 2019
Two London roommates with an unconventional bed-sharing situation get to know--and then fall for--each other via Post-it notes before they ever meet.When Tiffy Moore finally leaves her emotionally abusive, manipulative boyfriend, she needs a cheap place to live ASAP. Leon Twomey, meanwhile, needs money to help get his brother out of prison after a wrongful conviction, so he's looking for a roommate. The catch? They'll be sharing a bed--just not at the same time. Leon works the night shift as a palliative care nurse, meaning he's only at the apartment during the day, while his roommate can have it during nights and weekends. Tiffy's so desperate that she agrees to this unconventional arrangement even though she and Leon haven't even met in person. They start communicating via Post-its left throughout the apartment, and by the time they finally meet in person (in a hilarious shower scene), they've already started to fall for each other. As they get to know each other better and even become friends, they have to decide if they're willing to risk their perfect living arrangement to take a chance on love. Tiffy and Leon could easily become clichéd characters--Tiffy the quirkily dressed woman with a publishing job, Leon the taciturn night-shift worker who avoids friendships--but debut author O'Leary perfectly captures their unique voices. The story is a delight from start to finish, full of eccentric side characters (including Tiffy's friends and co-workers) and sexual tension. Although the romantic comedy elements are always at the forefront, there are plenty of moving moments, especially concerning Leon's job and Tiffy's quest to overcome the abuse and trauma of her past relationship. With likable main characters, spot-on dialogue, a fun premise, and plenty of drama, there's a lot to like in this sweet story.A warm, enchanting love story perfect for fans of classic rom-coms.

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March 11, 2019
Set in the UK, O’Leary’s clever debut follows the unlikely romance between two flatmates. Assistant editor Tiffy Moore, who is trying to get over a breakup, and Leon Twomey, who works night shifts at a hospice clinic, agree to live together, though they never run into one another, as their schedules don’t overlap. Instead of speaking to one another, Tiffy and Leon communicate by leaving notes about menial things—whose food is whose, when trash night is, etc. In parallel plots, Tiffy tries to overcome the traumatic memories of her emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend, Justin, who strung her along for months while cheating on her. Meanwhile, Leon diligently tries to reopen his imprisoned brother’s robbery case. It’s only when Tiffy is running late one morning that the two meet—in the shower. Suddenly more interested in each another, Tiffy and Leon find that they are able to help each other in exactly the way the other needs. Somewhat conveniently, Tiffy has just the friend to help Leon with his brother’s legal troubles, and Leon is just the person to help Tiffy recover from her breakup. O’Leary’s story packs plenty of laughs and gasps; fans of Bridget Jones’s Diary will want to give this a look.

Starred review from May 1, 2019

DEBUT In this delightful book, Tiffy needs to find a new living situation. Preferably today, as her ex-boyfriend has been bringing around his new girlfriend to the flat. Leon needs to scrape up money for an attorney for his brother, who has been wrongfully convicted of a burglary. These two are a match made in heaven and decide to share a flat--but there's a twist. Leon, who works nights, will have the only bed in the flat during the day; Tiffy will sleep in the bed at night. To make all of this less awkward, they agree to leave the flat during the hours of the other person's occupancy. Tiffy and Leon still have to communicate, which they do via notes scribbled to each other. VERDICT This charming debut features lovely characters being nice to one another. It's easy to root for them to get together and solve the problems in each of their lives. Be prepared to hand-sell this one. It's a sweet romance that will win over readers once they discover it on the shelves.--Jennifer Mills, Shorewood-Troy Lib., IL

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2019
Tiffy has broken up with her boyfriend and needs a flat, stat. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so Tiffy accepts a flatshare with Leon, a night nurse. According to the ad, the two will be ships passing in the night, with Tiffy being in the flat in the evenings and weekends, and Leon being there during the weekday daytime hours. The arrangement starts innocently enough, with communication via Post-It note. Then a friendship begins to form, and then more, despite the fact that they haven't met?until they do. O'Leary's debut is a sweet, quirky novel about two complete opposites falling for one another under the cutest of circumstances. Her storytelling includes fiery hot love scenes (in a castle no less) and then dives deep into the effects of emotional abuse. Accompanied by a cast of well-developed side characters?like a brother in prison and an oversharing best friend?Tiffy and Leon's (sexual) tension-filled ride to their eventual meeting is perfect for fans of Helen Hoang's The Kiss Quotient (2018) and Sally Thorne's The Hating Game (2016).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)