Beth O'Leary - The Flatshare

Published : 2019

400 Pages

Reading time : 5 - 10 March 2020

Rating : 5/5

"Tiffy and Leon share a flat

Tiffy and Leon share a bed

Tiffy and Leon have never met"

This was not the first time I read a book with dual point of view. But damn, the writing for those two were very different. You could see how difference their character from it. At first, it was kinda hard for me to get used to Leon's part because of the writing. I mean, no pronouns, really? I have to read multiple times his paragraph just to get it sometimes. But I'm glad I make it through the end. It was fun to see how his character changing little by little through his writing. Anyway, Tiffy was a cheerful, energetic girl while Leon was a shy introvert boy (Gosh, I love this kind of pairing).

Okay, get to the story, I really love how we get the view of their surrounding. Their job, friends, family (Leon's) and their relationship with their own partners. I have to say, when I first open this book, I didn't except even just a little bit for the book to have a deeper story in it. Yet, SURPRISE!! You'll get a bit about being in the wrong time and place that could make you being falsely-accused, AND!!

*drum roll*

Gaslighting.

Leon dealing with his brother in the jail, trying to search for the right judgement left me a question: will this be the only other conflict beside (not really) sharing a bed and falling in love slowly? Turned out Tiffy have been trapped in her own problem without realizing it. Her ex-boyfriend have been gaslighting her and oh my God, I really love the insight of how it could do to us. Poor Tiffy was so traumatized because of it. I really love being able to see how much impact it could do and how supportive their friends (AND LEON!!!) to help her. This topic was like a really nice surprise for me because I really didn't expect it and it was like an epiphany for me.

I also love how Tiffy and Leon's interaction took off when they bumped into each other the first time!! And when Leon rescue her from being drowned and took care of her afterwards (YES, I'M A SUCKER OF THIS KIND OF THING!).

As much as the last conflict that would bring them together in the end being so cliche, I really didn't mind because I need a bit more of angst for them, of course. Then ending is too cheesy but I don't blame it because I was grinning too much my cheek hurt when I read it.

Anyway, I think, the big plus was the gaslighting, being wrapped in this kind of story was a fresh thing for me. Plus you know that I love this kind of story (living under the same roof, LOL).