The Flatshare

Tiffy needs somewhere new to live but her editorial job at a hobby-based publisher just doesn't pay enough. After viewing the dregs of the London rental market she answers an ad for someone who wants to share a bed... Leon is a palliative care nurse who works nights and only needs the flat when the rest of the world is at work. What could go wrong?

Ahhh such a warm and fuzzy book with a serious centre! The idea behind The Flatshare is not that far fetched and it is one of the most honest books on the state of living in London that I've read. Young publishing professionals are definitely not living by themselves in central London. Tiffy and Leon start communicating through post-it notes left around the flat, slowly getting to know each other before they've even met.

Tiffy has just come out of an emotionally abusive relationship, although she isn't aware of how bad it what. It raises the issue of gaslighting, making someone doubt themselves so much they start believing a different version of reality. Through the help of her friends, Tiffy starts to realise just how controlling her ex was.

The last time I was on a cruise it was through the Greek islands with Justin, and I was positively glowing with love and post-sex hormones. Now, huddled in a corner with three Aldi bags of knitting needles, crochet hooks and wool, accompanied by an ex-hippy and a sardine sandwich, I can no longer deny the fact that my life has taken a turn for the worse.

Leon's adorable. He is renting out his bed because he needs extra money to pay for his brother's appeal. He's not a big talker, preferring to spend time with his ill patients than the outside world. His narrative is distinguished from Tiffy's by his lack of first person pronouns, making his voice seem really natural.

Tiffy's job means she spends a lot of time discussing, and modelling, crochet and the book is filled with humorous incidents from her small publisher life. It starts off pretty light hearted but as it goes on, gets more serious.