Switched

Wow, just wow. This is a story about friendship and love. I cried several times reading this book. I couldn't put it down.

The two MCs Isreal and Sam have been best friends since they were teenagers. Iz learns that he was switched at birth with another boy named Nick. We take this journey with Isreal as he meets his birth mother and deals with the parents that raised him. Thru it all Sam is his anchor. When Iz feels like his life is spinning out he has Sam. The bond between them was so sweet. I hope and pray everyone has a Sam! Someone you can cry ugly with and who loves you unconditionally. It was real, raw and so damn good!

What a wonderful, touching, warm story this is! N. R. Walker is rapidly becoming one of my very favorite authors. Her characters are likeable, relatable, and often vulnerable in a way that you cannot help but love them. This is a tale with heart. I laughed, got angry and yes, even shed a tear or two. This is a book about the most basic human feelings, but also a very interesting storyline. I absolutely loved Izzy and Sam, and I loved this book. Very highly recommended.

DISCLAIMER: The following review was originally posted on my book blog The Book Challengers (link in bio).

I don't think I have the words to express how sorry I am that I didn't fall head over heels in love with this story as it should be right up my alley with every single thing. There's genuine friendship before happily ever after and there's some slow burn. PLUS there's a guy who was literally switched at birth but there's no supernatural-paranormal element in the story! But for some reason I just couldn't get into it the way I wished to.

I *know* that there are people out there who cry when they're sad and when they're mad and when they're happy and whenever the tear ducts fail. I understand that Israel's life was a bit difficult at that time, BUT I do not get it when someone cries at all sort of things like Israel and his birth mother did. And, really, FFS, cut down on the crying!!! Please.

The other thing that didn't really work for me, was maybe Israel's dependency on Sam who encouraged it every step of the way. Yes, life is hard, but maybe one should be more independent and not rely so much on a single person.

The writing is good. Really good. I think that Sam and Israel are hopelessly adorable together. ... At first. I wish there was more of scenes where one can see how good Sam and Israel are together. And the scene when the guys are truthful about their feelings for each other for the first time? SWOON! When they got together-together, it unfortunately kind of fell flat for me a bit. It was a bit too... clean and easy after YEARS of liking from Sam's part at least, maybe? Or maybe it was just the fact that I was really tired and fighting sleep... Who knows...

Two boys switched at birth. Twenty six years pass before the mistake is found. Israel is raised by two cold parents. He always felt left out. The mistake makes him confront all his misgivings. I loved every page. I admired Is for standing up to his father. This is truly a special book. I hope a second one is in the works.

When Isreal finds out he was switched at birth, it changes everything. From a life empty of family to a life full of hope and potential, this was a heartwarming journey through pain and forgiveness. Learning that it's not all your fault, that your parents are human and have their own pains is not easy. But if you are willing to take a chance, wonderful things can happen. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. N.R. Walker is an amazing author who I heartily recommend.

This is one the warmest, lovingist stories I have read! The characters as always were real and they popped - the story was "warm an fuzzy" yet so real as many families experience so much dysfunction. The resolving of the problems in a timely manner not instantaneously, but with thoughtful little steps was awesome. The story was great and the sex was hot, but the love between Iz and Sam, as well as the rest of the family was great. I loved this story!

This is another great read from Ms. Walker. I had purchased this book a while ago but was saving it for just the right moment. Her books are always a great read and truly inspiring and this one is no exception . I loved how the characters move from friendship to lovers and how they work through the family drama together. I will never be able to hear Tracy Chapman's Gived me one reason, withought thinking of these two characters and their love story.

Author is solid with grammar and editing compared to other ebooks. I'm not happy with the punctuation and run on sentences, but i chalk that up to style.

There were maybe a dozen typos and wrong wording choices (there for they're), particularly towards the end. Just enough to bring your reading to a halt.

Not a lot of British/Aussie slang, but she makes a point of stating this in the preface.

Author does the aggravating habit of not naming the speaker, in the dialog parts, for almost a page about a dozen times. I don't like to count lines to figure out who's saying what (for most of a page) because all the characters speak with the same voice. Big star off for that.

This is an easy, pleasant read with (mostly) likeable characters , predictably problem free.

N. R. Walker is one of my favorite authors, hands down. Her characters are so real and the stories are always relatable and interesting. The MC Iz was so nice but also damaged that you can't help but root for his happiness. It made me laugh and cry and hit every emotional target possible. Out after all the stories of hers that I have loved, I think this one is totally my favorite. Can't recommend this story enough.

I loved the premise of this book immediately. It was such a sad book, but had joyful parts too. Sometimes we live in such a vacuum. We assume, and often take things for granted. Family can bring us th greatest pain, and the greatest joy. This book ws mostly about family, but the friendship/romancde really brought strength to the overall storyline. I loved it, and I hope we see more stories from this group of friends.

I have always loved this author's books, especially her Aussie men, like in the series Red Dirt Heart. All of the characters are developed so well, you just can't put this book down! A great story of love, hurt, forgiveness and family. Highly recommended. Would love to see a second book with Iz and Sam's friend, Jamie, with a bisexual twist and further development with Iz's siblings. Truly 5 Stars all the way!

Sometimes when you least expect it, you can get blindsided. This is one of those stories that will catch you so off guard, you'll love it. Switched at birth is probably a thought we have all had, but have not ever thought how we would have to deal with it. Then to have a best friend that was everything you, and the thought of losing him would have been too much. Wonderful story and wonderful characters.

This friends to lover romance is perfection. Such a breast couple, the reader is right there with them and able to get to know them. The build up was incredible and I just knew they would be epic together. Interesting storyline...it was just all so well done. I was pulled in from word one and didn't stop til the end then went back around to read my favorite parts. Highly recommended.

Switched is the story of Israel and what family truly means. This is done through the means of a switched at birth story. The heart ripping drama of the switched at birth serves as the means to finally face all of the bitterness that has built up over the 26 years of Israel's life. The story is written so that the drama enhances and adds meaning to what could have been a really poor cliché.

N. R. Walker is one of my favorite authors, hands down. Her characters are so real and the stories are always relatable and interesting. The MC Iz was so nice but also damaged that you can't help but root for his happiness. It made me laugh and cry and hit every emotional target possible. Out after all the stories of hers that I have loved, I think this one is totally my favorite. Can't recommend this story enough.

I loved the premise of this book immediately. It was such a sad book, but had joyful parts too. Sometimes we live in such a vacuum. We assume, and often take things for granted. Family can bring us th greatest pain, and the greatest joy. This book ws mostly about family, but the friendship/romancde really brought strength to the overall storyline. I loved it, and I hope we see more stories from this group of friends.

I have always loved this author's books, especially her Aussie men, like in the series Red Dirt Heart. All of the characters are developed so well, you just can't put this book down! A great story of love, hurt, forgiveness and family. Highly recommended. Would love to see a second book with Iz and Sam's friend, Jamie, with a bisexual twist and further development with Iz's siblings. Truly 5 Stars all the way!

Sometimes when you least expect it, you can get blindsided. This is one of those stories that will catch you so off guard, you'll love it. Switched at birth is probably a thought we have all had, but have not ever thought how we would have to deal with it. Then to have a best friend that was everything you, and the thought of losing him would have been too much. Wonderful story and wonderful characters.

This friends to lover romance is perfection. Such a breast couple, the reader is right there with them and able to get to know them. The build up was incredible and I just knew they would be epic together. Interesting storyline...it was just all so well done. I was pulled in from word one and didn't stop til the end then went back around to read my favorite parts. Highly recommended.

Switched is the story of Israel and what family truly means. This is done through the means of a switched at birth story. The heart ripping drama of the switched at birth serves as the means to finally face all of the bitterness that has built up over the 26 years of Israel's life. The story is written so that the drama enhances and adds meaning to what could have been a really poor cliché.

This author writes some of the most interesting stories. I noticed readers tell the story when posting but I prefer saying how the story moves me. II like when you can feel the love between the characters of the story and not only that but a very good story and this had both. It was beautifully written and loving.

Loved Iz and Sam! Funny how things turn out when all that is needed is to talk. Israel grew up thinking his parents didn't love him and he finds out at age twenty six that isn't true. Sam and Israel have been best friends since the age of thirteen and Sam has always been there for Iz know matter what. They finally realize that their feelings run must deeper than friendship.

What as interesting premise and love story about Israel & Sam! I love this story, the MCs, the families dynamics and the friends relationships.
This is also one of my favorite author. Ms Walker writes authentic prose.

This book has layers. Layers upon layers of feelings. It's all about feelings and how the different types of family in our life affects us. There's many times this bookstore my heart, but turned right around and made it soar with happiness and love. I adore Sam and Israel's friendship and love. They are the absolute cutest couple.

The series continues so good,I loved it. I advise reading in order to get the full range of personalities and relationships since all the people in these stories are connected. Red is a great underdog so beaten but so strong his HEA makes the world a better place and lets Bull the giver finely get what he needs to become whole.

This was a great story that showed just how imperfect families can be. It was filled with the right amount of emotions from confusion to happiness, sadness and joy. This was nicely done. The main characters were strongly developed . we also get an opportunity to see Israel begin to build a relationship with his parents.

Israel Ingham! such a wonderful character!

Israel was always a disappointment to his father and didnt have the best relationship with his mother.

Growing up, what he could relay on was Sam, his best friend.

Israel finding out there was a switch at birth and he didnt grow up with his biological parents was shocking to say the least.

When Israel was lost, Sam was there to take him away, get away from work and the stress of everyday life.

Both Israel and Sam are gay, but they never intimate.

I loved seeing the relationship between them change.

It gave Israel the strength to peruse his happiness.

Israel being candid with his parents, learning the truth about them eased his understanding of them and acceptance that what was is in the past, and he has to peruse his happiness his own way.

What a beautiful story of life long friends becoming lovers after a tragic mistake years ago. As usual N.R Walker has nailed it again with this book her stories just keep getting better with every new one. This author is not to be missed you will not be disappointed.
10+ Stars from me.

The story of family both blood related and not. The main plot of two boys switched at birth and only finding out as young adults. The secondary plot of two men finally getting their relationship together. It is great to have a gay story without being just one sex scene after another.

Great book.. awesome author. All her books are great. My favorite is "Learning to Feel". The other is "Sixty five Hours"., "Weight of the World" and now "Switched".. It's that something special that the author does with the emotions of her characters that love is brought out beautifully.

N.R. Walker Is definitely my favorite m / m author. her stories steal my heart and her characters are etched in my soul. This time, it's no different. Definitely another must read by N.R. Walker. Another sweet, romantic and tender story that will make you fall in love and leave you wanting more.

What wonderful, teary, gorgeous story. This is one of those books that hold your heart from the first chapter. I love NR's ability to ground her character with such fantastic emotional complexity. Iz and Sam are going to linger in my heart for a very long time.

A short but not overly simplistic story of a strong but somewhat wounded man working through family issues with the help of his best friend. A sweet story tackling rather difficult family problems in a relatively easy manner (with some male/male heat).

An amazing and beautiful story about family and love. I cried big ugly years but there were also parts where I laughed until my sides hurt. A true gem about finding yourself and making peace with who you are and the hand you've been dealt. N.R. Walker does it again.

This truly deserves more stars. First, it is superbly written. Second, the characters are superb human beings. The reader becomes the fourth family. Third, the insight into the switched situation shows empathy and wisdom. This work should not be overlooked.

Isreal and Sam are just the most amazing beings. This story was just beautifully written and I enjoyed every bit of it. The journey of Isreal life and the journey of Israel and Sam relationship was just amazing to read would totally recommend this book.

Great storyline and testimonial to seeking help when you know you can't handle things on your own. That friends can become more over the years is very believable. The only negative is the cover photo is not in sync; model is a bit too rugged to convey the professional men's storyline contained in the book.

This was a beautiful story! I loved all aspects of this book both the family drama and the romance. This was a well rounded story it had me intrigued from the first word to the last. I read it though kindle unlimited but I think I'll have to buy this one!

This really is an exceptional book. It is a unique plot, and it is very well written. The timeline feels a bit compressed, but I got beyond that. With so many other 5 star reviews, I won't perseverate, just know that it deserves high recommendation.

A truly loved the author's take on families, relationships, forgiveness, and healing. Israel and Sam were absolutely adorable. Lots of emotions and have a tissue or five ready. Really glad I recently stumbled upon this author.

I've read many books, by many different authors, and N. R. Walker will be an author I'll always remember. she weaves a talev that captivates you from the very start and never disappoints. there's laughs and sometimes tears, but always that happy ending that we all strive for. I love her work and will continue to read until I'm no longer able.

Great story. Loved the characters and felt for their struggle. I gave it a three because I felt the relationship between Israel and his parents needed more dimension. It was so one note as to be difficult to believe at times. But I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good love story.