NOTE: I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I've read that actually takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic, and kudos to the author because it does not feel sloppy or rushed, but like a fully thought-out and well-written book. Jack and Sophia live in the same apartment complex but never met until they start chatting while on their balconies. You do need to suspend some disbelief that in the months of getting to know each other they never once exchange photos or say hello from a social distance. But watching their relationship develop, and watching how they work together to help their neighborhood community, is very sweet. I'd say this is good escapist reading for these times, but since it takes place during lockdown it doesn't feel so escapist. That said, it will give people in lockdown hope that they too can still develop relationships and friendship and connect with others even while social distancing during these crazy times.

Well, we have just entered lock da own number 2 and so this is timely. A lovely romance which takes place during the sunny (Weather wise) days of lockdown. The keyworkers clap, the toilet roll shortage, the school bubbles, the sense of community etc all feature. The book also touches on more serious issue such as long term medical conditions, broken marriages and loneliness. Well worth a read and has a feel good factor not to be missed.

I really wanted to love this book. I have been curious to see how authors would handle the lockdown. However, I thought there was too much dialogue in this book. Also, in this day and age of technology, it was especially improbable that Jack and Sophia never exchanged photos or Zoomed or Facetimed each other. . It was a cute story and overall I enjoyed it, but I had to push through to finish.

There were a few laugh-out-loud scenes, like the Zoom wedding.

As an American, the English slang also made it a little harder to read. I knew most of it, but some terms were unfamiliar.

The idea was cute, but the execution needed improvement.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

BOY MEETS GIRL , THE CUPID STRIKES IN ROMANTIC SLOW MOTION
But Billy, guess what?

THEY HAVEN'T SEEN EACH OTHER. But a good old school romance is all about the CONNECTION , the vibe and thats what we see in this LOVE STORY, Lockdown edition.

Where the lover boy surreptitiously climbs up to his mon amour's balcony for their clandestine love meetings, in the LOCKDOWN edition, they become balcony neighbours/friends turned to lovers. Please note, the balcony isn't adjacent but an overhead one.

. This premise has so much potential but unfortunately loses some momentum over the lengthiness of the novel. Sophia and Jack’s story, while cute and starry eyed romantic, wasn't enough to hold the undivided attention throughout and I did want to put it aside. It fell flat for me in the second half.

All my stars go for the Premise, buildup and the gorgeous book cover.

Thankyou NetGalley and AvonBooks for giving me the e ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Sophia lives in the apartment underneath Jack and during Covid lockdown they form a friendship that becomes incredibly important for each of them. Each dealing with health issues they keep their spirits up and the community spirit alive with their neighbours and friends.

This was a delightful read, very poignant and relevant.

This book was written in the middle of Lockdown #1. I fell in love with it from page 1.

Sophia is a teacher currently going into school to teach key workers children, Erica is a midwife and Sophia's roommate and Jack, cocktail extraordinaire, lives alone and is shielding due to a kidney disease.

They live in a block of flats and 'meet' doing the Thursday night clap. As time goes on Sophia and Jack build on their friendship from their balconies but they never meet - Jack is in the flat above.

We start to meet other residents of the block of flats and their own stories emerge.

I loved getting to know all the characters of this book. It was just a beautiful read. I loved the whole will they wont they aspect and how it was so relatable to everything that is happening now.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A timely and charming read that really tugs at the heartstrings, I absolutely adored Love In Lockdown - although it was definitely a bit surreal reading a book about lockdown.

Sophia is afraid lockdown will put her life on pause – just as she was she was going to put herself out there and meet someone new. And when the the first clap for the key-workers rings out around her courtyard, she’s moved to tears for all kinds of reasons.

Jack is normally used to living life to the fullest - but because of a health condition, he has to cocoon and is starting to go totally stir-crazy. That is until that night he hears a woman crying from the balcony beneath his. He strikes up a conversation with the stranger and puts a smile back on her face.

Soon their balcony meetings are the highlight of Jack and Sophia’s days - but even as they grow closer together, they’re always kept apart.

While I loved the main romance of the story, I was also really drawn into the stories of their neighbours. I loved the sense of community that developed among the people who were living in the apartment block - like, how they were all checking in on each other and hosting weekly concerts out on their balconies, It kind of felt like I was part of the community as well.

This was such a wonderful, uplifting read! I absolutely devoured it in 2 days. The story follows Jack and Sophia, neighbours who live above and below each other in a block of flats. When the country goes into lockdown, during the first clap for carers, they strike up a conversation on their balconies. I love a cute, fluffy read and this is definitely that, however it was also very emotional and poignant. It’s the perfect book for the current circumstances, especially as England goes into lockdown 2.0. The point of view switches between Jack and Sophia with every chapter, and it’s nice to hear what each of them are going through individually, Sophia as a teacher and Jack shielding with a kidney condition, and then to see what happens when they unite and are able to support each other. The story also has many side characters, like Bertie and Mavis, who all have their own stories that intertwine with each other, and they all work together and get to know each other, and lean on each other in these hard times. It’s a beautiful story about community spirit and falling in love.

Really great book. Captured the whole lockdown situation perfectly. The characters were down to earth people whose lives had to change to survive the pandemic. The relationship between Jack and Sophie was intrigueing. I readvitvat a time we in Ireland were just facing into our second lockdown so very apt. This book should be on a list for teenagers to read in about 30 years time. They will not believe that this lockdown actually happened at call.

It's unfortunate this book hasn't come out in time for being to enjoy at the start of this second lock down. This was my first book set in pandemic land, and I have to say I enjoyed it. Was it the best book I've read this year? Definitely not. But, I liked all the little touches that actually happened. I liked that there was parts from the children's perspectives and I also enjoyed how the story was told from both Sophia and Jack's point of view. However, I must say, what the hell was the point of Erica? She literally added nothing to this story except for the fact that she works for the NHS. It didn't really seem to make much sense that she was included. I liked the story but it felt a little bit light in places, like parts were swept over or included for the sake of content. That being said, I would've liked to have read more about what happened after lock down. Not a great detail but like a '5 months later' type scenario.

The story itself was lacking in parts, I wanted to root for the main characters to get together, but it was obvious they would. There was no oooooh will they, won't they? It just felt pretty straight forward and simple. However, it's a light hearted read that I think will keep people in good spirits (especially now we are in another lock down).

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book! :)

At the beginning of quarantine, I saw a TikTok about a guy trying to interact with another girl who was on a roof in NYC. In the TikToks, they started going on dates. When I saw this book, it reminded me of those interactions, which always seemed like a great idea for a book. So of course I wanted to read it.

I think this was a super cute book about the times that we're in. I think it was uplifting when nothing else seems to be over. Overall, I do recommend it!

I LOVE this book!! I love that love doesn’t stop during the worst of times — ie, NOW — and that it turns bad into good.
Also, it made me think of the couple that met across the tops of buildings: she was dancing, he was watching, and they ended up having virtual dates until they actually met!!

A charming and fairly original take on a romantic comedy, given that it takes place during our current pandemic.

Jack and Sophia are neighbors. His balcony is right above hers. They have never met in person. At the beginning of the pandemic when everyone is in lockdown, Jack can hear Sophia crying on her balcony after the nightly clap for the NHS workers. They begin to chat, and before you know it, it’s a daily ritual.

Jack can’t leave his apartment due to a health condition. Sophia is a teacher, and teaches in-person to a smaller group of students. Between the two of them, they come up with ideas that will help their community during these hard times, and Jack enjoys feeling like he has things to do and look forward to. Not only do Jack and Sophia share food and drinks via a cardboard box attached to rope, but they also start to share a mutual attraction (without seeing each other).

Will that attraction last past lockdown?

This is a feel-good, hopeful story written in a time when things don’t feel good or particularly hopeful. From the nightly claps for essential workers to the neighborhood coming together to help each other out (great cast of characters), interesting side stories, and a bit of romance, this book delivers exactly what it promises...a light and fun diversion.

3.5 stars.

Thank you to Avon Books UK, author Chloe James, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Great book for what we’re going through now. Easy to read in one sitting. Definite page-turner. Would recommend if you like romantic comedies.

Cute fun read that made actual quarantine not so bad!! The characters were fun and quirky, I definitely wanted to be friends with them when all was said and done! The characters could have been a little more developed, and I felt like I was just dropped into the middle of a story I was trying to catch up on. But the writing and quirky nature of the main characters made up for that- it was a nice little getaway story:)

This was a very sweet story and I loved how much they all cared about each other. For me personally, after reading this book I realized it might be a little too soon for me to read books about being in a lockdown, while I’m still in the middle of one. I think I might have to wait a bit before I can fully enjoy stories like this.

It was an okay reading , it could be better
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

"when everything else stops, love is all that's left. It counts for everything as it always does, in the key workers, the nurses, the hospital staff, the shop assistants, the bus and delivery drivers - everyone braving a common enemy for the sake of others " - Love In Lockdown, Chloe James

This book was just what I needed. It was fun and lighthearted and yes it was your typical romance novel and I could guess the ending but it was still one that I absolutely flew through and loved.

It is set during lockdown which was a really tough time for us all and the pandemic is still ongoing so we're still struggling now. I understand that for many they may not enjoy being taken back to such a sad time but I actually found it really comforting. It felt alot more real and recent when I was reading and the author has written it in a really lovely way too. She hasn't made it too fluffy and ignored all of the bad bits, she showed people's struggles and how hard it was for us all. She doesn't brush over any of this at all but she doesn't focus in too much on the negatives, this book really does show how much we all united in these times. And it's true, we did. Communities came together, we had the clap for the NHS and all other key workers and people were assisting in buying shopping for those vulnerable people who couldn't get it and all of this was shown in the book. Times were awful, it was a shock to us all and it deeply affected many peoples lives but as the quote I used at the start says, love prevailed.

This book was an absolute joy to read. It was heartwarming, comforting and I'd definitely reccomend if you're in the mood for a lighter read but one that may feel slightly closer to home.

I won’t be giving feedback on this book. I was unable to read as it’s not accessible on NetGalley shelf and the format is not readable on Kindle books - the line spacing is incorrect.

And so it begins -- the chronology of lockdown-era literature has already begun, and I truly enjoyed this story. I live in the US, so reading about the lockdown from the UK perspective was refreshing. I read this one in a single sitting, as I found it difficult to put down. Jack can be a relatable character to those who've had to take extra precautions during the pandemic, and the way Sophie takes it upon herself to make the lockdown period more livable for him is so touching. I can't wait to recommend this to students.