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.

This week I have read Love on Lockdown by Chloe James. I was able to read this ARC thanks to the lovely people at @avon_books

I was curious about a love story during the lockdown we all suffered at the beginning of this year. Also, I was kinda afraid it would trigger some bad memories as I also was starting this book when we are suffering a second lockdown in my country.

But I really enjoyed this book. This book made me laugh and also shed a few tears. It reflects really awesome aspects of how amazing is when people work together to face a really terrible situation. Its very realistic but, at the same time, it gives you warm feelings and a small pocket of sunshine. Also, I wish I had a neighbour like Jack and Sophia 🥺🥺 The romance in this book is so nice and chillin. I really loved it.

I highly recommend this book if you want to enjoy a romantic story in a very realistic situation like the one we are living right now. This beautiful book will be available on 23th November!

Love in Lockdown was a sweet read. Sophia, a teacher with new found epilepsy, lives in the apartment under Jack. He is a bartender with a health condition that has now trapped him in his apartment due to Covid. She has a huge (but broken) heart and wants to help everyone. They start chatting one night on their balconies and develop an adorable relationship. They also bring together the community around them.

I think the author did a great job in quickly writing a book that is so very current. I can’t imagine there are many out there yet. It will be a sore subject for most but this being a sort of romantic-comedy makes up for that. This book was slightly hard for me only because I’m still living a pretty quarantined life. Almost “too soon” I guess to read it. The part of quarantine when we were completely “locked down” seems ages ago so it was almost hard to remember why they wouldn’t meet. While my daily life hasn’t really resumed- I can’t imagine falling for the guy upstairs without seeing him or meeting him- even with Covid restrictions. I know that added to the charm but in 2020 they would’ve looked each other up on social media. Also a little hard to believe they couldn’t see each other at all from the balconies they spoke on.

I love the idea of a bartender sending down drinks, while being kind and a great listener. Swoon! I wanted a cute love story and while it was- it was a little slow for me. That really matches the lockdown lifestyle but as a reader on the outside of this relationship I wanted to scream “let’s go- you’re perfect for each other!” The extra characters were so cute- felt like a sitcom! Also so important to read the prologue and the epilogue- I don’t always do that but they MADE this book complete! I loved the little twist I definitely didn’t catch on to (found in epilogue). Also the British terminology was fun to figure out! As an American I had to think often about what they meant in this story.

Certainly a novel of and for 2020...a year none of us will forget! The author includes many of the small details we can all identify with:shortage of toilet roll, panic buying and queues as well as rainbows and clapping for NHS.
This is an uplifting and optimistic read set in the midst of a pandemic, reminding us of all that is most important when the things we fill our lives with are stripped away. A timely read as we find ourselves heading into a bleak second lockdown.
Enjoyable and uplifting...and hopefully one that will be historical fiction soon!

May be a bit cliche after 8 mos of a pandemic, but this quirky romance is filled with sweet gestures and restores my faith in romance in this crazy time.
Through sickness, health concerns, elderly and all- friends to lovers can shine through. There is good in the world.

My favourite thing about this book was the characterisation. The two leads were charismatic, believable and warm throughout. The backstory that each was provided made the connection between them feel realistic even though they had never met. Additionally, the side characters (particularly the older neighbours and Jack's brother) were a delight and really helped me to immerse myself in Jack and Sophia's world - I would even argue that at times, the side characters were in danger of overwhelming the two main characters, they were that well written.

An extra level of charm was bought into the book with the real-life touches from lockdown that were added to give the book a real sense of community; at times it read like a love letter to everyone who endured those tough months. It captured the essence of how the whole country united in the face of difficulty really well, but without coming across as saccarine or disingenuous.

My only hesitation with this book is the pace. It worked well for the plot that things moved fairly slowly, as it mimicked how lockdown really felt, but it meant that at times I struggled to stay engaged as fully as I would have liked to. I always know when I'm really loving a book because I'll carve out time to read it as quickly as possible - I just didn't get that feeling from this book and I think it's because it was more based in cosiness than pace.

Enjoyable and worth a read if you're looking for something easy-going and cute.

A very cute romantic story, set in COVID lockdown, between two neighbors. Sophia and Jack. Both characters head out to their apartment balconies (one floor apart, stacked on top of each other) to clap for essential workers and strike up a friendship - and, eventually, more. This was a sweet romance that also brought in some elements of friendship, both between Sophia and Jack and amongst their other neighbors. All in all, an enjoyable read that brings some much-needed positivity to the year 2020.

2.5/5
I really wanted to read a story that took place during the covid crisis. And because of that, many things said in this book are very relatable, which was a plus for me.
I found myself liking more the first half of the book when Jack and Sophia get to know each other. And we get to know the neighbours.
However, this book was way too optimistic and cheesy for me. And the amount of absurd little things happening all the time is ridiculous. A couple, here and there, is funny. But this many is overkill.
And the drama between the two MCs didn't cut it for me. Sorry.
As a whole, I'd say it's a readable story. Relatable and sweet. But it has flaws and could've been a tad shorter. Would've loved to see more interaction between the main couple.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book.
This book shares the reality of Covid-19 and how the characters Jack and Sophia cope with their particular situations. A lot of the time, I found myself reading some of their thoughts and agreeing that I felt the same. That how they felt, was how many people felt.
I think the main plot was done well, but I would have appreciated a bit more interaction with the main characters to develop their romance.
3.5 stars

I had slightly mixed feelings about this book. It was interesting that it was set in lockdown, therefore the turnaround time on this book was incredibly fast. I found the story to be nice if a little heavy on the cheese. And I thought there were one or two plot holes that maybe if the book had been written over a longer period with more editing time, could have been ironed out. The main reason I didn't fall in love with the book is that I am currently living somewhere where there is a full lockdown again because of the second wave. I read books to escape everyday life. This book just reminded me of my reality the entire time. I think this book might be more enjoyable in a few years time when there is more space from Covid.

I could not wait for this to be over! Nobody cares about their neighbors that much. And if they wanted to see what each other looked like just send a pic, not that hard!

Set in lockdown England, this book follows Sophia and Jack as they learn to care about the important things. Love in Lockdown follows their story as they care for others around their little apartment building and as they get to know one another. This book moves along nicely and has enough going on that their lockdown doesn’t feel as stifling as yours probably did. My only complaint is that it feels a little too soon to want to seek out a book that reminds you of lockdown and all of its many challenges.

4 romantic comedy stars

This was the first book I’ve read that is set firmly during lockdown/COVID times and it was bittersweet. Set in the UK, it seems to have a different feel than in the US. There are nightly clapping sessions for all the front-line workers, helping your neighbor, etc. This was a feel-good book and a great escape for me.

Sophia lives in an apartment building with a roommate. She is still working as a teacher, but with a much smaller group of children. One night out on her balcony, she “meets” her upstairs neighbor Jack and the two begin a whirlwind friendship! They share drinks and food with a little box pulley system that Jack has worked out.

Jack needs to stay in quarantine, but Sophia finds ways to keep him busy and help out all the nearby neighbors. Some need someone to talk with, some need help getting groceries, some need help walking their dog. It all leads to a mostly wonderful sense of community.

There are some obstacles in Jack and Sophia’s path, but as often happens, fate finds a way to smooth them out. Will Sophia and Jack survive lockdown and finally get to meet face-to-face?

Such a cute and fun read! Perfect distraction in life right now. Really enjoyable characters and story and hard to put down!

I was tempted by his book as I thought it would be interesting to read. I have to say I was not disappointed. The story is basically about two people falling in love even though they have never met due to the lockdown due to Covid-19. This was an amusing but thought provoking book looking at how various people coped during lockdown and the sense of community that grew all over the country. Anyone who thinks that a book set in the time of lockdown would be too many reminders, it has a great message running through it that a little bit of help and kindness towards others can go a long way.

Finally a realistic romance for these times! Made me believe in love once again.

I was just beyond excited to read Love in Lockdown. While in lockdown. And wanting love. I've been hugely into romance lately for the fun and comfort of it, but I really wanted something more realistic. This is it!

Love in Lockdown follows Sophia who is not only funny and delightful, but also very realistic. Just like so many of us, she is afraid that after lockdown, she will not be able to do great things or fall in love with The One. She is devastated, and I couldn't felt but feel like I'm her!

So when a similarly devastated, used-to-be-the-life-of-the-party guy Jack hears Sophie crying from his balcony in an apartment below, they strike a conversation and soon it becomes a heartwarming routine. The two find themselves in a short-yet-long-distance relationship where they're so close but have to stay apart.

I just loved this adorable romance, which was much needed during quarantine for me. Not only did it brighten up my days, but also allowed me to feel that love is out there to find, even when physical contact is not possible. The only reason it's a four-star rating for me is that I couldn't help but roll my eyes at some of the cliches, such as the lack of toilet paper. Overall - endearing, sweet and fun.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Love in Lockdown ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel reading a book set during lockdown, but the premise of this book intrigued me: is it possible to meet someone and fall in love during a time of quarantine? Sophia and Jack “meet” one night, as they stand on their respective balconies, his a story above hers, while they join in with others clapping for essential workers. Jack has a health condition that means he can never leave his flat or have contact with anyone, so they never see each other, but their relationship grows through nightly chats, baskets that bring food and drink up and down, and helping others in their community. I loved the fact that they really had no idea what the other looked like, because in the end it’s so much more to know what’s in the inside than the outside. Beyond the sweet romance (and a grand gesture that warmed my heart!), we are also introduced to the people who live in their community, a wonderful cast of characters trying their best to cope with a difficult situation. The author does a great job of dealing with the pandemic in a way that is realistic, but hopeful. In the end, this is a heartfelt, endearing story of love, resilience, and helping others. It reminds me of all the lessons I’ve learned during this time.

This book epitomizes that even in times of uncertainty and abject loneliness, happiness and love will always prevail if you have a good heart and intentions such as Sophia. Through her, Jack drew great joy in their balcony conversations and realized his illness did not define him and what he hoped and desired. Through the book, it was if his heart actually grew in terms of Beth and also the great lengths he did for Sophia from afar. The community actually grew closer but most importantly, they really cared for each other which in a cosmopolitan city often doesn't occur. A sweet and uplifting read.

Thanks to net galley for the ARC of this book. I think it might be too early for me to truly enjoy books about being in lockdown, while still being in the times of COVID. Additionally, the formatting came through sort of weird and it made it hard for me to read the book, which hopefully will be fixed for both the printed and digital copies, but it definitely impacted my enjoyment of the story.

Outside of that the story was nice and the characters are sweet to each other which makes for a lovely happily ever after read.

Love in Lockdown tells the story of Jack and Sophia. Jack has recently returned from a long journey to Greece where he was running away from family expectations and his chronic kidney disease and is now secluded in his apartment, just above Sophia's. Sophia is a teacher who is struggling with a recent breakup and diagnosis of epilepsy. When Jack finds Sophia crying on the balcony below his one night, they begin talking and quickly strike up a friendship. Over the next few weeks and months, they develop a close relationship and end up uniting the entire neighborhood to support each other during the Covid lockdown. Without ever meeting, they fall for each other over their shared illnesses and commonalities.

The good:
It was great to read a story that is relatable to our common times and I appreciated some of the funny bits--cutting your own hair, trying to find TP at the store, etc. I also appreciated the warmth of the story. As someone with a chronic illness, I really appreciated the author's dedication to the confusing feelings that come with disease diagnosis and knowing how to live with a new normal. This was probably the most realistic part of the book and I appreciated it.

The bad:
This book is cheesy. The premise itself is cheesy and the book itself is full of cliches. The dialogue is stiff and often sounds a little unnatural, and at times, the book comes across as falsely positive. No one in the book actually has Covid and sometimes their positivity and focus on community drowns out the fact that people are actually dying.

Overall, this was a cute, light read that I wouldn't necessarily say was well written, but was fitting for the times.