What a beautiful and lovely book! It is crazy to think that Heidi wrote this book during the first lockdown and here I am reading it.... still in lockdown. The idea of it being set during lockdown didn't really add much to the story, it was 5 star without it, the lockdown back story was just a bonus extra.
The concept of running away from your problems and then getting 'trapped' because of a global pandemic was genius. I really loved it and felt like to really added to the story. The best part was when Gemma (main character) goes out to join her new neighbours for the 8 o'clock clap for careers and is checking out her hot neighbour (this was very relatable and made me laugh out loud!).
Overall, this story really made me smile. It was a nice light read and the story was so believable. The character of Matthew and him being a 21 century Prince Charming was spot on (he wasn't overly fictionalised, I could imagine him being the guy who lives down the road). I also really liked the main character Gemma, she was so believable and her dog Mabel added to the laughter of the story.
Look forward to reading more of Heidi's work in the future, such a great writer!

Absolutely loved this book. A feel good read set in the first lockdown of COVID. It tells the story of Gemma who gets trapped in a village that she was only meant to be visiting before lockdown hit. She was escaping a poor relationship. It tells the story of Gemma finding out what really matters in life. The story made me laugh and cry in equal measure and I loved how real the characters felt. Especially loved her ‘yellow dog’ and the relationship they have together. Would definitely recommend this as good holiday (if we are ever allowed abroad again!) reading or just a novel to make you feel good.

Such a lovely read. It takes the hard covid year that we have all lived through and shows the impact on a small village as well as our two protagonists. The romance goes slowly and follows the ups and downs that the health pandemic imposes on their couple and things that they can do.
The friends and family are also well defined characters and it’s a lovely journey to go on with the couple, shedding a few tears for them along the way,

I loved this. It feels comforting to read a positive lockdown book. I identified with Gemma but was also able to use it as a lovely escape. So good.

This was just what I was looking for in these troubled times-entertaining ,easy reading with likeable characters and a plot that held my interest, even although at times I couldn’t understand why Gemma, the main character ,behaved as she did.It’s set at the start of the first lockdown so it’s very topical .It would be a perfect holiday read (when we can have holidays again) ,or for times when you don’t feel like reading anything too challenging or upsetting.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

Gemma isn't sure what upsets her more. The fact she just caught her boyfriend cheating, or that he did it on her brand-new Heal's cushions.
All she knows is she needs to put as many miles between her and Fraser as humanly possible. So, when her best friend suggests a restorative few days in the West Country, it seems like the perfect solution.
That is, until the country enters a national lockdown that leaves her stranded. All she has for company is her dog, Mabel. And the mysterious (and handsome!) stranger living at the bottom of her garden .
Brilliant! Just Brilliant! Consumed it in a day as I just couldn't put it down. Hilariously funny and sums up life in lock down perfectly. A romance novel wrapped up in dry observations and wit. I even read the acknowledgments (which I never do!) and they were just as funny (She thanks Rishi Sunak.!) Thoroughly recommend and sincerely hope this isn't the last we hear from Heidi Stephens

Social distancing rules haven't stopped Gemma's boyfriend Fraser hooking up with someone on their sofa. Leaving Gemma hastily packing her bags and her dog, Mabel before heading to the station to escape the fallout and London. Thankfully her friend Caro has offered her the use of her cottage in Wiltshire so she can work out what to do next. Collapsing drunk and miserable on the sofa she woke the next morning by Matthew, the neighbour from the bottom of the garden.

Over the coming days, Gemma adjusts to being away from London, away from her cheating boyfriend and living life in lockdown. Following her journey through grief from the passing of her beloved Aunt Laura. Understanding what life has been like with no roots, all whilst forming a friendship and lockdown romance with Matthew.

A voyage of self-discovery for Gemma who is stuck in the small village longer than she anticipated. But somehow doesn't mins, throwing herself into making life in lockdown easier for the villagers. Although she is conflicted about whether this could be her life longterm or whether she needs to get back to London sooner rather than later.

I liked how the story kicked into full gear pretty much straight away. But after a while I felt like it dragged a bit. More than likely down to personal test. I did enjoy it, but not as much as I thought I would. I'm sure other will enjoy it though

It just didn't hold my interest sadly. I kept trying to get into the story but it felt like a long ramble about nothing until things started happening, and by that point I had already switched off

A fab read. Gemma has just found out her boyfriend is cheating on her, so she flees his flat and escapes to the village cottage of her best friend. This is just at the start of lockdown and she ends up getting stuck there with her dog Mabel and neighbour Matthew for company. Will she settle in to village life and will she stay beyond the enforced lockdown?