This is a light-hearted book capturing the start of Covid and lockdown from the perspective of a group of people all living in an apartment block. The great group of characters are all in different stages of relationships and it was great to read about the impact that lockdown had on them all. There's the one-night stand that rather awkwardly now can't end. There's a relationship in its infancy, two long term relationships that are teetering on the brink of either marriage or separation and then there's the bride to be who can only see Covid as a disaster for her wedding. Each couple experiences relatable moments that had me smiling wryly; the banana bread craze, loo roll shortages, attempting to WFH for the first time, zoom chaos and trying to get a food shop order.

The book made me laugh, gave me a lump in my throat and had me desperate for some of the characters to take that leap of faith. I would like to thank the publishers and Net Galley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

This was such a lovely, lighthearted read. All the characters were so likeable and it was written in a way that was so easy to follow and enjoy. It was very relateable and I think very appropriate of many peoples situations of lockdowns and the pandemic. I like that each chapter was from a different perspective. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend.

I didn't really enjoy this, it was a bit ... colour by numbers, inevitable what each character was going to do, they were not nuanced.

This book is set during the current pandemic and opens with a London apartment block housing 5 separate apartments being 'locked down' for 7 days. The residents - 3 different couples at different stages in their relationships, a group of 4 friends and 2 people who are about to find their 'one night stand' lasting considerably longer than one night.
This was a really great read and is reminiscent on those ensemble type romcom films such a Love Actually and Valentine's Day where we follow many different people's lives as they intersect with each other in different ways.
This book had laughs, tears, drama, tantrums, blow ups - pretty much a microcosm of what many of us experienced during lockdown and it amused me to see the unreasonable irritations that come to the fore when people are forced to spend more time together than they normally would.
A very enjoyable 4 stars for me and thanks to Netgalley UK and the publishers for the ARC.

I wasn't entirely sure I was quite ready for a story based on the lockdown caused by the Covid pandemic, as we are still living through the ramifications of this, but I felt this story was handled well and was entertaining as well as being thought-provoking.

Here we have several intertwining stories, based on the occupants of a block of flats, and how they all cope with the sudden, disruptive lockdown, meaning nobody can enter or leave the building, putting a strain on some existing relationships and helping others to blossom.

A fun, uplifting read.

What a fantastic book! I read this in less than 24 hours, I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed the mix of characters and how each chapter focused on a separate apartment. The links between characters were brilliantly written and I felt like I’d like to be friends with most of them. Definitely 5 stars for me and I’d recommend anyone to read this.

I liked the concept of this, and have to say it didn't feel like a pandemic related read to the extent I was worried it might.
Lots of storylines woven through this as you see what's happening in different apartments.
Fun, cheeky, surprising. A good all-round read.

With some definite undertones of Love Actually, Beth Reekles creates a story of five couples who in the early stages of the pandemic are caught in a lock down in an apartment building. They are all in different stages of a relationship with good potential for relationship issues both serious and funny and Reekles handles it well, creating unique characters who find new parts of themselves and inner resources they didn’t know they had. Some of it is a bit simplistic in concept and in my view maybe a few too many points of view, but the characters themselves are well rounded and in the end it comes across as good fun. For a good light read, I would recommend it.

Loved this book. Set at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the residents of a block of flats have to isolate after a resident tests positive. The residents, and their weekend visitors are stuck inside for a week. We follow the stories of a disparate group of people as they tackle this new normal! A great story and very relevant. Highly recommend!
Previously reviewed as original title

I was initially drawn to this book by the fact that it was written by the author of the Kissing Booth. Although I never read that book, I enjoyed the films and liked the sound of a book set in lockdown.

I didn’t mind the switching between characters, or in this case apartments, throughout the book as it kept the pace up. I also liked the majority of the characters and most of the book was quite believable and light hearted. However, for me there was something missing. Don't get me wrong it was a nice book and I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t wow and I wouldn’t run out and tell other people to read it.

2.5 Meh. I cared little for majority of the stories. It was a light hearted read, that was quick and surface level deep. Good after a hard hitting thriller perhaps. It was ok. I’m not sure I’d recommend…

So this is my first time reading a pandemic story and I have to say, I really liked the premise. After all, this is normal life for many of us now, so seeing it reflected in a book in a positive way was. nice.

As for the book itself... I'm giving it a middling 3 stars. There were parts I loved. There were parts that didn't click.

Basically, it focuses on 5 apartments within a block that all get locked down for a week.
Each of those apartments contains at least 2 people (so there are 10 main characters already) one of the apartments has 4 people, plus then all the families and side characters that they mention in passing. So yeah, have you lost count yet? I did.

It started off so strong with Imogen — who ends up trapped in with Nate, who was supposed to be a one night stand — she had a great voice and her growing relationship with Nate was really nice. This pair was my favourite. Followed by Isla and Danny, a new couple who hadn't planned on living together so soon. Ethan was just the sweetest guy, pining after his girlfriend who's trapped outside, but he did tend to veer towards giving IT lessons in his chapters...

As for the rest, I skipped nearly all of Olivia's chapters and Serena just annoyed me (a three-page monologue ranting about pineapple pizza? No thanks.) I really feel if it had focused on the 3, or even just 2 of the couples then we could have been given a chance to get to know and bond with the characters.

Then I couldn't quite understand why it was always referred to as "the pandemic" is the word "covid" trademarked? It just felt unnatural, especially as almost every brand known to Britain was named (seriously: Asda, Asos, New Look... you name it, it was there!)

In summary: A great idea, funny banter and writing style, and some lovely moments, just a shame it missed the mark.

I was worried that reading about a lockdown could be triggering but I actually really loved this story. Each couple were different but equally as interesting and I’d definitely recommend.

3.5/5

Going into this book, I went with a clear mind. Obviously, still living through the pandemic, it was hard to set expectations for this one and by the end of it? I was genuinely surprised. The book followed 5 different couples and, I was able to see different types of love in each one. The book had me - laughing at some weird but hilarious banter, cringing at ALOT of awkward moments, gasping at some incredible twists but it also made me shake my head on more than a few occasions. There was a lot of hit and miss for this one as I was able to connect with only some characters. I guess that tells you there might just be something for everyone in this book. It's well written and has a good storyline, but I think if I were to pick this one again, it would be after this whole crisis is over because it gave me some major flashback of early 2020.

Lockdown Lows And Highs…
An apartment block in lockdown, residents enclosed. A fly on the wall approach to the dramas, lives, loves and the everything in between of those residents with well crafted characters and genuinely solid storytelling. An interesting premise, well executed, and an entertaining, enjoyable read.

A one night stand, couple in crisis, a new relationship, maid of honour hosting a bridal task weekend., the long term relationship. Which will make it to end of the 7 days locked in the flats in the block.
Very different relationships and dynamics but you will recognise part of every character.
You will recognise the fear that was so scary at the start of the pandemic.

Perhaps it is too soon to be reading books set in a pandemic?? It took me a little while to get into it. Set in what I imagine to be a small apartment block when the country is put into lockdown. Whoever is whose flat gas to stay put which leads to some awkward and amusing situations. Enjoyed the outcome though. A nice light read.

Honestly, this book was a rollercoaster of hit-and-miss moments for me. I did find the plot cringeworthy at times, although there were some nicer emotional moments. I think, in general, I'm not a massive fan of contemporary books, even if there's romance in them. As should be obvious by the title, this book is set during the early stages of the pandemic where people are quarantined, so avoid if that topic isn't something you'd like to read.

In terms of the characters, there were some chapters which I just didn't care about (Zach and Serena; Olivia and Co., to be specific.) Imogen's and Isla's chapters blended into each others to the point where I couldn't distinguish between the two. I did love Ethan and Charlotte, though! This is just a personal preference, but I wasn't a fan of the way everyone somehow seemed to be connected to another resident's extended family. It felt a bit too convenient, which isn't something I particularly enjoy in books but, again, it's just personal preference!

Perhaps if there were fewer characters and more time spent learning about them and building on the relationships, I would have enjoyed this more. I don't think 350 pages is enough to cover five different sets of people. I like the premise of the book and it's easy enough to follow along with most of the time, but I don't particularly think that it's something I would go ahead and re-read or purchase for myself unfortunately!

I really enjoyed this book, in my mind the building was similar to the building from Friends, a block of flats with various situations happening in every individual property. This could easy be made into a film and I would be first in line to watch it! A funny entertaining rom-com and one that I'll definitely recommend to friends.

Absolutely loved this book. It completely brought back those confusing emotions from the initial days of the pandemic when you had no idea what was to come. Each flat has its own storyline and arc that played out but merged into the book as a whole without feeling disjointed. The characters were unique and believable and great interactions.