I do kind of wish I hadn’t read this in lockdown. I think it made it feel a bit cliche/gimmicky maybe? I’m not sure, it just didn’t gel for me. I didn’t love the writing style which felt very tell and not show and I just never felt connected to the characters.

I think the obstacle/plot twist that came between Sam and Sophia to be trivial and I didn’t really see it as a big issue. I also cannot imagine how their balconies would be set up that they would not have been able to lean over and see each other.

It was a very optimistic and cheesy book, it wasn’t really for me. However it was readable and sweet and I’m sure that others would enjoy it.

There were lots of neighbours coming together to support each other and it gave a sense of community which is nice. It was sweet to have a romance come out of a negative situation, but it was very sugar sweet.

Here it is. First covid lockdown book. I believe one of many to come.

The story is about neighbors Sophia and Jack. They have never met in person. When pandemics start, they meet on the balcony and begin to chat. Sophia is a teacher who leaves the house every day to spend time with few students that, for one or another reason, cannot stay at home, while Jack is stuck at his apartment because of high health risks. They bond through conversations.

Characters are likable, very caring, and attentive, it was easy to root for them. Great story about healing, letting the past go to free space for new things to come. Sweet side characters. Some of them felt a little too intense and dramatic. Overall it was a delightful read.

However, I was missing some dynamics. It felt uneventful, boring, and a little too long. While this book addressed emotional and social challenges during this challenging time, it missed out on others, like, the financial or physical aspect.
But the biggest challenge I had with this was that I could not relate to this story because it felt too good to be true (in that cute fairy-tale type). After reading this, I am wondering - am I the only one who does not have a friendly relationship with my neighbors? We are in a semi lockdown for a while now, and I honestly have not been in any lockdown related contact with them. We pass each other with a short greeting and move with our own life. Maybe it is because we are mainly young people with smaller children, and we are trying to think more about how to navigate working from home with being a teacher, nanny, caterer, and parent. I just could not relate to this story. Possibly, because I live in the north. We tend to be more closed up.

Love in lockdown. You are thinking exactly right. It's a love story blossoming in a lockdown among restrictions. But it is that and more. Not just a mere lockdown love story, but it potrays all the struggles we went through in this lockdown from our mental health deteriorating from locked up to worrying about people who are front line warriors.
📖
Sophia and Jack, both are neighbours and get to almost meet each other in a NHS clapping session where Sophia had a mental breakdown. Unable to move out of his apartment due to a health condition, Jack seeks the help of his neighbour and from there their friendship blooms. 💜
📖
During this lockdown we may have attended atleast one online wedding, may have gotten frustrated of being isolated, may have felt lonely or kind towards others, may have found our niche, a hidden talent, may have feared for our near and dear ones and may have experienced a lot more. Each and every tiny little thing is wonderfully narrated. 💜
📖
I loved the plot and the way the story moves. And the flow of the story is coherent and lucid. The story is from both Sophia and Jacks' perspective, so we can connect with both the characters deeply. The thing I disliked most is that the story is too long and it is erroneous at some places. If that be rectified, this is a one good read.
📖

I was a bit surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting read. Sophia and Jack were neighbors unknown to each other until lockdown made them friends from afar. What I thought was interesting was the alternating POV and their individual story. I couldn’t help but wonder how they will find love without seeing the other person. Can someone find love without seeing their face? Such an interesting topic. Aside from Sophia and Jack we meet their neighbors and family members. The side characters were wonderful, humorous, and adorable. There was a lot of funny scenes that made me laugh out loud. Especially the children that Sophia taught. Ah, such cuteness! Overall, a very cute and sweet story.

I received this ARC from the publisher and Netgalley for my honest review.

I wasn't sure how well I would be able to handle a book about love during the COVID-19 pandemic while we are still in the middle of said pandemic, but I thought the author handled it very well. In the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK, Sophia "meets" her upstairs neighbor, Jack, when he hears her crying after the NHS clap. They begin chatting daily on their balconies, and though they've never seen each other, they start to fall in love. They both have complicated relationship histories and they share a connection of having chronic medical conditions, which they learn as they get closer and closer (while, of course, being socially distant). What I really liked about this is how well it captured some of the absolute surrealness of our current situation - Sophie's sister's big Zoom wedding is a hilarious and super weird affair that feels really authentic. I also really enjoyed the centering of community and mutual aid here - Sophie, her roommate, and Jack all organize a group chat to help people who can't get out to get groceries or other necessities. Finally, Sophie and Jack meet face to face in the last pages of the book, and it's a very satisfying reward.

Chloe James wrote such a sweet and cozy romance set in quarantine. This is definitely a 4 star read because it was so enjoyable and sweet. Love in Lockdown features Sophia and Jack, apartment neighbors who have not met but manage to strike up a friendship in quarantine.

I was wary about reading about people in quarantine during COVID while currently living in quarantine myself but it was handled so well. The fact that Sophia and Jack come to rely on each other and care for each other when they haven’t met face-to-face ensures that the romance feels very genuine and pure. Very very cute- definitely recommend!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was just okay for me. The pacing was fairly slow and it felt very shallowly written, like a publisher was rushing it through to hit the window of opportunity for Pandemic zeitgeist.

This book had potential but I personally did not enjoy it because I thought it was a bit unrealistic. Quite frankly I just couldn’t related to Sophia or Jack and the plot offers an attempt to romanticize the pandemic but it just didn’t sit well with me. I appreciate the opportunity to read it early.

I wanted to enjoy this one, with it's cute cover and great premise, but sadly I didn't. The writing style was kind of choppy making it a difficult read and overall I just got bored with the story. DNF for me sorry!

First off I loved this book. I am so happy I was given the chance to review it. I thought this story was lovely not too deep but a very easy read. Would love to know if their love lasts past lockdown or not aswell. Overall 4 stars from me.

A Story of Finding Love in Difficult Times... The New Normal❣️ Great Uplifting Read

Told from Sophia and Jack's perspective, Sophia working as a school teacher who gets to nearly-meet Jack when going out on her balcony on that first Thursday night NHS clap... from here a friendship grows, getting to know each other through acts of kindness and talk alone.

A bit of a slow burner, but once I got into to the story it was a good read, reflecting in difficult times can often bring out the best in people/communities. Even more poignant as the premise is based around current times. There were times where I felt it repeated things, such as with being in lockdown, which I didn't feel necessary as was the basis of the story. Overall great read.

A lovely warm and heartfelt story about a community coming together during these crazy time. Perfect reading for me (here in the UK) amid our 2nd lockdown.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really struggled to keep interested while reading this book. I was pulled in by the interesting plot summary and cute cover, but ultimately this book ended up being a little tough to get through.

You know those sections of Little Women were the March sisters play at pilgrims progress? Constantly reminding each other to be good and help everyone? This entire book felt like that. Don't get me wrong, I think it's lovely that communities are coming together to help one another during this pandemic, but it also doesn't make for very interesting reading material for 300+ pages.

All the characters also felt a little flat because of this. I didn't feel any real sense of conflict for any of their problems. There was no tension in the plot to really get things moving along. The romance, and this book seems to be marketed towards romance readers, is nonexistent. Sure, Sophia and Jack kept saying they felt something for the other, but it was a lot of telling without any showing.

Overall, probably not one I'll be recommending to friends.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This book is a lighthearted, timely, read which will strike a chord with anyone trying to adjust to a new normal.

It’s about finding a sense of community during a difficult and challenging situation.

Sophia, is struggling in trying to keep it all together when the UK goes into lockdown.

Her fears are for the safety of her mother, who is frontline worker, along with attending the much anticipated wedding of her sister, but virtually.

So when she has a teary moment on the balcony, Jack, her upstairs neighbour, is an witness to all her distress, and offers to hear her worries, kindly.

Jack, is also struggling with the changes that the lockdown has brought, as owing to a pre existing condition, he’s confined to his flat.

So two neighbours, who, before all this, were previously strangers, start to rely on one another in order to get through the difficult days.

A very heartfelt story about the coming together of neighbours, also, the ways in which a sense of community can be sought, particularly in times of crisis.

What a year it’s been so far, and while books have proven to be the ultimate in escapism for me this year, I was intrigued to see what it would be like to read a book that actually featured the lockdown era.

I really feel that the author handled this topic perfectly. We all had different experiences of lockdown, and it’s been difficult for so many. But this book is sensitive to this, but also has a lighthearted and uplifting feel.

Leaving the unusual circumstances aside, this is a wonderful, character led, story of both love and of community.

There are some lovely moments of kindness, of humour, of friendship and, of course, of romance.

I really liked both Jack and Sophia, and I liked the way the story alternates between both of their points of view.

A really unique and insightful novel, it’s a real page-turner. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended.

When I first heard about this book I thought "Uh, uh, no way I'm reading this. Too soon. Who would want to read a book about the lockdown when the second one is waving at us on the horizon?" Apparently, I did. After reading some good reviews I decided to give it a chance and I'm so glad I did. What a lovely shot of optimism in these trying times!

I must be thankful lockdown was not too hard for me. I, like a household plant, am an indoors species and lockdown is my natural habitat. Give me food and a book and I'm happy! However, I feel for all those people who had such a hard time out of it.

"Love in lockdown" portrayed the spirit of the lockdown so well I could see myself reflected in so many of the situations the characters were going through. It was curious to check how, even living in a different country, we all went through the same things like the loo paper, yeast and flour shortage or the clapping for the key workers (here in Spain it was daily for three months!).

It was amazing seeing these characters create such a tight-knit community, helping each other even though they didn't know each other at all. This sense of community that brought out the best in people was so uplifting to read about (sadly, time proved that it was all a mirage, cause as soon as we were let out of our homes it all went downhill fast again, but that's an issue for another forum).

Like Troy and Gabriela...
<img src="https://media1.tenor.com/images/9dbda868c8f325c69f15968e15575397/tenor.gif?itemid=5384679" width="500" height="250" alt="description"/>
...but not for long.

Jack and Sophia were both so cute. I couldn't wait for restrictions to be lifted so they could meet face to face. I know their relationship was a bit too sweet and perfect, but it was just what the doctor ordered right now!

The cast of secondary characters was an eclectic and lovable one, but my favorite was Bertie (and Tilly). The way he dealt with his loneliness awoke so much tenderness in me and was a perfect example of how much harder this has been for the elderly.

There were also some hilarious moments, like the wedding chapter, that had me crying with laughter.

Uplifting and delightful read that showed how although we may feel isolated at times, we are not alone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I devoured it in a day I needed to know what happened next and couldn’t put it down. It’s written well and had a lovely plot

Who doesn’t couldn’t use a little romance when it seems like the world is against you? Cute story about the challenges in our state. Their relationship is realistic and their emotions are real. A timely story of hope, sweetness, and love.

Apologies but this was a DNF at 20§ maybe I wasnt as ready for a story about the life we are all forced to be leading as thought!!.to me the writing style was very choppy and this didnt help,plus in 2020 its kinda easy to see what others look like even in lockdown

I could only get halfway through this book. Perhaps because we are living this story, the description drags to no end. I hoped it could get interesting, and I put it down ,returned to the story and forgot what it is about, except the main character, COVID.
Although there is a bit of humor in it, I can’t get ahead to find an interest.
Thank you Netgalley for always giving me the opportunity to read books and I always try and give them a fair chance.