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.

I really wanted to love this book.

The title had me thinking, current, perhaps a positive spin on what we're all going through right now.

And whilst yes it was uplifting, it also felt rushed.

Written too quickly to hit the market at just the right time.

The main protagonists are technically neighbours, living in flats directly above/below one another. Jack is shielding, unable to leave his residence whilst Sophia (a teacher) kindly offers to help Jack amongst other people whilst Covid is at its worst.

A new spin on the idea of a blind date.

However ...

Little things bothered me. Like the fact that Jack and Sophia couldn't somehow see each other over the balcony, at worst case they had each others numbers, they could have sent selfies to one another.

With the right editing/time taken on it, I think this story has a lot of potential to be something wonderful.

But as it is, I'd say Love in Lockdown wavers on just OK.

A sweet, easy-to-read romance that just didn't quite hit the spot for me.

I really enjoyed this sweet little book, I was a bit worried about reading this during a second lockdown and it would be a bit close to the bone but it wasn't at all. I loved the romance and how the focus was on personality and not looks as the two characters had never actually seen one another. I thought the look at serious illness in this book was handled very well too. I loved how this book brought out the positive side of lockdown and was full of hope. Would highly recommend.

This was a light book, even given the timeline of the Coronavirus lockdown. It didn't wow me, or give me all the feels, but it was a decent book that I tore through in a day. If you are stuck in lockdown with no other access to reading materials, this would fit the bill.

This was extremely heartwarming! From the first chapter, I instantly saw similarities and linked this narrative to Beth O’Leary’s book ‘The Flatshare’. The book will make you smile and you’ll soon become emotionally attached to Jack and Sophia. I felt like I was in lockdown with them! They’re both loveable characters and I enjoyed James’ writing style. Each chapter was in Sophia or Jack’s POV and I enjoyed finding out about their past and seeing how their characters develop. 



Obviously this book is very fitting for what we are all currently going through - a global pandemic! But whilst reading this story it touches upon how we have all celebrated the NHS and become one as a community. Even though this book is fiction with a hint of real life - it reminded me how much we have gone through in 2020. This love story is exactly what you need to brighten up this frightening and strange year! I wish this romance story was real!

A fine romance gets lost in the minutiae of Lockdown life.
In this Lockdown romance, heroine Sophia and hero Jack who lives above her in the same block of flats can never meet, as Jack has kidney problems and is shielding. But they converse on their balconies and gradually form a deep friendship that spills over into romance. But apart from Lockdown there are other challenges - not least the fact that Jack's ex Laura is still on the scene, and Sophia is not willing to risk more heartbreak after a bitter split-up from fiance Ryan. This has all the ingredients for a good romance - sympathetic main characters with a strong backing cast of friends and family, and obstacles to be overcome, but I felt the Lockdown narrative, in which Sophia, abetted by Jack from his flat, built up the neighburhood community, swamped the emotional aspect too much - the shortages, shopping difficulties, kids' education challenges, Zoom hospital appointments, loneliness and fear are all a bit too raw and real for me to enjoy in a fiction book, especially with another Lockdown now in force. I'd probably enjoy it more reading it a year from now.

I have a suspicion that we are likely to see quite a few 'lockdown' novels in the coming months and years. It's unusual that something happens that has such an impact on not only the whole country but the whole world. Of course, it was slightly different from place to place, but there are few, if any, people who seem to have not been affected in one way or another by the covid outbreak. I was interested to see how it would be dealt with in this novel. Were we really ready for a romance set in lockdown?
On the whole, I enjoyed the romance between Jack and Sophia. I like the idea of a couple falling for one another without actually meeting and in the context of the lockdown the whole thing worked really well. Added to this were the other little bits and pieces that led to a different world under lockdown. We've got the elderly people who live on their own struggling with day to day life, a young couple finding their wedding plans destroyed and new parents facing giving birth under restrictions. The whole thing, along with the sense of community that runs through the book, really did paint a picture of the lockdown experience that many of us have faced this year.
Something that did irritate me very slightly was the two main characters saying darn. It seems like such an unlikely thing for them to say. I know that it's a minor point, but it threw me out of the story and didn't ring true as being British.
Overall this was an entertaining and fun read. It's a difficult one as I'm not sure that we're that close to it all being over as yet and this story only covers the first lockdown in the UK. As Britain moves back into lockdown and the rest of the world is still coping with all that this virus has to throw at us, I can't help but wonder how Jack and Sophia would be coping with facing it all again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Love in Lockdown focuses on Sophia and Jack. In March 2020 Britain went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some people were deemed high risk and were therefore not allowed to leave their homes even for exercise as the rest of us. In this book Jack is faced with this reality. Others were deemed key workers - NHS staff, shop workers and teachers who worked in education hubs with the children of other key workers who could not be homeschooled like the majority of children. Sophia is faced with this tough job. Through the Thursday night 8pm clap that we all enjoyed Jack and Sophia "meet" It turns out that Jack stays upstairs from Sophia and though their balconies are positioned in such a way that they can't see each other they can talk and quickly realise how much they need the other. With other neighbours becoming involved in their balcony chats, soon there is a great community spirit amongst the residents and they realise that being forced to stay in and play their parts in the war against Covid will lead to friendship, community spirit and love.
It was really interesting to set a story during the lockdown which is still so current in all of our minds. I thought it was great to have the 2 main characters facing such different lockdown experiences. One continuing to work in what was unquestioningly one of the most important of key working sectors and one facing that shielding that stripped the liberties of so many and lead to a rapid decline in mental health for many. The characters were real and true and depicted an experience that many will have taken for granted through their own lockdown lives.
It was a romantic comedy, the romance was light and fluffy and came flowing so naturally. The comedy was quick and had me giggling several times over.
The secondary characters were brilliant and lent themselves perfectly into the story without detracting from the main duo.

4 stars!! Love in Lockdown follows the story of two singles living in the UK during the Covid-19 lockdown. Jack lives in the apartment above Sophia but they've never met until they begin talking to each other from their balconies. They get to know each other and it's the beginning of a romance. They also get to know other people who live in their apartment complex and the book revolves around the relationship growing between Jack and Sophia, as well as their friends and neighbours. The book is told in chapters which alternate between Jack's and Sophia's points of view.

I really enjoyed this one, it was a very slow burn but I felt it suited a book where the pandemic is preventing the characters from actually meeting face to face. The realities of living during Covid 19 are all there, from toilet paper shortages to learning how to use Zoom, and if you don't want to hear anymore about the virus I would recommend skipping this book. I liked the honest depictions and how all the characters got to know each other from their balconies. There was a sense of friendship among those in the apartment complex and I loved how they all helped each other out. The romance between Jack and Sophia was sweet and grew slowly as they talked from their balconies over weeks of lockdown. Friendship grew into love and it was an easy read romantic comedy that I enjoyed over the weekend. I liked how the book ended and the loose ends were all tied up.

Overall, this was a cute romantic comedy set in the era of Covid-19. Anyone looking for a lighthearted romance with a slow burn would like this. But I would avoid it if you're looking to escape the pandemic by getting lost in a book, this one will for sure remind you of the current global situation.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.

I have to admit, I was in two minds about reading a book about the COVID-19 lockdown situ when here in England we have literally just gone back in to lockdown. BUT, it was personally exactly the sort of book I needed to read right now.

This book is told between two different POV's: Jack and Sophia. Jack and Sophia 'meet' one Thursday evening at 8PM during the weekly clap for key-workers event and get talking to one another and these evening chats then turn into a part of their daily routine. I absolutely adored both Jack and Sophia, I was so attached to them both from the first chapter and I fell completely in love with the idea of them as one. The story also touched upon other members of the community, with them all coming together as a team to make lockdown easier for one another.

This book was your stereotypical, cliche, love story. There were no twists and turns, you knew exactly what was going to happen from the get go and in my opinion, that's what made it so good?! I found it SO relatable too. Stockpiling loo roll, clap for key-workers, zoom calls, all of the lockdown shenanigans are in this book and I couldn't help but smile and laugh reflecting back on it.

This is such a wonderful story, one that has made light of the awful situation we have all faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and I feel this is an absolute must read.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Chloe James for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is out November 23rd!