A charming and fairly original take on a romantic comedy, given that it takes place during our current pandemic.

Jack and Sophia are neighbors. His balcony is right above hers. They have never met in person. At the beginning of the pandemic when everyone is in lockdown, Jack can hear Sophia crying on her balcony after the nightly clap for the NHS workers. They begin to chat, and before you know it, it’s a daily ritual.

Jack can’t leave his apartment due to a health condition. Sophia is a teacher, and teaches in-person to a smaller group of students. Between the two of them, they come up with ideas that will help their community during these hard times, and Jack enjoys feeling like he has things to do and look forward to. Not only do Jack and Sophia share food and drinks via a cardboard box attached to rope, but they also start to share a mutual attraction (without seeing each other).

Will that attraction last past lockdown?

This is a feel-good, hopeful story written in a time when things don’t feel good or particularly hopeful. From the nightly claps for essential workers to the neighborhood coming together to help each other out (great cast of characters), interesting side stories, and a bit of romance, this book delivers exactly what it promises...a light and fun diversion.

3.5 stars.

Thank you to Avon Books UK, author Chloe James, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Great book for what we’re going through now. Easy to read in one sitting. Definite page-turner. Would recommend if you like romantic comedies.

Cute fun read that made actual quarantine not so bad!! The characters were fun and quirky, I definitely wanted to be friends with them when all was said and done! The characters could have been a little more developed, and I felt like I was just dropped into the middle of a story I was trying to catch up on. But the writing and quirky nature of the main characters made up for that- it was a nice little getaway story:)

This was a very sweet story and I loved how much they all cared about each other. For me personally, after reading this book I realized it might be a little too soon for me to read books about being in a lockdown, while I’m still in the middle of one. I think I might have to wait a bit before I can fully enjoy stories like this.

It was an okay reading , it could be better
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

"when everything else stops, love is all that's left. It counts for everything as it always does, in the key workers, the nurses, the hospital staff, the shop assistants, the bus and delivery drivers - everyone braving a common enemy for the sake of others " - Love In Lockdown, Chloe James

This book was just what I needed. It was fun and lighthearted and yes it was your typical romance novel and I could guess the ending but it was still one that I absolutely flew through and loved.

It is set during lockdown which was a really tough time for us all and the pandemic is still ongoing so we're still struggling now. I understand that for many they may not enjoy being taken back to such a sad time but I actually found it really comforting. It felt alot more real and recent when I was reading and the author has written it in a really lovely way too. She hasn't made it too fluffy and ignored all of the bad bits, she showed people's struggles and how hard it was for us all. She doesn't brush over any of this at all but she doesn't focus in too much on the negatives, this book really does show how much we all united in these times. And it's true, we did. Communities came together, we had the clap for the NHS and all other key workers and people were assisting in buying shopping for those vulnerable people who couldn't get it and all of this was shown in the book. Times were awful, it was a shock to us all and it deeply affected many peoples lives but as the quote I used at the start says, love prevailed.

This book was an absolute joy to read. It was heartwarming, comforting and I'd definitely reccomend if you're in the mood for a lighter read but one that may feel slightly closer to home.

I won’t be giving feedback on this book. I was unable to read as it’s not accessible on NetGalley shelf and the format is not readable on Kindle books - the line spacing is incorrect.

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.

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!