Member Reviews

After reading all of the reviews for this book, I SO badly wanted to absolutely adore it! And while I really enjoyed it, there were aspects that left me wanting a lot more.

The premise of the book is that COVID-19 causes several colorful London characters to be locked in their apartment for 7 days. This includes a couple in a 4-year long relationship, a vlogger who is stuck without his girlfriend, a one night stand, a bridal party, and a couple in a budding relationship. The variety of situations these characters found themselves in was original and so clever, and they allowed for a lot of fun jokes.

I think what could have made this book even better would be to extend the stories of each apartment by cutting down on one story in particular that just didn't capture my attention. I found myself skipping over the bridesmaids' apartment because there was no intimate relationship that could be examined.

The ending was entirely too rushed, and while I understand that its ambiguity is fitting because we never know where our relationships will go, I was disappointed to not get closure on the couple that I was most invested in.

Overall, it was an entirely realistic depiction of different modern relationships that was charming, funny, and so endearing.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Pretty much the title explains the premise of the book. Tenants in a building complex were locked down for a week due to a positive case in one of the apartments. There were five different stories that tackled how each tenant dealt with it. In Apartment #17, Serena and her boyfriend had been together for 4 years. They were constantly arguing about anything trivial. It was sad and silly. Honestly, Serena wasn’t a compassionate character. In Apartment #22, Olivia was hosting a wedding planning party for her bestie/bride that included three ladies in her small apartment. Olivia liked her space and was overwhelmed by bridezilla and the lack of privacy. In Apartment #15, Isla had her new boyfriend over and they learned to coexist in her small apartment. She wanted to look and act perfect around him. Which was exhausting for her. In Apartment #6, Ethan was alone since his girlfriend got stuck outside. He realized during his week alone what his girlfriend meant to him. I also didn’t understand why the apartment manager didn't let her in if that was her place of residence. In Apartment #14, Imogen was stuck at her one night stand’s apartment for the whole week. This was the only story about two strangers, which drew my attention. And was my favorite among these stories. The five stories contained blossoming romance, new friendships, learning about oneself and others. The stories were pretty predictable, but they were all so good. I also liked how it had some hope on being lockdown which can be hard. Though I would have liked a better ending. Maybe an epilogue on what happened to these characters in 6 months time. Overall, if you like a cute romance, you will like this book.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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DNF 40%
Didn't feel connected to the characters althought the plot was interestin I am a character driven reader. If I don't love any character the book instantly doesn't talk to me.

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This books made me laugh out loud in the first chapter. this book is based off of being quarantined in your apartment due to a global pandemic - you know the drill. Some of you will think it’s funny, some of you will be annoyed. I took this as an opportunity to relate to others’ stories and enjoy the comic relief about the situation. I love books written from multiple points of few so this was perfect. It was fast paced and I was interested in what would happen and how the characters changed over the course of 7 days.

This is a funny, lighthearted (if you let it be), and quick read. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something mindless and not very mind boggling.

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One of the first Covid-lockdown stories I've seen. This was an enjoyable story that examines the lives of a group of people in a single apartment building which is shut down due to a case of Covid in the building. At times, it seemed a little improbable, because I can't imagine people in the US following the lockdown rules in place in Great Britain. Even so, the conflicts and attempts to survive being quarantined with a one-night stand or a group of friends preparing for the bride's wedding were amusing.

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It is interesting getting back to a time we all live,= but reacted differently.

In Lockdown on London Lane, the reader is introduced to common situations, that might have been unthinkable a couple of years back, but as of 2022, it is how we are living life entering a third, or fourth depending on where you are living, lockdown.

While I enjoyed reading the different storylines, there were definitely a few that I found more attached to, and some not so memorable ones, still there as excitement on reading those, waiting for more from the others.

My favorite part of the book is how it is (HOPEFULLY) a time capsule of the time we are living, and many years from now, when lockdowns are no longer required, people might be able to visit different experiences of the time we live on now.

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This book has a really great premise and I was excited to read it! Unfortunately to me, the tone the author used was too lighthearted for a time that was actually really frightening, and it was nostalgic for something that we are not nearly far enough removed from. I was interested in a few of the couples’ dynamics, though I did find them all very cliché. I think this book will be for some people, but it sadly wasn’t for me.

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This is such a relatable book about the mundane moments in the pandemic. It follows five flats as they deal with a lock in and and a cute love story of being quarantined together after you JUST started dating. Every tenant is at a different point in their lives for example one is planning a whole WEDDING stuck inside. It was very enjoyable watching everything intertwine and unravel. I look forward to the new surge of pandemic books. This is a great example of one and I hope they are all as good.

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I have always loved beth reekles books she is an amazing writer. This concept of story is so real in 2021 as we all experienced the lockdown in all countries.

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I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting here, because I don’t read a ton of romance and this is the first book I’ve read about/during COVID. I think I worried it would have a mildly sinister feel, given that the book takes place in March 2020 and, as we’re entering year 3 of the pandemic, we know what came next. But it was actually relatively light-hearted and while the end was predictable in the way I’ve found most romance I have read to be, it was still so fun and so satisfying to read!

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This book takes place at the beginning of the pandemic in an apartment building in London. It takes place entirely over the course of one week. Personally, I enjoy when a book takes place over a short timespan.

At the start of this book, the residents of an apartment building all get notified that they have to quarantine in their apartment for the next week. Someone in the building has COVID, so whoever is in the apartment is staying in for a week and whoever is outside can’t get in for a week.

We meet the tenants in several apartments most are in their own terrible scenario (some definitely worse than others).

In one apartment, Ethan’s live in girlfriend is shut out for the week after staying the weekend with her parents.

In another, Isla is staying with her boyfriend of one month. They are incredibly happy in this early part of their relationship but being stick together for a week is rough. They’ve both been on the best behavior around each other up to this point.

Imogen was trying to sneak out of an apartment where she’d had a one night stand with a man she barely knew (she doesn’t even remember his first name).

One apartment resident has been hosting her best friend’s bridal party for the weekend. She barely knows these women and now they will be there all week (this sounds like a nightmare!)

And in another apartment, a long term couple is questioning the commitment they made to each other…their drama all starts with a pineapple pizza.

All of these people are forced into close proximity (other than Ethan) with people for the week. Everyone is questioning their relationships in some way during and after. Some people are broken down by the stress of the pandemic and eventually resolve their fights, others might have been pushed to have a conversation they would have avoided otherwise.

At the end of the week everyone is free again but it breaks your heart to know that they don’t even know what lies ahead over the next two years.

Clever idea for a storyline and setting. Some of the characters got on my nerves sometimes but they got on each other’s nerves too lol

I thought the end of one of the character’s storylines was especially sweet.

I got to read an early ebook edition from BookishFirst

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I really, really enjoyed this book! This book is told from multiple points of view and every time I reached the end of a chapter, I HAD to keep going to find out what was going on in the next apartment. The story takes place in an apartment building in London and focuses on 5 different units in the building. Someone in the building tests positive for Covid, so they building goes on a 7 day lockdown without warning. Each apartment had its own unique storyline and they were all witty, heartwarming, and laugh out loud funny. The relationships in each unit range from a one night stand (hilarious!), to a bridesmaid weekend, a stale 4-year relationship, a budding new romance, and a smitten couple that is separated for the week. Each set of characters provided a lot of entertainment and I could relate to almost all the scenarios. This book moves at a quick pace, keeps you entertained, and even in the awkward, realistic moments, you can totally sympathize with each character. I thought the endings for each character were perfectly wrapped up. I give this book a solid 4.5/5 stars!

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I was hesitant to read this book at first as the main topics were covid and the lockdown (and weren’t just loosely referred to like in 56 Days and False Witness). The book focuses on a building that is locked down for 7 days because of the virus. We are introduced to 5 different residents who are experiencing their own issues related to the lockdown that almost anyone could relate to. Nate is by himself while his girlfriend, Charlotte, is stuck at her parents. Serena questions her 4 year relationship with Zach over his pizza topping choice. Liv ends up hosting a week long bridesmaids’ party with her bride of a best friend breaking down about a potentially cancelled wedding. Isla and Danny put their brand-new relationship to the test.And Imogen spends 6 more nights than planned with her one-night fling, Danny.

Don’t let the fact that this is about covid keep you from reading it because it’s absolutely delightful (unless you truly are trying to avoid covid book, I totally understand!). To get a glimpse inside different situations these residents are experiencing is eye-opening. I felt so connected to each of the characters as we saw them at their best and worst. The ending was unexpectedly sweet yet heartbreaking at the same time!

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I thought this book was a nice, light, and fun read about an apartment complex that goes on lockdown during the beginning of the pandemic. I enjoyed how it jumped back and forth to the different characters and showed various stages of relationships surviving through one week of lockdown. I definitely saw my relationship in some of the scenarios and found it fun to relate to the characters.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad books for an eARC of Lockdown on London Lane in exchange for an honest review.

As we enter out third year of pandemic life it's time for books about the whole situation to start coming to life. At first I had thought nothing of it, what could be the big deal about reading about quarantine, well it ended up feeling almost too relevant and too with the times, not only was the whole quarantine, virus without naming a name thing so very now but also a lot of things in the people's lives, one of the characters is a twitch streamer, there were others where very current references were made and something about it just threw me, it didn't ruin the book or anything but it did almost feel like it was pulling me out of the book.

When a new contagious virus is found to have infected someone in this London Lane apartment building the whole building is sent into a week long quarantine, no one and no thing in or out of the building, at least not until it's been thoroughly sanitized. Lockdown on London Lane follows 5 different storylines from a couple locked in together and breaking down to a one night stand getting stuck in quarantine for each other. Each of these different storylines had distinct voices that made them easy to differentiate but some of them weren't very memorable. In a story with so many voices you're going to pick your favourite and least favourites and when those least favourites roll around you're sort of like "oh, you still exist." None of this turned me off from the book though, this is just the problem with multiple perspectives, me forgetting about Ethan doesn't mean that he couldn't be your favourite character. Overall, this book is a fun way to sort of delve into what life was like when the pandemic first began, it's a way for us to look back and reflect while following quirky characters and seeing how a 7 day imposed quarantine can effect us all differently. Within the colourful cast of characters you should be able to find someone who you relate to but also someone you may find crazy. Lockdown on London Lane is simply just fun, multiple POVS with a dash of quarantine, what could go wrong?

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I went into this book a bit apprehensive about things. I wasn't sure I was really ready to start reading about the pandemic we're all still living through. In times like this I've never needed the escape a fictional world can offer more so the idea of reading more of what I was living was daunting. This title surprised me though. I was engaged from the start and it didn't feel heavy to read in the midst of the pandemic. Instead, it gave me all the warm nostalgic vibes that some of my favorite multi-story rom-coms give me, like Love Actually or What To Expect When You're Expecting, In short, it was just what I needed. Funny, real, and romantic this title is a must read in 2022 for any romance fan.

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This book takes place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, following five parallel narratives all taking place in the same apartment building that has been locked down for 7 days after someone living there tested positive.

One storyline follows Ethan, a YouTuber and Twitch streamer whose girlfriend was visiting her parents when the building went into lockdown, meaning that he was trapped in the building and she outside the building for the duration of the quarantine. It's primarily dealing with him missing her and realizing how much he values her presence in his life. Their storyline is absolutely adorable, though not much happens in it until about halfway through the book. I started out not really caring, but, by the end, it was far and away one of my favorite of the book's subplots.

Another follows Imogen and Nate, who had had a one-night stand and are then trapped together after knowing basically nothing about each other. Imogen has always been very chaotic and free-spirited, and definitely isn't looking for any sort of relationship, while Nate had never done anything like a one-night stand before. Their conflicting personalities are definitely really fun to read about, and I absolutely adore this opposites-attract romance.

A third plot-line follows Isla and Danny, who've been dating for a month. While it's going well and they both feel serious about the relationship, they definitely aren't prepared for being thrown together for a week. The main focus of this storyline is Isla's struggle with still feeling as if she has to maintain a facade of perfection for Danny, that they aren't far enough into their relationship yet for her to show him anything but the most polished version of herself. Their struggling to work around each other and eventual growth to working with each other was really well-developed and enjoyable to read.

An additional storyline follows Liv, who held a wedding preparation party for her best friend, Kim, for whom she's the maid of honor, which results in her getting trapped with Kim, who is a huge Bridezilla, and the two other bridesmaids in her one-bedroom apartment for the duration of the quarantine. The main focus of this storyline is on her friendship with Kim and the strain that the wedding is putting on both of them, but her romance with one of the other bridesmaids is also a key part. I really wanted to love this storyline, but I just didn't think that the romance aspect was developed well; I'm usually willing to make all sorts of excuses for wlw romances because I'll take whatever representation I can get, but it really should have been fleshed out a bit more. I did enjoy the friendship aspect of this though. Regardless, this was probably my least favorite of the storylines; it was still good, just not as good as the others were.

The fifth storyline follows Zach and Serena, who have been dating for four years and had already been living together for a while at the start of the lockdown. Their relationship is already a bit strained at the beginning of the book, but constantly being around each other only emphasizes this and makes Serena start to have doubts about how well they really know each other, and whether they're actually feasible as a long-term couple. This story is definitely the most emotional and realistic of the subplots in the book, taking a strikingly different tone from the rest of them. However, I still believe that it's a vital part of the story; the book at its core is exploring the effects that that isolation can have on people at different stages in their lives and relationships, and it can't effectively do that if it acts entirely positive all of the time.

The way in which this book explores couples at five different stages of their relationship is really interesting and well done'; every couple's dynamic is unique and flawed and well-developed, never feeling contrived or unrealistic. Reekles' exploration of the ways in which the lockdown (and resulting extended time in close proximity) played out in a different way for each pair is definitely the most interesting aspect of the book. and makes the story greater than any of its individual parts.

The only criticism I have is that the pacing feels a little off sometimes; each storyline has its individual rises and falls, so there will inevitably be times where one character's POV will be really slow, which is usually balanced by an eventful chapter for another character immediately after. However, there were definitely a few parts of the book that felt like a definite lull, which I think could have been an easy fix with some light reshuffling. However, those few moments definitely weren't too noticeable, and, while the book is definitely character-driven, it isn't slow overall in any respect.

It really did feel a bit like being transported back to the start of the pandemic. Kim's wedding worries, references to Animal Crossing and stores running out of toilet paper, and the overall atmosphere of being unsure how life would play out even from one week to another are all well-represented. I particularly appreciated the care that Reekles took to capture the elevating state of worry about the pandemic over the course of the week as situations developed rapidly. It's really well handled, and used as much more than simply a plot device for forcing the couples into extended proximity, though the various relationship dynamics are still very much at the heart of the book. Regardless, if it still feels too soon for you to read anything pandemic-themed, this is probably not the book for you at this moment.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Each of the storylines felt balanced, realistic, unique, and well-developed, and I was really attached to almost all of the characters and situations. Reekles handles each couple's dynamics and issues really skillfully; everybody feels human and three-dimensional, which is something that takes a lot of skill. It's a book about humanity, and love across a variety of stages. My only qualm in recommending it would be if somebody is completely uninterested in reading anything dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic because it feels too real. because it is definitely a presence and important backdrop for the characters' development in the novel. Otherwise, I would enthusiastically recommend it to anybody who loves contemporary romances, or who is looking to see romances depicted in a realistic way.

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Lockdown on London Lane follows 5 apartments that have been unexpectedly put on emergency quarantine at the beginning of the pandemic. The various occupants are a struggling couple, a new couple, a one night stand, a lonely man missing his girlfriend, and a hilarious group of young women prepping for a wedding. None of them can leave the building, let alone the apartments for a solid week and the inhabitants grapple with the impending pandemic and what life is like in lockdown - something that unites most of the world.

I really enjoyed this book and at times felt like I was reliving parts of my own lockdown experience (Tiger King, zoom meetings, and too much prosecco), but with rose-coloured glasses. I would recommend this book to any fans of romantic comedies and anyone looking for an enjoyable, funny read.

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Lockdown on London Lane is one I think we can all relate to in a way!

This story follows the lives of 5 different apartments as they try to “survive” a week long lockdown!

Each story has its own issue to resolve that tests friendships, love and well personal growth! I feel like each apartment found some sort of growth and understanding! My favorite couple was Danny and Ilsa! They really learned a lot about themselves and each other! I also loved Imogen! She was a mess of a woman but I think she learned a lot about herself I just would’ve loved to see more about her and Nate!

This story was such an enjoyable read and definitely held my attention! I read it in one setting!

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A fun, easy read taking place during the initial phases of lockdown during the pandemic. The story follows 5 apartments as they navigate various social and romantic situations while under a weeklong quarantine. There’s a one night stand turned week-night stand, a new relationship, and tense friendships.

Overall it was enjoyable and I felt the characters grew a little throughout the story, tackling heavier topics of love, list, and breakups. I could have done with deeper plots; everything felt a little on the surface.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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