Love in Lockdown

"Love in Lockdown" puts a modern twist on the usual meet-cute romance. Chloe James set up this adorable romance between Sophia and Jack, two apartment neighbors who have never met (or have they?!) but begin to develop a relationship during the Covid quarantine. While both are dealing with their own health issues and the difficulties involved with being isolated from others, they begin to rely on each other for companionship and even love. I thought this book was very timely and incredibly cute.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Due to what I'm sure will be fixed in editing before this heads out for publication, the break up of the chapters was very hard to see because they weren't bolded. I am sure this will be fixed in publication.

Overall, it was a good read. I think it was sweet and endearing, especially during these tough times.

A lovely read about the current circumstances, although much more positive and filled with plenty of love and joy! I really enjoyed the blossoming romance between Sophia and Jack, it was heart-warming & had me smiling over a situation that hasn't brought much joy to the real world. I was slightly jealous of the community the two had around them, they really made the most of hard times & not only did they work on themselves, they supported the people around them and made use of a trying time. I read this book in the space of a day, it was just that spirit lifting book that I needed in my life!

I figured this would be a cute rom-com (which it totally is), but it's also so much more. This is a story about resilience, community, and hope in the crazy times we call the present.

If you're anything like me, you're seeing the influx of quarantine-related stories and wondering if people are just jumping on the bandwagon to capitalize on what is possibly the weirdest fictional trend since YA paranormal romance: pandemic romance. I was worried this might be a bit gimmicky, but it feels like Chole James genuinely wants to explore the effects of lockdown in a meaningful way. "Together, Apart" feels less like a slogan and more like a defiant battle cry in the midst of isolation and loneliness.

"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.

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.

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.

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?

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 was tempted by his book as I thought it would be interesting to read. I have to say I was not disappointed. The story is basically about two people falling in love even though they have never met due to the lockdown due to Covid-19. This was an amusing but thought provoking book looking at how various people coped during lockdown and the sense of community that grew all over the country. Anyone who thinks that a book set in the time of lockdown would be too many reminders, it has a great message running through it that a little bit of help and kindness towards others can go a long way.

Such a cute and fun read! Perfect distraction in life right now. Really enjoyable characters and story and hard to put down!

Finally a realistic romance for these times! Made me believe in love once again.

I was just beyond excited to read Love in Lockdown. While in lockdown. And wanting love. I've been hugely into romance lately for the fun and comfort of it, but I really wanted something more realistic. This is it!

Love in Lockdown follows Sophia who is not only funny and delightful, but also very realistic. Just like so many of us, she is afraid that after lockdown, she will not be able to do great things or fall in love with The One. She is devastated, and I couldn't felt but feel like I'm her!

So when a similarly devastated, used-to-be-the-life-of-the-party guy Jack hears Sophie crying from his balcony in an apartment below, they strike a conversation and soon it becomes a heartwarming routine. The two find themselves in a short-yet-long-distance relationship where they're so close but have to stay apart.

I just loved this adorable romance, which was much needed during quarantine for me. Not only did it brighten up my days, but also allowed me to feel that love is out there to find, even when physical contact is not possible. The only reason it's a four-star rating for me is that I couldn't help but roll my eyes at some of the cliches, such as the lack of toilet paper. Overall - endearing, sweet and fun.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Love in Lockdown ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel reading a book set during lockdown, but the premise of this book intrigued me: is it possible to meet someone and fall in love during a time of quarantine? Sophia and Jack “meet” one night, as they stand on their respective balconies, his a story above hers, while they join in with others clapping for essential workers. Jack has a health condition that means he can never leave his flat or have contact with anyone, so they never see each other, but their relationship grows through nightly chats, baskets that bring food and drink up and down, and helping others in their community. I loved the fact that they really had no idea what the other looked like, because in the end it’s so much more to know what’s in the inside than the outside. Beyond the sweet romance (and a grand gesture that warmed my heart!), we are also introduced to the people who live in their community, a wonderful cast of characters trying their best to cope with a difficult situation. The author does a great job of dealing with the pandemic in a way that is realistic, but hopeful. In the end, this is a heartfelt, endearing story of love, resilience, and helping others. It reminds me of all the lessons I’ve learned during this time.

This book epitomizes that even in times of uncertainty and abject loneliness, happiness and love will always prevail if you have a good heart and intentions such as Sophia. Through her, Jack drew great joy in their balcony conversations and realized his illness did not define him and what he hoped and desired. Through the book, it was if his heart actually grew in terms of Beth and also the great lengths he did for Sophia from afar. The community actually grew closer but most importantly, they really cared for each other which in a cosmopolitan city often doesn't occur. A sweet and uplifting read.

I picked up this book because of the title and I was so hopeful that it would cheer me up after this crazy idea. This book is set during the COVID quarantine with Sophia and Jack being our main characters who are neighbors and have to actually talk because uhmm hello we under quarantine .The author did a great job because after reading this book I was hopeful and it's such a cute book..Recommend it to everyone in need of some romance .Huge thanks to AVON for my advanced copy .

Almost 4 full rolls of loo paper!

A Meet Cute for our Covid 19 times!

Too soon? Not at all!

This sweet novel takes us back to the weeks of lockdown, before Covid fatigue set in.
When neighbors in the UK could be seen with rainbow pictures in their windows, standing in their gardens, and on their balconies, weekly, on Thursday nights, to applaud the healthcare workers of the NHS.

And, when our fictional characters, Sophia and Jack, “meet” as they begin “talking” from their balconies, and sharing drinks and food, by sending these things up and down, the one flight difference, in boxes and baskets, lowered and raised by pulley, parapet to parapet.

They cannot actually SEE each other with the way that the balconies are designed, but that doesn’t stop them from forming a bond with one another and with the neighbors that they share the Thursday night ritual with.

Are the feelings they are developing real? Or will they fizzle out like a reality show romance that makes it to the “real world”?

I was looking for something light and uplifting, and this fit the bill, with likeable leads, and a great supporting cast of characters !

My only suggestion-ditch the epilogue, and give us the sequel, “LOVE after Lockdown”! ❤️

Thank You to Avon books for my gifted copy!
It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!

Available Nov. 23, 2020!

4.5 stars

This was a case of the right book coming into my life at the right time. This was gorgeous. It was the perfect romance telling of all the good things that have come out of lockdown. I really loved all the relationships within this, and loved how the book didn’t dwell on the negatives. It was very nearly a 5 star but I found a few of the plot points a little too convenient. Can’t wait to get my hands on a paper copy of this as it currently stands this will be in my top 10 of the year.

This was such a beautiful and uplifting book once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down and read it in an afternoon. The book really resonated with me as like jack I was also shielding for nearly 8 months and could really relate to what he was going through and also how it feels to have a life limiting illness and how that affects daily life and relationships etc. The author covered the topic of epilepsy and kidney disease in a sensitive way and also covered the effects of lockdown and how everyone needed to pull together to help each other in an insightful way without getting bogged down with the politics and background of the Covid virus instead focusing on the happy things and community spirit to come out of the pandemic. I think there were a lot of Sophie’s out there helping others and I was lucky to also have my own in the form of a good friend who became my food fairy. If your looking for a light hearted heartwarming romantic read then look no further than love in lockdown.

Love in Lockdown by Chloe James is a timely, lighthearted read that will strike a chord with anyone who is trying to adjust to a new normal. This is about overcoming adversity, and finding a sense of community during a challenging situation.

Sophia is struggling to keep it all together when the UK goes into lockdown. She fears for the safety of her mother, a frontline worker, and will be attending the much anticipated wedding of her sister virtually. When she has a teary moment on the balcony, her upstairs neighbour, Jack, is an audible witness to her distress, and offers a kind ear. Jack, it seems, is also struggling with the changes brought about by the lockdown as he is confined to his flat owing to a pre-existing condition. The two neighbours, who were previously strangers, begin to rely on one another to get through the difficult days.

This is a heartfelt story about the banding together of neighbours, and the ways in which a sense of community can be achieved, particularly in times of crisis. I look forward to reading more from Ms James.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I’d been waiting for romance authors to tackle love in the time of social distancing and fears about the virus. This novel is the first one I’ve seen and the author really does a nice job capturing what rings true about a community of people going through lockdown in England during the screen. Jack has some sort of a kidney problem that forces him to stay in total lockdown so he won’t risk an infection. He strikes up a friendship with Sophia who lives in the apartment below him when they both are on their balconies clapping for the NHS.

Sophia is a teacher for a few really cute youngsters whose parents are working at the hospital. She has her own illness problems so she and Jack have empathy for what the other is going through. But Sophia is also a kind-hearted woman who looks out for ways to help her neighbors get through this time. She spends a lot of time running errands or visiting others. Jack spends his time phoning and talking to some of the elderly, lonely people in the neighborhood.

That was what was so lovely about this story - how the author captured the way that this disparate group of people were coming together during the shutdown to comfort and entertain each other, for example to hold weekly concerts out on their balconies. And Sophia’s students were endearingly cute as they talk about their arts anc craft projects and their fears. Sophia’s sister has to plan a virtual wedding celebration in the middle of the lockdown, but it all turns out so sweetly.

The story was lovely, but it did bring me down going through those early, scary, and lonely first months.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Cute book with a relevant story line. It was funny and engaging from the first chapter on to the end.

I really enjoyed this debut book from Chloe.

The story is very current and based around Sophia and Jack at the start of lockdown in their flats. Each chapter within the book is told from their own points of view which I loved about the story as we got to know both Sophia and Jack well this way. Sophia and Jack live in the same block of flats, and they meet on the balcony of their flats during the clap for the key workers. They then strike up a friendship and get to know each other more.

I feel that the essence of feeling during lockdown was very well captured in the book and I loved the community feel with other characters such as Bertie and Mavis etc. I loved the part where Sophia took a dog for a walk and the descriptions of how people behaved was spot on. The story has a good pace and there is plenty to keep you reading and I loved the ending and thought it was perfect, even though I would like more of Sophia and Jack story post lockdown.

Overall a great enjoyable romance read that I really enjoyed.

Thank you to the publishers Avon Books and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, Chloe James and Avon Books for and Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

There is one scene early on in this book which sets the mood for the entire remainder. It involves a saxophone, some singing and a whole lot of emotion. If there is one word to describe this beautiful little gem, it is emotion.

Sophia is out on her balcony for the weekly Clap for NHS. They have been on lockdown for two weeks and she is feeling the weight of it. She begins sobbing after the clap, feeling the pressure of grief and sadness all at once. Her neighbor, Jack, whom she has never met hears her sobbing and calls out to her, offering his support. Both Jack and Sophia have serious health issues in play. Jacki is in complete isolation due to a weakened immune system. They "meet" without laying eyes on each other and so being a beautiful friendship. Together, they find ways to help and unite their neighbors while falling in love with each other.

This is one of the happiest little novels I have read in a long time. The characters are engaging and quirky and despite the somewhat heavy background of the Covid Pandemic, it is kept light. I enjoyed this escape from our current reality very much and loved being a part of this cool "neighborhood"!

What a lovely story, a great feel good love story to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Lockdown is a huge part of all our lives at the moment, but this book made you aware of all the beauty that comes from it, of the togetherness, the caring nature it brought out of everyone, the community spirit, it was lovely written.

A timely and charming read that really tugs at the heartstrings, I absolutely adored Love In Lockdown - although it was definitely a bit surreal reading a book about lockdown.

Sophia is afraid lockdown will put her life on pause – just as she was she was going to put herself out there and meet someone new. And when the the first clap for the key-workers rings out around her courtyard, she’s moved to tears for all kinds of reasons.

Jack is normally used to living life to the fullest - but because of a health condition, he has to cocoon and is starting to go totally stir-crazy. That is until that night he hears a woman crying from the balcony beneath his. He strikes up a conversation with the stranger and puts a smile back on her face.

Soon their balcony meetings are the highlight of Jack and Sophia’s days - but even as they grow closer together, they’re always kept apart.

While I loved the main romance of the story, I was also really drawn into the stories of their neighbours. I loved the sense of community that developed among the people who were living in the apartment block - like, how they were all checking in on each other and hosting weekly concerts out on their balconies, It kind of felt like I was part of the community as well.

This was such a wonderful, uplifting read! I absolutely devoured it in 2 days. The story follows Jack and Sophia, neighbours who live above and below each other in a block of flats. When the country goes into lockdown, during the first clap for carers, they strike up a conversation on their balconies. I love a cute, fluffy read and this is definitely that, however it was also very emotional and poignant. It’s the perfect book for the current circumstances, especially as England goes into lockdown 2.0. The point of view switches between Jack and Sophia with every chapter, and it’s nice to hear what each of them are going through individually, Sophia as a teacher and Jack shielding with a kidney condition, and then to see what happens when they unite and are able to support each other. The story also has many side characters, like Bertie and Mavis, who all have their own stories that intertwine with each other, and they all work together and get to know each other, and lean on each other in these hard times. It’s a beautiful story about community spirit and falling in love.

Really great book. Captured the whole lockdown situation perfectly. The characters were down to earth people whose lives had to change to survive the pandemic. The relationship between Jack and Sophie was intrigueing. I readvitvat a time we in Ireland were just facing into our second lockdown so very apt. This book should be on a list for teenagers to read in about 30 years time. They will not believe that this lockdown actually happened at call.

At the beginning of quarantine, I saw a TikTok about a guy trying to interact with another girl who was on a roof in NYC. In the TikToks, they started going on dates. When I saw this book, it reminded me of those interactions, which always seemed like a great idea for a book. So of course I wanted to read it.

I think this was a super cute book about the times that we're in. I think it was uplifting when nothing else seems to be over. Overall, I do recommend it!

I LOVE this book!! I love that love doesn’t stop during the worst of times — ie, NOW — and that it turns bad into good.
Also, it made me think of the couple that met across the tops of buildings: she was dancing, he was watching, and they ended up having virtual dates until they actually met!!

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.

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!

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 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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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...
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...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.

Would you believe this made me nostalgic. It did portray lockdown 1 very well and I could really relate to the community, the weekly clap, the helping of neighbours, the one up manship of who was loudest and was there etc. I have a good friend who is online dating through all of this, so I see how hard it is to be single.

There was some great moments - the lockdown wedding, lockdown birth.

Loved the main characters but also Eddie (and Tilly)

A good feel good read makes a great change from my usual books and for that I am grateful.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon books for giving me an advance copy in exchange for an honest and fair review which I have done.

Love In Lockdown is a perfect romance for our times.
Jack lives in the flat above Sophia. He is a bartender who is furloughed during lockdown and isolating due to health issues. Sophia is a teacher who remains working for a small group of children of key workers.
Jack and Sophia become firm friends when they both start using their respective balconies and begin chatting; but do not meet face to face! They try to make the most of their time and start helping others in their community. Can their love for helping others bring them closer together? Will their romance blossom or will their past bad experiences in the love department stop them finding true love together?
Jack and Sophia are both excellent, well developed and likeable characters. They are supported by a number of other people in the community who all make Love In Lockdown a perfect read for this time. I highly recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Highly enjoyed this book which is a definite sign of the times. Love during the pandemic is like a minefield and this book brings it to life.

Charming and sweet is the best way to describe this book.

Nothing better than a nice story to lift your spirits and I believe Chloe James achieved this with Love in Lockdown.

Sophia Trent and Jack Stanton are living in the same building without ever meeting in person. Jack has some health issues and he’s unable to leave his apartment during the pandemic lockdown. Sophia, on the other hand, is able to continue with her job as a teacher. She studied law but after developing epilepsy she gave up her career and now works with kids. Due to her illness, her boyfriend of five years didn’t want to stay with her.

One day after that NHS clapping, she becomes emotional and starts crying. Jack who lives above Sophia can hear her and they strike a conversation. Soon this becomes the norm. Sophia sends treats his way, while he sends special cocktails using a box and rope to her apartment balcony. Together, this duo and with the help of WhatsApp start helping their courtyard community.

Love in Lockdown brings some solid points about the pandemic including mental health issues that can arise from isolation, the need to help the elderly and other vulnerable populations, the importance of telemedicine and exhaustion of the healthcare workers, the need for teachers to help kids during these dire times.

My one complaint about the book would be the ending, I felt it needed more. Something was missing in the romance department.

3.5/5 fangs

Cliffhanger: No

A complimentary copy was provided by Avon UK via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It’s lockdown and life as Sophia knows it has been turned upside-down. She is trying to adjust to the new normal, with Zoom calls, one-way sop paths, and disinfecting grocery bags, which is all quite different to the way life was before. Another new thing to add to her list of lockdown activities is the Thursday evening clap for the NHS. At 8pm on Thursday, Sophia heads out to her little balcony and joins the clap. She claps for her roommate, her mom, everyone she knows is out on the frontlines fighting against COVID-19. It’s an emotional moment, and as emotions bubble over, Sophia has a quiet cry on her balcony.

Or so she thought. While she is still drying her tears, a concerned voice calls down from the balcony above asking if she’s okay … she was sobbing quite loudly, and the man upstairs is worried that something is wrong. Sophia tries to explain herself, and while doing so strikes up an unexpected friendship with the man, whose name is Jack. Jack is shielding and staying inside because of chronic kidney disease, which puts him at extra risk of severe illness if he were to contract the virus. Thus, an unlikely friendship starts: Sophia and Jack share cocktails and meals via a makeshift dumbwaiter contraption, and counsel one another through their tough days or their family dramas. Somehow, in the middle of a time of isolation, Sophia and Jack have managed to not be so isolated after all.

I knew it would only be a matter of time before a book set during the COVID-19 lockdown would make its way onto shelves. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect of these books – would they be inordinately depressing, boring, or mundane, or would authors use this as a way of sparking creativity and telling stories in a unique and unexpected way. Furthermore, given that so many people read for escapism, how would an author manage to take a story set in the current bleak world and make it feel like an escape? On the whole, though, I think this book achieves that.

Love in Lockdown by Chloe James is definitely a “cute” romance story between two people who meet under exceptional circumstances. The thread running through the whole book is that of community spirit and the fundamental good of humankind. I was sceptical about it at first, and unsure of how the plot would be able to move forward with limited settings and interactions, but I was pleasantly surprised. The creative use of side plots made the book feel as if it was always moving along, although I think the book did get quite heavy with these side plots. I suppose this is a natural consequence of being essentially limited to two apartments as settings for the story, but I sometimes found that there seemed to be a lot happening all at once, and that there were slightly too many dramatic turns of event that seemed a bit unbelievable or trite. On the whole, though, I thought the author managed to keep the story moving along smoothly and managed to execute a satisfactory story arc in a creative way.

The writing style in the book is very easy to read, and I found that I zipped through the pages (or screens, on Kindle, I suppose) at a rate of knots. The book is pure froth, which, given the subject matter, is actually quite an achievement. I think it was an easy, uplifting read that focussed on some serious themes as well, such as what it is like to live with pre-existing conditions during this lockdown, as well as how loneliness and isolation can impact on mental health. One other thing that this book showed me is how differently I handled the lockdown in my South African setting, compared to the characters in this book. It was interesting to get an insight into another country’s version of lockdown, even if it was through a fictional setting, where poetic license is probably par for the course in certain instances.

Overall, I think this was an enjoyable romance novel, that delivers on the promise of escapism in a time where it is so desperately needed. I was nervous about the onset of “Lockdown Lit” but I think that if this book is anything to go by, I wouldn’t necessarily mind reading more books set during this period in our history … and I’ll definitely be looking out for more by Chloe James when I’m in need of something light-hearted and enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the advance copy in exchange for a review!

Love in Lockdown by Chloe James

During the Covid-19 lockdown Sophia gets to know her upstairs neighbour Jack during chats on the balcony. The story of them falling in love is set against the backdrop of their family, friends and community trying to cope with the pandemic. A heart-warming story that also covers more serious issues of chronic illness, bereavement and grief, loneliness and many others. Lovely characters, great story and a fabulous record of what the lockdown was really like (I'm sure we'll forget all the details the author includes as times goes on) - very highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I wish my lockdown was filled with as much love, romance, heart and community spirit as this gorgeous story. Watching Sophie and Jack’s love blossom made me cry tears of pure joy - and the bouquet? SOBBING! This book is essential 2020 self-care.

Love in Lockdown by Chloe James a five-star read that will capture you. This was easily one of my favourite reads this year, and I will be honest with you, I almost didn’t read it as I was kinda fed up with lockdown, but I am so glad I did, this had me laughing it had me crying, and I mean ugly crying with raking sobs that had my dog coming over to check on me. I don’t know why I identified with this story as much as I did, but my goodness it got me right in the feels, this dealt with so many different things and it dealt with them so well. I adored how this story brought the realities of being part of the young shielding group, my husband was told to shield, and I am a key worker so we have had to get creative, I lost my stepbrother to Epilepsy so I know how it can change lives in the blink of an eye, this story will touch so many lives and I really hope that everyone reads it, it deserves to bring a positive light to lockdown. Jack and Sophia are great characters, but they are only two there are so many others that will captivate you and have you looking back at lockdown with rose tinted glasses, remembering the good moments, the moments that matter.

I read Love In Lockdown over the weekend and really enjoyed it. It was written during the first lockdown in England, an unprecedented time when everyone was wondering how the world would cope with this global pandemic. This book follows Sophia, a teacher and Jack, a barman who has been furloughed. Jack lives in the flat above Sophia and over the course of the lockdown they develop a firm friendship. They become closer but due to the lockdown they are still kept apart. I felt this book was very well written, it was sympathetic to the cause but also captured the resilience and community spirit of the public. I can highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and the author for the chance to review.

Love in Lockdown almost felt too soon like I was still living what I was reading! The characters all had a wide range of experiences and occupations which led to more storylines of how every person has been affected by this virus. The book was bit slow at the beginning and I was eager to return to the parts where Sophia and Jack relationship continued to develop. It was hard to believe that it took so long for them to actually meet one another in person! Overall, Love in Lockdown was a cute and hopeful romance story set against difficult times.

5 Stars

I received a copy of "Love in Lockdown" from Avon Books UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it. I absolutely loved it. It was adorable, funny, and a really nice light-hearted story that many can relate to during these unprecedented times.

"Love in Lockdown" made me laugh out loud which was truly wonderful as I haven't read a book yet this year that has made me laugh so much. As a result I felt this book deserved a full five star review.

The book takes a look at isolation, how to remain safe, and helps us see how everything has changed for everyone globally. Life has changed significantly for everyone and this book captures the effect of isolation perfectly. The book focuses on the process of being on lockdown as opposed to the actual virus itself. The message to readers is simply be kind to others, help those who are in need, and above all love your neighbors.

The characters were very well written with Sophia and Jack at the forefront. Jack lives above Sophia and one night they start talking to one another outside from their balconies and within a few days they find themselves excited being unable to wait until their next balcony "meetup". As their relationship begins to develop they also start to form friendships with others from their neighborhood all from a distance.

For those who have felt the loneliness of isolation and missed social interaction, "Love in Lockdown" is a must read. I can't wait until publication date so I can purchase a physical copy of the book as it has earned a place on my to be kept forever bookshelf.

Love in Lockdown! After all of the world has experienced some kind of lockdown during 2020 due to Covid-19 I enjoyed reading this wonderful rom-com that felt so close to my heart, and I’m sure to most readers out there it will be the same.
The lockdown due to this pandemic posed so many challenges and the author portrays them with their characters in a very nice way. We have a neighbor love story of two persons that have never seen each other, Sophie, a teacher with epilepsy, and Jack, a bartender that suffers from kidney disease and therefore is totally isolated. The book explores the impacts on mental health, anxiety, and depression, the challenges for medical workers and their families, the challenges kids and elderly had and also the impact on those once in a lifetime events such as weddings!
This is a wonderful read, in which you get to love the characters, however it does not shy out of all those complicated topics I mention above. This is book about love and community even through trying times! 🥰

Thank you to #netgalley and the author for an ARC!

What a cute story! Perhaps I enjoyed this story even more as we all still right in the middle of this pandemic and it makes you think about what really matters.

Sophia is a teacher and during lockdown she gets to talking with her upstairs neighbor Jack... a man she has never met. Due to health reasons he is shielding and never leaves his home. Throughout this story their friendship grows to something more even though they have never even seen each other. It’s so cute and touching and all the smaller characters in this book also play a role in making the story extra special and making you think of how important friends are when you are going through hard times or unknown times like a pandemic.

So I might just be in love with this.

When you see a book involving pandemic, especially given that we’re still living through it, parts of you might not want to read it because...yeah it’s difficult. Even through a book, it’s difficult to keep living the same horror we see on the news, especially if reading is your escape from it all.

But this book, to me, symbolizes hope.

This is the first lockdown book I’ve read, because I’ve studiously been avoiding reading any pandemic fiction, but Sophia and Jack intrigued me and I absolutely had to pick this one up.

Sophia and Jack are neighbors on different floors. They meet by chance, when Sophia’s having an emotional moment on her balcony and Jack hears her from the balcony above. And thus, as simple as that, strikes up a wonderful friendship between the two of them.

Slowly but surely, the other people in their building get drawn into a large group of hope and coping, each of them contributing something to stop each other from going out of their minds during the whole lockdown. Even Jack, who can’t leave the house at all, finds a way with Sophia’s assistance to provide what I call a tele-friend service!

Sophia is so bright and bubbly, full of hope and she’s a character that just goes with the flow and I loved that about her. As problems pop up, she weaves around them in her own optimistic way, and given that it’s become so difficult to see a beacon of light, it was refreshing to read that!

Jack is stuck at home, but he’s fun, easy-going, and even stir-crazy, he’s trying to make his neighbours’ lives a little better. There’s the basket he exchanges with Sophia, and the conversations he has with Greg, Bertie and the rest of them. Then he’s also become an uncle for the first time, and that was wonderful to see too!

Sophia and Jack, through these conversations, began to fall in love with one another and even through the obstacles, they still manage to find time and space for one another. I loved reading this because the book wasn’t completely about the romance, and it sure as hell wasn’t romanticizing the pandemic. They don't even see each other's faces until the absolute end!

I absolutely loved the way the author weaved in all the other neighbours’ experiences from Sophia and Jack’s alternative POVs, and Bertie’s story made me cry a little. All in all, this was a great read for anyone looking for a little hope and simple romance in the time of a pandemic!

[Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for providing this book to me in exchange for an honest review!]

This book was super cute. I thought it might be too soon to read about a lockdown, but I was wrong. This was surprisingly upbeat about how the neighbors in the building take care of each other in time of need. It all starts when Jack hears Sophia crying on her balcony. They strike up a friendship, share their experiences with illness, families, and their futures and they start to fall for each other. When Jack needs something to take up his time after being furloughed and unable to leave the house, Sophia get's an idea to start a community check in. It starts with simple phone calls and grocery visits to helping each other out further. Overall this is a great light read about how uplifting lockdown could be.

The lockdown of 2020 brought so many changes and uncertainties and this fictional story captures them perfectly.
Jack and Sophia are neighbours in an apartment block but they're unaware of each other until lockdown. During the Thursday night clap for the NHS Jack hears Sophia crying on the balcony below. This is the beginning of a relationship conducted entirely at a distance due to both lockdown restrictions and Jack's medical need to shield. Throughout the story I was reminded of so many aspects I had forgotten about - the toilet roll shortage, the fears, the frustrations along with the new found reliance on zoom! The most importance aspect though is shown through their friendship. That, along with their relationships with family and community are at the heart of the book.
A lovely heartwarming story that is also a perfect time capsule showing our living history.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

What an adorable book! This is such a weird time in our world and I love that James took the effort to make something adorable about this oddity.

I love the concept that two individuals are falling in love merely through conversations through their balconies.

There were a few moments where I teared up. Clapping daily for those who work in the medical fields was such a heartwarming addition to this novel.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the advanced copy. I enjoyed this book quite a bit.

I rolled my eyes when I realized that I'd downloaded the first romance (I know of) where the pandemic is key but you know what- this is a charmer. Sophie retrained as a teacher after leaving the law. She's also lost her ex, her mom is on the front lines, and she's got epilepsy. It all gets a bit much one day and she finds herself crying on the balcony where she is heard by Jack. Jack's got kidney disease and an ex in Greece. The two of them find themselves bonding, sending treats and necessities up and down via a basket system Jack rigs. You know they're going to fall in love. I liked this more than I expected because, even with all the darkness there could have been, James kept it light. You will root for these two. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Love in lockdown
By Chloe James
Pub date nov 23
May contain spoilers
I loved this book I couldn’t put it down it’s such a great read a important read about lockdown and you get a taste of What it’s like and how people dead with it.
It’s about two young woman who live together sophie and Erica they like best friends sophie shielding and Erica a midwife and one night Erica was working and Sophie does the clap for the hospital and start crying about her mum who a doctor and Erica as a midwife the tears we re flowing and a voice cone up from upstairs it was jack they start talking he works in a bar and is off work and Sophie does his shopping they have they own what app group she learn everything about it him they start two like each other through what app it’s a great read a important read I enjoyed so much xxx

What a perfect book to read with the current times we are in. Love it lockdown is so cute and sweet, that shows you no matter what the situation is you can find love. One of the cutest rom-coms I have read in a while! While it was based in the UK, it was still completely relatable with me being in the US. I would definitely recommend this to a friend.

I received this ARC from netgalley for my honest review.

What a super-lovely book! I absolutely loved this cute romance story set during our first lockdown.

Sofia and Jack share a wonderful conversation after the 'clap for carers' on a lovely evening. Not being able to see each other, Jack lives in the flat above Sofia's, doesn't stand in the way for these two to connect with each other. The chapters alternate between Sofia and Jack, making the story seen from their POV very relatable.

After setting up a WhatsApp group, Sofia and Jack work together to be there for anyone in their little community, from telephone calls with lonely neighbours to doing shopping for those shielding or finding a dog for well-loved neighbour Bertie. Together with their neighbours they make lockdown liveable.

Yes this is a romance novel, but it is also a book about kindness. Kindness towards your neighbours and offer companionship to those who are lonely or unable to shop. But also about kindness towards yourself, kindness towards the health issues both Sofia and Jack were dealing with, and cutting yourself some slack when adjusting to a new normal.

Loved the uplifting spirit of this book! Thank you Avon Book UK and NetGalley for my eARC in return for an honest review.

Love In Lockdown was such a great book to read during these uncertain times! It was a fun, uplifting read and shows the positive sides of those during lockdown. I loved the aspect of the neighborhood helping one another out, that kind of relationship truly stuck out to me. Of course I loved Sophia and Jack’s relationship. You can find me looking up apartments on Zillow so this kind of love can happen to me!

Thank you to the author and publishers for this ARC!

Loved it. I hesitated to read this story as I am trying to escape the pandemic not read about it. So glad I gave this book a chance. Sweet, romantic, heart-warming and enjoyable English words and habits.

As we’re now in Lockdown 2.0 it was such a lovely read- although it shows the difference between the two lockdowns is huge. Loved the community spirit and loveliness in this book, a feel good reminder of what we’ve gone through with the cutest love store alongside it!

I am sure there are going to be a proliferation of romance novels set during these strange lockdown times we have been suffering over the last nine months and, I have to say, it was with some trepidation that I approached this book. I am not a fan of gimmicky books that are written just to take advantage of a current trend, they often lack in any passion or conviction. Having just finished Love in Lockdown by Chloe James, wiping tears from the corner of my eyes, I am delighted to say that this is definitely not one of those books and I absolutely loved it.

The book follows the stories of Sophia and Jack who live above one another in a block of flats. They have never met but, as the UK goes into lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, they introduce themselves during the Thursday night ‘Clap For Carers,’ and things move on from there. The question is, is it possible to fall in love with someone whom you’ve never seen.

The author has done an absolutely fantastic job of capturing a lot of the tiny things that became symbolic of the pandemic and the unique times we are currently living in. The sense of isolation, but also the new community spirit and idea of caring for others that has grown up out of necessity in recent months. All of the familiar goings on are here – the difficulty of getting supermarket delivery slots, lack of flour, trying to explain Zoom to the elderly generation, NHS rainbows, the importance of pets, antibaccing your shopping, bad haircuts, socially-distanced weddings, furlough, and everything else that is the new normal. Does anyone even remember what the world used to be like?

Despite the fact that she has shoehorned all of this into the book, it never feels contrived or unnecessary. The writing is done in such a sympathetic and understanding way that it is very difficult to believe this book was written while lockdown was going on, and not with the benefit of some distance from the experience. I am amazed that she has managed to achieve such balance and beauty in the writing in these circumstances; there is no doubt that the author is very talented.

There were so many really touching moments in the book that moved me to tears, and other moments of real humour. It is a very uplifting book, which I wasn’t expected, mired as we in this as an ongoing problem and something that is causing so much anguish still. I know that for many people it is going to be too soon to be reading about the situation in a piece of fiction, it is still too close and raw a pain, but if you do want to read a novel set in this time, you won’t do much better. If you are a fan of books such at Beth O’Leary’s The Flatshare, this has a similar feel and I am sure you would enjoy this.

Love in Lockdown was an unexpected, positive pleasure and I would not hesitate to recommend it to romance fans everywhere.

Thank you NetGalley, Chloe James and Avon Books UK for the ARC of Love in Lockdown. This is my personal review.
The title alone was enough for me to want to read this book. It was nice to see the what ifs that could happen during the pandemic we all are living in now. To be able to communicate and connect with others when social distancing is so real right now was nice to see that it was possible even if it was only in a book.
I had to giggle when Sophia and her room mate were discussing a toilet paper shortage and the ways they could solve they problem for them at home.
Sophia and Jack being able to touch even thru words was heartwarming.

This pandemic has changed everything. How we communicate and interact with one another, how we work, the way we travel, our now meticulous hygiene practices, and the basic way our society functions. Every individual in the world has had to adapt to these changes, in one way or another. I love how this book explores these themes, acting as a ray of light in the midst of a deadly virus outbreak. It provides hope that there is an end to the chaos and how we can all work together to make the entire situation a little easier for everyone.

It was a great read which really captured the effect of lockdowns on people all over the world. I think it was incredibly relatable, which focused more on the positives to come out of the lockdowns such as communities working together, friendships made, and love found. I found the weekly clap scenes to be very moving. The way everyone comes together to acknowledge front line workers is amazing.

I loved the characters, Sophia being incredibly proactive in doing shopping for those who aren’t able to, walking the dog for a neighbour who can’t leave the house, and running errands for the elderly man who lives near her. Even Jack who can’t leave the house plays an important role by just having phone conversations with those who want to chat. The book really showed how the lockdowns affected peoples’ mental, physical, and emotional health, but also that we could help others through it. When disaster strikes, we can come together to help those in need.

I think the message of embracing the new normal and adapting to change is an incredibly important one. This virus has impacted so much of our daily lives that adapting to the changes has been difficult in so many aspects. This book showed that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The ending was a perfect way of showing that we can get through this.

This book really made me reflect on what was important to me during our lockdown. I loved this book for evoking a feeling of happiness which is so rare to find when talking about the virus. It was an incredibly refreshing perspective.

All in all, this was a great little read which really highlighted the importance of kindness in the midst of a pandemic, with the added bonus of a cute love story.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Sophia is an elementary school teacher, teaching the children of essential workers who can't stay home with their children during the pandemic. When her neighborhood congregates on their balconies to clap for the essential workers, she is overwhelmed by it all and begins crying. Jack lives alone in the apartment above Sophia and is going stir crazy from being stuck inside 24/7. When he hears someone crying on the balcony below him, he strikes up a conversation with her and brings a smile back to her face. Quickly, Sophia and Jack's conversations become the highlight of their day, and they even come up with ideas to help make sure their neighbors are taken care of during these crazy times. As they grow closer emotionally, however, they are still kept apart physically by the lockdown. Can they find love despite the challenges?

This was a sweet story that focused on the the positive possibilities of the lockdown, people looking out for those around them as everyone has to adjust their lives due to the pandemic. Sophia has such a caring soul; it's easy to see why Jack fell for her. I enjoyed the entire cast of characters, not just Jack and Sophia. The ending was a little bittersweet, just because as I was finishing the book, many countries, including England, were going back into lockdown due to surges in COVID cases. I would certainly not mind seeing a sequel to learn how Jack and Sophia handle the second lockdown!

Wow! This is the perfect read for the current climate! It absolutely encapsulates what lockdown was really like and how the community rallied together. As a teacher, I am glad that it was portrayed that it was difficult for us. Obviously, it was much harder in real life! I’m so glad that they got their happy ending!

I was really looking forward to reading this. It sounded so cute. Unfortunately, the formatting of the e-arc made it impossible to get through. I tried to tough through it but part of what I read was formatted with the sentences broken up like it was poetry and another section didn't have proper spaces between words. I tried downloading it onto my phone and my phone and Chromebook to see if it was just a glitch on my kindle but it happened every where. All of this made it all too disorienting and disjointed for me to actually absorb the story. I'd like to give the story itself a shot at some other time but, right now, I just wasn't able to do that. So I'm sure the book itself is lovely but the e-arc formatting is deeply flawed. giving the book 4 stars because i don't want to ding the author for something out of her control.

This was a great story about two people, Jack & Sophia who “meet” during the pandemic lockdown. The majority of the story takes place on their balconies where they share their fears, emotions and really get to know each other without ever actually “meeting”. This story showed us that when we are forced to slow down and take a look at what’s right it front of us that it could change our lives. The background characters played a big part - it was heartwarming to see how everyone came together to help each other. This is a feel good story in the middle of a not so feel good time. ThanK you NetGalley, the publisher and author for a chance to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had the chance to read a free copy of “Love in Lockdown” compliments of NetGalley, and it was such a delightful read. The first few pages started off a bit rough with confusing tenses. But I stuck with it and pretty soon I was immersed in lockdown with Sophia and Jack in the UK. It took me back to the start of the pandemic, but with the chance to view it through someone else’s eyes, filled with hope and promise and the excitement of meeting someone new... even if it takes quite a while to actually meet them. And as we get ready to go back into lockdown this late November in the US, this lovely story of Sophia, Jack, their neighbors and families, was such a nice escape and beacon of hope. Enjoy!!

This book was kindly given to me by NetGalley and the publisher for review.

This book is the first I've read that takes place during the Covid-19 quarantine. The book follows the characters, Jack and Sophia, and their methods of dealing with the odd situations that occur during the quarantine. I found myself agreeing and relating to some of their thoughts about being in quarantine. Their feelings are probably very relatable to a lot of people in the same situations. I think the plot was done well but the romance was underwhelming to me. I didn't feel the relationship was super developed but it was still cute. The book was enjoyable and I would recommend it for an interesting romance during a relatable time.
Rating between 3-4.

What a year 2020 has been! Quarantine has been different for every country, city and person. Love in Lockdown by Chloe James incorporates all the lessons this global pandemic has taught us while keeping it light hearted and hilarious through the telling of a cute love story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this copy! All opinions are of my own.
Love in Lockdown tells the story of Sophia and Jack who are both self isolating in their own apartments. When they both stand on their balcony for the weekly front liner worker support clap, they begin a friendship through talking on their balconies.
I can not rate this book high enough. I loved every second of this book. It really emphasizes the fact that each person has been effected by this pandemic in different ways and that your situation may not be as bad as you thought. I highly recommend everyone reads this book!

I was a bit sceptical when I read the premise but wanted a ‘light’ read after my previous read. But I must say that I really enjoyed it. Some might say that the author was just using the current Pandemic as a gimmick but in all honesty, I felt that it had a deeper role to play.
The story concerns Sophia and Jack who ‘meet’ on ‘Clap for Carers’ night, when Jack hears Sophia crying on the balcony. Jack is isolating due to health issues and Sophia is a teacher trying to do her job over ‘zoom’. They introduce themselves and the relationship progresses from there. This story is not just about them though. There are a whole host of characters for whom lockdown has had differing effects. It showed how the pandemic has affected people and I am sure that the readers could identify with what at least one of these characters was feeling.
I loved reading this story and getting to know all the people who come to make up Sophia’s lockdown life. Thank you, Chloe James, for writing a book set in the pandemic that highlights the positives that have come out of this strange time and not just the negatives.

A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this novel to review!

This book was EXACTLY what I needed during this lockdown we're currently in, at least here in Michigan. It was such a cute story and I loved the main characters.

Jack and Sophia are neighbors who live above each other. They began to talk to each other, after Jack hears Sophia crying on her balcony one day, and it quickly becomes a daily routine for them. Sophia is a teacher and is stuck at home teaching a small group of students, and Jack is stuck at home due to a health condition. The two put their minds together and come up with fun ideas to help get through the quarantine.

Something about this book that really stood out to me was how the author did a great job portraying and exploring the effects of the quarantine from different perspectives. I work in health care and it's interesting seeing how each individual has been dealing with it differently and what their thoughts are.

All in all, I highly recommend this book and am really glad I had the opportunity to read it early!

I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I ADORED this book!
It's lighthearted, sweet, funny story is something everyone needs to read during the lockdown! I wish that I had read this book at the beginning of the year when the lockdown first started, it definitely would of cheered me up and got me out of the stressed state that I was in!
I don't think I stopped smiling from start to finish. Everything from Jack and Sophia's blossoming relationship, Jess's virtual wedding, the children in Sophia's class, to Bertie's heartwarming story; was just written so perfectly, making me forget about all the negative in the world. Excellently-written characters, all loveable, and all added to a warming story that I most definitely will read again!
Highly recommend!!!

I am still on the fence about whether I prefer my escapist reads to include references to the pandemic or to simply pretend it never happened. But my reluctance didn’t stop me from picking up LOVE IN LOCKDOWN by Chloe James, a love story set against the backdrop of the UK’s full lockdown earlier this year.

Thank you @netgalley, @avonbooks and Chloe James for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

LOVE IN LOCKDOWN is a sweet story about Sophie and Jack who live in the same apartment block and ‘meet’ one night while outside on their balconies clapping for healthworkers.
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I liked how James explores the ways in which lockdown and isolation have affected people's mental health.
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Despite its heavy topic, LOVE IN LOCKDOWN didn’t wear me down or make me feel anxious about what’s yet to come.
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It’s an engaging and endearing story full of love and I liked its emphasis on the importance of helping and caring for others in times of need. Glad I read this, as it was a powerful reminder that we'll get through this together >3

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from Netgalley. For the most part I've been avoiding media related to the pandemic, but felt the premise of this was interesting so requested an ARC. I really enjoyed the book - Sophia and Jack were likeable characters, and I was keen to know how their story progressed. Covid wasn't dwelt upon per se, but themes surrounding it were explored well, even though the timeline felt a little off. The book was written well, and I'm impressed at how small a timescale it was written in. It was easy to read and very light-hearted, not what I'd expect from anything related to the pandemic, but was definitely a relief.

A romantic story of Sophia and Jack who are both struggling in the current COVID pandemic for various reasons. The coming together to clap for the NHS prompts Jack, whose balcony is above Sophia's, to ask if she is ok when he hears her crying. A balcony friendship develops and Sophia helps him with some errands, as due to health issues he can't go out. A lot of important issues such as mental health, the relentless tiredness of NHS workers and the amazing job teachers have played in the pandemic are all covered. An easy going read to get us through lockdown.

This was such a lovely read and so relatable with the lockdown conditions. I really enjoyed the neighbourly and community feelings that were expressed throughout and how this contributed to the positive bits of COVID and lockdown in general. Both of the main characters were super likely and though it was a very light read, there were some nice deeper themes of health and family issues tackled delicately too.

This book is such a cute romance story based on life in the UK at the beginning of the Coronavirus journey. It’s a lovely feel-good book that showcases love in all forms of the word, my favourite being that of community and how everyone comes together in desperate times, and that’s exactly what we are doing now!

It’s a comforting read, which touches on the struggles people face and highlights that loneliness and restlessness has been so common this year and that little things can make all the difference. It really is a lovely, heartwarming read and I’d fully recommend it!