I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

the hallmark vibes are there, definitely was a cheesy quirky read but fun nonetheless. Didn't really stand out to me but the characters were fun and seeing their own stories was a cool concept

Alright, so I just wrapped up "Lockdown on London Lane" by Beth Reekles, and let's say it was a bit of a mixed bag for me.

Firstly, the setting – a lockdown romance. I understand that we live in unprecedented times, and fiction often mirrors reality. However, I found it challenging to dive into a story closely tied to a current situation from long ago. It felt a bit too close to home.

Now, the characters – they were relatable in some ways, but I struggled to connect with their experiences during lockdown. Maybe it hit too close to reality, and I was looking for an escape rather than a reflection of our times.

The plot had moments, but I was hoping for more escapism. The ups and downs of pandemic life were well-captured, but I wanted something lighter.

On the positive side, Reekles' writing style is easy to follow, and she has a knack for creating authentic dialogue. The pacing was solid, and the book did have its charming moments.

In conclusion, if you're okay with diving into a lockdown romance that mirrors the current state of the world, "Lockdown on London Lane" might be up your alley. For me, it was a struggle to fully immerse myself in the story, given the ongoing global situation.

Loved this book. It was funny, smart, and swoony. The premise was interesting and the characters likeable. Looking forward to more things from this author.

Maybe I'm a little biased because I love the author's writing, but this was another read of mine that I constantly talk about to my friends. The main thing that always brings me back to this was how similar it was to many of our lives during quarantine. It was a really cute read, and would definitely go back to read again.

Funny story, Isla and Danny's story is very similar to the love story of a cousin of mine and his new wife. During quarantine, they unexpectedly ended up living together and it was way sooner than they both thought they would reach that point in their love story. But now they're married so!

Thank you to NetGalley, although I read the story somewhere besides my Kindle/NetGalley app, for a chance to review this story. Thank you to Beth as well for sharing your story in the first place!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

Title: "Lockdown on London Lane" by Beth Reekles - An Underwhelming Teen Drama

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

I had the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of "Lockdown on London Lane" by Beth Reekles, and it left me rather underwhelmed. This teen drama falls short of delivering the engaging and relatable narrative I had hoped for.

The story is set in the backdrop of a high school on lockdown due to a supposed threat, with the lives of various students intertwining during the crisis. While the premise held potential for a suspenseful and emotionally charged read, the execution didn't quite live up to the expectations.

The characters, though diverse in their backgrounds, lacked depth and felt more like clichés rather than authentic individuals. The protagonist, Leah, and her romantic interest, Max, didn't have the chemistry or character development needed to make their story engaging. It was difficult to connect with their experiences or root for their relationship.

The writing style is straightforward and accessible, which may appeal to the target audience of young adult readers. However, the plot felt formulaic and predictable, offering few surprises or emotional resonance. The narrative failed to create a sense of tension or urgency befitting the lockdown situation.

While "Lockdown on London Lane" addresses some relevant teen issues such as bullying and peer pressure, it lacks the depth and nuance needed to make a meaningful impact. The resolution of these issues felt rushed and unsatisfying.

In conclusion, "Lockdown on London Lane" is a two-star read that, unfortunately, failed to meet my expectations. While it may find its audience among younger readers, those seeking a more profound and immersive teen drama may find this novel lacking.

I extend my appreciation to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book, even though my experience with it was less than stellar.

TL;DR:
- 3 stars
- Content warnings: covid-19 lockdown
- A quick read about the relationships between several residents of a building and their first week in covid-19 lockdown, from all of their unique points of view.


Loved:
- The book did a really good job of really taking us back to the first few weeks of confusion and despair march of 2020 brought, and the human way everyone tried to work through it.
- A couple of the characters were adorable and worked well (Ethan, Danny, Charlotte, Imogen)


Less into:
- I don't feel like any of the stories were really fleshed out properly or all that well, but that could be because it was short for how much content it was meant to contain.
- Most of the characters had absolutely grating personalities, to the degree that the notes I left for myself were along the lines of "I do not care about this storyline anymore and this character's arc has completely lost me." Again, probably realistic to the way we were all acting in 2020 (lol) but just not for me.
- For something advertised as a rom-com, there was so little of either and one of the stories doesn't end in an explicit HEA. Lots of interpersonal drama, though!


Overall this will definitely take you back to 2020 - and whether or not that is something you want to revisit is entirely up to you! Some of the characters are worth reading for, but you'll have to wade through some less compelling narratives.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

I did laugh out loud in places and it was relatable for a lot of people who were stuck indoors during the pandemic lockdown (however being a nurse I was always out working on the front line). The story follows 5 different flats and their own individual stories and dramas.

It was an okay read but wasn't fantastic.

This was not a bad read tbh, and I was into it for the fun and games.
Everyone gave this the vibes of Love Actually but in lockdown version, and I do agree with them. In some ways, it gives a reminiscent during the lockdown times and I pretty much was into it and the characters in the building.

Basically, if Love Actually told in lockdown, Lockdown Lane is the story revolving around the life of the protagonist, Lane, a high school senior who finds herself navigating the trials and tribulations of adolescence amidst the backdrop of a school lockdown. The setting, which may initially seem confined, becomes a metaphorical crucible that intensifies the emotions and relationships of the characters.

One of the things that I liked about the book besides the fun and light romance, is the exploration of the lockdown scenario itself. It delves into the fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability that such an event can evoke in students and teachers. Reekles handles this sensitive subject matter with empathy and authenticity, providing readers with a thought-provoking backdrop against which the characters' personal growth unfolds. Its somewhat gives us what had happened during the lockdown and a lot of us can actually relate to it in some ways.

A story of friendship and love. Not a bad read overall for a light read.

3.5🌟

I totally loved this! It is well written and I enjoyed this page turning book. i will definitely recommend it!

"Lockdown on London Lane" by Beth Reekles captures the tumultuous early days of the pandemic within a week-long quarantine in a London apartment building. With a diverse cast forced into tight quarters, relationships are tested, from new love, surprise one-night stands, to decade-old commitments. Reekles presents a relatable, albeit sometimes irksome, portrayal of characters, with timely challenges that resonate. The ending, hinting at the unknown future, is bittersweet. A cleverly constructed 3.5-star read.

This book reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Noises Off, in which all the characters are connected in multiple ways through the storylines. I really enjoyed it!

Thank you Wattpad Books and NetGalley for eARC of Lockdown on London Lane! All opinions in this review are my own.

I could see this being a subject that not everyone wants to read about, but I enjoyed it!

I liked that each of the storylines was very different and I truly had no idea how any of them were going to end. Because each of the apartments contained such different stories, it was easy to keep the stories apart. However, I did get confused when some characters were connected to characters in other apartments.

Reekles does an excellent job of capturing how caught off guard many were during that time and the anxiety of not knowing how everything will turn out. Despite the subject matter, this is a mainly lighthearted read.

“What I mean is, everyone’s just moving at different speeds. We all think we’re on the same track and that we just missed the train, but the fact is, nobody’s on the same track, and not everyone’s even on a train.” I loved the overarching theme of different journeys for different people and that being completely normal. I think that in a lot of ways this story hit close to home because of the COVID themes, and I thought that the author did a really good job in creating a balance of reminiscent fun while also staying true to the emotions that came along with the pandemic. I mean I think the relationships in this book were definitely more interesting than me staring at my dog during lockdown haha. Overall I thought this was a fun read that definitely can make people remember a time that might not have been as fun or memorable for them.

Lockdown on London Lane is a romantic novel that revolves around a group of individuals compelled to undergo a week-long quarantine within their apartment building. Set during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the book adeptly portrays the prevailing uncertainty and anxiety experienced by people during that time.

My arc copy had errors but once I got past that, I really enjoyed this. The story was full of so many characters that pulled me in and it made me eager to know more. I would love to see a second part

Lockdown on London Lane is a romance novel that follows the lives of several people who are forced to quarantine in their apartment building for a week. The book is set in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it does a great job of capturing the uncertainty and anxiety that people were feeling at the time.
The characters are relatable, and the plot is fast-paced and somewhat engaging. The book is full of humor and heart, and it will hopefully leave you feeling hopeful and optimistic. It just didn't for me. It was just ok
.

This one was a really cute, romantic read. The author did a great job of illustrating the strain a lockdown could have on many different stages of romantic and platonic relationships. It’s fairly predictable, but I feel like that’s one reason why readers will want to pick this one up.

Cute, romantic, and overall a happy story. I enjoyed it!

In Beth Reekles’s Lockdown on London Lane, this stand-alone romantic comedy is timely and would keep you in suspense and have you laughing in stitches. It all started for the residents of London Lane, when their apartment building complex was in lockdown for a week, during the Covid-19 pandemic. For Ethan, he was separated from his girlfriend Charlotte and couldn’t live without her. For Serena and Zach, they’ve been together for so long, but they haven’t defined what they want in the future as a couple in their relationship. For Imogen and Nate, they had a one-night stand, but could they be something more. As of Isla and Danny, Liv and Addison, would they find new love and give it a chance? For these residents, love was on their line along with some laughs and romantic challenges along the way, while they were locked inside the apartment for one whole week.

This romcom was compelling and uber-funny with laughs. I cared for the five couples, who were trying to find true love in the most unusual circumstances. The forced proximity trope worked well for being sheltered for one week in London, England. The location of being inside an apartment in London had real good scenic settings. The theme of the story is love can sneak up on you in the most unfortunate time.

This funny romcom will keep you laughing. I rated this book, four of five stars, because for a romance, you’re supposed to focus on one couple and their growing relationship. Not five couples. It’s so much going on, plus less tropes is better than a bunch thrown in for good measure. If you love heart-stopping and hilarious romcoms with plenty of romantic action, lots of suspenseful drama, and a bundle of laughs, Lockdown on London Lane is for you. This book is recommended for fans of delightful romcom movies and on Hallmark Channel, and Heidi Stephens’s Never Gonna Happen.