Lockdown on London Lane


" Reekles’s capable plotting toggles between apartments and keeps readers wondering what’s next. The result transforms the harsh realities of quarantine into rom-com enchantment." -- Publishers Weekly For the inhabitants of London Lane, a simple slip of paper underneath each of their doors is about to change their lives in a hundred different ways. URGENT!!! Due to the current situation, building management has decided to impose a seven-day quarantine on all apartment buildings on London Lane. With nowhere else to go . . . Ethan and Charlotte wonder whether absence really does make the heart grow fonder when they end up on either side of a locked door. A fierce debate over pineapple on pizza ignites a series of revelations about Zach and Serena’s four-year relationship. Liv realizes rolling with the punches is sometimes much harder than it looks after her bridesmaids’ party goes off the rails, leaving the group at each other’s throats. Isla and Danny’s new romance is put to the test as they jump ten steps ahead on the relationship timeline. And Imogen and Nate’s one-night stand is about to get six do-overs they never really asked for―not awkward at all . Through make ups, breakups, love-ins, and blowouts, friendships are tested as everyone scrambles to make it through the week unscathed. Amidst all the drama, one thing remains life is full of surprises.


 

A Quirky Rom-Com Amidst Unusual Circumstances

In Beth Reekles' "Lockdown on London Lane," readers are treated to a delightful rom-com set in the midst of an unexpected and somewhat implausible scenario—a seven-day quarantine in a London apartment building. While the premise may seem far-fetched, Reekles manages to infuse the story with humor, charm, and a cast of lovably imperfect characters that make for an enjoyable and entertaining read.

The novel begins with the residents of London Lane receiving a notice of quarantine, effectively trapping them within their apartments for a week. From there, the story unfolds through the perspectives of various inhabitants, each facing their own set of challenges and revelations during their confinement.

One of the central storylines follows Ethan and Charlotte, whose one-night stand is extended into a weeklong cohabitation due to the lockdown. As they navigate the awkwardness of their situation, they discover unexpected feelings and grow closer despite the unconventional circumstances.

Meanwhile, Zach and Serena find themselves reevaluating their relationship when a debate over pineapple on pizza leads to a series of revelations about their compatibility. Liv's bridesmaids' party descends into chaos, testing her friendships and forcing her to confront the realities of adulting. Isla and Danny's budding romance is put to the test as they fast-track their relationship timeline, while Imogen and Nate grapple with the consequences of a spontaneous one-night stand.

What makes "Lockdown on London Lane" stand out is its ensemble cast of characters, each with their own quirks, flaws, and insecurities. Reekles skillfully delves into their inner thoughts and emotions, allowing readers to empathize with their struggles and root for their personal growth. Despite the absurdity of their situation, the characters feel relatable and authentic, making their journey through the ups and downs of quarantine surprisingly poignant.

While the premise of the novel may strain credibility at times, Reekles' witty writing and engaging storytelling keep the plot moving at a brisk pace. The humor is sharp and the dialogue snappy, ensuring plenty of laugh-out-loud moments throughout the book. Despite the lighthearted tone, however, Reekles also touches on deeper themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery, adding depth and substance to the narrative.

In the end, "Lockdown on London Lane" is a charming and heartwarming rom-com that offers both entertainment and insight. While its premise may be unconventional, its themes of connection, resilience, and the unpredictability of life resonate with readers on a universal level. With its well-drawn characters, witty dialogue, and feel-good vibes, this novel is sure to leave readers smiling long after they've turned the final page.

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Beth Reekles

Beth Reekles, rom-com author and nerd best known for THE KISSING BOOTH (yes like the Netflix films). New novel THE REUNION out this June 🍿🎟️🎊🍻🎓 From


Unveiling the Storyteller: The Remarkable Journey of Beth Reekles

In the vibrant world of young adult fiction, Beth Reekles shines as a beacon of creativity, innovation, and literary prowess. With her captivating novels capturing the hearts of readers worldwide, her journey from self-publishing sensation to acclaimed author is a testament to the transformative power of passion, determination, and the boundless possibilities of storytelling.

Beth's story begins in the picturesque city of Newport, Wales, where she spent her formative years attending local primary and comprehensive schools. It was during her adolescence that she discovered her love for writing, crafting stories that transported readers to worlds of romance, adventure, and intrigue.

At the age of 15, Beth embarked on a literary adventure that would change the course of her life forever. Frustrated by the lack of relatable content in young adult fiction, she took matters into her own hands and began writing her debut novel, "The Kissing Booth." Sharing her work chapter by chapter on the story-sharing platform Wattpad, Beth's story quickly captured the hearts and imaginations of readers around the world, garnering millions of views and earning her widespread acclaim.

In a stroke of serendipity, Beth's talent and dedication caught the attention of publishing powerhouse Penguin Random House, who offered her a three-book contract at the tender age of 17. With her dreams of becoming a published author coming to fruition, Beth's journey into the literary world was officially underway.

"The Kissing Booth" was released to critical acclaim in 2012, catapulting Beth into the spotlight and earning her a legion of devoted fans. The novel's immense popularity led to two sequels, "Rolling Dice" and "Out of Tune," further solidifying Beth's reputation as a rising star in the world of young adult fiction.

In 2013, Beth's meteoric rise to literary stardom was recognized by Time magazine, who named her one of "The 16 Most Influential Teens of 2013." The following year, she was hailed by The Times as one of the "Top 25 under 20 The new icons of a generation," cementing her status as a literary icon for the digital age.

But Beth's journey was far from over. In 2018, "The Kissing Booth" was adapted into a hit Netflix film, introducing her beloved characters to an even wider audience and solidifying her status as a household name. The success of the film sparked a trilogy of movies, with "The Kissing Booth 2: Going the Distance" and "The Kissing Booth 3: One Last Time" captivating audiences around the world.

In February 2022, Beth embarked on a new chapter in her literary career with the release of her debut adult novel, "Love, Locked Down," marking a bold new direction for the acclaimed author.

Today, Beth Reekles continues to enchant readers with her captivating storytelling, weaving tales of love, friendship, and self-discovery that resonate with audiences of all ages. As she navigates the ever-changing landscape of publishing, Beth remains a beacon of inspiration for aspiring writers everywhere, proving that with passion, perseverance, and a touch of magic, anything is possible in the world of literature.


Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2022

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2022

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2022
This book takes place at the beginning of the pandemic in an apartment building in London. It takes place entirely over the course of one week. Personally, I enjoy when a book takes place over a short timespan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I got to read an early ebook edition from BookishFirst.
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2022
I like to know as little about a book as possible before reading it. This can be difficult to achieve, as one often doesn’t know whether a book is even worth reading or not without hearing revealing things about it. Nonetheless, I tried to know very little about Lockdown on London Lane before starting it on a whim.

My initial assumption was that it would be a romance about a couple stuck in the same apartment building during a strictly enforced lockdown and the story would consist of their blossoming relationship.

This ended up being partially correct- but this book is about a lot of things, with a lot of characters, and even multiple points-of-view and smaller storylines. It’s ambitious, what Reekles attempts here. But in summary, this is contemporary romance wedged into a distressing and challenging time. The mix-and-match makes for more of a women’s fiction or contemporary fiction vibe than a standard romance. But the mood is generally light and uplifting, bubbly even, all throughout.

I think the nature of this story will become more intriguing to some people in decades to come. I imagine someone from 2098 picking up this book and wondering what Hello Fresh and Patreon are. There are numerous little references to the here and now, but this book isn’t trying to be timeless so that’s OK. I usually don’t like references to social media or companies but these refs are pretty essential to the story- these services are how London Lane’s characters manage to communicate and get by during a strange and isolating time.

This book is sectioned off into eight days, with small chapters that flit back and forth between five different perspectives. The effect is a quick-moving read, easy and enjoyable if you’re at all interested in the premise.

What took a hit to my overall star rating is that I only felt very invested in two out of the five on-going plot lines. The two were very good and comprised many pages, but it was unfortunate to feel that way about only two.

The first of the two were Imogen & Nate’s story- they’re made to live together (somewhat against their wishes) and get to know each other despite being almost-strangers who would have departed were it not for the pandemic. It’s a whimsical set-up. I loved the unconventional dynamic between these two characters. Imogen is a sassy free spirit and Nate is a more serious-minded neat freak. Their opposites attract storyline was so refreshing compared to the all too common bad boy/good girl type of romance. I could read a whole book about them and probably would have enjoyed it more.

The other plot line I enjoyed was Ethan’s- he’s just a likable character and his storyline does a surprisingly good job of developing his girlfriend, Charlotte, despite her absence from the main cast. Flashbacks and backstories go far in adding depth to the characterization.

There is a lot that goes on in all of the smaller stories- some characters react well under the stress of lockdown while others struggle. The relationship dynamics are all over the place. One character is anxiously re-assessing their relationship with their significant other, another has a secret crush on someone they’re made to live with during that week. The idea of having multiple couples and characters is novel but I ended up feeling like there were too many cooks in the kitchen, each vying for relevance. But I can say the tonal consistency is good. If you liked the first half of this book, you’ll like the second half. While most would consider this a good thing, for me it’s not. I like bigger surprises, in whatever form they take, to make a book more noteworthy.

In summary, Lockdown on London Lane is a cozy contemporary encapsulating a unique time and offers distinctive voices to its characters.
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2022

Mariana Flores
1.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT BUY
Reviewed in Mexico on May 7, 2022

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