Virtually Yours

by Virginia Gray

A romantic comedy about love in the age of hand sanitizer, double masks, and quarantinis…

As soon as the pandemic hit, art conservator and germaphobe Sophie Longeway locked herself in her New York City apartment. Seven months later, she’s unemployed, staring at a mountain of bills, and has a grumpy landlord breathing down her neck.

Agent to the stars Jacob Rossi and his fiancée, A-list actress Savannah Reed, lasted exactly thirty days in lockdown before they realized they couldn’t stand each other. Now he’s alone with little to do other than pacify his out-of-work clients and worry over his sick grandmother.

When a flaky antique shopkeeper refers Jacob to Sophie, there’s an instant connection. But how can they ever have a real relationship if she refuses to take off her mask?

377 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2021

About the author

Bestselling Author Virginia Gray is a North Carolina native and a graduate of Wake Forest University. She is known for her intimate portrayals of women's lives, her attention to setting, and her trademark humor. Gray brings to life the many colorful people and compelling story layers of her North Carolina home and its beaches.

She is a great lover of humor, music, and all things food. Please visit www.virginiagray.com to learn about her new releases and giveaways.

Reviews

[dee (andie) 🕺🏼✨ · Rating 1 out of 5]

* free copy provided for a review *

I'm not gonna sugarcoat anything in this review, so if that bothers you, please exit now.

this book was absolutely awful. the main character was so hateable. even if she wasn't a rigid, stuck-up, paranoid germaphobe, she was still so boring and fun ruining.

the love interest was simply an f-boy, with no character traits or depth.

I also have a personal vendetta against one scene where these horny mfs make out through their masks and it was........ so..... so cringy.

I don't think I should add anything more. this book just boiled my blood to crisp.

[Megan (sporadic hiatus due to law school) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2.4/5.0

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review

Either I read Virtually Yours too soon to current events, or it just wasn't for me. Either way, I didn't particularly care about the book, the characters, or the plotline.

I didn't feel like there were any valid reasons for the characters to fall for each other, other than being truly touch-starved. And while that may be a leading factor, it wouldn't necessarily build into anything that could be lasting, which is why the ending made no sense if that was how the romance was defended. In the end, Sophie ends up moving in with Jacob, but as we see with Jacob and Samantha's relationship, just because you move in together doesn't mean it's a happily-ever-after. So while I can fully understand attempting to end up with someone just because you've been stuck inside for almost an entire year, I don't personally feel like that fulfilled the way the story ended.

If their leading cause for romance wasn't because they haven't talked with the opposite sex in months, then I just don't see the romance. They fell for each other quickly and without any leading causes - Jacob bought Sophie a computer, it worked out that he was hot and she was sexy, they magically connected and had a heck of a time - and it didn't feel very supported.

I felt the chemistry leading up to the romance, but the further I got into the story, the less I was sure about where it was going. I wanted... more, I guess. More chemistry, more reasons they like each other, just more.

Another thing that made me confused was Sophie. She is a severe germaphobe and was very extreme in her methods to not get sick. And she didn't own a computer. For someone in that specific field, you'd think she'd have to do a lot of research to see the art styles of the 1800s or have to look into a specific family crest or whatnot so she can fix up items like Gram's chair. But she never seemed interested in using technology in that way, which made me a little concerned that she wasn't doing the best she could because she wasn't using all her resources. I guess it's a "big thing" that Jacob ended up buying her a computer, but she was never on it except to Zoom call him. Other than that, she never used it.

Jacob was never interested in getting rid of Samantha's furniture or the giant photo of a scantily-clad Samantha over his bed. The guy was dumped and his ex-fiancee almost immediately got together with another guy (or so I can recall). And yet he didn't seem to be in a rush to get rid of her stuff or the reminder of her or do anything other than imagining Sophie and watching his neighbor's kid or being on phone calls where he has to read Thomas the Train Engine to an adult baseball player.

I wasn't all that motivated to read Virtually Yours. I found it lacking in the important places and I wasn't all that interested in it, either.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Some of my friends and I were discussing how we thought the pandemic would impact the romances we read. Would the new books reflect "our new normal" or would it be ignored? Some of the recent mysteries I've read have referenced the virus but I'd yet to read a romance with it.
I believe this book addresses that issue.

The writer states in her forward:
"There has been very little to laugh about during the pandemic. In fact, in this slice of history marked by lives lost, economic strife, civil unrest, and the debilitating fear and anxiety that have threatened to smother us all, smiles are a commodity. Please consider this my gift to you—the offer of a little levity in the face of all that has been taken from you. A verbal hug."
And she achieved that goal. It was a clever way to tell a romance story while using the Pandemic as the background setting.

Sophie is a germaphobe who also works for a museum. The situation is a nightmare for her b/c of her fears as well as losing her job. Paying rent, savings, supplies, being quarantined, etc. are mentioned and completely relatable to many of us.
Jacob is a rich talent manager who is now working from home.
He needs a chair restored & she's best able to help him.
Let the chemistry begin.
Lots of cuteness! Very reminiscent of a Hallmark romance movie except for 2 scenes where they explore trying to have some intimacy via zoom and/or wearing masks/gloves. The writer was able to add humor and humbleness to the characters while not being overly explicit.
A fast, easy read w/short chapters that moves at a good pace but it was a little long.
Overall, a sweet story that left me with a smile at the end.

**Side note: I know many read to escape and therefore wouldn't be interested in something that takes place with current circumstances but I think the story is a rom-com just set during COVID and therefore wasn't a big deal.**

Thank you to Hidden Gems for a copy of the ARC in exchange for my review.

[carinne]

It's just too soon for me for some of these jokes.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been searching for a pandemic romcom pretty much since March 2020, so as soon as I saw the cover, I knew I had to read this.

The first half was hilarious and adorable and everything I was looking for.

I wanted to like this so much and it started out so well, but the second half really let me down. It quickly devolved into instalust, much too frequent innuendos, and cliché communication issues. The entire subplot with Savannah felt contrived and completely unnecessary as well. Ultimately, even though I absolutely loved the first half, this just wasn't my cup of tea.

Content: be aware... for some reason, this was marketed as a clean romance when it most definitely is not.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Daniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

*arc provided for an honest review*

3.5 🌟
This book was so freaking cute. Although some say that it is too soon to joke about our reality, I was intrigued to see how it would develop. I was pleased to find this story so lighthearted and fun in a way that was respectful to all. Sophie and Jacob were living in different worlds and I loved that they found common ground in things such as family and values. The side characters made the story so much more entertaining.

I would 100% recommend to anyone looking for an easy read that allows you to see aspects of our new norm from a different perspective.

[Carly Shull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I loved this book. I don't know exactly what, but there was just something about it that I just absolutely loved. I do understand why some people wouldn't want to read it, mainly if they had a really bad experience with Covid and don't want to be reminded of it in a novel. That being said, I loved the idea, and the execution was amazing.

The characters I also loved. Both characters were very relatable, but to different people. Those who were very strict when it came to protecting themselves from Covid could easily find themselves liking Sophie while those who didn't care as much and just wanted the drama to be over could relate to Jacob. They represented two sides of the spectrum.

With that, I definitely found myself liking Jacob a lot more, probably because he was a lot more carefree. Jacob was funny, interesting, and really good with kids. I also loved how considerate he was to Sophie. He made sure to wear a mask, get a test, do everything she wanted for him to actually see her in person while also slightly pushing to meet her. I definitely shared more opinions regarding the virus with Jacob than I did with Sophie, so that was part of the reason.

However, that is not to say I didn't like Sophie. It was a struggle to relate to her, because she was such a germaphobe, but that also added to her character. It gave an explanation to who she was, what she did, why she acted a certain way, and things like that. It gave her a quirk which in turn gave her more personality. And, just because I don't relate to a character, doesn't mean I don't like them.

The two of them together is something I also really love. They had chemistry which is like (I think) the most important thing in writing a relationship. They teased each other, comforted each other, talked about deep stuff, it was all there, just adding to their relationship. Now their paring could easily work with the saying "Opposites Attract" because one is a germaphobe and the other not so much. And for me that made it so much more fun to read the book. I could always feel the excitement in my chest when they had and exchange in talking, either on zoom or in person.

Thank you so much, Virginia Gray, for creating this masterpiece.

[S Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuck in her apartment and out of a job, museum conservator Sophie is miserable. Her quirks and phobias keep her locked away from the world. The only human contact she has is from her fire escape balcony with her downstairs neighbor and the folks who run the Indian restaurant below her apartment. Severely germophobic, the pandemic has heaped trauma upon trauma upon her. Desperate for income to pay her rent, Sophie takes on a commission to restore a generations-old rocking chair for the well-to-do Jacob.

As she gets into the project, Jacob insists on face to face meetings with Sophie to get updates on her progress. Both starved for human contact during the pandemic, Sophie and Jacob begin to share bits of their past with each other during their video conferences and they become friends. Jacob is drawn to Sophie's quirky sense of humor and is amused by her phobias and OCD. Being an agent to the stars, he's used to high maintenance, self-centered personalities. Sophie is anything but self-absorbed. Once she lets her guard down, he finds her attractive, interesting and sexy. He's determined to get to know Sophie better. With his desire for her out of control, he'll do anything to get closer to Sophie, even if it's only possible through a virtual relationship.

Always pushing Sophie's boundaries, Jacob is self-confident, outgoing and fun - all of the things that Sophie isn't. He brings some lightness and fun to her sheltered life. Too bad he's not really free to pursue her how he would like to.

Sophie's neuroses make her an amusing character. Imagining her self-made biohazard suit made me laugh out loud. Sweet, trusting and uncomplicated, she is just a lovely (if a bit strange) person. Jacob brings a lot of joy to life and to Sophie. His singular focus on her is a very attractive character trait. Together, these two are an amusing and endearing romance read.

Four stars for this pandemic romance.

This is an honest, voluntary review of an ARC of the story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing a romance about a disastrous time in world history before it has ended is a very brave and difficult thing to attempt. Virginia Gray has done a remarkable job.
Her main character is a germaphobe who puts Howie Mandel and Adrian Monk to shame.
Her world doesn't collapse without toilet paper - it is the lack of Lysol and hand sanitizer that will do her in. Her job at a museum ends when public spaces close indefinitely and people can't stand within six feet of each other, even when gloved and masked. Anything delivered must be fumigated before allowed in the door.
When she has no way to pay the rent, she agrees to take on a restoration job for a chair with strong sentimental value.
The chair comes with a deliciously handsome gentleman. He begins very polite and friendly, accepts her fears and quirks, but soon pushes to become more familiar with Sophie.
The trouble is, he is very publicly engaged to a well known celebrity.
Not following social media and pop news, Sophie has no clue.

This is a young adult romance. Although the topics can be very adult, the presentation is PG.
There are humorous moments and quite the homage to M&M candies.
All I know about New York during the pandemic comes from televised sensationalized news.
I imagine the illnesses and precautions as portrayed on shows like Grey's Anatomy.
I can't imagine trying to meet new people, much less date, under these circumstances. It was an eye opening read.

The romance is breezy and ridiculous yet endearing.
When his secret comes to light and we think all hope is lost...
well you have to read to find out what happens.

[Deanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet but slow pandemic romance.

I tried really hard to love this but it was a struggle to get through. The characters were sweet but the story felt very slow.

It may be that it was just too soon for me personally to read a pandemic romance novel, however I have been keeping an eye out and was very intrigued by this book and the story line.

The boo had some great moments while the main characters were connecting but there were too many sections that felt long and unnecessarily drawn out.

I received and ARC copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing.

[Lee Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story really shows how life has been through this pandemic. It also shows how love can be found even at the most difficult times. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters and how they each were coping with the pandemic. The reality of zoom meeting holidays really makes you thankful for the time you get to spend with your family now.

[Tracy Fritts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

Virtually Yours is a funny, entertaining, humorous and romantic. I truly love the characters Sophie and Jacob. It is well written. I loved the storyline. It kept my interested.

[Barbara Hanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very timely

Good read. Very entertaining, humorous and romantic. Can hardly wait for the next in the series. Thanks so much Virginia

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

This was an interesting romance that takes place in New York during the pandemic. There were a few funny parts and a HEA.

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was genuinely the best book I’ve read this year. It’s movie worthy. Gave me all the feels and I laughed so much. Definitely recommend reading this.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the book was ok. It was slow to get started for my taste. However, it does very much hit on all the covid-19 details

[Sacha Fortuné · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sacha's Book Reviews Blog

3.5 stars
I chose this book from an ARC program because after seeing loads of writing memes about post-Covid romance, I was curious to see how one would be written!

The Premise
Picture it: New York, 2020. Sophie, an art conservator and serious germaphobe, has been locked away in her apartment for months, and is now forced to engage with a new client before she runs out of money to pay her rent. Jacob, talent manager to Hollywood celebs, needs his grandmother’s chair restored. He’s also getting over a “pandemic” breakup that has to be kept under wraps to protect his ex-fiancée/client Savannah’s career. Sparks fly between Sophie and Jacob, but where can they go, if all they can do is Zoom? What does romance and love look like in the era when Covid runs supreme?

The Pros
I’ll admit — I read this book in one day, and I enjoyed it; it did however leave me with a feeling that this would be one of those “guilty pleasures” because I was entertained by a “Covid” romance… maybe it’s a bit too soon to find certain things funny? Regardless, there was a buoyant satire in the humour that kept me reading and smiling all the way through, even when the behaviour of the characters seemed to veer off the rails of ridiculous.

I liked the supporting characters such as Sophie’s friend Casey, and of course the ever-amusing Hurry Curry staff. These characters really flew off the page and I could imagine them easily. The connective similarity to the Spanish Flu was beautifully done, and the novel really shines in that particular spot. I also appreciated the references to the pandemic that helped set the scene — the balcony socialising, the emptiness of the streets, the cancellation of… well, everything; it’s easy to “world-build” since we’re still living through it, but these touches made it come alive.

The Cons
While I enjoyed the book, I wasn’t totally sold on the relationship of the two main characters. While their interactions are cute and humorous as they try to navigate Covid dating norms, they do seem to fall in love very quickly over very little. There were also a few questionable choices — namely, Sophie’s ability to stay locked away for months without a computer felt unlikely (especially as in her line of work, I’m sure online research is key to uncover obscure information about art pieces, and she seemed to be somewhat distant to that concept); and Jacob’s apparent utter laziness to expunge his life and his apartment of his ex-fiancée after how badly she’d treated him. While these two instances were linked to key plot points, you do have to suspend disbelief considerably.

Conclusion
Overall, this was a light, funny, quick read and I would recommend to other readers, particularly female readers. Mind you, the gravity of the illness seems to be largely ignored here. I don’t know how much we can expect a romantic comedy to be an accurate depiction of reality (needless to say, it isn’t), but if you have been personally affected by the pandemic in any way, this (and any other depiction with a comedic spin) may be a trigger! Despite my own niggles, this was a really good book and it is funny, so if you need a good laugh, this would be a great pick. This romantic comedy had enough heart in it to keep my interest, and I look forward to reading more from the author.


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[Emabubby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Virtually Yours is a timely Rom-Com about two lonely people trying to deal with the effects of the 2020 Covid pandemic. Dr. Sophie Longeway is an unemployed mysophobia, museum conservator hiding out in her apartment sanctuary. Jacob Rossi is an entertainer and sports agent who has been dumped by his A-list fiancee actress Savannah Reed. Jacob wants to repair his grandmother's favorite antique rocking chair as a gift for his ailing grandmother to cheer her up after a recent illness. He contacts Sophie and offers her the job. What occurs as a result of this meeting is pure delight and the making of a very charming story.


I received an advanced copy and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful read. It sheds light on what living through the COVID-19 pandemic was like for people living with the altered daily life. It covered the fear of contracting the illness, the struggle of businesses to continue to operate through the challenges, and the impact from lost employment and other financial impacts regular people had. The story also has a nice Christmas aspect to it as well, so it makes a heart-warming holiday read also.

It was nice to see a lighter side of this difficult historic period, and becomes a glimpse of the hope that things can get better and when they do, there will be so much to look forward to.

[Ashlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick read, it only took me as long as it did because I had to pause for a work shift. Very timely read set in pandemic times in the US. The first half of the book was lighthearted and entertaining, however the second half felt forced and rushed. It was like a light switch flipped to full list mode but called as love. Would have liked to have seen more development overall but still an enjoyable read.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and almost virtual love story. How can two people really connect during this pandemic? Will germaphobe Sophie fight her fears to have chance with Jacob, a handsome man who ask for her help to restore an heirloom from his Gram? A sweet story that reflects very accurately how difficult the pandemic has been in human relationships. Great book.