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Lockdown Love: Look Me in the Heart

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“Nothing has to change. It’s not as though it’s the first time I’ve kissed a guy.”

As the world is held in the grips of a global pandemic, straight, handsome, athletic builder, Damon Boyd, is forced into lockdown.

His only company is gay, primary school teacher and housemate, Joey Reynolds.

Bonding over their love of superhero movies and buoyed by their shared love of good food, drink and company, harmony exists between the pair.

As time passes, growing anxieties force Damon permanently behind closed doors, leaving Joey to take care of everyday chores outside of the house.

But while sequestered, their friendship grows, and a spark is soon ignited between them.

Only Joey has the courage to fully acknowledge the change in dynamics, yet stealing a drunken kiss pushes them further into friend zone.

Damon refuses to admit what he is truly feeling, and believing the best way to re-assert his sexuality, he takes a risk that could have devastating consequences for them both.

108 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2021

1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read

About the author

Dhani Ewing

11 books44 followers
Dhani Ewing is a Best Selling Author who was born and raised in Liverpool.

As an only child, he grew up with his single mother in a warm and loving environment. To this day, she remains his best friend.

Recently completing a medical degree, he travelled to America during his gap year, but was forced to return to England due to the global pandemic.

Once home, he set his mind to conquering a life-long dream of writing.

Finding immediate success with his debut novella, ‘THE STRANGER’, writing has now become a full-time hobby with many planned releases to follow.

As well as a burgeoning writing career, Dhani has started a three year core training course in psychiatry.

Life is busy but stay tuned… there is so much more to come!



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5 stars
22 (52%)
4 stars
6 (14%)
3 stars
3 (7%)
2 stars
5 (11%)
1 star
6 (14%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Marcus Brown.
Author 35 books74 followers
June 21, 2021
I was asked to read this book by a friend and I'm so glad I did.
It is unbelievably current and deals with multiple themes; the pandemic, anxiety and growing feelings one character doesn't know what to do with.
Superbly written and characterised, Dhani wallops us with raw emotion. Both the positives and negatives of humanity are explored and nothing is left unsaid.
You will root and reel at the same time for what Damon and Joey endure but ultimately cheer at the closing page.
Fantastic, and that last sentence is profound but no truer words were spoken.
443 reviews6 followers
August 9, 2021
My idea of romance is clearly different from the other reviewers🤷🏻‍♀️

One star as it's well written and the mental health aspect was well done. But I thought that this is supposed to be about Damon and Joey? Well in this short novel we have Joey breaking lockdown rules to have sex with a grindr hook up twice while he and Damon share ONE kiss! And Joey is hospitalised for part of the book and yet at the end they've declared their love for each other lol.

Also Damon clearly has issues as his violent response to the grindr hook up and the homophobic slurs he used shows. None of this was addressed and Joey should be concerned by his responses, as clearly Damon hasn't properly dealt with his attraction to men. But that was all glossed over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
324 reviews7 followers
August 8, 2021
Emotionally brilliant!

This story was nothing like I expected, despite the title, and is so much more than a love story, but love comes in many ways. It touched me deeply and I felt every emotion that Damon was going through.
It is such a well written story about such sensitive, emotive and current topics, opening eyes as to how debilitating some of these issues can be.
I'm sure readers will find this story so close to home in many ways and will love it as much as I did.
Profile Image for Penny.
389 reviews5 followers
July 11, 2021
So true to life. Phenomenal!
This book hit me personally. As it will so many others who read it. We've all experienced being locked down recently and dealing with what's going on in the wold today. This goes through the motions of Damon and Joey and how they handle the situation and their feelings. Damon has so much fear and struggles with leaving his home. Joey is openly gay and seems to have to fear of leaving the house. Through out this book Damon starts to have feelings for Joey but denies them because he's been "straight" his whole life. My daughter recently came out and has an amazing woman as her partner. I've watched her grow and become comfortable in her own skin since then. Lockdown Love shows you some of the emotions Damon went through and accepting his true feelings for Joey. I can only imagine those being what my daughter went through. Dhani keeps writing Phenomenal books. And he constantly pulls at the heart strings. This book is no different. It's a must read and I promise you will love it from the beginning all the way to the end. One thing I hope you take away from this book is.... Never be afraid of who you are. Own it!
545 reviews
August 7, 2021
This story is so very appropriate for the times right now. It is a beautiful story of two roommates on lockdown from the pandemic. One is very secure in who he is while the other finds himself during this time. When one of them gets very sick, the feelings are pushed to the surface and leads to their happily ever after.

Dhani does an amazing job of pulling you in to the story with well written characters and details in the story that make you feel like you are right there! A wonderful story well worth the read!
279 reviews8 followers
July 10, 2021
This story is up their with my favorite reads, I devoured this book in one sitting. Relating to our current way of life while dealing with this pandemic and all the worries and anxieties that everyone has had to learn to live with all over the world. I absolutely fell in love with Joey and his sense of humor and his genuine love and respect for Damon.
And Damon teaches us that it’s ok to ask for help and that you need to stay true to what you feel in your heart and being with the right person will set you free.
Such a beautiful heartfelt story, that I absolutely loved.
59 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2021
Again Dhani Ewing writes another great story. Love the characters in here and the writing is excellent. Looking forward to more from this Author.
2 reviews
August 19, 2021
I was shock with so many 4 star reviews…..timeline a little weird and unrealistic ( lockdown was almost 10 months, people don’t resolve conflicts the very next day ). The romance just not believable and what with the drama at every turn.

Want a lockdown story L.A. Witt’s Until The World Stops is so much better executed and a far more believable story.
Profile Image for Shelly Reynolds.
702 reviews18 followers
August 9, 2021
"You're jealous."
"No I'm not."
"Liar."
"I know you want me to admit I have feelings for you, but I really don't."
"Liar."

I really enjoyed this story! Sometimes the best things come out of the worst times, right?

So we have Damon, who is still dealing with his break up with his ex-girlfriend, and Joey, Damon's roommate, who now find themselves in lockdown due to COVID-19 restrictions. Spending more time together, Damon starts noticing Joey in ways he never imagined he would. When things turn tragic, will Damon get the chance to tell Damon how he's feeling?

The story encompasses the unsettling feeling many had during the pandemic, the extreme anxiety some experienced and the fear some had/have about being out in public. But it's more than that. It's a story of self-discovery, acceptance, and love.

Even with the uncertainty of the current times, it's a reminder to count the blessings that you have right in front of you.
Profile Image for The Redhead.
272 reviews23 followers
August 6, 2021
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
This story of finding love when you least expect it blew me away.
The plot is very in touch with our current state of events and living with the pandemic.
We've all been stuck at home for what seems like forever. I know I've learned more about myself and everyone I live with during these trying times. Damon goes through that same self-realization after staying indoors with his roommate for so long.
I think readers will fall in love with Damon and Joey. Learning to accept love for love's sake and not gender is an important message. I see this as another hit for this author.
Profile Image for Joy Boutwell.
1,618 reviews17 followers
July 26, 2021
This is a must read book that is filled with so many things happening around us. Follow Damon and Joey as they take you on an amazing journey of things related to the world we live in - breakups, anxiety issues, the pandemic, Lockdown, realizing you aren't who you thought you was and not being able to see the people you love that are sick and could die.

Damon needed a roommate to help with bills and Joey answers the ad - who happens to be gay. They bond instantly as friends and it doesn't seem to matter that Damon is straight and Joey is gay, but as time goes on things start to change. The pandemic hits and they are put on lockdown. Damon starts having anxiety issues and his feelings for Joey are changing. Joey just makes jokes about the things going on and knows it can never happen because his friend is straight.

You'll have to read the story to see how things turn out.
368 reviews13 followers
August 10, 2021
1 star (barely)

This was…boring

It was ‘lockdown’ without the ‘love’ part.

Romance between Joey and Damon fell short and flat. I felt this book was narrating the events of Covid with the spice of mental illness and a kiss.

Like you had the perfect cliche ready to serve. Two people. Locked together. One gay. The other straight. Attraction. Boredom. Denial.

We had all that, but instead we focused on freakin covid and national news.

Um thanks, been there with the rest of the world. Still there. Awesome.

Damon’s homophobic tendencies and anger issues were interesting. I hoped we dived into that more, but I like many things I felt like we skimmed over it.

Oh well.
Profile Image for Cheryl Blackburn.
312 reviews26 followers
July 8, 2021
Lockdown Love, had me from the get go.

Lockdown Love is a breath of fresh air. I felt deeply connected to the story and characters. Lockdown Love gave me all the feels. I was totally unprepared for having a cry while reading this book. Sometimes you can help who you fall in love with, and it can be your best mate. I loved that there was an undeniable connection between Damon and Joey. Fantastic story!
Profile Image for Jen ODonnell.
236 reviews7 followers
July 12, 2021
Lockdown Love touches you in so many ways. I loved it from the beginning. Damon and Joey are amazing together. You never know where you will find love or with whom. Love know no bounds. Everything about this touched home, so many worries of will it ever end. Dhani Ewing writes an amazing, captivating, emotional story that will be with us for years to come. I cannot say enough about this. Once you start reading you will devour this until the end. A must must sensational and outstanding read.
Profile Image for Michelle Miller.
71 reviews
August 10, 2021
Every book I read from Dhani Ewing gets better and better! This one is no exception. Two roommates homebound in the midst of the Quarantine from Covid-19. One is hetero and one is not but this does not waiver the strong friendship these two share. The dynamic between these two is tested a few times during this perilous time... will the friendship survive? Will the love neither knew was there survive? I highly recommend this book! It is an amazing story by an amazing author!!
117 reviews3 followers
July 13, 2021
I fell in love with this book. It is beautifully written and you will fall in love with Damon and Joey.
With the Lockdown from the pandemic, Damon struggles with his growing feelings for Joey, and the anxiety of staying indoors.
This book is a must read. It is truly a story we can all relate to.
Profile Image for Martha Lindblom.
838 reviews4 followers
July 15, 2021
Wow. What an emotional almost true to life story. This story will keep you wanting more. Damon is a construction worker and Joey is a teacher and gay and comes to rent part of Damon’s house. The pandemic has the entire world in lockdown and what can happen during the lockdown? Now you will have to read this excellent book to see what happens. Enjoy
8 reviews
August 6, 2021
This story is definitely at the top of my list for releases this year. It didn't just grab me it completely immersed me into the story. Such emotion and love it was just beautiful. I felt like I was standing beside Damon as he took each step towards what he truly wanted. Absolutely without a doubt a must read!
Profile Image for Ro.
3,124 reviews16 followers
September 5, 2021
I wanted to love this but just didn't work for me. Damon has some big issues but even more for me, Joey was so irresponsible. For most of the book they aren't together, Joey is sleeping with someone else and then is hospitalized. I did like Damon's mom a lot though, especially that Damon's dad "gets up in her titties".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lara Luck.
235 reviews5 followers
August 8, 2021
This is a wonderful story of friendship and love. Realistic in-depth characters deal with emotions and fears. A superbly written story that will take you on a journey with Damon and Joey. I highly recommend this book.
339 reviews
August 11, 2021
Beautiful journey
This was such a beautiful story that has so many emotions. A story about love and one mans journey to realize he loves another man. Well written and couldn’t put it down ♥️
391 reviews6 followers
August 12, 2021
I was captivated by Lockdown Love: Look Me in the Heart by Dhani Ewing. I really like the author's writing style. There is a flow to it that kept me engaged and feel as if I am part of the story. The themes are very current and relatable. I thought the characters were well-developed. The turmoil and anxiety Damon goes through is written very well. Dhani Ewing has written another amazing book. I am looking forward to more books by this author.
364 reviews
August 6, 2021
I read it in one go. Couldn’t put it down. It’s so close to what many people went thru during the hard Lockdowns, and still going thru, all over the world. Dhani has a way of writing that hooks me all the time. Damon and Joeys story is fantastic and shows that you can’t help with whom you fall in love and you have to trust that the people who love you are there for you. Great story @dhani
Profile Image for Kym.
876 reviews9 followers
July 19, 2021
Dhani has done it again. Sucked me into another incredible story. His writing is phenomenal once again. Damon and Joey, I fell in love with. This is my first M/M story I’ve read and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the journey I was on with these two. Their story was beautifully written and I can’t wait to read more stories from this author.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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