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Social Distance
A commitment-phobic food writer tries to save her job from the chopping block by hiring a delivery driver. When a smoking-hot guy shows up on her doorstep, is he the answer she’s been looking for, or has she bitten off more than she can chew?
Thea Reyes lives a charmed life with a house full of plants, a dream job at the LA Times, and a book deal. But when the pandemic strikes, it all comes tumbling down: her boss threatens to fire her unless she agrees to use delivery services she’s morally opposed to, and she’s blocked on her book.
When a hot delivery driver named Gabe shows up on her doorstep, hiring him is the perfect answer. But now she can’t stop thinking about him. To nip this new distraction in the bud, she proposes a strictly casual, friends with benefits arrangement. Things are perfect…until they’re not.
As her pandemic fling grows complicated, Thea must choose between holding on to her previous life and risking her heart for something more.
Thea Reyes lives a charmed life with a house full of plants, a dream job at the LA Times, and a book deal. But when the pandemic strikes, it all comes tumbling down: her boss threatens to fire her unless she agrees to use delivery services she’s morally opposed to, and she’s blocked on her book.
When a hot delivery driver named Gabe shows up on her doorstep, hiring him is the perfect answer. But now she can’t stop thinking about him. To nip this new distraction in the bud, she proposes a strictly casual, friends with benefits arrangement. Things are perfect…until they’re not.
As her pandemic fling grows complicated, Thea must choose between holding on to her previous life and risking her heart for something more.
- GenresRomance
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2022
4 people are currently reading
1727 people want to read
About the author
June Yi
1 book19 followersAvid reader, writer, gamer with a lower case g, food enthusiast, podcast episode hoarder, and recovering engineer.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 20, 2022
I wrote this book, so in my completely unbiased opinion, it's a 5-star book.
November 5, 2022
I guess the cat is out of the bag.
This started out as a joke. What if someone wrote a romance novel set during the pandemic? There could be a whole thing around masks wearing. How would it even work? Well, dear readers, it worked! But it was hard.
This started out as a joke. What if someone wrote a romance novel set during the pandemic? There could be a whole thing around masks wearing. How would it even work? Well, dear readers, it worked! But it was hard.
November 8, 2022
***ARC was provided to me for my honest review***
I was a bit nervous when starting this book because early pandemic days were pretty scary for everyone. I think June Yi did a great job toeing the line between accurately describing the isolating loneliness of those days, while telling an entertaining story.
I rated 4 stars because Thea frustrated me at times. She was always ready to run - not walk - away at the first hint of trouble, without explaining herself or giving Gabe a chance to defend himself. As an outsider I get it how she felt, but placing myself in Gabe’s shoes, I don’t think I would have continued giving someone like that more chances to hurt me. Miscommunication tropes in romance will always get lower marks from me, because I’m a strong advocate for communication in relationships.
This book had a decent spicy:normal ratio. I typically prefer something with a little more heat, but these scenes were well written and those who prefer milder scenes would enjoy them also.
Sidebar: it seems like the Epilogue set up bestie Olivia to tell her pandemic love story - I’ll be on the lookout for it!
I was a bit nervous when starting this book because early pandemic days were pretty scary for everyone. I think June Yi did a great job toeing the line between accurately describing the isolating loneliness of those days, while telling an entertaining story.
I rated 4 stars because Thea frustrated me at times. She was always ready to run - not walk - away at the first hint of trouble, without explaining herself or giving Gabe a chance to defend himself. As an outsider I get it how she felt, but placing myself in Gabe’s shoes, I don’t think I would have continued giving someone like that more chances to hurt me. Miscommunication tropes in romance will always get lower marks from me, because I’m a strong advocate for communication in relationships.
This book had a decent spicy:normal ratio. I typically prefer something with a little more heat, but these scenes were well written and those who prefer milder scenes would enjoy them also.
Sidebar: it seems like the Epilogue set up bestie Olivia to tell her pandemic love story - I’ll be on the lookout for it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2022
Preordered! Can't wait to check this one out!
April 14, 2025
Oof 😬 I was looking forward to this one and thought it would be a light, kinda fun read... But no, it was pretty brutal to get through. The main character was insufferable, and a control freak for no apparent reason. I just kept wanting to tell the guy to run because she wasn't worth the headache.
The copious amount of typos was also a nuisance. Typos always take me right out of the story because they interrupt the flow of reading as my brain trips over the sentence when trying to decipher it.
I just felt like this was the book that never ended. It was so repetitive and kept giving me whiplash with all of the back and forth nonsense that was happening so rapidly between the two main characters.
The copious amount of typos was also a nuisance. Typos always take me right out of the story because they interrupt the flow of reading as my brain trips over the sentence when trying to decipher it.
I just felt like this was the book that never ended. It was so repetitive and kept giving me whiplash with all of the back and forth nonsense that was happening so rapidly between the two main characters.
November 7, 2022
The plot of Social Distance was fantastic. It drew me in, and I finished the book within a few days.
That being said, the book would benefit from further editing. The timeline confused me and didn’t seem to line up consistently. There were places I wanted more show and less tell. Let me experience the early conversations between Thea and Gabe rather than telling me what each took from it. Nevertheless, I was captivated enough by their relationship to keep reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
That being said, the book would benefit from further editing. The timeline confused me and didn’t seem to line up consistently. There were places I wanted more show and less tell. Let me experience the early conversations between Thea and Gabe rather than telling me what each took from it. Nevertheless, I was captivated enough by their relationship to keep reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 7, 2022
3.5 Stars (I received this as an arc, and am grateful for it, but that will not influence my opinion in any way)
I enjoyed this, and it was a cute and quick read. This was the first book, I ever read in a covid set/adjusted to the corona situation, and I discovered that it´s not something I would read about again. This is not the book's fault though. Regarding the romance, I liked Thea who was a very sweet Person, who valued privacy and didn´t want any attachments, and I liked Gabe most of the time, but not always. That´s what kind of itches me about this book, that Thea made it very clear that she didn´t want a relationship, and he still went along with it/was okay with it but then continued to disrespect her wishes and that they just easily stayed together felt kind of forced, in my opinion. I would´ve wished for more characters, than just that one 'main' side character (the best friend, Olivia) as it would give more variety, but I understand, that with the covid situation, it made sense for the lack of centered side characters. I did really enjoy this though, it was fast-paced and the characters weren´t one-sided and had lots of personality and flaws, which I love. The very heavy food setting was so interesting, as I myself learned some new dishes. Sometimes I thought it was too quirky how Thea described/compared men as/with food, but I could just read over that:)
I enjoyed this, and it was a cute and quick read. This was the first book, I ever read in a covid set/adjusted to the corona situation, and I discovered that it´s not something I would read about again. This is not the book's fault though. Regarding the romance, I liked Thea who was a very sweet Person, who valued privacy and didn´t want any attachments, and I liked Gabe most of the time, but not always. That´s what kind of itches me about this book, that Thea made it very clear that she didn´t want a relationship, and he still went along with it/was okay with it but then continued to disrespect her wishes and that they just easily stayed together felt kind of forced, in my opinion. I would´ve wished for more characters, than just that one 'main' side character (the best friend, Olivia) as it would give more variety, but I understand, that with the covid situation, it made sense for the lack of centered side characters. I did really enjoy this though, it was fast-paced and the characters weren´t one-sided and had lots of personality and flaws, which I love. The very heavy food setting was so interesting, as I myself learned some new dishes. Sometimes I thought it was too quirky how Thea described/compared men as/with food, but I could just read over that:)
December 2, 2022
After living through the pandemic and having covid twice, I didn't think I would like the story but was pleasantly surprised. I found Gabe and Thea to be endearing, the story was fresh- how do you meet someone during a pandemic?- and the conflicts to be realistic. I'm a rom-com fan in general, but found this one to be sweet, funny, and contagious (see what I did there?). Social Distance was a breath of fresh air in during/post pandemic LA. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 1, 2022
What a fun read! The romance in the covid times that will make you smile and also make you hungry!
The food sounds tasty and the characters are fun. Will there be a part two?
The food sounds tasty and the characters are fun. Will there be a part two?
June 1, 2024
Cute, cozy romance set in the first four months of the 2020 pandemic.
A few typos here and there in the e-book, but nothing egregious.
I liked both of the characters, both felt like real people, not just sock puppets to fall in love.
A few typos here and there in the e-book, but nothing egregious.
I liked both of the characters, both felt like real people, not just sock puppets to fall in love.
January 16, 2023
exactly what I was looking for - a cute but spicy romance!
December 23, 2022
This is my first June Yi, and I can say 100% for certain that I will be reading anything else she comes out with.
Thank you BookSirens for the ARC, it was a true pleasure.
What I liked: well just about everything honestly. Yi does a great job intertwining cultures, building characters, defining real relationship issues, building slow burn and finding the spice of meeting a new love interest. The pandemic specifically is tricky to write about as we all have experienced it differently, but her writing does an excellent job of showing you these characters perspectives, doesn’t have to be everyone’s, but by the end you certainly know Theas stance and struggles on it and whether you personally agreed you can certainly empathize with the journey. Gabe’s progression through the book coming back from a less than stellar romantic past is real and raw and is just so closely relatable to anyone finding their way. Even the “80% breakup” as I call them or “romantic hiccup” in the book, what have you, is so understandably tender. As you peel back Theas layers you really get to understand not only how her Asian upbringing and prior experiences shape her but also how she’s trying and working to be better and her true self at the same time. As you can tell….I enjoyed this book.
What I didn’t like: well clearly not much, since I always try to be pragmatic in my reviews however I have to give y’all something. In the beginning Thea comes off a bit pretentious, and I worried this was a reflection the writing style of the author….as you discover Thea’s personality and complexity and profession however….you start to understand what part is passion, what part is her slightly aloof personality, and what was her COVID based anxiety. So all to say, Yi convinced me of her characters personality very well, major props to her.
This may be my favorite ARC of the year yall, happy to have been introduced to this author!
Thank you BookSirens for the ARC, it was a true pleasure.
What I liked: well just about everything honestly. Yi does a great job intertwining cultures, building characters, defining real relationship issues, building slow burn and finding the spice of meeting a new love interest. The pandemic specifically is tricky to write about as we all have experienced it differently, but her writing does an excellent job of showing you these characters perspectives, doesn’t have to be everyone’s, but by the end you certainly know Theas stance and struggles on it and whether you personally agreed you can certainly empathize with the journey. Gabe’s progression through the book coming back from a less than stellar romantic past is real and raw and is just so closely relatable to anyone finding their way. Even the “80% breakup” as I call them or “romantic hiccup” in the book, what have you, is so understandably tender. As you peel back Theas layers you really get to understand not only how her Asian upbringing and prior experiences shape her but also how she’s trying and working to be better and her true self at the same time. As you can tell….I enjoyed this book.
What I didn’t like: well clearly not much, since I always try to be pragmatic in my reviews however I have to give y’all something. In the beginning Thea comes off a bit pretentious, and I worried this was a reflection the writing style of the author….as you discover Thea’s personality and complexity and profession however….you start to understand what part is passion, what part is her slightly aloof personality, and what was her COVID based anxiety. So all to say, Yi convinced me of her characters personality very well, major props to her.
This may be my favorite ARC of the year yall, happy to have been introduced to this author!
November 26, 2022
I was immediately curious about this book because the fmc is a plant mom (I love plants) and a food journalist (I also love food). First off, the food descriptions DID NOT disappoint. I got so hungry reading this book; and my peanut butter and crackers did not satisfy me. The writing in this book was descriptive and I felt like I was a part of it and could smell all of the food. I really was a fan of this authors writing style, I was able to connect with it easily. Then we have our main characters, Thea and Gabe. I loved these characters! I was able to relate to both of them so much, and I loved being able to read from both their perspectives so we could get a full insight as to what they were thinking in the moment, especially about each other. It was so easy to feel the chemistry between these characters. The characters also both had very understanding reasons for their hesitancy in the relationship, and I loved seeing them work through those feelings. The character development in this book was so refreshing, as was their honesty with each other.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Receiving a copy for free does not affect my review and rating of a book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Receiving a copy for free does not affect my review and rating of a book.
April 4, 2023
I had high hopes for this book. A romance that takes place during the pandemic? Sign me up! Should be cute.
It was a little cute. Thea kind of drove me nuts, though. The woman needs to go to therapy to deal with her issues and trauma. As someone who has issues and trauma, I feel like I can say that. I don't mean it in a mean way, but her past limits her future, because she's unable to process and move on from her shitty ex-boyfriends. I'm not trying to minimize what Thea went through. However, she needs to go to therapy to process this.
Not that Gabe was without his faults. However, he at least solves his issues with his father later by communicating with him. Which he should've done earlier, but that's neither here nor there. I received a copy of this novel early, so there were some grammatical errors that I'm sure were fixed before the pub date.
Overall, my biggest issue was with Thea. She needs to go to therapy to work through her issues.
I received an advanced reader copy from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
(REPOSTED FROM PREVIOUS ACCT)
It was a little cute. Thea kind of drove me nuts, though. The woman needs to go to therapy to deal with her issues and trauma. As someone who has issues and trauma, I feel like I can say that. I don't mean it in a mean way, but her past limits her future, because she's unable to process and move on from her shitty ex-boyfriends. I'm not trying to minimize what Thea went through. However, she needs to go to therapy to process this.
Not that Gabe was without his faults. However, he at least solves his issues with his father later by communicating with him. Which he should've done earlier, but that's neither here nor there. I received a copy of this novel early, so there were some grammatical errors that I'm sure were fixed before the pub date.
Overall, my biggest issue was with Thea. She needs to go to therapy to work through her issues.
I received an advanced reader copy from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
(REPOSTED FROM PREVIOUS ACCT)
November 17, 2022
As a fellow Asian girl with a serious food obsession, I loved Yi's "Social Distance". Set in the stressful early stages of COVID lockdown, Yi sheds light into how the food industry was impacted by the virus through the emotionally unavailable but totally food savvy Thea. As a food writer who now has to rely on Gabe to deliver her food, Thea slowly learns to open up and enjoy what Gabe brings to her table and bed.
This was an enjoyable weekend read with engaging characters. The way Yi brought many of the early COVID concerns to her characters felt real and added another layer of natural tension throughout.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was an enjoyable weekend read with engaging characters. The way Yi brought many of the early COVID concerns to her characters felt real and added another layer of natural tension throughout.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 26, 2022
SOCIAL DISTANCE was set in the early days of the pandemic. Yi captured the fear that we all felt at the beginning of the pandemic, but that fear was balanced out by interesting insights into Thea’s role as a food writer, and how her work shifted as the pandemic progressed. The romance with Gabe was sweet. I wish there were more secondary characters that were included but understood why the story had few side characters, as Thea wasn’t interacting with as many people. If you like reading about foodies and sweet romances, then this romance is for you – with the understanding, of course, that you’re prepared to dive back into the early days of the pandemic.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 22, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thanks to Booksirens for the opportunity.it's really strange to read a book, set in 2020, it seems like a lot of time has passed and at the same time it seems like yesterday.
From the plot I didn't know how the story would develop honestly, but it surprised me, really nice.
bonus point I read this while in quarantine with covid
Thanks to Booksirens for the opportunity.it's really strange to read a book, set in 2020, it seems like a lot of time has passed and at the same time it seems like yesterday.
From the plot I didn't know how the story would develop honestly, but it surprised me, really nice.
bonus point I read this while in quarantine with covid
December 30, 2022
This pandemic romance book has so much to offer. Multicultural perspectives, sweet romance, a realistic perspective on the pandemic we faced but with added perspective. Thea and Gabe are adorable and this is a cute read about finding love (even when you didn’t want to) during a pandemic and a heavy focus on the live of food with plenty of spice (both in the food and in the bedroom).
I received a free advanced review copy of this novel and am offering my honest opinion voluntarily.
I received a free advanced review copy of this novel and am offering my honest opinion voluntarily.
November 12, 2022
Social Distance is a fun, hot romance set during the early stages of the pandemic.
I loved the insights into Thea's job as a food writer, and how her role shifted because of COVID restrictions. The characters had dimensions and I enjoyed reading their stories.
I received an ARC of this book, which has not influenced my review.
I loved the insights into Thea's job as a food writer, and how her role shifted because of COVID restrictions. The characters had dimensions and I enjoyed reading their stories.
I received an ARC of this book, which has not influenced my review.
November 30, 2022
A sweet romance during pandemic. Accurate portrayal of the lengths people will go to be germ free. The at home food writer and the delivery guy. Flowed along and smiled how they both interested one another yet each gad own fears to overcome. I found relaxing read to destress to. *I was given a copy via BookSirens and am voluntarily giving my honest review.
February 25, 2023
Such tension between main characters throughout this book! Amazing to read something so topical from the last couple of years, definitely shows the influence of a pandemic.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews