Maybe, Probably

by Amanda Radley

Gina Henley doesn’t keep up with current events. She’s too busy partying with her friends and fending off her mother’s well-intentioned nagging about finding a man and settling down. When a mysterious illness causes her boss to close the office, Gina must work from home and life as she knows it changes forever.


Dr. Eleanor Osborne works at a busy London hospital and knows all too well the virus is causing panic. As if that weren’t bad enough, it’s too unsafe for her elderly neighbor to continue minding Eleanor’s daughter, Sophia. She needs a babysitter pronto, but who can she ask to take the risk?


Cut off from her social network, Gina finds the silence of her own company suffocating—who is she when no one is watching? Eleanor is sure she picked the worst time ever to become a single mother—how can she possibly raise a child in such an unpredictable world? Set against the backdrop of a viral pandemic, Gina and Eleanor are about to discover that loving another person is complicated when you’re desperately searching for yourself.

Genres: Lesbian Romance, Lesbian, Medical, LGBT, Slow Burn, Romance, Contemporary

234 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2023

About the author

See main profile as A.E. Radley

Amanda Radley had no desire to be a writer but accidentally turned into an award-winning, best-selling author. Residing in the UK with her wife and pets, she loves to travel. She gave up her marketing career in order to make stuff up for a living instead. She claims the similarities are startling.

Reviews

[Della B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a single working new mom at age 46 is the definition of courage or insanity. Doctor Eleanor Osborne hasn’t decided yet. What Eleanor does call insanity is trying to find a reliable babysitter who can work with her long days at the hospital. 

Graphic artist Gina Henley works for a popular video gaming company. She enjoys the office environment and between work and her social life, Gina spends much more time out than at home. As covid is working its way across Europe and heading for England, Gina’s company sends all their employees to work from home for an indefinite time period.  

Gina feels everyone is over reacting to the new pandemic and hates being home alone. Overhearing Eleanor complaining to a friend about a lack of a babysitter, Gina volunteers to look after Sophia. All Eleanor’s options have disappeared due to the covid outbreak. Living on the same floor of their shared apartment building makes Gina’s offer into a very convenient solution. 

Radley’s choosing to wrap her age gap story with the beginning of covid is a smart and unique plot device to have the characters meet and interact. The slow burn to the romance is well paced until the last quarter of the story. Here Eleanor has a life changing epiphany without much preamble. As well, the slow burn fizzles out to a fade to black scenario which is disappointing as the build up is so well done.

Radley is a much published and popular writer. Unfortunately in Maybe, Probably she created two strong storylines which fought for dominance instead of blending in the novel.

I received a free advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[pipsqueakreviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lockdown.

This is a toaster oven romance novel that tells the story of two people who find companionship with each other during the COVID-19 pandemic and fall in love. The novel follows the lives of Eleanor, a doctor who works at the frontlines of the pandemic and Gina, her neighbour and nanny to Eleanor's young daughter. Eleanor is a single mother, juggling her work as a doctor and her responsibilities as a parent. Gina enters Eleanor's life after Gina offers to babysit one day and the two develop an instant platonic friendship that grows into romance later on.

I enjoyed the COVID-19 storyline better than I did the romance. The story takes place at the start of the pandemic and I thought Amanda Radley weaved in the realities of that time into the story well including the fears, uncertainty and frustration that people faced. The romance, on the other hand, could have been better paced. There wasn't any romantic chemistry between them, just platonic lockdown companionship for the longest time until the last quarter and then the pace exploded from the last quarter onwards.

Overall, this is an okay book for those who want to read a book set in the pandemic period.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very realistic about the pandemic, quite took me back, quite emotional. Lovely story with cute one year old at the centre. Highly recommended.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️

This is a story about Gena Henley who is 29 years old, single and partying and going to concerts with her friends. She’s an artist working for a video game company. Dr. Eleanor Osborne is a 46 year old single mom with a one year old daughter. She’s a cardiologist at a London Hospital.

In March of 2020 Covid 19 appears out of nowhere and corporations tell their employees to work from home. So Gena is forced to work from home and she hates it. She misses her active social life. Eleanor looses her babysitter and asks Gena to babysit.

This is a very slow burn, age gap story that brings back the early days of Covid. And explores both people’s attitudes on it, those who resented being forced to stay in their homes and those doctors working grueling hours trying to save lives.

I felt Radley did a good job developing the characters and the background Covid setting. I would have liked a longer book to develop the feelings in more detail between Gena and Eleanor. There were a lot of potential conflicts with personality, age gap and a ready made family that were glossed over and needed more development in my view.

Overall I liked the book and Radley fans will enjoy it.

ARC received from NetGalley for an honest and voluntary review.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Covid Pandemic of 2020 when life as we knew it shut down serves as the backdrop to this romance. Travel stopped and those lucky enough to transition to work from home did so or were forced to. Service personnel and front line workers carried on through grim times.
The main characters live on the same floor in an apartment building and have a "nod-hello" acquaintance. Single mom to 18 month old Sophia, Dr. Eleanor Osborne finds herself in desperate need of a babysitter. Cut to the chase - her neighbor and now work at home graphic artist Gina Henley steps in to help out.
The author does a fine job covering how individuals reacted to the Pandemic, ensuing restrictions and the toll taken on health workers. Over time, Gina's character matures in her outlook on life and we see how Eleanor clings to whatever normalcy is available when she gets home from her hospital duties. Sophia is the glue between them. However, Eleanor's quick sexual revelation didn't quite ring true for me. The slow burn/age gap romance between the leads was okay but I would have been more satisfied if that aspect of the book was fleshed out some more before the HEA.
An overall good read.

I rec'd a copy through NetGalley/Bold Strokes Books. My review is unbiased and voluntary.

My deep thanks to all those front line workers who carried on through unimaginable devastating times and hope their hidden emotional scars smooth in time.

[Aleana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor and Gina are neighbors they never really talk to each other but politely knowledge each other when passing. Eleanor is doctor with a daughter Sophia who is so precious she knows things about to get crazy when Covid starts to hit everyone. Gina is graphic designer who enjoys her work because she can work in the office and at home most of the time she at first thinks everyone blowing things out of portion but she starts to see that’s it’s warrant. Gina and Eleanor grow closer when Gina looks after Sophia as they navigate what’s going on in the world. This was a good read it’s took me minute to get through it because Covid is part of the reason my mom passed away.



I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amanda Radley sets the story in the early days of covid. It is Mach 2020 and Dr. Eleanor Osborne is a cardiologist in a London Hospital. As part of the NHS she is on the front lines and understands the dangers and unknowns of the disease sweeping the world. Eleanor is a single mom with Sophia, a 13 months old, who needs daycare when her babysitter quits. Gina Henley is 29 and lives down the hall from Eleanor. They’ve seen each other in the building but never spoken. Gina is a successful graphic designer for video games. Luckily her job easily transitions to being done from home. But she finds herself anxious at the loss of contact with co-workers and friends. After hearing Eleanors plight she offers to babysit Sophia to help out. The threesome become a bubble in the Covid world.

I enjoyed the setting and revisiting some of the happenings and feelings of the early days of Covid time period. I was in vacationing in France and remember the tenseness of borders shutting and the stress of getting back home as the world shut down. The characters are both well developed and likable. I like the naturalness of the relationship building between Gina and Eleanor. But the focus of the book seems to be more on the Covid setting and not a romance. I thought there could have been more teasing or build up to a romance. Instead it is like all of a sudden Eleanor is open to the possibility and then there is an immediate obstacle. There are no relationship discussions or thoughts on Eleanor’s sexuality or if she wants to come out to friends or family.

The story is good and worth reading especially with the focus on the moment in history. But the romance is the weaker part of the storyline. Suggest for those who enjoy age-gap, closed-door, slow burn romances. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 Stars)

[Heinerway · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is set in the early days of COVID, back in March 2020, when a lockdown was imposed in response to the pandemic. The focus of the book seems to be more on the COVID than on the romance between two neighbors, Eleanor, a single mom and doctor in a London hospital, and Gina, a graphic designer for video games working from home who offers to babysit Sophia, Eleanor's cute-as-a-button daughter. It’s a sweet love story set in a very trying time.

[Jo reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming!

I know we all groan a little bit when we hear the words lockdown and covid, because, let's face it, it was gruelling for all of us, but... Amanda Radleys maybe probably was really heartwarming to read. Even tho it's centred around covid, it also focuses on friendship, bubbles and finding out who we really are. The story has emotional situations but we also have happier ones too.

I've given Maybe, probably a 4 out of 5.

It's well worth a read.

[cloverxheart · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐
Enjoyable quick read, although too short and a bit underdeveloped.

I feel like nothing happened that made the romance and their feelings for each other believable.
I think the romance is usually underdeveloped in the books by this author, but this has to be the worst one yet.
They just seemed like friends if anything.
There was genuinely 0 chemistry or tension.

It also bothered me how Gina was constantly described as naive and immature for her age.
I love an age gap, but if you constantly mention how naive she is in comparison to Eleanor and how different they are from each other
1. How am I supposed to believe that Eleanor actually has feelings for her and that the relationship will last?
2. It kinda seems icky. Because why, as a 46 year old, would you want to date a woman in her late twenties who seems immature for her age? I believe she was compared to a 19 year old once.


I liked the character and the baby was cute, I would have just liked to see more of them - getting to know each other, spending time as a couple and family.
This book just needed to be longer, or at least write a second book about them once the lock down is over and they have a normal life again

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

COVID-19 is at the center of this read. The lives of many have been impacted. The political aspect has been a surprise but to some extent, not a surprise. When people are involved, there is usually more than one side to an issue. Gina Henley, graphic artist working for a video game company, bummed when her social network is impacted by the virus. Gina enjoys life outside of work and was really taken aback when COVID-19 entered her day-to-day life. Dr. Eleanor Osborne, cardiology is her specialty but when COVID-19 impacts her London hospital, all doctors are needed no matter their area of responsibility.

Eleanor has a daughter, Sophia and she needs childcare. The elderly neighbor believes it is too unsafe to continue to keep Sophia so Eleanor is in need of another babysitter, enter Gina. It was interesting to follow the interaction among Gina, Eleanor and Sophia. There is complication as well as misunderstandings that causes each women to self-reflect and find within themselves who they really are and what they really want. Enjoyable read with a perspective that shows the impact of COVID-19.

ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sobering but heart-warming

Gina doesn’t believe this COVID-19 pandemic is worth the panic everyone seems to be in until it starts to affect her personally. Stepping in to help out Eleanor, a Doctor in desperate need of childcare, Gina starts to learn the truth of what is happening to the world.

I loved this so much! As the world is slowly moving back into normality it was great to be transported back with Gina and Eleanor. A sobering reminder of what we have all been through and Amanda cleverly explored every angle using only a few characters to convey situations that were scary and life changing. Having the perspective of someone as carefree as Gina who couldn’t fathom what she was being asked to do in staying home and the lockdowns and then the trauma and exhausting life of a Doctor really added that contrast to remind how serious this situation has been.

What was a fantastic was the journey this took Gina on, as many of us can relate to the experience more so than we can Eleanor’s. Yet there were other things with Eleanor, like the panic of needing to rely on others in a way she’d never needed to before because of the importance of her job and the risks she had to take.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, mostly because I could empathise, sympathise, and as we have all been through this, no matter where in the world we are, there was a deeper connection and understanding of the story.

As usual, Amanda managed to balance this with happy, heart-warming moments as well as thought-provoking and emotional ones. I can’t recommend this enough, and will definitely read it again and again.

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Eleanor Osborne is a single mother to Sophia and a cardiologist. Her elderly dow stairs neighbor has been babysitting for her, when covid hit and she said she couldn't watch Sophia anymore.
Gina is an illustrator for a gaming company and has to work from home. Gina only lives a couple of doors down from Eleanor when the 3 of them, the 2 adults and Sophia share the elevator. Sophia takes to Gina. Gina invites Eleanor with Sophia into her apartment. Eleanor watches how Gina interacts with her daughter, checks out how childproof it is and asks Gina if she could babysit.
Eleanor thinks she's straight, Gina is a lesbian (but not out to her parents). They're friends until,,,, well it's a beautiful slow burn story, that you're going to enjoy. 5 stars.

[Odette Lattimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the advanced copy.

I have just finished this and I found this a really emotive read. I work for the NHS in Primary Care and due to a medical condition have been shielding since the start of COVID and I am still working from home.

The writing is exceptional, intense and powerful. Central characters are very good and the story develops well. Possibly lacks a little romance but I enjoyed reading it and look forward to more from this author.

highly recommended

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a slow-burn age-gap romance set at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. Radley captures the tumult of the emotions and events leading up to the world-wide lock down.

The characters are well drawn and realistic – Gina is a self-centered immature twenty-something who is angry when she is denied access to her favorite venues from coffee shops to music concerts, but as she begins to understand her actions, she grows and matures. Eleanor, on the other hand, is in her mid-forties, a new mom and a emergency room doctor. Radley captures these two very different women perfectly even as she allows to them to grow and change as their worlds change and become smaller.

While a lesser author might have let her characters devolve into hot messes of angst and self-pity, Radley lets her characters evolve with the reality of the times with very little angst.

Radley has taken on the Covid Pandemic head on and given us top-notch story that doesn’t get bogged down by angst, anger, or self-pity. She keeps the book focused on the two main characters and, by doing so, has written a seminal romance that exudes hope and love in the midst of so much death and fear.

[Dide · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty slow getting acquainted kind of story. Not a common occurrence in modern day romances. And it walked me through Covid .... not a period experience I'd like to remember. Enjoyable read though

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a start. It is set in Covid times in London. Not the first book I’ve read that has done that but this one is so well observed, certainly at the start I am transported back there, right up to people talking about covid parties to get it over with. I also love the non pandemic observations, of just day to day habits, like holding your glasses up to the lights after cleaning them! And bins……. I’m beginning to suspect I am in this book!
I’m not a gamer, but I loved and totally got Gina’s view and why. Another layer that makes this book very readable.
I loved the balance of having positive experiences through lockdown versus “lockdown” and all the negatives that should entail. “But having any positive thoughts about what was happening seemed somehow wrong.” As the writer put it better than I could.
The change in relationship is so well done in relation to covid and having to inform family. A wonderful use of a plot. Plot that is further enhanced with the reason for break up. I had got so into the relationship that I was as surprised as Eleanor with Gina’s stance (avoiding spoilers) after they consummated their relationship.
The break up is actually quite cleanly done, shockingly so and as such this feels fresh. It is not dragged out and I didn’t have to wait too long for my happily ever after (It is a romance, so no spoiler.)
Can I describe a covid novel as low angst? There isn’t much angst in the relationship but plenty of real reactions and insights to life as it was then. I often witter on in reviews about a lack of tension or jeopardy meaning pacing drops and I am not compelled to keep reading. I have discovered that it is only an issue if there is no plot apart from the romance. If the mains feel real, and their discovering each other feels real, usually with a gradual discovery rather than insta-relationship, that is enough to keep pacing tight. The pacing in this novel is perfect. In fact, for me this is a great book.

“A change in perspective and priorities had caused it.”
I’m not sure why but this sentence, to be honest,among many others in this book resonated.

“Just because you’re Sophia’s mum, that doesn’t mean that you can always fix everything. It just means that you have to love her.” As did this,

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe, Probably by Amanda Radley is an age gap, friends-to-lovers, medical romance set during the first months of the Covid pandemic in London. I’ve been waiting to see who would be the first brave author to set a book in the time of the pandemic. I’ve read several books that alluded to Covid in their stories, but didn’t use it as a major part of the tale. With this novel, Ms. Radley tackles this sensitive subject matter in a very realistic way. She also shows that life (and romance) really did continue during that very trying time.

Dr. Eleanor Osborne is a doctor in a major hospital in London, so she gets to see exactly what the new virus is doing to the people in her city. She is also a single mother of a baby named Sophia. Eleanor’s babysitter has just left the city to get away from the virus, so Eleanor now has to find a new sitter as quickly as possible. Gina Henley lives just down the hall from Eleanor and Sophia. Normally a social and gregarious person, Gina is now forced to work from home. Feeling claustrophobic and hating the silence and loneliness of her apartment, she offers to babysit Sophia. Gina and Eleanor gradually become friends with the chance of becoming more than that if they can get over all the hurdles that are thrown in their way.

I did enjoy this tale, and I could understand everything these three went through with the sudden changes in their lives. The events during that time (the pandemic) actually play a major role in this book, and the author handled it very well. I especially connected with Eleanor, and understood the struggles she was facing in both her personal and professional life. It took me a little longer to connect with Gina, mainly because at the beginning of the novel, she comes across as rather immature. Her character does grow as she is forced to meet the challenges of this time period in the narrative. I did have some trouble seeing the connection between the two women at first, probably because of Gina’s lack of maturity at that time, but it becomes quite apparent later in the tale.

I’m really glad I had the chance to read this romance. It’s a beautiful love story set in a very trying time.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

[Chessie Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read where COVID-19 and the following lockdown are at the centre of the story. I was initially a little apprehensive about this as it was such a serious time, is still fresh in our memories and I wasn't sure how enjoyable it would be to read. However, it felt sensitively and respectfully written to me. Having said this, I can imagine some people could find parts of this book triggering as there is a serious storyline where one of the secondary characters becomes very ill with Covid.

Eleanor's plate is full. She's a doctor in a busy London hospital, and is a single parent to young Sophia. Decent childcare is hard to find at the best of times, but the government has just announced a country-wide lockdown. She's just about out of options when she meets Gina in the communal hallway in their building. Gina is a graphic artist whose life has just got a whole lot smaller. She's working from home, with no coffee shop runs, she isn't allowed to go out with friends. Lockdown's got her feeling like the walls are closing in on her. Gina needs a new challenge, something, anything to do. So when she meets a very stressed Eleanor in their hallway, she offers to look after Sophia on a whim…

These two very different characters are unexpectedly thrown together, and the companionship they find in one another makes for a rather sweet, slow-burning but heartwarming romance. I enjoyed Maybe, Probably a lot and would recommend to others, and can see myself maybe, probably reading this again in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe, Probably was a nostalgic and heartfelt read that took me back to the strange days of the COVID pandemic. I was 15 at the time, and this book reminded me of how surreal everything felt—how new masks were, how bad social distancing was, and how frustrating it was that so many people ignored the situation completely.

The story beautifully explores Gina’s growth and maturity over a few pivotal weeks. Eleanor and her daughter Sofia were absolutely adorable, and I couldn’t help but fall a little in love with them. Through their interactions, Gina learns what being part of a family truly means, and Eleanor, with Gina’s help, learns to embrace true love and come to terms with her own sexuality.

The family dynamic in this book is central and deeply moving, highlighting just how important it is in shaping people’s lives. This, coupled with the backdrop of a world grappling with social distancing and isolation, made for a touching and impactful read.

Gina's parents being so accepting of her sexuality and her job at the end did feel a bit rushed. That said, I can understand how a situation like COVID might accelerate the process of loving someone unconditionally, given how fragile everything feels during such times. While it may not have been entirely realistic, it really worked with the story’s themes of growth and connection. Overall, it was a heartfelt moment that added to the book’s charm, even if it stretched reality a little.

[Henriette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow burn f/f romance during the first lockdown
The background story and one of the prime drivers of this story is the first Covid lockdown in GB. It captures so well the avalaunche of the spreading virus, the government measures and the reactions of people. In this case Dr. Eleanore Osborne, serious, reliable and soon-to-be fighting at the forefront of the Covid-patients in her hospital and Gina, party girl and game designer, who is caught totally unawares and flatfooted by the lockdown - both struggle for very different reasons and capture in a nutshell the gamut of reactions. I really liked how the author captured this historical moment so well.
The first bond between the two main characters who up to the crisis only knew each other by sight is Eleanore‘s adorable daughter (I am a sucker for kids in romances): Gina offers to baby-sit and a slow, slow burn starts.
The slow development is believable and well done, but I got worried (and it turned out rightly so) when after 2/3 of the book there was still more friendly interaction than anything pointing at passion. The passion came very late and totally out of left field, then drama happened. I would have liked it if the resolution would have been more hashed out with more insights into the inner processes of the main characters.
3.5 stars.

Thank you BSB for the ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gina struggles with being at home without her large social circle. Her neighbour Elena, a doctor and mother to Sophia, needs a babysitter because the daycares have all closed. Gina offers to babysit Sophia during the day while Elena is at the hospital, in order to get a little social interaction, although with a baby. Set in a tumultuous time, Gina and Elena only have each other, first as neighbours and then as something more.

It was wild reading this book and watching Gina and Elenor go through what we all went through - it was like being back in March 2020 all over again but at the same time it sounded so strange like it wasn't even real. I hadn't been sure about reading a book set during the pandemic, but if anyone can make such a wild time into an incredible story it would be Amanda Radley - it was a nice reminder that even in the worst of times that human connection will always be something beautiful and hopeful. Sometimes I wanted to shake Gina for her laissez-fair attitude and immaturity, but her character arc was integral to the story, and her big heart was something very special. Sophia was adorable and added some much needed levity to the story. The chemistry between Elenor and Gina was fantastic, I love the little family they made.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Domi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A typical Amanda Radley book: easy characters to like, a bit of an age gap and all around just a sweet romance. This one starts during the Covid outbreak with Eleanor a single mom and doctor in a London hospital who loses her babysitter due to the start of the lockdown. Luckily another tenant in her building offers to take care of her daughter. A win-win since Gina is climbing up the walls due to the restrictions being placed on her life.

As someone who works in the hospital myself, Eleanors side was very relatable, nobody know what was going to happen only that it was going to be bad. You can't prepare and the annoyance she feels towards Gina when the latter was taking risks were recognizable. On the other hand you have Gina's side; her life cut off, an effect Eleanor isn't feeling because she's working and going out the door like before the lockdown.
I liked the way they respected eachother opinions and tried to find a common ground. Maybe the romance was a bit too easy and fast but it was still a great read with a sweet romance between 2 likeable characters and that's exactly what I expect when picking up a book by Radley.

***Thank you Netgalley and Bold Stroke Books for the chance to read and review this book***

[Ru · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

Firstly this was the first book I've read where Covid plays a fundamental role in the plot, and I felt it did a very good job here, showing the mix of attitudes, and doing an excellent job of capturing that early feel of confusion, panic, and uncertainty. I would definitely advise caution to anyone who suffered, especially in that early period. Personally it resonated strongly woth me, but in a good way.

In comparison, the relationship fell a little flat for me. It was a very slow burn, I'm not sure either expressed any vague interest until about 60% in, and much longer for anything to develop, which then left very little time for any of the big personal differences and obstacles to their relationship to be dealt with. A few additional unrealistic niggles (the adorable moppet who naps gor hours and has no impact on workibg from home, the doctor who can just take a day off at no notice) also had more of a negative impact because the covid depictions were quite so exact.

Overall I enjoyed the story as a look at the early days of the pandemic, but romance wise it would have worked better for me with a more Happy For Now ending, or with different pacing in general.


*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ARC*

[Claire Schouten · Rating 4 out of 5]

4*

This was such a cute story to read! Amanda Radley really sets the tone of the beginning of the COVID pandemic in a very truthful way. You'll read the start of it all from 2 different perspectives: Gina, a very outgoing 20-something game designer who all of a sudden has to work from home and sees here whole social life begin to shut down and Eleanor, a single mom in her mid 40's who works as a doctor in a hospital, who sees the pandemic coming and is getting at the end of her wits during the height of it. Gina starts babysitting for Eleanor and surprises her with how easily she adapts to her daughters needs and helps her to decompress after a long day at the hospital. Slowly but surely you read from both their perspectives that they're falling for the other person. We see a little bit of Eleanor's struggles, who assumed she was straight and falls for her babysitter, but also Gina, who is falling for the straight mom of the toddler she is babysitting. All in all I really enjoyed reading this story. The character development was subtle, which I liked, and the storyline was super sweet. It's exactly what I expected the book to be.

Thank you Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing met with an ARC to read.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. I've preached about Amanda Radley's consistency, but this one didn't do it for me. I couldn't relate to Gina's perspective on a couple of the major points, which made it harder to empathize with her. Eleanor was great, I liked her, but I just couldn't really see her with Gina. What brought them together, other than proximity and mutual appreciation of a certain infant? Their compatibility wasn't convincing to the extent you want to see in a romance.

Maybe I shouldn't have picked this up if I was never going to love a book about COVID-19, but I didn't really realize it until a few chapters in. I appreciate how true-to-life it felt, even as someone who didn't experience it in this country or in the type of bubble that Gina lives in, but it's just hard to enjoy the pandemic setting. I wonder if that'll be a hard sell for other readers, too.

Maybe, Probably still has the features of an Amanda Radley book that I enjoy. The way Sophia was written was adorable. There's a meaningful theme, other than Gina understanding the severity of the pandemic. Those parts just couldn't pull through enough here, when the premise itself was not fun.

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this took me right back to 2020. Turns out that when the introvert in me enjoyed the lockdown, present-me did not like the reminder of the pandemic that we suffered through.

Eleanor is a forty-something single mom who is also a doctor at the hospital. Life at work got rough for her obviously. Gina is a 29-year-old who has yet to grow up. Needless to say the pandemic took care of that for some part.

These two neighbours happen to strike up a conversation after having seen each other for months in the hallway without really acknowledging each other. But fate had a different idea and when Eleanor desperately needs a babysitter and Gina is desperate for some social contact, she offers to babysit cute little Sophia.

It's a cute story about finding your true self and facing fears while living in a deadly pandemic that has scarred all of us in one way or another.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

[Ashlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Eleanore Osborne has no choice but to trust her neighbor to babysit her daughter when covid lockdowns take away any other options. Gina is a 29 year old who still likes to go out drinking with her friends every night. She's working from home and hating the quiet when she meets Eleanore whose child care bind means that Gina can have some company besides her own.
This one was a fun short read. I liked the two characters and Gina's growth during the lockdown felt authentic. They had some good chemistry though it more of the quietly comforting than blazing hot type. I do wish they had more interaction with each other as a large portion of the book they spend apart. It all felt a bit too condensed and read more like a novella to me. I think there was some opportunities to expand a bit that would have made the book as a whole more engaging.

[Patty Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. Wasn't sure if I wanted to read a book that told the tale of the first two years of the pandemic and all the horrible things that happened around that time and is still happening today as well. But, I'm glad I did read this book. The author did an excellent job of describing basically what the health care workers had to deal with every day the increase in patients admitted to the hospitals and the deaths of so many people. The author also wrote about how people dealt with coping in the first months of the pandemic and how some people still to this day think that it was just a bad flu. The relationship between Gina and Eleanor was a business arrangement at first, because Eleanor needed a babysitter for her daughter Sophia. The romance between the two was really sweet, and cute. I liked that this was an age gap romance as well. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family, and I look forward to what this author writes next.

[Doug Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale is set during the opening days of the COVID epidemic. Using a small cast of characters, the author does a good job of conveying the disbelief, uncertainty and fear that swept through the population as people came to grips with a changed reality. The difficulties of dealing with video meetings, remote grocery shopping and loneliness are well described. Since the pandemic theme is so well conveyed there are times when the developing relationship fades into the background as daily life intrudes. In the end the story provides the reader a few unpleasant flashbacks mixed with some hope that just maybe something positive will come out of a difficult situation.