I don't know what it really was about this book that made me want to come back to it every time I put it down. It was very humdrum, low-key paced, the romance wasn't over the top, no drama...but it was engaging nonetheless. I guess it could be the 'bubble' of lockdown, presented here without the horror of the pandemic and more along a nostalgic lens? Not many will agree this is what it was like for them - the horror was real for too many! - but with hindsight, reading this in 2024 when the world has settled back into normal (and not just the 'new normal' being pandered all along circa 2020), it's a nostalgic throwback to 'that' time and what it was like, little vignettes like loo paper being gone, the dearth of flour and yeast, Zoom calls, social distancing. I think this would be a very good book for anyone, say in another 10 or so years or more, who wants to know what 'it' was like during the pandemic - this is the book I'd point them to if they want an idea how country life was without veering straight into the horror that was Covid-19 generally in the world.
The romance itself, it wasn't spectacular, but I wanted to see how these two would end up together. Gemma had her issues, and seeing her come into herself, accept 'her' truth along the way, it was endearing even though I wanted to throw the book (or one of her cushions!) at her for being so daft sometimes. Mabel the dog was always a highlight!
In short, very nostalgic read - get it more for the country-life pandemic feel than for the romance, though.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was the absolute perfect mix of lightness of touch and yet the depth needed to make you really bond with and care about the characters. The protagonist, she was warm and real and honestly - no spoilers but I’m delighted for the pair of them.
I genuinely could not recommend this book more as a cosy and yet still very real, funny and relatable read.

I loved this book, it was a romance between two likeable characters Gemma and Matthew who slowly fell in love during the pandemic.
There was alot mire depth to the characters than just that, but I don't write spoiler reviews. This was a romantic novel that was different abd I absolutely loved it! Well done to the author as this was her debut!

Really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect debut from Heidi with strong discussions on break-ups, friendships and romance. Also, this cover is to die for!

I loved this book from the Strictly and Eurovision live-blogging queen. The perfect debut novel for fans of Jilly Cooper and Mhairi Macfarlane

A refreshingly honest take on break ups, friendships and the thrill of a new romance.

All aspects of village life were mostly positive and of course the daily responsibility of dog ownership was lovingly and sometimes hilariously detailed. I particularly loved all the complications and heartache associated with Gemma's family and shed a few tears as these parts of the book provided some real substance and depth. Unsurprisingly though the real core of the book was the relationship with Matthew. Of course he is too good to be true but that does not matter.

Perfect comfort reading. Find a comfortable nook and prepare for a treat.

A well written book by a first time author hope she continues to write.

Gemma ends up in a cottage with her dog Mabel after finding her cheating boyfriend with someone else. Her friend offers her cottage until she wants to return to London. She meets Matthew and there seems to be chemistry between them. She ends up coming up with ideas to help the village during lockdown.

The book had everything romance, comedy and was sad in places.

I certainly would read more from this author.

This book is a laugh out loud romance. I couldn't put it down. I haven't read any books by Heidi Stephens before but I definitely will now.

Two Metres From You was a fun read. And it can also take the title for being the first book that I have read that is set in the pandemic. Perhaps making the most of COVID. However I loved how the book made light go the situation and shown the kindness and positivity that can occur.

Each chapter started with a To-Do List which added not only to the story telling but also allowed me to connect more with Gemma. It was just a really nice touch to the story telling.  I loved Gemma, stuck somewhere she probably didn't really want to be, making the most of the situation. 

Luckily Gemma has her faithful Mabel with her. A gorgeous Labrador who plays a big role in the story. And then there is Matthew. The love interest and the person whom Gemma is thrown too. 

Two Metres from You was a fun read, which was a celebration of early lockdown life which had a slight nostalgic feel to the telling of the story.

It was strange to read about lockdown while we are in our third lockdown, it definitely read as it was in lockdown and i could relate to so much in the book. It was a sweet, lighthearted and a good read.

First off, Thank you so much for letting me review this wonderful book! I absolutely adored this book! I enjoyed the characters and the story! The story flowed great and had me reading and finishing the book in no time! I highly recommend this book!

Thanks to Heidi Stephens, Headline and NetGalley for the ARC of Two Metres From You.

I haven't read many books that are set during the pandemic, because at times it didn't feel like it would offer me the escapism I needed. This one however is a sweet, light hearted and warm romance set in current times.

When Gemma discovers her boyfriend is cheating on her, she packs up her bags and leaves London with her beloved dog Mabel and travels back to her childhood home in Crowthorpe.

Matthew stumbles into her life unexpectedly - he lives behind the house at the back of the garden, and when he sees lights on comes to investigate believing that someone has brown in.

What follows is a funny, current and at a times poignant story of love, relationships and self development during lockdown.

Some good escapism x

A light romance centred around lockdown very humorous and love the characters of Gemma and Mathew so likeable.

Gemma finds her boyfriend with another woman in a compromising position, so packs her bags and moves from London with her beloved Labrador Mabel to her friends old family home in a quiet small village thinking it would be for a couple of weeks.
Then she meets Mathew who lives at the bottom of her garden where he runs his own business making wooden furniture, after he thinks she has broken into his neighbours house, he bonds with Mabel taking her for regular walks and then the sparks begin to fly and then the whole country begins a lockdown, will Gemma fall in love and stay or go back to London?

With being a great reader I loved the bit when Gemma and Mathew had lunch then snuggled up to read books together so perfect, they were great characters and loved the humour between them.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I`m given my honest review

Two Metres From You follows the journey of Gemma, who finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her and goes off to lick her wounds in the quaint little village of Crowthorpe. The book is set during a global pandemic and having lived this particular theme, I wasn't sure I would enjoy reading about it but that wasn't the case.

This book emphasised some of the positives that came out of a pretty difficult situation and when raising the negative issues, it highlighted the fact that one wasn't alone in thinking or feeling what they were. All the experiences are seen through Gemma's point of view and what she feels and thinks. I really liked her character and some of her moments were perfectly relatable. Her romance with Matthew - who is a gem of a character - built up slowly but was no less enjoyable to read and the reader is definitely rooting for them all the way to the end. I liked the village setting and sense of community and I thought Mabel in particular was brilliant.

I imagine this could divide opinion on whether books written in lockdown are appropriate, timely, and maybe even escapism.
This absolutely nailed it for me. Yes, its the start of lockdown with uncertainty.
However, this is just blooming lovely.
A timely reminder of sense of community, personal growth in lockdown, and that life doesn't stop.
Its got some really funny moments in it, some awkward, some poignant; a real mixed bag of emotions as you invest in Gemma more and more.
Really enjoyed.

A book for our time. Anyone who has experienced lock down will relate to the scenarios within this book. It has my favourite ingredients in a story, humour, dogs and friendships.
Loved the characters and enjoyed the story.
Would definitely recommend this book.

This was a really warm hearted debut with a gorgeous main character in Gemma who flees from her cheating boyfriend to her friends cottage just before the first lockdown. This is set in what was undeniably a very strange time which was well represented and brought back many reminders of quite how odd it all was given how we’ve adapted. I liked Gemma’s background and lack of roots, it’s what makes this more believable and adds a good dimension, the other characters were great, the village sounded lovely (would love the local walks) and Gemma was a breath of fresh air. There were time it might have been good to read Matthew’s perspective but that’s just a personal opinion it didn’t distract from the story which was the uplifting read we all still need and a good reminder of how far we’ve come.

This was funny read, but let just say I am not really into lockdown books...
So this is only 2.5 stars fo me.

This was an interesting book. Set during the pandemic, a year on we are still enduring. The dates and events are all familiar to us. We all have a different experience of the lockdown - mine very different than from the characters in this book, but it was still nice to see how theirs played out. The whole community pulling together, Gemma being an integral part of it when she noticed signs of stress and strain on her fellow neighbours.

Matthew and Gemma are great together, and whilst this was mainly about Gemma and her heart break and finding herself, we also learn a lot about Matthew as he shares his past and future hopes with Gem. Seeing his ‘one big gesture’ at the end was beautiful. I loved how he was brave enough to take the risk and put it all on the line to keep Gemma.

A great debut novel that will help restore your faith in human kindness.

Funny, uplifting, light-hearted - not what you can often say about life in lockdown! but this book has it all in spades, an easy spring time read