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.

Dr. Eleanor Osborne, like many in the health fields, finds herself overwhelmed with the changes brought on by Covid. Being a single mother to Sophia is by far the best thing she’s ever done. Daycare shouldn’t be a problem as she already had a baby sitter but when everyone is ordered to self isolate she finds Sophia’s is rightfully scared and tells Eleanor she’d need another sitter.
Gina Henley works in the gaming industry, doing what her family just can't see how she’s going to support herself. But she’s actually doing fine, that’s until her own company sends their talent to work from home, trying to keep everyone safe. Gina thinks everyone is crazy, it's a cold, big deal. Working from home isn’t that hard but it is boring when you can't go out at all.
Both women live in the same apartment building on the same floor but don’t know each other then a quick nod when they meet. Neither really knows the other but when Eleanor finds herself without a sitter she takes a chance and agrees to Gina baby sitting when she’s kind enough to offer.
Ms Radly has done a really good job bringing the Covid response into the everyday lives of many people. Another read full of real life situations makes this a very, very nice read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

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.

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.

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.

3.5
This is a COVID romance about an artist working from home and a doctor at the hospital. While there were elements I enjoyed - later in life coming out and single motherhood rep, for example - the romance fell a little flat. The love between them seemed more obvious in the epilogue than anywhere else.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

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*

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***

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.

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.

This book revolves around Gina, Eleanor and Sophia. Gina goes into work to find there aren't many people there. Those that are there are packing up their desks. She finds her boss and he tells that that start that day they will be working from home. The pandemic is on the way and this is way to start distancing.
Eleanor works at the nearby hospital and while they now the pandemic is on the horizon, they haven't seen the results of it...yet.
Eleanor was having her older neighbor watch her daughter, Sophia. Now the neighbor has learned of the pandemic coming, she feels she is at risk watching her. As luck has it, Eleanor bumps into Gina and finds that Gina is now working from home. She asks her if she can watch her daughter on the days she works. Gina is happy to have someone at home to keep her company, even if she is too young to converse with.
Shortly, the hospital is starting to see the influx of the pandemic and Eleanor is very conscientious about not possibly bringing Covid into her home to infect Sophia and Gina.
Set against the pandemic, this women must face their fears to deal with each other and the unknown future.
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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.

Maybe, Probably is an age gap and slow burning toaster oven romance set against the backdrop of the Covid 19 pandemic. When Covid first reared its head, party goer Gina Henley could not contain her dismay at the government imposed restrictions cramping her lifestyle. When her neighbour Dr Eleanor Osborne threw her a lifeline to babysit her infant, Gina took the role readily and with it, matured and found a family at the end of it.

Though this is not the first book I’ve read that is set in the thick of Covid, I enjoyed how the characters found each other and made discoveries about themselves. The challenges faced by both leads called to mind the difficult years the world endured and it was relatable and joyful that a relationship developed in the midst of it. The ending was sweet and a testament that good can still come out from the worst situations.

I just reviewed Maybe, Probably by Amanda Radley. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

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.

There is nothing wrong with Radley’s prose; the pacing and plot, however, could use a revision.

The characters were loveable, if not a little flat. However, the two plot lines fought for my attention, until I was utterly exhausted and tuned them both out. The book turned into an ode to COVID, and strayed from the initial promise of romance.

Speaking of romance, let’s call it what it is. Eleanor and Gina are friends. There is no tension, or connection, between them. You can’t sandwich a kiss into the final 75% of the book and expect me to believe the long lost lovers thing. Sorry.

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.

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 is easily transitions to being done from home. But she finds herself anxious at the loss of contact to 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)

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.

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.

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

This is the first book I've read that has been set in the lockdown part of the pandemic, and while I knew these types of books would be coming, I was surprised at how emotive I found it when I read about the lockdowns and the impact of COVID on hospitals. It brought back a lot of the feelings I experienced during that time. But really, that is credit to Amanda Radley's writing- it was powerful. Everything was so clear with the timeline too, that there was no need to use dates to support the reader to understand when it was all happening- perhaps though that's because it's a time none of us shall ever forget!

No spoilers review: 'Maybe, Probably', focuses on an NHS doctor Eleanor and her young daughter Sophia, and their neighbour Gina, a graphic designer. Eleanor is struggling to find childcare for Sophia and Gina steps in. The story follows them as their relationship develops (they're relative strangers initially), as they learn more about themselves, and as they navigate the changes caused by COVID 19.
While I enjoyed the story and their individual journies of "self-discovery", it was a really slow burn and I felt like it was slightly lacking in the tension and flirtation you want to see in a romance novel. I enjoyed the story, but sadly it wasn't one of my favourites I've read yet this year.

Read this if you like:
* LGBTQIA romance
* closed-door romance
* close-proximity romance (they're neighbours)
* age-gap romance

Give this book a miss if:
* you're still finding it hard to process the events of the start of the pandemic. The writing about this is very, very good, and will take you back to that time.

Book publication date: 14th Feb 2023

Thanks to Amanda Radley, Netgalley, and Bold Strokes Books Inc, for the eARC copy of this for a fair and honest review.