{"id":51893,"date":"2020-05-06T08:30:28","date_gmt":"2020-05-06T12:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=51893"},"modified":"2025-08-29T02:33:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T06:33:08","slug":"blog-tour-excerpt-arc-review-love-under-quarantine-by-kylie-scott-audrey-carlan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=51893","title":{"rendered":"Blog Tour, Excerpt & ARC Review: Love Under Quarantine by Kylie Scott & Audrey Carlan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Love Under Quarantine, an all-new feel good strangers-to-lovers romance about finding love in the most unexpected ways from New York Times<\/em> bestselling authors Kylie Scott and Audrey Carlan, is out now!<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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Amazon <\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0 Amazon Worldwide<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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\r\n <\/div><\/div><\/b><\/h4>\n
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Blurb<\/b><\/h4>\n

While the world is ravaged by a global pandemic, hotshot NFL running back Evan Sparks is locked in his own personal hell. With a career-ending scandal on his back, Evan hides out in his best friend\u2019s empty San Francisco home, the full city shutdown locking him in a lonely twenty-story apartment in the sky.<\/p>\n

Romance writer Sadie Walsh is having the worst case of writer\u2019s block ever\u2026until the incredible, muscular stranger staying next door gets her muse going strong. The pair of loners, never expecting to find a friend in all the madness, meet each day out on their balconies like a modern-day Romeo and Juliet.<\/p>\n

Each new day brings unique challenges for the pair as they navigate the unknown and find solace together. They quickly figure out that as long as they have one another, they can handle anything.<\/p>\n

Even falling in love under quarantine.<\/p>\n

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Writing together for the first time, New York Times bestselling authors Kylie Scott and Audrey Carlan team up to tell a story that not only is a beautiful escape during a trying time, but a true lesson on the power of humanity\u2019s ability to survive. Through a sexy, hopeful, strangers-to-lovers romance, the authors prove with love, trust, and faith, we\u00a0can conquer anything.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n

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Add to Goodreads<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Review<\/b><\/h4>\n

4.5 stars<\/b><\/p>\n

A swoony, sexy, fun and emotional love story set in the all-too-realistic world that we live in as two strangers fall in love while under quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

I have seen a few quarantine-related romances in development, and I\u2019m gonna say straight up that I had no intention of reading any of them. Books have been my escape during this time, and I wasn\u2019t keen to let reality intrude upon my escape time. But Kylie Scott is an auto-read author for me, so I dove in, and I\u2019m so glad I did. While this book did hit on a few nerves with the anxiety-inducing reality of the world we are all living in, it does well to capture the emotion of our time, and uses that intensity to deliver an absolutely beautiful love story that completely swept me away.<\/p>\n

Evan Sparks is an NFL star who is facing a career-threatening scandal. He has escaped to his best friend\u2019s apartment in San Francisco to hide from the paparazzi and try to figure out his next move, and that\u2019s where he is when the city is put into lockdown. His new neighbour, Sadie Walsh, is a romance writer who has lost her muse. She\u2019s trying to get her groove back when life outside of her apartment comes to a grinding halt due to the unfolding crisis.<\/p>\n

Evan and Sadie go through the full range of emotions that I\u2019m sure we\u2019re all experiencing. They\u2019re scared, their anxious, they have friends and loved ones out in the world that they are worried about, and they are doing their best to keep themselves sane while being quarantined in their apartments. Their first fortuitous meeting on their balconies turns out to be a complete game changer both of them as their quick banter develops into a friendship that very quickly morphs into more as they become each other\u2019s lifelines.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is so fucked up. You know what I want more than anything?\u201d
\n\u201cWhat? Tell me?\u201d
\n\u201cI want to hold you, tell you everything will be okay. Kiss your forehead\u2026and your lips. Christ, what I wouldn\u2019t give to taste your mouth. Make you feel what I\u2019m feeling deep inside.\u201d
\nShe gasps but then whispers, \u201cI wish that too.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Unable to actually be together, they get to know each other over balcony yoga sessions, phone calls, shared meals, virtual movie nights and some steamy \u2018close-but-not-too-close\u2019 encounters. And in the middle of it all, they fall in mad love. It\u2019s sweet, it\u2019s sexy, it\u2019s fun, and it even made me laugh out loud a few times. And though it\u2019s fast moving it feels so real! They are completely open and honest with each other, and I could feel<\/i> the emotion developing between them and I fell right alongside them.<\/p>\n

I press my palm flat to the wall trying to feel her energy, her presence, just beyond the barrier. \u201cSadie, this thing between us. It\u2019s growing every day. Do you feel it? Tell me you feel it too and I\u2019m not alone?\u201d
\n\u201cI\u2026I feel it too. I don\u2019t understand it, but I can\u2019t deny it\u2019s there. The attraction\u2026\u201d
\n\u201cIs off the fucking charts.\u201d I shake my head and press harder into the wall.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can this be real?\u201d<\/em>
\n\u201cI don\u2019t know, sweetheart, but it\u2019s more real than anything I\u2019ve felt before. I<\/em> crave you.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s an absolutely beautiful love story that had me feeling all the feels, and when they actually reach the point where they can be together\u2026 holy hot damn! It\u2019s hot, steamy and super passionate, and there is so much emotion, and I freaking loved it!<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in love with you, and I haven\u2019t even kissed you,\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While they are falling for each other, Sadie gets her writing groove back, and they are dealing with their loved ones out there in the world going through their own hard times, and the mystery of the threat on Evan\u2019s career. There\u2019s a lot going on, but they find their way around it all functionally and sensibly. There are some hurdles for them to overcome, but they talk through everything so openly, and I LOVED that!<\/p>\n

It’s a beautiful, beautiful romance that finishes in a great place, but I would have liked just a little bit more<\/i> – Did their families comes through ok? What happened with Evan\u2019s relationship with his teammates? What does their future together look like? And Jake! What happened with Jake? I wondered whether the lack of epilogue was intentional because the outcome of the current crisis is unknown, or whether it\u2019s a message to find and embrace happiness wherever and whenever we can despite all that\u2019s going on around us? Or maybe I\u2019m reading too much into it, and they just didn\u2019t write one? Either way, I would love to see more of these characters, and I\u2019m hoping that at least one of the side characters gets a story in the future (*cough* Jake *cough*) so we can catch up with Evan and Sadie down the line a bit further.<\/p>\n

I am a long-time fan of Kylie Scott, but this is my first read by Audrey Carlan. The two of them write seamlessly, and I loved this book. Though it hits close to home, I think that was the intention, and it succeeded in sweeping me up in the beauty of the love story, which was just what I was hoping for.<\/p>\n

4.5 stars!<\/p>\n

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Excerpt<\/b><\/h4>\n

SADIE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Okay, reposition feet hip-distance apart and centered on the mat. Inhale and let it all go on the exhale. I look over the balcony across the barren city and try to find perspective. What did the teacher say? Set your intention? My intention is to maintain a\u00a0<\/span>modicum of good health and to not go insane during self-isolation. Fingers crossed on both fronts. Getting some work done wouldn\u2019t be a bad idea either.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey locked down the fucking city, man!\u201d The voice blocks me from finding my zen spot. Some big blond dude is pacing back and forth in the neighboring apartment. Guess we\u2019ve all got to get our exercise one way or another. A nice quiet doctor owns the place, but he\u2019s overseas right now. No idea who this guy is. The new cat sitter, maybe? If so, I hope Gloria housetrains him quickly because all of this shouty behavior is not okay. Not if I have to share a wall with him for the next few weeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My new neighbor\u2019s voice lowers to a more tolerable level and I take a deep, calming breath before moving into my next pose. Much better. Despite having questionable balance and being new to this whole yoga thing, I\u2019m not doing too badly. It\u2019s weird how quiet the city is with everything on lockdown. Peaceful, almost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo weeks! I\u2019ll be stuck here for two weeks!\u201d he rants once more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ugh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to the architect\u2019s penchant for floor to ceiling windows\u2014perfect for letting in the light\u2014I have quite the view of my new neighbor\u2019s performance. Much angst. Such woe. Like we\u2019re not all going to go stir crazy during lock in. Even if it has only just started. I for one can\u2019t wait to see how many divorces and break-ups this causes. Call it morbid curiosity. Though, being a romance writer, my mind would be better served dwelling on the possibilities for true love in this situation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A random casual hook-up turning into so much more due to weeks of forced interaction? Roommates bonding over newly revealed shared interests? Nuh. Roommates entering into a sex pact to stave off boredom! Now that could work. Broken beds and broken hearts. That\u2019s how to get things done. With the requisite happy ever after at the end, of course.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me!\u201d he shouts, shoving a frustrated hand through his head of thick, wavy, dark blond hair. New phone call, I think. After all, you can\u2019t yell at the same person all day long. How tedious would that be?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Call me distractible, but watching him is actually a hell of a lot more interesting than perfecting my Downward Dog or doing yet another inventory of my pantry. Damn Oreos. I could have sworn I had another package. Day one and I\u2019m already out of my favorite snack. Just bring on the apocalypse already. Without Oreos my life is already functionally over.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you kidding me!\u201d The man sure has a set of lungs on him. Unfortunately, at this point, he about-faces and strides back into the apartment. Still yelling, of course, though I can\u2019t quite make out what he\u2019s saying.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the plus side, in those blue jeans, his ass is a thing of wonder. Honest to God. In less pandemic-y times, I\u2019d charge my friends a bottle of wine to<\/span><\/p>\n

come over and witness the beauty of that thing. So tight. So nice. I lick my lips. Impressively broad shoulders beneath his T-shirt too. When he paces back to the front of the apartment, I\u2019m presented with a strong jawline, high forehead, and a nose that could be slightly crooked. At least, it will be in the book. Readers dig that shit. The hint of a complicated past with a dash of violence thrown in for good measure. Ideally, he\u2019d have broken it defending a small child or rescuing puppies. A combination of the two, perhaps?<\/p>\n

Yes, it\u2019s a definite. Apart from the anger management issues, this guy is officially hot stuff. Not that I\u2019m after an actual love interest. Just inspiration for the hero of my next book.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Which is when it hits me\u2026big buff dude reveals surprisingly sensitive side to sexy single introverted neighbor during quarantine. Hmm. It has possibilities. I stop procrastinating and move onto the next pose, arms out in a T, legs wide, and a slow bend at the waist. I exhale, pondering the plot idea along with the thickness of his thighs. The way the denim lovingly embraces every inch of his musculature. It\u2019s like it\u2019s on a loop playing over and over in my head. Okay, maybe I\u2019m a little sex starved. He can feature in my masturbatory fantasies as well. After all, he\u2019s that kind of can-do, helpful guy. Or at least, he is in my mind. And that\u2019s where the man will stay. At a safe and appropriate distance. For both the virus and my heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

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About the Authors<\/b><\/h4>\n

\"\"Kylie Scott<\/strong> is a New York Times<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0USA Today<\/i>\u00a0best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013, 2014 & 2018, by the Australian Romance Writer\u2019s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.<\/p>\n

Stay up to date with Kylie by joining her\u00a0MAILING LIST<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Bookbub\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0|<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Website<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Facebook\u00a0\u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0\u00a0Twitter\u00a0\u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0\u00a0Instagram<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Goodreads<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Pinterest\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Book+Main Bites<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"\"Audrey Carlan<\/strong> is a #1 New York Times and International bestselling author. Her titles have appeared on USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. Audrey writes wicked hot love stories that have been translated in over thirty different languages across the globe. She is best known for the world-wide bestselling series Calendar Girl and Trinity.<\/p>\n

She lives in the California Valley where she enjoys her two children and the love of her life. When she’s not writing, you can find her teaching yoga, sipping wine with her “soul\u00a0sisters” or with her nose stuck in a steamy romance novel.<\/p>\n

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Facebook\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Amazon\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Bookbub\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Instagram\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Goodreads<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Join Audrey’s mailing list<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Website<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Love Under Quarantine, an all-new feel good strangers-to-lovers romance about finding love in the most unexpected ways from New York Times bestselling authors Kylie Scott and Audrey Carlan, is out now!   Amazon \u00a0|\u00a0 Amazon […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":51848,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":4.5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,9,58,29],"tags":[59,1116,212,48,76],"class_list":["post-51893","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-romance","category-sports-star","category-steamy","tag-arc","tag-audrey-carlan","tag-kylie-scott","tag-review","tag-standalone"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Love-Under-Quarantine.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-duZ","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51893","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=51893"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51893\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/51848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=51893"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=51893"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=51893"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}