The Lock In: The laugh-out-loud story of friends, flatmates and long-lost flings

Description

You've heard of a locked-room mystery, now dive into a locked room rom-com! Introducing the most uplifting and irresistible new rom-com of the year Whilst nursing The Hangover from Hell Ellen discovers the kitchen filling with water. After a desperate attempt to find the fuse box, flatmates Ellen, Alexa and Jack become trapped in the attic with Ben, Alexa's date from last night. As the hours pass, Ellen nurses her sore head, Jack plans a rescue whilst Ben and Alexa get to know each other. But, to everyone's horror, Ellen realises she used to date Ben at school. Can these flatmates escape the attic? Will they be able to look each other in the eye again? And will Jack please stop live-tweeting this fiasco.

Phoebe Luckhurst was born in London and brought up in Glasgow. She is the Features Editor and a columnist at the Evening Standard, where she also oversees their books coverage, and has written features and interviews for the Guardian, Sunday Times Style, ELLE, ES Magazine, Grazia, the Telegraph and Vogue. Phoebe has had the theme tune to The OC stuck in her head since 2003 and once almost spent her student loan on a micro-pig. She no longer shops online when drunk. The Lock In was her debut novel, and her second, The Back Up Man, will be published in 2023.

Entertaining, endearing, and truly unique. Found myself wincing and laughing with familiarity -- Emma Gannon, bestselling author of Olive The year's most original romcom * ELLE * Hilarious * Evening Standard, 'Best New Books in 2021' * David Nicholls for millennials . . . The Lock In is a dream read: an immaculately plotted romcom which vividly captures both late teenagehood and twentysomething houseshares * i * A high-concept romcom that's stuffed full of belly laughs and nostalgia * Red * Such a fun, clever, original and massively entertaining read . . . I love it, you'll love it -- Lindsey Kelk I LOVED this book . . . I highly recommend The Lock In if you fancy a fun summer time read -- Carrie Hope Fletcher Beautifully written, warm and fun with a dose of early noughties nostalgia, The Lock In is a perfect summer read -- Laura Kay, author of The Split I loved this book. Brilliantly written and so perceptive on the trials and tribulations of Generation Rent, it's also screamingly funny, deliciously nostalgic and really just a very fun time. I almost wish they'd stayed locked in for longer -- Lauren Bravo An immensely readable, witty and well-crafted debut . . . a very millennial tale of love, loneliness and friendship * i * This will have you both cringing and crying with laughter * Woman's Weekly * On one hand a feel-good, laugh out loud funny escapist read, and on another a blistering critique of twentysomethings' experience of renting in the capital * Evening Standard * This hilarious debut will give you all the lols you need this summer. A highly relatable comedy about flatmates, hangovers and terrible landlords * Evening Standard * Funny and compelling from page one and so well written. Such a brilliant premise and really well executed. Officially a huge fan of Phoebe Luckhurst! -- Lucy Vine, bestselling author of Hot Mess A funny, joyful hug of a book! A nostalgic, pitch perfect ode to the awkwardness and hilarity of yearning teenage years and house sharing in your twenties -- Cressida McLaughlin Loved the concept and characters. . . it's very funny -- Sarra Manning Proper laugh-out-loud stuff * Fabulous Magazine * 'Best new good book to read' * Cosmopolitan * Irresistible premise . . . addictive * i * One to watch * The Bookseller * Hilarious * Woman * Joyful * Stylist *