Winner

I almost stopped reading after the first 50 pages or so - thinking this was too bad-romance-novel for me. The minutiae of covid-era precautions felt over played, although I do remember them (and still practice them to an extent). It would have been a mistake. Because someone I trust recommended it I kept reading, eventually leaning in the discomfort, very much intended by the author, and quite well done. It reminds me in many ways of Maupassant's Bel-Ami. Still thinking about it - would recommend but advise you might need to persist for the rewards.