Tag: lock and key

contemporary, Romance, three star book, ya

Lock and Key Review!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Ruby, where is your mother?
Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she’s been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.
That’s how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn’t seen in ten years, and Cora’s husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future; it’s a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?
Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.

– Goodreads

I remember reading Sarah Dessen as a high schooler and loving her. I wanted all her books. So when Lock and Key popped up on my TBR, I knew I would keep and give it another go. Unfortunately, I was pretty underwhelmed.

Lock and Key is almost like a day-to-day in the life of a high schooler. Sure, Ruby had some issues. Her mother left her, she lived alone for weeks, it’s hard for her to trust anyone. She’s been lied to more times than she can count. That’s the makings of a dark, interesting character. Ruby just didn’t live up to it. I was sorely disappointed in just… the lack of personality, I guess? I didn’t feel bad for her at all.

Nate was the love interest – if you can even call him that. Yes, there was flirting. Almost kisses. And Nate had some secrets of his own. However, there was so little romance I’m not sure it even should count as a romance book. I’m obviously not expecting smut, but they barely flirted. They were more like best friends.

My favorite characters were Jamie and Cora, Ruby’s brother in law and sister. They were fun to me and seemed like they really cared. They had the most personality of anyone.

Lock and Key is probably a great read for middle school to high school aged kids. I think I would have loved it back then, but there just wasn’t enough action for me now. If you have kids or siblings 13-18ish, I think they would love this book!

Have you read Lock and Key? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

contemporary, Romance, ya

First Impression Friday!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

This is becoming one of my favorite posts to do! I love reading the first chapter of a book and really analyzing it. So far, I haven’t been far off in my predictions!

This week we are looking at Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, the book that’s been on my TBR longest! It’s also from my TBR posts.

“”Ruby, where is your mother?” Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she’s been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return. That’s how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn’t seen in ten years, and Cora’s husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it’s a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?” Goodreads

So, I don’t know if I’ve ever read Sarah Dessen. I may have way back in the day, like high school days. I wasn’t super sure what to expect going into it.

The first chapter was LONG. Like, 32 pages. I’m more of a short and sweet kinda girl – I hate not ending on a chapter! So that was my first hiccup.

The first chapter was also LONG. It opened up with a ton of descriptions, which I don’t do well with. I don’t need to know the exact color of the carpet, walls, and drapes. Just tell me it’s nice and super expensive and I can imagine the rest. I found myself skimming the first few pages.

I also felt like nothing really happened in the first chapter. You meet Ruby, her sister Cora, and brother in law Jamie who she just moved in with. You find out she was living alone before that. But like, nothing else? I don’t know. It just seemed unnecessarily long.

My predictions for this book. Hm. I don’t think I’ll hate it, but I think maybe it isn’t really in my wheelhouse anymore. I feel like it’s going to be more of a day to day life thing instead of any action. I’m guessing it’ll be a 2-3 star read.

Have you read Lock and Key? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

You can follow my live-reactions to this book on twitter here!

Until next time…