Lock and Key Review

Title: Lock and Key
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publication Date: April 22, 2008
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5


Summary: 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.

“It's a lot easier to be lost than found. It's the reason we're always searching and rarely discovered--so many locks not enough keys.”
― Sarah Dessen, Lock and Key 


My Thoughts: Okay. I actually started this book in December, and kept putting it down for six months. If you've read a Sarah Dessen book, you'd know that sometimes it takes you a while to really get into the story and really get to know the characters. For me, Lock and Key was a little tough to get into. Personally, I really enjoy the romance aspects of books.The romance in this book started toward the middle and that might be one of the reasons why I couldn't get into it right away. But once I was in, it was quite tough to put down.

  In regards to the plot of this book, it was a lot different than any book I've ever read. Ruby's mother left her. Vanished. Left Ruby all alone. Ruby gets sent to live with her long lost sister and her sister's new husband in an upscale area; quite different than she was used to. I thought this story was very unique and interesting to read about.

  The characters in this book were not my favorite, but interesting nonetheless. I really liked Ruby as a main character, she was more bearable than most female main characters, if you know what I mean. I really started to like Ruby's sister Cora as the book went on, and same goes for Cora's husband Jamie. The only problem I had with the characters was the love interest, Nate. Don't get me wrong, he was a fine character, just definitely not my favorite love interest.

  Overall, I do recommend this book to anyone that likes YA contemporary. Don't go into it thinking you're going to get a great romance out of it, because that's not the point of the book. But you will get a great story about a girl trusting others and finding out where she stands int this world.

~Bradi