Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Genre: Romance

Hardcover: 422 Pages

Published: April 22, 2008

Series: None

Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

            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.

 My Review:

            Lock and Key is another typical Sarah Dessen book. It's about a seventeen-year- old girl, Ruby who was living with her mother until she abandoned Ruby and walked right out the door. Ruby planned to live on her own when she turned eighteen, but due to being under age she is forced to live with her long lost sister Cora. Cora is well established with a rich husband, Jamie. When Ruby moves in with her sister she is reluctant to fit in and has to get accustomed to a new life style. While living with her sister she meets Nate, the amazing, friendly boy next door, who has secrets of his own.

             I have to say I'm a huge fan of Sarah Dessen however, I didn't particularly like this book. The theme of lock and key was utilized well in this book, but in my opinion it was over done. I also hoped the characters  would have a little bit more of a oomph. Another issue I had with the book was the interactions between the sisters. Obviously Ruby and Cora has issues to resolve and I would have liked to see how they found a solution to their problems. Instead it seemed to me like they just ignored their problems or resolved them way too easily. I definitely would have rated this book with four stars if I hadn't read 'The Truth About Forever', before reading this book. But the bar has been set pretty high.