#9 Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Ruby is used to fending for herself, but when her mother’s latest absence attracts the attention of social services she is sent to live 
with her estranged older sister. Suddenly, transported from a life of poverty to living in a large house and attending a private school, Ruby begins her new life with intentions of flying under the radar. Only she doesn’t know how to deal with her sister who suddenly wants a relationship with her, her brother-in-law who wants to make her part of their family, and the boy next door who wants to be friends or more.
I read my first Sarah Dessen novel (Dreamland) back when I was actually in the target audience. I remember finding it just “okay” and never had the urge to delve deeper into her work, at least until recently. I decided to pick up Lock and Key after hearing it highly recommended by a fellow librarian, and found myself quite pleased with the results. Lock and Key is a nicely written, well grounded book. The characters were relatable, and the story had a nice balance of sad and sweet moments. I appreciated how the romantic elements played out. One trend that I don’t always enjoy in young adult literature today is the prevalence instant love, as well as confusing lust with love. Lock and Key sidesteps this trend by depicting a slow burning romance that has roots that go beyond physical appearances.
It’s true that many aspects of Ruby’s story has been done before. In the past when I’ve witnessed stories about a less fortunate girl going to a rich school, I’ve noticed that the creators draw so heavily from stereotypes that their characters feel more like charactertures. Fortunately, Lock and Key features a rich cast of complex characters that go beyond basic character types. The wealthy are not unlikable snobs who’s sole purpose is based around torturing the poor kids. The impoverished are not ignorant yokels that that mainly severe as the but of jokes. With a couple of exceptions, the characters we encounter mostly mean well even if things don’t always turn out for the best. One of the most important themes in Ruby’s character development is whether to always hope for the best, or expect the worse. As Ruby’s life has rarely gone her way, she has seen little reason for hope, and she must learn to accept a more positive attitude. Given Ruby’s background (especially when it comes to her family), I felt this struggle was very realistically portrayed.
I really enjoyed Lock and Key. It’s main weakness is the fact that it suffers from being predictable. There’s not a single twist coming that the reader doesn’t see coming from a mile away. Still, I felt that the book did enough right to make up for this easily. I will be reading more Sarah Dessen books in the future.
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 422 pages
Source: library booksale
Other books I've read by this author: Dreamland
Next I will be reviewing Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
xposted to
temporaryworlds, 
bookish, and goodreads
with her estranged older sister. Suddenly, transported from a life of poverty to living in a large house and attending a private school, Ruby begins her new life with intentions of flying under the radar. Only she doesn’t know how to deal with her sister who suddenly wants a relationship with her, her brother-in-law who wants to make her part of their family, and the boy next door who wants to be friends or more.I read my first Sarah Dessen novel (Dreamland) back when I was actually in the target audience. I remember finding it just “okay” and never had the urge to delve deeper into her work, at least until recently. I decided to pick up Lock and Key after hearing it highly recommended by a fellow librarian, and found myself quite pleased with the results. Lock and Key is a nicely written, well grounded book. The characters were relatable, and the story had a nice balance of sad and sweet moments. I appreciated how the romantic elements played out. One trend that I don’t always enjoy in young adult literature today is the prevalence instant love, as well as confusing lust with love. Lock and Key sidesteps this trend by depicting a slow burning romance that has roots that go beyond physical appearances.
It’s true that many aspects of Ruby’s story has been done before. In the past when I’ve witnessed stories about a less fortunate girl going to a rich school, I’ve noticed that the creators draw so heavily from stereotypes that their characters feel more like charactertures. Fortunately, Lock and Key features a rich cast of complex characters that go beyond basic character types. The wealthy are not unlikable snobs who’s sole purpose is based around torturing the poor kids. The impoverished are not ignorant yokels that that mainly severe as the but of jokes. With a couple of exceptions, the characters we encounter mostly mean well even if things don’t always turn out for the best. One of the most important themes in Ruby’s character development is whether to always hope for the best, or expect the worse. As Ruby’s life has rarely gone her way, she has seen little reason for hope, and she must learn to accept a more positive attitude. Given Ruby’s background (especially when it comes to her family), I felt this struggle was very realistically portrayed.
I really enjoyed Lock and Key. It’s main weakness is the fact that it suffers from being predictable. There’s not a single twist coming that the reader doesn’t see coming from a mile away. Still, I felt that the book did enough right to make up for this easily. I will be reading more Sarah Dessen books in the future.
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 422 pages
Source: library booksale
Other books I've read by this author: Dreamland
Next I will be reviewing Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
xposted to
temporaryworlds, bookish, and goodreads