BloggityBLOG: REVIEW: LOCK AND KEY BY SARAH DESSEN

Title: Lock and Key

Author: Sarah Dessen

Published Date: April 22nd, 2008

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.

(Synopsis Provided by GoodReads)

REVIEW (Might Contain Spoilers)

After having your entire life uprooted and turned upside down, 17 year old Ruby Cooper finds a new definition of what family is. She's been abandoned by the only person she thought she had left, her mom and now she has no where to go but to move in with her sister Cora, who she has not seen in 10 years and is happily married to the nicest guy in the world Jamie. She knows she's suppose to see it as a blessing, her sister can provide for her and give her a new start, but will Ruby open up and accept the help or will she run, like she always had before. A book about finding the good in people and most importantly yourself, Lock and Key tells a story of a girl who learns to find what family is really about, the good and the bad.

I have always been a sucker for Sarah Dessen novels. The girl with the drama and a cute boy to help her find her way - not always but this is usually how it goes in Dessen novels.

Ruby Cooper's character is frustrating at times but in the flip of a page, you'll be in love with her character all over again! She has that angst-ridden attitude about her that can come off stand offish but for most of the time it makes you want to know why, and she sure has the reasons to be! For being a 17 year old high schooler, she has been through a lot and I think the author really captured her reactions well. They were believable. Ruby struggles a lot to accept help from others but when she learns that it is not weak to accept help, things really take a turn for the better.

Nate Cross is the boy next door with the car and the swimmers bod. Oh and the troubled past. If you know my other reviews, you know how much I love the male interest in books. Nate is too good to be true but it comes at a price. He hides his past very well and although it takes a while to discover, Ruby eventually gets a hold of it. He's being abused by his father and we don't see it in a lot of teen books these days. Having the boy character deal with something so serious really matured the relationship of Ruby and Nate for me. They were not childish about their relationship which I appreciated a lot! She's been abused by her mother as well so the bond that builds between them is really something. It's worth it to read Lock and Key for how these two deal with each other!

The author keeps the characters fairly simple in this book, sticking to introduce a couple of friends but mainly surrounding the main character with family. Family. It was a key target I think the author wanted to hit with Lock and Key. Sarah Dessen really explored all sorts of families, abusive, perfect, struggling, wealthy etc. The way she addresses the effect families have on each member of that "family" was really interesting. I know from my personal experiences how much family can effect your choices in life.

This book is not too heavy of a read. It's emotional and beautifully laced with messages of family and helping one another.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.