Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen Published by Penguin on April 22nd 2008
Pages: 432
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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.
My Thoughts:
Lock and Key was the newest Sarah Dessen book released when I first started reading her books. I remember reading it and thinking, “Her books just get better and better!”
Ruby’s story just pulled at my heartstrings. She doesn’t have an adult she can rely on at home and she felt abandon by her sister, the person she trusted most. And then, after years of getting by on her own, to feel like she failed at the end and be sent to live with her sister? As a reader I could see that that was a positive thing, but Ruby must have felt so alone! I just wanted to hug her! I loved seeing the ways she began to open up to her new life and see that the past might not have happened exactly how she thought.
This is one of those books where I am very aware that I am not the targeted age. Don’t get me wrong, I adore it! It’s one of my top five Dessen books. But I think my favorite characters are Cora and Jamie (Ruby’s sister and brother-in-law!) I adore Ruby and Nate, however, Cora and Jaime are the types of adults I like to see in books. I loved their relationship with each other and the ways they worked to include Ruby. I also really love Ruby’s boss at the jewelry kiosk. All of the adults in this book are so well written (even the ones you may not like!)
Lock and Key has so many things to love. Romance, of course, but also an exploration of family and friendship that is simply beautiful. This is Sarah Dessen at her finest.
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