Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen.

“Ruby, where is your mother?” With that question from the social worker, Ruby knew the game is up. She’s been living alone in the old yellow house, waiting out the months until she turns eighteen and can finally be on her own legally. It certainly wasn’t in her plan to be reunited with Cora, the sister who left ten years before, and brought to live with Cora and her wealthy entrepreneur husband. Suddenly life is transformed: a luxurious house, private school, new clothes, and even the chance of a future Ruby couldn’t have dreamed of. So why is she wary, unable to be grateful, incapable of letting anyone close? Her old life has been left behind, but where does she fit in this new life? Only Nate, the genial, popular boy next door, seems to understand, perhaps because he’s hiding some secrets of his own.


This book was very young adult, but it was definitely worth the read. It begins with introducing us to Ruby, a 17 year old whom is months away from graduation, and has always been taught to make it on her own. Her mom has abandoned her, and she’s lived alone in the yellow house, with conditions that nobody should ever have to live in. One day, when the dryer breaks and the landlord comes to check it out, everything changes. She is shipped to live with her wealthy sister, Cora, and Cora’s husband, Jamie, and all of a sudden everything is different. She went from no running water, to a house with an in-progress pool in the backyard .But is this enough?

She misses her old lifestyle, and her old friends, and is determined not to fit in at the new school. So, how does she react when the cute neighbor boy, Nate, the twelve year old (gassy) senior, Gervais, and the girl who has nothing, yet everything, in common with her, Olivia, all decide to befriend her? Or when she begins to fall in love with Nate?

A girl who previously had no future suddenly has it all. A family, friends, and even a great job, working for Harriett, the saleswoman who makes her own jewelry, and hardly has time to breathe.

Can Ruby survive the so called perfect life? Can she handle her own trials, along with try to fix Nate’s violent home-life? Sarah Dessen sends you through a vivid journey with Ruby, Nate, and Cora, with many twists that are never expected.

Final Rating: 4/5 stars.

Click to purchase!