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Lock and Key Paperback – May 14, 2009

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,004 ratings

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From the award-winning and New York Times bestseller Once and for All

Unlock your heart and the rest will follow.

 
Ruby is used to taking care of herself.
 
But now that she’s living with her sister, she’s got her own room, she’s going to a good school, and her future looks bright.
 
Plus there’s the adorable boy next door.
 
Can Ruby learn to open her heart and let him in?
 
“All the Dessen trademarks here” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
 
Sarah Dessen is the winner of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her contributions to YA literature, as well as the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award.
 
Books by Sarah Dessen:
That Summer
Someone Like You
Keeping the Moon
Dreamland
This Lullaby
The Truth About Forever 
Just Listen
Lock and Key
Along for the Ride
What Happened to Goodbye
The Moon and More
Saint Anything

Once and for All
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Editorial Reviews

Review

*"A must for Dessen fans, this will win her new readers, too."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

About the Author

Sarah Dessen is the author of thirteen novels, which include the New York Times bestsellers The Moon and More, What Happened to Goodbye, Along for the Ride, Lock and Key, Just Listen, The Truth About Forever, and This Lullaby. Her first two books, That Summer and Someone Like You, were made into the movie How to Deal
 
Dessen’s books are frequently chosen for the Teens’ Top Ten list and the list of Best Fiction for Young Adults. They have been translated into twenty-five languages. Sarah Dessen is the recipient of the 2017 Margaret A. Edwards Award from the Young Adult division of the American Library Association.
 
Sarah Dessen graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with highest honors in creative writing. She lives in Chapel Hill with her husband and daughter.
 
Visit Sarah at sarahdessen.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Speak; Reprint edition (May 14, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0142414727
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0142414729
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 11 - 13 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 840L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 1.2 x 5.5 x 8.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,004 ratings

About the author

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Sarah Dessen
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I've been writing, in one way or another, for as long as I can remember. I was always a big reader, mostly because my parents were. I used to get frustrated with my mom because she bought me books for Christmas when what I really wanted were the gifts my friends got, things like sweaters and jewelry. But I did love to read. When I was eight or nine my parents gave me an old manual typewriter and a little desk in the corner of our den, and I'd sit there and type up my stories. I was the kind of kid that people always sighed over and said, "She has such a wild imagination," which usually meant "I wish Sarah would try to stick to the truth." I have a tendency to embellish: I think it's just a weakness of fiction writers. Once you learn how to make a story better, it's hard not to do it all the time."The books I read when I was teenager, the good ones anyway, have stuck more in my mind than anything since. I still love books, but while I couldn't tell you complete plots of novels I read even six months ago, I do remember even the smallest descriptive details from Lois Lowry's A Summer to Die or Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. I think it was because back then books were still somewhat new to me, and when I found an author who seemed to say just what I was feeling, it really struck me and resonated. I hope that my books do that for the people who read them: I think it's the best thing to which any writer can aspire. "As far as my other life, my non-writing life, I live in the country with my husband, some lizards, and two dogs who are completely spoiled and rule me completely. I like to work in my garden---although I have not yet perfected the art of keeping everything alive----and, in my weaker moments, shop. I have a bit of an addiction to the Gap clearance rack, to be honest. I have this strange need to buy huge quantities of black pants. How many pairs of black pants does one person need? (Obviously for me, the answer is 11 and counting. But I digress.) What else can I tell you? I love Starbucks mochas but they make me way hyper. I subscribe to too many magazines. I make a mean bean salad. I could go on, but the truth is, my books are much more exciting than I am, and that's a good thing. It's always more fun to make stuff up anyway."

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,004 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging with its twists and turns. They praise the writing style as well-crafted and relatable for readers of all ages. The emotional content is described as touching and heartwarming. Readers appreciate the character development and references to previous novels. The book is described as exciting, entertaining, and inspiring, teaching valuable life lessons.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

21 customers mention "Story quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story's engaging plot and twists and turns. They find it a realistic fiction novel with interesting moments and a feel-good ending.

"...Apart from all this, there is a guy in the story. Of course...." Read more

"I enjoyed this story very much. I laughed,cried and held my breath when waiting to find out where Nate disappeared to...." Read more

"...This story progresses nicely and I was seriously hooked watching the slow transformation of Ruby, seeing her thaw gradually...." Read more

"...that the book was actually not really interesting, but had sparks of interesting moments...." Read more

17 customers mention "Writing style"17 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's writing style. They find it well-written, relatable, and an easy read. The author takes time to describe details and create vivid descriptions. The characters and dialog are also appreciated.

"...authors tell you about the big picture, she takes her time and writes about details, the day-by-day picture...." Read more

"...Sarah Dessen is so creative and an amazing writer, I can't wait to buy every one of her books!!" Read more

"Very relatable to those who grew up in the foster system or had broken homes. It’s a great tale of hope for those searching for a family." Read more

"...Her writing is relatable to girls (and boys) of all ages. In fact I just bought this book for my 22 year old sister and she LOVED it...." Read more

12 customers mention "Emotional content"9 positive3 negative

Customers find the book relatable and emotional. They find the ending heartwarming and uplifting. The book leaves them laughing, crying, and cheering.

"...inside, and in my own personal experience, I found the ending so heart warming that I cried. So, be sure to read this one. One fantastic book!..." Read more

"Such a great book, so entertaining! It had it all, emotional, funny, entertaining, up close and personal with Ruby and her fears, her emotions, her..." Read more

"...Definately a feel-good novel." Read more

"...The meaning and feeling in this book really hits you hard. I loved it, it may even be my favorite Sarah Dessen book!" Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"7 positive1 negative

Customers enjoy the characters' development. They appreciate the author's references to previous characters.

"...I loved the characters and their connections with Ruby, the love, the hate, and everything in between...." Read more

"...Loved the characters, the story, the writing, and the editing. I'm just not sure I liked the ending...." Read more

"...by this one, and you'll love the way she sneaks in refernces to characters from previous novels...." Read more

"...Once you start reading Lock & Key you're in the book. You become close with the characters and can't stop reading! :)" Read more

8 customers mention "Enjoyment"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find the story exciting and romantic, keeping them interested until the end. The story flows well and keeps readers hooked.

"Such a great book, so entertaining! It had it all, emotional, funny, entertaining, up close and personal with Ruby and her fears, her emotions, her..." Read more

"...Though, the romance was also a very fun and exciting part, of course. The meaning and feeling in this book really hits you hard...." Read more

"...style reads very well and the story flows in a way that keeps the reader interested in finding out what happens next!" Read more

"...It grabbed me from the first chapter. I couldn't put it down." Read more

6 customers mention "Lock and key"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the clever inclusion of characters and places from other books.

"...Lock and Key" is just as good!..." Read more

"...love how Dessen incorporates characters and places from other books into lock and key. Quite clever" Read more

"Lock and Key..." Read more

"Lock and Key..." Read more

3 customers mention "Influence"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the stories inspiring and relatable. They teach important life lessons and are self-growth books.

"...At least it is not for me. They are self-growth books. I mean, of course there is romance, and that is part of the self-growth I am talking about...." Read more

"...It's an amazing story about life and is really inspiring!!!!!!! I recommend this as the best book EVER!!!!" Read more

"Excellent teen book author! Her stories are relatable and teach improtant life lessons." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it funny and entertaining, with an up-close and personal view of Ruby and her family. The book is realistic and details the day-to-day picture.

"...big picture, she takes her time and writes about details, the day-by-day picture...." Read more

"...It had it all, emotional, funny, entertaining, up close and personal with Ruby and her fears, her emotions, her thoughts, her transformation!..." Read more

"I rated this book with five stars because it is so realistic...." Read more

I will pick up anything by Sarah Dessen
4 out of 5 stars
I will pick up anything by Sarah Dessen
4.25 starsThis was my 10th Sarah Dessen book and the endings always make my heart so happy. The middle did dip a little for me personally. I will say that Nate needs to be protected at all cost! He's a gem. I would love to see a spin-off of most of these characters, I want to see where they ended up and stories to continue.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2010
    I really love how Sarah Dessen writes. While most of young adult authors tell you about the big picture, she takes her time and writes about details, the day-by-day picture. The stories are stories that could happen to anyone, they are belivable but still you fall in love with them. Maybe thats why, because we can identify, not to a certain extent, but fully with the characters and the story.
    Not to mention, that Sarah doesnt write specificaly "romance novels". Of course they talk about romance, there is always romance in her books, but that is not the topic of the book. At least it is not for me. They are self-growth books. I mean, of course there is romance, and that is part of the self-growth I am talking about. But, the whole book isnt based on the fact that the guy wants her, or what the guy does, or what she feels about him. There are many other factors. It is not the center of the book. It is how SHE develops and how HER mind changes, and how maturity can be something subjective, etc. And the main character always thinks about her future first than in her boyfriend or other stuff that are not as nearly important as her future. She goes to college, she doesnt stay because "her boyfriend is there", but almost always finds a way to work it out. She doesnt settle for the easiest thing to do. That is also why I love Sara Dessen.
    I honestly think this is the best book Sarah Dessen has writen. I havent read them all, but I seriously doubt any other is going to top this one.
    Ruby, the main character, is a seventeen year old, that thinks the only way to live her life happily is being a one-woman-operation. To do all by herself, without anyone`s help, or pity. She was raised this way by her mom, who is a tormented woman that is continuously drunk and hit her and her sister when they were younger. Ruby and her mom lived "fine", moving constantly from one one-bedroom-apartment-with-putrefact-odors to the other. They evaded taxes, and she changed schools and used fake names many times. Her sister, Cora, ten years older, had escaped all this when she moved away as soon as she turned 18. Ruby never saw her again since. But now, that her mother abandoned her, she is forced to go live with her sister and her husband in a rich neighborhood and to go to a private school for "rich kid"s. Everything changes so fast that Ruby finds herself attached to her old life and doest want to start a new one. But, as everything in life, her opinion changes and you find yourself thinking with her to solve her fears, and her future, if she still has one.
    I absolutely adored this book, and hope it kept going. I read it in three days, couldnt put it down!! So, definitely a page-turner.
    Apart from all this, there is a guy in the story. Of course. I mean, what would a Sarah Dessen book be without a guy for the main character to fall in love with? Well, this guy is Nate. And he is absolutely dreamy. I adooooooooored Nate. In other of her books, such as (for example) "Along for the ride" Eli (the guy) is fabulous, I loved him, and in "This Lullaby" Dexter was like a stalker for me, Sarah didnt create a guy so good as Nate. I would have to say that Nate is almost perfect. You will know when you read it.
    One great book. It leaves you with a warm feeling inside, and in my own personal experience, I found the ending so heart warming that I cried. So, be sure to read this one. One fantastic book! You will absolutely love it.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
    I enjoyed this story very much. I laughed,cried and held my breath when waiting to find out where Nate disappeared to. It was such an important reminder that famous no just the one you're born into. I think I'll read it again.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2012
    "What is family? They were the people who claimed you. In good, in bad, in parts or in whole, they were the ones who showed up, who stayed there, regardless."

    Seventeen-year old Ruby has been living on her own for the past two months since her mother left. She has no idea where her mother went, and hasn't heard from her since. Ruby has been getting by, just barely but this is about to change when the landlords of the tiny house they've been renting, discover she's alone. They alert the authorities, and suddenly Ruby is taken in by her sister Cora. Things were different when Ruby's sister Cora still lived at home, she sort of made it her job to care for Ruby and protect her from their mother. However, Cora's been gone for ten years, left when she went off to college, and Ruby's heard little from her since. This does not make for a happy reunion because Ruby doesn't want to let anyone in, let anyone close. She certainly doesn't welcome her sister's assistance. Ruby would rather just rely on herself, that way she has no one else to let her down. So she makes a plan to just stick it out at her sister's until she turns eighteen, then she's out of there.

    This story progresses nicely and I was seriously hooked watching the slow transformation of Ruby, seeing her thaw gradually. Helping with this is Jamie, Cora's sweet, generous, and very welcoming husband. You can't help but love him, he takes Ruby in with no questions or judgments made, always looking for the good, first, in people. Then there is Nate *sigh*. He is just the all-around popular, nice, HOT, next-door neighbor that takes to Ruby immediately, even with her reluctance. I didn't warm up to Cora at first, but then we learn some things about her, and I couldn't help but love her too.

    A Sarah Dessen novel would not be complete without her collection of quirky secondary characters. She always amasses these unique individuals that just grow on you. Gervais, the twelve-year old genius who rides along with Nate and Ruby everyday to school. Quote on Gervais: "Gervais also lacked maturity, which meant he found things like burps and farts hysterical, and even funnier when they were his own. Put him in a small, enclosed space with two people every morning and there was no end to the potential for hilarity." (Yes, I was cracking up!) Olivia, a fellow student at Perkins Day, always talking on her phone in her free-time, but somehow becomes friends with Ruby. Then there's Harriet the caffeine-addict, and Reggie the vitamin seller. Even Roscoe, Cora and Jamie's dog, manages to get into Ruby's heart.

    While, The Truth About Forever and Just Listen, are my favorite Sarah Dessen novels, this one is very good, too. A definite recommend for any contemporary romance/YA lover.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2012
    I love Sarah Dessen! She is one of my favorite authors and this is one of my favorite books written by her.

    Ruby has had a hard lifeand when her mom suddenly disappears things totally change for her. She is sent off to live with her sister and a brother in law she didn't even know she had. They take her in with open arms and try to help her.

    Family means so many different things for so many different people and now Ruby is about to find out what family means to her.

    In "Lock and Key" Ruby has faced many challenges and learned to overcome them. I loved reading about how she deals with her problems. In this book I loved Jamie too because he was funny.

    This book has soooooo many good qualities I could go on and on.

    But if you haven't read "Lock and Key" yet, you really should!! :)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2008
    I swear to you I'll probably never be asked to babysit again because I got so into this book one night, that I didn't even play with the 3 kids I was with. I cooked dinner, gave baths, and than I read! I loved this book soooo much. It was really amazing and I finished it in one night. I went straight through this 430 page book head first. I cannot wait until more of her books come out. I have only been a fan of Just Listen and Someone Like You and tried others of hers but couldn't get into it. Than I saw this book and fell in love. This is one of the most amazing books I have read. I would suggest it to anyone who is looking for a relaxing and laid back book to read.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Alka
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in India on April 27, 2016
    Fantastic book
  • Tracey Hincks
    5.0 out of 5 stars An exiting look into a teenage life.
    Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2014
    It will leave you turning page after page till it is done, I highly recommend it for teens and young adults. The main character may seem like a normal girl, but she has a story to tell.
  • J.Jessop
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2011
    I've only recently started reading Sarah Dessen books and this one has to be the best by far! Its about a teenage girl called Ruby whose living in poverty until the Honeycotts suss her out. She's then transformed into a world of luxury thanks to her long lost sister and brother in law wo live in a huge house and have everything you could possibly wish for. However all Ruby wants to do is escape and go back to her old yellow house.
    Finally after making friends and feeling a little more settled she decides to stay and truely transforms her life for good, also discovering relationships and the importance of family.
    This book kept me intrigued from start to finish, I loved reading about Ruby and trust me you wont be disappointed :)Dessen hits just the right notes with this novel. Enjoy!!
  • Amy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2012
    I bought this book because I love to read and found this a very good book and would read it again. The only thing I found was that even though they are different books they more or less follow the same story but with different characters and settings.
  • Fayls
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent older teen fiction (romance?)
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 26, 2014
    This is not a genre I normally read, but I loved it. It's not a romance, but has a romance in it (well it is about a 17 year old girl after all), and I loved that her looks and his were barely mentioned. Ruby was from a neglectful home, and we experience her transition to a new life when she goes to live with her sister. I love how her experience was treated, focusing on how it affected her - rather than a ghoulish retelling of abuse relishing the delicious horror as some of these types of stories can be. Ruby has the experience that many of us have at one time or another - of seeing herself more clearly by seeing it on another person. Both the story and the way it was told gripped my attention thoroughly. Highly recommended for ages 14+