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Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, book cover

Lock and Key

by Sarah Dessen

Spice 1 out of 5, Sweet1/5 · Sweet: Kisses only

"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.

Spice
1/5
Burn
Slow
Pages
~422
Ending
HFN

KU Is it on Kindle Unlimited? Check on Amazon

How spicy is Lock and Key?

Lock and Key is a 1 out of 5 on our spice scale: sweet (kisses only). Kissing, longing looks, maybe a fade-to-black. Nothing on the page.

  • Steam: Glimpses and kisses
  • Burn: Slow burn
  • Pairing: One man, one woman
  • POV: First person, heroine's POV only
  • Ending: Happy for now

Content warnings

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Show 3 content warnings
  • Child abuse (past or present)
  • Addiction / substance abuse
  • Mental illness / anxiety / depression

Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.

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    Lock and Key: quick answers

    How spicy is Lock and Key?

    Lock and Key is a 1 out of 5 on our spice scale: sweet (kisses only). Kissing, longing looks, maybe a fade-to-black. Nothing on the page.

    Is Lock and Key a standalone?

    Yes, Lock and Key is a standalone. You can read it on its own.

    What tropes are in Lock and Key?

    Lock and Key features hurt / comfort. It is a slow burn M/F romance that ends with a happy for now.

    Does Lock and Key have content warnings?

    Our notes for Lock and Key include: child abuse (past or present), addiction / substance abuse, mental illness / anxiety / depression. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.

    What should I read after Lock and Key?

    If you loved Lock and Key, try Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer. They share its hurt / comfort energy at a similar spice level.