I think this book was pretty good. It lived up to the hype I had heard about the author. It was an underdog story where the heroine overcomes adversity and rises to the top. It could have been any teenager, and so many I have met. It could have taken place anywhere. And it was the type of story that makes your heart melt and ache at the same time, just a little bit. Not necessarily relatable for everyone, but at the same time it felt accessible. There were several characters for Ruby to interact with, and build relationships with, and as a result learning about herself. At the same time, I never felt overwhelmed with a tone of people, as I find can sometimes happen in these books. I liked the style of the author’s writing, it was light and easy to read. I will definitely be searching out more by this author to read. ( )

This book is like any other from Sarah Dessen, absolutely amazing. Maybe I am just bias since I love all of her other books, but this book just has it all, all in perfect balance…deception, hate, sadness, love, scandal, friendship and a wonderful story. Not to mention an ending that doesn’t get me worked up.

Sarah Dessen has a way of connecting with the reader. Whether its because the story is close to your own personal one, or because her words just fill you with such emotion you don’t know whether to break down in tears or jump up and dance. The way she writes makes you feel you are in the story and experiencing what the main character is experiencing. When I read, I make “mini-movies” in my head based on the story, and with Dessen’s style of writing it is so easy to do that, and you almost wish the movie would never end.

The main character, Ruby, has had a tough life ever since she was young. Her parents got a divorce when she was only five and after that, she rarely saw her father. Her mother became distant from Ruby and her sister, and she started to drink more and more. The only positive thing left in Ruby’s life was her older sister, Cora. Cora is ten years older than Ruby and has always been there for her, Cora was her ‘mother’ after her actual mother stopped caring for her. But ever since Cora went off to college, she hasn’t been around much either. But that changes when Ruby is forced to live with Cora and her husband, Jamie. Ruby had been spending the past couple months living on her own ever since her mother left without notice, but now Ruby is reunited with her older sister who hasn’t been in her life for the past ten years.

Their relationship isn’t what is used to be and Ruby isn’t quite certain she ever wants it that way again. But when it turns out Ruby isn’t as put together as she once thought, their worlds collide and they both find once again that they depend on one another, and their sisterhood is challenged with Ruby’s independent attitude and Cora’s knack to repay Ruby for not being there.

Not only is this a great story about a troubled teen fighting for freedom, but it is a beautiful story of two sisters trying to make it work between them after so many years being apart. And oh yeah, I forgot to mention…the hot, popular guy at Ruby’s new high school, Perkins Day. His name is Nate, and not only is he charming, gorgeous, a great guy and loved by all that know him; he also has a past that he is hiding.

Ruby’s story is a captivating one and definitely something you should read. ( )

Recently I finished the novel Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. I bought this book back in September and only managed to read about 6 chapters up until today. However, when I picked it up I found that I couldn't put it down.

The main character in this story is Ruby. After struggling with lving with her unstable mother, she has grown to be very self-sufficent. This seemed to be an asset for her when her mother left her alone. After trying to remain in the house, she was discovered and because she was still a minor, sent to live with her sister Cora and her husband Jamie. Her whole life has literally changed overnight (or more accurately, a week). Jamie steps in quickly to make Ruby feel right at home. But because of Cora and Ruby's past together, the air between them seems tense.

Jamie arranges for the next-door neighbor to give Ruby a ride to school everyday. Nate is very popular at the tight-nit school that Ruby is forced to attend. The two met briefly during Ruby's first night at the new place, during a failed escape plan. The two slowly build a friedship, although Ruby continuely denies it as such. The reason being is that she constantly tells herself that everything in this "new life" is temporary and that she will be "free and clear" as soon as she's 18.

However, as many of you may have guessed, Ruby slowly begins to adapt to her new home and starts making friends and grows closer to Nate and blah blah blah. I think it's safe to say that we all saw that one coming. However, throughout the book, in all of her relationships whether its an old semi-boyfriend, but not really relationship from her old life to a paranoid work-a-holic boss relationship in her new life; in every one she has the same mindset. She never really lets herself be in a true relationship; she is always holding something back. The whole story is her trying to discover how to let others need her, as well as let herself need others.

Now, in every Sarah Dessen book I've read there is a tiny factor that pretty much ties the whole book together. That factor here is a key. One of my favorite quotes from the book is "too many locks, not enough keys." The whole book is about having so many questions about what is going on, and not having the answers to those questions. Another degree to that is being okay when you don't have the answers, and not locking yourself out from happiness because you're so afraid of pain.

This book is a great read, the message is fantastic and the story is hard to put down. After avoiding it for so long, I found that once again Sarah Dessen has wowed me. I don't usually read books of this genre (I classify it as teenage romance/ young love). I find that often times it is done poorly and the story is fake. However, Dessen's books are always genuine and I can't stop myself from enjoying them. The characters are great and even when I know the two are going to be together, I can't help but want to stay along for the ride (isn't that another book of hers? :) ). I highly recommend this book for those who wish to fall in love with a great teen romance story. Don't put it off for too long!

enjoyed. good explanation of emotional abuse and its results in teens and in their families and relationships. ( )

What is family? That's the question that Ruby has to explore for her senior English project. It's not such an easy one for her as she has recently been turned in to DCFS and moved in with her sister, Cora, with whom she has not been in contact for 10 years. Ruby's mom took off one day leaving her to fend for herself. Ruby is convinced she doesn't need anyone. However, what she does get is a chance to start over and reinvent herself. Eventually she works up the courage and confidence to take the chance. The characters are richly developed and the story, although at times predictable, is satisfying. ( )