Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 14 and up
# of Pages: 422 p.
RAC Book: Yes
Ruby was abandoned by her mother just mere months before her eighteenth birthday. Despite her efforts to live alone, she is found out by her landlord and taken to social services. Soon she is living with her estranged older sister, Cora, in her huge house with her wealthy business minded husband. Ruby and Cora were close as children and so when Cora went off to college and never came back Ruby took it very hard. Soon she comes to find out that nothing was as simple as she thought it was. As she struggles to remain a loner in her new caring environment, she also struggles against becoming friends with the ambitious eager to please neighbor boy, Nate, who often gives her rides to school. She finds out that life isn’t just tough for the people who live in low rent housing, however, as she begins to get closer to Nate and catches a glimpse at his real life.
For fans of Sarah Dessen this book will not disappoint. Dessen has once again managed to create characters that are complex and interesting that readers want to know more about. In Cora’s opulent lifestyle it’s hard to imagine that anyone could be unhappy or unsatisfied in any way, but as Ruby begins to get to know the people who live in this world she sees that no one’s life is perfect. This book covers some serious issues such as abandonment, child abuse, infertility, alcoholism, and workaholics. A great read.
Young Adult Book Reviews 
this book is really great
my friend got it for my birthday and as soon as i read it i loved it. i wanted the book to go on forever. it would be really great if Sara Dessen could write a second book about the characters in lock and key. it was truly wonderful.
Please write another book with the follow up of like does Ruby go to the U and do her Nate get back together it would be awesome i love your books. If you ever want to write another new book please consider a second one to Lock and Key.
Hey so i have not read this book yet but everyone tells me it is great….so i am really excited to read it!! 😉
This book was amazing. It correctly shaped the main characters life and it made you feel for her predicament and the love story is done well too. I must read!