Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Title: Lock and Key
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Viking, a member of Penguin Group
Publication Date: April 2008
Pages: 422


"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.

I have never read a Sarah Dessen book so I can't tell you how relieved I was when I found out that Taylor from For The Love of Books had never read a book by Sarah Dessen too until a few days ago. I had placed this book on hold from the library before Taylor reviewed "Lock and Key" so I will be telling you the same story:"Lock and Key" is my first Sarah Dessen book. Anyways, my review:

Wow. If any word could describe this book perfectly it would be "wow". Sarah Dessen created a very real problem that I found I could relate too even though I have not experienced it. The character development was phenomenal. The setting was well planned out. The overall idea was amazing. As you can see, this book is so good that it brings tears to my eyes.

I also really like the title of this book. It is so perfect that it makes me jealous -- when I write, titles are always the things I have trouble with. I have also looked at Sarah Dessen's other books and the titled seem just as creative and intriguing. Who wouldn't want to read about a book called "Keeping the Moon" or "The Truth About Forever"? I want to know the truth about forever!

However, I wish that Sarah Dessen could have included prologue because their are some loose ends I think she could have tied up. What happens to Nate? Do Reggie and Harriet get married?

All in all, I would give this book and A.