Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen follows seventeen-year-old Ruby Cooper, who struggles with trust and emotional unavailability after her mother, who has substance use issues, abandons her. Ruby goes to live with her sister, Cora, and her husband, Jamie. Although resistant at first, Ruby gradually adapts to her new life, finds work, and navigates her relationship with her neighbor, Nate. Themes of changing personalities and isolation are explored throughout Ruby's journey. Sensitive topics include substance use and familial abandonment.

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen explores themes of family, trust, and resilience through its complex protagonist, Ruby. Readers praise the realistic character development and emotional depth. However, some find the pacing slow and the plot predictable. Despite minor flaws, the novel offers a heartfelt narrative that resonates with young adult audiences.

A reader who would enjoy Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen is typically a young adult interested in contemporary fiction that explores complex family dynamics and personal growth. Fans of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor & Park will appreciate the emotional depth and relatable characters.

Contemplative / Emotional / Inspirational / Heartwarming

- Lock and Key was published by Penguin Group in 2008, showcasing Sarah Dessen's talent in crafting contemporary young adult novels focused on personal growth and family dynamics.
- Sarah Dessen often draws inspiration from her own life experiences and settings around her hometown, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which often reflect in the locations depicted in her novels, including Lock and Key.
- Dessen's work, including Lock and Key, is praised for its realistic portrayal of teenage lives and struggles, a factor that contributes to her popularity among readers and has earned her numerous awards and accolades over the years.

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