Another heart-warming story of love, friendship and family from Sarah Dessen. I can't say what it is about Dessen's writing that draws me in - no other non-fantasy author has ever managed to do so. Perhaps simply because her characters are so complex, so human, that it's impossible not to feel for them. Of course, the beautiful way she strings words together helps too.

What I love most about Dessen's characters is that in each story, no matter how different her protagonists are, they're all flawed, unreliable narrators. And at first, they don't realise this. Ruby, at the beginning of Lock and Key is absolutely convinced that she doesn't need anyone else in her life. Jaded, let down and unable to trust anyone around her, Lock and Key is not just the story of Ruby regaining hope and trust, but allowing herself to reach out to someone else in need of guidance. A little predictable, as it follows the same patterns as Dessen's other stories, but still a very enjoyable read.

(And thanks again, Mel!)