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Famous in Love #0.5
Locked
It had always been the three of us, and then it was the two of us-Ed and August. There was not, nor had there ever been a chance of a Noah and August. And that was fine. Because the truth was I had known Noah forever but I still had no idea who he really was. Especially not now.
In this sizzling novella, one girl must choose between loyalty and love.
August had the two best guy friends a girl could ask for in Noah and Ed. Then Ed confessed he felt more for her - and their new relationship changed everything. She had hoped it would be Noah that she'd end up with someday, but it's clearer than ever that Noah's just not interested in being a one-girl guy.
When the small seaplane the three of them are on crashes, August finds herself injured and marooned on an island with ... Noah. Unsure of what's become of Ed, August and Noah do their best to not lose hope as they fight to survive on an island that is not as deserted as they first believed. But fighting the elements - and their attraction to each other - becomes a losing battle.
Soon, a secret from Noah's past that could bind them to the island forever is revealed, and August must choose between giving into her feelings for him, or struggling to make it back home.
In this sizzling novella, one girl must choose between loyalty and love.
August had the two best guy friends a girl could ask for in Noah and Ed. Then Ed confessed he felt more for her - and their new relationship changed everything. She had hoped it would be Noah that she'd end up with someday, but it's clearer than ever that Noah's just not interested in being a one-girl guy.
When the small seaplane the three of them are on crashes, August finds herself injured and marooned on an island with ... Noah. Unsure of what's become of Ed, August and Noah do their best to not lose hope as they fight to survive on an island that is not as deserted as they first believed. But fighting the elements - and their attraction to each other - becomes a losing battle.
Soon, a secret from Noah's past that could bind them to the island forever is revealed, and August must choose between giving into her feelings for him, or struggling to make it back home.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2014
47 people are currently reading
1604 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Serle
20 books11.6k followersRebecca Serle is the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years, The Dinner List, and the young adult novels The Edge of Falling and When You Were Mine. Serle also developed the hit TV adaptation Famous in Love, based on her YA series of the same name. She is a graduate of USC and The New School and lives in Los Angeles. Find out more at RebeccaSerle.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
did-not-finish
August 28, 2017Attempted in April 2017. DNFed at 36%.
This is a short novella and I still couldn't make it through. Locked is a companion to Famous in Love. The main series is about a girl landing the lead role in the movie adaptation of a bestselling YA book series called Locked, so this is Rebecca Serle's version of that fictional book.
When I read Famous in Love, it made me so curious about Locked and I wanted to read the full version of it, but unfortunately the real thing just isn't as good as the recaps of it we get in Famous in Love. I also personally struggle with both ebooks, and novellas (this was both) and that is likely a factor in why I couldn't enjoy this. Ebook format isn't as immersive to me, and novellas lack development and full storyarcs in my opinion.
I think you are fine skipping this one. All essential information is contained in the main book.
This is a short novella and I still couldn't make it through. Locked is a companion to Famous in Love. The main series is about a girl landing the lead role in the movie adaptation of a bestselling YA book series called Locked, so this is Rebecca Serle's version of that fictional book.
When I read Famous in Love, it made me so curious about Locked and I wanted to read the full version of it, but unfortunately the real thing just isn't as good as the recaps of it we get in Famous in Love. I also personally struggle with both ebooks, and novellas (this was both) and that is likely a factor in why I couldn't enjoy this. Ebook format isn't as immersive to me, and novellas lack development and full storyarcs in my opinion.
I think you are fine skipping this one. All essential information is contained in the main book.
August 21, 2015
5 Words: Perfect length for a cuppa.
After reading Famous in Love, I expected a lot more from this, so I was quite disappointed.
It was like everything that was bigged up in the book just wasn't there.
But it was quite clever, have the book featured in the book out there so you could read it. It was just a shame that it didn't live up to what was written about it.
After reading Famous in Love, I expected a lot more from this, so I was quite disappointed.
It was like everything that was bigged up in the book just wasn't there.
But it was quite clever, have the book featured in the book out there so you could read it. It was just a shame that it didn't live up to what was written about it.
June 11, 2018
Oh God... this story has been so sad! Poor Noah and August.
I wished for a different ending. I was afraid of that ending and I was right. I don’t agree with it. All that sacrifice. And for what?
I wished for a different ending. I was afraid of that ending and I was right. I don’t agree with it. All that sacrifice. And for what?
August 13, 2014
I thought I would just read a few pages before bed but this little story sucked me in and I couldn't stop reading it until I finished. AT 1:30 IN THE MORNING BECAUSE WHO NEEDS SLEEP ANYWAY RIGHT?!
If LOCKED were a T.V. show it would be my new guilty pleasure. It's got a little something for everyone, magic, mystery, fun, and FEELINGS and OH MY ISLAND, I NEED MORE AUGUST, NOAH AND ED IN MY LIFE!
If LOCKED were a T.V. show it would be my new guilty pleasure. It's got a little something for everyone, magic, mystery, fun, and FEELINGS and OH MY ISLAND, I NEED MORE AUGUST, NOAH AND ED IN MY LIFE!
August 30, 2014
I got this book from Netgallery in exchange for an honest review. SPOILERS AHEAD!
The novel started with a lot of promise, but beyond the first chapter, it failed to captivate. Descriptions felt overly done and a little clichéd, yet at some points it seemed not enough was explained about the characters emotional turmoil.
The characters, especially August, failed to connect with me as the reader. There was no emotional pull to her, and seeing that she's fatally wounded in the second chapter, stranded on a deserted island, it says a lot that that I couldn't feel for her. Noah was interesting but not enough focus was put on him to engage the reader. The only one I felt anything for was Ed. I felt truly sorry for him to be in a relationship with a girl that doesn't show any signs of loving him, even liking him for that matter. August states many times that she 'loves' Ed, yet she fails to show any care about him. When she considers the possibility that Ed may not have survived the crash, she immediately thinks about her sister, who was seated next to Ed on the plane. She refuses to admit to herself that Ed is dead, because if he's dead, then her sister must be dead too. She doesn't show any remorse or pain if Ed is dead. This the boy she's been friends with since 'forever' and has been dating for at least a year, if not more. Things like this made me dislike August. She's using Ed, playing with his love, all the while knowing she doesn't love him back.
Many small things bothered me about the story. August states in the start of the book that Ed and Maggie call her 'A' for short, but in the rest of the book they don't call her 'A'. In all her flashbacks, Ed doesn't refer to August as 'A' even once. So what was the point of setting that up? August meets Asku and says he looks around her sisters age, who is 15. Then goes on a few chapters later to say she gave Asku fish to take home to his wife? I understand them living on an island and maybe in their tribe they get married at a young age, but this doesn't get a reaction out of August? She doesn't even have a fleeting thought about how strange she finds the notion that a young boy is already married. August does this frequently. She doesn't react to the strange, magical happenings like one expects. She doesn't even think too hard about Noah's magical touch when he heals her after the plane crash, or the rotten apple he fixes to perfect edible quality. If she's in shock, it doesn't show. The plane crashes and August literally has metal pieces of the plane stuck inside her, wounding her to the point that had it not been for Noah's magic, she would have died. But no one else in the crash died? Not a single fatality? It doesn't ring true. Part of the heartache of the reveal, that the plane crashed because the island was pulling Noah to itself, was the realisation that so many deaths have happened because of this. Finding out everyone survived felt like a cheap trick to alleviate Noah's guilt.
I think the story is a sweet one but a little more emotional depth given to the characters would have made the read a more enjoyable one.
The novel started with a lot of promise, but beyond the first chapter, it failed to captivate. Descriptions felt overly done and a little clichéd, yet at some points it seemed not enough was explained about the characters emotional turmoil.
The characters, especially August, failed to connect with me as the reader. There was no emotional pull to her, and seeing that she's fatally wounded in the second chapter, stranded on a deserted island, it says a lot that that I couldn't feel for her. Noah was interesting but not enough focus was put on him to engage the reader. The only one I felt anything for was Ed. I felt truly sorry for him to be in a relationship with a girl that doesn't show any signs of loving him, even liking him for that matter. August states many times that she 'loves' Ed, yet she fails to show any care about him. When she considers the possibility that Ed may not have survived the crash, she immediately thinks about her sister, who was seated next to Ed on the plane. She refuses to admit to herself that Ed is dead, because if he's dead, then her sister must be dead too. She doesn't show any remorse or pain if Ed is dead. This the boy she's been friends with since 'forever' and has been dating for at least a year, if not more. Things like this made me dislike August. She's using Ed, playing with his love, all the while knowing she doesn't love him back.
Many small things bothered me about the story. August states in the start of the book that Ed and Maggie call her 'A' for short, but in the rest of the book they don't call her 'A'. In all her flashbacks, Ed doesn't refer to August as 'A' even once. So what was the point of setting that up? August meets Asku and says he looks around her sisters age, who is 15. Then goes on a few chapters later to say she gave Asku fish to take home to his wife? I understand them living on an island and maybe in their tribe they get married at a young age, but this doesn't get a reaction out of August? She doesn't even have a fleeting thought about how strange she finds the notion that a young boy is already married. August does this frequently. She doesn't react to the strange, magical happenings like one expects. She doesn't even think too hard about Noah's magical touch when he heals her after the plane crash, or the rotten apple he fixes to perfect edible quality. If she's in shock, it doesn't show. The plane crashes and August literally has metal pieces of the plane stuck inside her, wounding her to the point that had it not been for Noah's magic, she would have died. But no one else in the crash died? Not a single fatality? It doesn't ring true. Part of the heartache of the reveal, that the plane crashed because the island was pulling Noah to itself, was the realisation that so many deaths have happened because of this. Finding out everyone survived felt like a cheap trick to alleviate Noah's guilt.
I think the story is a sweet one but a little more emotional depth given to the characters would have made the read a more enjoyable one.
August 18, 2014
Received an e-book copy through Little Brown (Poppy!) Thanks!
One girl. Two boys. All great friends. Girl dates boy 1 and loves him. Feels a connection with boy 2, who seems to avoid her at every turn . . ..
Meet Ed. He's an awesome guy. Kind, thoughtful, sympathetic, sensitive, and madly in love August.
Meet August. She loves Ed, but wants some space. Her need for space, her need to go out on her own and not be at the same college with Ed, creates a rift between them.
Meet Noah. He's the best friend, who has been in love with August for a long time. He stepped aside, though, because Ed is much better for her than he is.
Meet Maggie, August's sister. She needs August. Their mom is dead, their father is absent a lot.
Together these four get on a small plane that will take them college hopping.
Until . . . CRASH!!!!
Noah saves August, dragging her to an island. Ed and Maggie are nowhere to be found. This is when the magic begins. Noah has some pretty powerful healing skills. Readers will learn a lot about the power of love, the power of friendship, and the power of second chances. What purpose do we have in life? What is your role? LOCKED will open up some new channels and get readers thinking about where they fit in. Who, if anyone, would you give up your life for? Readers will be intrigued by the island. The island is definitely its own "character" in this novella.
LOCKED is romantic, mysterious, and a fast read. I am so intrigued by this story and can't wait to get more from this author!
For those of you who love a romantic novella that will suck you in and have you wondering, what next? Definitely pick this one up!
One girl. Two boys. All great friends. Girl dates boy 1 and loves him. Feels a connection with boy 2, who seems to avoid her at every turn . . ..
Meet Ed. He's an awesome guy. Kind, thoughtful, sympathetic, sensitive, and madly in love August.
Meet August. She loves Ed, but wants some space. Her need for space, her need to go out on her own and not be at the same college with Ed, creates a rift between them.
Meet Noah. He's the best friend, who has been in love with August for a long time. He stepped aside, though, because Ed is much better for her than he is.
Meet Maggie, August's sister. She needs August. Their mom is dead, their father is absent a lot.
Together these four get on a small plane that will take them college hopping.
Until . . . CRASH!!!!
Noah saves August, dragging her to an island. Ed and Maggie are nowhere to be found. This is when the magic begins. Noah has some pretty powerful healing skills. Readers will learn a lot about the power of love, the power of friendship, and the power of second chances. What purpose do we have in life? What is your role? LOCKED will open up some new channels and get readers thinking about where they fit in. Who, if anyone, would you give up your life for? Readers will be intrigued by the island. The island is definitely its own "character" in this novella.
LOCKED is romantic, mysterious, and a fast read. I am so intrigued by this story and can't wait to get more from this author!
For those of you who love a romantic novella that will suck you in and have you wondering, what next? Definitely pick this one up!
February 23, 2015
Oh, So this should be an accompanying novella to a main story - FAMOUS IN LOVE. I have read this book couple days ago and wasn't really that impressed. But I have read and reviewed so may as well read the novella which the story mentions so often. I will be honest, this novella is way better than the main story. It's exciting, charged with sexual energy between the characters. But it also helps to explain the struggle and comparison Paige goes through when playing the character and picking between the two gorgeous guys. Clearly, Jordan is Noah and Rainer is Ed. You can tell that straight away. That's why Paige picked Jordan. He is her soulmate, one true love which she let go, because Rainer needs her. I think the author should finished off what she started with Famous In love., but after she is does, she should come back to this story and write it properly. She would have much more success with it.
August 21, 2014
(I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
August and Noah were both okay characters, but i didn't love them.
I didn't really like their romance either.
The pacing was alright, but i'm glad this was only a short read, because it would have started to drag if it was any longer.
Overall, An okay short story.
August and Noah were both okay characters, but i didn't love them.
I didn't really like their romance either.
The pacing was alright, but i'm glad this was only a short read, because it would have started to drag if it was any longer.
Overall, An okay short story.
February 16, 2025
What a good thing I enjoyed the plot they created for the show better bc that did not have such a bad ending. WHY TF, AFTER ALL THIS, WOULD SHE KISS ED?????? Noah, my love, you are so stupid for that. She loves you😭😭 Not like she hated that place...
December 4, 2015
This was straight up ridiculous. I decided to read this quickly today just because I read Famous In Love and was a bit curious. I have very mixed feelings on the series in general, but wanted to give this a shot. Famous in Love is about a girl who becomes a movie star, when a popular book series is turned into films. This book, Locked, IS that book.
I'm not going to write a full review, because why bother, but here are my highlights. Moderately spoilery, but this is a 92 page novella, and you probably have already read Famous in Love and thus know the premise of Locked... so, whatever. If I made status updates, here's what they would have been:
-SO MUCH SO FAST
-What even made this conversation come on? Can he read her mind?
-Didn't realize this was kind of paranormal
-"You’d think the current circumstances would override my stupid, pointless attraction to him, but no. In the face of death, Noah is more compelling than ever" - YES YOU WOULD THINK.
-Love that she's reminiscing on her history class and how poorly she's doing while she's stranded on an island and her friend suddenly has supernatural powers. ok.
-HOW IS SHE NOT WONDERING ABOUT THESE POWERS
-Girl, you do NOT deserve him. He's adorable and you're a butt
-I get that the plot has to progress and whatnot, but it's been legit a week and he's already moving on from the fact that her boyfriend of 2 years and little sister are probs dead
-...what...even...
-So if they can't leave, how did his dad leave?
-Why does she call her stepmom Miss Opportunity? The fact that it's happened multiple times with literally no reasoning is pretty annoying
-OH good lord.
I'm not going to write a full review, because why bother, but here are my highlights. Moderately spoilery, but this is a 92 page novella, and you probably have already read Famous in Love and thus know the premise of Locked... so, whatever. If I made status updates, here's what they would have been:
-SO MUCH SO FAST
-What even made this conversation come on? Can he read her mind?
-Didn't realize this was kind of paranormal
-"You’d think the current circumstances would override my stupid, pointless attraction to him, but no. In the face of death, Noah is more compelling than ever" - YES YOU WOULD THINK.
-Love that she's reminiscing on her history class and how poorly she's doing while she's stranded on an island and her friend suddenly has supernatural powers. ok.
-HOW IS SHE NOT WONDERING ABOUT THESE POWERS
-Girl, you do NOT deserve him. He's adorable and you're a butt
-I get that the plot has to progress and whatnot, but it's been legit a week and he's already moving on from the fact that her boyfriend of 2 years and little sister are probs dead
-...what...even...
-So if they can't leave, how did his dad leave?
-Why does she call her stepmom Miss Opportunity? The fact that it's happened multiple times with literally no reasoning is pretty annoying
-OH good lord.
September 26, 2014
After just watching Blue Lagoon: The Awakening I really wanted to read a book similar to the movie. The stranded on an island type. I jumped at the chance to read Locked as it was just what I was looking for. Very pretty cover, too.
Locked began as a promising book but after chapter one it fell flat. Straight away I noticed there was a lack in detail. Where we needed details we didn’t get them but there was times where we were given information which was completely irrelevant and didn't contribute to the story. I was confused. August wasn’t a clear character. In fact, she was really blurry. I wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted or how she felt and the absence of character and emotional development didn’t help, either. After the plane crash I expected a certain amount of emotion from August and Noah, and what I got didn’t meet the ‘oh my god. Our plane just crashed and now we’re stranded’ level. That right there was a problem. If I’m honest, to me she felt emotionally numb. She didn’t react to situations or things like she should have. Neither did Noah.
And the ending... there’s no indication of a book #2. The abruptness of the ending and the overall set up was disappointing. It just made it feel like the book was for nothing.
Overall opinion: Putting all issues aside I still enjoyed the book. It had the potential to (maybe) be one of my 2014 reads but unfortunately I couldn't rate the book any higher because of the issues.
Locked began as a promising book but after chapter one it fell flat. Straight away I noticed there was a lack in detail. Where we needed details we didn’t get them but there was times where we were given information which was completely irrelevant and didn't contribute to the story. I was confused. August wasn’t a clear character. In fact, she was really blurry. I wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted or how she felt and the absence of character and emotional development didn’t help, either. After the plane crash I expected a certain amount of emotion from August and Noah, and what I got didn’t meet the ‘oh my god. Our plane just crashed and now we’re stranded’ level. That right there was a problem. If I’m honest, to me she felt emotionally numb. She didn’t react to situations or things like she should have. Neither did Noah.
And the ending... there’s no indication of a book #2. The abruptness of the ending and the overall set up was disappointing. It just made it feel like the book was for nothing.
Overall opinion: Putting all issues aside I still enjoyed the book. It had the potential to (maybe) be one of my 2014 reads but unfortunately I couldn't rate the book any higher because of the issues.
October 6, 2014
Originally posted on BookWorm.
I said I'd read it! It's actually a really nice, sweet novella, and having read Famous in Love definitely added a certain edge to it, since I felt like I already knew the characters.
I like that in Famous, we never do find out for sure the ending to Locked, so in a way it was still a surprise, even though I guessed by what Paige said at the end. And that's a point: I get what Paige meant at the end of Famous in Love now. Which is both good and really, quite sad.
I really enjoyed reading the parts that we see filmed in Famous, because even though I knew they were coming, it was fun to see the difference in how a character living the moment sees it, and how Paige, who just has to act it, treats it. It's especially good fun when the paradox in the characters' characters is considered. This is almost like book Inception, but I think it'll make sense once you read Famous!
My only consolation is Paige has two more books to right her wrongs (technically, so does August, but I don't think we'll get to see that, to be honest). Plus... well, let's just say, I don't think a certain someone will be too happy when he finds out why she did what she did.
I said I'd read it! It's actually a really nice, sweet novella, and having read Famous in Love definitely added a certain edge to it, since I felt like I already knew the characters.
I like that in Famous, we never do find out for sure the ending to Locked, so in a way it was still a surprise, even though I guessed by what Paige said at the end. And that's a point: I get what Paige meant at the end of Famous in Love now. Which is both good and really, quite sad.
I really enjoyed reading the parts that we see filmed in Famous, because even though I knew they were coming, it was fun to see the difference in how a character living the moment sees it, and how Paige, who just has to act it, treats it. It's especially good fun when the paradox in the characters' characters is considered. This is almost like book Inception, but I think it'll make sense once you read Famous!
My only consolation is Paige has two more books to right her wrongs (technically, so does August, but I don't think we'll get to see that, to be honest). Plus... well, let's just say, I don't think a certain someone will be too happy when he finds out why she did what she did.
May 21, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this, way more than I usually enjoy spinoff short stories associated with novels and series--probably because this one is actually the novel within Famous in Love. I want more! So, yes, sometimes it's cheesy and it's a bit exaggerated, but--it was still really fun, and I like Noah and August together a lot. It was also fun imagining Paige and Rainer playing their characters, and since I've seen a little bit of the show (though I unfortunately don't love it), imagining Bella Thorne playing Paige.
September 4, 2017
Love the Book
Great book to read. Could not put it down. Great ending. Love to read more. Go team August and Noah.
Great book to read. Could not put it down. Great ending. Love to read more. Go team August and Noah.
December 9, 2017
ok the book and the tv show made it sound like this book is amazing and the next twilight but i was very disappointed and it was not worth the read
April 20, 2018
I just finished Famous In Love by Rebecca Serle, so I thought I would check this out. Famous in Love covers the actors of the movie based on this book, and I thought it would be cool to see what the movie is about. It was okay, but I don't see why this book is a teenage obsession and a blockbuster movie hit in Famous in Love. The love triangle was basic, and the plot was kind of underwhelming. Also, a big part of the book is them crashing on an island near Seattle, and the book covers a Native American tribe. I haven't seen any reviews by Native American readers, but the focus on a fictional Native American tribe with "magic and healing powers" set off red flags for me. I'm not quite sure what the purpose of this novella was supposed to be, or how much of the trilogy it was supposed to cover.
November 7, 2017
2.5. Super disappointing! I loved Witter's Famous in Love series - I thought that the characters were so well thought out but so real. This definitely wasn't the case in this book. All of the plots and character setups seemed a little contrived, and there was so much back and forth that I got confused (why did Noah decide to let August stay then call for the helicopter?) The ending was a real cliffhanger, so I hope that Witter writes another book. I will say that the story was pretty captivating, but still not as good as her other novels. I would have given this book a 3 if anyone else had written it, but I expected so much from the author that it was a little disappointing! I recommend the Famous in Love series for anyone looking for a good read, but this book would definitely not add anything missing from the stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2017
This review and more can be found at The Heart of a Book Blogger.
Locked is a companion novella to the Famous in Love series. Famous in Love is about a girl who lands the leading role in the latest YA book adaption to hit Hollywood. Locked is that book. I appreciated the backstory this provided novella provided to the story. It was such a fun idea for the author to actually write the “book” that was being adapted on the big screen. However, there really wasn’t too much to the actual story.
Locked is a companion novella to the Famous in Love series. Famous in Love is about a girl who lands the leading role in the latest YA book adaption to hit Hollywood. Locked is that book. I appreciated the backstory this provided novella provided to the story. It was such a fun idea for the author to actually write the “book” that was being adapted on the big screen. However, there really wasn’t too much to the actual story.
May 31, 2017
This was way too short. The fact it's a prequel based off the story described in famous in love does not aid at all in this short novella. There's barely any character development so it was really hard to connect or understand any of the characters actions. It also felt super rushed.
May 25, 2018
So bad. It’s a teeny tiny novella and l just couldn’t finish it.
Why? Because l’m worth so much more.
(In my mind everyone involved died in a fiery plane crash.)
Why? Because l’m worth so much more.
(In my mind everyone involved died in a fiery plane crash.)
Want to read
March 21, 2020Hee
March 14, 2022
noah kinda perfect id cheat on my boyfriend of 2 years with him too <3
February 14, 2016
3.5 stars. I decided to read this book because I just finished Famous in Love, and I was curious about this book.
Sadly though, it didn't seem like it matched the movie that was mentioned in there. And sure, I could have seen it coming, they talk about it having 3 books in the Famous in Love book, but this one is only ~90 pages. I can honestly say though, that I would probably not have cared for the book if it had been longer. I can't imagine it being fun to read about 2 people on an island for 3 big, long books. With this one I already felt bored at times. And at times it was just ridiculous and silly (like them making out and the roof catching fire and then magically it is gone when they don't do anything).
The characters are also totally different from what I read about in the Famous in Love books. August is pretty decent and I mostly liked her. Though I didn't like what she did with Noah, I can imagine that she might turn to him, thinking that her boyfriend is dead, but seriously? If that were me, I wouldn't just switch over to another boy. Not that fast. But then again, we learn various things about August, Ed and Noah, and that turns the story a bit, but I still won't approve of cheating.
August did try to start a life there, tried to learn the language, tried to hunt, tried to do all kinds of things, and I was so happy to see that happening. A lot of times the protagonists, especially females just tend to cry and whine and complain when they are stuck in such a situation. Instead we have August who just keeps going. Of course she still thinks about her family, about her boyfriend (she loves to think back to the days they were together), but she doesn't just sit around. And sure, at times she complains, but I think she can do that. It is not the most fun thing after all, being stuck on an island, not able to leave, not knowing whether your friends/family are dead. She felt really real and at times I just wanted to hug her and tell her things would be OK.
Noah, meh, I didn't particularly like him, especially not with the ending. I can understand why he did it, but I still don't approve of it, well kind of, well OK, it ruined the book for me. The whole book is leaning towards that and then something like this happens? Bleh, bleh and bleh. Especially after that one night, I had expected a totally different ending. They both seemed to made up their minds and I was looking forward to seeing them do this and that. :( Even after all we find out, I still think that Noah should have been honest from the start, he should have told her everything.
The whole magic thing? It was interesting and it gave the story something extra. Though it was a bit strange that they apparently couldn't live without one of those people at all. I can imagine his role, and all but I think it is a bit too big for one person. One person to do all that? It must be kind of stressful, knowing that the island rests on your shoulders.
The ending? That was the part where I just kicked off a few points. It was crappy. Maybe I would have rated it higher again if we had an epilogue, something like a few years later, or a few months later, now it felt incomplete and it annoyed me a lot.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, though I will warn you again that there is cheating, that there is a crap ending.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Sadly though, it didn't seem like it matched the movie that was mentioned in there. And sure, I could have seen it coming, they talk about it having 3 books in the Famous in Love book, but this one is only ~90 pages. I can honestly say though, that I would probably not have cared for the book if it had been longer. I can't imagine it being fun to read about 2 people on an island for 3 big, long books. With this one I already felt bored at times. And at times it was just ridiculous and silly (like them making out and the roof catching fire and then magically it is gone when they don't do anything).
The characters are also totally different from what I read about in the Famous in Love books. August is pretty decent and I mostly liked her. Though I didn't like what she did with Noah, I can imagine that she might turn to him, thinking that her boyfriend is dead, but seriously? If that were me, I wouldn't just switch over to another boy. Not that fast. But then again, we learn various things about August, Ed and Noah, and that turns the story a bit, but I still won't approve of cheating.
August did try to start a life there, tried to learn the language, tried to hunt, tried to do all kinds of things, and I was so happy to see that happening. A lot of times the protagonists, especially females just tend to cry and whine and complain when they are stuck in such a situation. Instead we have August who just keeps going. Of course she still thinks about her family, about her boyfriend (she loves to think back to the days they were together), but she doesn't just sit around. And sure, at times she complains, but I think she can do that. It is not the most fun thing after all, being stuck on an island, not able to leave, not knowing whether your friends/family are dead. She felt really real and at times I just wanted to hug her and tell her things would be OK.
Noah, meh, I didn't particularly like him, especially not with the ending. I can understand why he did it, but I still don't approve of it, well kind of, well OK, it ruined the book for me. The whole book is leaning towards that and then something like this happens? Bleh, bleh and bleh. Especially after that one night, I had expected a totally different ending. They both seemed to made up their minds and I was looking forward to seeing them do this and that. :( Even after all we find out, I still think that Noah should have been honest from the start, he should have told her everything.
The whole magic thing? It was interesting and it gave the story something extra. Though it was a bit strange that they apparently couldn't live without one of those people at all. I can imagine his role, and all but I think it is a bit too big for one person. One person to do all that? It must be kind of stressful, knowing that the island rests on your shoulders.
The ending? That was the part where I just kicked off a few points. It was crappy. Maybe I would have rated it higher again if we had an epilogue, something like a few years later, or a few months later, now it felt incomplete and it annoyed me a lot.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, though I will warn you again that there is cheating, that there is a crap ending.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
December 19, 2014
I received a copy from Netgalley.
A good quick read. This was a bit of cover lust for me, that bright pink cover caught my eye immediately. After skimming through the blurb I my first thoughts were ooh, this sounds like 'Blue Lagoon' meets 'Lost'.
It was a lot shorter than I realized, but it still worked quite well for me. I liked it. While it no Lost vibe whatsoever in the end, I did get a Blue Lagoony sense, even though it was its own story. The main character, August, was not the most likeable character. There was something off about her that didn't sit well with me. But I did appreciate how her character grew over the novella.
The writing was good, the prose descriptive with a very good sense of space. Its all very clear and easy to picture. I liked Noah's character, its easy to understand where he's coming from. I enjoyed the way the romance built. It was sweet and developed throughout without being insta lovey at all, so bonus points for that.
A little disappointed in the end, but I can see why it ended the way it did. An enjoyable novella. And an author I would certainly read again.
Thank you to Netgalley and Pan MacMillan for approving my request to view the title.
A good quick read. This was a bit of cover lust for me, that bright pink cover caught my eye immediately. After skimming through the blurb I my first thoughts were ooh, this sounds like 'Blue Lagoon' meets 'Lost'.
It was a lot shorter than I realized, but it still worked quite well for me. I liked it. While it no Lost vibe whatsoever in the end, I did get a Blue Lagoony sense, even though it was its own story. The main character, August, was not the most likeable character. There was something off about her that didn't sit well with me. But I did appreciate how her character grew over the novella.
The writing was good, the prose descriptive with a very good sense of space. Its all very clear and easy to picture. I liked Noah's character, its easy to understand where he's coming from. I enjoyed the way the romance built. It was sweet and developed throughout without being insta lovey at all, so bonus points for that.
A little disappointed in the end, but I can see why it ended the way it did. An enjoyable novella. And an author I would certainly read again.
Thank you to Netgalley and Pan MacMillan for approving my request to view the title.
September 6, 2014
The one word I can used to describe this book is disappointment. The book was written well, included characters which obviously had complex backgrounds, and the plot had potential to be gripping as it is very original. However, the author seemingly does nothing to fully utilise the aspects that she has working in her favour. It is as if it took so long and too much effort to plan the story that she could not be bothered to properly write the story.
The book had so much potential at the start and had me quickly turning pages to see what happens at the end. As I intensely read the book, my interest gradually wanes until there are no more pages for me to read. Yes, it is a short story, but instead it seems as if either a large chunk of the middle was missing, or the story was cut off halfway through - and not in a good way. This ending did not leave me dying to know the answers to unanswered questions, but to instead ask myself, 'why on earth did I waste my time reading this?'.
I understand this review may seem a tad harsh, but Locked is truthfully the definition of disappointment. With as much potential as this story clearly has, one sets high aspirations which are unfortunately unmet.
The book had so much potential at the start and had me quickly turning pages to see what happens at the end. As I intensely read the book, my interest gradually wanes until there are no more pages for me to read. Yes, it is a short story, but instead it seems as if either a large chunk of the middle was missing, or the story was cut off halfway through - and not in a good way. This ending did not leave me dying to know the answers to unanswered questions, but to instead ask myself, 'why on earth did I waste my time reading this?'.
I understand this review may seem a tad harsh, but Locked is truthfully the definition of disappointment. With as much potential as this story clearly has, one sets high aspirations which are unfortunately unmet.
April 4, 2015
I don’t know whether I didn’t like it that much because I sort of forced myself to read it in one go, but yh it just wasn’t that great. The whole tribe thing on the island bored me. No offence but I don’t really care about catching fish and stuff.
Noah and August’s relationship was going nowhere as well. I wish there was more writing about Noah and August and it would be better if it was developed fluidly. I felt like random bits of their relationship was shoved on the pages. To be honest it felt like the author couldn’t be bothered to write it.
Something else should have happened on the island. It was literally: boy and girl crash on island, boy finds out the island needs him, girl goes away on a helicopter. LIKE WHAT THE HELL GIVE ME SOMETHING MORE. I wasn’t bothered if Locked was written as an actual book or not, so it shouldn’t have been written. It should have been like a full book because the novella was just a fail. I feel really bad saying this, but it doesn’t really matter it’s not a proper book anyway.
Noah and August’s relationship was going nowhere as well. I wish there was more writing about Noah and August and it would be better if it was developed fluidly. I felt like random bits of their relationship was shoved on the pages. To be honest it felt like the author couldn’t be bothered to write it.
Something else should have happened on the island. It was literally: boy and girl crash on island, boy finds out the island needs him, girl goes away on a helicopter. LIKE WHAT THE HELL GIVE ME SOMETHING MORE. I wasn’t bothered if Locked was written as an actual book or not, so it shouldn’t have been written. It should have been like a full book because the novella was just a fail. I feel really bad saying this, but it doesn’t really matter it’s not a proper book anyway.
February 22, 2015
I read this after reading Famous In Love from finding out that this was the supposed book the movies they characters are making a movie series about.
It began with a lot of promise and interesting elements. Slight paranormal element to it with the magical island. The most disappointing thing was August and Noah's romance. From the Famous in Love book, August and Noah's relationship is spoken about as this amazing, magical, one in a life-time connection, of such magnitude nothing can keep them apart type of deal. In the actual Locked book it did not come across as that. The kiss scene did, but in general not that much magic.
I think better character development, again would have helped piece things together. Perhaps a full book rather than a novella would have given it another chance but I understand that it was written as a supporting story rather than a standalone novel. I did enjoy it but was expecting more. Didn't live up to the hype from Famous in Love.
It began with a lot of promise and interesting elements. Slight paranormal element to it with the magical island. The most disappointing thing was August and Noah's romance. From the Famous in Love book, August and Noah's relationship is spoken about as this amazing, magical, one in a life-time connection, of such magnitude nothing can keep them apart type of deal. In the actual Locked book it did not come across as that. The kiss scene did, but in general not that much magic.
I think better character development, again would have helped piece things together. Perhaps a full book rather than a novella would have given it another chance but I understand that it was written as a supporting story rather than a standalone novel. I did enjoy it but was expecting more. Didn't live up to the hype from Famous in Love.
April 9, 2015
This wasn't what I was expecting. Locked is the book upon which the movie in Rebecca Serle's Famous is based, and which the author also decided to write under a pseudonym. I met her at a book event last October and got a signed copy of Famous, so I figured I would read this one first so I knew what the movie would be about. What I wasn't expecting were the paranormal elements of the story, which seemed to come out of left field and be accepted as perfectly normal.
Maybe it was the short length of the book, but everything seemed quite rushed. I liked Noah and August (strange name for a girl), even though she was a terrible girlfriend to Ed, and the suddenness of the ending left me wanting more. I will read Famous now and hope this story gets developed more.
Maybe it was the short length of the book, but everything seemed quite rushed. I liked Noah and August (strange name for a girl), even though she was a terrible girlfriend to Ed, and the suddenness of the ending left me wanting more. I will read Famous now and hope this story gets developed more.
March 5, 2019
2.5
I have a love-hate relationship with this book. I don't 100% hate it and it was interesting at a few points but so much of it was really weird and off-putting to me. I expected some romance that would develop and maybe the magic would be some sort of Harry Potter-ish thing but what I got was not really any of that. I got some weird romance between two teenagers that had them after what felt like 4 or 5 days while the female character still had a boyfriend. Then I got some random tribal magic system??? I think that's what made the book the most un-enjoyable for me.
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I have a love-hate relationship with this book. I don't 100% hate it and it was interesting at a few points but so much of it was really weird and off-putting to me. I expected some romance that would develop and maybe the magic would be some sort of Harry Potter-ish thing but what I got was not really any of that. I got some weird romance between two teenagers that had them after what felt like 4 or 5 days while the female character still had a boyfriend. Then I got some random tribal magic system??? I think that's what made the book the most un-enjoyable for me.
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August 12, 2014
This was a cute little read. It was definitely not what I was expecting and was surprisingly emotional, especially as the story progressed. All I had heard was survival story, plane crash, and a deserted island. I was sold.
My original expectations were quickly turned on their head - the "elements" Noah and August are fighting are, in fact, not nature as I had anticipated and are something entirely different. It caused the story to completely flip and go in another direction.
I was hoping for a little more solidity at the end. The end is very open and I wanted some concrete answers. All my emotions were in a tizzy by this point and just oh! I hope someday Parker Witter revisits Noah and August's story :)
My original expectations were quickly turned on their head - the "elements" Noah and August are fighting are, in fact, not nature as I had anticipated and are something entirely different. It caused the story to completely flip and go in another direction.
I was hoping for a little more solidity at the end. The end is very open and I wanted some concrete answers. All my emotions were in a tizzy by this point and just oh! I hope someday Parker Witter revisits Noah and August's story :)
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