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Locks and Lies
Not yet published
Expected 26 Mar 26A deliciously dark and twisted contemporary romance inspired by Rapunzel.
She’s his greatest mistake… and the one he’d risk everything for.
Ryder Finn is as charming as he is ruthless, and has built a life stealing from others. So when an opportunity arises to make some quick money, he takes it. Except the woman he’s meant to find isn’t just missing, she’s hiding. And Ryder isn’t the only one tracking her down.
Violet Sonne’s life is a fragile balance between a failing art career, and caring for a mother slipping deeper into paranoia and delusion. Until the day Violet realises the monsters her mother fears might actually be real. Desperate, she turns to the last person she should trust–the same man who was paid to find them. Ryder may be her stalker, but he’s also the only shot she has at uncovering who’s hunting her mother… and surviving it herself.
Because the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous the lies become.
And in a world where loyalty is bought and sold... can you ever really trust a thief?
Stalker - Enemies to Lovers - Forced proximity - Obsession - Betrayal & Redemption - Fairytale reimagining
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Locks and Lies contains explicit content, graphic violence, profanity, and topics that may be sensitive to some readers. Full details can be found listed inside the book. Recommended for 18+.
This novel is written in British English including spelling and grammar.
She’s his greatest mistake… and the one he’d risk everything for.
Ryder Finn is as charming as he is ruthless, and has built a life stealing from others. So when an opportunity arises to make some quick money, he takes it. Except the woman he’s meant to find isn’t just missing, she’s hiding. And Ryder isn’t the only one tracking her down.
Violet Sonne’s life is a fragile balance between a failing art career, and caring for a mother slipping deeper into paranoia and delusion. Until the day Violet realises the monsters her mother fears might actually be real. Desperate, she turns to the last person she should trust–the same man who was paid to find them. Ryder may be her stalker, but he’s also the only shot she has at uncovering who’s hunting her mother… and surviving it herself.
Because the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous the lies become.
And in a world where loyalty is bought and sold... can you ever really trust a thief?
Stalker - Enemies to Lovers - Forced proximity - Obsession - Betrayal & Redemption - Fairytale reimagining
---
Locks and Lies contains explicit content, graphic violence, profanity, and topics that may be sensitive to some readers. Full details can be found listed inside the book. Recommended for 18+.
This novel is written in British English including spelling and grammar.
- GenresDark RomanceRomance
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 26, 2026
6 people are currently reading
823 people want to read
About the author
Taylor Aston White
34 books392 followersTaylor Aston White writes deliciously dark fantasy & romance, where tension burns, secrets break, and love always wins. Based in the UK with her childhood sweetheart and their two children, she's the author of several bestselling series and loves to explore mythology and European faerie tales to create her own, modern twists.
Follow her on Instagram - @taylorastonwhite, and join her newsletter on www.taylorastonwhite.com
Be sure to follow Taylor on BookBub for the latest on sales https://bit.ly/3rNVVlm
Follow her on Instagram - @taylorastonwhite, and join her newsletter on www.taylorastonwhite.com
Be sure to follow Taylor on BookBub for the latest on sales https://bit.ly/3rNVVlm
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This twisted take on a classic Tangled x Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder story, or in this case Violet Sonne and Ryder Finn is one I tried not to devour but to rather savor.
Greta is running from a past haunting her in more ways than one, Ryder is looking to cash in on a bounty, and Violet is the unfortunate one caught in between the chaos and the lies.
Violet finds herself torn between the safety of herself and Greta, or the infuriating man trying to cash in on the bounty.
As the lies unravel Violet finds it difficult to trust those around her but somehow survival depends on picking your poison and hoping you live to tell the tale.
The secrets run deep and the scars, possibly even deeper.
Will the truth set Violet free or ruin everything she's ever known?
A classic enemies to potential lovers... or is it? You'll have to read it and find out.
This is the second book I've read by Taylor Aston White, and it definitely won't be the last.
I absolutely loved this, and I sat laughing out loud more times than I could count.
The line that now lives rent free in my head has to be: “You’re up in bum-fuck nowhere playing babysitter while the rest of us are cleaning up your mess.”
Honestly 10/10
Greta is running from a past haunting her in more ways than one, Ryder is looking to cash in on a bounty, and Violet is the unfortunate one caught in between the chaos and the lies.
Violet finds herself torn between the safety of herself and Greta, or the infuriating man trying to cash in on the bounty.
As the lies unravel Violet finds it difficult to trust those around her but somehow survival depends on picking your poison and hoping you live to tell the tale.
The secrets run deep and the scars, possibly even deeper.
Will the truth set Violet free or ruin everything she's ever known?
A classic enemies to potential lovers... or is it? You'll have to read it and find out.
This is the second book I've read by Taylor Aston White, and it definitely won't be the last.
I absolutely loved this, and I sat laughing out loud more times than I could count.
The line that now lives rent free in my head has to be: “You’re up in bum-fuck nowhere playing babysitter while the rest of us are cleaning up your mess.”
Honestly 10/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 ⭐
4 🌶️
Locks & Lies is part of the Twisted Ever After series. This is a dark Rapunzel/Tangled retelling with a stalker and trafficking twist. Definitely check your triggers before reading this book. There is on page sexual assault as well as discussions of child abuse and child sexual assault.
Locks & Lies was a gripping story that kept me reading as one twist led to another. I do not want to say too much, because (other than the trigger warnings—protect your mental health!) I truly do think that it is best to go into this one blind.
I will be adding Blood & Thorns (the other released book in this series) to my TBR and look forward to reading more books by this author.
4 🌶️
Locks & Lies is part of the Twisted Ever After series. This is a dark Rapunzel/Tangled retelling with a stalker and trafficking twist. Definitely check your triggers before reading this book. There is on page sexual assault as well as discussions of child abuse and child sexual assault.
Locks & Lies was a gripping story that kept me reading as one twist led to another. I do not want to say too much, because (other than the trigger warnings—protect your mental health!) I truly do think that it is best to go into this one blind.
I will be adding Blood & Thorns (the other released book in this series) to my TBR and look forward to reading more books by this author.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
** Recieved as an ARC, Thank you **
This series has been sooo good!!
This story will break you OMG!! I’ve never been so torn as to how I wanted it to end!!
The twists are sooo goood!!
She writes such strong side characters that I want more, I am hoping one day Roman gets a story because OMG!!
Book 1 has been my favorite so far but this is certainly up there!! I am super excited for book 3!!!
10/10 recommend
This series has been sooo good!!
This story will break you OMG!! I’ve never been so torn as to how I wanted it to end!!
The twists are sooo goood!!
She writes such strong side characters that I want more, I am hoping one day Roman gets a story because OMG!!
Book 1 has been my favorite so far but this is certainly up there!! I am super excited for book 3!!!
10/10 recommend
December 31, 2025
Another wonderful adventure from Taylor. I just love how multi dimensional the characters are. The suspense is perfection along with the character development. There are twists and turns you just don’t see coming!
March 18, 2026
Hands down one of my favorite reads this year. I’m thankful to have received it as an ARC! I could NOT put this one down. It was the perfect reimagining of Rapunzel.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews