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Unlocking Adeline

(Skeleton Key)

J.D. Hollyfield (Goodreads Author)

4.25 · Rating details · 125 ratings · 44 reviews

**THIS BOOK CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE**

Skeleton Key Book Series
One Skeleton Key. Endless Adventures.
https://skeletonkeybookseries.com

One magical key.
The turn of a lock.
An adventure of a lifetime
.
Her entire life, Adeline McAllister dreamt of a man whose face she couldn't see. A prince from her father's bedtime story, destined to be her happily ever after. But on the night ...more

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Published June 2016

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Jun 02, 2016 Mg ♥ The Bookishmedialite rated it it was amazing

I really enjoy reading fantasy books. I don't pick them very often (I don't know why) but when I do, I always hope to get lost in worlds full of magic, adventure, and love. J.D. Hollyfield nailed it with this book, she gave me all I want from a fantasy book and a little more.

After being captured by Locke, her oh not so nice "Prince", Adeline is forced to time travel to Wren, a place that she has only heard about in her father bed story times. A place she couldn't believe it was real, and where ...more

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Jun 04, 2016 K. Webster rated it it was amazing

J.D. Hollyfield is a go-to author for me when I want something clever and funny with a mix of steamy romance. She didn't disappoint with Unlocking Adeline. In fact, this is without a doubt my favorite book of hers!

I'm not usually a fantasy reader but she knocked it out of the park with this adventurous book. Adeline and Locke had a chemistry that melted the pages as I devoured this book as quickly as I could. It has a time travel feel to it that I absolutely loved and the world she created was d ...more

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Jun 05, 2016 Jade rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sweet-and-sexy, 5-stars, fave-couples, badass-heroine, 2016-read, sizzling-sexual-tension, hilarious, love-hate, fantasy-romance

"Ye are mine. Do ye hear me? Only mine."

First of all can I just say LOOK at that gorgeous cover!
Secondly, I haven't actually read much fantasy romance, I read a whole lot of PNR but not fantasy as much but I was pretty excited to read this one!

And it really did not disappoint.

'His eyes; they are just like in my dad's stories. The crescent moon. The eyes of the prince who comes to claim his princess.'

You know that saying 'Be careful what you wish for.' ? Yeah, well, Adeline learns all ...more

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Jun 01, 2016 Carlene Inspired rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed-books, arc, romance, new-adult, standalone, series, fantasy

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Adeline is desperate for a change. She loves her parents, but she feels held back and at 21 she knows just what she needs to do. First though, she needs a drink and maybe a man. Lockelan is not the man she pictured though and when the familiar man takes her to the magical world of Wren she thought only existed in stories her entire world changes. Destined to be married and to become the next Queen of Wren, Addie fights to find the key that will retur ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Adeline is desperate for a change. She loves her parents, but she feels held back and at 21 she knows just what she needs to do. First though, she needs a drink and maybe a man. Lockelan is not the man she pictured though and when the familiar man takes her to the magical world of Wren she thought only existed in stories her entire world changes. Destined to be married and to become the next Queen of Wren, Addie fights to find the key that will return her to real life where Wren is only a story made up by her father. Locke is charming in a broguish, intense kind of way though and soon she finds that she can't escape fate or her growing feelings.

If you're familiar with my reviews you're probably asking yourself why I am reviewing a fantasy novel. I know, they aren't my style, but an author I respect 100% suggested it and when J.D. Hollyfield explained the premise a bit more I bought into it. WORTH IT. I loved this book, I might have to read more fantasy like this in the future.

'All we have to do is dangle ye in front of his brother and wait until he breaks.'

The main characters in Unlocking Adeline are so headstrong. Addie and Locke are stubborn characters who are always in denial, it's hilarious. I loved the push pull between these two and that they were both covering up what they really felt due to the pressure on them. Their story is made up of fate, but they're fighting that fate and I think it really brought out some interesting dynamics between the two. It doesn't help that they're from two dimensions, two very different worlds with different ideals and beliefs. That said, I think Addie was written perfectly for the world change, she was so sick of life, of being held back, and this opportunity, though not ideal, really brought out her true self. Definitely loved them both.

Normally I rate fantasy down due to the unbelievable scenarious, but the changing dimension made a world of difference in terms of believability for me. J.D. Hollyfield is an incredibly descriptive writer, she brought Addie's world at home and the skeleton key world of Wren to life. World building is huge for me, so being able to picture the land of Wren like I was seeing it right in front of me was incredible. Unfortunately, I wanted more in terms of character history. While we get the full story by the end of the novel, I was left desperate for a bit more related to the secondary characters. There were a lot of strong emotions left over due to Addie's father and I would have really liked to see those explored more. Plus, with Addie's strong temperment I think it would have expanded the world even more for me.

'His eyes; they are just like in my dad's stories. The crescent moon. The eyes of the prince who comes to claim his princess.'

I really enjoyed J.D. Hollyfield Skeleton Key novel, Unlocking Adeline. It was the perfect book to bring me back into the world of fantasy, as well as a delightful story about family, romance, and fate. I absolutely recommend this one to all readers, even those like me who run from fantasy at every turn. ...more

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Jan 25, 2017 EliseSReads rated it liked it

2.5 STARS

This book was frustrating, the hero..my lawd I want to punch him so hard, other than the epilogue(in which he was really, really loveable) and a few scenes, he was an asshole.
The heroine was just as annoying, she should have made him grovel more after the shit he pulled, and damn she was so so childish at times.
This book wasn't bad and the plot was intriguing, but the characters and the way the characters behaved really got on my nerves.
But the book didn't lose my interest in any way, ...more

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Jun 24, 2016 1-Click Addict Support Group rated it it was amazing

I was not always a romance reader. At least, not primarily. I gravitated to worlds of fantasy and make believe, worlds of wonder and magic. I still have a soft spot for those lands I spent so many hours exploring. This book felt like a homecoming.

I've been following the writing of J.D. Hollyfield since the beginning. I've fallen in love with her kick-ass heroines and snarky writing style. Always clever, always sexy, and always impossible to put down.

Unlocking Adeline was like the icing on my c ...more

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Jul 26, 2017 Ashley rated it really liked it

3.5⭐️

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Jun 04, 2016 Amy rated it it was amazing

JD Hollyfield has stepped out of her norm and has done so, masterfully.

Weaving a storybook world beautifully, we are transported to Wren, a parallel world to ours however, it is not like ours. There are no modern conveniences (Except at the sorcerer’s home) and the future King and Queen are dictated by a book. The Book of Wren.
When we first meet Adeline, she is an average girl dealing with everyday problems. Her mother has been sick and she has had to sacrifice a lot, including her college educ JD Hollyfield has stepped out of her norm and has done so, masterfully.

Weaving a storybook world beautifully, we are transported to Wren, a parallel world to ours however, it is not like ours. There are no modern conveniences (Except at the sorcerer’s home) and the future King and Queen are dictated by a book. The Book of Wren.
When we first meet Adeline, she is an average girl dealing with everyday problems. Her mother has been sick and she has had to sacrifice a lot, including her college education, to step up and fill in to care for her family. Her father has always been loving and protective, but on Adeline’s 21st birthday she decides to ignore her father’s protective request, to come home right from work and instead go to a bar. There she meets a very attractive but very angry and aggressive Locke.
Locke is angry, and he has every right to be. He never asked to be destined for another and then the one he is destined to be with never appeared when the Skeleton Key appeared for her. He feels she rejected him but he is not to be denied what is his, even if he is determined to push her at his brother.
Locke is from Wren where he is the future King and Adeline is supposed be the future Queen. The problem is Adeline had no clue that the existence of Wren was anything more than the stories her father told her when he tucked her into bed at night.
When all the dust clears, will Adeline decide to stay in Wren? And who will she choose broody, sexy Locke or sweet, handsome Christof?
Will Locke be able to resist the pull that Adeline has on him or worse deal with the fall out if she chooses Christof?
This is all you are getting from me about this story except to say, you will want to slap Locke and Adeline quite a bit then you will want to hug them because they need a little cuddle. There are some hilarious moments as well as some tender ones. The way JD Hollyfield writes her characters you cannot help but feel like you are in Wren watching this saga unfold.
So many fun and interesting characters including Christof who was delicious and handsome, Ellie was so sweet, Greta was HILARIOUS!
Be prepared for betrayal, suspense, cake pops, Copious amounts of the Bachelor, misunderstandings, steamy chemistry and collusion. In the end you will wish for your own skeleton key to appear so that you may travel to a parallel world of your own.
5 STARS
...more

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May 17, 2016 Cindy C rated it it was amazing

I received an ARC and this book sucked me in! I hope there will be a second one to finish Adeline and Locke's story. I loved how all the aspects of the book; magic, romance, comedy, and suspense; tied together so well without one overpowering the others. ...more

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Jun 04, 2016 Crissy rated it it was amazing

Unlocking Adeline is the best time travel book I’ve read so far this year. I had no idea what to expect because this was the first time I have read this authors work, and I definitely intend to read more. I loved everything about this book. It was a sweet, romantic and hilarious story that I couldn’t and didn’t want to put down. Reading this story was like watching a movie play out in front of you that you were a part of and I enjoyed every minute of it. The characters in this story are the best ...more

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Jun 16, 2016 Angie Crabtree-Liezel and Angie's Book Blog rated it it was amazing

Unlocking Adeline is one book you need to read! I could not put it down it was that amazing. I'm still in awe at what I read.

First off, I absolutely love Addie. Love her! She is a girl from my own heart. She's stubborn, has a sharp tongue, a temper just like me but still loving, caring and passionate. She was so easy to relate to.

I love Locke too. Well at first I kinda disliked him I mean he's arrogant, selfish, takes what he wants and has no patience but as the story unfolds we see a complete ...more

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Jun 05, 2016 AnessaRenee Reviews rated it it was amazing

Wow!! If your looking for a great read that captures you from the beginning. Read this book. I devoured this book as fast as I could. This fantasy romance has everything you're looking for in a great read. The world that the author creates is a place we all wish we could be a part of. This isn't a story about how easy insta-love is, this story gives you the reality of life and how we fight everything. No matter how much we feel something we will fight it if it's new and unknown. I fell in love w ...more

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Jun 15, 2016 Candice rated it it was amazing

Oh my god. What a emotional book. Don't get me
Wrong this book is beyond beautiful, but it is packed full of so many emotions that you can't help but feel them as you read it. It has me happy one minute then shocked and wanting to cry the next. The story is amazing though. I do recommend this to everyone. Just beware that it will make you feel everything ...more

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Jan 29, 2019 A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia rated it it was amazing

I recently read the first two books in J.D. Hollyfield’s Love Not Included series, so I was looking at her other books and I had thought about reading Unlocking Adeline, but then the finicky mood I’m still somewhat in, struck and I had decided to pass on it in that moment. And boy, am I kicking myself for doing that and not reading this book earlier because it was beyond fantastic! I just loved Unlocking Adeline to pieces — I couldn’t get enough of it!

I loved Locke and Adeline. Locke could be a ...more

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Apr 07, 2018 Connie Hinsley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The key is everything

I really like reading these stories. They are a quick read between series that are being read. Each book is a standalone which is hard to fined. This one is about a little girl with stories of being taken away to her prince and finding out as an adult that the stories are true.

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Jul 25, 2017 Carissa rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy

I found some of the Wren folklore to be inconsistent of not making sense. Which really got on my nerves. While I loved the whole prince kidnapping his future queen from another realm, which seems very interesting, the story fell short.

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Aug 01, 2018 phoebess rated it it was ok

Shelves: reviews

Even though I was intrigued by this story, the characters gave me a headache. It felt like they weren't doing anything but yelling and after a while, I god really fed up with that. ...more

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Oct 22, 2019 Jadaris rated it liked it

3.5 Stars

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Jun 01, 2016 Rozanne Visagie (Willow's Corner) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-and-utterly-awesome

º°✩ARC provided by author for an honest review✩º°∘
Unlocking Adeline by Jessica D. Hollyfield

*Best read this year*

First off I must say this was one amazing read!! I wish I could turn back time and read it all over again...

We meet little Addie (Adeline McAllistar) who was so caught up in her father's (Richard McAllistar) bed time story, that she couldn't get enough of hearing of the wonderful land that was Wren.
"almost too lovely for one's eyes." That sentence alone gives you a pretty good idea. º°✩ARC provided by author for an honest review✩º°∘
Unlocking Adeline by Jessica D. Hollyfield

*Best read this year*

First off I must say this was one amazing read!! I wish I could turn back time and read it all over again...

We meet little Addie (Adeline McAllistar) who was so caught up in her father's (Richard McAllistar) bed time story, that she couldn't get enough of hearing of the wonderful land that was Wren.
"almost too lovely for one's eyes." That sentence alone gives you a pretty good idea.
Addie dreamed of the day where her prince will come and sweep her off her feet, but as she started growing up and got faced with realities like her mother being sick and she needed to take care of her little brother Liam, she knew it was all just a fairy tale.

One day on her 21st birthday she decided she's going to break the rules, stay out late and go to a bar... She thought that her father was just being overprotective with all his speeches of not staying out late... Her worst choice ever.
Whirlwind a few moments later and she's in an unknown place with the man she met in the bar, this hunk of a man. She was transported from her living room into an unknown realm by a Skeleton Key...

Not wanting to tell all, I want you to enjoy the story, I will say that Addie met Locke, and they were chosen to be married. As it stands in the Book of Wren, the chosen ones are marked with the sign of a crescent moon, and as you can guess Addie and Locke beared those marks. The Book of Wren ruled the land, everyone lived by it. When that book says something's gonna happen, its gonna happen!

We follow the story how 2 stubborn people fight their feelings for each other, and the roles for King and Queen of Wren. They fight, and make up and fight again. Addie gets to know some townsfolk and starts to wonder if she should follow her heart or her head...All this time she is still trying to get that Skeleton Key to go back home, because Wren is not her home, but she was destined to be there... First of all Wren did not have the luxuries of home or technology (only the sorcerer Greta had technology), and the way they dressed... We won't even talk about their Rennaissance slang.... So Addie knew that she didn't want to stay in Wren, she doesn't want to be married to Locke and there's no chance of her accepting the title of Queen... But there was that little twinkle of hope that messed with her head, and his name was Locke.
If she was faced with the choice of leaving now, if she had the key, would she stay or would she go??

From Chapter 17 I was on the edge of my seat, and I bet you will be too. There's some serious life changing moments, and you might start doubting who you like and who you hate. But soon enough your faith will be restored, or your emotions might double up.. I leave that to you.

This wonderful tale is pretold in the Book of Wren, its just a matter of time for everything to be played out as it should be.
...more

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Jun 09, 2016 Jodi Nichols rated it it was amazing

I have loved every one of J.D. Hollyfield’s books but man this one really blew me out of the water! J.D. stepped out of her everyday comfort zone for what she typically writes and did an amazing job with Unlocking Adeline. The way she described everything and made me as a reader feel like I stepped into the other world she created was great! She really has a talent for making you feel as though you are right there watching the whole book play out in front of you!

Adeline McAllister is just your e I have loved every one of J.D. Hollyfield’s books but man this one really blew me out of the water! J.D. stepped out of her everyday comfort zone for what she typically writes and did an amazing job with Unlocking Adeline. The way she described everything and made me as a reader feel like I stepped into the other world she created was great! She really has a talent for making you feel as though you are right there watching the whole book play out in front of you!

Adeline McAllister is just your everyday normal girl who lives one day at a time. She is still living with her parents and helping take care of her sick mother, father, and little brother. She just turns 21 and only wants to stop at a bar for the first time in her life and see what it feels like to be 21 and free for the night. Little does she know that she went against her father’s request to come straight home for work, and now her life changes forever because of her curiosity.

Lockelan McGowan is a man on a mission to get the girl he is destined to be with according the Book of Wren in his country. He just happens to be in the right place when Addie steps into the bar that night because now he has his destiny right in front of him, and he just have to get her to come home with him. Little does he know, Addie is a fierce girl and will put up a fight before she is taken to a world she only believed was real in fairy tales. When Lockelan gets a hold of her finally, she finds out that the fairy tales her father used to tell her are more than made up, they are true and it’s her life.

Wren is such a magical place that happens to be parallel to our world, but old fashion. J.D. did an amazing job describing every aspect of the land and people living there. I love the people she created and all of the humor she put into the story to keep the reader loving each and every character. Addie and Locke were amazing and had the best chemistry, even though they do their best to fight it. These two are magical together and they just need the right shove to figure it out before the land is left without a Queen and King.

J.D. Hollyfield is definitely a go to author for me when I need something with humor and amazing characters. I love that she let me do an ARC for Unlocking Adeline and I recommend anyone that loves a good fantasy story, to get this ASAP! I devoured it in one day and I really want more!! I really wish I could give more than 5 stars because this deserves it!
...more

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May 17, 2016 Ellie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: j-d-hollyfield

Final Score - 5 Weeping Stars!

To find out that the fairy tale you were told was in fact the true is one thing... but that you are the one in the fairy tale? WHAT THE HECK?!

Adeline has just discovered that she's a princess of an unknown land, destined to rule & marry a prince. To anyone that would sound like a dream come true. But to Adeline, who's just been kidnapped by her intended ... she's plummeted into a nightmare where she will never see her loved ones again. Set to be married off to someo ...more

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Feb 26, 2016 Jennifer Hanson rated it it was amazing

I was not sure what to expect when I started Unlocking Adeline but WOW does the author sure know how to suck you in and keep you interested. I'm not usually a big fan of time travel books but this one hooked me from the very beginning. What an incredible love story that also throws in some mystery and suspense. I have read several other books by this author and she has written in several different romance genres and they are all incredibly written and well plotted out. Unlocking Adeline lacks fo ...more

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Jun 01, 2016 Julie Gustafson-Monk rated it it was amazing

J.D. Hollyfield, woman, you have written a masterpiece. This book has hit my top 10 most favorite books EVER!!!!!

Little Miss Adeline loved her father fairy tale story. The only story he ever told her was about a far away place where dreams comes true. Wren is the hom of a prince waiting for his princess.
Adeline wanted nothing more than to brush her father's request aside and go party after work. While she visited a bar she encountered a dangerous by so handsome looking man. He wanted her! But sh ...more

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Jun 15, 2016 Amber rated it it was amazing

I stepped out of my comfort zone with this one, and so should you! JD has brilliantly woven her knack for feisty characters and her romance story telling into a fantasy world like no other.
When Adeline is a young girl, she is enthralled with her fathers stories of Wren, a fantasy land where everything is beautiful and free. The chosen prince would find her, the chosen princess, and they would live in a vast castle watching over the land as King and Queen. But being chased, kidnapped and possibl ...more

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Apr 20, 2016 Karen Hrdlicka rated it it was amazing

This is the third book I've read in the Skeleton Key Collection, and it may be my favorite. I love the characters that Ms. Hollyfield developed and the multiple layers she creates in the story. Every young girl dreams of being carried off by her prince, but what happens when that actually occurs to Adeline? The chemistry between Locke and Addie is intense and the dialogue between them is dynamic. The crossing over between the contemporary world and the world of Wren is interesting, and I think t ...more

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Jun 14, 2016 Pervy Ladies Book Blog rated it really liked it

For some reason when I began Unlocking Adelina I didn’t expect it to be a fantasy type book and I was pleasantly surprised by the whole world of Fantasy romance. It was definitely a good pick-me-up from the book rut I have been in lately. Hollyfield knew what she was doing whenever she created the land of Wren. This story was one that keeps you intrigued from beginning to finish. I fell in love with who Adeline was as a person from the very beginning of this book. She is this kind, caring, yet s ...more

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May 17, 2016 Sylvia rated it it was amazing

I was given this ARC for a fair and honest review.

When Adeline was a young child, her father told her fairy tales at bedtime, and her favorite was of a land called Wren. Every night she would have him tell her the same story over and over, always asking many questions till she fell asleep. She would dream of being that princess in the story, and how her prince would come to get her.
Fast forward to the age of 21, no longer believing in fairy tales, helping at home due to her mother being ill, and ...more

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Jun 04, 2016 Veronica LaRoche rated it it was amazing

Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. Adeline when she was a little girl her father would tell her all about a land called Wren and since that day that is the only story she wanted to hear. Every time she heard the story she felt more drawn the prince. On her 21st birthday everything went wrong when she meet a man and he told her that they were meant to be. Locke doesn't won't to be King nor does he want to be married, but that is what the books says, but Locke came up with a ...more

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Jun 08, 2016 Ashley Dunham rated it it was amazing

I received an ARC for a Honest Review. I absolutely love Unlocking Adeline. I love Adeline and Lockelan story. I love that Adeline is such a outgoing person and caring and loving person and independent. I Love that Lockelan is such a strong and outgoing person and caring loving. I Love that Adeline and Lockelan loved each other put they didn’t want to admit to eachother. When I was reading Unlocking Adeline it drew me. I Love how Adeline and Lockelan finally admit that they love eachother. I l ...more

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Jun 03, 2016 Brandi rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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About J.D. Hollyfield

J.D. Hollyfield

1,346 followers

Creative designer, mother, wife, writer, part time superhero...

Best selling author J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer by day and superhero by night. When she is not trying to save the world one happy ending at a time, she enjoys the snuggles of her husband, son's and three doxies. With her love for romance, and head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and b ...more