Lock & Key

Lock & Key #1

by Cat Porter

She was his fantasy. Now she’s his undoing…

I built a life from wreckage. Buried my heart deep under loyalty, brotherhood, and steel.

But one fiery night with a beautiful woman makes me feel alive.

I never thought I’d see her again. Not after she disappeared.
But days later, she walks into my club. And she’s no stranger…

She’s my mentor’s runaway widow. And everything I thought I’d buried just exploded.

Now that forbidden fantasy is my reality, and I’m craving more. A hell of a lot more. But that’s the last thing Grace wants. Yet the intense connection between us can’t be denied, no matter how hard she tries.

After a violent past, mysteriously vanishing, and years on the run, she's changed. Is she hiding secrets, too?

Her return has sparked suspicions within the club and ignites a firestorm of chaos with a rival MC. Then the club throws us both into the mayhem.

Loyalties strain. Hearts ache. The truth stings.

Grace is the one woman I shouldn’t have, and the only one I’ll burn the world to keep.

"I love this series! Cat Porter is a massively gifted writer! I highly recommend.” - Kennedy Ryan, New York Times & USA Today best-selling author

“Cat Porter NAILED it. So well written. This was a great, great book." - Lorelei James, New York Times & USA Today best-selling author

"Lock & Key gutted me! This one goes straight to my top faves because I will never forget these characters and their soul-touching love stories. This is NOT your typical biker romance." - The Rock Stars of Romance

TotallyBooked Blog: Lock & Key - one of their “Favourite Standalones for 2014″

EDGy Reviews: Lock & Key - one of their “Top Ten Favorites of 2014″

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews: Lock & Key - an Overall Favorite Book, a Favorite Motorcycle Romance, a Favorite Debut Romance, a Favorite Kick-Ass Heroine / Cat Porter - a Favorite Author and a Break-Through Author.



Cat Porter's acclaimed Lock & Key Motorcycle Club Romance series is so much more than another gritty biker series – dive into thrilling epic romances with an emotional small-town family saga at their heart, brimming with burning first loves, sizzling second chances, forbidden love, forced proximity, fake relationships, angst, action and adventure, once-in-a-lifetime passion, complex heroes and bold heroines, risky choices, regrets and redemption, satisfying happy ever afters, and a small town in the Black Hills of South Dakota that you’ll never forget.

**Please note - this book has been re-edited since its release in June 2014**

The Lock & Key MC Romance Series Reading Order
1 - Lock & Key
2 - Random & Rare
3 - Iron & Bone
4 - Blood & Rust
5 - Fury (can be read as a standalone)
6 - Lock & Key Christmas
7 - The Dust and the Roar (can be read as a standalone)
8 - The Fire and the Roar
9 - The Year of Everything (can be read as a standalone)
10 - Thunder & Flare
11 - Sparkle
12 - Sin & Surrender

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Dark, Erotica, Adult, Audiobook

362 pages, ebook

First published June 20, 2014

About the author

I daydream all the time, "what if" way too much, and am a lip-biting romantic. And I don't want to be cured of any of those. Ever. A New Yorker who now lives on a beach in beautiful Greece, I've been writing since forever because I need to. I have two children's books traditionally published and I've self-published my romantic suspense series, spinoff standalones, and a historical. Join me in my world!

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Reviews

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 LOCK stars!




I love biker books- the ones that are done right. And let me tell you... this one was done right. I was hooked from the prologue and couldn’t put it down. One forty something heroine. Two heroes- one from her past and one from her present. This is their story. A story about love, loss and redemption. About family and friends, sacrifice and loyalty. And a secret Grace has kept for sixteen years...

This is a story of my love for two men at two different moments of truth in my live. One man is gone forever; the other is very much alive.
Love not only stings when you lose it, when it’s ripped away from you. When it first bites, it can sting just as deeply.

Grace Quillen hasn’t been home in sixteen years. Not since she was widowed and left her life as an old lady, left the motorcycle club she called home. Now she’s back. She thought she never would be, but her sister needed her and that changed everything. Grace has spent the last sixteen years never truly putting down roots, never getting too close to anyone and never really thinking about love. Then Grace meets someone that just may change everything for her...



Grace never thought she would find love again. Not the kind of love she had with Jake ‘Dig’ Quillen. Her first and only love, her Old Man, her husband. Then she met Miller aka Lock. Things were different with him than with any other guy she’d been with.

I don’t want to go into too much detail here, but there is a lot of things going on... Things with Grace’s sister, Ruby. Things with Grace’s past and her old man. Things in the present going on with the club. There are some twists and turns, and some shocking revelations. Just when I thought I had everything figured out something new would come to light that made me question what I had thought.

This is a fantastic book with a lot of STORY to tell.



I love when I fall in love with a heroine. It doesn’t always happen for me, but here it did! Grace is a kick ass lady. I loved her. Watching how she handled herself in the past and present was awesome. Seeing her relationship with Dig was great, then seeing things with Ruby and her life, and finally how she felt about Miller, the things she did and the sacrifices she made. Miller is sexy, sweet and a bad ass biker. I adored him with little Jake. I’m not going to lie, there were parts I wanted to kick him in the junk.... but by the end, I got why he did the things he did. I also liked looking into his past- hearing his stories of the past, his brother and grandmother was great.

I seriously love books with older heroes/heroines. I love YA/NA etc, but sometimes it’s nice to read about people not in their teens and twenties. I loved that there was romance here, but it was so much more than that. It was a biker book, so of course there was some grit. There was a good amount of action and suspense. The steam was off the charts. The times Miller and Grace were together... wow!

Overall, this was an enjoyable and entertaining read. If you’re looking for a great MC book with a strong and kick ass older heroine and a tall dark and handsome biker, pick this one up! But expect much more than ‘just another biker book’. Because it is so much more than that!


[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

[Desirae (Dee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lock & key

My god. Cat Porter. I want to start this off by telling you one thing I absolutely fucking loved about this book. You may think this is stupid, but I don't care. The H/h in this book weren't in their 20s. They were in their late 30s and miller was 40. Thank fuck for that. I'm sorry but I'm so sick of reading all these books where the main characters are in their 20s. I'm not in my 20s anymore. I want a mature, dirty, raunchy, raw, gritty, alpha male. And let me tell you, I have found him here. It's not even so much that he's just those things. He's also sweet, emotional but not a total pussy, empathetic, understanding but yet still totally alpha. Miller, road name Lock, is seriously one of the best men I have read in an MC book. He rates closer to the top. And sister... Thank you Cat. Thank you for writing such a strong female lead. She doesn't get pushed around, walked over, or cheated on. She is a badass female character. She is a strong woman. Not just as a woman, but as an old lady and as a major role player in the game of MC life. If you are a fan of MC books, you will want to pick this up. Her story. Her heartbreaking story brought me to tears. I kid you not. I'm sitting here reading this crying. Then I'm thinking this is an MC book, I'm not supposed to cry. But I did. I could stop, I didn't want to stop. I loved every damn page.

[XxTainaxX Curvy and Nerdy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me. Cheating occurs on both ends. Heroine basically sells herself and her supposed love out "for the club" and he knows, encourages, and watches her do it. He sleeps with OW to make sure she is motivated enough not to back out. Just no.

[Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I one-clicked this some time in the last few days, b/c it's on sale for $0.99, and bikers are HAWT . . .

Do yourself a favor and DON'T.

I'm not trash-talking indies—my favorite MC series are BOTH indies—but this one . . .

Same and not the same.

The main plot thread is just TERRIBLE. Like spits-on-the-cardinal-rules-of-romance TERRIBLE.

[✰ Liz ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Beautiful Biker Stars

"Real life is messy and strange, and our ride through it left plenty of bruises, slashed hearts, a few lifeless bodies, and blood and smoke in its wake. But it’s our story, this rather mangled tale."

Just finished this amazing read! My mind is still spinning with the images and emotions this book evoked. I found this book to be more than your run of the mill motorcycle romance. It was truly a story of sisterhood, family, friendship, and second chances.



As the story begins, Grace is traveling home and stops at a bar. After a long day of traveling, she just wants to unwind. She meets a tall, dark, and handsome stranger. Before you know it, they are dancing. One thing leads to the next and they end up back in Grace's hotel room. Grace hasn't been with a man in a long time. Their connection is beyond HOT and evokes feelings in Grace. As the sun is rising, Grace is studying the man she just spent the night with. To her horror she recognizes his tattoo.

"Tattooed on Miller’s back was the logo that had been forever burned into my brain, branded on my heart, and scorched onto my soul from a very young age. I struggled for air."-Grace

Grace doesn't hesitate. She runs! She makes it home to see her sister. Ruby is sick and in the hospital. Ruby has always taken care of Grace. They have a very special bond. Ruby has a sweet little boy named Jake. Grace has come home to help her ill sister and her sweet nephew!

"We had a pact from our girlhood: “Love you no matter what, so just suck it up.”



Grace isn't only loved by her sister Ruby. She is also the widower to the President of the local MC! Grace makes her way to the clubhouse to see her old Motorcycle family and ask them for help as well. Of course she runs into Miller aka HOT ONE NIGHT STAND MAN! Miller is kind and just wants to help Grace!

Because the story is told in both the past and the present, we get a double romance in one. We see glimpses of Grace's past with her deceased husband Dig. Dig took Grace in and loved her when Ruby had gotten herself into some trouble.

“This is over for you, baby. You’re with me now. You got that?”-Dig

Dig and Grace had a beautiful and passionate romance. He was ripped away from her and she experienced grief and pain like no other. Being back to the club evokes memories and waves of emotions for her.

"Let it be for other young lovers with a different, sweeter fate than ours."-Grace

As Grace is struggling with her sick sister and being back home to the club, Miller (Lock) is iso patient with her. He takes her to see her father. While on the road, Grace and Miller have an encore of their one night together.

"This felt too good, being soothed by this man who could be demanding and yet gentle with me. The ache in the hollow of my chest faded, and I couldn’t help but ease into the solid warmth of his body."-Grace



They also meet up with some old enemies from Grace's past. Grace is able to get away but not before stirring up an appetizer of chaos with a full course of danger!

After Miller and Grace had connected for the second time and Grace decided to give herself to him completely, Miller pulls away. Although we find out pretty quickly why, it still really broke my heart. It was helpful that this book is written in dual POV. I have a feeling if I was only hearing Grace's side of the story, I would have possibly thrown my kindle against the wall. Hearing him struggle made it possible to endure!

"Now that I finally had her— her whispers in my ear, her breath in my lungs, her tongue on my skin, her heart beating against my chest— I was going to have to let all that go , abandon my secret miracle. Yes, abandon her and stand back, watch and pretend I didn’t care. Abandon her like all the other men in her life. That’s how she would see it, and that burned."-Miller

As the plot continues to develop, there is more action. Grace suffers more loss. And everything is brought into the light. The entire time Miller is watching her and doing his best to protect her.



Overall, this book was amazing. I struggled a bit with the two main characters not being able to be together throughout. But in the end, I understood why. I think the ending made up for all of the heartbreak. Amazing read!

"I wanted to be his refuge, the same way he’d made me feel safe and cared for. I wanted him to know that I cared about him, that he was worthy of living full and real. Full and real with me. Most of all, I needed him to know that he mattered, that every little thing about him mattered to me. Ruby’s words blasted right through my heart. Let go of that sadness and get on with the joy."-Grace

[~♡AB♡~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★ 4 Stars ★★★★



Well this was a nice surprise!For a start, the main characters were in their 40's, and secondly the heroine was kickass - I loved her just as much as the swoony alpha male biker.

This was almost like two stories melded into one, we have Grace of the present day, a widow who has returned to her home town to help her dying sister. She returns to the only place where she feels part of something and that is at the One Eyed Jacks MC.

On her way home she meets a handsome stranger in a bar and they have great banter and flirty exchanges, which ends up with a steaming hot one night stand - only she soon finds out that she will be seeing much more of this brooding, sexy man when she arrives back with at the clubhouse to ask for help to save her sister.

Then we have the Grace in the past, who falls in love with Dig and becomes one of the most loved and revered Old Lady's in their history - 'Little Sister' is happy until tragedy befalls her and she believes that her one true love is it for her, never to be experienced again.

Can Miller be in her future, or will all the lies and secrets that have been hidden for sixteen years stop them from having the happy ever after that neither of them were expecting?



I really enjoyed this gritty biker story, there was fabulous chemistry between Miller & Grace, and there was enough storyline to keep you turning the pages to find out all the secrets that connect the past to the present.

I also enjoyed reading the scenes with her sister, and her nephew which were so sad and heart-warming at the same time.

Their journey isn't perfect but it never is within the MC lifestyle but their ending was lovely. This is a story about passion, sacrifice and redemption.

Looking forward to reading about the other characters in the next book.

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY RATING: ☆☆☆☆☆ LOCK & KEY by Cat Porter



☆ Complimentary copy provided by the author "Cat Porter" in exchange for an honest review ☆
~ THANK YOU ~



5 One Eyed Jacks Stars

I sat down with this on my trusty ipad air and looked at how many hours it would take me to read this..I kid you not the fukka said 9 hours *faints* Either I'm a snail paced reader or I need to take the hammer to my ipad!! But here's the thing once I got into this story I could not put it down!! I fucking loved this!! Ok it was a bit over the place, and I admittedly got confused with it jumping from past to present but once my blond head caught up to that it all just made more sense!! Yes bite me I am blond!!



REDEMPTION



DEATH

This book is not all blood and gore like some of the biker books out on the market, has no angst but to me this is what makes it a 5 star read!! It's different and unique, the story pulls you in and makes you fall in love with the characters without all the angst and bullshit but that is just my opinion of the book..

DRUG DEAL GONE WRONG

This is Graces (Little Sister) story of her love for two men, one man is gone forever (DIG), the other is very much alive (Lock aka Miller). She quit her job, packed her things and made her way back to where it all began (South Dakota)

THE ONE-EYED JACKS MOTORCYCLE CLUB

Grace ran away from life and the love of a sister fifteen years ago but has returned because her sister Ruby is sick (cancer) and needs her..The first night out she's drawn to a man at a bar, one thing leads to another (wink, wink, you know where this is going)this one night plays a HUGE part in this story!!

The heel of my boot stepped on something unusually think. My gazr darted dwon. A black leather vest, his cut withe the clubs logo on it, it was stuffed u=inside his black hoodie. If only he had unzipped that hoodie in the bar, if I had seen that cut, I would have run like hell on the spot.



WIDOWHOOD

Little Sister "Vaporized" on the asphalt in Meager fifteen years ago, that day she lost everything!!

Jake "Dig" Quillen Loyal Brother & Beloved Husband 1963 - 1998



I'd never had a chance to formally say goodbye to my husband, nor had I been part of his big biker funeral send off, all these years I had never truly felt in my bones that he was at peace, and therefore, neither was I.

Everything unlocks with you, Grace. Anything good suddenly fits. You're my key. I found you, and I'm not letting you go. Not ever, he said. I've waited too long for you. Let me be your Key.



You're all mine now, Grace, these eyes, these lips and tongue. These tits, this stomach, these legs, this ass is mine, this pussy ... all mine.
Millers mouth sank between my legs, and he sucked hard on what was his.

There is so much more I want to say in my review but I don't want to spoil it for you guys!! Just one click this fukka when it's released, you will not be disappointed!!

[Michelle [Helen Geek] · Rating 5 out of 5]

February 2017 --

So, trying to prep myself to read the second in this series, I read this again. Yep. Read again. I really like this series. It has everything I love in an escapist read; great characters, interesting story, a length I can sink my teeth into, etc. I've read #3 and #4 too. The second book put me off a bit, but I decided to bite it and go in ... here I go!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Overall Rating = 5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 5 / 4 / 4 = 4.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 5 Stars
Character / Secondary Character Development = 5 / 4 = 4.5 Stars
“Did I like” Hero / Heroine = 5 / 5 = 5 Stars
Story / Background Story Development = 5 / 4 = 4.5 Stars
“Did I like the Damned Thing” = 10 Stars
Ending = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 10 Stars -- [$0.99 on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild to Steamy
362 pages

First sentence: Once upon a time I lost everything.

Last sentence: My fingers curled in Miller's firm grasp, and a billow of warm air bathed us both as we stepped outside.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
January 2017

I'm breaking my own rule. I'm going to adjust the original rating I gave this book in June 2014. I'm pretty proud of myself. I'm one of those people who makes a judgement and then rarely goes back on it. When I read this before, the flow was all off for me. Enough so that it interfered with anything good in character development and overall understanding. After reading reviews from several people I trust on this site, and their recommendations out to others, I thought I'd go back and see if I missed something.

All I can say is, the author edited again after release. My original read had this labeled as a "hot mess." Re-reading it .. I think this author is truly gifted. I'm modifying my original 2.5 Starred rating to 5 Stars. The story has everything you [I] want. There were great characters, intelligent plot, dimensions in the backstory, a cast of secondary characters that added rather than detracted from the main story. It was rich and robust. A really enjoyable read.

Don't discount this as a "another biker book from an author who can't put a legible paragraph together." This really is a rich story with interesting characters. She'll make you think South Dakota is an interesting place to experience. Please, give this one a shot. I don't think you'll be sorry.

Note: I've read books 3 and 4 now too. This is a favorite author and on my preorder and auto-buy list. I've found my first new author for 2017. Yay me!!

Top 3 things about this book:
1 -- The voice of the author. She writes an intelligent, interesting story with multi-dimensional characters.
2 -- The backdrop of the story has grit. These bikers are the real deal, but they aren't "in your face" about it, they just are. There isn't all the over the top drama and elements. I like that.
3 -- Destiny is a powerful thing. Some don't believe in it, but anyone who's lost someone they don't think they can live without and wonder why ... understand the role destiny plays in our lives. This author nails it.

Elements that could have been better for me:
1 -- The blurb and book cover really don't work for me. They don't do enough to pull a reader. Word of mouth pulls you and then the author grabs you with her talent. It sure isn't the routine marketing for this one.
2 -- This one was re-edited. I read it before the author revamped it. I wish I'd known that this had happened, I'd have been more inclined to give it another go.
3 -- Nothing really.

Happy Reading!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Overall Rating = 5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 3 / 4 = 3.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 10 Stars
Character / Secondary Character Development = 5 / 5 = 5 Stars
“Did I like” Hero / Heroine = 5 / 4 = 4.5 Stars
Story / Background Story Development = 5 / 5 = 5 Stars
“Did I like the Damned Thing” = 10 Stars
Ending = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$0.99 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Steamy
368 pages

First sentence: Once upon a time, I lost everything.

Last sentence: My fingers curled in Miller's firm grasp, and a billow of warm air bathed us both as we stepped outside.











.....................................................................
Old Review from June 2014:
06/28/2014 --

Overall Rating = 2.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 3 / 4 = 3.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 2 Stars
Character Development = 3 Stars
Story Appreciation = 2 Stars
Ending =
Worth the Chili = 2 Stars -- [$2.99 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Moderate
384 pages

What a hot mess this one is. This is a debut book, so I forgave the over used of $10 adjectives noted in the first 15% of the book. I almost gave up, but thought it may turn out okay once the author settled down a bit. And it did for a little while. Then, she started throwing too much into the story.

We have bikers. We have a horrible accident that takes the life of our h's biker husband. We have a sick sister who used to be a a drugged out biker bitch until she took a fall for the MC and then turned her life around. Then we have the sexy, but broken H. We have two rival clubs battling over territory. The Russian mob. A tittie bar called the Tangle or was it Tinkle ...? Oh, well, this only takes us about 50% through the book and I was exhausted trying to keep up.

To top this off -- this is a debut book [mentioned before] and the author's skill pooped out about 30% in -- to this point, it was only 3 Stars and went downhill from there. I skimmed much of the last half to the end and it didn't get much better.

I gave a half point back because this is the authors first book. Saying this, I'm betting I won't read another.

Wish I had a BIG red stamp that said HOT MESS for this one. You may like this book just fine. Hope you do. Me? Not so much.

Happy Reading!

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

April 2021 Re-read. Still a 5 star read and definitely stood the test of time. One of my all time favourite MC authors, period.

I LOVE it when I pick up a book by a new to me author and it's just perfection. Even more surprising is this is a debut author, and she ROCKED this story.

Why? Because I got two believable main characters that I loved, great side characters, a brilliant story that was so very real, great writing, no editing issues and a fabulous epilogue. No cliffies here YAY!

I know some reviewers have taken off stars for the way the story went at 60%, TBH I wanted to kick him hard at 55% but I get where the author was going with this. She was keeping it real and I respect her daring to not sugarcoat the M/C life. The club comes first - always, and I guess if that's the life you have chosen you chose the repercussions thereof as well. Yes I was unhappy with the story at 60% but the author pulled it back again and there was a good reason for every action taken. Reasons I totally get and believed. I can't penalise a 5 star rating for that.

I absolutely loved this one and can't wait for more from Cat Porter.

5 bright and shiney stars from me for a bloody fantastic read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just absolutely brilliant.



My friends have been saying how good these books were for while so I finally got around to reading them and I m killing myself why didn't I read them sooner the book was just brilliant. I m a big MC fan so I was looking forward to seeing how good this book was. I couldn't get enough once I started it. I hooked from the start and right until the end. I luvd everything about the story the characters really really can't complain about anything. It's the first book I 've read from this author but it won't be the last.



The story is about Grace a 40 something woman who's life as been a bit crazy. She as been through a lot in her early life. Once being part of the One Eyed Jacks MC life was good until her life just fell apart. Since that day she as never stayed in once place for long. Be now her sister needs her she has to go back to her past that she left behind. But before she can head back she needs a much needed break to prepare herself she just didn't think that she would meet a very sexy men there. He had everything she needed and wanted a hot big body and rough sexy voice. It had been a while since she had let herself go with a men and this guy was everything she needed. She hadn't thought that this man would be part of her past so used can tell the shock she had when she found out.



Miller/Lock is the Road Chief for the One Eyed Jacks MC he is a ex soldier but has alway wanted to be part of the MC for a while. His half brother Wreck was a member and he looked up to his brothers. Miller is a your typical biker his as seen done some crazy thing and he can be very broody. But he does have a soft protective side and when he set his sites on something he gets it end of story. After a nite with Grace his sites were set of her he just didn't think he would end up meeting her again at his clubhouse.



The characters in this book were just brilliant. I was dying to now more about them. Grace and Miller's characters were very good I luvd how feisty there were together and there relationship was hot and steamy from the start even when then things weren't good between them the tension was still hot. There is a few characters that I need to know more about. So I m really looking forward to more of this series. I did luvd the alternative pov getting into Miller's head was good and goin bad to Graces past it helped to get to know her more. I would highly recommend this book it just as everything. Luvd it.

[Rain · Rating 2 out of 5]

So much cheating from both MC ruined the underlying love story.

[Gitte TotallyBookedBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

J&G: 4.5 Stars

“Change is always good. Keeps the blood flowing right?”

Gitte: Change certainly is good and this MC book was a refreshing change at that. Why? Because our hero; Miller and our Heroine; Grace were older than what we’re used to which I absolutely loved! Not only that, Lock and Key was one of the best MC books I’ve read. It had such drama, passion, intrigue and suspense. It sure was a long book, but at no point did I want to skim or did I feel that anything written was superfluous to the story. In fact, I devoured every single word. There were so many surprises along the way that completely threw me and I loved the snippets from the past as well as the dual POV. The passion, love, redemption and heartbreak in Lock and Key was extremely intense. I felt every single emotion of our hero and heroine.

“No more ghosts, new dreams. Get on with joy…”

The second stab at love, the opening up of hearts; revealing everything underneath the amount of layers and perceived façade as well as the surprising twists in the romance, well it had me hook line and sinker! The romance was not only believable, it was extremely hot, at times heart-breaking yet hopeful and inspirational too. Cat Porter is one very talented Author who I can’t wait to read more from that’s for sure. You loved it too right Jenny?

Jenny: I absolutely loved Lock & Key Gitte and how utterly refreshing it was to read and relate to characters that were more mature. It was the ages of the characters that initially drew us into the story and had us both shouting a clear “yes” to accepting this author’s review request. I reveled in the chance to lose myself in a story where the characters were more mature, where their love wasn’t instant nor unbelievable. It’s not easy to open oneself up to trust and love at any age, but even more so at Grace’s age of 42 and Cat Porter told Miller and Grace’s story with emotion, passion, heartbreak and suspense. I do love second chance love stories and this one was especially engrossing.

‘Let it be for other young lovers with a different, sweeter fate than ours.’

This author told Miller and Grace’s story the way it needed to be told. There were instances when I thought…noooo…this can’t be happening, but you remember the biker world has its own rules, its own laws and Cat Porter delivered this story warts and all. The past flashbacks and surprises revealed along the way did, at times, knock me sideways. As the story veered towards its crescendo there were certainly things I didn’t see coming! The chaos of life in the One Eyed Jacks was gripping and having Miller’s input brought a new dimension to the story as we were able to climb inside his head and really feel what he, as well as Grace, was going through.

‘I had seen something else in her eyes. Something I recognized, because I was lugging the same shit inside my soul.’

There was certainly much to uncover from the past, a future to map out and a lot of pain to leave behind and I was completely invested in, and absolutely enjoyed this story.

Gitte: Miller….what can I say. As his story unravelled I fell more and more in love with him. This bad arse biker is truly beautiful and when we hear from his past exploits, thoughts and feelings I melted more than once and my heart both beat and broke for him. It didn’t hurt that he was incredibly sexy and so very passionate too. Oh and I should mention fiercely protective and menacing (but in a good way). Miller was the complete package for me.

“I had my dream on my hands and in my mouth, and I never fucking realized.”

Now Grace; sweet hard done by Grace. She was dealt a really shitty hand but she was one cool and hard chick when she needed to be! Her vulnerability and nurturing side was admirable and lovable and she had many insecurities and doubts. But damn does she kick arse when she needs to!

“Truth is a painful sword. It cuts deep and stings, but the pain evaporates, the blood dries, and in the place of such savagery is a gleaming absolution and an absolute purity, I’s blinding. It hurts. And it is utterly beautiful.”

I did have two issues with Lock and Key which prevented this from being a five star read for me. Grace’s biker name. I felt uncomfortable when the men she was having sexual relationships with referred to her by this name. Also, the timeline from where she meets the One-Eyed Jacks – to the point of change in her tragic circumstance – till she ‘comes home’ does not really make sense age wise. Did you feel the same, Jenny? Other than this I absolutely bloody loved Lock and Key and thought it was fantastically entertaining and sexy!

Jenny: Oh gosh, Miller. Wow! I loved this hot, sexy biker dude who had been around the traps, lived a hard life and who had seen things that would bring most to their knees. He was emotionally closed off, but a loyal brother to his club. There were times this man broke my heart. He was very alpha and protective and yep, he was definitely the whole package for me too!

‘Oh, this quiet man had a secret beauty all his own hidden deep inside, and I wanted to uncover it. I wanted to know it. ‘

Grace was such a sexy, strong and refreshing heroine too. No messing about with this woman. She had a focus and she ensured she carried it out. This woman had to grow up fast and she did so among the chaos and mayhem of the One Eyed Jacks MC and through pain and tragedy she had experienced a life that made her such a fascinating character.

“Grace, you want real, you got to get real. And don’t tell me you don’t want real. You’ve always been about the real.”

I absolutely agree Gitte about the nickname as it did grate on me as the story progressed. It became tiresome and yes, to have her lovers refer to her by that name didn’t sit right with me either. I too tried to get my head around the ages vs the events etc but like you, although a annoying, it didn’t overshadow what was an otherwise enthralling story. A gritty, passionate telling of second chance love, of loyalty and moving on from your past. About not forgetting those we leave behind, but learning to move on to heal your pain. A tremendous debut novel from a very talented author. Yep, I loved it!

**ARC supplied by author in exchange for an honest review**

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[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Flies By Eagles Stars!
This book started off in the present with Grace on her way home after being gone for sixteen years. She stops at a motel and decides to walk to this bar and have a drink. There she meets a man named Miller. After some talking, dancing and some heavy kissing they decide to move things back to her room. When Grace wakes up she sees a tattoo on Millers back and it causes all kinds of old memories to flood back into her mind. She makes a silent get away.

Miller is a member in the One Eyed Jacks MC. The same MC that she's had nothing to do with since she lost her husband Dig who was also a member. Grace is so broken. She's been floating around for sixteen years. Dig was the love of her life. I was so happy that we got to go back in the past and get to know Dig and see into their lives before he was killed.

“You’re my wildflower, baby. You’re all these gentle, simple colors, but you’re a survivor too, like me. Strong enough to grow on these rocks.” ~ Dig

Grace knew that she would sooner or later run into Miller. She just didn't know that Miller was somebody that she had known in her past.
Miller and Grace had some amazing chemistry.
We also got to dive into Millers mind. He was also broken. While on his second tour in the Army his brother was killed. His brother Wreck was Digs best friend and he was also like a brother to Grace. So you can imagine how strong of a connection that Grace and Miller have.

“I’ve never had it special, Grace. Never interested me to tell you the truth. But I feel something for you, been feeling it a while now, just didn’t want to deal with it with your sister’s thing going on. Then you showed up at the party, and I couldn’t ignore it anymore.” His teeth grazed his bottom lip. “I don’t like complications, but it’s not so complicated between us. Is it, baby?”

Grace had some secrets of her own that needed to be dealt with. She had a lot on her plate. Especially since her reason for coming home is to be close to her sister who is very sick. Grace reaches out to the One Eyed Jacks for help with her sisters illness.
Once back at the club old rivals start showing up and things get a bit messy. Grace is asked to help the club. It doesn't set well with Lock. Will her and Lock ever be able to get past what the club has asked her to do? Will Grace finally rid herself of her secret? Will Grace find a second love of her life? You will have to read it to find out.

Truth is a painful sword. It cuts deep and stings, but the pain evaporates, the blood dries, and in the place of such savagery is a gleaming absolution and an absolute purity.

If you like reading MC books then I would defiantly recommend this one to you.
I'm super excited to read the next book in this series. I'm hoping it's about another MC brother that lost his way in the club after his wife died.
Awesome job Cat Porter!! I loved your book:))

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace wasn’t planning on returning home. For sixteen years she’s been gone. Sixteen years since her husband, Dig was killed. But when her sister calls to tell her she needs her, Grace knew it was time to come home. She never expected the sexy stranger she meets along her route home to be tied so much to her old life though.

Miller ‘Lock’ wasn’t looking for anything when he stumbled into the roadside bar, but he sure found something. A woman, one that sparked a feeling he had been searching for. Only he didn’t realize just who this woman was. But as Grace finds herself needing the help of the club, Miller is about to come face to face with so much more than the one night stand he had all those days ago.

OMG. Can I just say I absolutely loved this book?!? I went in pretty blind, after all the blurb doesn’t give too much away – and I could not put this down. As Grace moves forward with her present day story, we are given glimpses of the past which flowed perfectly. I ended up getting two love stories in one. Falling for Dig as she recounted their relationship and falling for Miller as they fought their attraction for the greater good of the club. This dynamic of past meets present, presented such an emotional mix to this story. You knew Dig didn’t live... you knew it, but it still felt so raw once you’re hit with it.

For Lock, I loved getting to see this hard biker get a bit soft. I loved that he loved his brothers but wanted something bigger for his life. He wanted Grace. He wanted a love that could ease the pain of his past. Someone to give him the things that he never before wanted to ask for.

But this wasn’t just a simple love story, come on – what biker romance is simple? Grace’s past isn’t just about loving and losing Dig or the lengths that her and her sister, Ruby went to because they loved each other and were all that they had – it was in typical biker fashion about so much more. But although we get the twist of a new aspect to the story, a twist that is cloaked in secrecy, the focus never seemed to fall off the love story aspect.

This was my first Cat Porter read and I have to say it won’t be my last. I can’t wait to dive in to the second in this series! If you love a biker story – this is one you must read.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Starr (AKA Starrfish) Rivers · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 60%. Can't do it. All kinds of skanky sleeping around with other people. BOTH MCs!!!

From sex in the past with the dead husband to some kind of spy affair with hubby's best bud to the Hero of the book, and the Hero having sex with redheads, blondes, multiples and heroine...

Yeah.. NO.

Writing is good, but I feel like I'm watching Sons of Anarchy, and there's a reason I got sick of that show. Too much drama, not enough sanity, and no TRUE LOVE.

OK, UPDATE:

I did skip and skim and finish this book after all. Taking it down to 2 stars.

There's some plot with the past meeting the present, unfinished biz that Dig, Grace's dead husband started that she finished. Turns out, he's just as much an ass as the next guy. Telling her he wants to screw another woman, and she also admitted she's attracted to Butler. But then they decide to get married. Ah love. NOT.

Then, somehow, as she's spying on Butler (by having sex with him), Lock is waiting in the wings (and hopefully not screwing other women), and then the minute her biz is finished with Butler, like the DAY of, she's back in bed with Lock.

Wow.

And then, the last 30% or so is all sex sex and more sex. Not even GREAT sex, just going through the motions of sex and mundane stuff. Not further relationship development either. Just sex. Lock gets her to move in with him (like a day after she just finished screwing Butler), and hours after that, proposes and she says yes. They get married shortly thereafter.

The end.

I don't know if I want to try any of the other books, prob not. One of the books is actually about Butler, who clearly carried a torch for Grace and is an addict. Lovely.

Wow.

[K · Rating 1 out of 5]

Congratulations Lock & Key, you have made my short list of Books I Should Never Have Read! Wonderful! Don't you just feel proud of yourself? Bravo.

In case you are wondering....the 50% mark and on is what RUINED the book. But hey, that's my opinion.

Other than the ruination of the storyline when Lock decides Grace isn't worth a damn, gives her over to the club to pimp her out as a club whore , what didn't I like? Well for one all the skipping. It could not and would not stay on a scene long enough for anything. The story bounced around so much it took me awhile before I was all ".....Oh? That's it?....'Kay." For the second problem, there was the fact they were in their 40s but didn't act it. The word highschool was mentioned way too much for them to be the age they claimed to be. Now if it decided to talk about the past and the word highschool was uttered fine.....but nope, even though it did show a lot of past scenes. Such as with this guy (I can't even remember his name right now it was that forgettable) he was some dude she dated right after highschool for a couple weeks but she somehow remembers all about it over 20 years later?!? Yeah.....right. She went through all the club life, marriage, devastation, being a widow, countless other dates with different people and hookups, moving from place to place, and everything else. Yet she remembers that guy?? They were more along the lines of people in their 20s, perhaps 30s, not entirely sure. Their age came off weird to me. Like the author was trying too hard to make them 40 and couldn't figure out how, or something. I can't explain it. My third and biggest annoyance was the fact that this was SUPPOSED to be Grace and Lock's story. Where. Is. It???? At 50% in they slept together twice, they were never together, the rest of the time it was her and others or her and none or bla bla bla. At 75%-80% into the story? NO Lock and Grace......STILL! And remember what I said happens at that major story destroying 50%-55% in? Lock is all fuck Grace. Here take her and whore her out, I don't care. I'll just find me some free ass somewhere. There was absolutely no development in their "love" story.....none. The fourth problem I had was there was not a lot of depth. The story was just there, lying about. The fifth problem? Too convenient. Everything was convenient. Oh, you used to date the Sheriff/Deputy-Sheriff/cop/aka-Mr. Forgettable? Convenient. You went to highschool with Lock? Convenient. The problem guy in the club wants you and always has? Convenient. The president of the enemy MC wants you and likes to fuck with you personally? Convenient. Everyone in the club loves you and thinks of you as family (not one person against you)? Convenient. Everyone thinks you are such a "legend" Old Lady? Convenient. Even though that last part I still don't see how? And yes, that is a question. See where I am going here? There was more stuff of course but.....

[Dusti Hanrahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has taken me a while to review this because I had to immediately jump in to book 2.
This was a great MC story, very dif.
It was almost like 2 stories in 1 book. You fall in love w Grace and Digs from the past and then Grace and Miller in the present.
It was dirty and HOT and sexy as hell. The sex was intense, dirty, scandalous and I LOVED IT!
I loved that although it had so many of the typical biker elements in was unique in so many ways.
You go through so much with so many dif characters in this book, your feels will be all over the place.
Grace is older and wiser and you can't help but want her HEA. I wish she had a life w Digs but I love her life w Miller....oh it is so hard.
This is a must read for any lover of biker books!

[Sammy ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge Biker fan and it's getting harder to find ones that hit the mark, after reading a few reviews I really liked the sound of this one.

Grace was once part of the biker family within the One eyed Jacks. She's an Old Lady that will go down in history but tragedy struck causing her to run away from everything she's ever known.

Miller is the Road Chief for the One Eyed Jacks. A man that keeps everything locked up tight hence his road name "Lock"



When Grace and Miller meet one night in a bar the chemistry is electric between them, which leads to a one night stand. Grace wakes up the next morning feeling satisfied until she spies the haunting tattoo carefully crafted on her bed partners back the One Eyed Jacks Skull!!!

Grace's life is thrown into turmoil her sisters dying, her brother in law is falling apart and the Club she once called home need her help.

I really enjoyed this even though it wasn't as gritty as some MC books I've read I liked the mix of story and romance. Also it made a nice change to have the leads be in their 40s.



If your an MC fan like me I recommend you give Lock & Key a go!!!!!

[Izzie d · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had some issues with this book but at the same time I really liked it.
It's well written and I was drawn in straight away.
Dual POV. Odd chapter from Hero scattered through book.
Dual POV can be a rehash of the chapter, just from a different perspective and this does happen a bit but with extra details that adds to the plot.

For the safety gang.

They have a ONS, the heroine leaves when she discovers the Hero is part of the local MC and she has a past with them so can't believe she got involved again.
A month or so later the heroine agrees to go to the local MC to sort out some issues and runs into the Hero there.
He is having oral from a club girl. He tried to find what he had with the heroine with many other women in their time apart.

They both flirt with others and then she gets pressured into starting something with another member who has feelings for her in the past.
So they are both with others during this off time.
There are intimate details of both with others.

They both push away at different times.

They reunion is a bit late in the book.
HFN.
Breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series and I imagine current couple will appear in these books.

Based on this book I will try more books from the series.

[CeCe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Big spoilers

I was thinking this was a 5 star book until 56% when the story went downhill and the heroine did what she did with Butcher, who is not the hero.

The heroine has unprotected sex with Miller/Lock, the hero, which I thought was big and showed that she was giving him a piece of her, but then later she has sex with Butcher (OM) because she thinks Miller (the hero) is having sex with another women. Yes, the opinion she had of herself after she had sex with Butcher was correct, she was now the club whore.

Once the heroine has sex with the hero, I don't want to read how she has sex with other men unless something big happens, a huge break up or something. It felt wrong and I just could not continue reading.

The hero was 'playing' with the heroine before she went and had sex with the other guy. I love MC books that push the limits and I read enough of them to know that things go crazy, but this felt wrong. Made me disconnect.

I know I am in the minority.

[✦ Ellen’s Reviews ✦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++++ stars!!!

Once in a while, a book comes along that absolutely throws you for a loop and knocks your socks off and I'm happy to say LOCK & KEY is one of those books. A story about a 42-year-old heroine who has sacrificed her whole life to the One-Eyed Jacks MC, LOCK & KEY is hot, sexy, thrilling, perfectly written and filled with characters that I won't soon forget.

Grace and Lock meet right at the beginning of the story and sparks fly. They are both damaged and not looking to connect with another human being on any kind of meaningful level. They spend an incredibly HOT night together ((hello, ice cube scene!!), thinking they'll never see each other again, but boy, are they dead wrong.

I fell in love with Lock, he is one bad-ass biker but he knows a good thing is right in front of him. The problem is, will he realize what a treasure Grace is before she slips away?

"I had my dream on my hands and in my mouth, and I never fucking realized.”

This story is perfectly told in both a combination of flashbacks and alternating POVs. The book unfolds like a flower petal, layer by layer peeled away until the reader is left incredibly satisfied at the end. This is a long and meaty book, filled with plenty of drama and scorching hot sex scenes, but I literally could not put it down until the very end. Ms. Porter has created a world of memorable characters, Alpha bikers, strong and feisty women and a solid story that will stay with me for a long time to come.

I highlighted half the book but instead I am "borrowing" the author's teasers. This is an original and very creative story so I don't want to give any of the plot away. Add Lock & Key to your TBR list immediately! This is a must-read book for all fans of strong writing, characters with backbone and beautiful stories about the importance of family and second-chance love. Ms. Porter deserves a place among Joanna Wylde, Madeline Sheehan and dare I say Ms. Kristen Ashley with her absolutely incredible debut MC romance book. Go meet Grace and Lock. I know you will be as captivated as I was.

(ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review.)

[VEL · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Motherfudgemycake Stars!



I loved this MC book & the articulate way the author has the story going
back and forth from the past to present day with the main heroine Grace. Who by the way is a strong great character, like her name full of elegance and grace. Returning to her hometown because she has too. Returning 16 years after she lost everything.

We also have Miller’s point of view, which is the main male character in the story. I loved him straight away! I mean who wouldn't love a hunk of a man, a member of the One-eyed Jack MC. A man who exudes pure sexual confidence, unforgiving grim like qualities, a swoon-worthy, worn-out road warrior, searching for that something missing from his life. Something he didn't know was missing until his eyes find and land on Grace.



A story reflecting on First Love, Lost Love, Last Loves, Family love, and Club Love. A novel full of romance, intrigue, mystery, and suspense,

An MC standalone series, refreshingly different and a definite must read.

Another author on my favourite list!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

My co-blogger said she's reading this... and I said why not. I didn't even know what it was about. I went in blind. I was completely hooked just reading the PROLOGUE.



Since then I have told everyone I know to put this book on their short list!! This book was great! The character build out - fantastic. The plot awesome. The dual POV and the Past & Present aspect - HOLY AMAZE BALLS. I read this book from cover to cover in practically one sitting.




Cat Porter did the world a good deed writing this story. THANK YOU CAT.

[Vallsykes · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 56%
I might give this another go, but I can only see me rating it at a one or two stars.

This one produced a no-no for me.Both the hero and heroine fall into bed with other people, for no good reason. I mean, the other people aren't even worth it. Normally, I can read through this if it is understandable and written in a way that makes sense. Also, if it flows well with the conflict and/or plot. But this time, I had too many other potentially engrossing reads to get to, so chuck it. I love a hero and heroine who are a little more than these two seem to be.

Stay away if you absolutely hate cheating or any combination that closely resembles it.

[Elfina Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say you can never understand what a person goes through unless you walk a mile in their shoes. God forbid you should ever wear mine.

The club first right? How much sacrifice is to much, when does an ole lady or patched member finish paying their dues...when is enough really enough?

Grace has bleed for the club, lost everything to the life. Just when the famous Old Lady finally gotten her life together, tragedy circles around bringing her back. Until she meets him!

Broken in his own way, Miller knows what he wants. He knew the first moment he saw Grace, with secrets of his own, the road captain has to make a choice....follow his heart or the club?

I loved this book, OMG did I fall in love! Cat Porter brought this story home to me in such a big way. The last time I felt deeply connected with an MC book that made me bluster and cry like a baby; was Signal Around The Bend" Where Havc died. The second greatest of all time, was Reapers MC series. Talking about being pissed and a wad of tissue mess, words aren't enough! Then there is Lock and Key. This novel is one hell of a five star read, to bad a person can't make it a ten. The author out did herself....applause....applause!

[Jacqueline's Reads]

Sexy MC book? Yes Please!

I suppose some of us have to get really dirty before we can become truly clean.

I was allegedly South Dakota’s most famous old lady.
Sixteen years ago I survived my old man’s murder

Never again.
Never again will I surrender my heart.
Never again will I sacrifice to the Club.

But that all changed in one night.

I came home and crashed into him,
and my past and present blew up in my face.
Both of us lonely, running on empty, and unwilling to admit it.

Until now.
Now I feel things I’d forgotten about, want things I’d cut out of my insides.

Love not only stings when you lose it, when it’s ripped away from you.
When it first sinks its teeth in you, it can cut just as raw and sting just as deep.

I’d forgotten that.

Who holds the keys to betrayal? To suspicion? To trust?
To brotherhood? To family?
To redemption and a bleeding heart?
Right now, I just might.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 "Maybe I'm not being fair." Stars

Ok, so... I really don't know how to rate this book. It was an undoubtedly good story and the book was well-written. I liked the two MCs, quite a bit actually and I was happy for them at the end. But I didn't like the personal choices they made. The unfair part comes into play because I don't really see a way around them. Not anything realistic anyway when dealing with the club life; and this was the story the author wanted to tell. It just sucked IMO. It all boils down to (mild spoiler- kind of a disclaimer) They both had somewhat detailed sex scenes with other people after they met and established a unique connection with each other. Not talking about Dig, her former husband, those parts were sweet. I didn't realise I had a big problem with this, but apparently I do.

Overall, I think it was Okay, just different. Happy reading!

[Just A Girl With Spirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feels like the first time!

This is my second read through this amazing book, and it literally felt like the first time. Each line, paragraph and chapter exploded in my mind’s eye. No other MC series will compare to Cat Porter’s and these rugged bad ass bikers with hearts of gold that she has crafted with her heart and soul. Miller and Grace are beyond perfection. Dig will always be special to me. He is the red thread that is woven throughout this whole series. Dig is the big brother always watching, always loving Grace even through death to give her Miller. I just want to stay in this world forever. Wrapped in a warm blanket of Miller and Grace feels.