From USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Knight comes a mafia-style retelling of a classic story that takes place in present-day New York City. Before Zell was born, her fate was sealed. Held captive in a high-rise overlooking New York City since the age of twelve, she had no friends her own age, no life outside of the penthouse, and absolutely no choices of her own. But what she didn’t realize … absolutely no choices of her own. But what she didn’t realize was the tower where she lost her freedom would one day become her salvation. Her prince would arrive, they would fall in love, and they would come up with a plan for her to escape so they could live happily ever after.
If only it were that easy.
Every girl dreams of her life becoming a fairy tale, even Zell, who’s knowledge of romance was simply from the books she stole from other girls at the brothel.
In a world where sex, drugs, and manipulation is solely the life she knows, the only fairy tale poor Zell would endure would be a sinister one …
Because freedom always comes at a price.
more
3.5 Stars
So before we head into this story Kimberly Knight tells us this is a retelling of the original Rapunzel story by Brothers Grimm and not all hearts and flowers like Disney. Lock is the story of Frankie and Zell.
Zell has been locked up in a penthouse tower all her life seeing very little of the outside world. She has no idea what could await her beyond those doors.
Frankie is nearly eighteen and knows he’s supposed to follow his dad into the family business but when he discovers that family business includes brothels and sex trafficking he wants no part of it.
When Frankie and Zell meet you can tell there is an instant attraction but while there are a lot of things that stand in their way Frankie is determined he will set her free.
No matter what it takes.
A dark retelling of a great story, there were just a couple of this that left me with divided opinions but I will definitely be reading the other stories in this series.
This is my first book that i have read from Kimberly Knight and i must say it was a very interesting read. It definitely isn’t anything like the fairy tale for sure. The characters in this story are very likeable and story has a great flow to it. It’s quick paced and was a quite enjoyable read.
Zell is a young woman who is literally being held prisoner in her own home without her knowing it. She was stolen from a woman and raised by another who is a very cold hearted woman. The woman who has raised her, Saffron, it’s actually a madam and has big plans for Zell when she turns 18. Frankie is the son of Saffron’s boss and he has an instant attraction for Zell. He decides right then and there that she will be his. After weeks of meeting her at the penthouse, Zell gets her chance and escapes. Only to find herself being kidnapped and assaulted by the men taking her. Frankie is horrified when he realizes who has been brought to his father tonight, and seeks revenge for Zell. He manages to get away from his father and tries to save Zell from her life of imprisonment that Saffron is holding her in, but is Frankie too late? Is Saffron’s power combined with his own father too much for Frankie to take on? And if he can’t defeat them and end their reign of terror what will Zell’s life become?
* First time reading author
Kimberly brings a darky fairytale to life with this story of Lock. Zell is Rapunzel in this story where we get a taste of the mob, kidnapping, sex trade, and a lot of mystery. Lock is a great addition to The Sinister Fairy Tales Collection.
Frankie and Zell are so intertwined with chemistry and understanding that they just make your heart melt. Even with how these two were raised they both have a heart of gold and want to make their lives better and everyone else around them also.
I highly recommend this story and all the others from this collection.
We meet Russell and Jackie out at a restaurant enjoying dessert. Jackie is 8 months pregnant with a baby girl named Rae. As they are leaving, Russell’s boss Frank pulls up and tells them to both get in the car. Russell is called a thief since he sold a speed ball of cocaine and instead of selling it for $80 and giving the money to Frank. He sells it for a $100 and pockets the rest since they are having their first baby. Frank doesn’t like thieves so he shoots Russell dead in the head.
Zell is now 12 and living with Madam, Erin, Crystal and the other girls in a penthouse where Madam is running a brothel. I absolutely loved this Sinister retelling of Rapunzel. I loved all the characters especially Zell and Frankie
This darker retelling of Rapunzel is one fairytale you want to read. It’s full of drama and suspense, with some twists that keep you wondering till the bitter end. Will two characters who meet in the most untraditional be able to find their way to true love and happiness? Add this to your list of stories that should be read.
Absolutely extraordinary!!! Another if the Sinister Fairytale book, Lock, by Kimberly Knight hot home with this Rupunzel retelling. I was thoroughly hooked from start to finish.
From a young girl surrounded by sex and mayhem to the boy who decides he wants to rescue her, this book has it all. I am not sure who I liked more, the hero or the heroine but you will surely enjoy both characters.
Themis story was extremely well written and put together and a definite must read!!!
This is a fantastic book! A unique twist of Rapunzel. I was drawn in to the story right from the beginning. I loved the characters and their story. It was not smooth sailing for them. There were some things that were unexpected and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen. Would they get a HEA? This is a highly recommended read!No spoilers! Great way to spend your evening! I am voluntarily leaving my review after reading an advance reader copy of the book from the author.
I love this dark retelling of Rapunzel. I have to say that I want expecting with this book had to offer. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. I love Kimberly’s books and can’t wait to see what’s next.
Lock
Kimberly Knight
Fully enjoyed this fabulous dark modern day fairytale.
“I never once remembered seeing them hug or kiss, I never heard them say I love you to each other. He was all business and other women, and my mother was just—there.”
4.4 stars
This is the first book I have read by the author and it is a dark retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, Rapunzel. Zell was a child born into a life that was not really her own and forced to live out the consequences of others’ actions. Through everything, she kept her wits about her until the day came when she could finally take matters into her own hands. Frankie was the prince and heir to a kingdom created by his father and uncle. All he had to do was keep his eye on the prize and then he would inherit everything. However, Frankie is a man with principles and is willing to fight for what he believes is right. Will he help Zell or will he succumb to his father’s wishes? This is one storyline that you have to read to find out which way the wind blows. It is full of drama and suspense that will keep a reader engaged from beginning to end. I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
Lock is the first book in a brand new Sinister Fairy Tales series
by Kimberly Knight.
Zell has led a very sheltered life. She’s lived in a penthouse her entire life. Never having freedom or choices of her own. But it’s all she’s ever known, that is until Zell meets Frankie and he shows her what life is really about.
Frankie to be the next in line, to take over for his father one day, the heir apparent to the family’s mafia organization. While learning some aspects that he doesn’t like about the way his father runs things, he meets Zell and instantly wants to protect her.
I ADORED this dark, and twisted retelling of Rapunzel!!! I couldn’t put my kindle down. This story had it all, intrigue, lies, suspense, love, sex, death, and life. Lock is a must read. You will definitely want this darker version of the fairy tale you loved as a child!
This was a fantastic retelling of Rapunzel, and OMG I LOVED IT!!! I actually like this better than the original Rapunzel story!!
This is the story of Zell… and she was taken as a babe and hidden away from the world in a penthouse where her only friends are high end escorts. Until one night when her knight in shining armor came to her rescue.
Wow! Was this story ever amazing. It’s not your typical retelling of rapunzel… it’s much darker. It’s the modern day story of what Zell would have to go through to be free.
I can’t express just how much I loved this book, but I will tell you that I 100% recommend it to anyone who likes modern day fairy tales, dark romances, or just likes to read!!
I recieved an ARC for my honest review.
Kimberly Knight gives one Hellofa a read with this book! Lock is a part of the Sinister Fairy Tales Collection, It’s a Dark retelling of Rapunzel. Let me say this is my first book by Knight and I’m an instant fan of hers now! This is unlike any story you’ve read yet! It’s complex, There are many things happening and quite a few significant characters with their own important pieces of the puzzle. Knight does a fantastic job of keeping everything easy to follow. There’s no detail overload, everything flows and is relevant. There are not a whole lot similarities to the Fairy tale other than the main obvious, girl kept locked away from the world, and Long gorgeous blonde locks! Our Princess’s story is dark and tragic! Here’s your warning! Mature Content, Dark themes, possible triggers! Lock was raw and in-depth into the world of Sex, Drugs and a young girl’s worst nightmare! This book will have you devouring the pages while clutching your reader for dear life! I loved our prince and the intoxicating connection they had! This book was a pleasant surprise! I really enjoyed it and the Justice that was served was so Beautifully done! Jackie and Quinn are a phenomenal team! This book was really Kick8ss! While Lock was Dark it also has a very heartwarming feel to it! I really don’t feel like I’m doing this book justice! It was Wonderful! A Must Read! A book I won’t be forgetting anytime soon! I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this read and was pleased with the way the story progressed. My heart goes out to Zell, raised in a high rise and never being free to have a normal childhood. Frankie is smart beyond his years and I loved the connection he had with Zell. The story has a dark undertone but is not graphic with that darkness. The story flowed, there were some twists and turns that kept me pulled in and digging in for more.
Lock is a fairly fast paced darker and sinister re-telling of the original Rapunzel by Brothers Grimm. It is the story of Zell and Frankie. Zell, hardly a princess, but a beautiful girl whose tower is a high rise balcony overlooking New York City. Our prince was more a Mafia prince. Heir to the mafia throne, being groomed to take over the family business. Full of suspense, twists and turns. It will keep you guessing until the very end as to if you will get the outcome you are hoping for. Buckle up baby, it’s gonna be an engaging ride!!
In this exciting tale you read the story of Zell, who caught the eye of Frankie on his eighteenth birthday when his father brought him to the penthouse to introduce him to parts of the family business he hadn’t known about up until that point. When given his choice of companions for the evening he sets his sights on the beautiful and innocent Zell.
While spending time with her secrets are uncovered and plans are made. In order to rescue Zell, Frankie will have to go head to head with his father and deceive everyone he’s ever known.
Will Frankie be able to save his princess Zell or will his father and the evil Saffron keep her locked in her tower?!
Zell is innocent and beautiful. She has been locked in this penthouse her entire life. It’s all she’s ever known. Although her mother is cruel,she has formed a bond with the other girls that live there.
When Frankie and his father show up she starts to question everything she’s ever known. When Frankie promises to come back and rescue her from her tall tower, is he telling the truth or is he as untrustworthy as his father and everyone else in this deviant world? He has shown her respect and care so far, but when secrets are revealed and her world comes crashing around her, will Frankie be her Prince who rescues her or a villain just like his father?
This Sinister Fairytales Collections series is the best, people. With that said, I have definitely liked some of the re-telling more than others, and this was one of them. This was a take I wasn’t quite expecting but I liked where she went with it, and I’m glad that we are going to get some more from this world in a future book. This book was the perfect length and it kept me engaged and entertained. It had suspense, mystery, good character development. All in all I was a happy girl so I flew right through it.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book!
My Cr8zysockbookblock blog wrap up :
– Overall this was a good read! Lock was another great addition to the Sinister Fairytales Collection. I loved Frankie and Zell as well as Quinn, Jackie and Erin. I’m so glad we are getting Erin and Richardo’s story in Deliverance.
– There was some chemistry between the main characters, but due to their ages and the subject matter it really didn’t allow for much sensual contact! There was one scene, but it wasn’t what I would call a super hot scene but any means. I don’t want to give spoilers. Their kisses were chemistry filled. So there was that. But remember these characters are 18 and this deals with some heavy subject matter. So this was appropriate for this book!
Cliffhanger Warning- HEA. No cliffy!!Our mains did get a perfect HEA We will also be getting another book from secondary characters you met in this world!
I have to be honest and say that I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I was ready to start this story. But I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I actually enjoyed the storyline and characters. Even if this isn’t your usual read I would recommend it.
Zell lives in a brothel with her mother being the Madame. Frankie meets Zell when his father brings him to the brothel on his eighteenth birthday to pick some of the whores for his gift. Frankie has no trouble getting girls in his high school and has no interest in whores but his father insists so he picks Zell. Zell is just supposed to be serving drinks. Frankie always knew his father was a bad man but he realizes it is worse and the mafia is involved in human trafficking. He likes Zell and promises to get her out of the brothel. This is a dark retelling of Rapunzel but much better than that version.
We finally got Rapunzel dark retelling story in this amazing series. Zell and Frankie got a very dark amazing story set in Manhattan. This story was an overdrive it got all twists and turns I never foresaw for this retelling and I loved it. Kimberly Knight did a terrific story and I just wish all of these books get on audiobook to binge them all over again.
Rapunzel is one of my favorite fairy tales so I was really excited to read this and see how this retelling was. All of my excitement was absolutely warranted. From the beginning it grabbed me and I was sucked in to a story that was full of twists, turns, and emotion. Lock was everything I could have wanted and more!
I think this is the first book I’ve read by this author.
LOCK, as explained in the blurb, is a retelling of Rapunzel. I have never read the original Grimms Fairy Tale nor have I seen the Disney version so have nothing to compare it to.
This is a fast moving story with lots of secondary characters that move the tale along. It has darkness and light, violence and romance. It is one of those stories that I read in one sitting and it will probably flash through my head over the next couple of days.
I will be adding future stories in the series to my TBR.