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.
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This was from the Sinister Fairytale Collection. Lock is a darker take on Rapunzel from the brothers Grimm not the Disney movie. I didn’t feel that this story was as dark as some of the others. I could see where it could have some triggers for some people. There is rape, nothing terribly explicit also human trafficking. Zell and Frankie we’re cute I was glad this one didn’t leave in a cliffhanger and there was an epilogue. I would be interested in reading the second book, four stars.
By Tiffany
A dark retelling of Rapunzel done exceptionally well!
I really enjoyed this retelling of the Rapunzel tale for the modern age. It actually makes so much more sense than the original fairy tale. The story revolves around a girl named Zell who grew up in a brothel that uses up three or four floors of an apartment building in Manhattan. Madam who Zell knows is her mother likes Zell to keep her hair long so she only ever gets a small trim from one of the girls that work in the brothel.
Though Zell, like Rapunzel has long hair, she never throws it out the window for some guy to climb up. Because first, her hair would have to grow for much longer than 18 years for that to do much good, and second, that would really hurt the scalp and chunks of her scalp and hair might fall out from the weight of someone on her hair. So I already like this version much better than the Disney version.
This version has mobsters human trafficking, forced prostitution and kidnapping. But it also has a handsome Hero and steamy kisses, romance, family drama and more. The brothel is run by a mobster named Frank Russo and he brings his son Frankie to the brothel on Frankies 18th birthday and says he can choose any girl he wants.
Frankie who can and has gotten with many of the girls that go to his school, would rather not be with a whore and tells his Dad that. Though Frank insists so Frankie picks Zell, who is only there to serve drinks and is still a Virgin. Frankie takes a liking to Zell and when he finds out she hasn’t been able to go outside in the last five years he promises to help her.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
2.5 stars for me.
This is a dark and twisted retelling of Rapunzel that involves a drug cartel family. It is a part of the Sinister Fairytale Collection. It has action, suspense, violence, heartbreak, tragedy, and redemption. This story had redeeming qualities but I found the writing to be disjointed and rushed. It seems like one thing is happening and then it jumps to something else. The italics were also distracting and overused. I did love the connection between Frankie and Zell as well as Zell’s relationship with the other women in the house. Frankie is very tender and understanding with her despite her naivete and his previous bad-boy ways. Zell is sweet and of course naive but she is also brave. There is dark matter that may be sensitive subject matter for some (i.e sex trafficking, kidnapping, and rape). Honestly, this book was a decent quick read, just not for me but I urge you to keep an open mind.
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
What a great retelling of Rapunzel!! This was a great fast read for me. I couldn’t put it down! The characters and story are well developed. The action is great as well as the sweet romance. I highly recommend picking up this book!
A spin on a classic fairytale. This book was a page turner and a sleep looser! So many twists, gasps, and OMGs. This book did not disappoint!
Definitely edge of your seat story here! It sucks you in from the very beginning and just keeps you on edge. Frankie meets Zell during his birthday gift presentation from his father, Frank. Frankie always knew his dad wasn’t on the straight and narrow but once he learns just how off his dad is Frankie is determined not to follow in his shoes. Meeting Zell and seeing what goes on at the house is the final straw. Frankie is going to keep Zell safe and get the both away from the monster his father is. When secrets are unearthed and mystery people are found, everything changes. The empire needs to crumble
OMG! This dark and suspenseful Mafia romance is packed with murder, mystery, danger, darkness, kidnapping, drugs, passion, and twists and turns—some you see coming, some you don’t! It will be hard to put this down once you get started. With the powerful characters at play, it was thrilling and shocking—I was captivated from start to finish! I wasn’t expecting the turn this story took; it has quite an unexpected revelation that may leave you flabbergasted but it is jaw-dropping good! The author effortlessly transported me to the turbulent and violent life of the Mafia world (Russo Empire) in which Frankie Russo is the son of the Mafia king, Frank Russo, Sr., in NYC. Although Frank Russo is handsome and sexy, he is also ruthless, arrogant, violent, and the most notorious of mob bosses—nobody says no to him and mess over any of his family and gets away with it! Frankie is handsome and sexy as hell and he did not want to be a part of his father’s business, but he was afraid to say no to him. When Frankie turned eighteen, it was time to start training in order to take over the business. Zell was taken from her biological mother as an infant and her fate was sealed while being raised in a penthouse overlooking New York City. Zell is naïve and a virgin and her mother or Madam allowed her to go outside once/week but only to the park with a guard until the age of twelve—she was off-limits and forbidden for anyone to touch. Because Frankie is the son of the Mafia king and eighteen, he is trusted to see Zell as often as he likes. When Zell turns eighteen, all hell breaks loose! What happened to Zell? This is a thrilling and suspenseful story with lots of action about two battered souls who accidentally find one another. If you enjoy Mafia romance where the bad guy shows just how good he can be and revenge served up piping hot, then you will love this book. Kimberly Knight manages to weave dark and twisted plots centered on romantic ideas with artfully developed main characters. Highly recommend this book.
I really enjoy reading fairy-tale retellings of any kind. And I loved, loved, loved this dark retelling of Rapunzel!! I couldn’t put it down!! It was full of twists and turns.
I started Lock early last night. I finished Lock last night. The author sucked me in with the characters. The author kept me reading with the drama and tension. The author left me completely satisfied with the epilogue giving the characters and the reader closure.
It was a pleasure to read a retelling of a fairytale that wasn’t sugarcoated. The originals were dark. Lock is dark. Frank Russo is a mob boss. He has no problem pulling the trigger. The only thing that matters to him is money and he doesn’t care how he gets makes it.
Frankie is not his father’s son. He has values. He has plans. On his 18th birthday, plans will change. It may not be love at first sight, but Frankie will find purpose in a penthouse suite.
Zell has been hidden away in a penthouse for all her life. She only knows what the working ladies have told her, taught her. She works behind the scenes until Frankie’s 18th birthday. Little did she know how her life would change.
Frankie is the white knight. Zell is the princess. Frank Russo is the monster they must destroy if they want to have a happily ever after.
Unlock your day with journey into the world of fairy tales. Lock is a story full of secrets. Lock is a story full of twists. Lock is ugly. Lock is beautiful. Lock is evil. Lock is good. Lock is a teeter totter that I want to ride again and again.
I loved so much about this book, I’m not sure where to begin this review. I’ve always preferred Grimm’s fairy tales over the more sedate, watered-down fantasies most of us have grown up with. This retelling of Rapunzel was dark and twisty, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I finished it one sitting! She did such a great job with the characters, some I hated (Frank Sr, Madam) and others I adored (Zell, Frankie). I caught myself smiling many, many times over Zell’s innocence, and even chuckled during her interactions with Frankie (that may have been my twisted sense of humor). The only thing I didn’t like was that it ended…I found myself wanting MORE, MORE, MORE!! I wanted to stay wrapped in Zell and Frankie’s world a bit longer and felt like I was saying goodbye to my closest friends when the ride came to an end. I suppose I’ll just have to re-read it. 😉
I wish I could give it ten stars, but I suppose five will have to do.
Wonderful modern day with a slightly dark twist on the Rapunzel fairy tale. There are two main characters- Zell the fair maiden and Frankie the rich privileged son of the King. These characters along with the supporting characters are well developed and their stories are well thought out. Their pieces interweave together in the best twist of fate and make for an enjoyable story.
An Exciting Read
“Lock” is one of the best character-driven tales that I have read in a long time. Zell is an innocent, lost and sweet character that invites you into her story. I loved this read and the characters that were created. It was the kind of book that drew me in and had made me feel fully invested in it. This is a new author that I will be following from here on out.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC Copy of Lock, a dark re-telling of the story Rapunzel. I breezed through this book fairly quick! I was drawn in from the very beginning, plenty of action throughout the story. I seriously had anxiety throughout the book, wanting to cover my eyes, nervous to find out what would happen next. Zell is a naive, easily manipulated girl, sheltered from the world, but turns out to be a tough chic who defends her loved ones. Frankie, I thought was going to be this douchebag jerk, but actually proves to be a sweet, caring Hero who puts a stop to the life he was born into. This story was a great read, with the right amount of love, drama, and suspense.
A dark and twisted take
Zell, a girl trapped in a penthouse apartment, and Frankie, a boy trapped by circumstances, unknowingly have a common problem. As the story progresses a connection is formed, secrets come out, and to survive they must make a stand. Kimberly Knight’s Lock is a dark and twisted take on the fairytale of Rapunzel. Taking things darker than the Brothers Grimm, this retelling includes an evil jailer, a tarnished prince, and plenty of downtrodden friends. Reader discretion is advised due to dark subject matter and/or possible triggers contained within.
I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
What a ride! When I realized that the main characters were so young, I wasn’t totally sure if I would enjoy the book. But I was wrong! I devoured it. There were ups and downs, and some times that I wasn’t sure how things were going to go. This isn’t a happy version of Rapunzel, this is more like the Grimm brothers version in its darkness. But it’s not all dark because they do get a HEA, we just don’t get fun little animal sidekicks 😉
This is a retelling of the story Rapunzel. At first I wasn’t to sure about it, but then I started to read it and I couldn’t put it down. You will want to read this book!
book has it all kidnapping, brothels, drugs, sex trafficking, murder. But then it turns sweet and also has first times and first loves. All with a hint of Rapunzel. A very good read.