Book Review: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Several summers ago, Mandy and I started on a young adult lit kick. We solicited author recommendations from a few of our yearbook girls and started reading books that they enjoyed under the guise of being able to recommend books to other students. In truth, we really just enjoy reading them.

A little over a week ago Mandy left Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen on my kitchen counter. We’ve read all of her books and she is a great young adult author. Her books are quick, easy reads that really speak to the reader. Dessen has an uncanny ability to make every reader feel like she is speaking directly to them. It’s amazing.

Only a few pages into the book it was evident that there is an infertility sub-plot. The main character’s sister, Cora, is infertile. And while many wouldn’t have picked up on it quite as quickly as I did it, it did add a unique element to a young adult book.

My favorite scene involves Cora sitting on the floor of her sister’s closet, holding her dog while she is waiting for her husband’s family to arrive for Thanksgiving dinner. It starts on pg. 276 and here is a small excerpt -

“Maybe I’m just being hormonal. This medication I’m taking might be good for my ovaries, but it’s making me crazy,” Cora said.

I made a face. Being privy to the reproductive drama was one thing, but specific details, in all honesty, made me kind of queasy. A few days before, I’d gone light-headed when she’d only just mentioned the word uterus.

I love this excerpt because not only does it speak to me through the crazy hormones of infertility drugs but I can totally see how it would speak to Mandy. We have an ongoing joke that everything is about my uterus. And well, it has been for quite awhile.

I know it drives her a bit crazy — just like the hormones drive me crazy.

I’m definitely not looking forward to that hormonal hell again…

Definitely a book I would recommend. If you haven’t read any young adult lit, Sarah Dessen is definitely a great place to start. While the infertility element of the book is very small, maybe it could even be a read for a future Barren Bitches Book Tour.