LOCK & KEY (One Eyed Jacks MC #1)by CAT PORTER

“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**