Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Under Locke

Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Under Locke by Mariana Zapata

5 reviews

hapalyn's review

funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

About 3/4 of the way through this book, I knew my review would be (unfortunately) not... entirely positive.

I adore Mariana Zapata, and I've read at least four of her other books (All Rhodes Lead Here, The Wall of Winnipeg, Kulti, From Lukov With Love), and I know this is one of her earliest releases if not her first. So, I recognize this isn't really her best.

All of that out of the way, this book is pretty rough. There's redeeming qualities; the characters have cute moments and the dynamics are generally sweet on the outside. I think certain scenes really just had me jaw-dropped with how they were even published. Spoilers ahead here that aren't super life-changing but here's a warning anyway ->

After the fmc is slapped in the face and threatened at gunpoint by some Croatian gangsters (which don't get me started on the logistics of that), the mmc is obviously really upset. Totally natural. Tell me why, after they were both safely at home figuring out a plan to resolve the conflict at hand, SHE calms HIM down with a blowjob?? It felt very ridiculous and just like the guy was being too self-centered. I mean she was the one assaulted and threatened??

CHARACTERS: The mmc was kind of easily angered, I don't think he was an overall abusive character (by my standards, which I think are generally fair), but he had moments where his emotional outbursts would be considered abusive. The age gap really wasn't anything too insane (fmc - 24 ; mmc - 33?), but the fmc was treated like a rogue teenager by mmc and her brother (also 33). It felt juvenile. Like, the fmc is very infantilized (generally refuses to swear, calls 33 year olds "old" in a way that just seems ridiculous... most 24 y/os don't really notice or care about this type of gap, she's constantly lectured and chewed out in public scenarios in an embarrassing manner) whilst the other adults around her are relatively normal.

LANGUAGE/GRAMMAR: If you're a person easily pissed off by overuse of words in books (not catchphrases, just ... the same additives), you're going to be trekking through hell in this one. The use of "friggin'" instead of fuck or frick was like...... exhausting. The mmc uses babe/baby/honey a lot, which I figured was just an attempt at southern hospitality, but I noticed a lot of other people irritated with this. It was just exhausting.

FMC/MMC RELATIONSHIP: For a Mariana Zapata book, the character got together pretty quickly, which had me thinking "Oh, great.. the third act breakup is going to be so irritating and long and drawn out". Which, fortunately or unfortunately it wasn't. Spoilers again ->

FMC went to a dangerous rival club to confront rival gang leader, left unscatched. Keep in mind she's a grown adult. Later on when this blows back on her (naturally), mmc freaks out and chews her out publicly (degrading and embarrassing). She naturally is pissed off with his careless words, he is basically only angry that she's angry with him. It lasted a short amount of time (maybe less than 10 pages). Just dramatic and ended up with fmc feeling guilty for her rightful anger? subsequently apologizing... which was annoying

SPICE & MISC SEX STUFF: Compared to her newer books, this book had several detailed and graphic sex scenes. It wasn't really for me, but if that is what interests you the most, then there's enough to be somewhat satisfying in my opinion. However, there is the virgin girl with guy who's been around trope. It was really just kind of grating. She would feel insecure about his past hookups (which, I'd say is valid? I really think it is a natural thing to come up in this scenario and valid "concern" for lack of a better word, but he'd kind of brush it off and she'd convince herself she was being "dramatic") and it was just an unnecessarily subplot. Not to mention the fact that, if you're a feminist, you'll for sure be bothered by the slut-shaming and use of bitch/whore/etc.

CLIMAX/PLOT/RESOLUTION?: The way this book ended felt rushed. Around page 300, I was like.. "Why is there another 100+ pages to go?". By then we'd already had an established relationship, but then we had family drama + and unnecessary (in my opinion) gang plotline. The resolution between fmc and her dad that happened like 10-20 pages before the end of the book was unsatisfying, rushed, and just not even needed. It was unsatisfying all around. I don't think the plot (aside from the romance) in general was anything to write home about. If you're going to read it, read it for the characters or romance - not the plotline.

And as long as this review is, I can say there was enough "cute" moments to push me through it (I almost DNFed around page 300). I probably wouldn't reread this book compared to some of her others, but if you do have an interest in tattoos, bikers, etc. then maybe it has some value to you. I would never recommend starting off your Zapata introduction with this book, read her newer stuff. Despite not being totally horrible, there was enough to irritate me into not wanting to read this again.

trigger warnings & tropes (i get detailed):
- cancer (main character & side character's child)
- death of a parent (cancer)
- alcohol, bars
- hookup culture, sex, graphic sex scenes
- swearing
- brother's... friend? not best friend
- biker gang
- age gap (24 fmc & 33 mmc)
- deadbeat dad
- alcoholic dad
- pregnancy in epilogue
- descriptions of vomit
- (for all of those who regularly read mariana zapata, you know) there's fart mentions, shit mentions, etc. the typical from her
that's all i can think of off the top of my head

Content Warnings