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Under Locke by Mariana Zapata
Published by Independently Published Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 497
Format: eBook
Source: KindleUnlimited

He was my boss, my brother’s friend, a Widow, an ex-felon, and a man I’d seen casually with a handful of women. But he was everything that gripped me, both the good and the bad. Worst case scenario if things turned awkward between us, I could go somewhere else. I’d gotten over epic heartbreak before, one more wouldn’t kill me.

—

After moving to link slot gacor Austin following six months of unemployment back home, Iris Taylor knows she should be glad to have landed a job so quickly… even if the business is owned by a member of the same motorcycle club her estranged father used to belong to. Except Dex Locke might just be the biggest jerk she’s ever met. He’s rude, impatient and doesn’t know how to tell time.

And the last thing they ever expected was each other.

But it was either the strip club or the tattoo shop.

… she should have chosen the strip club.

—

“Babe, I’ve handpicked everythin’ and everyone in here. I know what I want and I get what I want,” he breathed. “And I keep what’s mine.”

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Under Locke is, in fact, another Mariana Zapata book. If you have been lurking here a while then you probably know that I am a huge fan of her storytelling. Under Locke is a perfect example of why I sing her praises. This is a light-hearted yet gritty motorcycle romance. Leave it to Mariana to be able to deliver such a masterpiece.

I’d never been a big fan of that saying, “Everything happens for a reason,” but maybe, sometimes, every once in a while, things coalesced into a complex, intangible reason. With tattoos and piercings and bad words and unfailing loyalty topped with a temper. And in its own imperfect way, it couldn’t have been any better.

Iris Taylor moves in with her half-brother with hopes of starting over fresh. Sonny, her biker brother, has lined up a job for Iris at his buddy’s tattoo parlor. She sticks out like a sore thumb with her buttoned up cardigan and ballet flats. What makes it even worse, however, is how her new boss treats her.

Dex is aware of how much of an ass he has been towards Iris. He knows that he has a short fuse and takes it out on the undeserving. However, the tattoo parlor is his. He has chosen the employees that work there and there are reasons why he employs them.

Babe, I’ve handpicked everythin’ and everyone in here. I know what I want and I get what I want,” he breathed. “And I keep what’s mine.”

There is so much more to this story than a ‘falling for the boss’ romance. Both main characters have skeletons in their closets. Getting to see them overcome their demons together and coming out stronger together is so satisfying.

tropes include:

• Slow Burn
• MC Romance
• Opposites Attract
• Brother’s Friend
• Boss Employee Romance

Rating Report
Couple/Protagonists
Steam Level
Supporting Characters
Plot
Cover
Overall:

Under Locke isn’t as slow burn as some of Mariana’s previous books. The couple ended up acknowledging their attraction for one another before that 80% mark. Shocker, right?

Have you read this one? Is is your favorite by Mariana Zapata? Let me know in the comments below!