Locked

by S. A. Dare

He was her captor. He became her lover. Then he took everything.

For seven years, Pearl Ross has been locked inside Blackfield Prison, convicted of the brutal murder of her parents. Once the heiress to a prison legacy, she was meant to inherit it—not be condemned for its darkest crime. But the bars aren’t the real prison. The worst part is knowing she destroyed the people who loved her most.

Then James Pitch arrives.

The new prison captain is ruthless, feared—and utterly mesmerising. From the moment he arrives, he watches her like she’s a puzzle he’s determined to solve. He taunts her, provokes her, pulls her apart piece by piece. He holds all the power, yet with every stolen glance and unspoken threat, he unravels something inside her. Their connection is toxic, electric—a slow burn of fury, desire, and everything they’re terrified to feel.

Until the night they shatter.

But love was never meant to survive Blackfield. And when the truth behind Pearl’s past begins to surface, she is left with a choice—trust the man who has the power to ruin her, or lose him forever.

Because some cages aren’t made of steel. Some are made of the people we cannot let go.



Locked is a dark, slow-burn romantic thriller, packed with betrayal, obsession, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that was never meant to survive.

580 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2025

About the author

Hi, I'm S. A Dare!

I love all things books, reading and writing. If I'm not endlessly typing away at my latest novel or nose deep into a current read, then I'm probably listening to Taylor Swift or watching true crime.

I use Goodreads to keep track of my never-ending TBR list and to hype books that I love!

Reviews

[Coz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounded up

Locked follows Pearl, a woman sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of her parents. And Pitch, the new prison captain with a very dark past and lots of secrets. It’s a dark thriller/romance with suspense & spice!

Please check the trigger warnings as there are some dark themes.

I feel like I’ve been on a little journey with this book! I read Locked as a beta read back in February. I enjoyed it and felt like there was a great story there although I had some issues with a couple of the scenes.

But wow! Those scenes got changed and I feel like it has taken this book to the next level and I feel so privileged to have read this again as an arc!

The amount of trauma in this book is insane. From Pitch’s upbringing and what he’s been forced to do. Pearl’s journey and having her complete innocence stripped away from her is heartbreaking but her transformation from mouse to lion is so good! I absolutely adored Charlotte and really glad that we got to see more of her!

The ending had me on the edge of my seat and after reading the beta version, truly couldn’t have asked for a better ending. It was raw, gritty and left me shedding a few tears!

It is definitely worth the read! If you’re after a dark romance with some spice, prison setting, trauma, emotion, growth, suspense etc then this book will be for you!

Thank you for much S. A. Dare for allowing me to be a little part of your journey and I wish you all the best for this book! 🖤

[Nadia Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of the Beta version. Will return for a full review once the full version is complete. as it is though absolutely fantastic and I LOVED EVERY SECOND

[Josipa · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚡︎ ARC review ⚡︎

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 (5⭐️)

I am absolutely blown away by Locked. 😲 It was unexpected, but this book was amazing! Who would have thought I would enjoy a dark romance thriller?! I mean, the prison setting? So new to me. However I’m very glad I decided to read it. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to read this ARC. Thank you, S.A. Dare, for choosing me! 🫶

Is this really a debut novel? The way this author writes is so impressive that it feels like this is the hundredth book released, not the first! 😍 The story is captivating and the characters are complex and well-developed. Betrayal, heartbreak, unexpected twists, and the depth of Pearl and James’s love journey are just perfect. ❤️‍🩹

While reading, I felt as if a movie was playing in my mind; I was completely immersed in the story. I particularly liked the short chapters, which made it easy to fly through the book. There were moments that made me cry so hard, I thought my heart would burst. 😢 However, everything came together beautifully in the end.

I fell in love with this book! I want others to experience that same love for it as well. Please read Locked. It has many aspects that truly touched me and left a forever mark. I can’t recommend it enough! Out September 25th! ❤️

[Elisia Falcon · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆☆☆☆☆
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Release Date ↠ September 25!
I just couldn’t wait to put this review out!

This is S.A. Dare’s DEBUT novel 🤯

TROPES:
♟️ Prison Setting
♟️ Dual POV (With a little bit of 3rd person throughout. You’ll see why!)
♟️ Morally Grey Obsessive MMC
♟️ Forced Proximity
♟️ Secrets, Lies and Betrayal
♟️ Enemies to Lovers

My Review // You guys, I don’t know how this is S. A.’s debut novel but it’s phenomenal!! I was absolutely HOOKED from page 1 all the way to the end. The story line on top of the angst and spice is just so well done. Her writing of this story had you second guessing and kept you in suspense. But she also made you feel sadness, happiness, love and tragedy. I mean, that ending almost killed me!

Pitch’s past is traumatic but as you learn what he’s gone through, you love him even more and he’s one of the best morally grey MMC’s I’ve read! He’s tragically amazing.

Pearl doesn’t have the same past as Pitch, especially not the upbringing, but she’s still in prison and has been for the past 7 years. Her growth throughout the story is empowering as she learns some things that has her wondering how she ended up in prison in the first place.

The enemies to lovers chemistry between Pitch and Pearl was tragic, happy and spicy. Good lord the spice!! 🥵 I loved this couple so much.

The background characters also really stood out. I loved getting to know Cas and Charlotte. Especially Charlotte. You’ll love her! Cas though, he’s funny and sweet and the perfect opposite of Pitch. Their friendship is so special.

I highly recommend this book so make so you go preorder it! I can’t wait to get a physical copy.

[Desiree Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhhh myyyyy goshhhh. This book left me absolutely speechless. I mean the way it just pulls you in and makes you feel like you are the characters. Like you’re living the story. The heart ache, the growth, the love…….aghhhh. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that had me this immersed, and that’s me being completely honest. I love these characters and I love the way everything pieces together. 100/10 *chefs kiss* 🥰😮‍💨

[Bookbingewithdebbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you to S.A Dare for my ARC of this book!

my rating: 4.5⭐

We have our FMC Pearl who is in prison for murdering her parents. She has been in for 7/8 years and keeps to herself. Then walks in our MMC Pitch who is the prison captain. He is ruthless and taunting. A little bit of enemies to lovers ! Truth sprouts to the surface and things are not all they appear.
If you want consuming love, betrayal and an emotional rollercoaster then pick up this book!

I feel S.A. Dare did a great job with the story and character development. I haven't read a story based inside a prison before so this was a new read. I did find a twist pretty obvious so that's why it wasn't the full 5 ⭐. That being said she did get me with a gasp and also tears !

great book!

[Alex Millington · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I am in love in with this book.
Did I feel manipulated? Yes I did 🙃😂 but I very enjoyed it so much!

I have never read a prison setting dark romance book before, but I am so so glad I did because I want more 😩❤️

Pearl is an inmate, who keeps to herself; no friends, no family, no one. She has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her parents. She then meets the new captain, James Pitch. The rest is history.

The characters are amazing! Their development throughout 😧 I just love the journey that James and Pearl go through 😩

The wording of the plot just captivated me and I was able to clearly visualise everything 🥰
I honestly felt that my emotions were played with but it was so worth it ❤️

I enjoyed this book so much! I definitely would recommend Locked. The book is out on 25th September ❤️

[Just A Girl In Bookworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Locked was an emotional rollercoaster, dark, gripping, and beautifully written. From the very first chapters, it pulled me in with its intensity and twists. However, at times, the pacing did seem to drag a little for me; at 575 pages, some of the suspense could have been tighter without losing impact. But the writing is so smooth and addictive that the slower parts never felt unbearable, and the constant twists had me flipping pages like my life depended on it. I thought I had everything figured out based on what Pitch said, but when the reveal came, it completely shook me. The way it was written and unravelled was sharp, emotional, and absolutely brilliant. I did find one twist a bit obvious, which is why I didn’t give it a full 5 stars. Even so, S.A. Dare still managed to deliver moments that made me gasp and feel deeply for the characters.

One thing that really stood out to me was the occasional third-person POV. At first, it caught me by surprise, but I quickly grew to enjoy it. Those chapters added variety, gave me a fresh angle on the story, and made the whole reading experience feel even more unique.

Pearl’s story is raw, heartbreaking, and empowering. She’s been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her parents and keeps to herself, until she meets James Pitch, the new prison captain. He is ruthless and taunting, and their relationship is full of tension from the start. Layers of truth gradually come to light, and things are never quite as they seem. Their chemistry is intense: sometimes tender, sometimes toxic, but always impossible to ignore. Pearl’s growth was amazing to watch, and Pitch’s tragic past made him one of the best morally grey heroes I’ve read – broken, complicated and unforgettable.

It’s hard to believe this is S.A. Dare’s debut. The writing feels confident and polished, with a perfect balance of suspense, angst, and spice. And that ending? It left me completely reeling, and honestly, feeling emotionally manipulated, but in the best possible way. The way Dare played with my emotions in those last chapters was brutal and brilliant all at once.

If you’re looking for a dark romance with psychological suspense, raw emotion, and unforgettable characters, all set within a prison, Locked is absolutely worth picking up.

Romance 🩷
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Psychological 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

[MR CLIVE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book completely pulled me in! The suspense was incredible and kept me gripped late into the night. Pearl’s story is raw and emotional, and I loved how her strength shone through even in the darkest moments. The tension between her and James was intense—sometimes toxic, sometimes tender. The writing style is smooth and addictive, with twists that genuinely surprised me. I thought I had it figured out, but the reveal hit hard. Dark, gripping, and beautifully written, this is one of those books that stays with you long after the final page.