Locked In: Season One

by Katelyn Taylor

Welcome to Locked In.

Where you have to fallen love like your life depends on it.

Our contestants will have to fall in love, lock in, and fight through a series of challenges to be the last couple standing.

The Reward? A wedding of their dreams and a grand cash prize.

The Catch? They don't just have to fall in love with each other. They have to make us fall in love with them too. Our Audience will be the ones to decide who stays locked in and whose journey is cut short.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Forced Proximity, Enemies To Lovers, Thriller, Audiobook

398 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2026

About the author

Katelyn Taylor writes dark and contemporary romance and is known for twisted love stories with toe-curling smut, heart-breaking angst & plot twists that keep readers up all night.

If you like your romance with a side of unhingedness & spice, get ready to cry from your eyes to your thighs.

Welcome to the Taylorverse!

Reviews

[Youssra (semi ia- shelving books don't mind me) · Rating 4 out of 5]

OH THIS WAS PEAK TRASH ENTERTAINMENT🤌🤌

3.5 stars rounded up for the audio!!

This is basically about a bunch of hot people going on a dating show to win 5 million dollars, but its just not a regular old dating show iykwim 🔪 You've got red flags, green flags, broody tatted men, bitchy women and a creepy host😌 That's a recipe for a good time if you ask me😅

This was so MESSY AND TOXIC AND TRASHY but in the best ways possible. I ate it up and licked the plate clean and I want seconds and thirds please and thank yewwwwwww🙇🙇

It was kind of reminiscent of The Compound(another book with a similar premise) but here its just more dramatic and trashy and HOTTTTT🥵🥵 It really played out like a tv show and was so entertaining! Highly highlyyyyy recommend the audiobook for this one!

I only wished that the whole reason behind the dating show was explained more.. like who is behind it and why? I'm hoping this will be explored in season 2 which should come out soon I believe.

[Alya ( 20 comments restriction ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY FUCKING GOD THIS BOOK WAS LOVE ISLAND X SQUID GAME PERFECTION 😭😍😭😍😳 I NEED BOOK 2 NOW!!! It's been so long since I've been THIS INVESTED in a book, genuinely one of my favourite reads for 2026! Literally a book written in crack format, if you read any romance thriller ler it be this one! Especially if you love reality TV based plots I highly recommend Locked In!! All the stars in the world and I'm definitely gonna do a blacklist marathon read of this author's books!

My Bookstagram

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

girl that was actually insane. no pun intended but i was fully locked in from start to finish. not a moment was i bored

[Marissa.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️

Welcome to season one of Locked In! They laugh, they cry, and most of them die.

If you like Love Island with a little Squid Games twist this is going to be for you!

Courtney is working 3 jobs just to make it by and to pay for her teenage sister’s medical treatments, which is about to become a big problem since the insurance refuses to pay out anymore. So when she finds out her sister signed her up for a reality TV dating show she’s definitely reluctant to leave her, until she finds out the cash prize is 5 million dollars. I mean who cares even she even finds love with money like that on the line.

When Courtney wakes up on a tropical island paradise dazed and confused..let this be your reminder to never drink the complimentary beverages…the red flags are immediately blaring. However, everyone else seems excited, the men are hot, and they get to stay in a literal mansion, what could possibly go wrong?? Only in this twisted paradise game you have to fall in love like your life depends on it. For some the prize will be a wedding worth dying for.

This book was truly like reading a twisted reality show, we have drama, alliances, betrayal, a twisted crew, humor, scandal, and murder. Better hope you picked the right partner because your life will definitely depend on it. Katelyn Taylor does it again with this twisted dark romcom!!

Lock In and definitely add this to your TBR!
Thank you so much to Katelyn Taylor for the gifted copy of Locked In, in exchange for my honest review.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audio was definitely getting me into the Love Island vibes 😂 I’m out here voting and everything

This is dating show from hell and I had a great time! 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

I cannot stress enough how amazing Katelyn Taylor’s audios are being full cast! My earholes were having the time of their lives ❤️

[Kayla | Kayla Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think you are going into this one for the sexy reality TV dating show vibes, don't worry babes, you are going to be getting that and a whole lot more! This one is so much more than just a spicy good time with a bunch of singles dropped off on an island to find love. You are going to get the drama and spiciest that you love from a show like Love Island but it takes a real dark turn. A turn that had me saying, what in the actual fuck is going on. In the best possible way.

Like the way my flabbers are gasted, because what do you mean that was the plot... Seriously such a unique plot that will suck you in. Have you in a chokehold from chapter one. The way that Katelyn wrote this story had me fully sat. And listening to the audio, which is how I HIGHLY recommend you to consume this one, had me feeling like I also teleported and woke up on a beach somewhere tropical in only a bikini. Like it's wild how this audio had me feeling like I was in fact our FMC Courtney. Like I experienced every single emotion she did. I experienced every time she was stabbed in the back by someone she trusted. I kicked my feet when she got attention from one of the boys. My heart broke when hers did (yes I cried and I don't want to talk about it). Like I'm still sitting here just in awe how this audiobook was able to fully transport me into there story.

This one will be going down as a top read/audiobook of the year. And baby, how much longer do I have to wait for Season 2 because my bags are packed and I am ready to go!

[Smutty Little Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to Season 1 of Locked In! It is guaranteed to be a screaming good time.

I DID NOT see the book going this way! Katelyn once again took me by surprise and had me on quite the roller coaster. All I can say is take Katelyn seriously when she says this book is Squid Games meets Love Island. The storyline was surprising, chaotic, and nothing like anything I have read before. I can't word vomit my feelings without giving major spoilers so ill leave you with this:

If you like:
Twists and surprises
RomCom Thriller
Reality Dating Show
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity

Pick this book up. Swoon worthy quote below:

“𝑻𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒅. 𝑰𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒔, 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆. 𝑺𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆, 𝑰 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”

[alexleasins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75⭐️love island but make it bloody hell yes!!!!!!

[⊹˚. ♡.݁ ˖ CozyCoco ⊹˚. ♡.݁ ˖ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.50✨
Oh. My. God….i was NOT expecting anyyyy of what just happened in this book! WTH! I’m thinking this was going to be a regular reality dating show, I was wrong…SO WRONG 😨.
Katelyn Taylor’s writing eats, Every. Fuckin. Timeeee! & she successfully cured my reading slump for the second time🫶🏾

[Sarah Buncy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up thinking it would be a perfect summer beach read to end my slump (because I just had a baby and I can’t even read.) And it was… the problem is that it had me eyeing my husband like I’m thinking about making another baby and it hasn’t even been six weeks yet. (I will say, the thriller definitely took a back seat to the romance at first, but it picked up and it was such a fun time that I didn’t really mind— I was too turned on to care.) I had an absolute blast and I will be accepting any and all horny thriller recs, thanks!

[Marija Unkind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What an experience this book gave me!😄 At first I was like “this is fun,” but then it turned a corner and went completely unhinged.

I don’t know what I expected from this book but it definitely wasn’t THAT. I was genuinely surprised!

I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll keep this short: just go read it. If you love dark romance, you’re in for one crazy ride!

Thank you to Katelyn Taylor for providing me with an ARC 🖤
All opinions are my own.

[Delcie Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard love island meets squid games and I said sign me up!! This was so bingeable, I read it in just a couple hours and couldn’t put it down! It was quite simple, but I had such a blast reading it, it was funny, it was hot, and it was chaotic!

[Tia Toro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun & unique story! It’s giving love island meets squid games, they be fucking and they be dying 🔪🩸

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

First off the Courtney and Landon should’ve have won at least $100 million each because of $5 million is not enough for the hell they went through. This is one of the most interesting book I’ve read all year and also finish this pretty fast.

Reality Dating Show (Love island x squid game)
Enemies x Lovers
Broody Tattooed MMC
Sassy Strong FMC
OWD (Savannah)
OMD (Noah)
On Page Sex with OM (FMC with OM)
Off page sex with OW (MMC with OW)
Multi POV (Courtney, Landon, Noah, 1st person)
No Virgins/Third act break up
HEA/HFN
No condoms

Notes
The sex scene with op happens before the MCs get together.
I have a lot more to say, but will come back and write more when I get my thoughts in order

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️

Would I defend this book with my life? Probably not…
Did I have an absolute blast from beginning to end? 100% yes.

Locked In hooked me with its unique premise and kept me entertained the entire way through. The reality show setting was compelling, the pacing never dragged, and I found myself constantly eager to see what would happen next.

Entertaining, addictive, and impossible not to get caught up in, this was one of those books that simply made reading fun!

I already know I’ll be picking up the next book as soon as it’s released.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️

My jaw dropped quite a few times reading this messy-messsssyyy love island inspired premise with a squid games thriller twist. Katelyn, best book yet. Loved it. I’m SO PUMPED for season 2!!!!!
I wish it was a touch messier than what it was… like just a little bit more but giiiiiiiirllllll. So good.
Audiobook was fantastic. Multicast duet narration and a MUST read via audio!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE ABSOLUTELY FERAL STARS! But, respectfully……what the actual hell?

This book hijacked my brain and refused to give it back. It’s messy, chaotic, wildly addictive, and unlike anything I expected to read this year.

DONT ASK QUESTIONS. DONT READ REVIEWS. JUST GO IN BLIND. TELL NO ONE. TRUST THE PROCESS.

I’ll be thinking about this for an unreasonable amount of time.

[Kai Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars! The writing was incredible and it was so well written. I just wanted a bit more smut!! The plot & characters made this such a fun read. It’s like love island but with darker twists. I’m obsessed.

[Ashieeeboo ❤️‍🔥 · Rating 4 out of 5]

omg I loved this so much!!! got me out of my reading slump & was a refreshing read. loved the reality tv show mixed with alittle bit of fight for survival. definitely recommend and look forward to reading book two!!!

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun ride. Binged this quick. Katelyn Taylor never disappoints. This was just entertaining all around. It was funny, dark, sad, full of thrills, and kept me “Locked in”.

[Kayla_Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was wild!

[Fangirl reads 𐙚 ㅤᵕ̈ · Rating 1 out of 5]

You know what? Its my own damn fault for trusting booktok when I know I shouldn’t.

Wasted potential.

[Amity Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun, wild, and chaotic ride! High stakes & all the wtf moments 😅

I started this as my vacation read & it was such a perfect one for my trip! Reality tv (think love island), humor, and added suspense that had me hooked in! I loved this book!! The rom com vibes & reality show made for a messy, fun time, while the twists & thriller side of it had my jaw on the floor and had me questioning everything!

My first book by this author and it absolutely won’t be my last! I was sucked in by it the whole time & couldn’t put this one down!! Such an addictive good time!!

Definitely recommend if you love romcom/thriller vibes, reality tv, enemies to lovers, and forced proximity! I am so ready for season 2! 🤭

[Shannon Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️: 4.5

Main trope: This is a dramatic thriller.

Additional tropes:
✅Other woman drama
✅Enemies to lovers

Detailed spoilers/trigger warnings (if any) and final thoughts can be found below. There is a warning right before the spoiler and trigger section so you have the choice to proceed or stop reading.

Summary: The FMC is Courtney. As the primary caregiver for her teenage sister who has severe health issues, she is doing all she can to make ends meet. She has a chance to apply for a reality show that promises love as well as a big payout for winning. Not sure how she could make it work with her jobs as well as the care for her sister, she chooses not to pursue applying. Little does she know, her sister applied on her behalf and that’s how the FMC learns she got on the show.

Focused only on winning, she is very surprised at how quickly she ended up connecting with a contestant named Noah. Even though the initial few days on the island require contestants to date each other and get to know one another before committing, as far as Courtney is convinced, she has found her match in Noah and she believes he feels the same. So when the night arrives for the ceremony where everyone will pair up with their chosen person and compete as couples for the remainder of the show, Courtney is taken aback when Noah pairs up with another female contestant, someone the FMC doesn’t get along with at all because she’s a bully and mean girl. Left with no choice, because if she wants to continue on the show she must have a partner, she chooses Landon, the MMC.

From the beginning, the main characters just really did not seem to like each other. But they know they need to work together if they want to win so they push that dislike aside. As time passes, they get to know one another and real feelings develop. One day Landon decides to surprise Courtney with a romantic stroll to a secluded spot. Everything is going well until the couple discovers something suggesting this game is much more sinister than they knew. Soon the truth behind what is going on is revealed proving just high how the stakes for the game really are.

⚠️SPOILERS/SPICE/DETAILED TRIGGERS⚠️

✋
✋
✋

*Descriptive scenes of violence and murder.
*Landon and Courtney find a severed head when on their little romantic sneak away. It’s the head of the contestant who had just been voted off the night before and they quickly put two and two together that when people get voted off, they are not going home.
🌶️:3/5

Final thoughts: This was so freaking good. This book was exactly what I needed to break up what felt like the monotony of the same types of books. The first part of the book was some delicious reality show drama and I loved it. Then it took a dark turn that really added a thrilling twist.

I listened to this on audiobook which was told in duet narration with an all star cast and it was really good. I definitely recommend this story and the audiobook if possible.

[BookshelfKisses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhhh I had such a good time with this book!! A twisted version of a reality dating show? Say no moreee. This is honestly a concept I’ve had in the back of my mind for so long, so I was SO happy when I saw that Katelyn wrote this book and I had to read it immediately! 😂👀

It’s a rom-com thriller with dark elements and it was just so much fun from start to finish. The mix of humor, romance, suspense, and chaos really worked for me. My only complaint is that I wish the last 30% had been spread out a little more. Everything suddenly happened so fast and the ending felt a bit rushed because of it. But that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the overall reading experience. I’m already excited for season 2!

⭐️4.25

[Paige (wingsandsmut) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to Locked In, where the stakes are high and you have no idea what’s coming next! I’m not sure what I expected going into this book, but it was a WILD ride. And I was not expecting some of those things to happen! This is full of spice, drama, betrayal, and was so addicting to read! I literally couldn’t stop and loved the reality tv vibes in this!

What to expect:
🏝️rom com x thriller
🏝️reality tv vibes
🏝️forced proximity
🏝️enemies to lovers
🏝️love island x hunger games

[Linsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. This book opens with a woman waking up in a love-island reality-show setting. She wants to win so she can have the money to take care of her sick sister. As soon as the couples were Locked In, I could not stop reading. I needed to know what game was next, who was next, and how the romances would progress. It was so good. I went in blind, and I'm glad I did. I think it made reading it that much better. I highly recommend this book.

[Chloe Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES!! This is the type of dark romance/thriller that I LOVE!! The fact that this book is Love Island meets Squid Games is my dream come true. It is also very funny and has great spicy banter. I cannot imagine a more high stakes and dramatic book and that makes me extra obsessed. Courtney, our MFC, is determined to win at any cost. Follow along as she chases her new dream of winning Locked In: Season One. I cannot wait for the second book!

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a time with this book!!!

Drop whatever you're reading and pick this up. Audio or not, you can't lose.

I was 'locked in' and then the 'audible gasp' had my jaw on the floor and then it just kept going and kept putting my jaw on the floor!!!

Ate it up. 1 sitting. Less than a day. No regrets.

Get into it!!

[Brit.Readz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is like a murdery love island.. or something

I can not express to you enough how AMAZING this book is. It’s got a little bit of everything for you.

Go in with caution.. come out wondering when the heck we get to read more!!! I can not wait and I’m excited and thankful I was given the opportunity to early read this!