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Unboxed
It's a world of small, personal magics. Noah is a Finder of lost items, a very minor talent that he mostly uses to make a bit of cash during the slow months in his jewellery shop. Brandon is a Fixer, making broken or worn-out objects whole again. Eaton, as a Lie Detector, has the perfect talent for his career with the police.
Every person is born with either a key or a locked box. Each box has one key, and every key can unlock one box. How can these three friends hope to stay close and still find their soulmates? Especially with someone stealing keys and replacing them with well-crafted, soulless counterfeits.
Every person is born with either a key or a locked box. Each box has one key, and every key can unlock one box. How can these three friends hope to stay close and still find their soulmates? Especially with someone stealing keys and replacing them with well-crafted, soulless counterfeits.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2015
12 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Amy Crook
23 books104 followersAmy Crook has passed straight from maiden to crone; her final form will be a cryptid that lurks in the liminal spaces, joining all the cats who reside there. They will become her feral army of spoilt, self-serving fluff beasts. Amy is aro/ace, uses she/they, and prefers textual communication. She has made friends with the house ghosts in upstate NY, and the old monster under the bed came along on the move and still holds hands with her at night.
She specializes in writing magical worlds, boys in love, delicious meals, adult communication, and happy endings. She also paints cats, crows, and other small, strange wonders. You can find more about Amy, her artwork, and her eight cats at her website.
She specializes in writing magical worlds, boys in love, delicious meals, adult communication, and happy endings. She also paints cats, crows, and other small, strange wonders. You can find more about Amy, her artwork, and her eight cats at her website.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 12, 2015
Will someone please get Amy Crook an editor? Please? I'll start a Go Fund Me page. It'll be worth it.
I love the originality of her ideas. Her characters are always likable and her writing style is engaging. But, for Pete's Sake, the plot and the structure and the pacing are all over the place!
I get so mad because I really enjoy her books - up until the point where I can't stand it anymore and I want to scream with frustration.
Unboxed is very similar to her previous books The Courtship of Julian St. Albans and The Apprenticeship of Julian St. Albans. It has a feeling of sharing the same world and overlapping characters, although the conceit of this book - that of 'keys and 'boxes' is never mentioned in the Julian St. Albans books. Half the population are 'keys' and the other 'boxes' (meaning they literally either have a set of keys or own a box) which determines who their 'soulmate' is. How and why is never explained - at all. Why the main characters don't show each other their keys or boxes - which is the rather obvious 'issue' at the heart of the romance isn't explained - it's just assumed we know.
The mystery is fantastic if you want to be mystified. I actually thought to myself while I was reading how refreshing it was to be reading something where even though I knew who was going to end up with whom, I had absolutely no idea how the mystery would be solved - and you know what? I still don't know.
Amy Crook frustrates me. I feel like she has so much to share, but really bogs down in repetitive description, unnecessary 'business', and total plot failure.
If anyone out there can explain the whodunit I would be very grateful.
I love the originality of her ideas. Her characters are always likable and her writing style is engaging. But, for Pete's Sake, the plot and the structure and the pacing are all over the place!
I get so mad because I really enjoy her books - up until the point where I can't stand it anymore and I want to scream with frustration.
Unboxed is very similar to her previous books The Courtship of Julian St. Albans and The Apprenticeship of Julian St. Albans. It has a feeling of sharing the same world and overlapping characters, although the conceit of this book - that of 'keys and 'boxes' is never mentioned in the Julian St. Albans books. Half the population are 'keys' and the other 'boxes' (meaning they literally either have a set of keys or own a box) which determines who their 'soulmate' is. How and why is never explained - at all. Why the main characters don't show each other their keys or boxes - which is the rather obvious 'issue' at the heart of the romance isn't explained - it's just assumed we know.
The mystery is fantastic if you want to be mystified. I actually thought to myself while I was reading how refreshing it was to be reading something where even though I knew who was going to end up with whom, I had absolutely no idea how the mystery would be solved - and you know what? I still don't know.
Amy Crook frustrates me. I feel like she has so much to share, but really bogs down in repetitive description, unnecessary 'business', and total plot failure.
If anyone out there can explain the whodunit I would be very grateful.
May 4, 2016
I really love Amy Crook's imagination. As with The Courtship of Julian St. Albans, this story is set in a world that is somewhat like our own, but filled with magic and wonder. Here, everyone is either born with a Key or a Box (also, those are usually a clear indication, as to whether the person is a 'top' or 'bottom' in the relationship). The keys and boxes are parts of the souls of the characters. So when someone starts going around stealing those objects it is a pretty big deal. Not only is part of their soul missing, but the only way they will ever find their soulmate is matching Box to Key. Without either, the people are pretty much shit out of luck.
There was a great mystery here, and I loved all three of the MCs. The world building was great, and I had a lot of fun reading this. I really do hope that we might be seeing more of this world. There are several side characters that would make great MCs of their own stories.
4.5 stars
There was a great mystery here, and I loved all three of the MCs. The world building was great, and I had a lot of fun reading this. I really do hope that we might be seeing more of this world. There are several side characters that would make great MCs of their own stories.
4.5 stars
May 10, 2023
This desperately needed a decent editor and a plot.
There are pages upon pages of prose dedicated to every cup of tea the trio drank and all the pastries they consumed. The mystery felt like it was thrown together as an afterthought and the MCs were all TSTL.
There are pages upon pages of prose dedicated to every cup of tea the trio drank and all the pastries they consumed. The mystery felt like it was thrown together as an afterthought and the MCs were all TSTL.
July 6, 2015
4.5 stars
In a world where the population is divided in keys and boxes, everybody has a soul mate revealed by the perfect match between box and key, although with the growing population it is more and more difficult to find one’s box/key, so many people settle for compatible partners, forgetting about their soul mates.
Noah is a box who has lost the hope of finding his key. He contents himself with managing his jewellery and using his personal magic as finder to help people find their lost objects. He’s got two friends: Eaton and Brandon. Eaton’s magic is that he is a lie detector, which suits his job as police detective, and he’s been Noah’s friend since childhood; they have had a crush on each all their lives, but being both boxes they know they will always miss something. Noah fears the day Eaton finds his key and is taken away from him. Brandon is a fixer and a key, and Noah’s been pinning after him since the day they met, but Brandon believes Noah is a key as well, so he’s never attempted anything. When some unknown evil force starts stealing keys and boxes and replacing them with perfect but soulless replicas, Noah, Eaton and Brandon get involved in the investigation, setting into motion a chain of events which will bring along surprising revelations which change their lives, but also great dangers which threaten to tear them apart.
I do love Amy’s books, I love her steampunk worlds where magic flows smoothly and characters are really open to it. I love the attention she gives to details, and the intimate knowledge of her characters we gain through their thoughts and actions… but what I like more is the open vision of sex she proposes in this book. It is based on character more than sex. Boxes can be both male and female, and so can be keys, although boxes are considered more feminine (homely and dependant) and keys seem to be considered more masculine. Noah is an atypical box because he is too manly, which causes him problems as normally is keys who seem to fall for him… . I really like the unconventional HEA for Noah’s lonely heart…
All in all, I really enjoyed the story, the characters and the world created. The only thing I find missing is a bit more of explanation as for the reasons for the villains’ deeds… the mystery felt a bit unfinished. But it does not detract value from an otherwise utterly enjoyable novel.
In a world where the population is divided in keys and boxes, everybody has a soul mate revealed by the perfect match between box and key, although with the growing population it is more and more difficult to find one’s box/key, so many people settle for compatible partners, forgetting about their soul mates.
Noah is a box who has lost the hope of finding his key. He contents himself with managing his jewellery and using his personal magic as finder to help people find their lost objects. He’s got two friends: Eaton and Brandon. Eaton’s magic is that he is a lie detector, which suits his job as police detective, and he’s been Noah’s friend since childhood; they have had a crush on each all their lives, but being both boxes they know they will always miss something. Noah fears the day Eaton finds his key and is taken away from him. Brandon is a fixer and a key, and Noah’s been pinning after him since the day they met, but Brandon believes Noah is a key as well, so he’s never attempted anything. When some unknown evil force starts stealing keys and boxes and replacing them with perfect but soulless replicas, Noah, Eaton and Brandon get involved in the investigation, setting into motion a chain of events which will bring along surprising revelations which change their lives, but also great dangers which threaten to tear them apart.
I do love Amy’s books, I love her steampunk worlds where magic flows smoothly and characters are really open to it. I love the attention she gives to details, and the intimate knowledge of her characters we gain through their thoughts and actions… but what I like more is the open vision of sex she proposes in this book. It is based on character more than sex. Boxes can be both male and female, and so can be keys, although boxes are considered more feminine (homely and dependant) and keys seem to be considered more masculine. Noah is an atypical box because he is too manly, which causes him problems as normally is keys who seem to fall for him… . I really like the unconventional HEA for Noah’s lonely heart…
All in all, I really enjoyed the story, the characters and the world created. The only thing I find missing is a bit more of explanation as for the reasons for the villains’ deeds… the mystery felt a bit unfinished. But it does not detract value from an otherwise utterly enjoyable novel.
June 29, 2015
The blurb is a good description of the contents but the book is a lot better.
Amy Crook writes delightfully original stories with quirky characters I fall in love with. This is no exception. Although this is a complete story, I hope she'll write a sequel because the secondary characters need their happy endings. I don't usually like menages and the main characters form a threesome but the sex doesn't overpower the story.
My only problem with the book is that there was a long buildup to the theft of boxes and keys but the solution was too quick. More information about the reasoning and resolution would have been helpful. A lot of lives were affected but that part seems to be glossed over.
Amy Crook writes delightfully original stories with quirky characters I fall in love with. This is no exception. Although this is a complete story, I hope she'll write a sequel because the secondary characters need their happy endings. I don't usually like menages and the main characters form a threesome but the sex doesn't overpower the story.
My only problem with the book is that there was a long buildup to the theft of boxes and keys but the solution was too quick. More information about the reasoning and resolution would have been helpful. A lot of lives were affected but that part seems to be glossed over.
February 21, 2018
I really enjoyed Amy Crook’s magical world where it’s not about being straight or gay but about finding your key or your box. The story was unique and so much fun to read. I loved how sweet and affectionate Noah, Brandon and Eaton were with each other. The secondary characters were so endearing, I want to see them find their soul mates. My only complaint would be that the resolution of the mystery was a bit sudden and left me confused but that did not ruin the enjoyment of the book for me. 4.5
dnf
July 25, 2020Rating: dnf
6% in and already I know I’m not going to like this book. I’m already frustrated and the book has barely started. I just know that Noah and Brandon are probably going to spend a large portion of the book never showing each other their key or box. I don’t have the patience for the whole friend to lover angst so I and returning the book and marking it DNF. Thank goodness for KU.
6% in and already I know I’m not going to like this book. I’m already frustrated and the book has barely started. I just know that Noah and Brandon are probably going to spend a large portion of the book never showing each other their key or box. I don’t have the patience for the whole friend to lover angst so I and returning the book and marking it DNF. Thank goodness for KU.
December 29, 2015
I loved it. I wish I lived in this paranormal world. I had a few questions at the end and I wanted more understanding into the reasons for the crimes, but I loved it and couldn't put it down.
October 6, 2024
I really enjoyed the first half of this book; the rest of it was almost too cozy, sweet, and domestic for me, and I typically love all cozy/sweet romances. I found myself tempted to skim the last 80 pages. The concept was really interesting, though! And I loved the magic system.
March 23, 2018
re-read 3/20-21/18: just as good the second time through, although I had to remind myself to let the story spool out instead of running ahead of it. Thank you Amy Crook -- I hope you get a bunch of new readers from being a MM Romance group author of the month!
Beautiful! Why do I wait to read Amy Crook's stories, when I know that I'll adore her gentle fairy-tales generously mixed with earthy sensibility? Her writing makes me think of Charles deLint's urban fantasies and Neil Gaiman's mild Gothic horror, but with a pinch of Agatha Christie's matter-of-course Miss Marple ordinariness. Yep, got a little author-crush going on here... Please write more of this world, since it's so lovely!
Beautiful! Why do I wait to read Amy Crook's stories, when I know that I'll adore her gentle fairy-tales generously mixed with earthy sensibility? Her writing makes me think of Charles deLint's urban fantasies and Neil Gaiman's mild Gothic horror, but with a pinch of Agatha Christie's matter-of-course Miss Marple ordinariness. Yep, got a little author-crush going on here... Please write more of this world, since it's so lovely!
November 7, 2021
storyline: ****
main characters: *****
side characters: ****
world building: ****
editing: ***
The setting of Unboxed is very similar to Amy Crooks Consulting Magic series. The characters and the key-box-theme are well developed and likeable. The crime plot is lacking though. Somehow it seemed like the author forgot about it in her effort to give the three main characters their HEA. With a less rushed ending it would have been an 5-star read.
main characters: *****
side characters: ****
world building: ****
editing: ***
The setting of Unboxed is very similar to Amy Crooks Consulting Magic series. The characters and the key-box-theme are well developed and likeable. The crime plot is lacking though. Somehow it seemed like the author forgot about it in her effort to give the three main characters their HEA. With a less rushed ending it would have been an 5-star read.
September 22, 2016
I absolutely adore this soulmate concept, especially how it manages to work in a little twist. The idea is very sweet (and leads to plenty of deliciously cheeky innuendo). It’s an interesting mix of magic in a modern setting. The well-rounded cast of characters and interesting conflict kept me ploughing through the pages to get to the resolution, which was thoroughly satisfying. I’d love to see another story in the same setting, though this definitely feels complete on its own.
June 12, 2019
Boring. Boooooooring.
Even if the plot was interesting, the executiong was very bad. I think I don't lie if the 75% of the book is the characters, any of the main and secondary, are drinking tea or coffee or eating biscuits, pastrys and sweets.
Was really hard to read the entire book. I skipped a lot of pages to reach the end "not" to find even the antagonist's reason for the things she did.
Even if the plot was interesting, the executiong was very bad. I think I don't lie if the 75% of the book is the characters, any of the main and secondary, are drinking tea or coffee or eating biscuits, pastrys and sweets.
Was really hard to read the entire book. I skipped a lot of pages to reach the end "not" to find even the antagonist's reason for the things she did.
September 19, 2019
4.5
maybe crime solving and reasons behind it might have been a been a bit more elaborated but neverthelss enjoyable read
October 8, 2018
I love this book so much! I love the whole box/key soulmate idea and the mystery is super engaging all of the soulmates are lovely and delightful and wonderful!
January 28, 2024
The premise of this book is great: everyone has either a key or a box with a matching key/box counterpart held by their soulmate. Only a soulmate’s key will unlock a box, leading to a soulmate bond.
In top of this is a mystery: someone is replacing magical keys and boxes with non-magical fakes. It will taking Noah (a Finder of lost objects), his friend Eaton (a detective who is a Lie Detector), and Noah’s neighbor Brandon (a Fixer of broken things) to unravel the mystery. Along the way, the men build bonds between themselves and with their community.
There are a few issues with the book (editing, pacing) but overall it’s an enjoyable read.
In top of this is a mystery: someone is replacing magical keys and boxes with non-magical fakes. It will taking Noah (a Finder of lost objects), his friend Eaton (a detective who is a Lie Detector), and Noah’s neighbor Brandon (a Fixer of broken things) to unravel the mystery. Along the way, the men build bonds between themselves and with their community.
There are a few issues with the book (editing, pacing) but overall it’s an enjoyable read.
March 31, 2018
At the beginning I was worried I wouldn't get through poor formatting, but fortunately it only lasted a few pages. This is a really fun read and a fascinating universe which I'd love to revisit. If the villains had been given better motivation (as it is they seem to be villains only to further the plot), I'd have given five stars. I also appreciated the lovely cast of supporting characters... though Ana's baking made me crave pastries.
November 23, 2020
Surprisingly Delightful
I'm really not certain how I came across Amy's book, but I am so glad I did. This is a unique read that took me a couple of chapters to get into. But when I did, I couldn't put down until finished. I really enjoyed the complex characters, the suspense and mystery, along with the fantasy wound throughout.
Definite 5-star recommendation.
I'm really not certain how I came across Amy's book, but I am so glad I did. This is a unique read that took me a couple of chapters to get into. But when I did, I couldn't put down until finished. I really enjoyed the complex characters, the suspense and mystery, along with the fantasy wound throughout.
Definite 5-star recommendation.
March 10, 2018
3.5 out of 5
I really liked the premise of this book - a lot - although it did drag on a bit too long, imho. Despite that I'd love to read another book set in this world.
I really liked the premise of this book - a lot - although it did drag on a bit too long, imho. Despite that I'd love to read another book set in this world.
October 6, 2020
I am delighted by some of the underlying ideas, but there are a lot of things that just felt not thought through that just made it fall apart for me.
Read
April 30, 2024dnfd due to indifference.
June 3, 2024
Guh. Such a great premise and cool world building and great characters…only to be bogged down by buying and eating croissants and feeding the fish. I quit at 60%.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2016
An interesting look at a world where people are divided into boxes and keys. Each one searching for their soulmate in the other.
Rather like many shifter romances, this concept of having a fated one that can be instantly recognizable takes away the uncertainty and the usual burden of determining whether this person is The One or not.
The story itself was cute. The development of the romance was rather erratic and pacing was a bit off, so I felt a little disconnected from the relationship.
Still, it was enjoyable and I quite liked the way Noah, Brandon and Eaton interacted with each other. Also, big props for having Brandon be an untypical MM hero. I love me some bear love.
Rather like many shifter romances, this concept of having a fated one that can be instantly recognizable takes away the uncertainty and the usual burden of determining whether this person is The One or not.
The story itself was cute. The development of the romance was rather erratic and pacing was a bit off, so I felt a little disconnected from the relationship.
Still, it was enjoyable and I quite liked the way Noah, Brandon and Eaton interacted with each other. Also, big props for having Brandon be an untypical MM hero. I love me some bear love.
January 28, 2016
This is an enjoyable book, but I need to join the ranks of people saying she needs to invest in an editor. There wasn't any explanation as to why the antagonists were doing what they were doing. Just for fun? Profit? I'm still not sure. Also, I have multiple cookbooks that have less food descriptions. I think the sequel should describe the inevitable diabetes resulting from all the pastries eaten in graphic detail throughout this book.
April 9, 2016
There was quite a bit of editing errors and the book was longer than it needed to be, but it was an interesting concept and I enjoyed reading it....even if I did start getting annoyed every time "puppy eyes" were mentioned.
August 16, 2024
Great world building!
I loved this book!!! The concept of keys and boxes was fascinating. The only issue I had was how anticlimactic the mystery was when it was solved. It was just sort of over. Overall, it was great, and I’m looking forward to reading more of this author.
I loved this book!!! The concept of keys and boxes was fascinating. The only issue I had was how anticlimactic the mystery was when it was solved. It was just sort of over. Overall, it was great, and I’m looking forward to reading more of this author.
May 22, 2016
A fun story. Different than the Julian & Alex stories also by Amy Crook.
Read
January 2, 2019In dem Buch stecken viele süße Ideen. Die Story tröpfelt leider langsam und ermüdend vor sich hin. So kann keine Spannung aufkommen.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews