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Rumor Has It #3
Heart Shaped Lock
High school is finally over for Lucas Mitchell, and it couldn't come fast enough. His neighbor and former best friend hasn't wanted anything to do with him since freshman year. Maybe now that he won't have to see her every day, he can finally move on. Maybe he can finally convince himself that he hasn't been in love with her since the third grade. Maybe.
Jen Harris went through four years of high school boys, never once wanting to give her heart to any of them. Why would she, when Lucas Mitchell broke it four years ago? Then, she makes one bad she trusts someone with her heart. Now she remembers why she’s kept her walls up for so long. Because trusting people only leads to heartbreak.
Heart Shaped Lock is the third book in the Rumor Has It series. The books are told in chronological order, but all books can be read as a standalone.
Jen Harris went through four years of high school boys, never once wanting to give her heart to any of them. Why would she, when Lucas Mitchell broke it four years ago? Then, she makes one bad she trusts someone with her heart. Now she remembers why she’s kept her walls up for so long. Because trusting people only leads to heartbreak.
Heart Shaped Lock is the third book in the Rumor Has It series. The books are told in chronological order, but all books can be read as a standalone.
- GenresRomanceYoung Adult
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2018
170 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
R.H. Tucker
16 books89 followersRH Tucker writes cute & edgy YA romance, and drinks too much caffeine.
I’m a firm believer that Rocky Road is the absolute best flavor of ice cream in the world, although if I must, I will settle for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
You can sign up for my newsletter and get the FREE short story, One of a Kind, at:
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You can also find me on instagram at: instagram.com/rhtuckerauthor
I’m a firm believer that Rocky Road is the absolute best flavor of ice cream in the world, although if I must, I will settle for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
You can sign up for my newsletter and get the FREE short story, One of a Kind, at:
https://www.subscribepage.com/rhtucke...
You can also find me on instagram at: instagram.com/rhtuckerauthor
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 20, 2020
This is third in a series that claims can be read as a standalone. But that's a lie. Jen (a lead in this book) is best friends with Emma from the first book and they are pretty tightly entwined. So we see lots of Emma and Carter and since Jen is a complete mess, we see Emma a lot.
I'm still trying to work out why I finished this book. I kind of liked Jen in previous books. She was up-beat and flirty and seemed to enjoy life as it came. She liked boys and wasn't afraid to show her appreciation or to go after what she wanted. I was a bit worried that she might have some weird thing about not wanting relationships or something and I couldn't wait to see what she had against Lucas. Oh how I wish this were only a case of Jen being a commitment-phobe. Instead, we get a complete character re-write featuring Jen as the irrational Queen of Cowards whose personal motto is "nobody could possibly love me". Which is not only the stupidest negative motivation* ever, but also is complete bunk because half the world loves her, starting with the aunt who raised her and ending with all of her very loyal, very lovely friends. It's kind of like a mildly hungry person complaining about starving as they scarf down a seven-course meal.
I think I continued mostly because Lucas was so awesome. He was kind and loyal and caring and had real integrity. Which we knew because we saw that in the other stories when he stuck by Carter when everything blew up in the first book. The only thing wrong with him was being in love with the irrational Jen. The thing is, I kept waiting for there to be more to the story than him reaching out to Jen and her blowing him up. Seriously, that's the only beat this story had and it got old fast. Yeah, he upset her in middle school because he was an idiot for, like, two seconds. But her response was like taking a bazooka to swat a mosquito. Yeah, no more itch, but you lost a limb and blew up the really lovely boyfriend along the way. And then whined interminably about how life sucks because you're missing a limb and have no boyfriend.
Bah. And yeah, you read right above. They've been in love with each other since they were kids so this isn't even really a romance story. Instead, it's a cautionary tale about falling in love with a woman who is so afraid that her love will leave her that she stabs, kicks, spits, and bites (emotionally speaking) every time he comes near. The thing is, I could see other possibilities if Jen had ever gotten over herself long enough to take a chance. Yeah, some of them were cliché and stupid (like having her catch him in something innocent that looked bad) but others might have been interesting. Like re-converging their plans since they had grown apart or confronting some of the jerkwads who dot the landscape of any teen-based story or learning to tackle things as a team instead of as individuals or learning to trust each other despite having hurt each other in the past.
But no. Jen had a go-to strategy and she was keeping to it come what may. That bazooka might hurt but hey, there were still mosquitoes to kill...
A note about tradecraft: Still with the crappy copy editing. In this novel, I learned how much worse that is in a story you aren't really connecting to. It made every one of those errors grate like lemon juice on paper cuts.
A note about Chaste: So Jen likes boys. And has sex, sometimes. And there's a scene where they almost do it. Only Jen whips out that bazooka just in time to blow Lucas up again before anything really happens. Turns out his condom didn't have any efficacy against rocket fire...
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
I'm still trying to work out why I finished this book. I kind of liked Jen in previous books. She was up-beat and flirty and seemed to enjoy life as it came. She liked boys and wasn't afraid to show her appreciation or to go after what she wanted. I was a bit worried that she might have some weird thing about not wanting relationships or something and I couldn't wait to see what she had against Lucas. Oh how I wish this were only a case of Jen being a commitment-phobe. Instead, we get a complete character re-write featuring Jen as the irrational Queen of Cowards whose personal motto is "nobody could possibly love me". Which is not only the stupidest negative motivation* ever, but also is complete bunk because half the world loves her, starting with the aunt who raised her and ending with all of her very loyal, very lovely friends. It's kind of like a mildly hungry person complaining about starving as they scarf down a seven-course meal.
I think I continued mostly because Lucas was so awesome. He was kind and loyal and caring and had real integrity. Which we knew because we saw that in the other stories when he stuck by Carter when everything blew up in the first book. The only thing wrong with him was being in love with the irrational Jen. The thing is, I kept waiting for there to be more to the story than him reaching out to Jen and her blowing him up. Seriously, that's the only beat this story had and it got old fast. Yeah, he upset her in middle school because he was an idiot for, like, two seconds. But her response was like taking a bazooka to swat a mosquito. Yeah, no more itch, but you lost a limb and blew up the really lovely boyfriend along the way. And then whined interminably about how life sucks because you're missing a limb and have no boyfriend.
Bah. And yeah, you read right above. They've been in love with each other since they were kids so this isn't even really a romance story. Instead, it's a cautionary tale about falling in love with a woman who is so afraid that her love will leave her that she stabs, kicks, spits, and bites (emotionally speaking) every time he comes near. The thing is, I could see other possibilities if Jen had ever gotten over herself long enough to take a chance. Yeah, some of them were cliché and stupid (like having her catch him in something innocent that looked bad) but others might have been interesting. Like re-converging their plans since they had grown apart or confronting some of the jerkwads who dot the landscape of any teen-based story or learning to tackle things as a team instead of as individuals or learning to trust each other despite having hurt each other in the past.
But no. Jen had a go-to strategy and she was keeping to it come what may. That bazooka might hurt but hey, there were still mosquitoes to kill...
A note about tradecraft: Still with the crappy copy editing. In this novel, I learned how much worse that is in a story you aren't really connecting to. It made every one of those errors grate like lemon juice on paper cuts.
A note about Chaste: So Jen likes boys. And has sex, sometimes. And there's a scene where they almost do it. Only Jen whips out that bazooka just in time to blow Lucas up again before anything really happens. Turns out his condom didn't have any efficacy against rocket fire...
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
April 5, 2019
The idea of this book is so deep, specially from Jen's perspective, feeling unloved or replaceable is a huge baggage and it should be treated carefully .. I liked how Lucas was doing everything in his power to win her over, but with the baggage that Jen carries his mistake shouldn't be their beginning, Lucas was so over the top through out the book and he came out as an over dramatic spoiled boy who just realized he wanted the girl and he has to get her after all these years for some reason
it was an OK story but it did have some deep issue
it was an OK story but it did have some deep issue
September 1, 2018
I do understand that people deal with life experiences differently. I do understand that Jen went through some pretty traumatic shit when her mom abandonned her with her aunt...I really, really tried to commiserate with her and her feelings but oh boy she was annoying. 90% of the book whinning about not being "loveable" while there are so many people in the world who goes through so much worst, while she has an aunt who loves her and raised her like her own daughter as long as a bunch of pretty cool friends and a boy who tried in million different ways to show her how much he loved her...Oh, I'm too old for that shit.
September 27, 2018
Didn’t like this one as much. Lucas was so sweet and Jen was so annoying. Everyone deals with trauma differently, but she was such a whiner it drove me crazy. I had to deal with things from my past that were similar to hers and I could not connect with her crazy. Just no.
July 14, 2018
[1.75 stars] would have given a higher rating if it is not so long-winded, because in the end the heroine just keeps repeating the same damn shit *roll eyes* i love the book cover though, feels super sweet.
September 8, 2018
Definitely was a heart-shaped locket. That was shut close...
Okay, I really liked this book; though it was different from the others since they were in high school with the others and this one they were done with school.
•••• there may be a few spoilers throughout •••••
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2018...
I’m going to say this before I get started on my review even if I do or don’t write one but anyways.
Jen makes me sick like what got me was she kept on dragging Luke along; when she knew how he felt about her. Everybody felt like he was the one in the wrong even when he was NICE or told her how he felt their friends felt like he was the asshole but in reality, the boy was fed up with Jen, and he kept feeling like she didn’t want him. I didn’t blame him for going off on her at the theater. Like Jen blame him for something that was DONE in middle school and something her mother did. However, in reality, her mom actually did love and care for her. In the end, she expected Lucas to forgive her with the key; I felt like he should’ve dragged her along to like she did with him when he confessed how he felt about her so many times. And she kept pushing her away; because she blames her mom about finding love and no one loving her. I get the feeling of how she felt, but I felt like she shouldn’t have push Lucas away; and get mad at him when Sasha text.... like sheesh what did she expect from the boy he was trying his best time to prove his love I mean come on they loved each other since they were in elementary school. The one mistake she hated or pretended to hate him; then continued to be mean to him. Even her friend Emma acted like a cunt... like I wish Lucas friends Matt and Carter were there for him as they were there for each other when it came to Izzy and Emma. Smh... I was glad Jen finally stop acting like the world revolves around her and her feelings and actually finally told Lucas she wanted him to have the key to her heart because she was a headache.
PS. I wish that Lucas would've given up after the first or second time more so the second time because he apologized to her on so many occasions. It ain't even funny. The bad thing about it the poor boy had to walk on eggshells around her which sucks... I felt bad for him more than her because I wanted them together.
P. S. S. I HOPE THE AUTHOR MAKE A BOOK WITH JACKSON AND CINDY BECAUSE I WANT HIM TO FIND LOOOOVEEE. OH, I ALSO CANNOT FOR THE BOOK WITH VERONICA AND MICAH; I DONT KNOW WHY I KEPT CALLING HIM MITCH LMAO when his name is actually "Micah" which is a name I LOVE.
P.S. S. S> >>>>> I JUST HOPE VERONICA OR CINDY ISN"T ANNOYING AS JEN I CANNNOT TAKE IT IF THEY ARE.
Okay, I really liked this book; though it was different from the others since they were in high school with the others and this one they were done with school.
•••• there may be a few spoilers throughout •••••
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2018...
I’m going to say this before I get started on my review even if I do or don’t write one but anyways.
Jen makes me sick like what got me was she kept on dragging Luke along; when she knew how he felt about her. Everybody felt like he was the one in the wrong even when he was NICE or told her how he felt their friends felt like he was the asshole but in reality, the boy was fed up with Jen, and he kept feeling like she didn’t want him. I didn’t blame him for going off on her at the theater. Like Jen blame him for something that was DONE in middle school and something her mother did. However, in reality, her mom actually did love and care for her. In the end, she expected Lucas to forgive her with the key; I felt like he should’ve dragged her along to like she did with him when he confessed how he felt about her so many times. And she kept pushing her away; because she blames her mom about finding love and no one loving her. I get the feeling of how she felt, but I felt like she shouldn’t have push Lucas away; and get mad at him when Sasha text.... like sheesh what did she expect from the boy he was trying his best time to prove his love I mean come on they loved each other since they were in elementary school. The one mistake she hated or pretended to hate him; then continued to be mean to him. Even her friend Emma acted like a cunt... like I wish Lucas friends Matt and Carter were there for him as they were there for each other when it came to Izzy and Emma. Smh... I was glad Jen finally stop acting like the world revolves around her and her feelings and actually finally told Lucas she wanted him to have the key to her heart because she was a headache.
PS. I wish that Lucas would've given up after the first or second time more so the second time because he apologized to her on so many occasions. It ain't even funny. The bad thing about it the poor boy had to walk on eggshells around her which sucks... I felt bad for him more than her because I wanted them together.
P. S. S. I HOPE THE AUTHOR MAKE A BOOK WITH JACKSON AND CINDY BECAUSE I WANT HIM TO FIND LOOOOVEEE. OH, I ALSO CANNOT FOR THE BOOK WITH VERONICA AND MICAH; I DONT KNOW WHY I KEPT CALLING HIM MITCH LMAO when his name is actually "Micah" which is a name I LOVE.
P.S. S. S> >>>>> I JUST HOPE VERONICA OR CINDY ISN"T ANNOYING AS JEN I CANNNOT TAKE IT IF THEY ARE.
December 1, 2018
Heart Shaped Lock
Okay, so this book was good and at times great. However, This was probably my least favorite of the series. The back and forth was just too much for me and if I was Lucas. I would have just said screw it. I mean come on get over it. I also thought this book was a bit more childish and naive. It was okay but the other books were better in my opinion.
Okay, so this book was good and at times great. However, This was probably my least favorite of the series. The back and forth was just too much for me and if I was Lucas. I would have just said screw it. I mean come on get over it. I also thought this book was a bit more childish and naive. It was okay but the other books were better in my opinion.
February 7, 2019
This book was terrible. Cycling every 50 pages or so with the exact same frustrating impediments. Also, she was blatantly projecting her feelings about her mother onto him and nobody ever did the whole "slap you in the face with the truth about how idiotic you're being." They were always just "understanding" and my understanding, I mean enabling.
June 9, 2019
Well Done
A good story which I enjoyed for the most part. I did feel that the issues between Jen and Lucas were rather laboured and somewhat trite in places. Equally, towards the end, I had to question why Lucas was not allowed to be just as hurt and in pain as Jen. Still, it's a decent read, and worth giving a go.
A good story which I enjoyed for the most part. I did feel that the issues between Jen and Lucas were rather laboured and somewhat trite in places. Equally, towards the end, I had to question why Lucas was not allowed to be just as hurt and in pain as Jen. Still, it's a decent read, and worth giving a go.
April 30, 2018
Good read.
It was a good read. I liked the story line I want to know what happens with Jackson and Micha what is going on with him I want his story as well as the rest of the crew like Veronica and Cindy.
It was a good read. I liked the story line I want to know what happens with Jackson and Micha what is going on with him I want his story as well as the rest of the crew like Veronica and Cindy.
July 17, 2018
This series is incredible
I love this three and a half book series and really hope it continues on. It has been fun to read and learn and this relationship between Lucas and Jen was definitely the deepest.
I love this three and a half book series and really hope it continues on. It has been fun to read and learn and this relationship between Lucas and Jen was definitely the deepest.
November 24, 2018
touching storyline
execellent story. very emotive, made me cry . Only downside is it ended so quickly. Also, there are some typos which i find distracting. It seems proof reading isn't applied to digital books.
execellent story. very emotive, made me cry . Only downside is it ended so quickly. Also, there are some typos which i find distracting. It seems proof reading isn't applied to digital books.
December 3, 2018
This book took me DAYS to read and it’s not even long. Jen was so annoying that I had to keep walking away. I honestly didn’t even want to finish it, but I’m the type that has to finish. Lucas tried so hard and Jen was a bitch most of the type. Nancy should have gotten that girl therapy!
May 19, 2020
This book dragged my emotions all over the place, my heart kept racing and I even shed a few tears. It had me screaming into my pillows a few times. The characters were also so relatable, definitely my favorite book of the series so far.
August 31, 2020
3.5 stars
I liked the book. The hero was a really cute guy. The a Gary feelings that teenagers experiment is really well described and how from one month to another, they change feelings but not the intensity of them.
I liked the book. The hero was a really cute guy. The a Gary feelings that teenagers experiment is really well described and how from one month to another, they change feelings but not the intensity of them.
July 19, 2018
Jen was so over dramatic and self centered.
July 22, 2018
My favorite in the series
Wow, wow, wow!! This story will give you all the feels. It was fast paced and a bit of a roller coaster, but had an amazing ending!
Wow, wow, wow!! This story will give you all the feels. It was fast paced and a bit of a roller coaster, but had an amazing ending!
April 18, 2019
Didn’t really like how it was always the guys fault
April 22, 2019
Third one is amazing!
Seriously emotional ringer but in the best way possible!! I loved everything about this book! Jen and Lucas may be the best book yet.
Seriously emotional ringer but in the best way possible!! I loved everything about this book! Jen and Lucas may be the best book yet.
June 17, 2019
Cute read, please just fire your proofreader, I found a lot of mistakes.
September 20, 2020
Wow Jen and Lucas sure do know how to mess things up.....
I enjoyed the angst but I must admit I got and little dizzy with these two dancing around each other like they did!
I enjoyed the angst but I must admit I got and little dizzy with these two dancing around each other like they did!
November 22, 2023
I don't know what it is with the girls in this series.. Jen was such a downer and I actually liked her in previous books. The book ended very abruptly.
June 14, 2018
Overall I really liked the plot of the story. However, I feel that Jen was being dramatic at times. She should’ve forgiven him earlier and I don’t think Lucas should have waited four years to try to become friends with Jen again
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews