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Unlocked

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Princess Raya of Paruth lived alone on a deserted island in a towering lighthouse, forgotten by time. With only a loyal albatross as a friend, she had little hope or joy in her life until he washed up on her shore in the middle of a raging winter storm.

Prince Trevor of Galder left his father and kingdom behind to travel north in search of a wife. It was time to settle down and forget Ella Carina, the woman who chose to love a peasant and follow her heart instead of choosing Trevor and fulfilling her duty to her people. He didn’t heed the warnings about the North Sea in winter, and his ship, crew, and captain paid the price.

Raya and Trevor must work together to find a way off the island, or risk being trapped there for the rest of their lives. But sometimes the simplest lessons are the hardest, and each will have to learn that the only thing that can truly set you free is love.

Kindle Edition

First published April 3, 2018

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About the author

Casey L. Bond

60 books1,672 followers
RONE Award-winning author Casey Bond lives on a rural farm in West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. She writes phoenixes – gloriously flawed and morally gray characters that fiercely rise from the ashes of their circumstances.

Worldbuilding is one of her favorite pastimes. She thinks thunderstorms are better than coffee and that watching a meteor shower is the closest thing to magic you might ever see. She’s a firm believer that every amazing book needs a world you want to wrap yourself in, a character you want to win, and a love you would fight for.

Casey is the author of When Wishes Bleed, Gravebriar, House of Eclipses, and Where Oceans Burn.

@authorcaseybond on social media sites.


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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for Robin (Bridge Four).
1,946 reviews1,657 followers
December 18, 2018
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
 
Unlocked is a very loose, semi-Rapunzel retelling and definitely falls into the realm of Romantasy.  A few things of note are, this is most definitely a YA book and even though it is technically the third book of a series, you can read it without reading any of the others.

This started out fantastic, with Dark Fae coming with a plague to kill a witch, being helped by a Kingdom.  The plague kills everything in its wake and the Queen beseeches her friend, the witch, to save her daughter, Raya, and take her somewhere safe.   That safe place is a lighthouse in the middle of a deadly sea. Now Raya has spent about ten years alone in that lighthouse, with only a bird for a friend, until a prince washes up on shore.

Prince Trevor has never met an obstacle he doesn’t want to overcome.  He renews Raya’s hope that there will be a way to get off that Island and they work towards that goal, becoming close friends and allies through their struggles.  Possibly there could also be a little love kindling between them. Once rescued and back on the main land though it is harder to spend time together and the struggles to remain close to the person they trust the most might end a budding love.

Overall, this is a pretty good story.  I was really excited about the witches and the dark fae but then we don’t see them again at all in the rest of the story.  I was really looking forward to seeing more of the magical side of a fantasy in this but mostly it is more medieval in nature, with kings and princes and choose the ‘appropriate princess’ to wed.

There is a bit of angst, a lot of ‘but he/she could never feel that way for me’ going on.  It is clear how -much Trevor and Raya care for each other but they spend a lot of time on self-doubt and general angst. Also, besides the prejudice of the king and court, there isn’t a big baddie happening.  I think the story could have benefited from a true bad guy.

Not my favorite retelling due to prolonged angst but still mostly enjoyable and the Albatross best friend was a cute addition to the story.
Narration:
I listened to this at my normal 1.5x speed.  I’m a fan of the shifting narrators for each PoV and each did very well for their gender but the male narrator made Raya sound like everything out of her mouth was a question and the female narrator didn’t do the best job with male voices.  Still overall it was a decent narration.

Listen to a clip:  HERE

 
Profile Image for Carol.
844 reviews73 followers
October 29, 2024
This was OK but I was expecting more towards the end felt a bit flat.

Happy Reading 📚📙📕📗📓📒📘📔📓📚📙📕📖📗📓📚📙📒📚📘📔📚📓📚📕📖📚📖
Profile Image for Darque  Dreamer .
531 reviews68 followers
May 24, 2018
Oh, my heart! Unlocked was beautiful and sensational! It started off mildly slow, but the story, and characters, greatly made up for that. It was humorous and touching and captivating! It had a touch of darkness to it, and was definitely full of whimsy, romance, friendship, and enchantment.

I adored the story and the twist on the original tale. The reason behind Raya being trapped in the lighthouse on the island was intriguing and really drew me in to the whole story. Trevor becoming trapped on the island due to the storm and ship wreck, instead of just waltzing by and hearing her singing, was refreshing and more meaningful.

Raya was so adorable, and full of spunk. I loved her sense of independence and her stubbornness. She certainly stepped outside of the box of the typical faerie tale princess, and I adored her morality, kindness, and the way she lit up the lives of those around her.

Trevor was such a refreshing take on the typical prince charming. He was still brave and dashing and chivalrous, but he also had faults, and self doubt and needed a little saving himself. He stole my heart and shined bright throughout the tale.

Tross (yes the bird) was my favorite though. He was almost like the comic relief of the story. He was sweet and loved kisses, and was a great judge of character! But, there was also Gill and Cap. I loved those ship crew members so freaking much! They were great supporting characters that lit up the story, brought a little humor, and became great friends to Raya and Tross.

I just couldn't get enough of this! I was in tears at the end. Happy tears, that is. The story was so touching. I loved the deep friendship that was built between Raya and Trevor. I loved the ending. I loved the way Raya's bold, beautiful personality changed people around her and opened hearts, and I loved the bits of the original tale that the author mixed in with her imagination and beautiful world building.

Mermaids 5 2

Thank you to Lady Amber's Reviews and PR and the author for providing me with this free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review, and as part of the blog tour!

Profile Image for Cristie Alleman.
131 reviews5 followers
April 19, 2018
Casey L Bond has written another wonderful story.
Raya is trapped and alone on an Island with a tower she calls home... Trevor is being pressured to find a wife and leaves his homeland in search one... Until one fateful day when Trevor washed ashore in the middle of a storm on Raya's desolate island .. Their lives forever changed that day..
I loved reading the story of Trevor and Raya... It was simply just a wonderful romance with a fantasy twist... I loved how neither Trevor or Raya even realized they were falling in Love with each other.. It did make me want to slap Trevor a few times thought when he was being an A$$...
You'll remember Trevor from Riches to Rags... There are other characters from Rags to Riches who also make an appearance in Unlocked...
I hope you grab a copy and love it just as much as I do..
Profile Image for Samantha Grubey.
Author 4 books33 followers
July 4, 2022
I’d like to thank Lady Amber’s Tours & PR as well as Casey L. Bond for sending me an earc of this book, of course, this is not the first book of hers I’ve read! I’ve read Riches to Rags, Savage Beauty & Glamour of Midnight and I loved all of them and I had very high expectations for this one! Of course, they were met! I am hooked on these stories they put a completely different spin on the fairytales we know and I love them! I can never tell where these stories are going to go and I love that about Casey L. Bond’s work! I’m not sure how coherent this is going to be, I’ve been trying to get my feelings into sentences and I don’t know how well that went!

Trevor! How I missed Trevor! I love the fact we got a book with him, although I loved Ella and Asher Trevor did have a place in my heart! I love his character so much! Raya really did make me laugh, when she first met Trevor and was getting him up the tower, the way she kept saying sorry was hilarious and I loved it. The way they both met was so funny! I love them together so much I do believe this is gushing but I don’t even care! It’s bloody amazing!

Trevor and Raya really made my heart melt, I loved how they built their friendship and their bond in the first few days. Trevor is honestly a sweetheart just wanting the best for her when they get off the small island place. The unrequited love Trevor feels for Ella aw it hurts my heart whenever he thinks about her. The protectiveness that Trevor feels for Raya ahhh so cute and adorable!!!

It was an absolutely beautiful story! I fell in love with both of them honestly I don’t think is a review but more of a gush. It gave me all warm and cute feelings. I loved it. I loved the plot and the romance. Casey L. Bond is such an amazing writer! I can’t wait to see what fairytale she may tackle next!
Profile Image for Jamie  (The Kansan Reader).
686 reviews105 followers
December 1, 2022
I was introduced to Prince Trevor in Riches to Rags by Bond earlier this year. I remember not liking Trevor. He seemed entitled and not right for Ella. After reading Ella’s story, I add more of Bond’s work to my TBR due to loving her writing style and spin on the classic fairy tale. Of course, this was one of the books. Unbeknownst to me before picking this up to read, this is a continuation of Trevor’s story.

Fair warning spoilers ahead! I will be giving away plot points!

I needed to find a wife I could love and who would love me in return. And if love wasn’t possible, at the very least, I needed someone who could pretend, and who could respect me publicly and privately.

Trevor is still heartbroken from Ella finding love with someone else. Actually, with a blacksmith. Someone Trevor views as below Ella’s station even though Ella lived as a peasant for three years and fully accepted that life. Trevor asks his father for a ship and the best captain and crew to go to the other nations to try and find a wife.

Trevor was warned not to travel during the winter due to the storms in the North Sea, but Trevor being stubborn said: “he needed fresh air.” *eye-roll* Of course he shipwrecks in a storm and is rescued by Raya who lives on an island that only houses a lighthouse.

Raya was taken to the lighthouse away from her kingdom when a deadly plague broke out. She is alone for ten long years before she finds out what happened to her kingdom. With Trevor now on the island with her, she didn’t realize how alone she was. Raya and Trevor are rescued after the winter months and a ship was able to get through. Raya goes back to Galder with Trevor.

I wasn’t much of a fan of this as I was of Ella and Asher’s story. This is a slow burn. I don’t mind slow burns but they are hit-or-miss. Raya was an okay character but her lack of self-worth until the end was annoying. Trevor is still the same until the end. It seemed these two wouldn’t make the big change until 90% which is annoying!!!

But I did like the twist on the classic fairy tale though it is not my favorite.
Profile Image for Mandy Reads Indie.
1,986 reviews91 followers
May 24, 2018
I needed to find my own way and figure out who I was now, whether it be in Galder or elsewhere. He'd opened the cage for me, but I was the one who needed to learn to fly.
***

From the moment I finished RICHES TO RAGS, I needed more from these wonderful, amazing characters. I needed more Asher, Ella, even Trevor. I was so excited to hear that Bond planned to continue on with them. And I must say, I was very pleased with the next book being Trevor who got the story AND it being a retelling of Rapunzel. Brilliant. Bond has done such an excellent job with these retellings and I cannot get enough. I hope she has no plans to stop any time soon.

My heart fell hard and fast for Raya. She is such a beautiful, sweet person. I rooted for her to win Trevor’s heart in the end no matter what his father said. I knew they were destined to be together. But with so much standing in their way, it didn’t seem possible. Trevor also stole my heart. I loved every minute of them being in the tower on the island. But my feelings really took off later in the book for him. I could not get enough of him and his scenes in the story.

One other character I loved and absolutely stole the show in this story was Tross. Loved him and his sweet, fishy kisses he handed over to those he deemed worthy. He was adorable and I looked forward to seeing him throughout the book.

Sweet, charming, and perfectly paced...this book had my attention the whole story. I look forward to what Bond has in store for us with the continuation of these characters. I am hoping Carden gets his turn in the next one. He will definitely have a fun book when his time comes. That is for sure. 5 Magical Stars!
Profile Image for Emily Goodman.
1,070 reviews39 followers
May 15, 2018
I have truly enjoyed every moment of Casey Bond’s retelling of the classic fairytales of youth. Her little twisted spin on the old favorites are a refreshing and inspiring read that will captivate you from cover to cover. Unlocked was absolutely no different from the rest.

From the cover alone, Bond had me intrigued with Unlocked. Rapunzel at her finest with a touch of magic lept from the cover capturing my attention immediately. In her retelling, Bond gives us the story of a young girl whisked away on the cusp of a plague left to grow up alone in an abandoned lighthouse filled with magic for survival. Raya is strong, determined and independent because she has had to be since the age of twelve. It isn’t until ten year later that a prince washes ashore during a violent winter storm that her life becomes a little less lonely.

While we all want our prince to call up to our tower, Bond once again surprises readers by making them take a journey of love as she brings Princess Raya back to her Prince’s civilization along with her pet albatross. This best friends to lovers story was one of my absolute favorites of Bond’s. The connection between Raya and Trevor was so heartfelt and deeply endearing. I rooted for these two and got swept away by their fairytale.

Bond always brings a book to readers that is absolutely worth reading. Her imagination is fresh even with retelling a classic tale. She writes strong, determined characters that I enjoy time and time again. While this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend her others in this series. I can’t wait to continue to read her books and look forward to the next tale in this series.
Profile Image for Pike Perrie.
134 reviews9 followers
May 24, 2018
Casey L. Bond continues her fairytale retellings with a beautifully and brilliant story following in the shoes of Rapunzel. Princess Raya is locked away on a deserted island, alone, longing for contact, until more then just a bottle washes ashore. Trevor washes ashore. Trevor can be lovable and frustrating at the same time, making the interactions and rapport between Raya and Trevor that much more entertaining. Casey has continued to create a vivid, beautiful world, that makes me want to be a child again. Her character development and backstories are woven so fluidly into the story that you feel you are in the Seven Realms. This is a beautiful love story for readers of all ages with fun twists along the way.
Profile Image for Julia Red Hatter Book Blog.
644 reviews33 followers
May 6, 2018
I fall more in love with the Seven Kingdoms and Casey L. Bond's writing with each book! I love being swept away to a land far, far away where kings and queens and princesses and prince's reign. Where magic is real and isn't a fanciful thought. Casey L. Bond makes it so easy to believe in this complex world she has built! Not only is Unlocked perfect for adults, but also perfect for young adults looking to escape as well. Each new story brings us wickedness but also fantasy. Poor Raya has lost everything. Her family, kingdom, friends, and any type of relationship. She's locked away in a tower with no one but an albatross to call a friend. Until a certain Prince whom we fell in love with in another book shows up on the shore. Trevor left his kingdom to search for a wife, he found so much more when he found Raya.

Could you imagine being on a tiny island by yourself with no human interaction for years? I can't. Raya did though, and she lived. Raya is a survivor, she embodies every essence of that word. She not only physically survived, she mentally survived being cut off from everyone. I have always had a soft soft for Trevor. He's definitely a sweetheart! He is noble and loyal, but sometimes to the detriment of his own happiness. Raya and Trevor survive a lot together. Between both surviving tragedies to hiding feelings for each other to making sure the other is happy even if it means not being together.

Casey L. Bond has given us nothing but strong, role model worthy female leads. I can't thank her enough for that! Unlocked gave us Raya and Trevor and a adorable albatross, it also gives you hope and love!
Profile Image for Restless Isabelle.
279 reviews29 followers
May 26, 2020
A sickly sweet Rapunzel retelling filled with misunderstandings and pining, broken hearted characters. Well this turned out to be a super vanilla-feeling read that felt like three separate chunks stitched together.

Initially we start off with evil fae, magic plagues and a Mother’s desperate plea to save her daughter but after the first couple of chapters this scene setting is literally left in the dust. Rather than building out the world, or using this setting to influence the story the book instead focuses nearly entirely on misunderstood feelings. It’s just such a waste.

We then have the tower and a budding relationship between our two MCs. It’s promising - they’re both broken and lonely - and I’m sat there going, okay cool maybe this will turn around. But, we leave the tower and end up with bitchy-girl court politics. Just eh.

That being said I’ve enjoyed other of Casey’s books before and will continue to pick up her works. Readers of clean, fairytale light romances might enjoy.





Profile Image for Morgane.
201 reviews
March 2, 2019
Read it thanks to a friend and,,,, it was actually really good???
Profile Image for Amber.
227 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2019
I absolutely loved this book i was frustrsted that the main characters wouldnt just admit their love but loved the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Janine - The World Was Hers for the Reading.
1,495 reviews26 followers
May 25, 2018
A forgotten princess, Raya of Paruth is the lone survivor of a plague that wiped out the rest of her kingdom. She’s spent the last ten years on a deserted island in the middle of dangerous seas with an albatross as her only companion. A magic spell the only thing keeping her from exposure and starvation . . . but not from loneliness.

Looking to forget his past and move on from an unrequited love, Prince Trevor of Galder travels north in search of a wife. Instead he’s washed ashore on Raya’s island in the middle of a winter storm as the only survivor of the ill fated ship.

Brought together by tragedies and having no one to rely on but one another, Trevor brings hope for both companionship and escape when Raya has had none for years and Raya truly saves Trevor’s life by sharing with him all she has.

As their friendship grows stronger by the day, they will face the ultimate test to see if their bonds are truly unbreakable when civilization intrudes upon their relationship. Will rescue set them free or will they become trapped by society’s expectations?

Casey Bond’s fairy tale retellings have been simply magical, and Unlocked may have just become my favorite! I was thrilled to see Trevor again from Riches to Rags, as he truly deserved a happy ever after of his own. While a prince, Trevor is truly a good person. He takes the time to know his people on a personal level and puts everyone’s happiness before his own. I knew it would take a special person to help him move on from Ella, and Princess Raya was simply the perfect match for him.

Raya is beautiful inside and out. She’s also possesses an amazing inner strength . Forced to rely on no one but herself and her pet albatross for ten long years, she is starved for attention. She quickly bonds with Trevor and their friendship is true and magical. She’s terrified of leaving the life she has known to go into a world she knows nothing of anymore, but is willing to do so for Trevor.

The love and loyalty between Trevor and Raya is easy for readers to see, even if they don’t see it at first themselves. It’s a slow build as they both struggle to fit into a world that wants them to be someone they are not at heart.

Unlocked is a beautiful story reminding us all to stay true to who we really are and not let others make us into something we are not as well as to live every day with love and laughter. These characters quickly worked their way into my heart, including Tross. I was also thrilled to get to catch up with Ella and Asher from Riches to Rags and get to know Prince Carden a bit more (please tell me he is getting his own story!). Don’t let this stunning and unique take on Rapunzel pass you by. 5 stars!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
465 reviews6 followers
May 15, 2018
Escape into the world of fairytales and adventure. Unlocked is the second book in an interconnected series by Casey L Bond. While I enjoyed the first book, Rags to Riches, I loved Unlocked even better. This story has just as much adventure, a touch of classic fairytales, and a bit of romance. I cannot wait to read the next in this interconnected series.
The plot of this book loosely follows the old fairytale Rapunzel. I was drawn in from the very first chapter. This plot takes you on a journey into a world way different than our own. A world of magic and endless possibilities. The theme of this book is way more than just love conquers all. It is also that friendship can transcend the tests of time. Things aren’t always as they seem. Finally, things happen the way they are supposed to.
Raya is such a gem. She is such a strong character that really grew up into an amazing woman. The trials and tribulations that she had to survive? They would have broken most. I love how that shaped her. Then you have Trevor. I loved him from the very first book. He was my favorite character because of how kind and considerate he is. He has such a huge heart and has really taken to carving a path out for his own life. He is such an important character to me.
This book has some low-key heat. These two characters start in such a unique way that it adds a depth to the story. I loved reading how each character felt about each other from their point of views. Even more, I loved how their interactions revealed more than their thoughts or words could ever express.
Casey L Bond has a unique way of bringing this story to the readers. I really felt like I was transported into a different world. A world I imagine all fairytales come from. I love how she bases each book loosely on a different fairytale then adds her own twist to the story to keep it fresh. Even more, I love how she writes characters that readers really invest in and want to see prosper and grow.
In conclusion, Unlocked is such a wonderful story. I loved this one even more than the last. I can’t wait to read the next story and can only hope it will follow Carden. He grew on me within this story and I would love to see him find his little piece of happiness in this wonderful world that Casey has created. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to others.
Ratings:
Plot: 5/5
Character: 5/5
Heat: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

*Reviewed for Seraphim Book Reviews*
Profile Image for Erin.
174 reviews6 followers
May 22, 2018
In yet another fantastic fairytale retelling from Bond, the unique story and moving, emotional elements kept me drawn in from the very beginning. When trying to decide between a 4 and 5 star rating, I always ask myself if I would read it again, and how much it moved me. In this case? Absolutely, I would read it again. As far as being moved? Judging by the amount of times I was wiping away both happy and sad tears, I would say I was definitely moved.

Although this book technically continues the story from the first of Bond’s fairytale retellings, Riches to Rags, it only picks up where one character left off; this could absolutely be read as a standalone. The author does a seamless job of incorporating any necessary information into this book that may be needed from the first.

I really enjoyed how the relationship between Raya and Trevor grew. It was more realistic, especially considering the propriety of the time, that they initially built a strong relationship as best friends and two people working together to be rescued. Of course, it became more complicated, and I really enjoyed how that unfolded (and don’t want to say more without spoilers).

Raya herself was a remarkable character. She was strong and self-sufficient, not a damsel in distress by any means. She wasn’t overly concerned with propriety and high society norms, only what was considered respectful – not as far as being overly done up just because she was a princess, but enough that she was careful of what was appropriate when she and Trevor were alone. Trevor, on the other hand, landed on that island with his mind set on all societal norms, but learned quickly from Raya just how unimportant much of it really was.

I loved how much these characters learned from and balanced each other. I also adored their albatross friends and the kisses he demanded. He was adorable. The overall character development in this story was very well done. As I said before, I was very moved over and over. There was one particular argument at a dinner that was so well written, I felt like I was watching it, and hearing their words like I was watching a movie; like I was right there.

I’m always impressed with Bond’s writing, and without a doubt, this is no exception. I do believe she is just getting started in this fairytale retelling journey, and I really look forward to seeing what is coming next.
Profile Image for Rae Sontheyon.
263 reviews18 followers
May 24, 2018
The Heart Wants Who It Wants . . .

This is definitely the first book I've read that took on the retelling of Rapunzel and I was not disappointed. The main characters each learned on their own to be self sacrificing and did not just fall instantaneously in love with each other even when they were literally the last two people on an island.

Left alone in a lighthouse long forgotten in an abandoned part of the high seas, Princess Raya of Paruth is left to survive on her own and has given hope of rescue. Until Prince Trevor of Galder washes up on her tiny shore after a storm. Together they learn to not just live but survive on the tiny island and Trevor pledges to get them off and rescued. Raya dutifully aids Trevor's plans but doubts their success until one works and the two have a chance to return to their homes. But when Raya may not have a home or family to return to and Trevor has to return to his princely duties will their time on the island be forgotten or will it bind them forever together?

Overall, Good read that had me hoping the two characters would wake up and smell the ocean breeze to figure out what was right in freakin' front of them! Raya was the complete opposite of any spoiled princess because of the life she endured. So when given the chance for a real life with love, she basically wouldn't take it for fear she wasn't enough, the poor dear, because everyone else could see she was, but self doubt is strong. Trevor on the other hand had to learn to let go of past love and expectations so he could find true love and happiness. And may I add I loved the albatross and his kisses, that bird would have been a sight to see especially amongst the crew members and captain. So if you like stories about woman escaping towers with the help of a prince all the while finding true love, this story will definitely appease you.

------Read more of my reviews at: http://heyitwasfree.blogspot.com/------
Profile Image for Lynn Give 'Em Hel Vetica.
221 reviews12 followers
December 28, 2020
This book was quite a pleasant surprise. I wasn't too sure how I felt at first, knowing it was a book about Prince Trevor. I wasn't sure how to feel about him in Riches to Rags, and yet in this book he was able to endear himself to me at last.

"I figure you’re running because you just got home. Sometimes a man changes shape when he’s away for a time, and when he comes back, things just don’t fit. Happened when I left port the first time. When I came back, nothing fit anymore. And I ain’t talking about clothes and boots, ya get me?”


It felt as if previously, Prince Trevor was just there as a foil to Asher Smith. Though both men were good looking and brave, Asher was down to earth and humble, whereas Trevor was haughty and arrogant. In this book however, he was able to come into his own and I truly adored him.

“You wear your guilt like a heavy coat, Prince. Wade into the water and it’ll drag you to the bottom.”


Raya is just marvelous. She's thoughtful, modest and tenderhearted. She's exactly the kind of Queen that Galder (and Trevor) deserves. Her best friend Tross is an amusing little addition to the book.

As the Princess and sole survivor of a tragedy that decimated the Kingdom of Paruth, I was the phoenix who didn’t die in the fire, but became part of it. Who learned to breathe in the ash and exhale the smoke and flame, refusing to succumb to the scorching heat.


Together, they can do anything they set their minds to.

Maybe the cracks that made him who he was met the ones that streaked across my surface, and we recognized one another as kindred imperfections. We were flawed people who used to be whole, but were made stronger by the things deep within that knitted our broken pieces together.
50 reviews45 followers
December 23, 2021
This book is incredibly sweet. If you are looking for a light read with romance and mild fantasy in it, this a sure recommendation. It skims over many topics and never goes deeply into any darker ones though some nastyness was hinted at, it never dwelled on it.

Personally, I felt as though the story was a bit rushed, especially the love interest, and that it didn´t dive deep enough on the consequences that some experiences had on the characters.

Plot wise, there is not much going on. Instead we just get to wander in these amazing world filled with some interesting characters.

Throughout the book we get the sense that the world is so much bigger than what we are shown. Mention of distant lands is constant and we get hints of many things waiting to be discovered, which is always a fantastic feeling to have when reading.

Besides, the world building, the characters deserve a special mention. I loved that we got to see people from different backgrounds and even the side characters were fleshed out.

Profile Image for Naturalbri (Bri Wignall).
1,381 reviews120 followers
May 22, 2018
What a lovely, fun and light-hearted fairytale romance story. Bond has really put together a lovely second story, for this series, and it really gives you a warm, happy feeling, as these two fall whilst thinking they are only trying to escape.

With both of the main characters attempting to live a life that was forced upon them, they find themselves thrown for a loop when they end up stranded on the same remote island. It is lovely to read along as they try so hard to help each other escape their fate, but are actually working completely alongside fate, without actually noticing.

The two characters have their faults, but that is only more reason to get to know them because we all know that no one is perfect, and those faults seem to end up bringing the two even closer together, as they try to find their way back to the world.

Overall, I really liked the journey this little romantic adventure took me on, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and warm read with a great blend of fairytale magic to it.
Profile Image for Rayna.
1,133 reviews6 followers
February 23, 2019
A very slow-burn romance set in The Seven Kingdoms world, featuring some characters from the first book (Riches to Rags) and being based on the tale of Rapunzel. The relationship between Raya and Trevor was lovely and developed really naturally. There was a ton of jealousy and possessiveness happening though, so that was a bit annoying.

I enjoyed the time they spent together in the tower, but their time in Galder was even more interesting. This was the part that really tested their bond - and it was more exciting to have more than three characters present! (And only two that could actually talk...) The supporting characters made this book really enjoyable, with my favourites being Tross, Gill, and Carden.

This story is about realizing what is right in front of you and appreciating what you already have. The pacing made it super easy to race through this book and eagerly wait for Raya and Trevor to figure out their feelings.
Profile Image for C. Erani Kole.
1,709 reviews51 followers
May 21, 2018
*voluntarily and honestly reviewed the ARC I received from Lady Amber's PR*

I liked this. I had high expectations after reading the previous fairytale retelling, but I had to dim down my excitement because while this book is set in an epic fantasy sort of world, the story itself is more like a 'simple' romance than something like, I don't know, an adventure story. It started off engaging enough but the writing style just seemed different to me, so I had an interesting time getting used to it before finally feeling settled. I didn't really get wholly involved until the setting moved on to a more active place, and once I changed my mindset and looked at it as a cute romance, it got easier to engulf everything they were giving. I loved the ending, and though this book felt a little like a transition, or maybe a little story in the grand world of these kingdoms, I still enjoyed myself.
Profile Image for Shayne.
562 reviews4 followers
May 24, 2018
I heart this book and I triple heart this author!!! Unlocked was an amazing addition in this interwoven but stand alone book collection.

We've met Trevor and a few other characters back in Riches to Rags so it was really interesting to see them again several years later. As well as updating us on the kingdoms and setting us up for a future book with Calder I'm sure.

Raya is wonderfully strong while also being delicately fragile, especially as she'd been alone for over a decade excerpt for Tross. Tross is a beautifully written living character regardless of the fact that he's a giant albatross.

There was mystery, intrigue, romance in the cleanest way, and so much more. I loved the previous two books and this was as good as, if not even better, the rest. Now I'm waiting impatiently for the next in the series.
1 review
May 18, 2020
Good read

This series is a very interesting read and a bit different from other fairytale remixes. I do like how the author took these stories from childhood and truly made them her own but there are times that get a bit confusing or far out. Regardless of it all the books were still good enough to keep me reading and wanting to figure out the stories of the characters. A few passages though that you kind d of have to reread to make sure you get all the dialogue correctly. I personally love book series that are more focused on a character each book but yet brings everything together throughout the series, this is that type of read. Each can be read alone but the best way to read them (by character retelling) is.. 1. Cinderella 2. Sleeping beauty(s) 3. Rapunzal 4. Beauty and the beast. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Halcyon.
607 reviews
November 30, 2023
I feel a little bit conflicted about this book, as I wanted to like it more than I did.

The writing isn't bad at all, but I'm a little bit stuck on the fact that while the story is written in a YA style with all its 'I like him, but I'm not going to tell him.' and 'I don't like her that way. Is that another guy paying attention to her? I'm going to kill him!' predictable story lines in it, the characters involved are 22 and 26 years old. I think that's too old to have a storyline like that, and I'm too old to read older people being put in a YA position, or something like that.

Maybe that's a little bit too harsh, but the story did use jealousy and non-communication to keep itself going, and I in the end was expecting better of a 22 and 26-year old.

If you can move past that, then I would definitely recommend this story. If not, then maybe try another novel by this author if that summary fits you better?

Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Wendy.
137 reviews
September 30, 2018
Wow, hated for the story to end❤️

Was hooked as soon as i started and really hated putting the book down to get things done around the house or go to sleep!
Raya is a sweet princess with a heart of gold, she’s a sweetheart! and Trevor was pulling for him the whole time, was cool to finish ‘Riches to Rages’ and Trevor was in that one and is one of the main characters in this one, and love his character! the whole story was so spell binding, loved it, and looking forward to the next one!! this is the third one, and each one was so darn good, that i looked forward to read it one!! The Author made me feel like i was there seeing all it play out!! Thank you for the fantastic books, loved them, this one is my favorite, but all three are great!!
Profile Image for United Indie Book Blog.
4,681 reviews85 followers
May 15, 2018
Omg! I LOVE Unlocked and Casey L Bond. This is by far my favorite book by her. It is beautifully written and the characters are just magical. The emotions that each felt was raw and at times felt just a little too honest but I love it! Raya is wonderful and her spirit is something that I hope to have and pass on to my daughter. Trevor, I have liked him since we first read about him and I’m so happy that he is the hero in this book. I’m also glad to see some familiar faces and to catch up! A lovely retelling of Rapunzel and I recommend it to anyone!
Review by Raychel
Profile Image for Linda.
153 reviews
May 24, 2018
Casey Bond’s Fairy Tale series is incredible. Cannot read fast enough and now have to wait for the new release. They are brilliant and highly recommend

Unlocked is Rapunzel’s story. As the other’s, this version has a different twist, with previous characters returning, whom deserve their own happily ever after! Adore have the stories are being linked to one another and eager to read the end product how they are Turin together.

Casey Bond is brilliant. Her imagination holds no ends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Sarah Norton.
119 reviews3 followers
November 12, 2019
Another great book by Casey L. Bond. Each book has the same flavor, takes place in the same universe, and chapter structure of going between character but each story is very different. This is a sweet love story about a prince and princess thrown together due to a storm and they slowly fall for each other before almost being torn apart. The story is filled with the common miscommunications that love stories often have and it got a little annoying but, of course, everything came together in the end.

Looking forward to reading the fourth book in this series.
Profile Image for Jennifer Minor.
42 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2025
Well what can I say about this book….. Obviously I really enjoyed it since I gave it 5 stars. I just gotta say WOW.
Casey brings back some characters from Riches to Rags I thought we wouldn’t see again.
This book is Prince Trevor from Galder’s book. I was beyond happy that he got his story.
With that being said, towards the end of Chapter 26, Casey writes something heart felt from the female lead character towards Trevor that made me cry. I had to re read that part and cried again. I just love that part of the book.
I definitely recommend this series!!!!
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