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Locked Out
My name is Holly O'Brian and I am a cautionary tale. I saw a sexy man across the bar, I let him walk me home, and now I'm pregnant. Obviously, I left out a few minor details, but I think you get the idea. I've lived a quiet adult high school librarian by day, book editor by night (glamorous, I know), and I was fine with it. I loved my jobs, I loved my cute little house...so why did I tempt the fates and go all cave woman over Dean Slade and drag him home with me by the hair (okay, that's a slight exaggeration)? Well, he is the most handsome man I've ever laid eyes on, it's true. He is broody and gruff and so, so sexy, also true. And the storm that hovers in his eyes, I can't help but want to be the calm to, at least for one night. So I guess there is no answer, I guess I followed my heart (a.k.a., my loins) and decided to spend a night with a sexy Marine. Only now I'm pregnant. And I have to tell him. And I have to let his family into my life. And I have to figure out how I'm going to make room in my schedule for a big, stupid, sexy Marine. Oh. My. Lanta, my life.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2018
185 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
About the author
Anna Chastain
5 books62 followersAnna Chastain is a born and raised California girl. She currently resides in central California with her husband and two daughters. She is addicted to books, music, pizza and donuts (and makes no apologies about it); She is the author of five books that revolve around kissing and laughing, and Locked Out is her newest release. On an average day, you'll catch her hanging with her kindergarteners singing songs about ABC's and pizza, a book not far out of reach.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
February 22, 2019
3.75 stars
Unplanned pregnancy is not my favourite trope, but it worked out just fine with this book.
The main reason - the heroine.
She would have managed it all alone, if the father of the baby hadn't come to his senses.
He was ok. The best part - he hated to be called a 'daddy' 🤣
Unplanned pregnancy is not my favourite trope, but it worked out just fine with this book.
The main reason - the heroine.
She would have managed it all alone, if the father of the baby hadn't come to his senses.
He was ok. The best part - he hated to be called a 'daddy' 🤣
October 31, 2018
This has all the feels
This is an amazing story. Holly has been just existing and on her birthday her friend takes her out and she gets the most amazing gift of her life. He is a marine and his name is Dean. I th I k they wrote that song 'What A Man' totally for him. And because he is so amazing, he gave her a gift too. A baby! Now there was a part of the book that Holly should have returned her gift because he was a Stupid Oaf. That's where she stores his number in her cell. Under Stupid Oaf. It was awesome. He has an amazing family and they take her under their wings and it was so sweet. The stupid of does turn around but when he does, he really does and I swear this book was just so wonderful, I didn't want it to end. I haven't felt that way about a book in a long long time. It has restored my interest in reading again. I highly recommend this totally safe read. I actually want to read it again right now!! And NO this is not an ARC! I hate it when I sound like one but this book is truly incredible.
This is an amazing story. Holly has been just existing and on her birthday her friend takes her out and she gets the most amazing gift of her life. He is a marine and his name is Dean. I th I k they wrote that song 'What A Man' totally for him. And because he is so amazing, he gave her a gift too. A baby! Now there was a part of the book that Holly should have returned her gift because he was a Stupid Oaf. That's where she stores his number in her cell. Under Stupid Oaf. It was awesome. He has an amazing family and they take her under their wings and it was so sweet. The stupid of does turn around but when he does, he really does and I swear this book was just so wonderful, I didn't want it to end. I haven't felt that way about a book in a long long time. It has restored my interest in reading again. I highly recommend this totally safe read. I actually want to read it again right now!! And NO this is not an ARC! I hate it when I sound like one but this book is truly incredible.
November 6, 2021
So you might remember how I sworn not to read any book outside my tbr until the end of the year. Yeah, that...
🤡
It took me two hours to decide to read this one instead of anything in my list, and it was a GREAT story, don't let me tell you otherwise, I loved both characters, the romance development was perfect and everything was so cute I could cry but...
The fucking time jumps
Not as in they're going to the future, no. But the author kept jumping from one scene to another, another day, other conversation, other people, without a warning. She just kept going 🤧 The h is having a drink in her kitchen? Next we know she's on her knees (no, not for that, you filthy animals) classifying books in the library.
So annoying that by the end I just laughed and cried, and cried and laughed some more.
Still good though. If you read this and it doesn't bother you, I'd say go for it.
🤡
It took me two hours to decide to read this one instead of anything in my list, and it was a GREAT story, don't let me tell you otherwise, I loved both characters, the romance development was perfect and everything was so cute I could cry but...
The fucking time jumps
Not as in they're going to the future, no. But the author kept jumping from one scene to another, another day, other conversation, other people, without a warning. She just kept going 🤧 The h is having a drink in her kitchen? Next we know she's on her knees (no, not for that, you filthy animals) classifying books in the library.
So annoying that by the end I just laughed and cried, and cried and laughed some more.
Still good though. If you read this and it doesn't bother you, I'd say go for it.
October 14, 2020
Okay, I was wrong. Gave this another try because, let’s face it, I have nothing else going on.
Once the hero comes back, the connection and the relationship that develops between the two is really well done. Romance is off the table and they have to deal with each other as future parents.
This reminded me a lot of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me as both characters have relationship/PTSD style issues to get through which were well done.
It ended up surprisingly humorous and charming.
Old review
DNF
Apologies to my respected GR reviewers, but this was a big fat DNF for me.
Yes, I know the hero was a Marine, but his complete disinterest in the woman who was pregnant with his child as well as his own child was gross and depressing. Marines live a dangerous life, but, hey, pregnancy can be life-threatening as well even in a first world country. A hero that disregards his own child and the mother even if he doesn't love her is out for me.
Apparently he has PTSD, but it's not so bad he can't have sex with her then leave the next day. This is after major radio silence when he finds out she's pregnant while overseas.
No rating as I never got to the potential turnaround if it ever happened. Given ratings it sounds like he redeemed himself, but too late for me.
Once the hero comes back, the connection and the relationship that develops between the two is really well done. Romance is off the table and they have to deal with each other as future parents.
This reminded me a lot of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me as both characters have relationship/PTSD style issues to get through which were well done.
It ended up surprisingly humorous and charming.
Old review
DNF
Apologies to my respected GR reviewers, but this was a big fat DNF for me.
Yes, I know the hero was a Marine, but his complete disinterest in the woman who was pregnant with his child as well as his own child was gross and depressing. Marines live a dangerous life, but, hey, pregnancy can be life-threatening as well even in a first world country. A hero that disregards his own child and the mother even if he doesn't love her is out for me.
Apparently he has PTSD, but it's not so bad he can't have sex with her then leave the next day. This is after major radio silence when he finds out she's pregnant while overseas.
No rating as I never got to the potential turnaround if it ever happened. Given ratings it sounds like he redeemed himself, but too late for me.
October 11, 2020
Locked Out was such a pleasant surprise. It's not my usual book and I think I needed that. I have read so many of the same type of books lately that this was just refreshing to read. I'm actually putting this in my favorites list.
It helped that there was so much depth to this story. The author really took her time and fleshed these characters out. It's the kind of story that starts out, not really slow, I was never bored, the story had me interested from the start, it's just that development took time. Normally I would tell you I want a fast paced book, but this is one of those times an author has proved me wrong. Ultimately, it is the reason why I fell so hard for this couple.
The main characters were two individuals that just didn't know how to express their feelings and came off unapproachable at first. To me, Dean actually came off as a jerk in the beginning. He certainly did not start out as the type of hero I like. This is where the fleshed out came to the rescue.
When Dean starts to show a more vulnerable side to him, and we start getting sneak peaks into what he was really feeling and what his true character was, that was when he became the man I think most women dream of. The way he took care of Holly will make any hardened heart melt.
Holly is that "I can only depend on myself" kind of woman. I know these type of heroines can come off as just too resistant and at times she had those moments. But what really made her character was again due to the fleshing out this author did with her character. She slowly showed us what was behind those walls she built and she grew as a character. She knew she was closed off and she actively works on being better. It's all I ever ask from a character with flaws like this.
To me, this was truly a romantic love story with a side of realness to it. I highly recommend it.
It helped that there was so much depth to this story. The author really took her time and fleshed these characters out. It's the kind of story that starts out, not really slow, I was never bored, the story had me interested from the start, it's just that development took time. Normally I would tell you I want a fast paced book, but this is one of those times an author has proved me wrong. Ultimately, it is the reason why I fell so hard for this couple.
The main characters were two individuals that just didn't know how to express their feelings and came off unapproachable at first. To me, Dean actually came off as a jerk in the beginning. He certainly did not start out as the type of hero I like. This is where the fleshed out came to the rescue.
When Dean starts to show a more vulnerable side to him, and we start getting sneak peaks into what he was really feeling and what his true character was, that was when he became the man I think most women dream of. The way he took care of Holly will make any hardened heart melt.
Holly is that "I can only depend on myself" kind of woman. I know these type of heroines can come off as just too resistant and at times she had those moments. But what really made her character was again due to the fleshing out this author did with her character. She slowly showed us what was behind those walls she built and she grew as a character. She knew she was closed off and she actively works on being better. It's all I ever ask from a character with flaws like this.
To me, this was truly a romantic love story with a side of realness to it. I highly recommend it.
January 28, 2021
Spoilers ahead
H/h hook up off page and she turns up pregnant. He's a marine and she's able to track him down to deliver the news through his sister (I'm still not sure how she knew the sis). The H isn't pleased but when the h gets sick and is placed on bed rest he steps up and they eventually get to their HEA.
*******
I actually stopped reading at maybe 40%? Because the 30 something year old age H still hadn't come around by that point, yet a trusted reviewer who'd also quit went back to it and she said he'd turned things around, I decided to power through.
He didn't turn around enough for me, I'm really hard on situations with kids. To me she didn't ask for this either, they'd both been there and made the choice to sleep together yet she accepts it immediately and he takes a really long while to coe around. She was to easy on him IMO
The writing style took a bit to get accustomed too as the h spoke to the reader a lot and things seemed all over the place
I was bored quite a bit
The h was a bit annoying TBH
The last maybe 10% was cute
No cheating
H didn't seem to be a manwhore and I don't think he'd slept with anyone after the h
h was a librarian and had had a a couple of relationships
Can't win them all
H/h hook up off page and she turns up pregnant. He's a marine and she's able to track him down to deliver the news through his sister (I'm still not sure how she knew the sis). The H isn't pleased but when the h gets sick and is placed on bed rest he steps up and they eventually get to their HEA.
*******
I actually stopped reading at maybe 40%? Because the 30 something year old age H still hadn't come around by that point, yet a trusted reviewer who'd also quit went back to it and she said he'd turned things around, I decided to power through.
He didn't turn around enough for me, I'm really hard on situations with kids. To me she didn't ask for this either, they'd both been there and made the choice to sleep together yet she accepts it immediately and he takes a really long while to coe around. She was to easy on him IMO
The writing style took a bit to get accustomed too as the h spoke to the reader a lot and things seemed all over the place
I was bored quite a bit
The h was a bit annoying TBH
The last maybe 10% was cute
No cheating
H didn't seem to be a manwhore and I don't think he'd slept with anyone after the h
h was a librarian and had had a a couple of relationships
Can't win them all
October 12, 2023
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK or decent reads.
=======================
===>2023<===
I finally finished reading it and all I have to say is that it's still boring, but I persevered and crossed it off my list.
===>2019<===
#DNF 43% boring...
=======================
===>2023<===
I finally finished reading it and all I have to say is that it's still boring, but I persevered and crossed it off my list.
===>2019<===
#DNF 43% boring...
“Uh, not to be rude, but I don’t get a lot of time for phone calls and they sometimes cut out, so if you have something to say, you might want to get to it.” Not to be rude, huh? Okay.
He interrupts me with a biting curse. “How the hell did this even happen? I mean, didn’t we…you know?”
“So, what is it you want? Because, Holly, I don’t really have a whole lot to offer right now, except money.” “I don’t want your money,”
Pregnant. Fucking pregnant.
I’ve nearly worked myself into a cardiac arrest ten times over just from thinking about how I’d fucked things up good this time.
He doesn’t once look at me, let alone speak to me.
Well that couldn’t have been more uncomfortable if I’d planned it. And what the hell had she been doing there, anyway?
February 24, 2019
3.5 stars.
I floved the heroine, she was an independent woman. She could’ve and would’ve support her baby by herself without hero’s help if she wanted too. She wasn’t a damsel in distress. Some say she was a selfish woman but I didn’t see her like that.
Hero was ok after he took his head out of his ass.
I loved the epilogue.
I floved the heroine, she was an independent woman. She could’ve and would’ve support her baby by herself without hero’s help if she wanted too. She wasn’t a damsel in distress. Some say she was a selfish woman but I didn’t see her like that.
Hero was ok after he took his head out of his ass.
I loved the epilogue.
June 12, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. Holly's doubts and insecurities felt very real. My heart kind of broke for her because of her deep seeded belief that the people wanting to help her, didn't really care for her, but felt some sort of misplaced responsibility to her baby. That truly wasn't the case. Dean's family were wonderful humans who truly cared and wanted to be a part of Holly's life and as well as her child's. Dean's emotions were buried deeply from the tragedies he had seen in his line of work, but he truly cared too. I loved experiencing these two muddle their way into a real relationship. I kind of wish Holly had warmed up to Dean and his family a lot sooner. Her stubbornness was grating towards the end of the story. It all worked out in the end though.
December 10, 2021
Nice banter she has lady balls
HE Grovels A LOT
HE Grovels A LOT
June 21, 2018
I am a mixed bag of emotions on this one.
So be patient with me.
I have read all of Anna Chastain’s books and I have enjoyed all of them, but it seems that here this book wasn’t for me.
The first time we meet Holly and Dean it is in Locked In and I was dying to see what these two were going to get up to.
They spend one night of passion and then two pink lines pop up a couple of weeks later. Holly sees Grace, Dean’s sister in a café and blurts out that she is pregnant and so it all begins. Holly has more time to acclimatize to becoming a parent. Dean has some problems at the beginning, but he really does try to get his head on straight.
He does behave like a douchecanoe but I do understand his point of view in the matter. Now let me get to the lovely, funny, infuriating, immature and selfish Holly. There is having pride and then there is Holly anymore false pride and yes, I would have decked a pregnant woman <--- no need to hate, I’m kidding kind of. *Lol*
Holly’s inner monologue and her inability to accept help from people who want to help just grated on me so much. I thought we were making progress and then she’d pull something silly.
It depicts how to strangers must come to terms and adjust that they will be in both of their lives forever. The struggles are real for both couples and this book is as close to RL as you can get which is refreshing.
To be honest this is all ME and not the book. My love for romance is currently waning Take my review with a pinch of salt and give the truly talented Ms. Chastain a chance as she writes down to earth and light bantered romance with some angst.
I would most certainly read other books by AC once they have been released and if she was to approach me again.
So be patient with me.
I have read all of Anna Chastain’s books and I have enjoyed all of them, but it seems that here this book wasn’t for me.
The first time we meet Holly and Dean it is in Locked In and I was dying to see what these two were going to get up to.
They spend one night of passion and then two pink lines pop up a couple of weeks later. Holly sees Grace, Dean’s sister in a café and blurts out that she is pregnant and so it all begins. Holly has more time to acclimatize to becoming a parent. Dean has some problems at the beginning, but he really does try to get his head on straight.
He does behave like a douchecanoe but I do understand his point of view in the matter. Now let me get to the lovely, funny, infuriating, immature and selfish Holly. There is having pride and then there is Holly anymore false pride and yes, I would have decked a pregnant woman <--- no need to hate, I’m kidding kind of. *Lol*
Holly’s inner monologue and her inability to accept help from people who want to help just grated on me so much. I thought we were making progress and then she’d pull something silly.
It depicts how to strangers must come to terms and adjust that they will be in both of their lives forever. The struggles are real for both couples and this book is as close to RL as you can get which is refreshing.
To be honest this is all ME and not the book. My love for romance is currently waning Take my review with a pinch of salt and give the truly talented Ms. Chastain a chance as she writes down to earth and light bantered romance with some angst.
I would most certainly read other books by AC once they have been released and if she was to approach me again.
February 24, 2019
4'5 stars!
nope
February 24, 20192 sentences into the blurb and I'm out!
Can't stand stupid girls who get pregnant from a one-night stand!
If you know how to do it, you should as well know how to do it with protection!
Can't stand stupid girls who get pregnant from a one-night stand!
If you know how to do it, you should as well know how to do it with protection!
March 7, 2022
This was surprisingly devoid of romance or sexual tension or sex, even though the premise would suggest otherwise.
What a missed opportunity.
It’s less than 300 pages but it felt like 600.
These two (in their 30s) have a drunken one night stand, off page. The book opens with the h finding out she’s pregnant. The H is deployed overseas with the military, so she has to tell him over Skype. He’s not super excited. They don’t even know each other, except for their one night. So the rest of the book is them both being standoffish while getting to know each other. They have a very short non-descriptive drunken night on her couch… but then he ghosts her again…. Then she’s put on bed rest. So, of course that rules out any chance at smexxy times for the majority of the rest of the book. He eventually is forced to pull his head out of his ass to take care of her and then fall in very ho-hum “love”.
Not a fan of “momma” used as an endearment. I cringed every time. So that killed any glimmer of sexual tension for me. She was never loved/wanted just for being her. 🤷🏼♀️
Bottom Line? Meh. I needed more. The writing is fine, technically. I finished. 🤷🏼♀️ I kept going, waiting for him to go all intense and possessive on her, living up to his potential, but he was just vaguely sweet and protective. No real angst or even any true conflict besides him being wishy-washy at first. It was ok. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- No OW/OM drama
- no dubcon
- neither MC is a virgin, both over 30 yrs
- no condoms
- very little steam in this one - 2 short sex scenes very low on detail or heat
What a missed opportunity.
It’s less than 300 pages but it felt like 600.
These two (in their 30s) have a drunken one night stand, off page. The book opens with the h finding out she’s pregnant. The H is deployed overseas with the military, so she has to tell him over Skype. He’s not super excited. They don’t even know each other, except for their one night. So the rest of the book is them both being standoffish while getting to know each other. They have a very short non-descriptive drunken night on her couch… but then he ghosts her again…. Then she’s put on bed rest. So, of course that rules out any chance at smexxy times for the majority of the rest of the book. He eventually is forced to pull his head out of his ass to take care of her and then fall in very ho-hum “love”.
Not a fan of “momma” used as an endearment. I cringed every time. So that killed any glimmer of sexual tension for me. She was never loved/wanted just for being her. 🤷🏼♀️
Bottom Line? Meh. I needed more. The writing is fine, technically. I finished. 🤷🏼♀️ I kept going, waiting for him to go all intense and possessive on her, living up to his potential, but he was just vaguely sweet and protective. No real angst or even any true conflict besides him being wishy-washy at first. It was ok. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- No OW/OM drama
- no dubcon
- neither MC is a virgin, both over 30 yrs
- no condoms
- very little steam in this one - 2 short sex scenes very low on detail or heat
March 1, 2019
This wasn't bad but I never really felt the romance in this one. The heroine came across as too much of a loner and aloof having grown up with addicts for parents. I did like how independent and self-sufficient she was and to be honest after a certain point it was great seeing the h/H actually get to know each other. The book just had some spark missing.
dnf
January 19, 2021DNFed somewhere over 50%. No rating--if I would, it would be 2-3 Stars.
It started out good, really good, I appreciated the writing, but the story got so boring. And I was not feeling a strong enough connection between the MCs. There wasn't any romance at all. The hero was on deployment almost the entire first half of the book and he never contacted the heroine even after finding out she was pregnant (from their ONS). Ugh. And when they are finally together, they were just meh. Like I said, no romance. I lost my patience. Something that really annoyed me and I couldn't get past it anymore since I wasn't even enjoying the story anyway, was the hero calling the heroine, 'Mama.' Just NO. Note: He called her that because she was his baby mama. Eww, I've never been a fan of that label. That is not remotely romantic or sweet, much less sexy. I overlooked it for a while--even though it made me cringe every time; it was such a turn-off--but once the pacing started dragging, I DNFed at one of his, 'Mama's. Dude, stop it.
It started out good, really good, I appreciated the writing, but the story got so boring. And I was not feeling a strong enough connection between the MCs. There wasn't any romance at all. The hero was on deployment almost the entire first half of the book and he never contacted the heroine even after finding out she was pregnant (from their ONS). Ugh. And when they are finally together, they were just meh. Like I said, no romance. I lost my patience. Something that really annoyed me and I couldn't get past it anymore since I wasn't even enjoying the story anyway, was the hero calling the heroine, 'Mama.' Just NO. Note: He called her that because she was his baby mama. Eww, I've never been a fan of that label. That is not remotely romantic or sweet, much less sexy. I overlooked it for a while--even though it made me cringe every time; it was such a turn-off--but once the pacing started dragging, I DNFed at one of his, 'Mama's. Dude, stop it.
May 1, 2022
the writing wasn’t the best but the story was really sweet with many funny parts.
February 20, 2019
I love stories about couples who aren't in love yet, and have to navigate having a baby together. It's so rare nowadays to find books just about two people without all the other people drama. I have adapted to some crap plot points just to keep enough of a selection to choose from, but its nice to run across one where I don't have to adapt, I can just enjoy!
The story follows Dean and Holly who had a one night stand that resulted in a pregnancy. Dean is in the military so is overseas when he gets the news, and his reaction is what I feel some readers might have an issue with. He kind of is cold and ignores her while he tries to process it. He has ptsd issues, and he just feels like there is a darkness over him, which is what attracted him to Holly in the first place, how bright and beautiful she seemed. I was able to be ok with his reaction, because it felt organic, and honestly after reading dumb ass heros who manwhore it up in their man pain, I was ok that he just went to the woods to think. I pick my battles! The story kind of plays out where they actually both have traumatizing things they are dealing with that causes nightmares so they start leaning on each other, and essentially fall in love backwards. Holly was a pretty strong heroine, she was fine with or without Dean, and told him so. I thought it was really sweet, and it was endearing watching Dean learn how to be in a relationship and become so protective of her, one little passage I liked:
"She looks beautiful today....the dress snug around her growing stomach and the glaring evidence of what I'd done to her made me feel both possessive and proud. Is that normal? I wasn't sure, but I know I didn't care."
Stuff like the above normally makes me roll my eyes, but it came across sweet in the book, because he was just such a bambi trying to navigate feelings he has never had before.
Safety Info:
This one was pretty safe to me. He wasn't a manwhore, he even mentions he doesn't like to take women home for one night stands, he just couldn't resist Holly. Also, no other people drama AT ALL, HALLELUJAH!
The story follows Dean and Holly who had a one night stand that resulted in a pregnancy. Dean is in the military so is overseas when he gets the news, and his reaction is what I feel some readers might have an issue with. He kind of is cold and ignores her while he tries to process it. He has ptsd issues, and he just feels like there is a darkness over him, which is what attracted him to Holly in the first place, how bright and beautiful she seemed. I was able to be ok with his reaction, because it felt organic, and honestly after reading dumb ass heros who manwhore it up in their man pain, I was ok that he just went to the woods to think. I pick my battles! The story kind of plays out where they actually both have traumatizing things they are dealing with that causes nightmares so they start leaning on each other, and essentially fall in love backwards. Holly was a pretty strong heroine, she was fine with or without Dean, and told him so. I thought it was really sweet, and it was endearing watching Dean learn how to be in a relationship and become so protective of her, one little passage I liked:
"She looks beautiful today....the dress snug around her growing stomach and the glaring evidence of what I'd done to her made me feel both possessive and proud. Is that normal? I wasn't sure, but I know I didn't care."
Stuff like the above normally makes me roll my eyes, but it came across sweet in the book, because he was just such a bambi trying to navigate feelings he has never had before.
Safety Info:
This one was pretty safe to me. He wasn't a manwhore, he even mentions he doesn't like to take women home for one night stands, he just couldn't resist Holly. Also, no other people drama AT ALL, HALLELUJAH!
January 26, 2021
3.45-ish Stars
This one takes a while to get going, so you’ll have to be patient. (which isn’t my wheelhouse) Holly (31) and Dean (35) share a ONS with consequences. 👶 This causes them to reunite. This is a slow burn; the couple comes together because and for the baby, and aren’t in love straightaway. It made for a very developed relationship, but for an impatient reader like myself… 💤💤 at times.
Other than the slow pace, this was missing something for me. I found Holly likeable enough, but at the same time found her annoying a fair amount of the time. She’s prideful, but quite immature for a woman in her 30's. The jury on her is quite split, which I think depends on how you answer this question. Is a woman strong because she's willing to raise a child on her own...OR... selfish because she's willing to make the decision to deny her child a father??
Dean for his part starts as the standard ex-military dude fighting his demons. He “sees the light” pulls his head out, and then it’s smoother water. With all that, it’s still very entertaining, and IMO, about as real life as you can get, and the plot was VERY relatable. Their struggle was real and I felt it.
Bottom Line- I liked it... didn’t love it, but it is written well, and I think more patient readers could love it. It fell just under rounding up territory for me. It’s free on KU, so if you like a tortured H, second chance romance with a whoopsie baby, give it a shot. There’s an epilogue that follows the couple several years in the future. **Totally safe from cheating, OW/OM shenanigans.
This one takes a while to get going, so you’ll have to be patient. (which isn’t my wheelhouse) Holly (31) and Dean (35) share a ONS with consequences. 👶 This causes them to reunite. This is a slow burn; the couple comes together because and for the baby, and aren’t in love straightaway. It made for a very developed relationship, but for an impatient reader like myself… 💤💤 at times.
Other than the slow pace, this was missing something for me. I found Holly likeable enough, but at the same time found her annoying a fair amount of the time. She’s prideful, but quite immature for a woman in her 30's. The jury on her is quite split, which I think depends on how you answer this question. Is a woman strong because she's willing to raise a child on her own...OR... selfish because she's willing to make the decision to deny her child a father??
Dean for his part starts as the standard ex-military dude fighting his demons. He “sees the light” pulls his head out, and then it’s smoother water. With all that, it’s still very entertaining, and IMO, about as real life as you can get, and the plot was VERY relatable. Their struggle was real and I felt it.
Bottom Line- I liked it... didn’t love it, but it is written well, and I think more patient readers could love it. It fell just under rounding up territory for me. It’s free on KU, so if you like a tortured H, second chance romance with a whoopsie baby, give it a shot. There’s an epilogue that follows the couple several years in the future. **Totally safe from cheating, OW/OM shenanigans.
November 6, 2018
I loved this book.
I found it so funny.
Holly and Dean.
Holly finds out she's pregnant, Dean is overseas, he's in the military, he doesn't take the news too well.
To be fair to him it was ONS, his mind is on his mission, his team etc so it comes as a bit of a shock. He's also been in the military a long time so thinking of a life with a family is a big adjustment.
Holly has quite a tragic past which makes her a bit of a loner.
When Dean gets his head together he is amazing.
The pregnancy moods, the pranks were so hilarious.
It's a slow burn, they are involved in each other's lives closely but the feelings and future come towards the end of the book.
No cheating.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
The only draw back was the last few chapters seemed to drag a bit.
HEA.
💞💓💕
🐺🐈
🏖🍕🌮🍰
📚📖
I found it so funny.
Holly and Dean.
Holly finds out she's pregnant, Dean is overseas, he's in the military, he doesn't take the news too well.
To be fair to him it was ONS, his mind is on his mission, his team etc so it comes as a bit of a shock. He's also been in the military a long time so thinking of a life with a family is a big adjustment.
Holly has quite a tragic past which makes her a bit of a loner.
When Dean gets his head together he is amazing.
The pregnancy moods, the pranks were so hilarious.
It's a slow burn, they are involved in each other's lives closely but the feelings and future come towards the end of the book.
No cheating.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
The only draw back was the last few chapters seemed to drag a bit.
HEA.
💞💓💕
🐺🐈
🏖🍕🌮🍰
📚📖
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July 17, 2025
2025: wow, just finished reading this book for the fifth time (every year since 2020 except last year haha)🫡 comfort read favorite for sure. If you love an unexpected pregnancy give this a go. It’s such an easy, chill read. No crazy drama, just a cute librarian and a military man thrown into an interesting situation.
Original review 2020:
4-4.5 stars, this was just a feel good novel for me. I really enjoyed watching Holly and Dean's relationship slowly develop. I was a little nervous after reading some bad reviews that Dean was gonna be a huge asshole...but like...they must not read the books I read with true alpha-holes, this was pretty light lol he has a few moments for sure, but nothing extraordinarily douchey ;)
Original review 2020:
4-4.5 stars, this was just a feel good novel for me. I really enjoyed watching Holly and Dean's relationship slowly develop. I was a little nervous after reading some bad reviews that Dean was gonna be a huge asshole...but like...they must not read the books I read with true alpha-holes, this was pretty light lol he has a few moments for sure, but nothing extraordinarily douchey ;)
November 6, 2021
DNF wow what an annoying h! You’re going to have a baby with a man who never wanted kids and don’t even bother really talking about it? Just telling him how it’s going to be and get angry when he tries to help with his own child?? You don’t want money for yourself fine but children are expensive and you should want the best for them and be happy he wants to be involved at all! Keeping basically everything away from him when he hasn’t even proven if he’s a bad guy or not? Why was this woman automatically defensive?! It made no sense!!!!
September 24, 2023
Absolutely beautiful!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: ONS, accidental pregnancy
Angst: 😱😱😱1\2
Smexy: 🔥1\2
Just an all around beautiful story about two people working through the trauma life's dished out and finding themselves and ach other in the process. The two MCs were super relatable and I found myself cheering for that HEA. Great epilogue at the end ❤.
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: ONS, accidental pregnancy
Angst: 😱😱😱1\2
Smexy: 🔥1\2
Just an all around beautiful story about two people working through the trauma life's dished out and finding themselves and ach other in the process. The two MCs were super relatable and I found myself cheering for that HEA. Great epilogue at the end ❤.
May 22, 2021
2.5 stars
September 16, 2022
This book was so cute! I wish it hadn’t been a “clean” romance, I mean come on no sex scenes at all, but I still loved it!
July 9, 2018
My favorite book of 2018! Extremely well written, subtly funny, with very soft angsty tones, this book was a page turner for me. A book nerd gets pregnant by a Marine Corps soldier. She’s extremely shy, he’s extremely hot. This was one highly entertaining book, with very heartfelt emotions.
Holly O’Brien is a librarian and of course, her life is books. Coming from a traumatic childhood with drug-addict parents, she was sent to her grandmother at age 14. Her grandmother lavished her with love and frequent walks by the beach, where she learned to be soothed by the sounds of the waves. Since her escape was books, she studied books and is the librarian at the town’s high school.
One night she did something extraordinary, out of the way for her: she had a one-night stand that resulted in pregnancy. She was prepared to go the route alone but Dean Slade, who was away on assignment, wanted to be a present father, as much as his job allowed.
Holly is a loner by choice, product of her upbringing. She’s uncomfortable in big groups, has a hard time chatting and socializing. However, she’s absorbed into Dean’s family by his mother and sister, who just didn’t accept a refusal. Little by little, a woman who spends her nights after work submerged in the world of her books and Netflix, she’s forced to broaden her horizons, and now shares time with Dean’s mother and sister, has Taco Tuesdays with Dean’s uncle, and her best friend Macy is a frequent visitor.
She needs control in her life, but Dean is accustomed to have his every command obeyed instantly. Their discussions are a hoot, Dean’s attentions are “awwww” invoking, Holly’s many embarrassing moments are delightful. I totally loved Holly’s pranks to Dean, to get even for his forcing healthy food instead of her beloved gummy bears and Hot Pockets. We’re taken on a wonderful journey as Holly and Dean deal with the pregnancy, their emerging feelings to each other, their co-habitation stumbles, and an invasive family. The humor is subtle but spot on, there’s sexual tension and great chemistry between this couple, and an emerging tender intimacy that is just too sweet for words.
There are no strong emotions, no strong angst, no fights and few sexual scenes. Yet this was one of the most romantic stories I’ve read because the love develops insidiously. I loved the many references to fruits and vegetables as the baby develops in Holly’s belly. We have “my little banana”, “my little rutabaga”, “my little pumpkin”, to mark the pregnancy progress. Endearing!
Holly O’Brien is a librarian and of course, her life is books. Coming from a traumatic childhood with drug-addict parents, she was sent to her grandmother at age 14. Her grandmother lavished her with love and frequent walks by the beach, where she learned to be soothed by the sounds of the waves. Since her escape was books, she studied books and is the librarian at the town’s high school.
One night she did something extraordinary, out of the way for her: she had a one-night stand that resulted in pregnancy. She was prepared to go the route alone but Dean Slade, who was away on assignment, wanted to be a present father, as much as his job allowed.
Holly is a loner by choice, product of her upbringing. She’s uncomfortable in big groups, has a hard time chatting and socializing. However, she’s absorbed into Dean’s family by his mother and sister, who just didn’t accept a refusal. Little by little, a woman who spends her nights after work submerged in the world of her books and Netflix, she’s forced to broaden her horizons, and now shares time with Dean’s mother and sister, has Taco Tuesdays with Dean’s uncle, and her best friend Macy is a frequent visitor.
She needs control in her life, but Dean is accustomed to have his every command obeyed instantly. Their discussions are a hoot, Dean’s attentions are “awwww” invoking, Holly’s many embarrassing moments are delightful. I totally loved Holly’s pranks to Dean, to get even for his forcing healthy food instead of her beloved gummy bears and Hot Pockets. We’re taken on a wonderful journey as Holly and Dean deal with the pregnancy, their emerging feelings to each other, their co-habitation stumbles, and an invasive family. The humor is subtle but spot on, there’s sexual tension and great chemistry between this couple, and an emerging tender intimacy that is just too sweet for words.
There are no strong emotions, no strong angst, no fights and few sexual scenes. Yet this was one of the most romantic stories I’ve read because the love develops insidiously. I loved the many references to fruits and vegetables as the baby develops in Holly’s belly. We have “my little banana”, “my little rutabaga”, “my little pumpkin”, to mark the pregnancy progress. Endearing!
December 30, 2019
Starts out slow, but when it gets going you realize that the author knew what she was doing because that arc was needed to keep it real and out of saccharin sweetness territory. Enjoyed tremendously, so why only 4 stars? I like a little more steam, and while the sexual tension was really tight, the actual deed was more closed door. So clearly just a personal preference, otherwise I would've given 5. I'm a smut. ;-p Also, epilogue was great. Not super long, but gave us 5 years down the line. I think I've just reviewed myself into 4.5 ⭐️ territory.
March 8, 2019
3.25+ Rating - An okay read, some better than okay parts. Not a lot of steam. I'd read something again by this author maybe but it wouldn't be at the top of my list.
July 4, 2018
While home on leave from the Marines, Dean Slade spotted Holly O’Brian while out one night. They went home together, he went back to the Marines, and she went back to her life as a high school librarian. But then, she discovers she’s pregnant. Not knowing how to reach Dean, she contacts his sister Grace – which results in telling Dean the big news, meeting his mother, and eventually, Dean returning home. Now they’re trying to navigate this new relationship with each other while also wondering if the other may possibly feel all of the tingly feelings that they are.
I absolutely loved this novel. I loved Dean, loved Holly, and especially the presence of Dean and Grace’s uncle Red, who is just a fabulous character. It’s funny because I looked back at my review of Locked In and saw that I wasn’t crazy about Dean in the first book because he was so angry and brooding all of the time. Well, that was not the case this time because I completely fell in love.
Anna Chastain is the master of characterization, always making them so believable and relatable. In Locked Out, she beautifully and slowly unwrapped different sides of Dean and Holly, reminding us that first impressions aren’t always correct and that we never know what’s going on deeper within a person to drive their behavior and actions. Holly started out so fiercely independent and closed off to all of Dean’s family, but as she slowly faced her feelings about Dean, versus her reasons for not wanting to rely on others, she slowly opened up. Dean was the ever-professional, serious, Marine in the beginning. But like Holly, he slowly opened up as he realized and accepted his growing feelings for her. What started as a serious and at times, scary guy, ended up being someone sweet, caring, funny, and lovable.
Locked Out is funny, romantic, at times frustrating, and full of amazing characters that you will fall in love with. This is a great escape novel because Chastain pulls you in from the beginning and you most likely won’t put this one down until you’ve read the last word. This is one of those novels that when you do finish it, you find yourself smiling and feeling happy about the universe! Part women’s fiction, part romance, part comedy – Locked Out should definitely go to the top of your TBR.
*Thanks to Anna Chastain for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I absolutely loved this novel. I loved Dean, loved Holly, and especially the presence of Dean and Grace’s uncle Red, who is just a fabulous character. It’s funny because I looked back at my review of Locked In and saw that I wasn’t crazy about Dean in the first book because he was so angry and brooding all of the time. Well, that was not the case this time because I completely fell in love.
Anna Chastain is the master of characterization, always making them so believable and relatable. In Locked Out, she beautifully and slowly unwrapped different sides of Dean and Holly, reminding us that first impressions aren’t always correct and that we never know what’s going on deeper within a person to drive their behavior and actions. Holly started out so fiercely independent and closed off to all of Dean’s family, but as she slowly faced her feelings about Dean, versus her reasons for not wanting to rely on others, she slowly opened up. Dean was the ever-professional, serious, Marine in the beginning. But like Holly, he slowly opened up as he realized and accepted his growing feelings for her. What started as a serious and at times, scary guy, ended up being someone sweet, caring, funny, and lovable.
Locked Out is funny, romantic, at times frustrating, and full of amazing characters that you will fall in love with. This is a great escape novel because Chastain pulls you in from the beginning and you most likely won’t put this one down until you’ve read the last word. This is one of those novels that when you do finish it, you find yourself smiling and feeling happy about the universe! Part women’s fiction, part romance, part comedy – Locked Out should definitely go to the top of your TBR.
*Thanks to Anna Chastain for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
July 26, 2023
Dean and Holly
I loved these two together - they fit. Both have forms of ptsd - him a marine 17 years and she has parents who were addicted to drugs and was raised by her grandmother at age 14. He sees her across the bar and she shines. One night stand with pregnancy. He is serving overseas and she tells him over Skype - they are not in a relationship. She is quiet and keeps to herself having learned not to rely on others. She is also a librarian. He comes back and wants to support her but seems to say and do all the wrong things. He is having trouble acclimating back to regular life. She suffers from preeclampsia and is on bed rest for about 8 weeks, he becomes her caregiver. It is very awkward and they don’t communicate well. They both like each other but lack the skills and courage to move forward. His sister first states that he has fallen in love when he goes out of his way to buy Holly special donuts. He realizes then that he has. He takes a stateside job though it’s an hr away. They keep getting closer until he finally is like I can’t not kiss you.. and from there things move to “I love you”.
I liked them getting to know each other and sharing their thoughts and past. They could really feel for each other and understand ptsd together. He even got a degree in psychology due to this. (She tells him this is what makes her fall in love with him a degreed man.)
Baby is a girl… and after he just requests another and then another until there are 4 and the last is a curly haired redhead like her mother.
He kept calling her Mama throughout the pregnancy - it was sweet but also a little cringe for me. Not many in depth spicy scenes - pretty quick paragraphs. But he’s got his shirt off like every other sentence 😜.
I loved these two together - they fit. Both have forms of ptsd - him a marine 17 years and she has parents who were addicted to drugs and was raised by her grandmother at age 14. He sees her across the bar and she shines. One night stand with pregnancy. He is serving overseas and she tells him over Skype - they are not in a relationship. She is quiet and keeps to herself having learned not to rely on others. She is also a librarian. He comes back and wants to support her but seems to say and do all the wrong things. He is having trouble acclimating back to regular life. She suffers from preeclampsia and is on bed rest for about 8 weeks, he becomes her caregiver. It is very awkward and they don’t communicate well. They both like each other but lack the skills and courage to move forward. His sister first states that he has fallen in love when he goes out of his way to buy Holly special donuts. He realizes then that he has. He takes a stateside job though it’s an hr away. They keep getting closer until he finally is like I can’t not kiss you.. and from there things move to “I love you”.
I liked them getting to know each other and sharing their thoughts and past. They could really feel for each other and understand ptsd together. He even got a degree in psychology due to this. (She tells him this is what makes her fall in love with him a degreed man.)
Baby is a girl… and after he just requests another and then another until there are 4 and the last is a curly haired redhead like her mother.
He kept calling her Mama throughout the pregnancy - it was sweet but also a little cringe for me. Not many in depth spicy scenes - pretty quick paragraphs. But he’s got his shirt off like every other sentence 😜.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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