Locked Heart

by Eden Finley

CASH

Ten years ago, I left my heart with a boy when I moved to LA to become a rock star.

We made a pact. If I ever performed at Death Valley Music Festival, he’d come see me play.

Now, after a decade of paying my dues, I’ve been booked as a headliner.

Only question is, will he show up or do I need to face the possibility of letting him go forever?


Locked Heart is a 27,000-word MM novella that is loosely connected to the Famous series but is a complete standalone.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance, Novella, LGBT, Music

108 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2020

About the author

Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are mostly full of snark and light-hearted fluff.

She lives to create an escape from real life for herself and her readers.

She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.

Reviews

[☆ Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I admit it. I'm an idiot. :- /

I read Eden's "Spotlight (Famous #2)" three months ago and while reading this book, it took me until ~50% in to realize that, DUH!, the Cash Kingsley side-character from that book was the main MC in *this* novella.

Like I said, an idiot.



In my (very shoddy) defense, neither Ryder or Lyric are mentioned *by name* in this story, so I'm blaming me being so slow on the uptake on that fact, which I'm ride-or-die sticking to. heh

In this story, Cash and Locke had seriously dated in high school, but (very mistakenly) decided to not try a long-distance relationship when they went their separate ways after graduation, with Cash headed to Los Angeles to pursue a music career and Locke going to college in Pennsylvania to study business.

The anticipation was high in this story, as they'd been separated for a decade; however, once they got together again, the payoff for the reader was well worth the wait.

Although this was only novella-length, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the emotion conveyed on-page between the guys, so I'd rate this story at around 4 stars and recommend it to fans of Eden's "Famous" series.

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My ARC copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.

See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)

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[Snjez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the first third of the book. I loved the anticipation of Cash and Locke seeing each other for the first time in ten years. This part of the story gave me all the feelings.

However, their reunion scene, as well as the rest of the story, was very disappointing for me. It was not what I'm looking for in a second chance romance.

There was very little communication between them, just a bunch of sex scenes – too many for a story this short. I didn't like them at all, especially that first one.

There was a little bit of miscommunication towards the end, followed by a very cheesy grand gesture - the kind that involves a lot of random people cheering and holding cameras. I can't even express how much it makes me cringe.

[~Mindy Lynn~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars!

The story was short and steamy.

I had hoped we would get a Cash story; only I was hoping for a longer version.

Cash had a serious relationship in high school with a boy named Sherlock AKA Locke. They decided to go their separate ways after graduating to both allow the other to follow their dreams. Sherlock wanted to go to college and Cash was off to LA to follow his dream of being a musician. They made a pack that when Cash made it big enough to perform at Death Valley Music Festival, that Locke would make the trip to see him perform, and they would reunite.

They had a reunion of the sexual kind. Literally. Not many words were exchanged before Cash was dropping trout and they were getting it in.

I guess I just wanted more story.

I still enjoyed what I got though.

Happy reading dolls! xx

I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I was tainted by other reviews.
Maybe not.
But I really didn’t feel any connection between Cash and Locke.
I don’t think Cash even read like the same character from the previous book.
It felt forced. The conversations were painful to read.
This one just didn’t work for me at all.

[Leslie]

Eden Finley is one of my favorite authors but I haven't really connected with this newest series about the Pop group. I know this one is only loosely connected but I consider it part of that series. It may be a case of it's me not the book. It's not that I have disliked them. I just haven't felt the way I did about the, "Fake Boyfriend," books. But even with not loving this series so far, I was excited about Cash's story. He made me laugh in the last book and I needed his HEA. Sadly, this missed the mark for me. It was cute enough and had some sweet moments. I enjoyed the beginning more than the end. Perhaps it would have worked more as a full length novel? I don't think I had enough time to connect to Cash and Locke. Throw in what I felt was a bit too much unnecessary drama for such a short story and some second chance insta-love (Is that a thing?) and this wasn't totally for me.

P.S.
Why did Locke make it seem like he had done some, "bad things," and owed his boss and wouldn't be able to stop working there. It seemed like there was going to be some dark secret but then nothing happened with that. Or did I miss it? I'm lost on that.

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this tale of teenage lovers reconnecting

This is Cash's story, the rock star we last saw in Spotlight, and while it's a novella, it still offers a fully rounded out narrative.

There's a bit of a 'miscommunication/misunderstanding' plot after they reconnected which I could have done without as it's a trope I really dislike.

But, other than that, the rest is a lovely, and chemistry packed, reconnection between two people who should never have split up 10 years earlier.

[Ele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had higher hopes for this because second chance romance is my favorite trope ever.

Everything moved too fast, the story felt too rushed, the first meeting was lackluster and Sherlock's excuses were pretty lame. The banter was kind of forced and I didn't care for the grand gesture in the end.

3 stars because it might not have been great but I didn't hate it either.. Meh.

[Kaity · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audio: 4.5 stars, Iggy Toma and Alexander Cendese are a great duo, although I don’t fully love Alexander C! (Rockstar Hearts is on Everand)

Book: 2.5 stars

Too much sex rather than talking haha. It was good to see what happened to Cash after “Spotlight.

I wished more for him, but it was alright… 🫤

[Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp · Rating 4 out of 5]

|| 4.0 stars ||

Awww, this was so sweet! I did not expect that at all. I was hoping it’d be an okay read, but I definitely didn’t expect to like this novella as much as I did.
In fact, I wish this wasn’t a novella at all, but rather a full-length novel. I could have spent plenty more hours with this story and these characters.

Locke and Cash fell in love when they were 17 years old, but had to break up when Locke went to college while Cash went to L.A. to make it big in the music industry. Now, at 28, they finally meet again, and it was everything you want from a second-chance romance.
Cash had been pining for Locke all this time, and I swear, this man is truly desperately IN LOVE with Locke. He seems to adore the ground he walks on and wants nothing more than to be with him. You can’t tell me that that is not absolutely adorable, because it is.
These two also have great chemistry and banter together. They just felt natural as a couple. Oh, and there were some pretty hot scenes between them as well, which I wasn’t complaining about.

Of course, there aren’t ever any highly emotional moments and every conflict is resolved entirely too fast, but seeing how short this story was, I think it did the best it could and it did it well.
The content was absolutely great, and for a novella it’s honestly about as good as it can be. It's just that I'm personally more of a fan of longer stories that can truly suck you in and keep you there.
Therefore, I definitely wish Locke and Cash got more time. I just know they could have completely knocked it out of the park then.


'Cash Me Outside' series:
1. Locked Heart - 4.0 stars
2. Thorned Heart - 3.0 stars

Prequel 'Famous' series:
1. Pop Star - 3.5 stars
2. Spotlight - 3.0 stars
3. Fandom - 3.0 stars
4. Encore - 2.5 stars

Other Eden Finley books:
‘Fake Boyfriend’ series - var. ratings
‘CU Hockey’ series - var. ratings
‘Mike Bravo Ops’ series - var. ratings
‘Puckboys’ series - var. ratings

[.Lili. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was super excited when I saw Locked Heart; I was all over this story like white on rice. Though, I'll admit I was nervous when I saw the word count- 27,000. Novellas are tricky, maybe even harder than a full length, because you must fit the complete story in a smaller number of pages. Well, Eden Finley succeeded in doing just that.

From the get-go, I was hooked—high school sweethearts who break to pursue their dreams. In their young minds, there's no way it would ever work out. Cash wants to be a huge rock star, and SherLocke is a numbers guy. How would two futures going in different directions work out? I can't blame them for thinking it wouldn't.

For a novella, it had it all:

-Loveable characters
-Star crossed lovers whose paths seemed destined to keep them apart.
-A teensy sprinkle of angst
-Smoking hot chemistry
-Soul mates, because they were in my eyes.
-All tied up with a HEA.

Do I wish it had been longer? Absolutely, but the short length didn't take away from the enjoyment.

Now, I wait for Seb's book because he must have one. *fingers crossed*

[Bookreader87(Amanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cashton 💜 Sherlock

10 years before hitting it big Cash Kingsley was a teenage boy in love with Sherlock Emerson. The boys lives were going in two different directions and they thought it would be best to go their separate ways. A promise was made the day the separated and it's a promise Cash hopes is kept.

This was cute and and selfishly I wanted it to be longer. I wanted more Cash and Locke but I'm happy with its ending 😁

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Randomly encountered this short yesterday, had no idea it was connected to Eden Finley’s “Famous” series (which in itself is a spin-off of EF’s “Fake Boyfriend” series) - which I thoroughly enjoyed.

This story centers around Cash Kingsley, the lead singer of Cash Me Outside that we met in Spotlight - and don’t you worry, Cash’s romantic interest slaps him upside the head for that stupid ass band name 😂.

This is a fun little romp with signature Finley flavor, and I know I would’ve enjoyed it even more if there was more of it.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

- rockstar
- second chance

I liked Cash from what little I got to see of him in Ryder’s book, and was really glad he got his own. I love a second chance romance, and he and Locke deserved their happy ending!

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I absolutely adored this. Everything about this worked. The only thing wrong was that there wasn't *enough* of these two together! I wanted more, I loved them together.

Cash Kingsley, if you recall, was in Spotlight, the second book in the Famous series, as another artist working with Ryder and who hooked up with Ryder once and tried again. But he didn't do relationships.

We find out why in this short story, in which we find out that Cash fell in love when he was 17 with a boy named Sherlock Emerson, but when they're 18 and graduated, Cash goes out to LA to pursue his dreams of being a singer, and Sherlock - or Locke as goes by later - goes to Philadelphia for college. They were - and are - desperately in love, but they break-up for what they think is the better. That they need to be young and pursue their chosen careers apart, because they're young and who finds the love of their life at 17?

Well yeah, most don't...but some do. And these two did, they just thought their relationship couldn't and wouldn't last, being so young.

But they promised each other, if/when Cash became a headliner at a concert in (at? I forget if they said Death Valley was the place or is just what the festival is called) Death Valley. Cash thought it'd take him 3 years, only....it takes him 10 years. Reality of the music business.

And anyway, after 2 years, Locke just straight up ghosted Cash for reasons you'll have to read to find out.

But when Cash and his band finally make it to Death Valley, Cash hopes beyond hope that Locke shows up, and when he does...it's almost like nothing has changed. Their chemistry, their connection is still very much there.

Only some things did change, and they have to figure out if they want to make it work and how they would make it work, after these years and 10 years of regrets and being apart.

In a way, the separation was needed...but also not. Sometimes they are completely unnecessary, but I think that young...not always, but a lot of the time people just need to experience life before they're ready to settle into being a full on adult, knowing what they want to do with their life. Maintaining a relationship at that time isn't easy.

And I think Cash and Locke became better for the time apart - maybe 10 years wasn't needed, but also it did work out in the end - and were truly ready to face the world while being together where they might not have been before, being only 18.

But for all that the separation was probably good, they never stopped loving each other, not once. They dated, slept with others, but their hearts were with each other, always.

I adored this. It has the perfect set up and the perfect follow through with these two, and I loved these two together. They are truly perfect for each other.

Two massive thumbs up from me. Highly recommend!

[kaye taz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Format: audiobook
Narration: 🎤🎤🎤/5

Cute novella.

Honestly, gun to my head, I couldn’t tell you much about any of these characters. But it was a quick, fun read with spice and fluff. Definitely wasn’t super necessary to give these side characters their own story but I enjoyed it anyway.

This book is also easily skippable if you really don’t wanna read it.

(Same review for both books: Locked Heart and Thorned Heart)

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and steamy story that sucked me in from the beginning. I really loved the concept! It was heartwarming and fun to read. The perfect story to snuggle up with at night.

[⋆˚ʚ Abril ɞ˚⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✧ ”Cualquier lugar contigo es donde quiero hacer mi hogar.”

✧ Mi única queja con este libro es que debió tener más páginas. Que historia tan bonita y sexy; tiene todo aquello que me encanta en un libro para que me enamore: romance intenso, momentos divertidos, su toque de spicy y los protagonistas son almas gemelas, el uno para el otro❤️.

✧ Está es la historia de Cashton (personaje que salió brevemente en el libro Spotlight), un chico que partió hacia Los Ángeles a los 18 con el objetivo de volverse una estrella de rock y de Sherlock, un joven inteligente que irá a la universidad al otro lado del país. Estos dos chicos estaban, y están, profundamente enamorados, pero se separan por lo que creen que es lo mejor, para que cada uno siga sus sueños, porque son jóvenes y ¿quién encuentra al amor de su vida y alma gemela a los 18 años? Pero antes prometen volver a reunirse cuando sean mayores y hayan podido obtener lo que buscaban.

✧ La forma en que ambos se reencuentran después de 10 años es maravillosa, ambos están nerviosos, con dudas y miedo de que el otro no sea como lo recuerdan o que no sientan lo mismo que en sus juventudes. La realidad es que nunca han podido olvidarse, ambos son el primer y único amor del otro, y cuando sus almas se vuelven a encontrar, se demuestran que pese al tiempo que perdieron, siguen siendo aquellas personas que tanto amaban. Su química es innegable, son divertidos y tan cursis juntos que se me calienta el corazón con sus momentos románticos y con los spicy ni se diga🔥❤️.

✧ Locke, es un poco más inseguro de sí mismo, siente que a pesar de los años no ha hecho algo que realmente lo apasione y se siente perdido; mientras que Cash ha obtenido la fama que quería como estrella de rock y es muy exitoso. Lo único de lo que está seguro es que nunca se sintió más como él mismo que cuando estuvo viajando por el mundo y cuando estaba con Cash de jóvenes; entonces descubren que ambos pertenecen a estar juntos y es momento de que recuperen todo ese tiempo perdido. Nunca podrán estar separados de nuevo y nunca amarán a nadie como se aman, porque son su otra mitad, el amor de sus vidas y sus almas gemelas❤️.

✧ ”Hace diez años, todo mi mundo se salió de su eje cuando nos separamos. Desde entonces está torcido—.Esos cálidos ojos marrones de los que me enamoré desde hace mucho tiempo me miran fijamente. —Por fin se ha arreglado.”

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

We first met Cash in SPOTLIGHT and now LOCKED HEART brings us his story. This was a quick and very sexy read about two people who never stopped loving each other and are finally reunited a decade later. They were both really sweet together and while they've each tried to move on and had other relationships, they've never forgotten each other. I'll admit it's a little idealistic but I'm not bothered by that because I read romance to see people in love. My only thing I found a little jarring is that the writing felt different, not really the same feel from other Eden Finley books. It wasn't bad writing, just different than what I'm used to.

[yaishin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nooooooooooooo that got over way too soon😭😖.

I loved it omg. It was way too short to satisfy me completely and Cash needs some creativity on how-to-win-back-my-lover-who-i-accused-of-not-having-feelings-for-me.

I loved how when they meet they totally just banter like long lost best friends and that was my most favorite part. Smexy scenes could've used more space then just two pages I think.

*spoiler* The married thing though- I totally DID NOT expect that. I loved that too. It made Locke seem like less of a nerd loser pining for his ex of 10 years.

Epilogue and the cover could've used some creativity too.

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

I loved this so much. It was so sweet and cute, I could have just kept reading about them. I wish there was more though.

[Santy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit insta-everything but It's a novella so I just went with the flow and ended up enjoying it for the most part.

[kelsie ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable little novella. Eden never really does me wrong so I’m not surprised she made me love these two so quickly.

[Samantha Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This sweet, slightly angst filled short story has left me with all the warm fuzzies. Cash is a character we got a glimpse of in Spotlight but now we get to know more about this famous rockstar. I loved the characters in this story and the way Eden revealed why Cash seemed so untouchable. I really love a second chance romance and Cash and Sherlock (Locke) did not disappoint.

[iam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute novella about high school sweethearts reuniting ten years later after one of them acchieved his dream of becoming a rockstar.

Content warnings include: unnegotiated rough sex on -page, unprotected oral sex.

Locked Heart stands alone, but Cash appears in Spotlight, the author's series all around music stars.

I'm mostly ambivalent about second chance romances, but I liked the setup of Locke and Cash's story: they broke up when moving apart for college, but made a pact that if Cash, who wants to make it big in the music industry, performs a concert at a certain venue they will reunite.

However, a very essential part of a second chance romance, especially one hinging so much on the characters desperate to see each other as this one, is the reunion scene. And unfortunately that scene in particular completely missed the mark for me.
I get that it was supposed to be hot and steamy, but I just felt uncomfortable with the complete lack of communication in combination with the extremely rough sex. These characters have spent a decade apart - how can they presume to still know what the other wants?? Of course it all works out perfectly and they are both very much into it, but I couldn't enjoy the scene.

On the positive side, my absolutely favourite part of the book was side character Shannon. They are nonbinary, and the way their gender, and how the protagonists talked about them, was handled was absolutely wonderful. Exactly what nonbinary readers like me love to see! What I would love to see even more would of course be a novella about them.... *eyes emoji*

I liked that non-romantic love was acknowledged, that companionship can be love too and mean a lot to the people involved. However, just a sentence later it was pretty much implied that romantic, "true" love is more important than platonic one, and that platonic love and companionship is an obstacle that true love needs to overcome. I really wasn't a fan of that.

I also could have done without the drama towards the end. It was resolved pretty quickly and mostly due to characters being drunk and insecure and not communicating clearly, and lead to a very sweet making-up scene, but I wish the conflict had been created externally, as the way it was felt kinda fabricated.

I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars.

So. I'm having a crazy hard time finding books to read this month. Nothing keeps my interest. But this novella? It's a god send. I LOVE Eden Finley's books. I really do.

An author I love and a novella? This had to work. How hard can be to keep my interest during a hour? Clearly, not very. I loved this one.

Lovable character? Check. A plot to make anyone swoon? Check. Double POV? Check. Development? Check, even if it was super fast, but you know, it is a novella, so fine by me.

This was a great read and very nicely written. If you want to just enjoy one hour of the day or if you want to read a fast story, but one full of feelings? This one is for you. (Really, I would say this one is for everyone and everybody.)

But I need to say: if you are attracted to men and enbys you are not gay. Bi or pan? Yes! But not gay.

Now that that is out of the way, YES, REPRESENTATION. You gotta love it. Power Plays & Straight A's had an ace and aro character and now an enby one? YESSSS. Give me more, please.

[Marilisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This read really disappointed me. The first third of the book was amazing: so much anticipation, regret, love. All the perfect ingredients for a great story.
All the will they abide by that old promise? Will they even rember? Will it be epic?
All this promise of love and making up for lost times, just to end up with a shallow relationship that was so disappointing I even skimmed and skipped the sex scenes.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for steamy books, I love them. But with this one, I feel like the actual relationship let down the entire book. The premise was filled with so much love and regret and it deserved a much deeper connection going on, not just a bunch of sex scenes with very minimal talk. I think we got more from Seb than Sherlock...
It was quick, it had so much potential, it was overall a letdown.

[Athira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hoped we'd get Cash's story and this one was such a pleasant surprise! We meet Cash in the Famous series (Spotlight) but this is a complete standalone.

I loved Cash and Sherlock together. (I'm a sucker for the name Sherlock!) High school sweethearts and second chance romance with a bit of angst?! Perfection! They have burn-the-sheets kind of chemistry and I enjoyed every second of it.

As always with novellas, I wanted more but not because it lacked depth or emotions. I just wanted more of Sherlock and Cash. If you're looking for a short, steamy and fun read, definitely recommend Locked Heart. I wonder if Seb, Cash's best friend, will get a story. Fingers crossed!!

*ARC provided by the author via Foreword PR in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

[2kasmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cash has finally achieved a lifelong dream. One thing he notices now, is that the one person he wanted to be with him there when he experiences it, is not a part of his life anymore. Should he reach out?

Sherlock AKA "Locke" is not sure if he should open a door that has been closed for a decade. Will he survive if he spends time with Cash again? He took a lot to get where he is in his life. If only he could stop himself from feeling attracted........

This book has a strong character base. I found myself wanting to know more about all of them. Such a solid story and the pace was pleasantly fast but not too much. I really liked it and could not put it down and then I was done. Would love to see these characters again.


***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very last sentence was cheesy and too abrupt for the ending tho. I did enjoy the story.

[Caipi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars