Locke

Rosewood High #0.5

by Tracy Lorraine

I’ve got two vices in life.



1. Basketball

2. My best friend’s little sister.



I’ve managed to stay away from one of them, no matter how tempting.



She thinks I hate her. It was the easiest way to ensure she kept her distance.



But suddenly we’re forced into lockdown together in her family home and for the first time in my life, basketball isn’t going to be enough to distract me.



I need her, and her brother being only feet away isn’t going to stop me from claiming what should have been mine years ago.

Dear Reader, LOCKE is a spin-off novella from my ROSEWOOD HIGH series. It’s a love in lockdown story and a little bit of fiction from my fictional world. Don’t worry, senior year at Rosewood isn’t canceled due to a virus! LOCKE was previously published in the LOVE in LOCKDOWN anthology. xo

Genres: Romance, High School, Novella, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sports, Dark Romance

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2020

About the author

Tracy Lorraine is a M/F and M/M contemporary romance author. Tracy has just turned thirty and lives in a cute Cotswold village in England with her husband, baby girl and lovable but slightly crazy dog. Having always been a bookaholic with her head stuck in her Kindle Tracy decided to try her hand at a story idea she dreamt up and hasn’t looked back since.

Reviews

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The slightly weird thing about this is that it's set during the covid lockdown and it's my first "covid book" so that may or may not have affected how I feel about it.

Because usually for contemporary books, in my brain they're still fiction and far removed from real life, but this, with its several mentions of having to be under lockdown and Alyssa having to do her school work online and etc, it felt so real. I'm not sure if I'm ready for real covid stuff yet?

And since it's a novella it's insta love which is fine, but I do wish it had more plot and that it wasn't so so fast. Emerson got there and INSTANTLY he wanted to jump Alyssa, there was barely any build up.

I'm assuming these two show up in the main series? Or at least Alyssa because her brother and now boyfriend are at college? Or maybe all three of them are at college in another series? I DON'T KNOW.

It's so hard to know what order to read this author's books in, because I started with Wicked Summer Knight last year, then realised there was a prequel series, now I'm gonna read that, but where does the university series fit in?

The problem is that in most blurbs I can't see character names to be able to connect them all, so I guess when I read ALL the books I'll finally have an answer.

But still, Locke was kind of cute, so I hope Alyssa and Emerson do show up somewhere.

[Halle Reads]

When a 75 page novella takes me 3 days to finish that means it's not that good yeah. I'm going to leave this unrated as I honestly don't know if it's me or the book. 2020 has just been that sort of year, I def could have skipped this one though.

🙈🤷‍♀️

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (9/28/2020)! 🎁

[☀ Rachel ☾ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I literally read this book in twenty minutes during math class and it low key sucked- novellas move to fast for me there's not enough build up for it to seem realistic

[Evie_Book_Revs *Evie Book Reviews* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love-Locked! 🔥💋

Really enjoyed this short story in the MKU-Rosewood series! The author does a great job of honing into the chemistry and developing relationship in this brother’s best friend romance between Emerson and Alyssa (Levi’s sister and a character I would like to read about in his own story) during current times. While highlighting effects from the pandemic, aspects are used in a manner that helps in escapism; sizzle, sweetness, and sexy moments. Also, I am ready to read more on the ROSEWOOD HIGH Series, starting with Thorn! Tracy Lorraine is quickly becoming one of my top dark romance authors!

[Catreena · Rating 4 out of 5]

POV:Dual

Novella

Brothers Best Friend.
Best Friends Sister.

Being stuck in lockdown, under the same roof with your crush.....No problem..... Right?!
Will things heat up or will they ignore each other?

A quick, sweet novella

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyssa and Emerson. During lockdown love can grow and prevail. I love that this moves quickly and not much drama if you don't count the little bit that Levi was angry for. A perfect short read.

[Mariana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una historia cortita que me llamó la atención porque en teoría estaban atrapados por el confinamiento en 2020, pero la verdad es que todo se resolvió muy rápido y enseguida todo fue amor y paz. Y ella tiene 18, me pareció todo raro, la verdad.

[Helen Leecy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really unsure about reading a book about people being stuck at home for lockdown. Everything is still too fresh, and we are still suffering the after-effects. However, this is Tracy Lorraine, and I’ve read everything she’s written, it is also an extension to the Rosewood High series, so how could I not read it!
Even though Alyssa and Emerson are locked in a house together with her family, it was very well written and didn’t make me feel claustrophobic. It didn’t feel like it was based on real-life events either. It just felt like fiction!
The story was very sweet, light-hearted and romantic. The characters were likeable, and the development of their affections felt gradual and not rushed. We don’t get to know a lot about what makes the characters tick as this is just a short story, but this doesn’t stop you feeling invested in what happens to them.
It was great to get back to reading a short story by Tracy Lorraine, as her current books have been getting longer and longer. It was a quick short blast of her brilliance.
Definitely worth a read and don’t let the current situation being portrayed put you off.
I may be brave in the future and read some of the others but am going to leave them for now.

Thanks for reading! If you want to see more of my reviews visit www.pinkanddizzy.com

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She’s the only girl who’s ever really held my heart in her hands, even if she had no idea.”

🏀 Emerson Locke grew up next door to the Perkins family. He is best friends with Levi Perkins and attends Maddison University. He has always had a thing for his best friend’s sister, Alyssa, and he hid it and pushed her away by acting like a jerk for years.

✍🏻 Alyssa Perkins is only a few months younger than Emerson, but he makes her feel childish and silly. Now they are stuck together during lockdown and he’s looking at her in a way she’s never seen him look at her before.

💘 Now that Emerson is back home and locked down with Alyssa, he’s decided the potential fallout is worth the risk. He wants Alyssa and he’s done pretending otherwise. Emerson wastes no time trying to get Alyssa to see how serious he is. Alyssa and Emerson
are a sweet and steamy couple. They are natural together and sure of each other.

📖 This novella was my first book in the Rosewood High series and OMG does this book have me excited for the rest of them. It definitely gave me early COVID lockdown vibes and the idea of finding love during this time was fun. I love the brothers best-friend trope and this was done well. I wish it was longer and we got more details, but I didn’t dock any stars for it because it is a novella after all!

[tee ✧˖° · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so I won’t lie, I was expecting more without expecting much at the same time. What set this book up was honestly just the cover, it looked a bit nice and didn’t seem like a casual short read. It was apart of a series as well, so I thought maybe it would be a really nice read. But my expectations were soon lowered by the reviews talking about how bad it was, so I’m gonna give you my take, without anyone wanting it.

So I don’t think I’ve ever read this author before, so I always start out welcoming. And I did. But if I had to compare her writing style it would probably be closest to Alexa Riley and Jessa Kane, and not just because it was short and insta-love. They were just pretty similar, and I wasn’t exactly sad nor happy. I’m not saying that she could always be like this, all I’m saying is that’s the impression I got.

The book itself was sweet and small. I finished it pretty quickly as I’m sure many have done. SAFETY: it’s completely safe. They don’t get with anyone but each other and the h is indeed a virgin, at least I’m pretty sure she is.

Would recommend. Not too exciting, but alright enough to read the next book in the series.

Spice levels were at about a 2/5

[Amanda Davanzati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracy Lorraine never disappoints with her Rosewood High characters! This was a perfectly written novella of a brother's best friend romance. Everything about this story I love. It was such an easy romance that makes you crave more of these characters.

The characters are perfection! You get to follow Alyssa and Emerson being stuck during quarantine together. The tension between them is thick. They have always admired each other from a far, but its totally different now being stuck in a house together, along with Alyssa's brother who is Emerson's best friend. What will happen between Alyssa and Emerson? Will being stuck in the same house be too much? Will it affect the relationship with Alyssa's brother? You're gonna find out if you read this book!

This was one of the best books to read during my time in quarantine. The story really felt like you could relate to it and their situation. This is such an amazing world that I always get excited for more. I can't wait to see what is to come with all the characters. I HIGHLY recommend reading this novella!!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this novella about Emerson and Alyssa Camila’s friend and that Emerson is moving in because of the pandemic and I love that Alyssa had a crush on Emerson in her teenage years and is also her brothers best friend and next door neighbour and her family is close with his parents as well in the book and love that Maddison kings university is brought up in this as well and little spicy between Emerson and Alyssa and love that Emerson calls Alyssa baby in the book and love that Alyssa and her mum get along and helps out while stuck at home and love that Alyssa loves art and love Alyssa mentions her friends and aces the diner they go to after school as well and just love anything written by Tracy Lorraine and love that it was a quick spicy read and love that Levi Alyssa older brother is happy with Emerson and Alyssa dating and love that they both go to Maddison kings university together and move in together as well at the end

Spicy
Dual PoV
Rosewood high novella
Set during the pandemic aka Covid 19
Brothers best friend
Under 95 pages

[Alis Renzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emerson e Alyssa... 😍Loveeeeee It!!

Questa Novella prende prende spunto dalla quarantena...
I due personaggi si ritrovano in casa dei genitori di lei perché la madre di Emerson ha una malattia autoimmune e non vogliono prendere rischi nel farlo ritornare a casa durante la pandemia.
I due i due personaggi principali si conoscono da anni e hanno sempre avuto questa attrazione celata l'uno verso l'altro, ma sempre nascosta per via del fratello di Alyssa. Una sera però questa passione esplode, quando i due si guardano e si rendono conto che non possono più nascondere l'attrazione reciproca.

Questa è una Novella, Dunque una lettura abbastanza veloce che in una serata passa liscia come l'olio.

La storia d'amore tra i due personaggi è molto carina e molto dolce, Certo ci sono scene di sesso che rendono il tutto accattivante ma non solo. Hai anche una storia di famiglia, di amore, di amicizia.
Non è semplice storia sulle seconde possibilità o su quello che potrebbe nascere, è molto più intensa di così e può non piacere perché è velocissima e non si ha una vista completa del quadro di questo amore che era nato anni prima.

Però posso dire che merita davvero! I due personaggi, Certo sono decisissimi su cosa fare, però si nascondono, e c'è questa segretezza che rende il tutto sexy e ti invoglia a leggere ogni pagina fino alla fine.

[Ann Mihailovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short and sweet novella. While I understand that it is part of the Rosewood High series, it doesn't really involve anything to do with the school or series (I think). This story was written during a time of virus and lockdowns. Emerson and Alyssa have been neighbors for years, and while Emerson is also Alyssa's brother's best friend, he has always made her life miserable. Why? Because he wanted something he thought he couldn't have, so taunting and teasing her was the only way to try and purge her from his system. So when the lockdown comes into effect, Emerson is forced to stay at with Alyssa and her family. After years of fighting their feelings for each other, they both give in and have a relationship in secret. When the brother and best friend finds out he goes ballistic but eventually gives in. This was a short and sweet story of enemies to lovers/brother's best friend.

[Ren || Reading What I Want · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, sweet, sexy "lockdown" romance with just a blip of angst, a quick resolution, and a perfect little epilogue.

This novella features Emerson and Alyssa. Emerson is her brother's best friend who always tormented her because he liked her but couldn't have her.

When Emerson had to stay with Alyssa and her family during lockdown, he realizes ge can't fight his feelings anymore. He has to prove to Lys that he's in it for the long haul, and prove it he does.

It took me about an hour, give or take, to read this novella. It definitely lacked details and depth, but for a novella that was part of an anthology, it was very well developed and provided enough meat to keep me hooked.

[The Lusty Literarians · Rating 4 out of 5]

Locke is an enjoyable and quick quarantine read. I liked that the story is set during current events. It was nice to read a quick and easy love story that was relatable, even if the circumstances are less than desirable. I'm a fan of the Rosewood High series, so when I saw this novella come out I definitely had to grab it. Reading the other stories in the series isn't required, so this is a good option for people who want a taste of the author's writing style and the Rosewood High world.

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novella in the Rosewood world that takes place during quarantine.
This is the perfect story to get your quick fix of Tracy's amazing world that also connects you with what is happening in the world right now.

As the world is just shutting down at the beginning of the pandemic, Alyssa is told that not only is her brother coming home from college, but his best friend, Emerson is moving in with them too.

While Emerson did bully Alyssa while they were growing up, this novella revolves around their confessions about each other now and everything that transpires is actually sweet.

I love this addition to the Rosewood world during this crazy time in 2020. It is definitely a must for fans!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot, Sweet in Locke Down Novella

I am just beginning the Rosewood High books, started with this novella, which was probably backwards. But, since these are most likely secondary characters, I don't feel like it will be much of a plot issue. Set when the pandemic began and students were sent home to learn remote. Emerson Locke cannot go home because his mom is immuno compromised so he stays with his best friend and neighbor, Levi. Emerson has wanted Levi's sister Alyssa for years, but has kept his distance. In close quarters, neither can hold back any longer. The heat coming off this novella was scorching hot!! And, I cannot wait to dive into the series.

[uniquareads]

This was just stupid I didn’t know how to rate it? Maybe because I read this a few years after it was published during the big pandemic. I don’t know if I could relate to it mainly because we all lived through the pandemic, and this just didn’t seem logical. I don’t know why Locke didn’t quarantine for the 2 weeks and then move back in with his parents. They made that part so hard to believe. I did not like this story. I do not recommend. It was a free book I downloaded off kindle that’ll be deleted off my kindle asap.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amid the gloom of the pandemic, Alyssa and Emerson stumbled into a delightful love story. They'd secretly fancied each other for ages, but it took being stuck together under one roof during quarantine to turn up the heat and finally confess their feelings. Now, the big question looms: will Alyssa's brother be the ultimate cheerleader for their romance? Locke is a quick, steamy best friend’s little sister novella.

[Susanne Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Rosewood High novella, but can be read as a complete stand alone.

What an amazing book, I was totally stumped as to how you could have love in a lockdown, needless to say I now know! Brothers best friend is a total weakness of mine.
Emerson and Alyssa are amazing characters and I really enjoyed how they explored their feelings, especially whilst enduring some unprecedented circumstances. Tracy Lorraine certainly knows how to write some good sexual tension.

[Livkate Mejias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, nice short story!

I liked how this story went. Emerson and Alyssa are both characters who clearly love each othe, since the beginning. I understood the reasons for them locking up their feelings. I even liked how it was during the time of the pandemic we are in. Nice touch, a nice short read to meet a new author/series.

[Gemsbookishvibe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that this book was based during lockdown. It’s affected us all in some way and this Novella handled that sensitively.

The storyline is good and I love how the relationship between the two LCs is unable to be hidden any longer.

It’s sweet, sexy and heart wrenching, especially for the brother.

Liked it but not my favourite of the series

[Sharon Ryder Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not feel the build up between the two main characters with in this novel, the plot was flaky and i did not really like the characters either...This one was not floating my boat i am sad to say, unlike i have found with other novels by the same author. I suppose it is okay for a quick read though when you have a few moments to spare.

[The Book Palace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked Thorn (first book in this series) and I saw this novella is free so decided to get it. This is a brother’s best friend trope and idk… just wasn’t as good as the first book. Nothing special about this couple, I didn’t feel the chemistry, no banter, no tension, and no angst. This was also set during covid so.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm Not Hiding From You

A quick read, yes. It's still filled with so much tension, intimate moments, a cool mom and a girl who gets the boy she's been crushing on forever. This is a great read and example of Tracy's writing style. She just doesn't build a world for you to envision. She creates a fully colored and embodied love story.

[Ivonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esto es un preámbulo a la maravillosa saga qué estaba por venir.
Igual adolescentes viviendo sus hormonas y tratando de hacer las cosas bien cuando tiene que ver con una hermana de alguien.
Se narra en el principio del covid así que tiene mención de porque pudieron pasar ese tiempo, super corto pero igual de atrapante

[jenny andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love in Lockdown. This short story is the perfect pick me up from this eventful few months of panic. Such a cute story for Alyssa and Emerson. This is a fantastic series and having this novella pop up whilst waiting for our next trip Rosewood was just what I needed.

[Myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!!!!

This was a really great book. I read it all at one time because I just couldn't put it down. The author knows how to keep your interest and the love scenes are very intense!!! Will definitely check out other books from this author.