Review: Unlocked

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury
Date Released: October 12, 2010
Published by: Zondervan
Pages: Paperback, 304 pages
Christian Fiction
Overall:

New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury presents Unlocked: A Love Story. Holden Harris is an autistic eighteen-year-old who is bullied at school. Laura Reynolds is the head cheerleader who befriends Holden but has problems of her own at home. In her trademark way, Kingsbury tackles real-life issues of high school bullying, autism, adultery, and ultimately ... acceptance.
Synopsis via Goodreads

 My Thoughts:

Karen Kingsbury had her work cut out her with me for Unlocked.  I am not a regular reader of Christian
Fiction, and have only ever finished one book that held its Christian Faith in the forefront.  She also had her work cut out for her because, as my blog would prove to you, I am a faithful reader of the Young Adult genre usually with an emphasis on Chick-Lit and Urban Fantasy/Paranormal categories.

Unlocked is a story with many themes beyond the ones most visible on the surface and shown to us in the synopsis.  Karen provided us with a book that touched base on teenage (and adult) intolerance, fear in what and those who are different, hope, compassion, Autism and the power of having faith.

One of the most positive attributes this story can offer the readers is its faith.  You don't even have to
be a reader of Christian fiction to feel the hope and faith in this book infiltrate your veins.  Unlocked is a story
that you don't just read from beginning to end, it sticks with you giving you a little bit of it to hold on to and take with you.

Beautifully written, Unlocked not only gave me a few hours of reading it gave me a lifetime of hope and
understanding, opening my eyes and heart to things I have only seen in passing.  Her change between characters, mainly Holden's, was brilliant.  It was all written so realistically it was hard to remember that I wasn't truly there witnessing the sadness, growing and miracles that was found in this book.

Unlocked is great for adults and young adults alike.  I think no matter who the reader is, this book has a lot to offer you.  I know it had me laughing, crying and hoping along with the characters it followed.  It is definitely one I will be recommending to anyone who will listen and will be one I come across again in my re-read pile.

Thank you Zondervan for providing me with a copy in exchange for a review.

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