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Under Locke

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Under Locke

By: Mariana Zapata
Narrated by: Ava Erickson, Bradley Ford, Sebastian York
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About this listen

He was my boss, my brother’s friend, a Widow, an ex-felon, and a man I’d seen casually with a handful of women. But he was everything that gripped me, both the good and the bad. Worst case scenario if things turned awkward between us, I could go somewhere else. I’d gotten over epic heartbreak before, one more wouldn’t kill me.

After moving to Austin following six months of unemployment back home, Iris Taylor knows she should be glad to have landed a job so quickly... even if the business is owned by a member of the same motorcycle club her estranged father used to belong to. Except Dex Locke might just be the biggest jerk she’s ever met. He’s rude, impatient and doesn’t know how to tell time. And the last thing they ever expected was each other.

But it was either the strip club or the tattoo shop. … she should have chosen the strip club.

“Babe, I’ve handpicked everythin’ and everyone in here. I know what I want and I get what I want,” he breathed. “And I keep what’s mine.”

©2014, 2024 Mariana Zapata (P)2024 Mariana Zapata Contemporary Heartfelt
All stars
Most relevant  
- boss x employee
- working at a tattoo shop
- MC romance
- brother’s friend
- dislike to love
- no breakup
- single pov

Under Locke features the typical MZ formula: a strong, determined FMC with a grumpy MMC. But take Aiden Graves’ grumpiness and add some tattoos and a motorcycle!

What isn’t typical is this isn’t a slow burn and has more spice than usual.

Not my fave of hers but still phenomenal on audio! Bradley Ford only narrates Dex while Sebastian York handles the supporting male characters.

Mariana’s books are the BEST on audio!

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Callie Dalton is a better Iris I felt the female narrator didn’t put enough emphasis or emotion in. I really think the male narrator suited Dex, that was a nice change. As for Sebastian York he suited some characters & not others ie Slim I felt his voice was all wrong for that part. Still love all Mariana Zapata’s books & have listen to them many times over but will go back to the older version of this one…

Have both versions

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Honestly, I love all MZ but Under Locke wasn’t on my reread schedule…. Until now.

Something about these narrators just changed the vibe of the story.
Even the cringe moments were made into relatable moments instead.
Queen of slow burn can do no wrong. Dec isn’t like her other MMCs but you end up loving the way he loves Iris.

Next level

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Narrators were incredible! It takes great skill to write a slow burn that doesn't feel like a drag. This is my new favourite!

Queen of slow burn

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I like the story and still have the first audio version narrated by Callie Dalton, but out of curiosity, I picked up this second edition because I like the featured narrators and wanted to know if the distinct male/female narration will add more to the story for those who prefer to listen.

Although the first version features a single narrator, imo, the nuances and personalities of the characters are more consistent. This new version seemed rather flat and rather than pulling the listeners into the story, I found it distracting. This book is told via single person POV and the male narrators contribute by reading quotes/lines, but there's no carry-through on the emotions of the banter between characters.

Ava Erickson is a great narrator, but I don't think this was her best, as previously mentioned, the book narration lacked emotion. Not sure if it lacked feeling influenced by the disjointed male/female vocal interaction or not, but if I listen again, I'd choose the first edition.

second audio version is just ok.

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The only negative is for a very long drawn out story the ending felt a bit abrupt it was super short ending which I think was weird considering the rest of book is so long.

Overall good book

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