Under Locke

De: Mariana Zapata

Narrado por: Ava Erickson, Bradley Ford, Sebastian York

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

A Mariana Zapata Classic

I’ve read this book more times that I’m willing to admit. Dex is a little rough around the edges and Iris is a goodie goodie but they work. This has MC vibes but I wouldn’t say it’s a main theme. The slow burn of Dex and Iris is. The friendship Iris builds with the other tattooers really comes to life in this audio.

I love in this story of Zapata the main characters get themselves sorted about 70% of the way through so you get to see their relationship grow even more without passing cheesy epilogue vibes. The slow burn tempo reminds me of Zapatas other book The Best Thing(I highly recommend both the audio and book for that one too)

As for the audio portion the first time I heard the second guy narrator I was like wait a minute what is Rhodoes doing here?! Ha! I love that Zapata did it this way. When I’m doing my other tasks when I listen to my books it’s easier to pick out who’s talking.

All the narrators feel like their voices match the character. I did listen to the OG audio of this book as well and I have to admit I love this more since it does have a guy voice for the guy roles. I listened on 1.5 the whole time and it was a good pace without feeling like it was too slow.

Fantastic Narration!

One of my all time favorite books, I have reread and listened to the original audio multiple times. But this new audio recording with male and female narration was perfection and I know I will be listening to this one again and again. The narration of Dex was so hot and swoony!

Mariana does it again…

I absolutely loved this audio. The actors were fabulous! This format (dual) is one of my favorites. Hearing each voice, the inflections, and personality put into the story gave it so much life. I felt as though I were having out with my friends, hearing them recount their love story 💕 Mariana absolutely knocked it out of the park, per usual:)

OMG narrators are killing it!

I read under lock like.. 4 times now? First time with this audible version and Mariana Zapata never disappoints 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

Die hard MZ reader and this review is hard for me.

I bought my first MZ book in 2014, it was actually this book, Under Locke. I buy her kindle AND audible versions and I’ve been slowly buying the paperbacks as well. So when I say writing this review is hard for me I’m serious. A few weeks before this new version came out I listened to the original again, Callie Dalton does a great job narrating but I was excited for the multiple voices that would be in the new version. Bradley Ford does a good job with Dex’s part, smooth, sounds age appropriate and blends well with the voice of Iris. But Sebastian York’s voice for the other male characters makes them all sound as if they are all over the age of 70 and it absolutely took me out of the story and made me cringe every time I heard it. Sadly, I don’t think I’ll ever listen to this version again and no I will not return it, that’s not fair to the author. I’m still a huge fan of MZ books and will continue to buy them sight unseen.

Fantast re-recording!

I've loved this story for years and the original audio book read by Callie Dalton. But OMG! I absolutely adored Bradley as Dex and Ava as Iris! They were phenomenal! This is the first of Mariana Zapata's re-recorded audiobooks where I actually prefer the new version. Ava brought that same young sweetness of Iris's character that Callie performed so perfectly. I would happily take Ava or Callie interchangeably for any future new audiobooks or re-records because they are both amazing! Bradley brought Dex to life and was an absolute feast to my ears. His spicy scenes were 🔥🔥🔥! And Mariana could not write a bad book to save her life. I've reread this book easily 20 times since I first bought years ago. it's a comfort read for me. I absolutely recommend!

The voices 🌶️🌶️

While the slow burn 🔥 novels are something I typically avoid, all of her books I have loved. This one did not disappoint. Worth the credit.

Absolute Favorite

Under Locke is my favorite Mariana Zapata book. I love the fmcs, mmcs, and storylines in all of Mariana's books but Iris and Dex are my Roman Empire of Love.

holy crap listen to this book

Bradley Ford...omfg yes. the hottest audio I've ever heard. almost to realistic, like, what were you doing during the recording my goodness.

this author is an instant buy for me. this is her spiciest book by far and I loved it. the story is awesome, the narrators were perfect. Dex is supposed to be 33 but sounds like he is closer to 50 but oh well. he is a smoker. I loved their relationship and all of the side characters. I love that Iris was so sweet and tough. I loved Ava Eriksons portrayal. normally Callie Dalton narrates and no hate on her but I loved Ava for this character.

there were a couple errors in the book, like when she said she had been in remission for 6 years and then a few chapters later she told Dex it's only been 5 years. I'm glad Ava said riffled correctly. normally people butcher that word.

I highly recommend this book. I love this authors writing, even if there are some things she does that are annoying, like repeating words 3 times in a row and such but she is a great story teller and has such great characters. you will fall in love with this book. this is definitely on my repeat listen list along with From Lukov with Love, When Gracie met the grump and Luna and the Lie.

Amazing Story

I loved the witty banter and I just could not put this book down. The character build and growth is amazing as well.