Under Locke
Out of work and out of options, Iris Taylor takes a job at a tattoo shop in Austin owned by Dex Locke, who is rude to her from day one. A very slow burn.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Trope
- Slow Burn
- Heat
- Steamy
- Published
- 2014
- Length
- 496 pages
Reading Options
Under Locke
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- Desperate for employment, Iris Taylor takes a job at a tattoo shop owned by the perpetually difficult Dex Locke.
- Readers who enjoy intense slow-burn romances
- Fans of workplace dynamics
- Patient
- Features Slow Burn
This may not be ideal if…
- Readers looking for fast-paced or instant-love stories
- Limited plot detail beyond the initial premise
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Contemporary Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Professional imbalance due to boss/employee dynamic.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
May not suit
Recommended audience: Adult contemporary romance readers.
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
When Iris Taylor finds herself out of options and unemployed, she lands a job at a local tattoo shop. Her new employer, Dex Locke, is cold and rude from the start, setting the stage for a relationship that evolves with significant difficulty and slow progression.
Central Conflict
The clash between Iris's need for stable employment and Dex's abrasive, difficult personality creates ongoing interpersonal tension.
Setting
Austin, Texas (tattoo shop)
Strengths
- Defined slow-burn arc
- Clear character roles
Consider before reading
- Limited plot detail beyond the initial premise
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Mariana Zapata
What Readers Say
No reviews yet
Be the first to share what you thought of this book.
Publication Details
- Publisher
- Mariana Zapata
- Published
- 2014
- Length
- 496 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780990429203
- ISBN-10
- 0990429202
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inReading Options
Under Locke
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Want more books like this?
Let Lyra help you discover lesbian romance books that match your exact mood, favorite tropes, and reading style.