4.5 stars 
 As the final book in the Corps Security series, Locke was a bittersweet read to approach. We have seen so much of Maddox and Emmy's tension building throughout the series, so the anticipation of being inside their heads was well developed. But at the same time, it's the last one! There won't be more down the road (well, not from the original Corps men anyway). That being said, I loved the development of this story from start to finish. 
 I couldn't help but love the back and forth that Emmy and Maddox experienced throughout the book: while Maddox chases Emmy, Emmy tries to break down Maddox's walls, and Maddox battles his demons, and so much more. It has been clear for a while that they both cared for the other, but Maddox keeping himself closed off from everyone and Emmy's disappearance after Coop died has continued to keep them apart. Watching them finally start to tear down walls, start to give a little, run a little less was exactly what I was looking for from them. 
 Emmy's parents and past have me feeling ill. But Maddox's mother takes the cake. She has me fuming with her judgement, hate, and animosity. Everything she does in relation to Maddox is absolutely abhorrent. I am left with an awful taste in my mouth after reading both their pasts, but at the same time so much light is shed on what we've seen from these two in previous books. 
 Neither of them had an easy journey to go from the individuals they were to the couple they wanted to be. Maddox especially had some deep seeded ghosts he needed to deal with before he could open up to another person. 
 Part of me thinks Emmy had a pretty smooth journey to heal her emotional scars. But the other part of me recognizes that she has a completely different outlook on life than Maddox does and that her past didn't leave the same scars his did simply because she wouldn't let it. And that is pretty amazing in and of itself. Her past with Coop is also clear. I didn't think I could love him any more, but I was proven wrong in this last book in the series. 
 As with all the Corps Security novels, Axel, Cage, Beck, and Asher are involved in the story as much as Maddox and Emmy will let them. This group has formed themselves into such a cohesive extended family that their absence would have been more surprising than their presence. The women they have all brought to the group are exactly the same way, giving space or support as each situation calls for (whether Maddox and Emmy want that space or support, or not). Even Cooper, in the scenes from the past, was such a bright spot of support and though he isn't in the present scenes, his influence lasts and I loved seeing some of that fun-loving, easy-going man that we all loved so much. 
 Reaching the end of the book was as cathartic as it was sad. Cathartic because it really was a perfect resolution. Sad because this is the last of the Corps Security boys to find their peace. But it also left me excited for Harper's next book which will be Cohen's book. Cohen has played a big role in the family lives of the Corps men since Caged, and we've seen hints of him that I can't wait to read his own book. 
 I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.