Author: Samantha Young
Genre: Romance
Published on: August 31, 2012 (first edition), self-published
Jocelyn Butler has been hiding from her past for years. But all her secrets are about to be laid bare ...
Four years ago, Jocelyn left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Scotland, burying her grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without attachments. Her solitary life is working well - until she moves into a new apartment on Dublin Street, where she meets a man who shakes her carefully guarded world to its core.
Braden Carmichael is used to getting what he wants, and he's determined to get Jocelyn into his bed. Knowing how skittish she is about entering a relationship, Braden proposes an arrangement that will satisfy their intense attraction without any strings attached.
But after an intrigued Jocelyn accepts, she realizes that Braden won't be satisfied with just mind-blowing passion. The stubborn Scotsman is intent on truly knowing her . . . down to the very soul.
This book was so good! At first glance, you might think it’s about a couple with intense physical chemistry who engage in sexual encounters throughout the book (especially when looking at the first-edition cover). That's not the case here, at least not entirely. This isn't an erotic romance. It's more like a steamy New Adult romance. Samantha Young did a great job of developing the characters in On Dublin Street properly.
Jocelyn Butler is a young woman with a past that’s filled with painful losses. Because of that, she doesn’t feel ready for a serious relationship, despite being gorgeous. We meet her just as she’s about to check an apartment with a potential roommate. That day, Jocelyn encounters a man named Braden Carmichael, and everything starts to change. They soon meet again, and when they do so, it’s really amusing. Since that point, Braden becomes interested in Jocelyn.
From the start, there's a sizzling attraction between Jocelyn and Braden. Jocelyn is initially reluctant to take the relationship too far. Because of this insecurity, Braden proposes a no-strings-attached arrangement. Naturally, it doesn’t last nearly as long as a torch outside on a rainy day. How could the two not fall in love with such closeness? Braden is said to make girls crazy, and Jocelyn is apparently just as attractive. Few things hook a man tighter than a stunningly beautiful damsel in distress.
Jocelyn also befriends her new roommate, Ellie Carmichael (yes, Braden’s younger sister). Jocelyn likes Ellie’s playful and carefree personality. Eventually, Ellie and Jocelyn become best friends, practically considering each other sisters. Ellie is perhaps everyone’s dream friend. She will be with you through the good and the ugly and will even forgive you once for failing to be there for her. Unfortunately in fiction, things always get bad. Jocelyn’s worst fears come true when she least expects them, and she doesn’t think she can handle them.
One of the book’s major subplots focuses on Ellie and Adam. The latter is Braden’s best friend. Ellie is (hopelessly?) attracted to Adam. He has feelings for her too, but thinks it would be disrespectful to date his best friend’s little sister. Ellie is not as…assertive as Jocelyn, so one is left wondering when she will wake up and fight a little harder. Indeed, Braden ends up making a funny remark on the subject.
On Dublin Street is neither too long nor too short as to leave you disappointed. It is one of the longer novels I’ve read, and I enjoyed it. None of the scenes are there just for padding. The main characters are well-written too. As I mentioned at the beginning, this book is not just about sexual excitement. I’m not gonna lie, On Dublin Street has some very hot scenes that thankfully stay in softcore territory. That’s not all there’s to this awesome novel, though. It’s also about drama, true love, friendship, and the journey of a young woman who learns how to confront and beat her worst fears. I highly recommend this novel.
My rating: ★★★★★
5 stars - Absolutely must-read. It's outstanding!!!
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