Name: On Dublin Street
Author: Samantha Young
Publisher: NAL Trade (US)
Release Date: December
31, 2012 (first pub: August 31, 2012)
Pages: 336, Paperback
Source: For review via Netgalley
Rating: 5 Teacups
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.
Jen's Review
Guys. GUYS. I'm a
HUGE fan of Samantha now, I am going to seek out all of her books and READ
THEM. Soon. I didn't think I would like On Dublin Street, since it's an Adult
Contemporary Romance, and I don't usually go for those. But I've been following
Samantha (not in the stalkerish way, mind you) for awhile now, and I knew she
wrote YA. I had also heard way too many outstanding things for this one, so I
decided to try it out.
AND I'M SO GLAD I
DID (this is turning into an all-caps gushing review, just sayin'). I loved everything about this book--from the
compassionate, relatable characters, to the scorching-hot sensual scenes. Not
only that, but the plot was done very skillfully as well: it kept me up high on
my toes. And may I add, I found my new favorite fictional male character of all
time? Yes, Braden Carmichael, you are mine. MINE.
Starting off with
the characters, oh goodness, the characters. There were so, so many wonderful
characters in On Dublin Street! Not only were the main characters well-built,
but so were the side characters, such as the Carmichael family! Everyone was so
different and real to me, I was distressed when I finished the book. Jocelyn
Butler, the main character, was the most genuine and sincere to me; her
character grew so much throughout the entire novel, I couldn’t help but feel ALL THE FEELS. Her life as a child was so
rough and emotional, it was--CRAY. It's amazing how real she felt. Ellie,
Jocelyn's new house-mate, was a favorite character of mine as well. I loved her
instantly, with her bubbly, adorable nature hopping around. I seriously would
love it to have her as a best friend.
Last, but certainly not least of the characters, Braden
Carmichael. This man gets his own paragraph! Guys, I CAN'T EVEN. I doubted him
at first along with Jocelyn (no matter how sexy he was), because I pretty much
just saw him as a douchebag player. He... Kind of was, until he met Jocelyn.
And then, and then, I completely fell. In. Love. With. Him. As the story
progressed, I was able to learn how deep and emotional he really was, too.
Sure, he's possessive, protective, and a bit intimidating, but he was also
understanding, sympathetic, patient, and sexy, hehe. I could NOT have asked for
a better male protagonist.
(Yeah, the romance
was amazing. And the smexy-smexy scenes. I'm not even going to start talking
about THAT. Just trust me on that.)
Finally, the plot
was amazing. With Jocelyn's new hope to find herself in Scotland, her
experience of meeting new, better people was extraordinary. The plot was
addicting and I constantly needed to find out what would happen next. And the
HUGE plot twist in the end! It totally threw me off, and just like Jocelyn, I
totally didn't see it coming. I loved the unexpectedness of it all!
Overall, On Dublin
Street has got it all--phenomenally well-developed and relatable characters, a
panty-dropping romance, and an intensely addicting plot. On Dublin Street has
landed a spot in my favorite books of all time!
5 Teacups for On Dublin Street!
*A HUGE thanks to
NAL Trade & Netgalley for providing a review copy for me to review!*
Posts
Yay! I didn't think I'd enjoy this one either, but I wound up just loving it! It's surprisingly deep and the characters are so realistic and profound. I just LOVE the steamy parts, though, and how they're equally infused with contemplative and realistic scenes. It's perfect! :D Fantastic review, Jen! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha I can't stop all the CAPSLOCK and major FANGIRLING when it comes to a book I love!! On Dublin Street's plot and characters have me very interested, I'll have to do some -stalking- on Ms Samantha Young ;)
ReplyDeleteAlicia @ Book a World
Okay I seriously need to read this! I've heard not a single negative thing about this book . . . so I'm guessing it's a must read. Great review!
ReplyDeleteOh Jen!!! I LOVED On Dublin Street. Braden was just sooo SMOKING HOT!! *fans self* I melted over him the entire time!! I loved Jocelyn too and I could see why she was so reluctant. I can't wait until Samantha's next book comes out, which I've just found out is in May! Yay!! Lovely review, Jen. :)
ReplyDeleteI had been thinking about this one. I have seen it all around and even have it listed on my Top 10 Books Like Fifty Shades of Grey site but I haven't read it myself. After this review, I may just have to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteBRADEN BRADEN BRADEN BRADEN!!! OMGOMGOMGOMG I FREAKING LOVEEE HIMMM!!! YAYYYY! I'm SOOO glad you loved this as much as I did<3 I've also become a major fan of Samantha after reading this book! SADHAUSILHDASLD I WANT MORE BRADENN!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, and have you read the Christmas Special with Braden & Jocelyn? If you have, DIDN'T YOU LOVE IT?!?! If you haven't...GO READ IT IMMEDIATELY. CHRISTMAS SPECIAL > HOMEWORK ANYDAY! hahahaa<3
Fab review Jen!!
LOVED this book!! It was funny quirky and sexy and heartbreaking! Everything you want to feel, you could in this book! I cannot wait for her next book:)
ReplyDeleteOh, I really enjoyed this book too, Jen! So glad to see you did too. I love how Samantha voiced Jocelyn's character. Although sometimes she tend to be quite frustrating but I adore the realness and the honesty in it. Brilliant review as always! :D
ReplyDeleteJEN!!! YESSSSSSSSSS! I'm so happy you loved this one as much as I did, it just blew me away. Don't even get me started on the sexiness that is Braden or I'll leave the longest gushing comment in the history of comments. I'm so glad she's continuing this series with a new couple, I'm madly in love with her writing and will now be reading everything she puts out there:)
ReplyDeleteWOW! This sounds utterly amazing! :D Braden Carmichael sounds brilliant (the fact that his last name is involved makes him even better.. somehow ;)) I have never heard of this before but I'll definitely look out for it. Thanks for sharing, Jen! <3
ReplyDeleteOh I've read so many praising reviews for this book already, and by the sounds of it, it looks like something I would truly love too! So glad you loved this Jen! I think need to meet Braden, I mean pick this book up immediately! Lovely review! :)
ReplyDeleteSo I'm totally not a new-adult/adult person, especially not with contemporary. I'm one of those old ladies on the porch with her cane screaming "Why are you kiddos trying to read this new adult stuff? Yer kidders should go back to good ol' YA! Y'all!" (Although, I don't say y'all, for the record. No matter that I live in Texas, I avoid using the term y'all unless necessary or when I get extremely lazy.)
ReplyDeleteBut ANYWAYS I'm a fan of just normal YA and it's not often that I branch out. But this book sounds like one that I seriously HAVE to pick up! I mean this romance sounds SO swoon worthy, and I just want to see what all this fuss is about anymore. And then Braden character seems pretty interesting as well... ;)
Fabulous review Jen! I think I'm going to have to get off my porch, give up the cane, and pick this book up. ;)
I have plenty of this author's YA books on my kindle, but I haven't actually read any of them. This looks like the place to start though as EVERYONE has been raving about this book. It's not something I would normally go for either, but you have me pretttyy curious about this Branden now... ;) I will have to meet him soon!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant review as always!
I have heard a lot of this book! Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteCome enter my first giveaway?
www.themakeupmother.blogspot.com
Okay, I'm totally sold. Now I MUST go get my copy of this. Thanks so much for this FABULOUS review, Jen!
ReplyDeleteHmm, sounds like I need to check this one out, Jen! I have heard of the title but the author's name doesn't ring a bell. Will add it to my list!
ReplyDelete