A Reading Daydreamer: adult

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.

[summary taken from Goodreads]

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!