Miniviews #12: On Dublin Street & Down London Road

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

Publication Date: August 31st, 2012

Publisher: NAL Trade

Pages: 336

Series: On Dublin Street #1

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4/5

So I was continually told by a bookish friend of mine that I really needed to start this series. As a NA fan/reader it is a must. And I'm now going to have to agree with her. On Dublin Street is an easy one sitting read. It's addicting and pulls you into the romance and drama right away. As a heavy NA reader it is easy to see that 90% of the books follow the same story ARC, so that's why the characters and dialogue are extremely important. It not only helps to differentiate between books but also for enjoyment purposes. And Young has no problem on either account. Joss and Braden's relationship is full of sexual tension and heavy moments. But I rather enjoyed their banter and social interactions. Joss is a strong headed, smart and witty women. She's got a lot of wounds. That are still wide open. She has abandonment issues. Her parents died when she was a young teen, so she's stayed away from relationships. She just can't stand to lose anyone else she loves. Until Braden comes into her life. One chance meeting in a taxi leads to another accidental meeting when it turns out that Joss is Braden's sister, Ellie, new roommate. Braden is a high successful business type guy with a very strong alpha-male personality. He's overly protective of his family and what he feels is his. I'm not one to really enjoy the alpha-male guys because they normally tend to constantly piss me off. Braden is no exception. He had a lot of moments that I wanted to punch him. Ultimately though I still really liked him. He was good for Joss. It's a romance novel, so of course there's drama. But I liked how Braden handled Joss's issues. She has every right to feel the way she does(not that I didn't want to shake her a little when she just doesn't get it). Braden just didn't give up on her. And Joss didn't let him boss her around. She stood up to his caveman like moments. Oh, and I can't forget he's a handsome Scot. This series takes place in Edinburgh. 'Nuff said.
I also loved how prominent the secondary characters were. All their friends and family had side stories that we got to know. Many are a set-ups for the companion novels. Which I was definitely okay with. It just left me feeling extremely excited for what is to come.  

Down London Road by Samantha Young
Publication Date: May 7th, 2013
Publisher: NAL Trade
Pages: 373
Series: On Dublin Street #2
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4/5

So let's just continue on talking about my newest addiction, the On Dublin Street series. This one follows Jo, who is Joss's co-worker from the first book. On Dublin Street painted Jo as a kind of high class hooker. She only dates older men with money. She's tall, beautiful and giggles. A lot. Well Down London Road quickly shows her in a different light. Sure she's dating a wealthy older man. Who she obviously doesn't love. But likes him enough and is hoping he'll be the one to help her out in life. Jo hasn't had the easiest life. Right now she's pulling two jobs, raising her younger teenage brother and looking after her alcoholic mom. She's not one to take handouts. She pays all the bills as well as putting money aside for Cole(her brother), so he can actually go to uni and have the life she couldn't. I really liked Jo. I felt for her. She's a wonderful sister to Cole. Her first thoughts are always for him. And unfortunately that leads her to dating these rich man that could eventually provide for her and Cole. She's terribly sweet although a little to stubborn. I just wanted her to see that taking help offered to her from friends is not a handout. But that all changes when she meets Cam. There's an instant sizzling chemistry when they first lock eyes. But they're both in relationships and he's not her type. He's her age, has tats and is out of a job. That is until Jo helps him get a bar tending job with her. Cam is a huge jackass to her right off. He judges her and doesn't do it nicely(not like there is a nice way to judge someone). So they don't like each other. Until he moves into the flat under hers and secrets get spilled. Their friendship moves into dating quite quickly. And it's pretty intense. I loved Cam and Jo together. It's really sweet. Although Cam can turn on the possessiveness a little to high for my liking. He's really good to Jo and Cole. He takes him and is like a big brother to him without a second thought. Unfortunately Jo's insecurities eventually rear their ugly head and drama ensues. But I loved that he didn't give up on her. There was a lot of swoon between them and I loved their relationship even more than Joss and Braden's. Who coincidentally we still get to see quite a bit of. We still get to see how their relationship is going. I really love it when authors still make previous characters a big part in the continuing companion novels.

Happy reading!

Brittany