Mini-reviews: On Dublin Street and Until Fountain Bridge by Samantha Young

Title: On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street #1)
Author: Samantha Young
My rating: 4 of 5 Stars

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.

MY THOUGHTS

My high expectations will be my death one day. This is what happened here. I liked this book, but I didn’t love it as I expected. It seems like all of my friends have read On Dublin Street ages ago and loved it. Since I’ve read Samantha Young’s Hero and it’s now on my favorite shelf I decided that it’s finally time for me to give On Dublin Street a go.

The romance was so delicious, with slow build-up, amazing sexual tension and explosive sex scenes.

I didn’t expect Braden to be such an alpha-male. He was so possessive; probably I just wasn’t in the mood for such character in the moment. But I loved his persistence toward Jocelyn, only such man could make her open up; and he was caring and protective toward her.

As for the Jocelyn, I can see why some readers couldn’t connect with her. She had such high walls around her heart and her unwillingness to open to anyone and get close to people was sometimes frustrating. But I can understand why she was the way she was. On Dublin Street is not just romance, it’s also a story about a girl, grieving loss of her family.

I’m sure I’m the last person here to read On Dublin Street, but if you were under the rock like me, I recommend this book.

Title: Until Fountain Bridge (On Dublin Street #1.5)
Author: Samantha Young
My rating: 4 of 5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS

This mini-review is a little spoilerish if you haven’t read On Dublin Street.

Until Fountain Bridge is a sweet novella, perfect for those who wanted more of Ellie and Adam after reading On Dublin Street. It focuses only on Ellie and Adam’s relationship. We see them through Ellie’s diaries as Ellie and Adam (a couple now) peruse through them and read some entries.

Samantha Young as always writes wonderful romance.

My only complaint, I find unbelievable that someone would write their diary in such manner. Ellie’s diary sounds like a novel, something a writer wrote for his readers. It doesn’t sound like something a person (especially a teenage girl) would write in her diary. Perhaps it would be better if the author made memory flashbacks instead the diary.

Aside from this I really enjoyed Until Fountain Bridge. I recommend it, especially if you loved On Dublin Street.