Book Review: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

Title: On Dublin Street
Author: Samantha Young
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: bought
Published: August 2012

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.

Why I Read this Book: I got this book when it was a still a self-published novel, before it got picked up by a major publishing house. A lot of people had recommended this book to me so I got it.

What I Liked: Jocelyn is a complex character. She’s suffered through two tragedies (and at such a young age) and as a result is reluctant to let people in. She also suffers from panic attacks. But she’s smart enough to know that she needs help and thus seeks out a therapist. I give the girl credit for taking this crucial step.

Braden pursued Jocelyn from the moment he laid eyes on her. He felt the connection and the attraction and was determined to get the girl. Jocelyn, on the other hand, was not of the same mind frame. She’s attracted to him but she doesn’t do relationships. But even though Jocelyn distances herself from people and doesn't let people in easily, the emotional connection between her and Braden is there and it's undeniable. 

I am thankful that even though Braden is rich, the reader is not constantly reminded of his wealth. He doesn’t show off his money and the reader is overwhelmed with brand names and luxuries being tossed around at every chance. The focal point is on the emotional connection between Jocelyn and Braden, where it should be.

I am so glad that this is a stand alone book. I don’t have to wait for another installment to see how things end for Jocelyn and Braden; I get a conclusion by the end of this book.

What I Didn’t Like: The snippets from Jocelyn’s therapy sessions were interesting and help shed some light but their placement in the main story arc felt off at first. The therapy sessions took place at some other point in time, outside of current happenings going on in the main story arc, but were placed in the story line where what Jocelyn learned from the session was put into effect. It pulled me away from the main story while I tried to figure out the placement.

Minus the dark and tormented past, Braden is a splitting image of Christian (from Fifty Shades of Grey) and Gideon (from Bared to You) for the first half of this book. You have: the wealthy hero; the  possessive and controlling hero; the heroine being different than the women the hero usually shacks up with. But by the second half of the book, I saw Braden being different than Christian and Gideon. Braden is softer than the other two guys. He is not as dominating and controlling as the other two. And Braden wears his heart on his sleeve. But for the first half of the book, it felt like I was having a flashback.

Memorable Moments:

“Now, I’m walking out of there in this dress without any underwear on, Caveman.” I grinned saucily.

Braden closed his eyes at the thought. “Fuck.”

“I know you love me , Jocelyn, because there’s no fucking way I can be this much in love with you, and not have you feel the same way. It’s not possible.”

“Do you know what’s scarier than taking a risk and losing?"

I shook my head.

“Regret, Joss. Regret does awful things to a person.”

Overall Impression: On Dublin Street was a good emotional read and I enjoyed the foreign setting. I can easily see myself reading this book again.

Brianna’s Rating: