On Dublin Street

By: Samantha Young

Narrated by: Paula Costello

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2012 Samantha Young (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“This is a really sexy book, and I loved the heroine’s journey to find herself and grow strong. Highly recommend this one.” (USA Today)

“This book has it all...romance, fabulously written heat, family, friendship, heartbreak, longing, hope, and an ending that is completely satisfying.” (Bookish Temptations)

"Young’s voice is riveting.... This book definitely landed on my 2012 top picks!” (Fiction Vixen)

Definitely need to reed if you’re into adult romance novels

Binged the book on my free time in 2 days… expect to experience a whole rollercoaster of emotions and to become emotionally attached to all the characters. This is my first novel by Samantha, so excited to start the other books. Thank you for your amazing work and giving me a space to fall in love with reading again

Great Read

I remember reading On Dublin Street for the first time in 2014, and it restoring my love of reading. 10 years later, I'm still in love with these books and characters. While Joss and Braden are not my favorite couple in the series, their instant chemistry is what dragged me into this world. Joss always finds a way to make me laugh, Braden is everything and then some. But most importantly book one makes you want to keep reading and learning more about all the characters that are introduced each book.

When Joss and Braden shared a cab early on in the book, and Joss got out saying she had "two names" after Braden asked if she had a name, I knew watching them fall in love was going to be fun and wild ride. Joss's backstory was heartbreaking. And Braden has his own story. Two broken people, who needed each other to heal. And learn to not be afraid to love unconditionally.

I loved this book because their banter with each other was amazing. I loved the instant chemistry and attraction between them. Both straight shooters and I loved it. This book was HOT and Braden's protectiveness made blush, clinch my pearls and squeal like a fangirl. Alpha males are one of my favorite book troupes. And Braden is up there with the best! Though earned a few eye rolls here and there.

Kind of a slow burn, but once the spicy starts, it kept getting hotter and hotter. Braden loves him some Joss. And I love that for him. Though communication and boundaries are something are missing with this couple. Joss's inner monologue about how she really felt made me want to scream sometimes. But I get her reasoning.....to a degree. I never like when a man calls a woman a Bitch, but when Braden tell Ellie that Joss was being one...I kinda had to agree. When Joss blamed herself for Ellie's tumor, it didn't make sense. She was having headaches prior to them becoming friends. Adam tells Joss this, how could she even think it was her fault. Joss and Braden's break up was just annoying. I literally wanted to skip it 😅. Because Joss always wants her cake and eat it too. She does and says crazy things to people, and then is shocked when they react. New flash lady people have feelings and emotions like you do Joss. I've never been so frustrated with a fictional character in my life 😭. And I liked how Ellie told her, just like Elodie, to stop playing games. Joss has a problem with not wanting to be hurt, but not caring that she hurts other people. So yeah "playing games" with people emotions.

I love that Joss goes to a therapist! Not something I've seen in other romance novels I have read. I think it brought a sense of reality to this book. That Joss's problem couldn't be solved simply with a good man and sex. She needed to talk through her problems with a none bias person. Which helped her personally and in her relationship with Braden. Mental health matter indeed 😭. Though Elodie was the voice of reasoning Joss needed to hear, going full mama bear and literally telling her to stop playing games. Go Elodie go!

Despite my back and forth with my feelings toward Joss. I really did enjoy watching her love story with Braden. And then making up was always a good time to read about.

As a fellow Virginian, Joss makes me want to pack up and leave Virginia for Scotland. Who knows maybe I'll have a chance encounter in a cab too 😭😅.

B-r-a-a-a-d-e-n-n (can you hear me purr his name?)

STORY (romance) - If you've heard as many audiobooks as I have, you will come across this story line a lot. One lover has a difficult past and the other has to help work through the demons. But this one just really "got me" more than most. Joss has moved from Virginia (USA) all the way to Scotland to get away from her past. She sticks to herself and won't let anyone in...until she meets scrumptious Braden Carmichael in a cab.

Usually I prefer mystery/romances because I tend to get bored with just romance alone. Not this time. I loved the story, the sexual content and, most of all, Braden.

PERFORMANCE - I have a pet peeve about romances I listen to. I like the men to sound like men and the women to sound like women, which is extremely hard when there's only one narrator. Paula Costello does a great job. Braden's Scottish accent may not be perfect, but it is tender and sexy. That's all that matters!

OVERALL (actual overall rating 4.5) - There is quite a bit of explicit sex. I didn't count, but maybe like six five-minute scenes. The F-word is fairly frequently uttered. There is no violence. Recommended for any female who likes hot romances.

Juvenile

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. I was annoyed with myself for listening to it. The 2nd half was slightly better than the 1st half. If not for the sex scenes, it would have been better suited as a young adult novel.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Remove the weird "OK's."

What didn’t you like about Paula Costello’s performance?

Ugghhh. She was boring. She could not make Jos likeable. The Scottish accents were better than the American accents.

Do you think On Dublin Street needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. There was nothing left in the first story for a follow-up in a second book, thank God.

Any additional comments?

The author tried to incorporate angst, but was juvenile; I could not relate to the main character, Jos, she had "issues" she was supposed to "broken." The author fell short on fleshing out Jos' solitude and strength. Instead of being strong and silent, she was aimlessly working in bars and occasionally writing, and mostly talking with her therapist.

Guess I'm not sold...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Unfortunately I cannot. I just did not find this book as interesting as I thought it would be. I kept expecting to get drawn in but it just never happened.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I don't know. I think I needed more information about the characters. Maybe more drama. Maybe more flaws. I think it may have been a little unrealistic.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Well I think she did a good job. She was not bad at all, but I was thrown off in the sense that she sounded like a teenager. She sounded very young like her voice wasn't appropriate for the adult activities.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. I can't say that I would.

Any additional comments?

This book has some good reviews but it doesn't click for me. I have heard many romances and this one just lacked that chemistry. I honestly would not recommend it.

Very Good Listen!

This was a surprisingly good listen. I continued to skip purchasing it because of the synopsis did not grab my attention; saw some reviews on Amazon and Good Reads and decided to give it a try. It was defininitely worth the credit to me.

My first audiobook and I'm hooked.

If you could sum up On Dublin Street in three words, what would they be?

Funny, sexy, emotional.

What other book might you compare On Dublin Street to and why?

There are a lot of "girl with tragic past meets alpha male and .... " books out there, but Joss and Braden have very believable chemistry. Braden is strong without being overwhelming and stalkerish like some other male characters in similar books. You will love him immediately.

What about Paula Costello’s performance did you like?

Her transition between characters is seamless. Her Joss is perfect, sarcastic with hints of vulnerability.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The prologue perfectly sets up the story.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend!

Sexy with a Plot

A sexy read with an actual plot and weight to the story. The performance was AH-MAZING. Loved it.

A Good Mix of a Story, Romance and Sex.

What did you love best about On Dublin Street?

I loved the cross of a good story, romance and sex.

What other book might you compare On Dublin Street to and why?

I would compare this book to "In Bed with a Highlander" by Maya Banks. Both set in Scotland. Both tell of excellent love scenes. Both male characters are possessive and both female characters have strong defiant personalities against a secret struggle. However, they are set in different time periods.

Which character – as performed by Paula Costello – was your favorite?

I loved all of the characters! Costsello's Scottish accent is spot on. She was able to give every character a very distinct voice that wasn't unrealistic.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I wasn't "moved" by any particular moment. It's just not that kind of book. But I love the back and forth of a relationship finding it way (I love you, I hate you). I also love possessiveness of the male character, but that's just me.

Loved it!

What about Paula Costello’s performance did you like?

The narrator was a good choice. She has a younger voice and her Scottish accents for the supporting characters did not detract but added to story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The author ropes you in from the very beginning. She had me at the first chapter when tragedy hits the main character Joss and her family. Anyone that has experienced loss of any kind can relate the hazy feeling experienced by the main character and later to the avoidance mechanisms she cultivates to protect herself from hurt.

Any additional comments?

Definately credit worthy.