Before Jamaica Lane

On Dublin Street

By: Samantha Young

Narrated by: Lee Angel

Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

The follow-up to the runaway best sellers On Dublin Street and Down London Road

Despite her outgoing demeanor, Olivia is painfully insecure around the opposite sex - usually, she can't get up the nerve to approach guys she's interested in. But moving to Edinburgh has given her a new start, and, after she develops a crush on a sexy postgrad, she decides it's time to push past her fears and go after what she wants.

Nate Sawyer is a gorgeous player who never commits, but to his close friends, he's as loyal as they come. So when Olivia turns to him with her relationship woes, he offers to instruct her in the art of flirting and to help her become more sexually confident.

The friendly education in seduction soon grows into an intense and hot romance. But then Nate's past and commitment issues rear their ugly heads, and Olivia is left brokenhearted. When Nate realizes he's made the biggest mistake of his life, he will have to work harder than he ever has before to entice his best friend into falling back in love with him - or he may lose her forever…

©2013 Samantha Young (P)2013 Penguin Audio

The story of Olivia and Nate. Loved it!!

I absolutely loved it – 5 stars. Actually, I love love love this whole freaking series. Each book always has fun banter, one HOT couple, and the same terrific group of great friends that capture your heart. Samantha Young had me emotionally invested in both Olivia and Nate. They are, by far my favorite couple in this series. I loved how their relationship developed and the transition between friends to lovers doesn't feel rushed or contrived. Nate and Olivia were downright perfect together and the ride although predictable was nonetheless enjoyable! I thought the whole story was very well executed. The chemistry between them is sizzling right from the very start, and I was just waiting for all of that hotness to explode. And explode it does! It may be for ‘educational purposes’ (pfft), but there is a lot of sexy time in this book, and in true Samantha Young style, it’s absolutely steaming! Wow, these two are hot together, and every time they are together, you can feel the emotion and intimacy between them. The way they are together, and the way they react to each other shows us so much, and I loved every minute of it! If you are looking for sweet turn angst with plenty of sexy time, best friends to lovers type, I would strongly recommend this. The writing in this book was beautiful and the scenes were so well written. I can't even begin to describe how much I loved this book. So many wonderful lines and emotional scenes that tear into your heart. Samantha Young is definitely a winner with this series!

Keep getting better!!!

At times, after the first book or two, a series of books just turns stale. This is not the case for SY's Dublin Street gang. Every book has been very good. In fact this is one of my favorites. It's so HOT and emotional. Yes, it certainly pushed all of my happy buttons!!! Narration is also great. This is the kind of listen I love spending my credits on.

Great story, subpar narration

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Lee Angel?

Anyone who can actually speak in a Scottish accent.

Any additional comments?

Loved the story, but gave up on the audiobook and went back to the ebook to finish it.

The best romance book I have listened to

I have been listening to several romance books a month over the last several years. This is my favorite romance book yet! It was such a great listening experience -- almost like watching a movie. The narrator was excellent -- really brought out the powerful emotion in the story. Her Scottish accent for the male character was great!

As for the romance itself, it was passionate, emotional, heart-breaking, and ultimately quite satisfying. This is the 3rd book in this fabulous series but definitely the best one so far. It would be better to have read the first 2 but not necessary.

Awful narration.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

If a story is set in a country other than that of the narrator, it is VERY important that the narrator be able to successfully replicate the accent of that country.

After listening to the first two books, I was looking forward to another fun story, but this narrator ruined it. The men sounded like Bela Lugosi as Dracula trying to pass as a Scot; at times it was impossible to tell which character was speaking; and even when speaking as Olivia, the phrasing was terrible. My disappointment was compounded because I love everything Scotland.

I understand that a different narrator for each book is a conceit to make it appear each book is in the protagonist's own voice, but this book would have been much more entertaining and exciting if narrated by Paula Costello, the narrator of On Dublin Street. I don't think anyone would have been disappointed hearing the same voice in several books - after all, it works very well for the Bastion Club series, the Cynster series, etc. The Scottish narrators from the first two books were able to sound American, but Lee Angel is unable to sound like anything but Lee Angel.

I liked Olivia in book 2, but because of the narration really didn't like her in her own book.

Do the editors listen to these books before final release, or is the narrator in a room alone with a tape recorder? These are AUDIO books - the narration is KEY!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I have only listened to a couple of hours of the book, but felt compelled to write the review immediately, to warn other listeners to read the hard copy or kindle version and not waste credits on this horrible narration.

Would you be willing to try another one of Lee Angel’s performances?

Never, ever, ever.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

A better narrator.

I really like this series

Great book. I really like this series.. the character are so realistic...
I think book 1 is hands down the best of them all. No couple has topped Joss and Braden's story for me, but I have enjoyed every one since...

Well worth credit or sale.

I really like how the narration changes up from book to book! But the narrators same the same in that they all can do that Scottish accent really well. I like it.. Great!

Lessons In Love, Loss, & True Beauty

Overall this was a great story and beautiful romance. My primary criticism of the story was that the first several hours were anti-climatic for me. I'd been looking forward to this book because I LOVED book 1 and after Nate and Olivia were introduced in book 2 I knew with certainty that their story would knock my socks off. When I didn't have fireworks and sizzling ears like I was expecting, I was sure my review would be completely negative. Well obviously based on my 5 star rating it really picked up!

The progression of this story was more subtle than the others so it was different for me, I wanted these two to realize they were meant to be--like immediately--and it just wasn't that. Nate wasn't the alpha male I've come to know and love, knocking heads off and blowing a gasket because he saw 'his woman' with someone else, things were far more subtle between these two as things progressed. It was emotionally charged, funny, and totally totally one of the sweetest stories ever. I would immediately buy any books from Samantha Young in the Adult Romance genre, and most especially any additional On Dublin Street stories. I love this series and highly recommend it.

The Best One Yet!

I absolutely love the series. I honestly can't wait for the next installment. While I liked all the books in the series, this was my favorite. Being friends first and having that friendship turn into a special kind of love was wonderful to listen to. The supporting characters just made the story that more enjoyable. I really recommend this book. You definitely won't be disappointed.

Great writing

I really like this author. She pens a good story that keeps you engaged. I saw some negative reviews about the narrator. And I have to admit I had some laugh out loud moments at her exaggerated brogue, especially Nate's during some of the more intimate scenes. She just sounded like an obscene phone caller. That said, I didn't think it was awful and I was able to finish it with no problem. She stayed in character which helped. Only I think if I were Olivia I would have burst out laughing at very inappropriate times if my man sounded like that. It was more an accent issue for me then narration. But overall it was a nice, fun read.

God Awful Scottish Accent!

If you’ve listened to books by Samantha Young before, how does this one compare?

I have listened to "On Dublin Street" and "Down London Road." I really enjoyed "On Dublin Street," but my interest has waned with each additional title. Lee Angel does the worst Scottish accent in this book and I found it so distracting. I don't think I will finish it.