Down London Road

By: Samantha Young

Narrated by: Elle Newlands

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control....

It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may - or may not - fly.

But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.

Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets...even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.

©2013 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’s Happily Ever After blog)

Refreshing romance

A contemporary clean but steamy romance. A boy meet girl with trust and obligation issue. I got frustrated with Cam action 3/4 in the book. It all boil down to communication. However, you have to forgive Cam and just love him.. He grew to verbalized his feelings. Thank God. I also wanted to slap him for bringing his ex girlfriend to his flat/place. Bad move! That really piss me off also.
Gosh! Jo insecurities is understandable because she was verbally and physically abused by her parents. I was so happy when she quit her sugar daddy and follow her heart.
The emotions that the story evoke makes it exceptionally written. I highly recommend this book. It is slow pace at the beginning, but the pace will pick up as the story progresses.

Eh, don't bother

If you're coming to this book from Dublin Street (understandable, I did the same thing), don't waste a credit. The narration is almost unbearable and the story takes forever to gain traction. Dublin Street was so good so I had high hopes, but the plot was just eh and the narrator's accent was off-putting, especially for Cam. Overall disappointing, I tried so hard to like it but I just didn't!

Sooo Glad I Stuck it Out!

Let me start with the negatives of this book, so I can get them out of the way and end on a positive note. First of all, although the narrator has a beautiful Scottish accent and I could listen to her recite the dictionary, she didn't do very well with the male lead's voice. I think she may have been going for husky, but it just came out sounding like he was constipated, lol. That being said, I got used to it, and once the book got going, it didn't bother me as much.

Second of all, note that I said "once the book got going." That's because nothing happened in the first two and a half hours, and I almost returned it because I was so bored. In addition to that, the two main characters were both with other partners when the story opened, and they had two, maybe three conversations- tops. And the conversations were very brief and extremely rude and disrespectful. I had no idea how the author was going to get past that and make their relationship believable after getting off to such a negative, barely there, start.

THEN it picked up right around chapter ten, and I was like, OK, now we're getting somewhere! I was hooked from that point on, and not only was I hooked, but by the end, I was positively swooning! I read the first book in this series a couple years ago, and I liked it, but I must not have been "blown away" or I would have continued the series immediately. But with this one, I downloaded book three before I even finished this one! I think the best part is that this author knows how to balance steamy romance with a good plot. I often have trouble finding this delicate balance, because it's either sex heavy with very little story, or it's all story and no "steam." This author has the perfect amount of both, and she writes it well. I will continue to read her other books, and even though it's not often I give a full five-star rating, I'm doing that with this one because I know I'll be thinking about it for weeks to come, and I'll also be sure to recommend it to others.

NO REAL PLOT/UNLIKEABLE CHARACTERS

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I loved On Dublin Street, but something about this book left me with a bad taste in my mouth. When thinking back on the entire book I realized up until the ending there was no real plot line. Other than the characters falling in love & their own insecurities (Joanna mainly).

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

LIKED: When we got to see Jos & Braden again & with the interactions to the other characters in this story. (So Funny)
DISLIKED: The main characters in this book. Most of the time I wanted it hit Cam for his prejudging attitude & Jo for questioning her actions & all her insecruities (which we all have but not to this extent).

What does Elle Newlands bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love audiobook because the narrator helps bring the character's to life & with this book it was the only thing that made it enjoyable. If I had to sit & read this book I would have been bored after the first couple of chapters.

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

No probably not. Now the 1st book Absolutely!!

Any additional comments?

This was an enjoyable story, but be prepared not a lot of action until the very end. Plus, I found myself not liking both main characters (which I usually like at least one). I really would give it 2.5 Stars if not for the interaction of the other characters who really made this story.

New favorite writer

Samantha Young is my new favorite writer. I read somewhere that she is a young adult writer who is now producing adult romance. I won't go into the plot, because, I don't want to give anything away and because, frankly, it isn't important. Young's strength is in character development. The story takes place over a relatively short span of time and the writer delves deeply into the two protagonists and their relationship. It is a drama, but the characters and their respective circumstances are believable.

It is a well written book with an excellent narrator - LOVED the accent. I don't give many 5 stars, but this production hit all the right notes for me. I will look for more Samantha Young books in the future.

Great second book in the series

Very good narrator. Story keeps you interested and deals with some tough issues like parental alcoholism and domestic violence. Steamy and romantic story of triumph. Loved it.

This book made me happy!!!

Would you listen to Down London Road again? Why?

Yes, loved it!!!

What did you like best about this story?

The story line, and sequel to On Dublin Street

Which character – as performed by Elle Newlands – was your favorite?

Jo and Cam

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Great story line...

Another amazing book by Samantha Young!

I'll admit that my expectations were lower after I read On Dublin Street...I didn't think it was possible for me to love this one as much as I did the other; but I was so very wrong! The story was heart-wrenching, but what really made this a jewel was the captivating and spot on narration by Elle Newlands. Good grief she is good. You can practically feel every single word that she uttered. The "love" scenes, the sad scenes, all of them were heart-felt and she just poured her emotions into this book. I love how descriptive the book is and how each word was so on the mark. I felt what she felt. It was just fantastic. This is a book just like On Dublin Street where I was really sad that it ended. I plan to listen to both again. Highly recommend and totally worth a credit.

Fantastic!Samantha Young is My New Favorite Author

Where does Down London Road rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is near the top of over 100+ books I've downloaded from Audible. There is a great, realistic storyline with fabulous sexual tension (and scenes) throughout.

What other book might you compare Down London Road to and why?

On Dublin Street-it is the beginning book of the series. While each of these can stand alone, it is fun to see friends from Dublin Street show up in this book & vice versa. I cannot wait for the next book!

What about Elle Newlands’s performance did you like?

I LOVE the accents! Her portrayal of male characters (especially Cameron MacCabe) is especially noteworthy as I would imagine it would be more of a challenge for a female narrator.

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

The aftermath of Johanna's meeting with her father. The intensity between ALL of the characters involved had me on edge.

Any additional comments?

I assume there will be at least one more book with this cast, hopefully MANY more. Write, Samantha, write! ;)

NOTE: Strong language and sexual content-not for the faint of heart.

Steamy

Who was your favorite character and why?

I

Which character – as performed by Elle Newlands – was your favorite?

I thought that she did a fantastic job on all the characters. I loved the accent that went with the characters too.