On Dublin Street

Wow!! Wonderful Book

Jocelyn Butler is a very complicated character. She has put up such a fierce wall to surround the hurts of her past; it's almost impossible that anyone could get past the barriers. There were times when I wanted to scold her, wring her neck, shake my finger at her, comfort her, and just be the friend she didn't want. Her character is written with depth and extreme emotion. When Braden Carmichael enters her life she is not looking for a man, or a relationship with one beyond the most superficial friendship. It's very interesting how Braden manages to worm his way into her life; as if he'd taken the time to study her and figure out how to 'crack the nut' that fences her emotions. Braden is a wonderful character and I'd imagine the writer had a blast writing for him. Very slowly; Braden 'gets' to Jocelyn (Joss). It seems to this reader that there were times when he'd advance a step only to be put back two steps. Jocelyn is very emotionally bottled-up but the help of Braden and his family; she begins to unfurl.

It's not an easy romance. Most of it seems to be Jocelyn working through her demons. When the romance comes it's HOT and sweet. Very angsty as well. This is a book that we readers will keep and reread. It sparks our thoughts, dreams, hopes, introspections, and worry that maybe Jocelyn won't make it through the darkness that she finally has to face.

Samantha Young definitely knows how to write a story that will keep her readers captured. I appreciated the depth of emotion and intense detail she put into this story. It has a very good amount of sex that is written not so much erotically, but emotionally. It's graphic, but not over the top or objectionable.

I would recommend this story without reservation but only to those discerning readers who want to really FEEL the story and characters and is willing to follow some fairly tortured paths to happiness. The epilogue: what a nice reward for us readers! Loved it all.

Added note: It was so refreshing to read a book that is ONE BOOK and not a drawn-out serial. Don't get me wrong...I read those as well BUT I get frustrated that the reader has to wait so long for the next book to come out. I've come to the conclusion that it's better to wait until the final book is out in a series and then read the whole thing in order. Having said this.....I hope I can make myself do it. This doesn't include series books that are about a different set of H/h in each book. It's when the book series is one set of H/h. This would never include the books by Marie Force who does the FATAL series. I don't mind reading that series which is about one couple (with LOTS of recurring characters). That series is perfect.

Paula Costello was wonderful with the delivery of the story

6 people found this helpful

I Couldn't Stop listening 2 this FABULICIOUS Story

Any additional comments?

On Dublin Street is not about BDSM, or a dominance and submissive relationship. True, the lead male in the story is very alpha and is used to getting what he wants, but this book is more about how two scarred people yet to fully heal, end up helping each other. This is all about compromise and giving the other person your trust that they will not hurt you. The fact that On Dublin Street is a smart, funny, sexy and tear jerkingly brilliant read, is a major bonus.

Jocelyn Butler, the heroine of the story, had moved from the United States of America to Edinburgh after a series of tragedies befell her. She has learned to build a shield around herself in order to keep others at a distance. Jocelyn is forced to find new accommodation when her friends and former flat mates move down to London. Thus, she ends up moving in with Ellie and the carefully constructed walls begin to crumble as she lets both Ellie and her charismatic brother, Braden, in.

Braden, having met Jocelyn in an unorthodox way, feels an almost instant attraction with the carefully guarded American. He knows how reluctant she is about relationships, he comes up with a novel arrangement. For a month, Jocelyn and Braden will have a relationship where they are friends, with benefits. It seems like the perfect solution to both parties, but as with many things, it all becomes a bit complicated.

This is one of those books that just sucks you into the story, and before you know it you are 150 pages in, it’s half past one in the morning and you are due to get up in a few hours. I became invested in what happened, not only to Jocelyn and Braden, but also with many of the supporting characters. This is a very rare talent, as some authors I have read concentrate on the main players, while making the other characters stereotypical, hovering in the background. You can tell each person has their own story to tell and thankfully there is a novella and a second book, giving us some of the other characters’ own tales...... Paula Costello was the perfect Narrator for this totally addictive story !! :)

1 person found this helpful

Love this story

I’ve read and listened to this book - I adore the story. It’s such a beautifully real romance. Paula Costello does a great job with the narration. She has good inflection and does the male voices and accents well. I find her tone and way of speaking to be easy to listen to.

A great trip back to Dublin Street

It's been yonky donks since I read On Dublin Street and I forgot how wonderful this story was. Sure, it makes me cry and even get a wee bit cranky but it also makes me wear a goofy grin and sigh with contentment too. Both Jocelyn and Braden have faced their own versions of heartbreak in the past and have put barriers in place to make sure they don't face that sort of pain again. But, like all good love stories, the heart wants what the heart desires so no barrier will stop them coming together.

Paula Costello, the narrator does an amazing job and was brilliantly cast for this narration. Her accents were spot on (I think) and she sounded the right age too, to match Jocelyn's character age.

I loved the characters, the storyline kept me enthralled, the romance, while it had its bumps, still seemed believable, and the narration was very easy to listen to. I highly recommend giving On Dublin Street a try.

Just awesome

Samantha is a talented writer, I can not believe I skipped this book for so long! I enjoyed every single bit- laughed and cried ( first audible to get me to shed a tear- which was akward when I saw sympathetic eyes smile at me from the car next to me... )
All characters were strong and was so well developed, they felt real.
Paula is a brilliant narrator, she caught the essence of each character portraying the story in such a way it felt like a movie playing in my head.
You will not go wrong with this one.

Romantic and refreshing.

The only issue with this book: Creates unrealistic expectations for men. ;P

It's about a man and a woman who both change each other dramatically for the better to enter a deep love that raises the bar for relationship goals.

Awesome

Would you consider the audio edition of On Dublin Street to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version as I prefer audio

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

50 shades a little less graphic a little less intense

What about Paula Costello’s performance did you like?

Ok

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

Not sure

Sexy Scotsman :)

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

This is a hot sexy read, with a gorgeous love story between Joss & Braden all set in Scotland.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Braden, because he is so dominant and sexy

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me laugh, cry and feel :)

Any additional comments?

This author is fantastic I really recommend all her other books :)