Holla if you are someone who actually likes new adult romances! Friends, On Dublin Street by Samantha Young totally stands out in the wave of new adult as among the best of the best. Young weaves a story filled with interesting, well rounded characters, and a fabulous plot. I came into On Dublin Street not knowing a whole lot except that people I trust liked it and that it would be emotional. After reading a few books that were kind of blah to me, I decided I needed something adult to pull me out of a slump. You guys, On Dublin Street is totally a slump buster for people who like their romances spicy.
Jocelyn Butler, Joss for short, has basically had the worst childhood ever. You see, her parents and baby sister were tragically killed in a car accident, leaving Joss an orphan. She then bounced from foster home to foster home. THEN her best friend dies. So you see, tragedy. Unfortunately, this results in Joss closing herself off and not letting anyone in because she is too scared to lose another person close to her. She’s also outrun her past by emigrating to Scotland for a few years to finish up her degree and write a book. As On Dublin Street opens, we see Joss is on the search for an apartment as her roommate is moving out of her old apartment and I think it’s getting torn down — forgive me it’s been like two weeks. Anyways, she answers the ad to the perfect apartment on Dublin Street.
On her way to check out the apartment, she takes a cab, sharing with a total stranger that she refers to as ‘the Suit’ during the ride over. After signing the lease and deciding her new roomie, Ellie is pretty darn cool, Joss decides to take a bath in her new digs. Only, omg, she’s looking in the hall naked for a towel when none other than the Suit is chilling in her apartment checking out Joss in her birthday suit. Turns out ‘the Suit’ is Ellie’s brother Braden. He’s hot, successful, and usually has a tall, gazelle-like blonde on his arm. Y’all, Braden gets what he wants and what he wants is Joss. So, basically On Dublin Street is all about Braden and Joss and the weird dance they do as Joss tries to avoid intimacy while Braden insists on it. THE WALLS WILL COME DOWN and when they do it’s pretty fricken awesome, my friends.
Normally, Joss is the sort of character who irritates me. Like, I just don’t get characters who put up walls for bullshit reasons. Only you guys, Joss has a legit reason and I found myself really rooting for her. There were even moments when I teared up over her tragic past and I never once felt like I was being played for some cheap emotion. The author, Samantha Young, does a superb job making Joss sympathetic and interesting. While I have never endured anything even close to Joss’s experience, I did find myself empathizing. I also loved that Joss was a writer and a reader of fantasy. I loved that she enjoyed things like exercising. I also thought she was pretty no-bullshit which is something I appreciate. I love when main characters are forthright as opposed to being reticent and then getting all mad when communication goes awry.
THE ROMANCE YOU GUYS THE ROMANCE. This is what made me devour On Dublin Street late into the night. Braden and Joss have such chemistry. BUT their romance isn’t boring. There’s so much push and pull and drama – but not manufactured drama. It’s about the two working through their issues to form an incredible bond and relationship. Also, lots of sexytimes. Also, Braden was not what I was expecting. I was expecting the beautiful douche archetype, but instead, he’s a really nice and caring guy – and a monogamist which is what I prefer to read about. He’s also a family sort and really deeply cares for his relatives, especially Ellie. I just loved reading the interactions between Braden and Joss. I loved that Braden would call Joss out when she was being unreasonable. I mean, you guys will see, but he really pushes through her walls and not in a douchebag way. I just loved it.
Absorbing, enticing, and full to the brim with emotions, On Dublin Street might as well be akin to If I Stay but for the adult set. Samantha Young brings a lot to the table with her young adult romance. This is totally a book that I would recommend to people who actually want to read a romance book about college aged people that is LEGITIMATELY good. I know that I am about to go check out the sequels, because I totally need more of Young’s writing in my life and seriously, who does not love a guaranteed good read?
Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher.
Other reviews of On Dublin Street by Samantha Young:
Justin’s Book Blog – “Tragic and heartwarming”
Dear Author – “a satisfying, emotional, contemporary romance”
Book Brats – “truly excellent”
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I kind of want to read this despite the fact that I do not read sexytimes books. Great review, April!
I have been totally into the romance lately. Well, I always love romance, but sometimes I just crave it so much more. And it’s one of those times. I think I’m gonna have to check this one out. Yay for good New Adult!
I know you recommended this one to me recently, but after reading your review April — you’ve caused me to go look it up on B&N! haha This sounds EXACTLY like something I’d enjoy (you know my reading tastes so well!). Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I’ll be sure to keep you updated as to when I read it!
Yay! Ever since you mentioned that you read this and loved it, I’ve been on the lookout for your review! I am definitely convinced that I should give it a go now! NA has been very hit or miss for me. I am actually more interested in book 2– Down London Road, based on the synopsis, which is probably why I’ve been putting this one off! Kind of felt like a road block. haha Anyway, thanks for getting me excited about this one! 🙂