On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street, #1)

by Samantha Young

Passionate and romantic, On Dublin Street is a captivating and bittersweet story of the redemptive power of love. Perfect for fans of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy

'Scotland's answer to E. L. James' Sunday Post

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.

'This extraordinary debut combines a true gift for storytelling with a liberal dose of racy encounters. But what really sets it apart is exquisite characterisation' Daily Record

'Highly recommend this one' USA Today

• ISBN10: 1405912987
• ISBN13: 9781405912983
• Publish Date: 17 January 2013 (first published 1 October 2012)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

Proceed with Caution:

This book contains death, grief, panic attacks, and sexual harassment.

The Basics:

On Dublin Street is a Contemporary New Adult Romance narrated by Joss, an American in Scotland. She's closed off, self reliant, and really going through some things. Or not going through them as it were. Her family and best friend died eight years ago, she moved to Scotland four years ago, and when we meet her, she's moving into a new apartment. The last thing she wants is a new best friend or a boyfriend.

My Thoughts:

On Dublin Street reminded me why I was so obsessed with New Adult Romance! I wish I had read this back when it was new! But now I get to binge the entire series, so I guess there's a reason for everything. If angsty Romance about twenty-somethings is not generally your thing, I'd still say give this one a try! The angst and drama are relatively low compared to others within the genre. That's not to say they're nonexistent, but the problems present here are very real and less eye-roll inducing.

Joss and Braden get off on the wrong foot which is always a good thing for a Romance novel. Soon the two realize that she's his new tenant, as she's rooming with his younger sister, Ellie. The tension is through the roof despite Joss being a professional at denying her own feelings. Luckily, Braden knows what he wants and makes her an offer she can't refuse: no-strings-attached sex! Wooo! And sex they have!

Of course, On Dublin Street would not be complete without the inevitable break-up, which is normally my least favorite part of these books. But sometimes they're done right, and this one was done right. Joss has some serious issues that she has been burying down deep for years, so they obviously have to interfere with her relationship. It didn't feel forced. I didn't want to throw the book across the room. I just wanted Joss to realize what she was doing and move forward.

On Dublin Street does show Joss going through therapy to deal with the deaths she's experienced. There is no healing by the power of love or magic of sex. She puts in the work with a medical professional. She starts opening up to friends. She makes a new friend in Ellie. She opens up to Braden and he opens up to her. Ellie and Braden welcome her into their family and friend group. She has a support system and she finally starts using it!

This book just made me very happy and I'm eager to get my hands on the rest of the series!

[starbell]

I probably would've rated this book a lot lower if I didn't relate so much to Jocelyn and her story and unwillingness to let anyone get close to her. I'm not sure I was crazy about it as a romance because I didn't really like the interactions with her and Braden, even though I did really like him and his willingness to fight for her.

I basically rated it 5 stars because it just made me cry my eyes out for quite a while.

[Leigha]

Jocelyn Butler ends up dating her flatmate’s sexy, rich brother in this adult contemporary romance.

I read On Dublin Street when it first released. I remember enjoying it, particularly the sparks between the two leads. I decided to re-read it recently when I saw the new, cutesy cover for the eBook. The original cover fits the book way better than the new one.

Jocelyn is a frustratingly appealing and vulnerable protagonist. Having experienced a huge loss at such an early age kept her from forming deep attachments. Her fears propelled most of the issues in the novel. I’d yell “Joss, come on, man up!” even as I wanted to give her a big hug. Her slowly developing romantic feelings for Braden and platonic feelings for Ellie are beautifully earned character moments.

The romance is super hot. Once Joss and Braden decided to hook up, their relationship goes from smolder to inferno. If you prefer chaste romances, it’s best you skip this one. Their romance works well considering their age difference and life experiences. This novel marinates in their drama, but it never felt overwhelming. The ending is satisfying, although the epilogue could have been shorter. I prefer my epilogues brief.

tl;dr An appealing main character and explosive romance made this the perfect re-read.

[Suz @ Bookish Revelations]

Samantha Young is an amazingly talented author who is definitely on my auto-buy radar every time that she releases a book. I fell in love with this series and even though it's been a while since I've delved back into it, I'm definitely going to work on finishing it up. Book review coming soon.

[journalingirl]

I did enjoy this book, but I had a few hang ups with it. First of all Braden is an ass - like guessing a girl's cup size? Real classy. Also just his general caveman behavior, which I guess Jocelyn learns to enjoy. Then there's just the idea that the friends with benefits relationship ever works out. On the whole, it was enjoyable to read though.

[Ashley]

booknook — Young Adult book reviews

If you read my review of Just for Now by Abbi Glines, you'll know that I've been DESPERATE for something sexy. Just for Now was okay, but it wasn't really the hot, dirty, heavy, dripping with lust kind of book I was looking for. I'm very pleased to say that On Dublin Street rocked my sexual universe.

This book was HOT. I mean.. really, really hot. The book itself was screaming sex. I loved it. Consider my hunger for a heavy, lusty book satisfied.

But moving on from the sex for a second.. I really connected with On Dublin Street because of the whole American-in-Scotland thing. Jocelyn is an American but she moves to Scotland for university and then continues living there afterwards and then starts a relationship with a Scotsman. So we have people teasing her about her accent, people arguing over lingo, Jocelyn adapting to a new culture, etc. I can totally relate to this because that character is ME! I'm an American and I moved to the UK to go to university and I fell in love with a Brit! Well, it was more like I fell in love with a Bit so then I moved to the UK.. but let's not get technical. It was awesome just to read about someone who went through the same experiences I did and in a similar part of the world!

What I found most interesting about this book was that the traditional male and female roles were reversed. In books like this, normally you have the girl and then the strong, badass playboy. The girl wants a relationship and the guy is kind of closed off and struggling to change. It was the complete opposite in On Dublin Street! I mean, yes, Braden was a bit of a playboy (or a serial monogamist), but Jocelyn was the one who was emotionally closed off and against having a 'normal' relationship.

On Dublin Street did more than just fulfil my craving for a hot book; it also fulfilled my craving for another mind blowing emotional roller coaster. I've been craving more books like Beautiful Disaster, Easy, and Seduced in the Dark. Well, ladies and gentleman, we have a winner!



On Dublin Street was certainly loaded with intriguing emotional baggage. As much as it is about a hot sexual escapade, it's also about a girl struggling with her past and trying to come to terms with the horrors that linger there. I have to admit, sometimes Jocelyn drove me completely insane. She was an emotional wreck and refused to let people into her life. Towards the end it started bothering me most, because that's when her friends really needed her to be there for them and she just closed herself off completely. I wanted to bang her head against the wall! But I just forced myself to remember that this was the point of the book—it's about an emotional journey and overcoming traumas. Not everyone is able to deal with things like that, and it's about Jocelyn struggling to overcome it.

And then there was Braden. Braden is a complete and utter sex GOD, but still manages to be a nice guy. Sure he may date a lot of women, but he doesn't cheat on them. Yes, he's rich, but he's not an arrogant asshole. He's kind and sweet and he truly cares about people. But in bed, he's no gentleman. ;) He does have his moments of jealousy, but don't we all? Braden puts up with a lot of crap from Jocelyn and it was nice to see him hang in there. He supports people through the bad times and doesn't just bail when things get tough.

On Dublin Street was everything I hoped it would be. It was HOT THROUGH THE ROOF, an emotional whirlwind, drove me to the edge of tears, and was also a little heart-warming. I highly recommend it!

[inlibrisveritas]

A whole bunch of nope…

On a rare occasion I’ll pick up a book that is hyped and well received by pretty much everyone, save a few, and I’ll find that I side with the few. It reminds me that I don’t like things because everyone else does, so it’s refreshing in a way…but it’s mostly frustrating. WHy do I have to be the odd one out? Then I remember I’m not the problem, the book is and I stop feeling bad.

In honesty this would be a one star rating, but when I started the book initially I was really digging it and then when I picked it up again months later I found that I couldn’t stand most of it. So one star is for the book and the other is for the fondness I had to begin with. So what put me off of this one?

In a simple word, Braden. (though I have my issues with Joss too). Braden is an alpha male, but to me he’s so alpha that he tramples on the line between sexy and downright possessive. He’s a “no” means “rub your crotch on it” kind of guy. He gets what he wants, even if what he wants is a woman who has clearly verbally stated it’s not happening. I don’t care if she’s quivering with desire, if she says she’s done then back off. The possessiveness came into play well before the relationship ever started and even Joss notices how crazy it is, but she kind of backs down at a point. Also the over use of ‘babe’ drove me nuts. I don’t mind pet names, but when you use it every couple of sentences you start sounding silly.

Joss was a bit more bearable but only a bit. She cycles between deep lows and high highs, which is fine. I understand that being a bit of an emotion wreck myself at times. What I couldn’t stand was her ability to go hot and cold at the flip of a coin, which she does a lot. I get being emotionally guarded and untrusting, but some how this girl turns almost every bad situation that happens into being about her. Just…urgh.

The sex was steamy, but I got tired of it after a while because it happens so frequently. Even the portions where she was going to face her past were somewhat drowned out by a random sex scene that I wish had been replaced with actual plot.

I’m bummed out that this one didn’t work out for me because the series comes so highly recommended. I wish I had enjoyed Braden and Joss more, especially since everyone seems to like them. I suppose I’ll just count this as a miss and move on.

[Rowena]

This book is about Joss Butler, an American who lost her entire family when she was a freshman in high school. Years later, she finds herself living in Scotland, her Mom’s homeland and trying to start a new life for herself there. When her parents died, she came into an inheritance and she’s been living off of that and her bartending job while she tries to become a writer. Her best friend from college, Rhian and her boyfriend James are moving to London and leaving Joss behind so Joss needs to find a new roommate because even though she can afford to live alone, she wants a roommate for the social aspect of living.

This is where the love interest, Braden Carmichael comes into play.

Braden and Joss’ first meeting was something else. Holy cow, the amount of sexual tension in that cab was off the charts and I just knew that they were going to be a great couple to get to know. I didn’t think the follow up meeting could top that cab ride but I was wrong because their second meeting had me cracking up all over the place.

Now, this book was such a great book but there were quite a few things that had me frustrated. My frustrations stemmed from Joss constant inability to open up. It was hard to not understand where she was coming from but that didn’t stop me from wanting her to hurry up and get better. There were also times when I wanted to strangle Braden and his constant bulldozing over Joss. But as a whole, this was an incredible read that had me captivated throughout the entire book. I really enjoyed this one.

I was hoping that Ellie and Adam would get their own book but I was happy with the way that their story wrapped up in this one. I thought Young did a fantastic job of wrapping the reader up in the lives of this cast of characters. Because not only did I come to care for Joss and Braden but I came to love the hell out of Ellie, Adam, Elodie and Clark, Hannah and Declan and I was mighty curious about Jo too. I loved this book so much that I immediately started on Down London Road when I finished this one. So yeah, I pretty much adored this book.

[kimbacaffeinate]

On Dublin Street was in my TBR pile for a good four months before I dug it out for the Take Control challenge in March and I am glad it is one of the books I selected. Young offers up complex characters, a fantastic setting and weaves it all together to create a romance that swept me away.

The tale takes place primarily in Scotland after a brief prologue that gives us a strong sense of Jocelyn Butler’s background. Jocelyn is in search of a new flat and roommate after graduation and is on her way to visit a place on Dublin Street when she hails a cab and ends up sharing it with Braden Carmichael. Their conversation was funny and right away we get a sense of who they are. She ends up falling in love with the flat and takes an immediately liking to Elle her new roommate. As fate would have it, it turns out that Elle is the little sister of Braden who is now Jocelyn’s landlord. The tale that unfolds held me captive as Jocelyn struggles with her past, her feelings for Elle and Braden, and a fear of losing herself.

Young created fleshed out characters with flaws you can identify with. Jocelyn from the outside appears confident, calculated and snarky. She keeps people at a distance, tucking them into neat little boxes with labels. I instantly connected with her, and despite wanting to shake her a few times, I felt her emotions and struggles were genuine. Elle is in a word, “adorable” Ever optimistic, a totally romantic and someone you enjoy spending time with. She is a listener, and very good at picking up on subtle body language. While she is curious about Jocelyn she doesn’t push her. Braden is older than Jocelyn and has been previously hurt in a failed marriage. He is successful, and goes from one relationship to the next. He is charming, smexy and despite all the dating, he is faithful when in a relationship. There is an immediate physical attraction between them but Jocelyn tries very hard to deny it. Braden really gets her, and cleverly worms his way into her life and bed. It was fun to watch it all unfold. Their relationship is hot, sweet, turbulent, intense and beautiful. I found myself wrapped up emotionally in the outcome. The secondary characters all had their own voice, and personalities making the setting intimate.

There were many threads in the story, quickly making me invested in the characters and while it focused on Jocelyn I found myself caught up in the other characters lives as well. Jocelyn has secrets and carries a lot of grief but we see growth throughout the novel. Young has her seeing a therapist and I loved that she made Jocelyn strong enough to realize she needed to talk to someone. I consumed this in a single evening and enjoyed the author’s writing style and plot pacing. There are some hot, steamy scenes, that are detailed enough to let your imagination soar. I quickly slipped away from reality as the world and characters she created took me on an emotional journey I did not want to end. This series has the feel of a small-town series and I am excited to continue.

Fans of character driven romances will enjoy On Dublin Street. Down London Road is the next book in the On Dublin Street series and we get Johanna Walker’s story. She is the bartender who worked with Jocelyn in book one. Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[nitzan_schwarz]

YOU CAN ALSO FIND THIS REVIEW AND MORE ON MY BLOG

On Dublin Street is one of the first contemporary novels I read back in 2013 that truly blew me away, especially taking in how high my expectations were because of the hype. Young's first foray into adult territory is written and executed amazingly well, with a story that keeps you reading, characters you can root for and a romance that will make you swoon.

The novel is narrator by our main character, Jocelyn "Joss" Butler. A sexy, smart and caring young woman who has some heavy baggage from her family's untimely death. But don't worry, she's working on it. Or trying to. Unlike a lot of heroines (whom I find annoying, honestly), Joss doesn't sit around waiting for things to change. She's actively trying to get better. And sometimes, the actions she took made my heart ache, because I just wanted for her to get her HEA already.

And I wanted her to get it with Braden, our hot, rich caveman. It's very easy to err and make a douche out of an alpha male, but when you do it right, like with Braden, you get a charming mix of attitude, personality and tenderness. Braden is wickedly smart, impossibly stubborn, and somewhat manipulative, but he uses those powers for good. He follows his guts and listen to what his heart tells him, and more often that not he's right.

And most importantly - if Braden wasn't this way, his romance with Joss wouldn't have worked. Joss needs someone who can stand on equal grounds with her. Someone who won't back down until all her walls are rubble and she has no other choice but to surrender. Someone with whom she wouldn't need to put everything to words.

As a side note... holly hawt chemistry batman! These two should stay away from flammable stuff otherwise they will catch on fire! It doesn't even matter whether they're arguing, bantering or getting along, they just heat the place up.

My favorite side character from this installment has to be Braden's sister and Joss's roommate, Ellie. She's sweet, funny and absolutely adorable, not to mention a good friend and sister. She's a key factor in Joss's recovery, not just decoration.

So if you're looking for a good contemporary, you should pick this one. It really does have everything!


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Original Review
Originally posted on my blog.

Edit: I think this book, at the end of things, is more around four stars. It's all that I say below, but it's also forgettable.  I don't remember much of it anymore. 

*-*-*-*

On Dublin Street is a book I was wry of trying. It has many, many 5 star reviews (such as this one), so I was super afraid it will disappoint. But, oh boy it didn't. It really didn't. I enjoyed every bit of the ride, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Young's stories in the future!

It was super surprising to find out this is Young's first attempt at adult (or New Adult, based on the definition of my New Adult Challenge) from a long set of Young Adults. It was written amazingly well, with gripping plot, wonderful characters and a romance well built, well written and well executed. She should've tried this sooner, is all I'm going to say.

The voice of the story is our main character, Jocelyn, also known as just Joss. Joss has... issues, to put mildly. Issues that resulted mostly of her family's untimely death. And those issues married other issues and had little issue-children. And all her issues could've made her annoying... if she wasn't working on them. But she doesn't just sit around, Joss is trying to change the way things are, seeking out help, and due to that, I never found her annoying, even when she was doing things that made my heart ache. In fact, I respected her more for it. Not once did I think 'what an idiot' (which is something I'm known to think, mostly when it comes to female characters). I just wanted things to work out already.
She was also extremely funny, witty, smart, caring (even when she tried really hard not to be, because you know... caring just leads to people getting hurt), sexy, and intelligent. I don't think there is anything bad I can say about this character. 

As for Braden... I find I really love me a caveman. Braden definitely had his Alpha-male attitude, which I really don't mind, but he also had character and an awesome personality to add to that. He's manipulative, but never in a way that annoys. He's stubborn (and smart), and you'll be saying 'thank god' for that like a gazillion times throughout this book, because we really need someone stubborn to melt Joss's walls and defenses. He's also intuitive, realizing fairly quickly exactly when Joss was lying to him, and more importantly... why she's lying to him. 
Oh, and he's rich and handsome and really hot. And funny. Yep, the whole package. 

The connecting link between Braden and Joss is Braden's sister, Ellie, who happens to be Joss's roommate. I know, I know, talk about coincidences, right?! but, really, Ellie is a great character. She's funny, adorable, is a good friend (and a good sister) and she gives Joss a reason to try harder, as the more they get attached to one another, the more Joss wants to stay and get better.
Ellie is also not just another character. She definitely has a place in the book, and even gets her own romantic happily-ever-after. I knew what was coming with Ellie from a very early stage, because the signs were all right there, but I was still emotional. I was scared the author will make it end badly just for the shock factor. 

There were many other side characters for the story, all of them added to it and made it that much more real, because everyone in this book are just painfully real. 

As for Braden and Joss's romance... Holly hawt chemistry batman!!! Those two can torch down a building or two! Be it when they're getting along (which usually involves a bed... or some form of a surface to be naughty on) or when they're having one of their fun and funny banters, these two just heat up the place.

Also, they're just so perfect for one another. 

Braden, bless him, knew Joss has hangs-up about relationships. So, what does he do? Easy! Manipulates her into believing it won't be a relationship so he can sneak in into her heart, and by the time she realizes what's going on it's too late. Way to go dude!!! You're awesome ♥ Seriously, I loved that he did that. He never once acted like they weren't together, but it sure got Joss to agree to him.

Aside for that, Braden quickly identifies all the the hang-ups Joss has, and he never gives up on her. Not even when you really expect him to. Instead, he sees through everything and refuses to allow Joss to slip through his fingers. 
*sigh* love... 

And as for Joss... she gives Braden a second chance at love and cavemancy. Which I'm totally ruling a word. Quite honestly, they just fit. And I love when that happens!

I also loved the ending. Heck, I loved the start, middle, ending and all that's in between! 

This is one heck of a book, and if you haven't read it yet... I can't believe you're still here! You should've went to get it, like, after the first paragraph!