Reviewed by nitzan_schwarz on
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.
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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!
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 28 January, 2013: Finished reading
- 28 January, 2013: Reviewed