On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
Published: December 31, 2012 by NAL Trade (first published August 2012)
Source: Purchased from used bookstore

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. [goodreads]

On Dublin Street is a prime example of a book that you will lose time over reading because you're that swept up in the story.  I'm still trying to figure out exactly what it was that made me want to keep reading this book.  Overall I just had this urge to find out what happened next by encountering more moments between Jocelyn and Braden.  These two characters were definitely smoldering on the pages together, and perhaps that's what held my interest.  The plot was a bit lacking and the writing did not possess any sort of wow factor, but the connection between the two main characters was such an immediate and constant attraction that it kept me engaged through to the end.

Jocelyn has issues, LOTS of issues.  She lost her family and her best friend before the girl even graduated high school.  That alone set such a heavy tone for the novel that I kept thinking, woah.. how is there even a story beyond this? Oh but there is.  The story is told eight years later, where we meet Jocelyn in Scotland seeking a new apartment just after she's finished her schooling and venturing into a full time gig as a writer.  We know her back story and understand the baggage she carries around with her.  Jocelyn refuses to let anyone close, keeping any and all relationships just at the surface.  Having never truly dealt with the deaths of her family and best friend, she's more than just a head case.  She's built a stone fortress around her heart, protecting it at all costs.

Braden is a wealthy Scotsman owning multiple properties in the city, living the lavish life of befriending a sexy female to accompany him to business dinners and hot times in the bedroom.  When Braden suddenly crosses paths with Jocelyn he's more than attracted to her, he wants her, in any way possible, and Braden always gets what he wants.  These two characters agree to an arrangement that fulfills the others desires, but in return they both get way more than they had planned for.

The drama heightens as we see through their arrangement and get to know other characters that play supporting roles in this addicting tale.  Jocelyn's issues that were once locked away begin to seep through the stone facade she's manufactured around her heart, and Braden can no longer pretend as both of them are forced to deal with the reality of their situation.  Even though this story was predictable from the beginning, I still wanted to see it through to the end.  I had some issues of my own with Jocelyn's character and how selfish she was.  I got that she had issues of her own, but after awhile they became a crutch for her and I wished she'd just let go and learn to love again.  Braden's controlling demeanor border lined on, is this endearing? or too over the top?  But it never got to be so much that it took my interest away from the story.

If you're seeking an adult romance that will satisfy and entertain you for the time being, then I highly recommend this novel.  It was addicting and just what I needed to appease my interests as I took a lustful adventure On Dublin Street.