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Review: Echoes of Scotland Street (On Dublin Street #5) by Samantha Young

Shannon MacLeod has always gone for the wrong type of man. After she drifted from one toxic relationship to the next, her last boyfriend gave her a wakeup call in the worst possible way. With her world shattered, she’s sworn off men—especially those of the bad-boy variety.

Cole Walker is exactly the sort that Shannon wants to avoid—gorgeous, tattooed, charming, and cocky. But his rough exterior hides a good man who’s ready to find “the one.” He’s determined to pull Shannon from her self-imposed solitude and win her heart.

As Shannon opens up in the face of Cole’s steady devotion, the passion between them ignites to blazing levels. But when Shannon’s past comes back to haunt her, her fears may destroy the trust Cole has built between them—and tear them apart for good…

I have had a little crush on Cole Walker since he first appeared in Down London Road. We saw him going from this shy and a bit troubled teenager, to a young nice man with good values and a bit of a romantic streak. This book was one of my most anticipated this year. I've been so curious about him and wondering what type of girl could bring a great guy like that to his knees and I'm very happy with how it all turned out.

Now we all know Cole is a good guy, but if you don't know him, his size and tattoos might give you the wrong impression. That is exactly what happens when Shannon first sees him. Having the tendency to fall for the worst guys ever, she's so over the whole bad boy thing. Little does she know, she couldn't be more wrong about Cole. Shannon is actually afraid of her attraction to him, in the beginning, though slowly Cole is able to get behind her armor and show her that it could all be very good.

I really love how Samantha Young's plots are build up. First there is that obvious attraction, where someone is always trying to hold back a bit, though you know they're going to cave in sooner or later. This time we also get to see a big part of where things are going right between Cole and Shannon, on a emotional and certainly on a physical level. There is of course still some doubt and earning Shannon's trust takes time. Just when you think, this is pretty perfect, that past comes back. Shannon will need to make the choice of letting go of the wrong thing and we all know I am not talking about Cole here.

Seriously can a guy be any more perfect? My little crush has blown up in my face and I'm full on in love with this guy. My new book boyfriend for real. He's sweet, tough, protective, hot, charming, tall, has tattoos and I could go on for days. I'm not saying he doesn't have any flaws, because he also has some trust issues and forgiveness doesn't come easy for him. Shannon was not prepared for the full effect that is Cole Walker and resistance was futile.

Shannon is pretty great as well. While Cole had his trouble with his mother, he did have a big family of friends that love him and support him. She didn't have this. The only one who really connected with her is her brother Logan and he's in trouble because of her. So she's now starting over in Edinburgh and is actually making new friends and living a good life.Still getting to that point is definitely not easy for her and there is that kind of survivor guilt that keeps her from giving it her all. Slowly though Cole is able to get her to see things differently and make her realize she might be worthy of it all. One more thing, I'm seriously crazy jealous of her hair and it isn't even real.

Echoes of Scotland Street was another amazing addition to the On Dublin Street series. All these characters are so wonderful and you can not stop yourself from falling in love with this bunch. I know it isn't 'real' real, but that family feeling they have going on, just pours from the pages, making you wish you were part of it. For the fans of the series, we get some peeks into the lives of all the other characters as well. Think lots and lots of kids. It's clear that they play their favorite sport in the bedroom. I'm really hoping this isn't the last book in the series, because I'm just in no way done with all these characters.

On Dublin Street - reading order and purchase links

*All books can be read as a standalone, except Until Fountain Bridge and Castle Hill.*

On Dublin Street: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Until Fountain Bridge: Kindle

Down London Road: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Castle Hill: Kindle

Before Jamaica Lane: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Fall From India Place: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Echoes Of Scotland Street: Amazon - Kindle

The Author

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She's been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestseller ON DUBLIN STREET. ON DUBLIN STREET is Samantha's first adult contemporary romance and has sold in twenty-five countries.

Connect with Samantha Young:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Review: Fall from India Place (On Dublin Street #4) by Samantha Young

The New York Times bestselling author of On Dublin Street and Down London Road returns with a story about letting go of the past and learning to trust in the future…

When Hannah Nichols last saw Marco D’Alessandro, five long years ago, he broke her heart. The bad boy with a hidden sweet side was the only guy Hannah ever loved—and the only man she’s ever been with. After one intense night of giving into temptation, Marco took off, leaving Scotland and Hannah behind. Shattered by the consequences of their night together, Hannah has never truly moved on.

Leaving Hannah was the biggest mistake of Marco’s life, something he has deeply regretted for years. So when fate reunites them, he refuses to let her go without a fight. Determined to make her his, Marco pursues Hannah, reminding her of all the reasons they’re meant to be together.…

But just when Marco thinks they’re committed to a future together, Hannah makes a discovery that unearths the secret pain she’s been hiding from him, a secret that could tear them apart before they have a real chance to start over again….

It seems that in the past two weeks I've gone from one book hangover to the next. There were so many good releases, books I needed to read immediately and most of them overwhelmed me with all these feelings. It always ends happy, but the struggle these characters sometimes have to go through are heartbreaking and since it is so well written, I have no other choice but to feel with them. In other words, I cried while reading Fall From India Place.

I fell in love with Hannah from the first moment she was introduced. This young teenage girl, who seemed smart beyond her age. We watched her struggle with her first crush a.k.a. Marco, but we never knew what really happened. I was therefore pleasantly surprised when we fast forward a couple of years and Hannah is now a young woman, starting to make her own life.

While the story is told, we sometimes get flashbacks to what happened so many years ago between her and Marco. These were really helpful, while also being one of the biggest reasons for so many of these overwhelming feelings. Most interesting I thought was that no one close to her, knew the full story. They all knew bits and when everything comes together they are not happy.

Hannah has changed a lot in those years since Marco has left. She has not just closed herself off from love, but also slowly from her family. While she is still not afraid to say her mind, she has become more careful. So when Marco shows up again, apologizing for what he did and wanting a second chance, Hannah is not jumping at the opportunity. It is not easy to open up again and when it seems they both have secrets they're keeping from each other, things only become more complicated.

While Hannah is one of my favourites, I have to be honest that Marco is not. In his heart he is a good guy, but he made some very bad mistakes when he was younger. Now that he is older and wiser, he wants forgiveness and I can fully understand why Hannah is so reluctant at first. It's all so difficult because they were so young and can you really keep holding that against him? That turmoil definitely felt very real and I was feeling those conflicted emotions, needing to remember that everyone deserves a second chance. That is what it is about. When you love someone and they've made a mistake, is it possible to forgive them and move on, letting that past behind you and start a real future together.

Samantha Young has once again done a superb job. I really love all these characters and you get to see a lot of them in this book. Cole deserves a special mention, because he is simply awesome. During the years he and Hannah have become best friends, almost brother and sister, they are so close. He also has changed a lot since we first met him and I'm so happy his book is going to be next. I am not so secretly hoping it will be told from his point of view. It's only a year waiting. What is one year anyway, right???

Any book that can get this kind of reactions from me deserves five stars. I really feel like I need to start mentally preparing myself before I start reading her books. One of the best things I love about books, are the characters. Strong, believable characters, that are easy to connect with are my thing. When the struggles they go through are real and you are there every step beside them hoping for that happy end, because they deserve it, they are worthy of a great love. Samantha Young certainly knows how do this and that's why her books are so amazing.

On Dublin Street - reading order and purchase links

On Dublin Street: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Until Fountain Bridge: Kindle

Down London Road: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Castle Hill: Kindle

Before Jamaica Lane: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Fall From India Place: Amazon - Kindle

The Author

Connect with Samantha Young:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Review: Before Jamaica Lane (On Dublin Street #3) by Samantha Young

One simple lesson in seduction between two friends can turn into so much more…

Despite her outgoing demeanor, Olivia is painfully insecure around the opposite sex—usually, she can’t get up the nerve to approach guys she’s interested in. But moving to Edinburgh has given her a new start, and, after she develops a crush on a sexy postgrad, she decides it’s time to push past her fears and go after what she wants.

Nate Sawyer is a gorgeous player who never commits, but to his close friends, he’s as loyal as they come. So when Olivia turns to him with her relationship woes, he offers to instruct her in the art of flirting and to help her become more sexually confident.

The friendly education in seduction soon grows into an intense and hot romance. But then Nate’s past and commitment issues rear their ugly heads, and Olivia is left broken-hearted. When Nate realizes he’s made the biggest mistake of his life, he will have to work harder than he ever has before to entice his best friend into falling back in love with him—or he may lose her forever…

Review:
Olivia and Nate clicked from the moment they met. Even though Olivia has always had a bit of a crush on him (who could blame her), they are just friends, best friends. These two geeks found each other in gaming, movies and weird humour. The things that come out of these people's mouth had me cracking up.

Now Olivia has moved to Scotland for a fresh start after her mother died. Because she has always taken care of her mother when she was in her teens and early twenties, Olivia missed the whole awkward romance and seduction game with the opposite sex. So she doesn't have a lot of experience and causes extreme shyness around hot guys.

Nate is an exception. He is gorgeous, smart, funny and a man-whore. Olivia isn't imune to his panty's dropping charm, but because she's been friend-zoned she can act normal around him. Even more so they know secrets about each other that no one else knows. They are really close.

It is obvious Nate has no problems with the ladies as he very often demonstrates. Pretty much every girl he sets out to seduce goes home with him. There is a reason why he behaves that way and nearly broke my heart when I read it. Let's just say he lost his first love.

Now Nate has a lot of experience and Olivia next to none, a plan forms. Olivia asks for his help to overcome her shyness. He agrees on the term that there be no confusion and no feelings can be developed. It's a friend helping out another friend, nothing more. Which just makes you want to smack him and you know it is going to end badly.

From flirting, to kissing and onto other things, it all turns out pretty intense. And let's be honest, even though Nate warned her, Olivia's feelings for him grow. They are practically in a relationship, the only difference is that nobody knows about it. Meanwhile Olivia is giving her whole heart, but Nate is being stubborn. He warned her and he claims he can't change how he feels for her, which is just friends.

So much angst and drama, without it being too overwhelming, I love it! These two are smoking together. Those smexy scenes are to die for. The tension between these two just builds and builds until you are ready to explode and then she makes you wait a bit more.

Nate is a good guy 75% of this book, but it's those other 25% when he's not that it counts. What he puts poor Olivia through, I wanted to smack him so badly and Olivia was so in her right. She just wants to be someone's big love, which every woman deserves to be.

Samantha Young has done it again. I love her books so much. She has written a heartfelt love story, that will make you laugh, cry, yell, sigh and blush. Before Jamaica Lane has it all. The ending is predictable, but the journey and characters is what makes it rememberable.

Connect with Samantha Young:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Total Book Geek

Review: Down London Road (On Dublin Street #2) by Samantha Young

Down London Road is the second instalment in the On Dublin Street (click for review) series, but definitely not the last one. Which I am so grateful for, because they are awesome. It's as simple as that.

Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control....

It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.

But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.

Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets …even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.

Buy book: Amazon | Kindle

Excerpt: Chapter 1

Review:

Jo was not one of my favourite characters from On Dublin Street. Which is why it has taken me a while to get started on this book. I remembered her mostly from her dating rich guys, so she could get extra security for her brother. Don't get me wrong, I can understand why she does, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

I also remember her being a good friend to Joss and since I was in dire need of some good adult romance I gave it a shot. Luckily for me it was good, really good. Jo is still how I remember her, but by being inside her head that comprehension grows. I still can't overlook it, but I'm very glad the way the story turned out. Thank God for sexy bartenders.

When Jo and Cam meet for the first time it doesn't go well, it pretty much starts of all Pride and Prejudice. Harsh and ugly words are said and they are just lucky enough they now have to work together. A couple apologies, mostly from him, some sweltering tension and you can see the sparks fly.

Having made it her life mission, Jo has kept everybody at a distance, putting her life on the background for her brother. So yeah, when this hot piece rushes into her life, she can't keep him out. It's very obvious from the beginning they want each other, except Jo is not ready to give up security for passion and maybe love.

Samantha Young just keeps on doing so well. So far I liked all her books, contemporary and fantasy. The way she writes is just so fun to read. Though I do prefer her contemporary romances, they are just that bit more. Once again I absolutely loved it. Two more months until 'Before Jamaica Lane' comes out, but who's counting!

Connect with Samantha Young:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Total Book Geek

Book Review: On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street #1) by Samantha Young

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.

Review:

When Jocelyn moves in with Ellie on Dublin Street, she had no idea it would be the beginning of everlasting friendship, emotional peace and maybe even love.

"Despite my tendency to keep eighty percent of myself to myself, I liked being surrounded by people."

Jocelyn has had a difficult past and everything of that time she has locked away, never too be looked upon again. She has become an expert in deflecting questions about herself, her family and her past. Meaning she has a wall so high around her heart, you need the Eiffel tower to climb above it. Her unwillingness to let anybody in is emotional crippling and it's waiting to burst apart.

"The Suit wasn't classically handsome, but there was a twinkle in his eye and curl to the corner of his sensual mouth that, together with the rest of the package, oozed sex appeal."

When Jocelyn first meets Braden, she won't deny how gorgeous and sexy he is, but seeing that he's Ellie's big brother means he's of limits. Jocelyn namely doesn't do relationships and she likes Ellie, so she doesn't want things to be weird and all. But the obvious attraction keeps getting in the way and she can't really keep him out of her mind.

Braden notices her reluctancy towards him, so instead of going all in, he proposes something else - just sex, no strings. Jocelyn is so tired of fighting and accepts his proposal. In the beginning it's all fun and steamy, but slowly things might get more serious without Jocelyn fully realizing. Will she be able to overcome her past, for a future with Braden?

On Dublin Street is very well written. Jocelyn is an amazingly deep and realistic character. All she has been through, her emotional bagage and how all that has affected her personality and the way she looks at relationships (friends and love) is as fucked up as can be but really brilliant. Braden also, is not just some guy out to get the girl. There is definitely more than meets the eye. All the other characters Ellie, Adam etc. you've got to love them, they help drag you into this story. The complexity of On Dublin Street is what makes it stand out and makes you fall in love with it.