Today we welcome back Nena from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly review blog. She brings you today’s Guest Review of…
Down London RoadAuthor: Samantha Young
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: NAL Trade
On Dublin Street #2
ISBN: #978-0451419712
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
About the book:
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.
What Nema is talking about:
Samantha Young delivers a great stand -alone romance novel that is part of the On Dublin Street Series. Even though this book was a spin off her best-selling novel On Dublin Street, this novel stands on its own and will appeal to all Young’s fans and new readers.
The Good: As a fan of On Dublin Street, I had great expectations for this book. Even though I loved the first book and I would have loved a sequel for it, I was very pleased with a spin-off of a minor character in book one. I didn’t know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised when a character that I had no connection to, developed into a strong character with an interesting story to tell. Down London Road is a well written, character-driven novel. The romance is central to the plot but you are in for an emotional struggle. I even shed a tear or two.
The Bad: The plot is not complex but it had a little too many conflicts. I would have liked to see maybe two conflicts and see them be resolved slowly than seeing all the conflicts resolve on their own. The book could have had a very strong-female theme but the heroine left a few things up to fate and everything was tied up nicely. I thought was a little weak, but again, that didn’t stop me from loving the story.
The Ugly: The interaction in between the characters from Down London Road and On Dublin Street seemed very forced to me. If you have not read On Dublin Street, you probably won’t even notice, but for me, it felt unrealistic and flat. Given that this book was a spin off, I think the author felt force to please the old readers by giving little glimpses of the well-loved characters from On Dublin Street, but for me it was distracting and annoying. Every time they came into view, they stole the show for the lead couple in Down London Road.
Overall Down London Road is a quick read with a lot of chemistry. A great contemporary romance, full of sexual tension that will leave the reader wanting for more.
Nema’s Rating:
Liked it – recommend (B+)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the series:
I just finished rereading On Dublin Street. I’ll read this if only to see glimpses of Braden and Jocelyn I liked your Good, Bad, and Ugly review!