Guest Review: Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young

Before Jamaica Lane
Author: Samantha Young
Reviewer: Guest Review
Rating: A

Today we welcome back Nena from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly review blog. She brings you today’s Guest Review.

What I’m Talking About:

Before Jamaica Lane is the third installment in the On Dublin Street Series by Samantha Young. Old and new fans of contemporary fiction will devour this one. I have been following Samantha Young since she self-published On Dublin Street back in August of 2012, when the books sales skyrocketed in a matter of days, and she remained at the top of the charts for several weeks.

I loved On Dublin Street. I love the concept, the writing, the characters, but most importantly, the flow of her prose. I couldn’t put the book down. When the second book in the series came out (Down London Road) my expectations were high. Samantha Young produced a good novel but not spectacular like the first book. The writing was strong, but I felt like the protagonist in Down London Road never got the spotlight. The main characters from the first book kept coming in and out in a very unbalanced way. To say that I was disappointed is a bit of an understatement. I wasn’t sure if I would continue to read on this series, until I remember that Samantha’s writing has always been her strongest asset. Even if the plot didn’t meet my expectations, I would still read it in one sitting.

Before Jamaica Lane is a book that stands on it’s own. Whether you are a returning fan or a new reader, you will love getting to know Olivia and Nate:

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…

We first met Olivia in Down London Road, when she arrived in Scotland with her father after her mom passed away. Olivia is new to Edinburgh and to boys. Even though most of Olivia’s background was given in the previous book, the writer gives a nice recap in the first chapter from Olivia’s point of view.

Nate Sawyer is also introduced right away, as we had previously met him in the last installment. Nate’s friendliness has not only been welcoming to Olivia, but they have grown so close, that they genuinely care more about each other than they care to admit. Their chemistry is great and they both enjoy each other’s company, however, Olivia’s insecurities and Nate’s lack of commitment, leaves them both at an impasse.

When a handsome love interest is introduced, Olivia enlists Nate to help her get the attention and confidence to pursue the mysterious Benjamin. Trouble begins when something that started as fun and games, is suddenly less playful and more serious. Benjamin makes the first move to try to get the attention of Olivia, but Olivia is suddenly not longer feeling so sure about what she wants.

Before Jamaica Lane is a delicious morsel waiting to be savored. If you are reading this series because you can’t get enough of the original characters, you won’t be disappointed, there is plenty of updates and even some new revelations about the past couples we have grown to love. Samantha Young has done it again!

Rating:   A  Loved It

About the Book:

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…

Release Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: NAL
Series: On Dublin Street #3
ISBN: #978-0451466686
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): Paperback (432 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher

Purchase Info:
Before Jamaica Lane (On Dublin Street #3)

Reviews in the Series:
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young (On Dublin Street #1)
Down London Road by Samantha Young (On Dublin Street #2)