Down London Road by Samantha Young

June 3rd, 2013 Kimberly Review 52 Comments

3rd Jun
Down London Road by Samantha Young
Down London Road
by Samantha Young
Series: On Dublin Street #2
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

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.

I really enjoyed On Dublin Street and immediately pre-ordered Down London Road by Samantha Young. Ignoring my tight reading schedule I decided to jump right in and read it. Once again Young gave me fleshed out, complicated characters that I found myself rooting for. I quickly consumed this in a single evening and cannot wait to go back. Three word review: heart-warming, sizzling and captivating.

We met Johanna Walker in On Dublin Street and I was apprehensive about reading her story. On the surface she is a Paraná looking for a sugar daddy, but Johanna;s life is complicated. Her father is MIA and she has been left to taking care of her younger brother Cole and her sorry excuse for a mother. She does not let many people into her inner circle, especially the men she dates. In fact, you might even say Johanna is completely two different people. One works at a bar and cares for the family the other molds herself into the perfect girlfriend. When Cameron MacCabe walks in he completely upends Johanna’s world and the tale that unfolded had me giggling, sighing and shedding a tear.

Once you get pass Jo’s outward persona and see the real Jo you cannot help but admire how strong and courageous she is. She has managed to make a home for her brother, work two jobs to make ends meet and is looking for a way to better both of their lives. She has some self-esteem issues and I think Young does a wonderful job of showing how this affects a person’s self-worth. She likes the men she dates and sex is ok, but she’s never really felt an intense physical or emotional attachment. Cameron MacCabe is a tattooed, dark haired, abs of steel, Irish god. *swoons* Cameron had me uneasy after the first encounter but I quickly came to adore him. The chemistry between these two was smokin’ hot and watching them interact and keep boundaries was hilarious and had me on pins and needles waiting for the inevitable. Jocelyn and Braden had some scene time as well as his family. Jocelyn has really grown and become more confident. We saw growth in her and it was fun to see her blossom.

Young really gets me with her characters. They are complex, a little flawed and at their core good people struggling to make it in this crazy world. Dublin is the backdrop to this story and I now fantasies about moving there. Both Jo and Cam are in relationships at the onset and while no lines were crossed, I imagine if you were in a room with them the sexual tension would be electrifying. I so enjoyed their pre-tango dance and the buildup was delicious. The romance felt genuine and the chemistry curled my toes. Young creates steamy scenes that sizzle with just the right amount of details. She managed to give this series a small-town feel and I like how old characters and new interact and form bigger circles. The tale flowed wonderfully, with the right amount of tension, heat and drama to keep me turning the pages. I consumed this in one sitting and cannot wait for book three.

If you like character driven romance in small-town settings check out Down London Road and its predecessor On Dublin Street. The third book will publish in 2014.

Copyright (c) 2011-2013 Caffeinated Book Reviewer
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

52 Responses to “Down London Road by Samantha Young”

  1. Pnrurbfantasyreviews

    I can’t wait to start this one but it looks like I won’t have time until next month or so. Summer is just too busy for me.

  2. Naomi Hop

    Awesome review…. flawed characters always make great books! This does sound like a good book, too bad there is such a long wait for the next one…. you will be excited when the time does arrive!

  3. Sharon - Obsession with Books

    I briefly skimmed your review because I hope to read this very soon, I’m so pleased to see you enjoyed it & who doesn’t love a tattooed Irish god 😉 I am curious about their first encounter.

    I’ll be back to revisit your review once I read the book 🙂 I have loved everything I have read so far by Samantha Young so my fingers are crossed I enjoy this one.

  4. Jenea Whittington

    Johanna sounds like a great woman, and Cameron sounds just perfect for her too. He’s tattooed too, and that’s just yummy. Awesome review.

  5. Andrea

    I preordered DLR, and am bummed I havent had a chance to read it yet. Your review has me very excited!

  6. kindlemom1

    I love that you love this series so much Kim and that it shows in your reviews. I still haven’t read the first one, I was a little scared it was borderline erotica which I don’t read but I think I need to give this a try now and see what all the fuss is about for myself. 😉

  7. kindlemom1

    That makes me happy to hear! I am not a prude but something authors take things too far, you know what I mean?

  8. Pooja

    Sounds amazzing! Love that it’s character centric and you make it sound really really fab 😀

  9. BarkLessWagMore

    Johanna sounds like a complicated character when she could’ve easily have fallen into her stereotype. I love it when an author can do that in a story. Here’s another one to add to my wishlist 🙂

  10. Heidi

    I need to ignore my tight reading schedule and be like you and drop everything and read this. I really liked ODS and I can’t wait to learn more about Jo. Young is really a great character writer!

  11. kimbacaffeinate

    *giggles* I knew I would consume it in a single evening and we all have to treat ourselves sometimes. My load has lightened as planned and I am sneaking in my own reads now, very excited.

  12. kimbacaffeinate

    No worries, I never reveal more than the synopsis does, but I totally understand especially if you intend to review it 🙂 Enjoy it and hurry up and read it..so we can chat about Jo and CAM!!!

  13. Barbara Walker

    Noooo, I already have too much work stuff to read plus some great fun stuff from yesterday’s releases! I loved On Dublin Street but wasn’t sure about a book without Joss and Braden as the main couple. Evil, evil Kimba. 😛 Great review, chica. I blame you in advance if I don’t sleep for days.

  14. kimbacaffeinate

    Ha *shrugs* sorry, I gave up sleep to fit this in on release day..LOL Did you get Faking It? I plan to read it later today if it kills me!

  15. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Oh wow! You make this sound like I need to read both books ASAP! I love that you couldn’t wait for a break in the reading schedule to get into the book. Hm… been thinking about reading a few more contemp romances… I will add this one to the list!

  16. Debbie Haupt

    Wow Kim good thing you gave this a high rating because I’m afraid the hottie mchottie on the cover had me right a way. he he he

  17. Barbara Walker

    I did! I’ve barely been home today though and I decided to start Heart of Obsidian first, but my eyeballs aren’t cooperating. This particular release day was ridiculously full of riches.

  18. candacerobinson

    I’ve been wanting to read On Dublin Street for AGES but haven’t got my hands on it yet. I guess now I won’t have a long wait between books cause it’ll be at least fall at the earliest before I can pick it up. 🙂

  19. Lily B

    I am embarrassed to say I myself have not yet read On Dublin Street 🙁 but I heard it was wonderful, just never had the time to yet. I am glad this next book does not disappoint. It sounds just as promising and wonderful as the first. I really need to get to the first lol

  20. Sophia

    This one does sound really fun and lovely! I love it when authors make me feel for their characters, and it sounds like you really connected with Johanna and Cameron. Plus, their romance sounds swoooon-worthy. Thanks for the great review, Kimba! 🙂

  21. bookwormdreams

    I enjoyed On Dublin Street too! I skimmed through your review so I will not spoil my reading of Down London Road but it seems like I will not be disappointed. I’m looking forward to it. 🙂

  22. bookwormdreams

    I hate spoilers too. Sometimes I lose interest to read a book at all if some twist is revealed. I read the full review now, thanks for letting me know I can always read your reviews. 🙂
    I was a little bit apprehensive about Jo’s story but I like but reading your description I think I am going to like her after all. Great review. Now I am even more excited about reading it. 🙂

  23. Lauren

    I have On Dublin Street on my e-reader and can’t wait to read it as I hear it is oh so steamy. Can’t wait to pick this one up too, it sounds fantastic!!