Down London Road (On Dublin Street Book 2)

Ladies, Ladies, Ladies... prepare yourself to be wooed and wowed and awed by this bloody fantastic story that made me laugh, cry, smile, and kick my feet in the air I was so delightfully happy!Johanna "Jo" Walker has been dating her much older boyfriend for almost three months. He's the perfect guy for her - kind, charming, laid-back, and wealthy. And most people would call him her sugar daddy. Jo accompanies Malcom one evening to an art show gallery, where a friend of his is displaying her art. As Jo is walking around, looking at the atrocious artwork, her eyes instantly fall on a tall, gorgeous guy who has dark blond messy hair and a sexy body with tattoos on his arms. The moment their gazes meet, there is an instant, electric spark between them. Jo is stunned by her reaction to this man since he is unlike any man she would normally go for. His clothing isn't sophisticated and he doesn't scream wealth.But even with the obvious attraction between them, when Jo formally meets Cameron "Cam" MacCabe, they immediately butt heads. Cam throws down the gauntlet, thinking he has Jo all figured out, accusing her of being a money-grubbing bimbo. Yet, even with the tension between them, Jo agrees to help Cam get a job at the bar where she works. And when Cam begins his new bartending position, Jo soon finds out getting him the job might've been a really bad idea, since she can't seem to ignore her attraction towards to Cam and sexy thoughts of him begin to infiltrate her mind and body. No matter how hard Jo adamantly denies the attraction she has towards Cam, it's just too hard to avoid the intense chemistry or the butterflies she feels when she's in the same vicinity as him."I'd never felt so intensely attracted to someone before. Usually, it took me a while to get to know a guy before I felt that kind of deep tingling in all of my good-for-nothing places."Behind Jo's façade lies a broken woman and home life. Jo has had to learn to rely on herself since she was a kid. With an alcoholic mother and an absentee father, she's been raising her little brother, Cole, for most of his life. Her sole mission is to protect Cole and give him a solid future, where they don't have to worry about money, losing their home, wondering where their next meal will come from, and their alcoholic mother. Jo and Cole may be sister and brother, but Jo is more like Cole's mum. Her determination to make sure Cole is taken care of, unfortunately, comes with the reputation of being a gold digger. But, truthfully, underneath it all, she's a loving and caring sister only trying to give her brother a good life, and will do just about anything to make sure they're safe and secure.Once the misunderstandings between Cam and Jo simmer down and are put to rest, Cam began to see Jo for who she truly is. They form a close friendship where Cam eventually earns Jo's trust and slowly peels back the layers that make up this woman. But even though they are simply friends, there is still a lot of unspoken sexual tension hovering on the surface. It's just a matter of time before this sexual tension combusts and they give into each other.I really admire our misunderstood heroine. Jo's a survivor, who is doing her best to keep from drowning in her struggles. And the way she protects and loves Cole, when their parents failed miserably, is beautiful and extremely courageous. But Jo has always been alone while dealing with her struggles. She never felt like she could be herself, always wearing a mask to hide who she is. And she's never shared her issues with anyone. That is, until Cam came along. Cam is exactly what Jo needs in her life - a lover, a friend, a companion, who understands and accepts everything about her. With Cam, she didn't have to fake it, she could set herself free."You know, the world will always try to make you into who it wants you to be. People, time, events, they'll all try to carve away at you and make you think you don't know who you are. But it doesn't matter who they try to make you or what name they try to give you. If you stay true, you can chip off all their machinations and you're still you underneath it all."There is something about a Scottish hero that makes me weak in the knees. Sigh. I love this passionate and protective man. He's funny, sweet, and quick with the witty remarks. I had this sudden intense need to claim Cam for myself from the moment he walked onto the pages. And the fact that he's just as beautiful on the inside as he is on the outside, only strengthens the adoring feelings I have for him. I love how honest and raw Cam is. He doesn't let Jo run from him. He brings out the fire in Jo she's always hidden underneath her mask. Cam makes her face everything head on. And, once he decided it was time to claim her, he made it very clear that he wanted all of her, or nothing at all.I absolutely adored Cam and Jo right from the start, even though they started off on the wrong foot. With any new romance, there will be problems and issues they will to work through. And there is definitely some drama, angst, and jealousy. This story is a little bit more serious and darker than the first book due to the topics addressed in this story. But, even with the bad, there is definitely a lot of good.I love the flirtatious, witty banter between Jo and Cam. And the sexual tension... oh my panties. When these two could no longer keep the uncontrollable sexual energy and their feelings at bay, they come crashing together. It was HOT HOT HOT. Samantha Young definitely knows how to write wickedly sexy scenes that heat up the sheets.""Cam," I whispered, wanting him to pull away and needing him to never leave. He groaned and gently slid his forehead down the side of mine, his nose skimming my cheek, following my jaw, and coming to rest in a nuzzle against my throat.I held my breath, waiting.His hot lips touched the skin there. One brush. Two.And then I felt the wet, hot erotic touch of tongue and I shuddered, falling against him."Oh yes, ladies.... Cam and Jo are SO deliciously HOT together!This series has a great cast of characters including Cole, Braden's family, Adam, Braden, and Joss. I thought I would be sad about not having another Braden and Joss book, but Jo and Cam were just as amazing characters. We do, however, get a lot of page time with Braden and Joss. And I really did enjoy every sexy moment I got to spend with Braden.Stellar is the first word that comes to mind when I think about Down London Road. Simply stunning are the next two words. This book will leave an emotional impact on you and you will be wowed by the romance. There is no doubt in my mind that Samantha Young has become one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. I LOVE LOVE LOVE her writing. I have a feeling I know who the next couple is, and I'm very excited to read their story!

This is the first book I have ever read by Samantha Young and I have got to say, "wow". It is really good. I know there was another book prior to this one in this series, but the reviews scared me away. But, after reading this one and really liking it? I think I might just ignore those reviews and read it myself. :) Now, as with all my reviews, I will not give away a lot of details in my review about the book. I firmly believe it will give something away to other readers. I also will NOT write a DAMN BOOK about the book! I mean COME ON! REALLY?! What is the point of reading a book if someone writes a damn book about it in a review?! (That is MY opinion.)With that said: Read the synopsis of the book, then read the reviews:I love how Samantha grabbed my attention right from the get go and didn't let go until the very end. The characters are believable to the point of actually picturing them. The way she describes the surroundings of the characters along with details on the characters themselves is not overwhelming and quite wonderful. The main female character, Jo, is a very strong female with enough on her shoulders to weigh down a dump truck. She also has a very sweet temperament unless of course you push her wrong buttons. Then look out! She is a little fire cracker. The main male character, Cam, is kinda mysterious, opinionated and quite drool worthy. (Of course. "snicker snicker"). Put them two together and BAM! You have one hell of a ride to go through. At first sight these two have a sexual pull. They don't get along at first and go through quite a lot. But you also have quite a few other characters that make this story all the more interesting.There are two things I didn't like about this book. 1 - there are so many characters, that is was really hard to keep up with who was who and so on. 2 - there is a LOT of thinking in this one and I actually skipped over some of it because honestly, it just wasn't really important. Other than that, this was a really good read.I do recommend this book. It is quite entertaining with heart warming experiences, sexual friction, heart wrenching scenes, laugh out loud moments, scary situations and so much more! I think I will be going back to read the first book and I will be reading the next one in this series.

My absolute favourite of this series, Samantha Young never disappoints and Jo and Cam have a special place in my heart. Beautiful story

I really recommend Samantha Young's serie On Dublín Street, from the first one (On Dublín Street) to the last one that I haven't read it yet as it wasn't realesed. I love them, I can't say other way.I re-read them almost each month, they're unforgetable

the story of Cam and Johanna is intense, a roller coaster of emotions and I'm afraid you will have new love of Cam...he will rank right up there with the #1 Book Boyfriends!! I really didn't need to have yet another tattooed man to fall in love with but couldn't help myself and was sad when the book ended. You could read this book without reading On Dublin Street first but I recommend reading the story of Braden and Joss either way!Samantha Young, you are a brilliant author and I look forward to Until Fountain Bridge, with Ellie and Adam's story ❤

Awww, I really enjoyed this one.4.5 Stars!I loved 'On Dublin Street', so I bought 'Down London Road' as soon as it was released but it's one of those that has been sitting on my Kindle waiting to be read.I'm always a little dubious when I've absolutely adored a couple in a book and then the author releases a second book in the same series, but writes about a different couple. I felt that Joss and Braden were such strong characters, that I didn't know if I'd be able to read a book that they featured in in snippets, but that wasn't about them. I was wrong. Samantha Young did a fabulous job of giving us just enough Braden and Joss to feed my appetite, but making me fall equally as in love with these new characters, Jo and Cam.If you've read 'On Dublin Street', this is Joss's friend, Jo's story. Johanna Walker has a bed ridden, alcoholic mother and a teenager brother who she has taken on full responsibility for. Working two jobs to pay their way, Johanna has decided attaching herself to wealthy men is the way forward. She doesn't men that she doesn't care for, but she also doesn't date men who can't guarantee her and her brother a financially secure future.Her latest catch is lottery winning suit Malcolm Hendry. She likes Malcolm, and he really does care about her, but he doesn't set her on fire. Nobody does. But that doesn't matter, right? She needs security and stability.Until Cameron MacCabe.Cam is the tattoed, a little bit bad looking, but totally hot boyfriend of Malcolm's ex girlfriend, Becca. I know, right? It's instalust between Cam and Jo. And the fire only burns brighter when Jo gets Cam a job at the bar she works at and then also finds out that he's moved into the flat below hers. Oh, I do love a coincidence.However, Cam thinks he's got Jo's card marked. He thinks he knows her. He pegs her as a fake, money grabbing, materialistic, slutty bimbo. And he isn't afraid to let her know.But as Jo and Cam's lives entwine, secrets are spilled, truths are shared and Cam gets to know the real Jo. The real Jo that nobody else has ever been allowed to get close to. Especially not the likes of Malcolm and other wealthy ex-suitors.So now Jo needs to decide... does she want a life of financial security for herself and her baby brother, which would also mean a life of living a facade, keeping other people happy... or does she want a life where the person she wants accepts her for the person she is, knows her deepest, darkest secrets and wants her regardless...I liked Jo. When we first meet her in On Dublin Street she is painted as a total gold digger. But I was totally sold on her in this book.She was a walking contradiction. In one way she was strong, protective and determined. She is the sole provider in her family and she will do anything to get what she needs for her brother. She is dead set on giving him a better upbringing than the one she had, at the hands of her abusive father and useless mother.Yet, she's vulnerable too. She hides behind a wall. She's afraid of dropping the ball, afraid of anybody finding out the truth about the life she leads behind the door of her apartment. And she's terrified of her feelings for sexy Cameron McCabe, who knows exactly what he wants.Cam is uber yummy! He does the whole protective alpha thing weeeellll! He's swoops in and saves the day a number of times. He comforts Jo, he takes Jo's brother, Cole, under his wing and he breathes life and self esteem back into Jo. I loved him for that. He's the first man to ever see Jo for who she really is... and not only does he love her despite her faults, he loves her even more because of them.Mmmmmm mmmmm!!! This book has a delicious dose of the sweetest sexual tension. I loved the build up between Cam and Jo, whilst they tried to avoid their growing attraction to one another whilst they were still with their prospective other halves. The scene in the kitchen with the spider... the first sex scene... the scene in the shop changing rooms... Y.U.M!There's also great banter. Between Jo's younger brother and Cam, between Cam and his friends, between Cam's friends and Jo, between Joss and Jo, Joss and Braden, and of course, between Jo and Cam. I love it when a book can deliver good, real banter, that I can believe. It just makes me fall in love with characters a little bit more.I thought the big crescendo was done brilliantly. The conflict between Cam and Jo, mixed with the other things Jo had to deal with, Cam's past getting in the way and of course, little bits of Joss and the gorgeous Braden, who gets all protective-alpha-male on us, to boot. I couldn't put it down.I enjoy the big extended family of surrounding characters in Samantha's books. There's a real feeling of love from this strange, pick-and-mix, make-shift family unit. A whole host of characters who don't have traditional, conventional families have come together and created their own. There's something incredibly wholesome and heart warming about that.There are some very dark issues dealt with in this book. Alcoholism, child abuse, domestic violence. And I think Samantha Young deals with all of these issues well. I did feel like the sub story of Jo's mother was left a little un-resolved, but that's my only complaint, really.I know this has got quite a few low rating reviews, and I really don't get why. I've read that some people didn't connect to the characters or found the plot dull... I totally do not understand how that could be. I really felt the tension between these characters and I loved the build up. The only thing I can think is that sometimes, a string of bad reviews can be self perpetuating... people read a bad review and go into the book expecting to be disappointed, which, in turn, prevents them from investing themselves fully to the story. Perhaps. I don't know. It's the only thing I can think.So, I would definitely recommend this. I love Samantha Young's writing. I think she does character development well and she writes fantastic loveable, rough-around-the-edges men.Down London Road StatisticsSteam Rating (out of 5): ♥♥♥♥♥Ending: HEASeries: ✓Reading Order:Book #1 - On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street, #1)Book #1.5 - An On Dublin Street Christmas (On Dublin Street, #1.5)Book #1.6 - Until Fountain Bridge (On Dublin Street, #1.6)Book #2 - Down London Road (On Dublin Street, #2)Book #3 - Before Jamaica Lane (On Dublin Street, #3) - Not yet releasedCan this be read as a standalone? YesThemes:AlcoholismDomestic AbuseLove triangleWarning. This book includes...Sexual content. Domestic abuse. Alcoholism. Violence.Writing: GoodReview by Smitten's Book Blog

Nachdem ich die grauenhafte Triologie von Shades of Grey gelesen habe,war dieses Buch eine sehr positive Überraschung!Bereits das erste Buch "On Dublin Street" war ein wundervolles, aufregendes und sehr erotisches Buch. Doch auch dieses ist einfach nur toll! Nicht nur von der Sprache her, leicht verständlich und gut geschrieben, sondern auch der Hauptcharakter "Johanna" wächst einem sehr ans Herz.Anfangs konnte ich Jo nicht leiden und hatte mir bereits überlegt das "Buch" wegzulegen. Nachdem ich mich jedoch eingelesen hatte, wurde sie mir von Seite zu Seite immer sympathischer.Bei diesem Buch findet ein langsamer Spannungaufbau statt. Anfangs eher noch ereignislos und langweilig, weiter Richtung Mitte wird es jedoch immer besser und von da an bleibt es bis zur letzten Seite spannend!Kann ich nur wärmstens empfehlen!