Review & Giveaway: Down London Road by Samantha Young

 

 

Down London Road by Samanthan Young

Publication Date: May 7th 2013 by Nal

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

About the book: 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.

 

Oh my stars!!! Down London Road was sheer perfection!!  My heart is soaring after turning the last page!!  It had everything I love and want in a romance, and more!!  Longing , sexual tension, panty-melting scenes, sweet and tender love!! Family, friendship, and loyalty are all within the pages.  I LOVED EVERY BIT!!  I probably should warn you, this review will contain gushing.  Lots of gushing!

So it took me a minute to figure out who Johanna Walker was.  Remember the gorgeous gold digger who worked with Joss at Club 39?  Yep, that’s her.  But she’s not what we thought she was, and in the time between stories Joss has discovered this too, becoming an important and close friend.  So, that’s a yes to anyone wondering if Joss and Braden show up in here:  YES!! And quite a lot, and it was lovely!!  

Anyways, back to the story.  Jo does have the reputation of dating men who have a lot of money.  She’s not a gold digger per se, but she wants to find someone who will provide security for her and her fourteen year old brother, Cole.  For years Jo has been the sole provider for their family, their mother being a raging, non-functioning drunk.  She only pokes her head out of the bedroom if she comes up short on gin or to mutter a well placed verbal stab to Jo or Cole.  However bad her mother is, her father was a hundred times worse.  Thankfully, he’s out of their lives but not before inflicting serious damage to Johanna’s self-esteem.  So, Jo does date nice rich men, and she masks her true personality to make sure she’s the perfect girlfriend. 

Enter Cam; he appears to be the opposite of safe.  He’s good-looking, tattooed; cocky with an attitude.   He has lust in his eyes for Johanna when he first sees her, then contempt when he sees her with Malcolm, her boyfriend.  He assumes she’s just into Malcolm for his money and tells her so, getting off on a very bad foot.  However, Jo does care for Malcolm, and he is everything Jo feels she needs to have a happy and secure future.  So, she ignores her immediate physical attraction to Cam, and stays with Malcolm.   This becomes increasingly hard when Cam starts work as a bartender for Club 39 with Jo and Joss.

You know where this is going.  Let me assure those out there, like me, who detest cheating stories.  This isn’t one of them.  What we do get is a friendship formed between Cam and Jo that builds into a slow, hot, burning desire!  The hottest relationships start with the mind and emotions, and then turn into more!!  They are my favorite type of romance to read about, and I LOVED this one!!  

“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, the delicious buildup!!

Did I mention the HOT factor?  Any who read On Dublin Street knows that Samantha Young can write scenes that could make you spontaneously combust!!  There really should be a safety warning: READ BY OPEN FREEZER.

This romance is not without some angst, and exciting drama.  Cam and Jo are involved with other people when they first meet, so this is not an easy breezy road, at first.  Plus, Jo’s insecurities plague on her mind which are not helped by an old girlfriend popping up!  There were a few scenes that made me gasp from stabbing hurt I felt for Jo!! But for the majority of this story, I wore a stupid blissful grin.  *happy, happy, sigh*

And now I get to the WORST part: I finished the story and now I have to wait for Samantha to write another!!!! *sobs*

***Spoiler ahead***One of my favorite quotes:

And I knew then as I was lying on our bed staring up into his familiar and handsome face that I had something I’d never had before.  I had someone who wasn’t going to let me spend a single day of my life without knowing how much I was loved.

A copy was provided by NAL publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!

Don’t miss out on Until Fountain Bridge (you can read my review here).  It’s a novella that centers on Ellie and Adam’s rocky but addictive road to romance!!  It was amazing!

5 Suns

 



 

I loved this story so much I wanted to share it with one lucky reader.  You can choose a print copy through The Book Depository or an e-copy through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.  Click here to see if your country is included.  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

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