Down London Road
By Samantha Young
Genre: Romance
Reading Level: Medium
Pages: 373
Review: 5 / 5
Synopsis:
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. (Goodreads)
Opinion:
I admit it! My guilty pleasure is Scottish romance novels, however they come, and Down London Road isn’t an exception. I love this book! But before I forget, just a small disclaimer before I begin reviewing: this book is the sequel to On Dublin Street, but you can read them independently. I actually bought and read this first before I realized that it was a sequel, but it didn’t exactly spoil anything for the first novel. I mean, it is a romance novel – they are kind of predictable.
So… YUM! This is one of my absolute favorite romance novels, and I cannot believe that I hadn’t reviewed it. This is a completely cliché romance book, but it is the best completely cliché romance novel I have read, which is why it is my favorite. The plot, for example, follows the basic plot line of any romantic novel, but there were things that happened that I did not foresee nor expect.
For example (MINOR SPOILER), Jo does something really idiotic inside of her own head, but instead of that becoming a huge fight, Cam calls her on it, and they make up. YES! Why don’t they do this in every novel? When the main character does something idiotic, or overthinks things, why doesn’t someone call the character on it, and that’s that. It is so simple. I just adore how Young doesn’t let her characters make things complicated.
Speaking of characters and adoration, Cam. I have a complete fictional crush on him, and he is definitely up there in my Top Ten Fictional Boyfriends list. I cannot exactly put my finger on what I find so appealing about him, other than his perfect physical descriptions, but he is very… charismatic, but also kind and sincere? I don’t know, so if you do, please leave a comment in the comment’s section below.
I really enjoyed reading about Jo too; especially about Jo and her relationship with her brother. It is complicated, especially with how Jo acts more like a parent around her sibling than a sister to Cole. It creates an almost uncomfortable situation between the two of them, and even though they handle it well, there is some obvious friction sometimes.
Young’s writing style is fantastic, as well. Some authors try to use fancy words and over-complicate things, but Young just has a very natural flow to her writing. She uses BIG words as well, but it feels normal, and not like she is trying to get in your face about how many big and complicated words she can use.
Anyway, I really love this novel, and it is something that I think every romantic (hopeless or not) would enjoy to read.
Have a nice day!
/Emilia
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