Down London Road
By Samantha Young
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Source: Edelweiss
Summary: 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.
Jo has always been in charge of her younger brother and alcoholic mom, and she's found that seeking out older, rich boyfriends makes that a whole lot easier. Forming those relationships though, Jo still makes sure the emotions are there and not just the artificiality. But when Cam walks into the story, with his lean muscles and tattoos (a look Jo NEVER goes for), he let's Jo know exactly how she looks to others. Cam's feelings, though, are much more than the disgust for her that he puts on, and Jo discovers that she's lusting after this bad boy more than she wants to be. But can she leave the life she has now and risk her family for an emotional roller coaster she's not even sure can last?
What I didn't really like about the first book was the redundancy on the sex and emotions and not enough of an actual plot. Thank goodness I gave Down London Road a chance, because I really enjoyed Joss's story and her relationship with Cam. Jo has a lot going on, so this is much more than some girl fawning over a guy she has an undeniable attraction with. She's dealing with an alcoholic mother, a 14-year-old brother, two jobs, and an MIA dad who she has no desire of ever seeing again. Add into that a current boyfriend who is super rich and sweet but who's lost the spark they once had. Yeah, there's a story I would love to read! Then, when Cam enters the picture, I really didn't want to put this one down.
I loved how Cam was not at all the kind of guy Jo goes for. She cares about her family so much that she always puts their wellbeing first, even when it comes to choosing a boyfriend. So when Cam first meets her and judges Jo before knowing who she really is, Joss is beyond angry with him, especially since she can't fight the undeniable attraction she has towards him. And then, when he starts acting sweet, Jo is beyond any hope. Jo's emotions are just all over the place and you have no idea what she's going to do with everything going on in her life.
The old characters from the first book definitely add charm to the second book of the series. I was so glad to see a happy Joss, Braden, Ellie, and Adam. Oh, and Hannah, Braden's younger sister, has a little part (but bigger than the first book) where you get to know her more as she becomes friends with Jo. I loved how their friendships are still so strong and we got to see the couples a few years after they got together in the first book.
In the end, Down London Road was a really great read that had a good story and an even better romance. The characters were charming and the issues Jo has to deal with make her a really strong, lovable main character. I really hope Samantha Young writes another one (maybe on Olivia? Nate? Kinda got the vibe there ;) )! I'd love to read more of this great Scotland series :)
Awesome review. Can't wait to read this one as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that this one tackles more of a story line! Great review!
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