This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Jennifer Joyce
Jocelyn had a traumatic childhood, growing up in foster care after the death of her parents. Once she turned 18, Jocelyn made a fresh start, moving from Virginia, US to Scotland. Never getting over the tragic death of her parents, Jocelyn keeps everybody at arm’s length and she doesn’t even confide in her best friend, Rhian. When Rhian moves away to London, Jocelyn is left without a flatmate so she begins searching for somewhere new to live, instantly falling in love with a luxurious flat on Dublin Street.
Jocelyn becomes close to Ellie, the other occupant of the flat, and even closer to Ellie’s brother. Braden is a strong, passionate man, wealthy and successful and used to getting what he wants. And he wants Jocelyn. But Jocelyn isn’t interested in forming relationships as she is too scared of losing somebody else. So Braden suggests an arrangement; no strings sex without any complicated feelings getting in the way. Jocelyn is attracted to Braden and so agrees, but the arrangement doesn’t work out quite as simply as planned. Jocelyn starts to feel more and more attracted to Braden and her past worms its way to the surface. Jocelyn must choose between protecting her heart from yet more pain, or putting her trust in Braden and risk being hurt again.
On Dublin Street is a story of loss, grief and learning to open up your heart again with some pretty steamy scenes thrown in too. Jocelyn is quite a cool, feisty character, keeping her emotions buried deep inside until she meets Braden and Ellie. She forms a quick bond with Ellie, almost instantly being welcomed into her family. The attraction between Jocelyn and Braden is immediate and you know it’s only a matter of time before they get together and when they do, it leads to some explosive sex.
The story was interesting, with Jocelyn learning to open up and trust people again, but I was a little put off by Braden at times. He’s a very strong and masculine character, which can make a fantastic hero but, for me, Braden could be too overbearing. I found his aggression and controlling behaviour went too far on a few occasions. I didn’t like how he told Jocelyn what to wear and how to behave towards other people, especially as he did this even before they were involved in any kind of relationship. He was far too hostile and domineering, which aren’t attractive qualities in a hero for me.
7/10
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