Monday, March 24, 2014

Mini-reviews: Until Fountain Bridge and Castle Hill by Samantha Young

Title: Until Fontain Bridge (On Dublin Street #1.5)
Author: Samantha Young
Published: June 18th 2013
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Ellie Carmichael had a crush on Adam Sutherland, her brother, Braden’s, best friend, for years, and although Adam treated her with proprietary concern he made it clear he thought of her only as a little sister.
Over the years, as Ellie’s crush develops into love, her romantic idealism makes it difficult for her to move on. To make matters worse, as she’s gotten older, Adam’s attitude has changed toward her. His affection for her is now joined by attraction, but his loyalty to Braden, and his fear of losing the only family he has, stops him from claiming Ellie the way she wishes he would.
But one night his attraction is put to the test, and as much as Adam would like things to remain the same everything changes between them in a simple brush of the lips.
Soon lust, love, jealousy and heartbreak combine to force change upon their relationship… and Adam discovers the hard way that life is too damn short to spend it on regret.

At first I was sad to hear that Adam and Ellie wouldn't get their own full-length novel, but after reading this last summer I have come to realize how glad I am that it was just a walk down the memory line with some key scenes and not an excessive drama-fest which would be totally unnecessary for these two. I adored this novella so much and it can be described with one word: brilliant! I loved Ellie and Adam's relationship even more than I loved the main couple's in On Dublin Street (yes, while Braden is still my number one man in this series, Ellie and Adam's is hands down my favorite relationship) and I couldn't have been happier how things happened/ended for Ellie and Adam. This was such a sweet, heartbreaking read. We get to see them in the now and the before. I cried like a baby while reading this book. It had hurt tears, happy tears--everything. The story was totes adorbs! I hope Samantha will write some random scenes for these two in the future :)

Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5.0
Stars: ★★★★★


Title: Castle Hill (On Dublin Street #2.5)
Author: Samantha Young
Published: December 3rd 2013
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Braden Carmichael never imagined he’d fall as hard and as fast as he did for Jocelyn Butler. He also could not have anticipated how difficult it would be to convince her to give in to love. But now that he has her, he’s never letting go. He’s got it all planned—the passionate proposal, the dream wedding, the sexy Hawaiian honeymoon—even the perfect family they’ll start.
After trying to flee from her painful past, Joss is finally allowing herself to embrace the future. But when things start moving faster than she anticipated, she finds herself panicking over something Braden can’t understand. After everything they’ve been through, Joss is sure that their love can survive even her worst fears. But, this time, she may push Braden too far—and risk losing everything all over again…

Did you honestly think, even for a second, that I was going to not like this book? OH, BUT I DID. I cried. I laughed. I swooned. I cried some more. I swooned some more. Then I cried happy tears. All of it during mere 97 pages that gave us a continuation of Braden and Joss’s story. Of course you can all guess what’s about to go down, because it’s the logical follow-up to their relationship and it was all so very beautiful and plain sexy until something happened and they had a huge miscommunication. Honestly, I thought that they had already learned from their mistakes, but I guess not. I didn’t mind this obstacle though, because it brought them even closer together and it was just emotional to watch them fight over what they both wanted. WHICH WAS THE SAME THING lol. Braden is one of my favorite Scottish guys. Oh, scratch that! He’s one of my favorite bookish guys and even though he clearly made some wrong calls in this novel, it was because he cared. Joss wasn’t any better, if you ask me, because she should have cleared everything right away and not wait for a time to explain but force her explanation in his face. As you can guess, they do work everything out—they’re Joss and Braden after all—and I adored this ridiculous ride to happiness :) I’m very excited for them and I hope that we will see Braden’s “you-know-what” side in the last two companion novels of this series. I. CAN’T. WAIT!!!

Overall rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Stars: ★★★★

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21 comments:

  1. Great reviews Siiri, I'm glad you enjoyed these romances! Aren't novellas of your favourite series some of the best things :) The relationships here sound adorable.

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  2. I love this series too, but (for unfathomable reasons) I haven't read past 1.5. I have book 2, and maybe even 2.5, but I just assumed 2.5 would be about the characters from book 2, so duh, didn't read it. Finding out it's about Joss and Braden AND that it's about a proposal, etc---YES! I'm going to read it, probably today ;)

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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  3. These sound so adorable, especially for when you're in the mood for a short, sweet romance. I'm not a huge fan of novellas personally, because I don't feel like they add much to the story, you know? But these seem too cute for words :D I'm so glad you enjoyed them so much. Plus a novella that can make you cry? THAT'S an achievement!

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  4. Ahhh Siiri! You're making me want to read this series right away! I have heard so much about these books. I have to say I'm mostly curious about Adam and Ellie because it sounds like their relationship spans many years. I love books like that (BETTER OFF FRIENDS!!!) and I know I'll love this one too since you loved it so much.
    Great reviews, you! <3

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  5. *happy sigh* I love this series so much Siiri! I adored Adam and Ellie's novella, but like you wanted them to have a full length book because I'm greedy when it comes to them:) Still, it was so much fun to get the full story of how they got together, and I think it was good for Adam to see how much he hurt Ellie along the way. I so hope we get more of them moving forward. I still need to read Castle Hill, I can't believe I haven't done that yet! I'M COMING BRADEN!!!!!

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  6. I love how you're like the ' the mere 97 pages' lol I not read the series, but its funny that you like their relationship more than the main. I've had that happen to me before! Great reviews Siiri :)

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  7. Ahhhh, I have these on my audible wish list! I need to catch up!

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  8. I know that Rachel is a big fan of this series too, so I'm thrilled to see that you ended up loving these novellas Siiri. I love it when there's a friendship develops into a gorgeous relationship, I think I would really love watching the relationship between Adam and Ellie develop. But then you go and tell me that you love Braden even more? I think I need to start this series asap! Gorgeous reviews lovely! :)

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  9. Gosh I have forgotten some of the aspect of this series and characters. I mean I have only read the first one, but girl BRADEN! You don't forget that guy *swoon* While he is hands down my fave guy here (though I should meet Adam better) the drama was sometimes too much. I'm so glad you enjoyed the second short story. BUT when it comes to the first one I WANT! I love how Adam and Ellie's relationship sounds and I need to read it. Soonish hopefully. Great reviews, my dear :)

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  10. I've only read the first book in the series and found it to be *meh* .-. It was good brain candy but I never gave the series a second glance (which is why I have no idea who these characters are O_O). I am glad that you enjoyed the novellas though :D I always love reading novellas to my favorite series.

    Lovely mini-reviews, Siiri!! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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  11. Oh Siiri, we had identical thoughts on both of these novellas! It makes me so happy that you loved them too. I adore Adam and Ellie's relationship so much, and bawled like a baby during Castle Hill. Great reviews!

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  12. Awesome reviews, Siiri! I love when books make you get all emotional! And gah! Happy tears!! Those are the best. Hurt tears are good too, but ya know--they're painful. I so need to read a Samantha Young book. I've heard only amazing things :)

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  13. Wow for novellas they sound very emotional and intense! I love it! I so need to read On Dublin Street it's been on my TBR for EVERZ!!

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  14. Great to hear that you liked these and that it felt like a walk down memory land.

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  15. Great reviews! I'm glad you liked them so much :) And it's always good when books make you cry all sorts of tears, haha! They sound pretty emotional, especially for novellas!

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  16. Looks like someone had a pretty good run! I'm so happy you found great books to read and review. I don't even remember the last time a book made me cry :/ Okay, truthfully, I do, but it was last year and that feels like aaaages ago. Interestingly, novellas don't really interest me unless they're prequels. I hate it when it's so good but it's too short! I get withdrawals sometimes (and they're nasty I tells you!!)

    Faye at The Social Potato Reviews

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  17. I have complete faith in your ratings - I'll skip reading reviews because I still haven't read treas of the books in this series, but I know they are awesome as always.:)

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  18. You're right, sometimes a novella is better than a full length novel, because we don't have to endure so much angst and drama to get to the HEA. Especially for characters that we already know. I can see where it would be tough to get the full picture of a new couple. Glad Ellie and Adam finally get there HEA. And YAY for more Braden and Joss! I'm glad that they get there happy ending too and that you got your swoon :).

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  19. Wow, these sound great! So true, sometimes a novella filled with your favourite characters are just the best. They usually provide some much needed backstory. So glad you enjoyed these Siiri! xx

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  20. I LOVED Until Fountain Bridge, Siiri and they are my favorite couple right along with Olivia and Nate. Yay! I love Braden but Joss is her usual irritating self in Castle Hill. :(

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  21. sounds like both novels were put together very nicely and a very emotional roller coaster. Bah have not read this series myself.

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