Castle Hill by Samantha Young – Novella
Adult Contemporary
Part of the On Dublin Street Series (a favorite!). Not a standalone.
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young was one of my favorite reads of 2012. If you haven’t met Braden Carmichael yet, what the heck are you waiting for? He is by far one of my favorite Book Boyfriends.
Scottish and sexy, he even wore a Kilt for his wedding!
“Life isn’t perfect, we aren’t perfect, but I’m telling you now, Jocelyn, we’re indestructible.”
Castle Hill read like an extended epilogue for On Dublin Street. We get a glimpse beyond the Happily Ever After to see the proposal, the honeymoon, and maybe the fact that there are always bumps in the road to the Ever After. Some big and some small.
I loved that Castle Hill had the trademark sexy banter:
“You’re my everything. You know that right?”
“You don’t need to sweet-talk me to get sex, babe.”
My eyes smiled. “Well that kind of knowledge could have saved me months of uncomfortable expressions of love.”
Not only banter, it had the hot sex Samantha is great at writing.
“Now walk into the bedroom , lie on your back on the bed, stretch your arms above your head, spread your legs, and prepare to take me. Hard and deep.”
Shit, He wouldn’t have to ask me twice! And let me say…airports, airplanes and showers? All fucking HOT.
There is also a great amount of romance in this one.
“You’ve challenged me since the day I met you. No woman has ever challenged me more. Nor made me laugh harder. There is not a moment that passes where you don’t make me feel more alive than I ever thought I could, and today you gave me something I thought was lost a long time ago for the both of us. You’ve given me peace, babe. You’ve given me everything.”
While you think this should be just a sweet little novella showing the happy ever after, it was a lot more. Believe me, there is ANGST! Joss has finally broken down most of her walls, and you can really see her growth in this book. Braden, however, actually was the one who acted like an asshole. I mean, I understand it a little. His background makes it make sense, but he over-reacted and didn’t give Joss a minute to talk to him.
I liked this added drama, though it made me sad to read, it certainly added more of an engrossing story to what could have been a fluff read.
Likes:
- “Best. Shower. Ever”
- I love Braden, it was a pleasure catching up with one of my favorite couples.
- Great reminders of On Dublin Street, so you don’t need a re-read.
- Hot sex!
- The angst made the HEA that much better
- The banter is still there.
- Joss’s growth.
- Little reminders of the two other couples that have been featured in the series.
Dislikes:
- Braden’s reaction seemed a little out of character from what I remember.
Rating: 4.5 stars for a novella, 4.5 heat
Visiting with Joss and Braden was a great pleasure. While sometimes you feel cheated from a short novella, I felt like there was a lot of story packed into 97 short pages, and I loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to read the next full length novel, Before Jamaica Lane. If you have not read this series, it is a guaranteed favorite!
Purchase Castle Hill by Samantha Young
AmazonUS | Amazon UK | BN.com
(any Amazon link should redirect to your country)
On Dublin Street Series Order (click covers to go to your Amazon):
I’m Giving away an e-book of any in the On Dublin Street series and a paperback of Down London Road, plus some Random swag from various authors and myself.
Meagan Wells says
I seem to favor New Adult/ Contemporary Romance books.
Christina B says
I like all kinds of books! As long as they are good! 🙂
Marcy Shuler says
I like contemporary romances and historical romances, especially medieval ones.
bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com
Kelly Solomon says
This looks like an awesome read!
Karen says
I love all kinds of books! Couldn’t pick a favorite
Yvonne C says
NA and Romance. LOVE Samantha Young! All her books are amazing.
Donna Reynolds says
I have so many NA Romance erotica and paranormal Thank you for the great giveaway.
Shandra Torbett says
I mostly read erotica and paranormal fiction. I have heard such good things about this series that I’d love the chance to check it out! Thanks for the giveaway and happy holidays to you!
Karen G. says
I enjoy contemporary, and suspense romance novels
Tracy says
I love erotic romance…I like my dirty but I need the sweet HEA!!
Jenn Lacher says
I love NA/contemporary books the most.
Maria Malaveci says
Anything with a good story, but mostly New Adult/Romance
Cassie says
I like to read all kinds of books but lately its been Romance 🙂
Shelby M says
I tell people that my favorite genre is historical fiction but really my favorite is reading. As long as it’s well written and not boring, I love it!
Kimberly Mayberry says
I have been reading a lot of contemporary/paranormal/romantica/erotica and NA/YA books lately!
Keri Greear says
Most any romance, erotica. Not super into paranormal though.
Nikki Jones says
My favorite books are erotica, especially BDSM.
kp says
I love all genres of romance!
ashleigh hazelwood says
I realized I am reading mostly NA and erotica lol
Sandra says
Romance!
Susan T. says
Mostly romance contemporary, erotica and romance suspense. Some NA.
Kim says
I read erotic, BDSM, and historical romance. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Dana Fiore Stusse says
Paranormal Romance, Erotica, New Adult, Contemporary Romance which I lump up the heading of “smut” and to throw a complete 180 to the mix, “True Crime”. Love it. Fascinated by the inner workings of the psychos and crazies, and love true crime shows too.
Michelle T. says
Contemporary Romamce, New Adult, Erotica, and Dark Romance
Timitra says
I love anything romance be it paranormal, New Adult, contemporary, post apocalyptic/dystopian, urban fantasy, erotic…
Debbie Jensen says
Romance, New Adult, romantic suspense.
Crystal Schroth says
I read a variety from Paranormal, erotica, contemperary…and so on
jodi marinich says
i like erotic romance but will try to read any
Chanpreet says
I’m currently reading a lot of contemporary NA, chick lit, and womens’ fiction.
Kim Perry says
Great review! I love contemporary, NA, erotica, paranormal, and suspense.
Janice U. says
I love Romance. That includes Contemporary, New Adult, Historical, and Paranormal. I also enjoy Urban Fantasy.
Dannica Alcantara says
My favorites are : ALL books of Colleen Hoover, R.K. Lilley, Samantha Young, Aleatha Romig and Series: Sinners on Tour
Maria Theresa Santos says
I love romance
Michelle says
Well, romance. I’ll try pretty much anything in that category!
Kelly says
Thanks for all the recs. My Kindle runneth over.
Kelly says
Thanks for all the recs. My Kindle runneth over.
Dawn Ruchel says
YA, Romance, erotica, and paranormal. Happy Reading.
Erika says
I love new adult, paranormal, dystopian YA and basically anything with a good touch of romance! Thanks!
Rachelle says
I read just about anything as long as it has a good story.
Love Braden <3
Thank You for the giveaway!!
Kyla Stein says
I love Samantha Young books! Braden was too douchy in this one though
Jenn says
Romance. I love Motorcycle Books. Alpha males on motorcycles
Warinda says
Historical Romance
Kerry Brown says
I like New Adult/Contemporary Romance
Tara says
I love to read contemporary and erotica. Anything with a tattoo alpha male is even better!
Gina H says
I love all the romance I can get my hands on. From sweet (no-sex) to down right dirty (pin me up against the wall because I can’t wait!) Thanks for the giveaway and Merry Christmas!!
Lola says
Anything with a good romance, an hunky Alpha Male and a kick-ass female lead!
Kamla L. says
I love all the sub-genres of Fantasy, Romance, and Sci-fi. 🙂
Lauren says
Love Samantha Young!
Diana Doan says
I love most romance….YA, NA, paranormal 🙂
Alexandra A says
I am a sucker for a second chance romance 🙂
Jessie L says
I just enjoy a well written story. Thanks for the giveaway & I enjoyed the post for the latest book in this series. I didn’t realize there were going to be this many books in it.
Sara Johnson says
I love the way this woman writes!
Dacia B says
I can’t wait to read these!
Scheva says
I’m a romantic at heart not really into paranormal.
Nasha Lama says
Romantic and dark <3