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vanesszab's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
astosic011's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
I almost liked this one more than I did "On Dublin Street." Hmm... maybe I did. I have winter break between terms and needed a light and, yes, romantic read to pass the time and to get away from textbooks. I've had On Dublin Street on my shelf for a while but was hesitant to read it. When I did read it, it lead me to this find and I'm glad it did. I feel like this book has a protagonist, Liv, that many woman can relate to and then there is Nate...
In addition, the plot was sweet, sexy, and funny. I enjoyed the characters but, at times, it felt like there were too many characters that took away from the main characters. I loved the relationship between Liv and Nate and, while the sensual aspect of the book was prominent and well written, I had hoped that there would be more of the friendship we saw between them in the first few chapters. Overall, not my favorite book but I did pull an all nighter to finish it sooo...
If you are looking for a light read, with great characters, and lovely romance then pick this one up!
My rating seems discouraging but I find the 5 star system one of the most difficult aspects of reviewing books so don't take it to heart.
I almost liked this one more than I did "On Dublin Street." Hmm... maybe I did. I have winter break between terms and needed a light and, yes, romantic read to pass the time and to get away from textbooks. I've had On Dublin Street on my shelf for a while but was hesitant to read it. When I did read it, it lead me to this find and I'm glad it did. I feel like this book has a protagonist, Liv, that many woman can relate to and then there is Nate...
In addition, the plot was sweet, sexy, and funny. I enjoyed the characters but, at times, it felt like there were too many characters that took away from the main characters. I loved the relationship between Liv and Nate and, while the sensual aspect of the book was prominent and well written, I had hoped that there would be more of the friendship we saw between them in the first few chapters. Overall, not my favorite book but I did pull an all nighter to finish it sooo...
If you are looking for a light read, with great characters, and lovely romance then pick this one up!
My rating seems discouraging but I find the 5 star system one of the most difficult aspects of reviewing books so don't take it to heart.
julie_m's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was bordering 3 ⭐ for the double standard exhibited by the FMC's friends. However the FMC standing up for herself and not just getting back together with him after everyone including her dad would force her into situations with him made this a 4 ⭐ read.
tzd's review against another edition
3.75
Olivia and Nate.
Best friends to lovers. She’s inexperienced so asks her bestie to help coach her to be more attractive to guys and to be more comfortable in her own skin.
However things get messy and lines are blurred. He runs away coz he’s scarred from trauma and afraid of commitment.
It starts off a lil slow and I didn’t care much for the friend group.
My issue is that sometimes it feels like Nate is like her gay bestie, calling her things like babe.
The chemistry was good. I didn’t quite believe they were besties. The last 1/3 was good, angsty and made me hurt. Wish the rest of the book was that way.
Best friends to lovers. She’s inexperienced so asks her bestie to help coach her to be more attractive to guys and to be more comfortable in her own skin.
However things get messy and lines are blurred. He runs away coz he’s scarred from trauma and afraid of commitment.
It starts off a lil slow and I didn’t care much for the friend group.
My issue is that sometimes it feels like Nate is like her gay bestie, calling her things like babe.
The chemistry was good. I didn’t quite believe they were besties. The last 1/3 was good, angsty and made me hurt. Wish the rest of the book was that way.
hpoppen's review against another edition
5.0
I thought her second book in the series was better then the first and now I'm thinking this is even better. I loved Nate and Olivia to see the complexity of their relationship play out was a page turner for me. They are both quick witted and funny. It was nice for updates on everyone else too. It's like the author transports you to Scotland and you have a bunch of new friends. It was a lovely book. I hope there is another one. She has turned out to be one of my favorite authors I loved these books!!
pradha's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
naheezy's review against another edition
5.0
Holy shit this is the best friends to lovers story ever. My heart physically hurt when i was reading this
mvbookreviewer's review against another edition
5.0
It is no secret that I love a good and healthy (sometimes a not so healthy) dose of angst in my romance novels. Heroes who have lost the love of their lives tend to give this factor to a book, and that is one reason why I picked up Before Jamaica Lane as my next read, the third book in the On Dublin Street series by Samantha Young, a totally new to me author.
Before Jamaica Lane tells the story of 26 year old Olivia Holloway who loses her mother to cancer at the age of 21, and hero Nathaniel Sawyer, who had lost his childhood sweetheart to lymphoma at the age of 18, rendering him to become the commitment-phobe that he is.
Olivia’s lack of experience in terms of flirting, talking to the opposite sex in any manner of interest that goes beyond friendship has meant that her love life remains pretty much nonexistent. Though Olivia and Nate have grown to be close friends, simmering beneath the surface on the part of Olivia is an attraction towards Nate she wills away quite successfully, most of the time.
All of that changes however, when Olivia seeks Nate’s help in honing up her skill-set in the seduction of the opposite sex, having grown tired of constantly being on the outside looking in. What starts out as one friend helping out the other, combusts into something more, something that neither Olivia nor Nate are prepared for.
Nate is a man who prefers to live in the past, someone who has never moved on from the tragic loss of the love of his life. It is as if Nate himself has become the shrine to the woman he had lost, and Nate avoids entanglements at any cost that could jeopardize his lifelong mourning.
Nate does not take to it kindly when he discovers that his feelings have definitely become more where Olivia is concerned. The blow-up that happens as a result was raw and emotionally draining as they come. The real conversations that Olivia and Nate have at different points in the story served to be one of the best aspects, which gives the tale such emotional depth that you cannot pull yourself away from any of it.
Nate’s character was one that I fell in love with, right away. There is this quality to him whereby he is equal spades charming, kind, and so effing sexy that it takes your breath away; he just sort of makes you literally swoon on the spot. And oh my stars, can the man kiss? I believe his kindness was the aspect that pulled me in the most (yes, me, who loves villainous heroes). It goes to show that if an author crafts a character well, the unexpected can always happen. Of course, it does help that Nate is a force to be reckoned with in the bedroom, when and where it matters.
Olivia was just as wonderful. I could not have asked for a better heroine in terms of the tale that unfolded. Even with her insecurities that were understandable, rising up to the challenge, putting herself out there, and taking charge of her love life was something I wholeheartedly supported. Even when it came to the inevitable point of no return between her and Nate, the fact that Olivia believed that she deserved better, that she deserved it all, made me want to stand up and give her the biggest hug she had ever received in her entire life.
Before Jamaica Lane is a story that needs to be read by anyone and everyone who loves romances, angst, and the reawakening of a hero who had lost himself to grief. Wholeheartedly recommended.
Final Verdict: Before Jamaica Lane is a novel that carries enough emotional punch to fell you in one single swoop. Nate will claim your heart and Olivia your soul. This is that book.
Rating = 4.75/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Before Jamaica Lane tells the story of 26 year old Olivia Holloway who loses her mother to cancer at the age of 21, and hero Nathaniel Sawyer, who had lost his childhood sweetheart to lymphoma at the age of 18, rendering him to become the commitment-phobe that he is.
Olivia’s lack of experience in terms of flirting, talking to the opposite sex in any manner of interest that goes beyond friendship has meant that her love life remains pretty much nonexistent. Though Olivia and Nate have grown to be close friends, simmering beneath the surface on the part of Olivia is an attraction towards Nate she wills away quite successfully, most of the time.
All of that changes however, when Olivia seeks Nate’s help in honing up her skill-set in the seduction of the opposite sex, having grown tired of constantly being on the outside looking in. What starts out as one friend helping out the other, combusts into something more, something that neither Olivia nor Nate are prepared for.
Nate is a man who prefers to live in the past, someone who has never moved on from the tragic loss of the love of his life. It is as if Nate himself has become the shrine to the woman he had lost, and Nate avoids entanglements at any cost that could jeopardize his lifelong mourning.
Nate does not take to it kindly when he discovers that his feelings have definitely become more where Olivia is concerned. The blow-up that happens as a result was raw and emotionally draining as they come. The real conversations that Olivia and Nate have at different points in the story served to be one of the best aspects, which gives the tale such emotional depth that you cannot pull yourself away from any of it.
Nate’s character was one that I fell in love with, right away. There is this quality to him whereby he is equal spades charming, kind, and so effing sexy that it takes your breath away; he just sort of makes you literally swoon on the spot. And oh my stars, can the man kiss? I believe his kindness was the aspect that pulled me in the most (yes, me, who loves villainous heroes). It goes to show that if an author crafts a character well, the unexpected can always happen. Of course, it does help that Nate is a force to be reckoned with in the bedroom, when and where it matters.
Olivia was just as wonderful. I could not have asked for a better heroine in terms of the tale that unfolded. Even with her insecurities that were understandable, rising up to the challenge, putting herself out there, and taking charge of her love life was something I wholeheartedly supported. Even when it came to the inevitable point of no return between her and Nate, the fact that Olivia believed that she deserved better, that she deserved it all, made me want to stand up and give her the biggest hug she had ever received in her entire life.
Before Jamaica Lane is a story that needs to be read by anyone and everyone who loves romances, angst, and the reawakening of a hero who had lost himself to grief. Wholeheartedly recommended.
Final Verdict: Before Jamaica Lane is a novel that carries enough emotional punch to fell you in one single swoop. Nate will claim your heart and Olivia your soul. This is that book.
Rating = 4.75/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
zoldpanna's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tiarabooks_'s review against another edition
5.0
This book is all I wanted in a Romance novel. Best friend to lover, funny and all the little moments just make my heart flutter. I love Nate & Olivia - they are my favorite couple so far from ODS series.
"No one has ever made me feel like the person I've always wanted to be until you." ❤️ I wish I can give this book more than 5 stars!
"No one has ever made me feel like the person I've always wanted to be until you." ❤️ I wish I can give this book more than 5 stars!