Down London Road by Samantha Young

Down London Road (On Dublin Street #2) by Samantha Young

Goodreads Blurb

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.

To me, book two of the On Dublin Street series is even better than book one.  

The cast of characters from book one return and include a few new and exciting friends this time around.  Cameron McCabe is a sexy addition to the neighborhood.

Johanna Walker has a responsibility to her family.  She takes her role very seriously and always looks at the men she dates with that in mind.  She looks for stability, financial security, and most of all, safety.  Imagine her surprise when she has an extreme physical reaction to the boyfriend of the artist who's show she is attending.  He's unemployed, homeless, and everything she knows she should avoid.

Cameron has seen her type before.  Always keeping one eye open in case something better comes along.  He feels sorry for the poor sap at Johanna's elbow.  He knows how that relationship will end.

Cam and Jo end up working together and come to an understanding.  They discover that each was wrong about the other and decide that they can be civil to one another.  Hell, they can even be friends.

Jo and her brother Cole have an amazing relationship.  They struggle to hide their alcoholic mother and make ends meet without her help.  Because of Cameron's proximity in their lives, he's one of the few people that actually knows the truth about the situation.  It's touching to see the way Cam insinuates himself into their lives.

While I don't always agree with Jo or Cam's decisions when dealing with one another, but their relationship feels very authentic.  I love that they have trouble and even struggle to work out how to make up.  They are flawed, but perfect for each other.

5 out of 5 stars