I think I must have known this book was a romance when I first put a hold on it, but when I actually downloaded it and started listening, I was fairly convinced it was a thriller. It didn't take me long to realize that it is, indeed, a romance, as that was blatantly obvious from the first page. I have mixed feelings about romances in general. If they're good, I can get pretty into them. I think many are not, though. And On Dublin Street...well, if you don't like romances, don't read it. This isn't the one to win you over. It seems to be very popular with romance readers in general. I...well, I finished it, which is as good as I can say, I think.
On Dublin Street is Joss and Braden's story, told in first person from Joss's point of view. Joss has been living in Scotland since fleeing the US after high school, desperate to get away from memories of her family who died when she was 14 and from her choices after their deaths. She has just finished college studies and, because of that, her college roommate who has moved to London for a job. So, she sets out to find herself a new roommate and new flat to live in. In the process, she meets new people who start challenging her choice to remain emotionally disconnected.
At first, I kind of liked Joss. Later, I thought she was making stupid choices for reasons I didn't really understand. That is the Joss that has mostly stuck with me. And is, I think, a general problem with romance as a genre: the stupid choice method of moving the plot along. Braden is overbearing and absolutely ignores boundaries. I think that's a dangerous type to put forward as a romantic lead. Come on, ladies, assholes aren't hot. It's not that he doesn't have any redeeming qualities, but this aspect of him bugged the hell out of me.
I don't really recommend On Dublin Street, but I did finish it, so it wasn't unbearable. That's about as good as I can say.
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