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katyanaish's review against another edition
3.0
Mostly, this was a series of cute little vignettes about their life after their book... Kind of like a super extended epilogue. But I was a little disappointed in Braden here. That said, I get he has baggage of his own, too, and sometimes he'll fuck up. I just couldn't believe how hard he completely shut her out without a word. Oof.
charms1976's review against another edition
5.0
Castle Hill is classified as a novella coming in at 97 pages according to Amazon. It is a short story featuring Joss and Braden from the On Dublin Streets Series.
In Castle Hill, we are taken on a quick paced journey from dating to engaged, to engaged to married, and from married to honeymoon with juicy story all around. I loved revisiting Joss and Braden. We get to read how Braden proposes to Joss and the planning of the wedding. Then we flash to the wedding itself that was beautiful but not overdone in details. Following the wedding we flash forward just a bit to the honeymoon. After that wonderful and romantic set of scenes, we flash forward to the juicy part of the story that provides a surprise for the happy couple. What should be exciting news ends up being the conflict of the story based on a communication misunderstanding. Unlike before though, it is a misunderstanding from Braden and he ends up shutting Joss out this time.
If you are looking for a sweet and quick Braden and Joss fix, then this novella is perfect for that. We even get to see side characters as well from the series to round it all out for the reader.
In Castle Hill, we are taken on a quick paced journey from dating to engaged, to engaged to married, and from married to honeymoon with juicy story all around. I loved revisiting Joss and Braden. We get to read how Braden proposes to Joss and the planning of the wedding. Then we flash to the wedding itself that was beautiful but not overdone in details. Following the wedding we flash forward just a bit to the honeymoon. After that wonderful and romantic set of scenes, we flash forward to the juicy part of the story that provides a surprise for the happy couple. What should be exciting news ends up being the conflict of the story based on a communication misunderstanding. Unlike before though, it is a misunderstanding from Braden and he ends up shutting Joss out this time.
If you are looking for a sweet and quick Braden and Joss fix, then this novella is perfect for that. We even get to see side characters as well from the series to round it all out for the reader.
tsquare345's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet and angsty short story. I love how Joss and Braden are together.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssss!
Braden Carmichael please marry me?!? Of course I know how everything was going for him after On Dublin Street but how could I pass up a novella that had him in it?!? Spoiler alert: I couldn't!! I needed it more than I needed food, air, and sleep.
Castle Hill gives us a glimpse into the proposal, the wedding, and the honeymoon. Yes it offers a little more than that but in the end it stills an enjoyable quick read. Ugh I can't believe I missed Braden and Jocelyn's relationship so freaking much but I really did. Their chemistry is beyond amazing and I'm pretty sure that they are back to being my favorite couple in this series.
Now this book does offer some twists and turns that are kind of predictable - whereas some you couldn't see from miles away. Jocelyn and Braden go through some things that were kind of refreshing. Not what they went through but how they handled them together or separately.
Overall, I probably enjoyed this a lot more than I was supposed to. I can't wait to dive into the next book of this series. It kind of baffles me that it took me so long to dive into On Dublin Street but I don't regret a single thing.
Braden Carmichael please marry me?!? Of course I know how everything was going for him after On Dublin Street but how could I pass up a novella that had him in it?!? Spoiler alert: I couldn't!! I needed it more than I needed food, air, and sleep.
Castle Hill gives us a glimpse into the proposal, the wedding, and the honeymoon. Yes it offers a little more than that but in the end it stills an enjoyable quick read. Ugh I can't believe I missed Braden and Jocelyn's relationship so freaking much but I really did. Their chemistry is beyond amazing and I'm pretty sure that they are back to being my favorite couple in this series.
Now this book does offer some twists and turns that are kind of predictable - whereas some you couldn't see from miles away. Jocelyn and Braden go through some things that were kind of refreshing. Not what they went through but how they handled them together or separately.
Overall, I probably enjoyed this a lot more than I was supposed to. I can't wait to dive into the next book of this series. It kind of baffles me that it took me so long to dive into On Dublin Street but I don't regret a single thing.
aldarakamey's review against another edition
5.0
Braden y Joss Forever. Eso es todo me encantan. La boda y luna de miel*suspiro* Lo posterior a la luna de miel rompió mi corazón. Que bueno todo se arreglo.
anasatticbookblog's review against another edition
5.0
Castle Hill by Samantha Young - Novella
Adult Contemporary
Part of the On Dublin Street Series (a favorite!). Not a standalone.
4.5 stars
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)
stumpfed's review against another edition
5.0
I typically whine about a 97 page book, but this is Braden Carmichael!
pixelski's review against another edition
3.0
Steamy and sweet this is the perfect epilogue/extra to Joss and Braden's story.