The New York Times Bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series and Hero returns to Scotland in this passionate and evocative romance about love, loss, and surviving both. Nora O’Brien chased a dream from Indiana to Scotland, so sure it was the right thing to do. Three years later she was left in her adopted country with nothing to her name but guilt and regret.Until Aidan Lennox entered her … was left in her adopted country with nothing to her name but guilt and regret.
Until Aidan Lennox entered her life.
Older, worldlier, a music producer and composer, the sexy Scot should never have made sense for Nora. But somehow in each other they found the light they were looking for, the laughter and the passion—the strength to play on despite their past losses.
But when life dealt Aidan another unlucky hand, instead of reaching for her he disappeared. The agonizing loss of him inspired something within Nora. It fired her spirit— the anger and hurt pushing her forward to take control and reach for her dreams.
Finally pursuing a career on stage while she put herself through college, everything is how Nora wants it. She’s avoiding heartbreak and concentrating on her goals.
Sounds easy but it’s not. Because Aidan is back. And for some reason he hates Nora.
He’s determined to be at war with her.
And she has absolutely no idea why.
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I didn’t even know this book existed even though I class myself as a huge Samantha Young fan.
Anyway it certainly didn’t disappoint. In fact it took me right back to when I very first read On Dublin Street and was was blown away by the chemistry between Braden and Joss. I felt a similar level of chemistry from Aiden and Nora.
This book is split into 3 parts and basically each part features a different stage in Nora’s life. I loved Nora, I thought she was such a strong character yet being a petite girl and the events that occured throughout the book gave her that vulnerability that I love in a female lead. Talk about emotional.
Aiden was one hell of a sexy Scotsman. In fact I have a bit of a thing for them, but all perving aside I really did love Aiden’s character. From the moment I first encountered him it was like he jumped out from the pages.
Now I do have to mention that this book does contain some of the Scottish dialect and slang words when pertaining to a couple of characters and whilst I had no issues with this whatsoever and understood completely I’m thinking some readers may not.
I was simply blown away by this book and I may or may not have done bit of skiving at work to read it. In other words I urge anyone who loved On Dublin Street, or who loves all things Scottish, or who just simply loves a couple’s rollercoaster journey to read this book.
Nora and Aidan will have you on the edge of your seat page after page hoping fervently with each flip that the HEA you’re praying for will come. When you’re eighteen and living in a one horse town in Indiana and a charming handsome Scottish boy shows up with big dreams of life and love you follow. That’s how Nora found herself years later married to Jim in Edinburgh and while she cared for and loved him in her own way she wasn’t in love with him. He kept her small, scared to let her grow in fear that she would eclipse her need for him. Then the unthinkable happens and she has to find a way to move on with a truck load of guilt. Trying to soothe her soul she begins volunteering again and meets the sweetest little girl with a heart of gold and enduring spirit. Sylvie’s uncle turns out to be someone whom had been quite pivotal in Nora’s epiphany with Jim and now there are no impediments. Aidan and Nora share a very similar guilt map, they both have pain that cuts deep for wishing things they ought not to have wished. They find comfort in each other and grow to truly care for one another. But yet again life intercedes and Nora has to find a way to rebuild, but this time she is going to head back and fill up all the cracks. When Aidan and Nora meet again they hurt so deep it can only be explained by the fact that they still love each other or it wouldn’t still smart as much. Get ready to pull your hair out, yell at your kindle, cry, beg, plead, and bargain – this one will hurt a lot before it gets any better!
I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book
Loved the emotion! The characters were so real and you wanted to root for them.
Nora lives in a small town in Indiana and has dreams of attending college to pursue a career in the arts. Sadly this dream will never be realised, her father is poorly and her mother just can’t afford the fees. Truth be told, she also relies on Nora to care for her father while she is at work. Nora has had to let go of her college dreams for now.
When Nora meets Jim from Scotland one night she enjoys a holiday fling with him as he travels around America. Nora is so sad to finally part ways with a man, who for a small pocket of time, made her feel so happy and alive. When Jim shows up again to convince her to return to Scotland with him Nora decides to take the leap.
Leaving her parents and her life in Indiana behind, Nora sets out to make her own happiness on the other side of the world. Three years later she is married to Jim, working in retail and no closer to her dream of going to college. Nora has pretty much picked up her life and replicated it in another place. She loves being in Scotland but she is having second thoughts about her choices.
When the universe completely fucks her over she decides to return to volunteering at the local children’s hospital. This is something she did back home and has missed terribly. It not only lifts her spirits but gives the kids so much joy too. This is when she meets Sylvie and her Uncle Aiden. Little does she know how much these two will play a part in her life.
I listened to the audio version of this story and freaking loved it so much! There is one particular scene where I cried like a mofo, I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Actually, there were a lot of moments in this story that really fucked with my emotions. Once I started listening I just couldn’t stop and those Scottish accents – gah! Another fab read from the talented Samantha Young.
Well… this wasn’t the return of the SY I love. That was ‘Villain’. (There’s still hope.)
I put this down in September and after ‘Villain’ (three months later), I decided to finally finish it.
I swear, it was like reading a different story (I re-started at 47%). This book is all over the place. So much shit happens, it was like reading different stories.
The blurb you see? It’s only for the last 20% of the book.
The biggest problem was Part 1.
From the blurb alone, I instantly knew I’ll hate the first part. So fucking useless and pointless.
Yes, she met the hero during this part, but I also had to read explicit sex with OM. (And she keeps describing sex with OM even in the last chapter.) *my eyes*
Yes, I liked that she decided her marriage was done before her husband’s death, but still, he didn’t have to die. That’s taking away her decision. Too fucking easy this way.
We didn’t have to actually read about her past. Eventually she recalled everything again when talking with the hero or through her inner monologues (hence the memories of sex in the last fucking chapter).
Like I said, useless and pointless.
Moreover, I really hated the heroine.
At least, there wasn’t any annoying switch between the 1st person (heroine’s POV) and the 3rd person (hero’s POV).
Now go and read ‘Villain’.
[This is an old review from Dec 11, 2017.]
Wow, I’m in a glass case of emotion right now! I love how in depth this story was with Nora and how it went in a completely different direction from the beginning. Claire did an amazing job narrating.
PLAY ON – Samantha Young – 5 STARS
Nora is 18 when she leaves her little hometown in the United States to come to Scotland with 21 year old Jim.
But what she thought was her first real love, ended up with them being just friends. She just didn’t love him the way he deserved to be loved – the way he loved her.
And now she’s pretty much alone in Europe with no idea what to do with her life.
Then she meets Aidan. And life could finally be good for Nora.
But things are complicated ….. and Nora might not yet be ready for her Happy Ending ….
What will happen with Nora in Scotland??
Will she find her Happily Ever After??
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
Eeeep … a new Sam Young series! (all standalones with no connected characters.)
I was sooo excited to get started …. and I loved it!
It wasn’t this cute and sexy little new adult thing I was expecting. It was soooo much more!!
There was cute and sexy and funny and adorable and new adult, but there was also so much pain and hope and loss and grief and guilt and fear and love and … ugh, so much ‘stuff’ in this one book. I wouldn’t have minded a trilogy about Nora and her life!!!
The book was a tiny little bit confusing in the beginning, because we go back and forth in time a bit. Not a good thing for someone suffering from Booksalzheimers like I am!
First we get a chapter from 2015 – the prologue – which already made me cry.
And then we go back with Nora to when she was 18 in 2011 – back home in Indiana.
How her hard life just sucked the joy and hope out of her.
She works at a fast food place.
She has to take care of her disabled and sometimes mean dad.
She has no hope of going to college.
She only has some very deeply hidden dreams of one day being a theater actress.
Then scottish cutie Jim with his sexy accent arrives in town – he’s on a US-trip with his buddy Roddy.
And suddenly her future looks a bit brighter.
But once she’s been in Scotland for a few years, she’s not so sure about things anymore.
Her relationship with Jim is not what she wanted it to be – or rather what Jim wanted it to be.
And then we meet Aidan.
And he’s so mysterious …. and a bit older (12 years) and rich and smart and talented and sweet and intense and so much more.
But things are just way too complicated. Nora is not sure if she’s ready for Aidan. She thinks he deserves better than a stupid little girl with no idea what to do with her life. A girl with so much guilt about her family and about Jim ….
Time to start growing up and get your life sorted little Nora!
I just loved this story! It was so beautiful.
I cried a lot!!! (Don’t worry, I do that in almost every book!!!! )
There is soo much story in this book. Actually, I think, we kind of have five different books in here.
Nora’s time growing up in that US town with her complicated family. Her time with Jim. Her time after Jim. Her time with Aidan. And her time with Aidan – part 2.
I wanted this book to be so much longer!!!!
But it was amazing the way it was ….
We have so many moving and sad and heartbreaking moments.
But also so many cute and adorable and funny and sexy moments.
I sometimes wanted to kick Nora in the behind to finally start fighting harder for her happily ever after! But of course we all know that she’ll get there by the end of the book… But it’s a long way for her and the reader!
What can I say ….
Perfect romance! With allllllll the feels!!!
Can’t wait to see where this series will take us in book #2!!!
PLAY ON was such a heartbreakingly beautiful & emotional love story. About a girl fighting to find her place in the world – in life, and especially in love … Run to your nearest amazon to see if she finds her happily ever after with Aidan – but get your own hottie scottie – this one is MINE!