| Title | : | Echoes of Scotland Street (On Dublin Street, #5) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 331 |
| Publication | : | First published October 7, 2014 |
Cole Walker is exactly the sort that Shannon wants to avoid—gorgeous, tattooed, charming, and cocky. But his rough exterior hides a good man who’s ready to find “the one.” He’s determined to pull Shannon from her self-imposed solitude and win her heart.
As Shannon opens up in the face of Cole’s steady devotion, the passion between them ignites to blazing levels. But when Shannon’s past comes back to haunt her, her fears may destroy the trust Cole has built between them—and tear them apart for good…
Echoes of Scotland Street (On Dublin Street, #5) Reviews
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5 stars!
When I first picked up Echoes of Scotland Street, I was equal parts anxious, excited and a little nervous to read. Anxious and excited because it’s Coles book and I’ve been dying for more of him... nervous because as much as I loved Hannah in previous books, her book didn’t work for me and I was terrified this would happen again. I can happily say this one worked for me! It was fantastic and Cole Walker exceeded all my expectations.
“So, are you a hero, Cole Walker?”
“What is a hero, really?”
“I suppose it’s someone who saves people.”
“Yeah, I suppose it is.”
“So, do you save people?”
“I’m only fifteen. Give me a chance.”
Our hero and heroine met one time, about 9 years ago when they were 15. So much has changed for Shannon since then. Her choices of picking the wrong man have make her life a living hell and she’s not doing it again. She is through with bad boys. She’s on the right track to start over. She’s got a new job, a new roommate, a fresh start. The problem? Her boss is a faint memory from her past who is now a sexy, cocky, charming and tattooed hottie.
It’s been a long time, but Cole still remembers Shannon. There was something about that fiery red head that stuck out. Now she is the receptionist for the tattoo parlor and roommates with his friend Rae. Cole is intrigued with her from the start.
That is until she brings out the bitchy and judgmental side that completely turns him off. This couple has a rocky start... They still are forced to spend a lot of time together with the mutual friends, job etc. The more Shannon gets to know Cole, the worse she feels about how she judged him and treated him. Both have pasts that make it difficult to trust. When they’re both able to open up to one another and get over their beginning, Cole realizes that side Shannon showed him isn’t the real her. He wants the real her. The compassionate, caring, loving and sweet girl. He knows she has issues and is willing to work with her and gain her trust.
“I get you don’t trust me and I get why, but I want you to give me the chance to change that. I think there’s something here that’s worth the effort.”
Oh boy did I love me some Cole Walker. I thought Cole was fabulous in the other books... he’s all grown up now. 100% pure book boyfriend material. I loved how he was patient with Shannon, but also didn’t take her crap in the beginning when she was being terribly uncool. He’s sweet, loyal, kind, and totally lovable. The tattoos and sex appeal sure don’t hurt either. Total package here. When he said this- I melted.
“I need to know. I need to know so I can try to reverse all the damage they’ve done.”
Shannon was great for most of the book. There were a few moments that she irked me, but I could completely see where she was coming from and why she was the way she was. She wasn’t perfect, but she was real. I’m glad she was able to open her heart and give Cole a real chance. They both feel strongly for one another, but moving on from scars from the past is never easy, and it’s a true test for the both of them.
On Dublin Street is a favorite of mine. That book is incredible. Most of the others in this series have been fantastic as well. They all have one thing in common. The men in these stories are incredible. They are all so romantic, alpha, charismatic, cocky, sexy and loyal. Mmmm. Samantha Young hands down writes the best heroes. I just love all these men. Braden, Nate and Cole especially.
I love the relationship Cole and Shannon built over time. Their story was engaging, heartfelt and beautiful. I love that connection all of her characters have. They are all bonded to one another. A huge family, even though most aren’t blood related. I feel like I can never get enough of this bunch. I think this was a fantastic addition to the series, and after reading all I can think about is how much I want a Logan book. I have a good feeling he just might be our next ODS man! And for the love of all things holy please give him a good girl. If anyone deserves it, it's him.
Echoes of Scotland Street is a book I was really looking forward to and I'm so glad it lived up to all my expectations. It's one I would very much recommend to all fans of this series and contemporary romance lovers as well.
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Dec 2020: re-read. Still wonderful.
this book deserves a million stars. review to come. I’m just speechless right now. ugh. -
4 Grown Up Stars!
When she was a teenager, Shannon met a sweet boy that reminded her of a super-hero. It was 5 (amazing) minutes and then life went on and they never saw each other again.
Until 9 years later….
Now, after a bad past and some (very) wrong choices, Shannon is starting again. She is looking for a new life and she swore bad-boys out of her life, because they’ve stumped her enough. What she didn’t expect is to find Cole 9 years later. But now he’s no longer a boy. He is a sexy tattoo artist working in the parlor she is applying to work.
She is exactly what she doesn’t want…. but somehow she wants him anyway.
Cole is not like the others guys that messed with Shannon’s life. Yes, he has the bad-boy look but everyone knows that he’s an amazing guy. Including Shannon… except that she is too afraid of her own feelings.
So it’s time for Cole to step it up for the fight of his life. And nice years later he’s decided not to let her run again.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Storyline: This, as always in this series, was a sexy and heartwarming romance for when you need some reading to pick up your mood!
Writing Style: First person. Female POV. Engaging.
Character Development: I loved Cole as kid and definitely loved him as an adult. He was sweet, loyal, sexy and completely amazing. Shannon was a little harder on me… she was just SOOO discriminatory in the beginning. Yeah, we know why she was like that, but still, I hated that. She ended up redeeming herself so that kind of made her okay in my book. As always, loved to see more of the previous couples. I will never get enough of Nate!! ;)
Steam: Hot.
HEA: -
Let me tell you a story about a boy.. his name is Cole Walker and soon he is going to become somebody's hero...
Samantha Young does it again in an impressive way. Echoes of Scotland Street is my favorite book from the series, in which you can read the story of Cole and Shannon. Cole is Jo's brother from the second book, all grown up and ready to steal out hearts permanently. Shannon is newly introduced, but as soon as you'll meet her you will realize how good she is for Cole.
First thing to keep in mind while reading this book: appearances can be deceiving!! When you see a hot guy with tattoos, rocking a wonderful smile and looking at you with piercing eyes, you think he is a player!! WRONG!! Cole is everything of those above minus the player part. Having had a though childhood, abused my his mother and raised practically by his big sister, he is now a grown up who is trying to figure things out. Discovering his passion for tattoos thanks to Cam (book 2), he takes on a hob at a tattoo parlor and there he meets Shannon. Well, they already know each other but I will let you explore that on your own.
As in all the books when you have a gorgeous guy and a beautiful girl, sparks fly, but Shannon is not letting her attraction to Cole get ahead of her. She is hurt by the bad choices made in relationships in the past and won't allow anybody to physically or emotional hurt her anymore. From this point on, a truly powerful struggle begins, where Cole has to prove Shannon that love is worth the risk although life wasn't always gentle with you.
Cole in my opinion is the best male character from all the books. You can clearly see him evolve from the shy boy presented in the second book to the man he is today. Jo is the main reason he managed to get away from the darkness in which he could have ended because of his mother. He grown up so well, focusing on his talent, having an objective in life that guided him. His love life wasn't so lucky, but everything settles down when he sees Shannon. Despite the player look, he believes in true love, in loyalty and in treating women well. Cam and Jo where the perfect example for him in terms of relationships and family, giving him a goal to achieve.
Shannon on the other side doesn't believe in love any more because of the abused she suffered in past relationships. I understand her reluctance in approaching someone, and nevertheless a person that reminds you of a certain type of guy. I love the way Cole managed to break her barriers and show her what true love can reached once you let it in.
I liked that Samantha introduces a certain theme in the book- physical abuse. A women should never go through what Shannon went through. This is a lesson to learn for all girls and women out there who tolerate violence. Everybody deserves tenderness and love no matter the mistakes they make and second chances have to be taken in order to live a happy life.
Echoes of Scotland Street present us our favorite characters from the past books, we get to see them all-together in the wonderful unity they created. Their bond is even stronger than before and I liked the way they embraced Shannon as their own, without judging or asking questions. Everything is so natural with them that you kind of wish you have such friends in real life to stand by you and accepting your true colors.
One of my favorite parts was the ending because I have never read one such as that before. It was unique and exciting.
I love the book and recommend all the series with an open heart!
5 stars!!
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https://readwithloveblog.wordpress.com -
Cole meets Shannon when they are fifteen years old and there is an immediate connection. Unfortunately, she has a boyfriend and doesn't even live in the same town. Fast forward nine years and Shannon moves to Edinburgh and gets a job as a receptionist at a tattoo parlor. You'll never guess who her boss is.
I feel like I've been waiting for Cole's book forever, so I was thrilled that it was finally out. I was a bit disappointed that the story wasn't from his POV and we didn't even get a chapter...or five. But Cole is a-mazing, everything you could want from a guy and more. That doesn't mean he is perfect but more on that later.
I did like Shannon, "the wee fairy", even though she's been screwed over. Not only by past boyfriends but by her family as well. She has some lessons to learn and they are doozies.
Things get really steamy with these two but maybe it's me(?), I felt like the scenes weren't as descriptive. I still really enjoyed it.
There's some fun characters working at the tattoo shop. I really enjoyed Rae, who becomes Shannon's roommate. I loved how she would just say what's on her mind and how Shannon didn't back down. Simon and his boyfriend, Tony, were really sweet. And Stu was quite the character.
But mostly, I loved reconnecting with all the family we've met in the prior books. I love how supportive they are no matter what. And it was great reading about what's going on in their lives.
Of course, there's lots of emotional drama. I felt both Cole and Shannon were a bit over the top with the first situation. And with the second, I was surprised at how it seemed that Cole jumped the gun but it made for some good drama.
I loved how things worked out. Shannon really surprised me with her "go big" but I loved what Cole did even more. The epilogue sets things up for the next book which is about Shannon's brother, Logan. I'm predicting it's going to be a good one!
Favorite quotes
♥ “And I’m really a tattooist by day and a time-traveling immortal highlander by night.”
♥ “You have a problem with them discussing their sex life. You,” I emphasized. “The squealer?”
♥ “No fucking sex talk!” Rae yelled.
“Since when?” I whispered at Simon, smirking.
“I heard that!”
My eyes bugged out. “She has radar ears.”
“So what? You have magical fucking hair!”
♥ "I get to lick your tattoos at some point."
♥ “You’re worth every bad thing that’s ever happened to me, because going through them led me to you.”
♥ “One thing at time, Shortcake. Now, hand the child over slowly.”
(Posted prior to Review)
COLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
DNF so sad, I'm so disappointed :'(
If this is going to be Cole's book then...
can't wait for the buzzzzzz sound of the tattoo gun from Cole's hand or whatever he's going to use of those hands *ehem cough cough*
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5 stars!
"Cole. Cole Walker."
"You sound like a hero."
I LOVED IT!!!! Samantha Young is the one author where I don't care about the nitty gritty details, I love everything this woman writes and will most likely always give her books 5 stars.
Echoes of Scotland Street is about Shannon, a girl who has been dating all of the wrong men and is tired of choosing the bad boys. After an extremely bad breakup that led to even more horrible things, Shannon finds herself moving from Glasgow to Edinburgh where she lands a job as a receptionist at INKarnate, the most regarded tattoo shop in Scotland. There she meets her new manager Cole Walker, a man she met briefly before when they were teenagers.
“Cole Walker. Cole freaking Walker. All grown-up. And he was my new manager. I was so screwed.”
After having been burned so many times before, when Cole starts flirting with Shannon, she makes the wrong assumption and tells him off. It isn't until later that she realizes that Cole Walker is the furthest thing from a bad boy.
I really loved this addition to the On Dublin Street series. Hannah and Marco had a great story but I felt there was so much unnecessary drama in that one, that I was worried it would be in this one. Yes there is drama, but I felt it fit the story well based on the lives of the characters Young wrote.
“I will never do anything you don’t want to do. You’re safe with me, Shannon.”
Shannon is a spunky heroine who's just been beaten down one too many times. I loved her journey to find herself again, and Cole was the perfect man to help her. Shannon had lost so much of herself, that every time Cole broke down a wall it was beautiful to watch.
Cole. Mhmmm Cole. Can we get more American men like him? I'm beginning to think that I need to move to Scotland to find a man like that (well twist my arm on that). When Cole finally learns about all of the shit that her previous boyfriends put her through, he's understanding and kind.
“I need to know. I need to know so I can try to reverse all the damage they’ve done.”
Only 2 teeny tiny issues with this book. One being near the end I felt Cole could have been a bit more understanding about the pickle Shannon was in. But there wouldn't have been angst/drama if he had so I accept.
The second thing: OH MY GOD THE COVER IS TERRIBLE!!! The covers on these books were fine until book 4 and now they're just getting worse! We all judge books by their covers, it's a given, so can we please change this one to a better cover so people will be more willing to read it? -
4.5 Stars
Cole and Shannon meet at the age of fifteen, and in those few minutes there is an immediate connection.
Despite both of them being able to feel this connection, neither one of them knows what to do about it. So they both go on with their lives. Shannon gets in the car with her boyfriend, Cole leaves his friends house, and as far as they are both concerned they will never see each other again. Fast forward nine years and fate has other plans for them.
Shannon is running…again. Simply put Shannon is constantly running from one bad relationship to the next. This time she ends up in Edinburgh with limited money and education, she needs to find a job and she can’t afford to be picky. So when she sees an ad for a receptionist at a tattoo parlor she applies for the job.
A tattoo parlor is a Mecca for bad guys, this is like where they come to hangout, pay their respect, look for their next victim. Shannon knows this goes against her plan, but so does being homeless, so when she is offered the job she accepts it. Regardless she knows what her problem is and she will no longer be falling victim to her greatest weakness: bad boys.
That is until she sees the boy, now a man, she met years ago. Cole Walker.
Hellbent on not trusting anyone, Shannon decides she can be friends with Cole, but that will be the extent of their relationship.
Cole has other plans for he and Shannon, and he doesn’t do casual. So when he decides to pursue Shannon it’s because he sees something in her, the type of girl he could settle down with.
Cole seems like the perfect guy, caring, talented, sexy as hell, but Shannon refuses to believe Cole isn’t a player, bad boy, a guy who will use her up and spit her out.
It will take a lot to convince Shannon to go against her better judgement and trust Cole, and even if she can get there will he still be interested?
Like the other books in the series, the story is told from Shannon’s point of view. I loved seeing Cole grown up. He has always been a favorite of mine and I loved the kind of man he grew into - a perfect combination of the Dublin Street men: protective, romantic, sensitive, talented, cocky, and sexy as hell.
I loved the dynamic between Shannon and Cole, even when they were fighting it was endearing.
"You’re an immature idiot!”
“I could give a fuck, Shortcake.” “And you started it.”
This is a story about finding yourself, forgiving others, and moving on with the people who matter. I highly recommend this story.
“Arm your fears like soldiers and slay them.” -
3 stars
There was one thing I liked about this book and that was Cole. He is the only reason I rounded up to three stars. Cole is the perfect combination of sweetheart and alpha caveman. I loved every thing about him. If this book was in his perspective, I might have liked it.
That brings me to what I didn't like. Shannon. UUUgggh. It was like being in the head of an immature, judgmental teenager. I had heard that she could be annoying, so I was prepared for that. What I wasn't prepared for, was her being mean to Cole, and behaving like a complete bitch to him for half of the book. He did nothing, absolutely nothing to her to deserve the way she treated him. She took one look at him, and decided that because he's good looking and has tattoos, he must be a "bad boy". Uum, What? It made no sense. I know, I know, I was supposed to feel bad for her and understand this behavior stems from her horrible past relationships. Well, it just felt over the top and contrived. Cole had a rough upbringing , but he didn't behave like a whiny bitch! I also felt like I was constantly being told how to feel about her past or her behavior, instead of it coming across naturally.
This is the problem with liking one character so much more than the other one. I just wasn't convinced that she deserved him. I mean, this is Cole. Readers of this series have loved him since book 2. I actually felt protective of him. (poor baby) *sniff*
Then, just as I'm finally warming up to Shannon and feeling like I can at least tolerate her, the last 10% of the book turns into an ever lovin' cheese fest. Oh, brother. I just really never felt the connection between the couple like I did in previous books.
I skipped book 4 of the series based on reviews, but out of the 4 I've read, this is my least favorite. I did love the Braden appearances, he will always be my number one caveman.
Thanks for the br Ami, loved the spoilers:) -
3.5 I liked it but...stars!
Welp! This is going to be one of those "I like it but..." reviews I don't enjoy writing. Nevertheless, it must be done.
I liked this book. I really did. I read it straight through. It was short and unputdownable. But... it wasn't as heart-wrenching or as engaging as the previous books in the series. I've read all books in this series except Down London Road, and frankly, I just couldn't connect with this one.
Shannon was a cool character but I couldn't connect with her. That's bad news considering she's the narrator of the story. One of the reason why I just couldn't connect was I don't know her character at all. She was introduced abruptly. We had a glimpse of her in one of the epilogues but that's about it. All of the narrators for this series so far had been introduced to readers prior to their books. Shannon just came out of the blue really. And her indecisiveness and issues became tedious to read and I just couldn't get myself to care.
Cole -- gosh, I have been waiting for his book and was disappointed this wasn't in his POV. He's hot, for sure, but...the other heroes in this series (especially Braden and Nate) were still hotter, IMO. And the chemistry between Cole and Shannon wasn't there either.
Still, there are a lot of things to like about this book. I loved the cameos of previous characters. They're there but they're not as intrusive as compared with Fall From India Place. And I loved Cole's tribute to the women who made a difference in his life -- Jo, Liv, Joss, Elodie, Hannah, etc. So yeah, this was still an enjoyable read but nowhere as unforgettable as Down Jamaica Lane or On Dublin Street. -
This was an adult contemporary romance featuring Cole and Shannon.
I liked Cole and Shannon in this, but I found it a little odd that the book wasn’t from Cole’s point of view as he was the one that we knew.
The storyline in this was about Shannon getting a job at INKarnate and meeting Cole again (they first met when they were 15). Shannon was getting over a bad break-up, and didn’t trust Cole at first, and I got a little annoyed by the way she treated him. This was an okay story, but I didn’t like it as much as the previous books in the series.
The ending to this was a happily ever after.
6.5 out of 10 -
“You’re worth every bad thing that’s ever happened to me, because going through them led me to you.”
It’s rare to find a series that book after book never disappoints, never fails to capture my attention and make me fall head over heels in love with the characters, but On Dublin Street is not only one of these extraordinary instances, it is also a series that never stopped getting better and better. Two characters oh-so easy to love, an emotional storyline that kept me glued to my seat for hours on end, literally gasping for the next page—this is a book I adored and could not walk away from even days after I first finished it, needing to re-read parts of it over and over again. I have never not loved a Samantha Young book, but this one just might be my new favourite.“Are you a hero, Cole Walker?”
“What is a hero, really?”
“I suppose it’s someone that saves people.”
“Yeah, I supposed it is.”
“So, do you save people?”
“I’m only fifteen. Give me a chance.”
Shannon and Cole met as teenagers, for a brief but unforgettable moment in time, and while their lives have led them onto very different paths, they both ended up becoming survivors of the cruel hands that fate has dealt them. While Cole’s childhood has been marred by neglect, and physical and psychological abuse at the hands of his only parent, he has grown into a kind-hearted and protective young man, whose ‘tatted-up’ bad boy appearance stands in stark contrast to his true character. Shannon’s emotional scars, on the other hand, come from a different but no less traumatic place. Every single relationship that she has been in has left a bad taste in her mouth, her last one leaving her battered both physically as well as emotionally. Moving to a new town might seem like the only way to escape her painful past, but she soon realises that no matter where she goes, her memories would inevitably follow.“…somehow, hopefully, along the way I was going to find the girl I’d lost because of him.”
When Shannon steps into Edinburgh’s most revered tattoo studio looking for a job, she has no idea that her new boss would be the same boy she walked away from nine years before, the vivid memory of him still very much alive in her mind. But Cole’s tattoos and cocky demeanour remind her also of every bad boyfriend she has ever had, making her misjudge him at first sight. And no matter how charming or friendly he is towards her, she rejects both his friendship as well as his not-so-subtle advances, making it crystal clear what she thinks of “his type”.“…Cole Walker represented everything wrong with my life and the choices I’d made thus far.”
But appearances can be deceiving and, soon, Shannon realises that she might have made the biggest mistake of her life by pushing Cole away. And that her own prejudices could cost her the affections of the best person she has ever met.“You really are the biggest disappointment, Shannon MacLeod.”
While this is a truly heartfelt romance between two people you cannot help but fall madly in love with from the moment you meet them, this is also a story about knowing when to put the past behind you, learning from it but not letting it affect your future happiness. Shannon’s unfortunate past has the power of either defining her or making her even stronger than she is. Having loved someone who constantly belittled her, made her believe she was talentless and stupid, and unworthy of someone like him, has not only damaged her self-esteem and confidence, but it also made her distrustful of her own ability to judge a person correctly and not to make the same mistakes again. Having someone like Cole Walker in one’s life, however, is all the motivation a girl needs to put her big girl panties on and take a chance.“That wasn’t my voice in my head. That was someone else’s and he did not get to win like that.”
This is an inspiring tale of courage and resilience, framed by a beautiful and truly touching love story, and I ate up every hypnotic word of it. Ms Young never lets me down, always blows me away, and rarely leaves me in a state where I’m quite ready to enjoy another book. It’s been two days… maybe it’s time for a re-read!“I’m going to f*ck every bad memory of those unworthy gits out of you, even if it takes me a lifetime. Starting tonight.”
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![[~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1388500902i/22427047._UY200_CR8,0,200,200_.jpg)
3 stars
Shannon having had a string of failed relationships sworn off bad boys. When cocky tattooed Cole walks into her life as her new manager, will he win her over?
I knew I had to read cutey Cole's book regardless reviews. Whilst it was an improvement from Hannah's book I wasn't blown away. Cole was a sweetheart!! Shannon was harder to like but she wasn't as bad as I thought she'd be.
Overall I found it a bit too sickly sweet and cheese worthy towards the end. There was SY style sexy time but I didnt feel for their chemistry. It is unlikely I will reread recommend or remember this.
Thanks Jeanne for another awesome BR :) -
4.5 Stars
I’ve been a huge fan of Samantha Young’s On Dublin Street series and once again she amazes me with Echoes of Scotland Street, the fifth installment in this series. She captivates with multi-layered characters, sexual tension galore, and a satisfaction guaranteed romance!
Shannon has moved to Edinburgh to get away from a very bad breakup. One of a long list of shady boyfriends, but this last one takes the cake, abusive and then some! This boyfriend not only shatters her self-confidence, but he made Shannon question her judgment, because every man she’s picked has disappointed her or worse. She doesn’t trust herself to pick a good one anymore, and Shannon now shuns anyone who even looks like a bad boy. She does not want to repeat her past mistakes. Unfortunately, Cole Walker, her new boss, seems to fit that description to a tee.
If you’re familiar with the On Dublin Street series, you’ll remember Cole to be the young teenage brother of Jo, the one who suffered abuse by his own mother. Well, this is nine years into future and with the help of Jo, her husband Cam, and the tribe of friends they have, he’s grown into a confident, smoking HOT man. He may look like a bad boy, complete with tattoos, oodles of confidence and that sexy enough to capture a nun’s attention, but he’s a complete good guy underneath that, through and through. Cole doesn’t do casual, he’s only into long term with the hopes of attaining what his sister and friends have: true love with respect and support. He thinks Shannon is the girl for him.
Both Shannon and Cole have issues to work through but their chemistry and past make it so you hope they’ll find happiness together. They get off to a really bad start when Shannon is judgmental and completely cruel with her words. I was at my limit of patience with her, but thankfully she wakes up and realizes Cole didn’t deserve her severe words. There after their relationship took off. Cole was just super sweet and patient, because he completely understands Shannon’s insecurities. He knows what it’s like to be cut down constantly and made to feel like nothing, so he sets about to make Shannon feel safe and secure.
Of course this wouldn’t be a Samantha Young romance if there wasn’t push and pull and some emotional punches, but that just makes the end result so much sweeter. Echoes of Scotland Street was actually one of the least angsty stories of the series, IMO. Ms. Young is also known for her deliciously spicy scenes and she does not disappoint here!
“Am I making you uncomfortable?” My pulse raced with that feeling of anticipation I’d had earlier. “Yes. But not like you think.”
I heard his sharp intake of breath and braced myself.
His lips were at my ear again. “Do you want me, Shannon?”
My legs began to tremble. “Yes.”
Catching up with the other couples so many years in the future was a complete treat. It’s one riotous family, bonded by love regardless if related by blood. Both Shannon and Cole needed that emotional support and I was so happy they drew on the strength provided by the brood.
This was an addictive read-in-one-sitting type of romance, and I can’t wait for the next one! Shannon’s brother is up next and he really deserves some love after all he went through for his sister.
A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. -
4.5 “Are you a hero, Cole Walker?” stars
I love this series! Samantha Young has sucked me in over and over again with her emotion-filled love stories, and her absolutely sensational and swoon-worthy leading men. This woman has written some of my all-time favourite book boyfriends, and she’s done a wonderful job with Cole.
The younger brother of Jo, we first met Cole as a lonely 14 year old in
Down London Road. Well, he is now all grown up and he is tall, built, tattooed and gorgeously sexy. He is also charming, cocky and charismatic and a magnet to women. He looks like a bad boy, and with the way women flock to him, he could easily be a manwhore. But he’s not. He’s a genuinely nice guy with a heart of gold who “doesn’t do casual”.
Shannon has recently moved to Edinburgh. Having left her family and shattered life behind, she is looking for a fresh start and takes a job as the receptionist at a tattoo parlour. Petite and delicate with piles of strawberry blonde curls down her back, she is dubbed the “wee fairy” by her colleagues, but she is fierce, and can more than handle the mix of full-on personalities that she will be working with. And then she meets the Manager, Cole, and from the moment they lay eyes on each other, the chemistry is zinging.He continued to stare at me in an assessing way and I began to squirm uncomfortably. The more he stared, the more I stared, and the more I stared, the more I noticed how deliciously lickable he was.
Having met once briefly as teenagers , their connection is even more intense but Shannon has had too many bad experiences with bad boys. We don’t know the exact cause of her pain, but snippets of her past are revealed in flashbacks. When she classifies Nathan as a bad boy, her hackles are immediately up and she wants nothing to do with him, perceiving him as yet another in the long line of men that have hurt her badly. So despite their immediate attraction, and while Cole flirts outrageously (he even calls her ‘Shortcake’ - so cute! ), Shannon retreats behind her “anti-badboy force field” and does her best to ignore him.
They have a lot of ups and downs as they battle it out against each other, and while it’s highly entertaining, some of it is harsh and quite emotional. Samantha Young always does a fantastic job at building the tension between a couple, and the UST between Shannon and Cole is sizzling - the tension and animosity between them is delicious!“There’s more to you than cute. People call you cute because you’re petite…but you’re sexy too…Mostly you’re beautiful in a way that stops a man in his tracks.”
His lips were at my ear again. “Do you want me, Shannon?”
My legs began to tremble. “Yes.”
OMG Cole is absolutely amazing! Totally freaking sexy, of course, some of his moves had me fanning myself at the hotness, but his devotion to Shannon, his patience and his determination to help her move on from her past and create a future for the two of them together had me swooning madly. And when Shannon opens up to him in a way she hasn’t with anybody else, he is sensitive and gentle and absolutely there for her, and it’s gorgeous.“I need to know.” He brushed his knuckles across my cheekbones as he stared deep into my eyes. “I need to know so I can try to reverse all the damage they’ve done.”
“I want to protect you while at the same time I want to shatter you,” he murmured against my lips, “but only in the best way possible.”
But it’s not all sweet and gentle. Cole is hot as all hell, and is a bit of a dirty talker and there is a whole lot of sexy time, and it’s tied in beautifully with the emotion between them. Their relationship develops fantastically and we get lots of time with them as a couple as they have fun together, share their pasts and get to know each other.“Are you saying you want to be my girlfriend?” His voice was gruff, almost teasing.
I leaned into him and whispered against his lips. “Are you saying you want me to be your girlfriend?”
“Fuck yeah,” he whispered back, and pressed his mouth to mine.
But as Shannon tries to deal with her past, it brings up all sorts of issues, and with both of them still carrying a lot of pain from their pasts, they have a lot that they still need to overcome before they can claim their HEA.
I was so happy to be back with the Dublin Street crowd. The characters of previous books all make an appearance, and are all still deeply fabulous. And even though over 15 years has passed (in book-time) since Braden and Joss first rocked my world, every little moment with them, and Nate… Adam… Cam… Marco… (you get where I’m going with this) is gold. They totally have Cole’s back in this one, and I love that their family is still so incredibly close - the brotherly bond between Nate and Cam is particularly gorgeou.
We also get introduced to Cole’s circle of friends, and I need to give a shout out to Rae. A fellow tattooist, and friend to both Cole and Shannon, she is abrupt and in your face but she has a huge heart. I loved her!“Shit pours out of my mouth before I can stop it, and I need to be around people that can hack the fucking awesomeness that is me.”
“Don’t push me.” She stopped and glared at me over her shoulder. “You’re my friend, Shannon. I care about you, but if I have to choose, I choose Cole. So back the fuck off before I slap the fucking stupidity out of you.”
And yeah, about the stupid…. the thing about Samantha Young – her characters may have their moment of stupid, but they always, ALWAYS make up for it, and it’s so worth the wait! There is more than one moment of stupid in this one, and although I was annoyed at the miscommunication and at one point felt like smacking heads together, it’s resolved quickly, and all of the drama makes the inevitable grovel and reconnection so much more epic.
This is a fantastic addition to the Dublin Street series. There was no doubt I was going to love it, and I was hooked from start to finish. And as a bonus, we are introduced to Logan, hero of the next book. He has a great set up and I can’t wait for his story.
This remains one of my favourite series. Each book is exciting, funny, romantic and sexy with lots of feels and unforgettable characters. I love it!
4.5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. -
4.5 stars!!
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AUDIOBOOK
This was a good story. Another win for the Dublin Street series. But is it wrong to say that I wanted more for Cole?
Chan, that’s like saying Shannon isn’t good enough for him. I know, I know, but that’s how I feel. Shannon is great and has a heart-wrenching past. She totally deserves a hero, but can’t it be somebody else? Can’t she have fallen for some other character?
Anyway, I enjoyed the angst. There was also a nice twist on the female and male norms towards the end. Good read. -
Originally Reviewed on
Confessions of an Opinionated Book Geek
I like flawed heroines. You will almost never read me calling a heroine whiney, because I like heroines with obsessions. I like when they obsess over the death of a loved one or when they don’t easily fall in to the arms of the hero. That being said, I hated Shannon. Despised her on almost every page of the book and it made the story difficult for me.
Shannon has some traumatic things in her past that does garner sympathy, but it’s not enough to like her. The problem is that Shannon lives on a soap box. She is judgy mcjudge judge. She takes one look at Cole and decides he’s a bad boy. Why is he a bad boy? Because he works in a tattoo shop, is goodlooking and has tattoos. That’s it.
Perhaps if he was any other character, it would have been easier to deal with, but this was Cole Walker. We know his back story. We know about his sister Jo and the alcoholic mother and the deadbeat dad. He’s older and hotter, but we know Cole. So having this girl come out of nowhere and talk down to him and think negatively of him for absolutely no reason was difficult to swallow. And, Shannon doesn’t get better. Even after she discovered the fault in her thinking, I still couldn’t stand her. I am sorry that she was Cole’s heroine.
I cannot stress how much I disliked this character. It’s just one of those things…I mean how dare she misjudge Cole Walker?!!!! And, how dare he fall for someone who treats him like crap.
I am sincerely tired of books and movies misinterpreting bitches as independent women. Being mean to someone for no reason doesn’t make you brave. Being stubborn doesn’t make you strong. Judging others doesn’t make you wise. It makes you a nasty know it all.
Also, can I just remark on the ridiculous nature of romance. There is a scene where Shannon meets everyone from earlier books. That’s right, Joss and Braden are there, Olivia and Nate are there and Ellie and Adam and from couple to couple Shannon thinks how good-looking, how attractive, how beautiful, how stunning etc. Now think about the last party you went to…how many ridiculously attractive people were there?’
Yea, exactly. I would sincerely like to read more books with people who are not all gorgeous and people who fall in love because they are just amazing people.
Recommended for fans of Samantha Young, come on guys it’s Cole’s book. You’re going to read it no matter what I say.
*ARC Provided by PENGUIN GROUP Berkley
Release Date: Oct. 7, 2014 -
So much better than the previous one! I'm damn glad I gave this a chance! Review may or may not come whenever I get a new laptop!(My nephew broke my last one, which is why, among other reasons, I haven't been around at all.)
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Son 5 estrellas totalmente condicionadas por Cole. Era una historia que empecé con miedo debido a las altas expectativas que su personaje había creado desde que salió en el libro de Jo y, aunque no está a la altura de Nate (es y seguirá siendo mi favorito forever), se acerca bastante. Es uno de los mejores protagonistas masculinos que he leído en este tipo de géneros y en esta serie.
Tiene sus momentos de macho.men redomados, pero a lo largo de toda la historia y desde que conoce a Shannon, no hay ningún motivo para criticarle.
Los personajes secundarios también me han gustado mucho, sobre todo Rae, la chica sin pelos en la lengua que se acaba convirtiendo en esa amiga leal. Y qué decir de la parejita formada por Tony y Simon, un encanto.
La única pega, es que la autora en todos sus libros crea un abismo en la pareja debido a los traumas de las protagonistas que hacen que me den ganas de darlas de tortas para que espabilen.
El siguiente, que es del hermano de Shannon lo leeré más espaciado para no empacharme, ya que su historia tiene tela y me da que el de su protagonista también lo será. -
3 Wanna Slap you Shannon Stars
Well, I guess the best way to describe my thoughts about this book would be with some My Little Pony gifs eh? Pinkie Pie says it all my friends. So this is Cole’s story, Jo’s little bro. Cole runs into Shannon when they were around 15 and sparks fly, the connection is instantly there. Shannon was such a sweet little doe-eyed teenager back then.
Ahh but shiz changes right? After several failed relationships, her last one being quite the doozie, our Shannon has changed quite a bit.
Basically, she is insecure, naïve, and judgmental. She pegged Cole straight up because he is hot and has tattoos. Oh, she can’t have another bad boy, she just can’t do it! It’s one thing when you read about a heroine that has had a rough past but when she is so out rightly judging of those around her, makes me not really care what happened to her. So that is my biggest beef, the ever typical succubus heroine. But, the formula here is just so played out. Alpha-sweet hottie hero, insecure annoying heroine with bad relationships in her past. Mis-understandings, wishy washy do I like him or not feelings, and unnecessary angst. I expected more for Cole quite honestly, so I would be lying if I said this book wasn’t a disappointment. Team Hannah (I still hate you Marco!), a girl can dream.
Reading Shannon’s POV after a few chapters, felt like being in the head of a 10 year old girl. I think this book would have benefited greatly from a dual POV. So yeah overall, just a meh for me. I think I am done with this series now :( -
I ve luvd this series from the start an it just keeps gettin better an better I ve luvd Cole from when he was just a wee lad am now he's grown holy cow is he gorgeous sexy an just soooo HOT
The story of Shannon an Cole was really good I enjoyed it loads there was a lot goin on so there was never a dull moment but I have 2 say I felt 4 Cole an Shannon but Shannon pissed me of when she was just really mean 2 Cole I know what she had been through but come on she did know him an U can't judge a book by its cover which she so did cause of her bad past an it was bad so I do understand an at some stage in the begin they both got there wires crossed but when they got 2gether they were great an they r hot 2gether
They both have trust issues but Shannons were hard 2 fight but I luvd how Cole was with he would do anything 4 her which made me luv him more an then we still have the rest of the family an it's just as big as ever an I still luv them al loads we didn't get 2 c much of them in this book but we stil got some I have 2 have a lil bit of Braden haha
Overall the story characters were great I m dyin 2 c what/who's next in this series xxx
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4.25 Cole stars.
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This review was originally posted on
Addicted To Romance
Another wonderful addition that Samantha Young brings to the Dublin Street series. We see so much growth in this group of family and friends that come together during the good and the hard times.
Echoes At Scotland Street is a story that will lift your spirits but also push your emotional limits at times. Our delicious key players for this story are:
Cole Walker, our sexy bad boy hero, tattooed and charming and women chase him but at the heart is a good guy with a heart of gold.
Shannon MacLeod, our lovely heroine, spirited and been burned by bad boys and considers herself to have the worst luck in men.
This story was pretty interesting to read and I have been admiring Cole for most of the series especially in seeing what a good brother he was to Jo--a heroine in book 2. We see in his true element, a talented artist working in a high end tattoo parlor. Now I haven't had the chance to read too many books that take place in a tattoo parlor and I found that Young did a wonderful job in writing up the set up of this story. Our heroine, is looking for a job and finds a secretarial job and runs into Cole, a boy she once knew when she was a teenager and felt a connection. But Shannon tends to think she has the worst luck in men, they tend to all be very toxic and betray her in one form or another and is estranged from her family. At first she makes a certain assumption about Cole, that he is like all the other men she has been with previously. Which causes some intense tension and our heroine has to prove to Cole how sorry she really is. Because Shannon soon realizes that Cole isn't the bad boy that he appears to be and appearances can be deceiving. But this isn't the first time that Shannon makes a mistake with Cole. And she will be faced with a difficult decision either her family or the man she loves?You’re worth every bad thing that’s ever happened to me, because going through them led me to you.
What I found simply wonderful about this book that made the biggest impression on me was our hero. He was definitely dreamy and even though he is a bit of a playboy at times, he also is a good one, a true keeper. He also isn't as cocky as you would expect. In fact, our of all the heroes, this author has written, Cole is probably my favorite to read so far. There is something so compelling about his character, and how true he is to himself. I truly adored the changes we see in our heroine. She has been burned so much in her life, and my heart really broke for her situation. So I tried not to judge her too harshly. What I respected about the way her character was written is how realistic she is. She really grows and learns to fight for herself and what she really wants in life and I just admired that. And she learns some tough lessons but I did like that she comes through for the reader and you learn to become endeared by her character.
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5 stars of course!!
So I finished the final book of The Dublin Series. I don’t know what to feel exactly. I’m happy but at the same time, it feels like this wasn’t enough and I want more.
Cole’s story is definitely a 5 star for me. I already rate it when I met him in Fall From India Place. I’m kinda bias, but I don’t care.
Like always I love all of the characters. It’s the development of the story that I’ve got some issues about. I don’t know , but the constant trust issue between Cole and Shannon kinda tires me. My whole reading, got me sighing and pulling my hair a lot because of that! The issue was so freaking intense that I kinda stop this book a few times because it suffocates me.
But, awesome writing such as this won’t stop me from reading this. I love the ending though. I kinda facepalmed when It’s bold, stupid, embarrassing but somehow sweet. It’s courageous when I think about it cause I know I wouldn’t do that.
Overall, I really..really....really like this and I’m looking forward to her next book. I already, rate my next book by her a 5 stars because I know she’s one of the author that would never disappoint her readers.*wink* -
I'm going to avoid writing a full review for this book as well, mainly because I'm lazy. It was fluffy. It was sweet. It was adorable and full of angst. I loved the fact we got to see Cole grown up, he's been one of favourite characters since he was introduced. The book was an easy read with a similar story line to the rest of the books in the series, which ultimately made it enjoyable for me.
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4.5 STARS
“So are you a hero, Cole Walker?”
“What is a hero, really?”
“I suppose it’s someone that saves people.”
“Yeah, I suppose it is.”
“So do you save people?”
“I’m only fifteen. Give me a chance.”
And yet another fantastic romance from Samantha Young!!! For those of you who are following the On Dublin Street series, this is Cole Walker’s story. Jo’s now hot and sexy little brother. He has definitely grow out of that broody teenage kid stage, and is now working as a highly sought-out tattoo artist in Edinburgh’s famous Inkarnate.
And growing up under the influence of Cameron, Braden, Nate and Marcus, he has grown into quite a stunning young man. Although even with his cut body, his tattoos and his killer bad boy look, he has kept his heart pure. He is the real deal. He could have any woman he wanted, but he’s still looking for the one that would capture his heart. (or had he already met her nine year earlier?)
Shannon MacLeod met him when she was only 15. It was on the porch of her Grandmother’s house on Scotland Street. She only spoke to him for a few minutes, but it was just long enough to feel it… the pull. And then, she would turn back to see him as she walked away and he would be gone. It would be her first bad decision in the line of the many.
“As the old car took me away from Scotland Street amid his incessant chatter, I felt like fate had just handed me two cups and I’d stupidly drunk from the wrong one.”
Shannon had a type. She always went for the bad boys. And she was always getting burned. Until the last one almost destroyed her, and the one she cared about most. So no more. Ever.
“Those eyes crinkled attractively at the corners as their gorgeous owner threw me a friendly, boyish smile that penetrated my anti-bad-boy force field.”
After a falling out with her family, she relocated to Edinburgh, and was looking for work. She had given up her chance to go to art school, so her choices for were limited. The one ad she found that suited her just happened to be another tattoo parlor job. Not a good idea, since she was steering clear of men. And especially that type. But she had to find work, and soon.
Inkarnate had a fantastic reputation. She would be lucky to land a job like that, at least until something else came along. So she took it. But little did she know that the lead artist and manager was going to be a ghost from her past. Those same light green eyes that she turned her back on nine years ago. The ones she never forgot.
I got a brief glimpse of strong, broad shoulders and long legs before he turned and my eyes collided with his bright green ones. Holy… My stomach plummeted. Dread filled me. Please, no, no, no. Be a customer. Please be a customer…
And apparently neither did he. Fate has a wicked sense of humor. Because she does not need this in her life right now. But really she does, she just doesn’t know it.
When Cole and Shannon meet again the sparks fly just as before, and where he can’t believe his good luck, she can’t believe her bad.
“His lips were at my ear again. “Do you want me, Shannon?”
“Are you going to kill me with your magical hair?” I rubbed a strand of hair between my finger and thumb. “It is thick. It would make a good rope.”
“Dark. I like it, wee fairy.”
I really loved this story. Cole was such a great character. Growing up as he did, he really turned out to be a great guy. Not surprising with the mentors that adopted him along the way. But he still has scars from a mother who abused him growing up. And it is these scars that he finds a way to make such a difference in Shannon’s life.
“Shannon, there is nothing casual about how I feel about you. There hasn’t been since the day I stepped out of Ellie and Adam’s house and found you on the stoop. I get you don’t trust me and I get why, but I want you to give me the chance to change that. I think there’s something here that’s worth the effort.”
After suffering the trauma’s of her past, Shannon is justifiably wary of starting a relationship with anyone, and especially one who looks like Cole. She refuses to make yet another bad decision. But after getting to know him again, and learning to trust him, she can’t hold herself back any longer.
“First, looking at your gorgeous artwork gave me a serious hard-on. I do love a talented woman. Second, I’m going to fuck every bad memory of those unworthy hits out of you, even if it takes me a lifetime. Starting tonight.”
He turns out to be everything she’s looked for and everything she needs. Now, she just has to get over her guilt of finding happiness and to convince her family to trust her choices.
This was a lovely story. The only issue I had was the misunderstanding between Cole and Shannon at the end. It was thrown way out of proportion by Cole, and not handled very well by he, Rae or Shannon. Other than that, I loved it all. One of my favorite characters was Rae, Shannon’s new flat mate, and co-worker. But I also loved Simon and Tony. Pleased as pie!
“I love you, Shannon. I want to protect you and keep you safe. I want to be your family and to give you mine so that you never have to feel sad about anyone who is too stupid to realize they’ve let go of something so special, their lives will always be a little darker for it.”
Can’t wait for her brother LOGAN’s STORY!!! BRING IT ON!!
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2015????
i don't wanna waittttttttttttttttttttttttt
14/8/14: so i just noticed it's coming out in october instead? HELL TO THE FYEAH
8/10/14; post read:
I'm a little off track with everybody's ages (Braden is forty-two now??? wowowow).
Amazing, as usual. Cole Walker, you grew up very nicely, congratulations. Must be all the influence of all the great men and women in your life. Very nice. For some reason I had Rodrigo Calazans in my head as Cole when I read. I had no idea where that came from.
I don't want this series to end.
Declan's book next? or Logan's? Please, please, Samantha, please? -
Sabia que el libro de mi Cole no podía ser menos que perfecto. No me equivoque.
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Probably a least fave of the series for me. I just really didn't like the way people turned on Shannon. Girl needed a break.
