Review: Castle Hill by Samantha Young

Braden Carmichael never imagined he’d fall as hard and as fast as he did for Jocelyn Butler. He also could not have anticipated how difficult it would be to convince her to give in to love. But now that he has her, he’s never letting go. He’s got it all planned—the passionate proposal, the dream wedding, the sexy Hawaiian honeymoon—even the perfect family they’ll start.

After trying to flee from her painful past, Joss is finally allowing herself to embrace the future. But when things start moving faster than she anticipated, she finds herself panicking over something Braden can’t understand. After everything they’ve been through, Joss is sure that their love can survive even her worst fears. But, this time, she may push Braden too far—and risk losing everything all over again…





4.5 Star Review by Jen Hagen

I have always loved Braden.  I love his devotion to Joss, his ability to break through her walls, and when Braden loves, he loves hard.  Braden will never allow Joss to close off her feelings again from him.  In the first book, On Dublin Street, Joss had thick walls up around her protecting her from the thought of loving somebody only to have them taken away from her.  This had happened in her young years and she vowed to herself that she would never make herself vulnerable to love again.  Braden was, is and will always continue to be an alpha male.  He is able to break down the walls and show her how happy they can be together.

“Castle Hill” is a short novella continuing the story that we love so well of Braden and Joss.  Joss and Braden are preparing for their wedding.  Shortly after returning from their honeymoon, Joss is faced with news that she wasn’t yet ready to hear. 

The title “Castle Hill” comes from the place that Joss always goes when she needs to clear her mind.  It brings her serenity and ability to sort through the questions of doubt that she continues to have.  As Joss returns to Castle Hill to clear her mind and accept what life has now handed them unexpectedly,  Braden finds her there and he beings to question if they are truly happy with each other if she had to find solace by herself.  He finds it difficult to discuss it with Joss and distances himself from her.  This time around it’s not Joss shutting off from Braden, it’s Braden closing himself off from Joss. 

And being the alpha-male that Braden is, he is the one keeping the door closed on discussing this. Joss has to find a way to break through to him before it’s too late and they can’t move past it. 

Even though you may feel that Braden is being a little too harsh, you’ll forgive him because… let’s admit it…he’s Braden and we love him.  You will enjoy this novella being back in Braden and Joss’s lives!


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