A Royal Mile (Return to Dublin Street #2) by Samantha Young

ABOUT THE BOOK

It’s hard to stay in the friend zone when the attraction is this hot…

Going into my senior year of university at war with a member of the British royal family wasn’t in my carefully laid plans. Sebastian Thorne might be the grandson of a princess, but it’ll take more than a royal pardon to get me to forgive him for pretending to be someone he’s not.

But Sebastian is determined to be my friend. Even if it means signing up to a psych experiment just to get me to talk to him. Who knew a sincere apology and him saying my name in that posh English accent would make me weak in the knees?

This year was supposed to be about my dissertation and graduate school. Only, Sebastian has thrown my ordered world off kilter. He makes me bolder, more confident. A braver version of me.

Yet every lingering glance and stolen touch has me realizing one thing…

I’m falling for my best friend.

There’s just one problem. Sebastian has demons, ones that make him determined to keep me in the friend zone no matter the cost.

And even when temptation sends his walls tumbling down, the beauty we’ve found might not survive against the powerful will of outside forces…

MY REVIEW

Holy cow! Where do I even start with Lily and Sebastian? Honestly, they are sooooo perfect together! But here’s the twist, they’re not on the same page.

Have you ever been friend zoned? Lily has and she’s starting to doubt her decision. Sebastian is way out of her league with his aristocratic lineage and posh British accent. He is a bit of a playboy with no strings attached while she’s a romantic at heart.

Lily is a wonderfully brave and smart young woman who falls for Sebastian almost immediately. She knows the score: they can only be friends, at least for now. It’s a testament to her strength that she was willing to set her own feelings aside to preserve their friendship. The internal struggle she faces had me on the edge of my seat.

Sebastian is charming and vulnerable as he struggles with his attraction to Lily. He openly admits he doesn’t do girlfriends, having a hard time when it comes to serious relationships. But something about Lily is undeniably different. Get it together, dude!

The best part? Watching Sebastian come to terms with his feelings and actively pursue Lily is nothing short of magical. When he finally recognizes his love and sets out to win her over, every moment is filled with sincere adoration. Their chemistry is palpable, and when they finally give in, it is clear they are in it for the long haul.

This story is complete with friendship, tension, and the oh-so-sweet transition to love. One of the best things about their relationship is how Sebastian and Lily take their time developing a genuine bond before diving headfirst into romance. It’s refreshing to see a story where the emotional groundwork is carefully laid where it made their eventual connection feel not only inevitable but truly special.

If you’re looking for a story that beautifully captures the bloom of love from a strong friendship, filled with moments that will make your heart flutter and heat up your cheeks, look no further. This story has it all, and I couldn’t recommend it more!

Thank you to Ms. Young for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Return to Dublin Street Series

1 On Loverose Lane (2025) – My review
2 A Royal Mile (2025)
3 Hart Street Lane (2026)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries. She resides in Scotland.