The New York Times Bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series and Play On returns to the world of the arts in this sexy and emotional standalone romance about love, sacrifice, and surviving both.Once upon a time Skylar Finch was the lead singer of a hugely successful American pop-rock band. But fame made her miserable. When years of living a lie suddenly ended in tragedy, Skylar fell off … suddenly ended in tragedy, Skylar fell off the map.
Killian O’Dea works at Skyscraper Records, Scotland’s most successful record label. Raised by his uncle and owner of the label, Killian’s upbringing would have been devoid of affection entirely if it wasn’t for his loving sister. Killian is unflinchingly determined to bring the label more success than ever, and the young homeless woman who busks on Buchanan Street is going to help him do that. Her music speaks to him in a way he refuses to over-analyze. All he knows is that if it can touch his dark soul, it’ll set everyone else’s alight.
Skylar makes it clear that she doesn’t want to sign with him. But when she experiences the dangerous reality of a woman sleeping rough, Skylar has no one else but Killian to turn to. An undeniable connection forms between them. But Skylar doesn’t want the career Killian is trying to forge for her, and when her past comes back to haunt her Killian will be faced with a decision that could ruin him. He must either free Skylar from his selfish machinations and destroy everything he’s ever worked for, or lose a woman who has come to mean more to him than he ever thought possible.more
This book is brilliant! It is the story of Skylar, a former teenage rockstar now homeless. Events and unhappiness led her to walk away from her golden life. We see her living on the streets of Glasgow busking to get by. She meets Killian, a record executive, who makes her an offer that she eventually has to take.
What follows is an emotional slow burn. This story unfurls perfectly. The chemistry between Skylar and Killian is off the charts. This story even has delicious amounts of angst. Once again, Samantha Young has created a story that draws the reader in from the beginning and keeps them invested until the end. I love that she always writes interesting secondary characters that add to the story. I hope that we will learn more about them in future stories.
Although this book is book 2 in the Play On series, it can be read as a complete standalone.
Final Score – 5 Stars!!!
I seriously need to read the first book in this series, if this one is to go by! As Dust Dances by Samantha Young is whitty, sarcastic, steamy and had just right level of angst to keep me glued to it’s pages! With my busy schedule, I had to work around reading this book and I finally said “forget real life, I need this escape!”. I stayed up until nearly midnight, in laughter & in tears. This book really touched my heart.
The connection between Killian and Skylar was electrifying to read. The chemistry between them was scorching and I just knew that business would turn very quickly to pleasure. Was I ever right! These two complemented each other in a way that resembled yin-yang.
I also was glad that Skylar got closure over the events that previous happened before the start of this book – I couldn’t imagine going thru what she has. If you are looking for a great summer read, look no further than this one – it will lift your heart and make it soar. Another definite re-read … of course after I’ve read the 1st book.
Vous le savez, Samantha Young est une de mes auteurs préférées et ce depuis des années. Chacune de ses sorties est une fête pour moi car je sais que je vais me régaler et dévorer un roman qui va m’emporter dans un nouvel univers. As dust dances n’échappe pas à la règle et nous plonge dans le domaine de la musique et de la célébrité avec Skylar et Killian , deux personnages que vous allez adorer.
Skylar Finch est une héroïne qui avait tout pour elle : la gloire, la célébrité , un groupe qui fonctionnait bien mais à côté de cela il y avait les paparazzi , les tabloids et la pression de plus en plus importante qui occultaient sa passion. Quand nous la découvrons, elle n’est plus Skylar mais Busker Girl et elle est sans abri. Elle partage sa vie avec Ham et Mandy et elle galère pour survivre. Son destin va prendre un virage inattendu quand elle constate qu’un homme vient sans cesse l’écouter jouer pour gagner sa vie. Elle se méfie, elle repousse son aide mais quand l’inévitable arrive, elle n’a d’autre choix que se tourner vers lui. Le passé de Skylar est chargé et a déterminé la femme qu’elle est devenue. Passer d’adolescente au statut de rock star à 17 ans n’est pas chose facile et son silence est une cocotte minute prête à exploser. Cependant, elle n’a personne à qui parler car son secret pourrait tout faire voler en éclat. C’est ce qui se passera lorsqu’une nouvelle affreuse lui parviendra. J’ai adoré le personnage de Skylar car il est très travaillé et nous fait entrevoir non seulement différentes couches de sa personnalité et de sa vie mais aussi des thématiques très importantes. C’est une jeune femme de 24 ans qui va devoir faire face aux conséquences de son choix et qui en paiera le prix fort.
Sa passion pourrait donc la sauver et l’inspiration pourrait revenir en travaillant avec Killian mais sa relation avec lui est biaisée depuis le début car il lui a en quelque sorte forcé la main. Il l’a surtout poussé à prendre des décisions qu’elle n’était plus capable de prendre mais revenir sous le feux des projecteurs ne sera pas un choix anodin et chaque étape devra bien être réfléchie. J’ai adoré pour cela la présence d’Autumn dans l’intrigue car la soeur de Killian apportera une légèreté vraiment bienvenue. Elle saura éclairer notre héroïne sur le caractère mystérieux de son frère et aider Skylar à se poser les bonnes questions. Pourra t-elle reprendre le contact avec son ancien groupe , Tellurian, et expliquer son geste? Si certains sont comme de frères , d’autres ont une place plus importante dans son coeur et grâce aux flashbacks , nous en découvrons la teneur. J’ai adoré l’aspect artistique et créatif de l’histoire car cela nous emmène dans les déboires et les questionnements de nos héros. La musique pourra t-elle apaiser les moeurs? Skylar pourra t-elle être heureuse à nouveau?
Killian O’Dea travaille pour un label de musique et le moins que l’on puisse dire c’est ce que son travail est toute sa vie. Il se lève, respire, parle et se couche en pensant aux artistes qu’ils pourraient aider. Ce workhalic est devenu en quelque sorte antisocial et il est très maladroit quand il s’agit de manipuler les mots. Cela conduira donc à des paroles maladroites et donc blessantes et à une attitude froide et distante. Pourtant impossible de croire qu’il n’est animé que par l’argent et l’envie absolue de produire l’album solo de Skylar. Il a des sentiments humains car il va lui apporter une aide incroyable et indispensable. On le voit aussi dans son attitude vis à vis de sa soeur car elle compte pour elle et il saura prendre soin d’elle. Pourrait il prendre soin de Skylar? Saura t-il s’ouvrir à elle? Il est vrai que de prime abord, on n’a pas une image positive du personnage mais il faudra creuser pour découvrir ses blessures secrètes. Le fait que nous n’ayons pas son point de vue dans les chapitres renforce aussi le côté inflexible et impassible du personnage. Quel choix fera t-il ? Saura t-il aider Skylar à retrouver le bon chemin?
Bref, une fois de plus je suis conquise par ce roman incroyable qui m’a fait vibrer page après page. Samantha Young nous offre une fois de plus un aperçu de son incroyable talent. Nous nous attachons aux personnages, nous vibrons pour eux, nous espérons et nous sommes émus. As dust dances est une superbe romance contemporaine qui saura vous tenir en haleine et vous plonger au coeur de l’industrie musicale.
This story. My heart. Oh my stars. Samantha Young has always been a favorite author of mine, but her words have become so much more to me. They are stunning and brilliant as they keep you wrapped up in the world that she has created. Skylar is a broken soul. So broken that you honestly feel the pain she is going through as she is dealing with what cards life has dealt her. But she is also a fighter. She is very fierce in some aspects when she finally has her mind in the right place. Then you have Killian. It was interesting to see how he interacted with Skylar at the start because he was so standoffish in a way, but always seemed to be intrigued with Skylar. Their passion was a slow burn even though technically the timeline is a little fast. The sizzle these two have when they finally come together was brilliant and oh so swoonworthy! I love how much Killian fights for her and is protective of her. I love Autumn as well. She adds just that something special to the story and is a great ally for Skylar.
I am not quite sure what it is about this story, but I was fully involved. Like leave me alone, these words are everything and I am not moving from my spot kind of story. There is something magical about the author’s words that I find myself totally spellbound. This story touches on things like homelessness, mental health and so much more. It doesn’t matter if you are famous or not, things happen and things will break you. This story is just that. A story of such a broken young lady who never expected to find herself again. With Killian and everyone around her, she broke that bubble and is living again. I feel like my thoughts are all over the place when I write a review for Young’s stories. Her words just make me feel and break me but mend me. If you read one book this year, please be this one. You will not be disappointed as it is a stunning and brave story of a lost soul finding her footing in life again. This will very much be in my top reads of 2018!
As Dust Dances is such an emotional story that it left me reeling and utterly speechless!!!
Skylar Finch former teenage rock sensation leaves her band and disappears off the face of the earth while trying to come to terms with the loss of the most important person in her life, after running out of money she ends up living homeless in a tent in a cemetery in Glasgow while busking in town to make a few quid to be able to survive. Killian O’Dea works at Skyscraper Records, when he quickly comes to realise who Skylar is he offers her help which she readily turns down until one night he comes to her aid when she needs it most after losing everything she owns.
Skylar’s story is one that will stay on your mind and won’t stop haunting you for a very long time after reading it, it’s just so gritty, emotional and real. Her time living on the streets trying to survive all the dangers she comes face to face with is just a very small part of it, there’s trying to avoid being recognized by anyone and learning to live with the guilt that she feels after she believes that everything is all her fault, that it all happened the way it did because of her fame and status, and her state of mind is never really in it’s best place making her decision to stay on the streets a very bad idea.
I really loved Skylar she is a character that I really connected with and her badass attitude and principles only made me love her more. As a book heroine she stands out as a strong willed survivor, that even when she’s at her lowest she won’t let anyone and especially Killian O’Dea sway her from getting what she wants no matter the personal cost to herself and I really admired that quality about her.
Killian O’Dea is the typical alpha hero, he’s rich, good looking, very career minded and stupid to a fault. He’s a hard headed man that thinks that he can just march right in and save a girl from herself and everything without breaking his promises to her and her heart. He tries to take over Skylar’s life by wrongly making all major decisions for her whether she wants them made for her or not, even after he promised her that he would never force her to do anything against her expressed wishes.
Skylar and Killian have a very complicated relationship that really stood out and was such great fun to read, they both have an extremely stubborn personality that caused them to argued about every little thing until that emotional tension built up to an explosive burst of fiery passion between them. It was hotter than tabasco sauce on a ghost pepper chilli, it sure made some very intense reading!
Samantha Young has written a most inspiring, if not an eye opening story that took me through every emotional feeling that you can think of, it’s so angsty and pulse racingly good! It’s a little deep and dark at times but has a beautiful ending that absolutely did the book justice. This is another great story from an amazingly talented author that knows her genre well and doesn’t disappoint her readers in any way.
This deserves all the stars and more ……!
As Dust Dances by Samantha Young was an angst-filled and emotional read with great characters. A story of music, second chances and hope.
Skylar Finch knows the cost of fame. Though she once dreamed of making it in the music business, the reality of it was too much for her. Years later that life is behind her and all she wants is anonymity. She is now homeless in Glasgow making a few bucks by performing on the streets. The last thing she wants is to be back in the lifestyle she walked away from, but when things turn rough, she may have no choice.
Killian works for his uncle’s record company is working very hard to make a name for himself and the company. When he hears the woman playing her guitar on the streets, he is entranced by her. He believes she is the break he has been looking for. But what if what he asks of her be too much?
I loved Skylar. Though she was running from her past, she was strong and determined woman who was a bit lost. Killian on the other hand could be a bit cold and standoffish at times, however, something about Skylar called to him. Though both Skylar and Killian feel the chemistry between them, they both want very different things. Can they make it work or will Killian push her too far?
I loved reading As Dust Dances by Samantha Young. It was emotional, heartfelt and heartwarming. I loved seeing both characters fall and grow in this story and find what they truly desired.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
Skylar used to be a teeny-rock-band-super-star in America. Now she’s sleeping in a tent in the back corner of a cemetery in Glasgow.
After ‘fleeing’ from home she spent a year backpacking through Europe and ended up in Scotland, singing and playing her beloved guitar on the streets to make enough money to eat, use the laundromat and maybe shower once a week in the swimming center.
Killian sees her singing one day and he wants her. For his uncle’s record company. He needs her. He needs to prove to his idiot of an uncle that he’s got what it takes to be the best in the business. But Skylar doesn’t want to be famous anymore. But she also doesn’t want to waste away or worse on the streets …
What will happen with Skylar in Scotland??
Will she find her Happily Ever After??
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
Eeeep … book #2 in this amazing new Sam Young series! (all standalones with no connected characters. Even though Killian’s adorable sister Autumn will get her own story in book 2.5!)
I loved AS DUST DANCES!
(LoL – from the cover and title, I kinda somehow assumed this was a ballet romance! It’s not!)
I already mega-adored the first book PLAY ON, and this one was just as amazing.
So heartbreaking and sad and ugh! The whole first part of the book had this sad-and-wet-Glasgow-autumn-day mood to it.
You just want Skylar to accept whatever it is that Killian is offering. She has to get off the streets. It’s too dangerous. And she’s so effing talented. She needs to be heard.
But of course she has her reasons for escaping home and for living the way she is living at the moment….
Killian has quite a bit of work to do until he can convince her of signing with him. And to not hate him anymore.
Killian is a very … strange person in the beginning. We only have Skyar’s POV, so we don’t have any idea what the what with him. He’s somewhat fascinating, but also so very unfeeling and cold and secretive-ish. He doesn’t talk much. But of course we also know that we’ll fall for him along the way.
What can I say – I just loved this book!
Amazing romance! With allll the feels!!!
So many beautiful moments. Sad moments. Heartbreaking moments. Scary moments. Music moments. I loved it.
I wouldn’t mind if Netflix or Hollywood came along to make something out of it!!!
(I can already see the first few minutes of the movie with Skylar busking on the streets of Glasgow, mixed with her remembering her rock star life on stage all glamoury and colorful!)
AS DUST DANCES was a heartbreakingly beautiful & emotional music love story. About a girl who is finally ready to face the past and to fight for a very happy future … Run to your nearest amazon to see if she finds her happily ever after with Killian – but get your own hottie Scottie – this one is MINE!
If I had to name some things I didn’t love-love … I would’ve loved to get Killian’s POV. We just don’t get much from him. He’s not a talker and we don’t get to know him enough to be an amazing book hero. I needed a bit more from him. His POV would’ve been perfect, but also maybe some more talking or … no idea. We don’t hear anything from him and suddenly he’s in love with Skylar? It was a bit weird because we just don’t understand what he was thinking all along. Yes, we saw his looks and a bit of his feelings, but I needed more.
And then the Britishness of the book. Skylar is from America and the expression living or sleeping rough is used a million times. That’s not really American. It might be used by Americans too, but I wanted a change of expression at least a few times. Sleeping on the streets or anything other than sleeping rough. It didn’t make the book bad, it just got on my nerves a bit after the 3rd time.
I love Young Adult, I forgot how much until I read ‘As Dust Dances’. A firm favourite from my 2018 reads, this book has made an impression that I’m sure will last for a long time to come. Based in Glasgow (any book based in Scotland is a firm win for me), it follows homeless busker Sarah as she tries to make enough money for food and a shower, but, everything is not as it seems. Sarah can sing, and whilst busking she catches the attention of one of Glasgow’s up and coming A&R executives for one of Scotland’s biggest record labels, and herein lies the problem. Sarah doesn’t want to get noticed, because Sarah is not who she says she is. A beautifully written, heart wrenching story filled with secrets, lies and a whole lot of music. A wonderful story, written totally from “Sarah’s” point of view (I was dying to get into Killion’s head), a story that had me hooked from the get-go, praying for a HEA and leaving me with so much pride for the strength portrayed by our heroine. I was provided with an advanced copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review.
Wow, just wow! I’m not sure how Samantha Young does it, but honestly, she seems to outdo herself with every book she writes. Few authors have that talent, but it truly seems that with each new subject and set of characters, she takes off with this incredible story that just slays you and leaves you emotionally spent at the end of the book.
As Dust Dances is about a young lead singer of a band , Skylar, whose band makes it big at a very young age. When tragedy strikes this young woman, she leaves everything behind to backpack through Europe, and eventually living homeless in Glasgow Scotland where she “busks” for food and essentials, sleeping in a tent in an old cemetery every night, giving her a false since of security given she’s a young woman on her own on the streets of Scotland. When her path crosses a man, Killian, who has taken an interest in her music, he offers her shelter in return for things she’s not ready to return to, which is where this story takes off. I loved these two characters, Skylar is an emotional mess after the murder of her mother and stepfather, she blames herself, along with other things that came between the only person she truly loved, her mother. Killian is a hot, sexy, seemingly cold hearted music exec that has taken a interest in Skylar after hearing her sing on the streets of Glasgow. I love a story where a powerful man is slayed by a woman and finds he can’t live without her. Skylar has that power over him, and it’s one hell of a story to read page after page with the two of them realizing they have feelings for each other, even though they both have challenges, even though they both need to face those challenges before their future can continue. Running away for Skylar isn’t the answer for her, and it’s heart wrenching to see what she needs to go through in order to come out mentally strong in the end. I absolutely loved this story!!! Loved the secondary characters in this book, Autumn, Brandon, Ham, Mandy and Eve, all add another layer to this book that makes it very difficult to put down. Very well worth the read, will definitely be adding this to my home library!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book