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
“How can he be this irritating and sexy at the same time?”
Samantha Young took me on a heartbreaking journey that kept me on the edge from start to finish. Being a music lover, I was very intrigued and excited to read As Dust Dances. I really really enjoyed the lyrics and the music details in this story.
I was pulled in from the first page, being inside Skylar’s head, privy to her thoughts and feelings was a frightening and thought provoking place to be. She’s an internationally successful pop-rockstar who is living a homeless lifestyle, busking to survive. Not because she’s broke, but because she’s broken.
You know that saying about walking a mile in someone else’s shoes? Well, let me tell you, I don’t want to ever be homeless. What an eye opener this was. I was so curious to learn what brought Skyler to find herself in that situation. Was it on purpose, or was she just so lost that she wandered away from her life without realizing it and couldn’t find her way back?
I won’t spoil it for you by giving away things that you need to learn for yourself to get the full impact. Just go in with an open mind and an open heart. Expect to feel… everything. From one end of the spectrum to the other with red being the most intense. I felt the red of rage, pain and passion and most of all love. But sometimes, love isn’t enough.
I’m thrilled report that there will be at least one more book in the series. Yes, I peeked on Goodreads to check, and I’m beyond excited now that I know who it’s about. The line forms here…
Boy have I’ve missed how Samantha Young uses her story’s setting of Scotland to illicit just as many emotions as the characters themselves, and due to the heroine’s need to flee her old life and leave everything she once was behind, readers see a much different side of Scotland than we’re used to picturing, but in illustrating the circumstances that Young’s heroine finds herself in, it proves just how desperate Skylar Finch is to never go back to who and what she was…from a highly successful lead singer to a homeless woman who busks in order to survive.
Music plays an extremely important role in both Skylar Finch and Killian O’Dea’s life; it’s how they make money…it’s how they prove their worth, but while they are passionate about the same thing, what they want to achieve with it is drastically different, and it’s those differences that separate them at the beginning of As Dust Dances and continues to divide them as their feelings for one another grow, which means that while one aspect of their connection flourishes, their varying purposes and the outside forces that surround them wreak havoc and stall Skylar and Killian’s progress on a number of personal and professional fronts.
There are so many layers to both of the main characters that the plot line slowly reveals the whys and the hows of their life, but because there’s so much to understand about Skylar and Killian, the presentation of those facts need to be dispersed in small amounts because delivering everything there is to know about them in one chunk would be too overwhelming and not easily grasped, which means the technique that Young uses, while a bit frustrating, is the best approach, and it’s one that provides answers to the multitude of questions that surround the characters’ lives.
Through Skylar’s lyric, she’s able to describe her feelings in such vivid ways and it’s her words that help readers understand her heartbreak…her losses…her need for a new beginning…her reasons for forgetting who she once was. Her original music allows her to be real even while she’s attempting to fake who she is as she’s busking on the streets of Glasgow.
Because Killian seems so closed-off and unreadable, it’s difficult to gauge what he truly wants and needs from Skylar…do his feelings for her have more to do with what she can help him to achieve or is the fact that she can assist his record label an added bonus to what he personally shares with her? There’s not any easy answer to this question, which made me constantly wonder what Killian’s end game is and what would happen when everything runs its course and all that’s left is the raw truth that neither Killian nor Skylar necessarily wanted to share.
Between the backdrop of Scotland, the relationship that the main characters have with the music industry, and the slow burn romance that makes everything that much more complicated, readers can’t help but be invested in Skylar and Killian’s story and feel every emotion that drives Skylar’s life. I felt her heartbreak…her pain…her sadness…her anger and as much as I wanted her to embrace and consolidate the old and new versions of herself, I understood her decisions and her attitude towards Killian when they first meet and what happens when he won’t stop pursuing her and it’s an experience that left me an emotional but hopeful mess.
4.5 Poison Apples
Skylar was a famous singer who ran away from it all and becomes a homeless person in Scotland who “busk” during the day to earn money for a hot meal every day. Skylar has secrets that she doesn’t want anyone to know but Killian is determined to get her into his recording studio. Killian heard Skyler busks and really like her music. He even tries to bribe her to sing for his recording company but Skylar doesn’t want anyone to find her so she refuses.
It takes a big scare for Skylar to ask for help from Killian. Killian will only help her if she records some of her songs for him. Without any where to turn, Skylar agrees. Skylar comes to find out that Killian know who she is all along and even though he wants her to record an album, he also becomes her protector and wants her to heal from the past pain. Killian gets his sister to help Skylar and they become fast friends and Skylar gets more insight into who Killian is as a person.
Killian gets Skylar to deal with her past and her former band mates. But as her whereabouts becomes public knowledge, Skylar knows that she does not want to be in the spotlight anymore. She was not happy with her former life, the tragedy with her mom, and having to give up her private life for the public. However, when Skylar and Killian gets blackmailed to continue with her contract for the recording company that Killian works for, Skylar is heartbroken when she realizes that Killian isn’t looking out for her as he promised. Killian is between a rock and hard place regarding his work and his life with Skylar. Skylar and Killian both make sacrifices but they both have to determine if the sacrifices are enough for a life together.
My heart broke for Skylar and what she has lost in her personal and professional life. I understand anxiety and feel for her. As I got to know more about Killian, I want him to follow his happiness instead of trying to pursue his career where he is not appreciated. This was just a great story about 2 people with hard pasts and trying to overcome it to be happier.
At first I couldn’t find the connection between this book and Play On. Both part of the same series, but none of the characters appear to be linked. Then it hit me! The series centres around music.
Skylar a homeless busker on the streets of Glasgow is discovered by Killian, A&R Executive.
I didn’t quite get why Skylar chose to become homeless but after reading this book I totally understood her reasons.
Killian initially was not necessarily a likeable character, but his persona was essential to this storyline.
This book had a much darker feel to it than book 1. It dealt with a couple of sensitive issues which I felt were handled with the utmost respect and dignity.
Whereas book one was split into three parts due to different stages of a characters life, As Dust Dances has a completely different layout, but by no means was it any less enjoyable.
I really really love the setting of Samantha Youngs books. At first I thought it maybe because I am also a fellow Brit and seem to find a lot of familiarity to the locations, but I think it’s more down to the way Samantha is able to describe her scenes making it hard not to immerse yourself.
Skylar and Killian think they have their destinys in t hand but she has other plans where they are concerned. Skylar had lead what most people would considered a charmed life. She was America’s Pop Princess with all the fame and fortune that people dream about. But it’s true the higher you are the farther you have to fall and fall she she did. Two years later she is where people would least expect the once queen of the scene on the streets on Glasgow with nothing but her guitar. When Killian O’Dea spots her when she is at her lowest he is able to convince her to give him a one-record deal even if returning to the scene is the very last thing she could possibly want. Killian and Skylar soon find themselves not only battling the paps but chemistry as well. The spotlight is on and there is no escaping the truth of its either going to be career or love that wins out.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book
As dust dances is another 5+ star read by Samantha Young. It gave me all the feels with this love/hate relationship between Skylar and Killian.
Samantha gives us another strong heroine in Skylar. She has a strong will to not make the same mistakes a second time. Skylar is living a life full of heartache, and has so much love to give to the right person. Killian is dealing with his own issues and trying to hide his feelings for Skylar. His possessiveness of Skylar keeps coming through. The banter and chemistry between them is off the charts.
This is a story of healing from a tragic loss on both sides. It has just blown me away. Skylar shows everyone her amazing soul and her healing through her song lyrics/music. This is a must read that will have you falling in love with Skylar and Killian from the start.
4.25 stars–AS DUST DANCES is the second instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult PLAY ON erotic, romance series. This is twenty-four year old, American singer Skylar Finch, and thirty year old, Scottish record producer Killian O’Dea’s story line AS DUST DANCES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.
NOTE: Due to some of the story line content, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from first person point of view (Skylar Finch) AS DUST DANCES follows the tumultuous journey of singing superstar Skylar Finch. Eighteen months earlier Skylar Finch fell off the face of the earth in the aftermath of a tragedy that all but destroyed her life. Fast forward to present day wherein our heroine has been living and busking on the streets of Glasgow, Scotland until the day a record producer recognizes Skylar for the talent she was. Enter record producer Killian O’Dea, and the man with whom Skylar would fall in love. What ensues is the slow building relationship between Skylar and Killian, and the potential fall-out as fame and the glare of the paparazzi begin to overwhelm our heroine, once again.
Killian O’Dea recognized Skylar the moment he heard her voice on the street but Skylar had been reported missing for close to two years, and her backstory and history were tragic and sad. Killian knew the woman hiding beneath the worn clothing and dirty hair was a flower waiting to bloom when cared for and loved. Skylar no longer needs the spotlight of fame and notoriety but her love the music is what propels her forward. Broken by tragedy, and the glare of the spotlight, strong-willed but stubborn Skylar ran from her past only to find herself battling her will to survive.
The relationship between Skylar and Killian begins as a business arrangement when Killian must come to terms of what happened and why. Skylar is but a shadow of her former self, having lived on the streets for several months, a life that proved harder as the weeks went by. As Skylar’s emotional and physical health began to improve so did her feelings for her ‘would-be’ rescuer, and happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Killian’s half-sister Autumn O’Dea, a woman who struggles to find her path in life; their uncle and record company owner James Byrne; Killian’s assistant Eva; as well as the members of Skylar’s former band-lead guitar Micah, drummer Brandon and bassist Austin. Autumn’s story line is next in HOLD ON.
AS DUST DANCES is an emotional story of betrayal and loss; heartbreak and pain; falling in love and letting go of the past. The premise is sensational and inspiring; the characters are colorful and creative; the romance is inspiring and captivating. AS DUST DANCES follows one woman’s fall into obscurity, and one man’s struggle to bring her back to life.
I think I say this after every book I read of Samantha’s but she amazes me everytime and I am always so blown away by how amazing they are. As Dust Dances is no different! A spectacularly beautiful story that I could not put down!!
I loved Skylar, she was such a strong person who knew exactly what she wanted and didn’t accept any rubbish from anyone, but she also had a vulnerable side too.
Killian…the knight in shining armour!! I loved him!! Gosh he was broody but that made him. He was such a romantic without even realising it. They were perfect together and I loved the banter between them. A fantastic slow-burn romance! I need to rate it more than 5 stars as it deserves so many more!
Would love a book on Autumn!!
ARC received for an honest review
I would pick up the phone book if Samantha Young wrote it, and even though I am not a big fan of YA (I am an old fart, they often feel wwaaaaaayy too young for me), I completely adored As Dust Dances.
I didn’t read the blurb of this story before I read it, because sometimes I just love diving in completely blind. And it was worth doing this here.
As Dust Dances did not feel YA or even NA to me. Our leading lady Skylar has been through so much in her life that she feels a lot older than her early 20’s. I can’t count how many times I sobbed, how many times I had to put the book aside because I needed a minute.
I adored Killian – even when I wanted to punch him! However, he is such a non-verbal kind of guy, that I found myself wanting to know more – more about him, more of his thoughts and feelings. Like Skylar, I was left wondering at times where his head was at. Yes, I could feel the connection between Killian and Skylar, but at times was unsure of what he really wanted.
Heartbreaking and hauntingly beautiful, Skylar Finch’s story is one that will have you crying, will have you hoping, it will have you thinking.
And now I am thinking “I Want More!”
I can’t wait to see what Ms Young brings us next
Oh, Samantha Young, you always capture my heart! What a breathtaking story filled with so many emotions. I was addicted from the start.
My heart went out to Skylar. She is written with so much love and heartache and hope. Her journey is raw and hits you with so many emotions. The intense connection between her and Killian will move you. Killian is so broody and complex, and he’s written in a way that makes you so intrigued by him. I loved their slow build of friendship and the way it blossomed. I just loved them! I love how they help and heal each other. It’s beautiful!
I love Samantha’s writing and the way she can reach deep within you and draw all the feelings out. There are so many amazing moments in this story; some heartbreaking and sad, some beautiful and lovely. You feel everything these characters are going through. It’s written with so much love and emotion. As Dust Dances is a beautiful journey of finding your way, healing, trust, and love. It will resonate deep within and stay with you long after you’ve finished.
This was another emotional and beautiful story in this series. The main character’s journey and inner struggle is an amazing one. It is another awe-inspiring story. This author continues to have the talent to tell stories in such a way that it sucks you in. I can’t recommend this book and this series enough. A wonderful author and a great read.
If I could rate this book with infinite stars I would. Samantha Young is definitely my favorite romance author. Her books capture you in a way that too many authors fail to do. As Dust Dances was simply breathtaking. The plot captured me from the moment I picked it up. I never wanted it to end.
Samantha Young captured the magic from her On Dublin Street books and made something so beautiful I’m going to experience a book hangover from. The characters were well written, and realistic. I loved the chemistry between each character & I loved them for their heartaches, imperfections, and their story.
The Plot, like the characters, was engaging. It has been way too long since I picked up a book that grabbed me so forcefully I couldn’t focus on anything else. The plot was a unique twist to a rockstar romance and I loved every second I spent reading it. Honestly, I’m so upset that this book is over. I’m actually tempted to reread it right now to experience it again.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. With that said, I bought this book because it is just so beautiful I knew I had to own it. It’s seriously one of my favorite books that I have read. It’s beautiful, heart wrenching, and touching. This has the magical feeling that Samantha Young has created with all of her books.
I was wanting a rock star romance, because I was several days into lounging on my sofa while sick. I stumbled upon this title and absolutely fell in love. The story is layered, and deep, and so unexpected from what I set out to read. There are some CWs. Violent death of a parent, emotional abusive from a previous partner, and attempted sexual assault on the page. Normally, I’d read that list and walk away, but I wandered in blind on this one.
Skylar is a rock princess who has left it all behind, and has a ton of baggage and pain to process. She’s literally run away from life, and is living on the streets of Glasgow.
Killian is a record label manager that is trying to sign Skylar for one last album.
What follows is emotional, mental, and physical healing through music, and frankly, it’s beautiful.
The presence of heroine’s ex was a bit annoying. Especially I couldn’t stand her pathetic excuses for his horrible behaviour.
Apart from that, I really liked this.
WOW! I loved this heartwarming love story that has everything that makes a Samantha Young novel epic – characters with vulnerabilities, an attraction that can’t be denied and a passion that burns hot. Plus, it had me at Scotland. Any novel that takes me there has me hooked from the start.
Before even reading this book, I was struck by the uniqueness of the story – an American pop princess, living homeless and busking in Glasgow, is discovered by a record executive looking to score another big talent. What follows is a story that makes you question what you’d give (or give up) for the sake of love.
Skyler Finch suffered great loss in her life but finds herself in Glasgow because she’s ultimately lost her way. Ironically, it’s Killian who both helps her find her way again and yet is the one who also threatens it. Her character exposes the cost of fame as well as the courage to follow your heart when it goes against what others may believe is best for you. Through Skyler, Young also gives us a glimpse into the real world problem of homelessness without it being overbearing or sanctimonious.
Killian O’Dea was such a hardass at first glimpse and yet he too was a product of his past losses. He was the star of this novel for me. He was patient, caring and protective and man was he really sexy!
As Dust Dances is a beautiful, original story that tugged at my heart strings in more ways than one. A must read!
Loved the characters and the story. We all struggle with things in our lives and how we work on these things within ourselves is an amazing journey – full of heartfelt feelings and real emotions. Loved it.
I was invited to read this book in the Romance Read-of-the-Month Club, an as soon as I started it I fell in love. Skylar is such a broken character, so deep in grief and guilt that she ran away from everything in her life looking for something, anything, that could make her feel a little better. Her only refuge while she was finding herself was music, so she grabbed onto it with everything she had, busking on the streets pretending being some anonymous woman.
Then we have Killian, who’s as broken as her, and works in a record label. He listened to this woman singing in the streets and returned to watch her play her music every week, until one day just watching wasn’t enough and he approach her. He offered a deal and she refused, but then life got in the way to teach Skylar an important lesson and put her in the way of healing, not only of her body but also of her soul.
This particular story didn’t start as a love story. It was more of a self-love story, and then the chemistry between the characters grew, opening the doors to one of the most intense and wonderful romances that I’ve read lately. I enjoyed the book a lot, I liked every chapter. The drama, the music, the intensity of the feelings exposed among the pages of the story… I felt everything, and I loved it. Can’t wait for my next read of the club, and I’m also looking forward for more books by Samantha Young.
Omg I think I actually love this one better than Play On! Killian sigh, what a great book boyfriend. I’m totally in love with Felicity Munroe’s narration performance! Her Scottish accents especially of Killian was so sultry. I look forward to listening to Hold On.
I adored this book, the characters the story was perfect. The start of the story was unique and its definitely a new take a music scene book. A well written well thought out book that was a delight to read.
I’m probably in the minority but this was my least favorite Samantha Young books. Skylar is an American pop princess on the run. She’s left everything behind and she’s hiding in Glasgow with no money and no resources. She is forced to sing on the corner for money and one day catches the attention of Killian O’Dea, a music producer.
Like most Samantha Young novels, this one is well written and well paced. It is probably just a personal opinion but the heroine bothered me a little. I just found her to have really unrealistic expectations around releasing a record but having no media/social media attention (and then getting mad when there is too much attention).