It’s an emotionally intense journey back for a former rock star regaining her place in the world and a man trying to fulfill his own dreams while fulfilling his family obligations when past pain and hard truths come to the forefront. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of As Dust Dances by Samantha Young, along with my impressions of it, then add this angsty romance to your bookshelf. In honor of this second installment in the Play On series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win 1 of 3 signed copies of this book too!
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 the map.
Eighteen months later she’s sleeping in a tent in a cemetery in Glasgow, making just enough money to eat by busking on the streets. She manages to avoid recognition, but not the attention of one of Glasgow’s ambitious A&R executives.
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…
EXCERPT:
“I’m going to get a drink.” I grabbed my purse and was moving to slide out of the booth when Killian got up first.
“I’ll get it. What would you like?”
“Uh …” I looked past him to the bar, hoping to see a list of beers. “What do they have? What are you drinking?”
“King Tut’s Lager. It’s brewed in Glasgow.”
Ooh. “Well, I have to have that, then. Half a pint though.” I made a gesture with my finger and thumb. “I’m only little.”
Killian’s eyes flickered down what he could see of my body and I thought I saw a flush high on his cheeks. But the lighting was low so I couldn’t be certain. He cleared his throat and turned away with a muttered, “Right.”
My cheeks felt hot and I put a hand to one as I watched him walk over to the bar. The place wasn’t too packed, but it was possible everyone was already in the venue waiting for the band. I could hear the soft thrum of music and guessed it must’ve been the opening act. Although eager to get up there, I really needed a drink before I had to stand next to Killian in a darkened room.
God, he had an ass on him.
He wasn’t wearing his usual uniform of black suit trousers and shirt that fit him like a glove and showcased his lean, strong physique. He was wearing dark jeans that cupped his muscular ass and a red plaid shirt over a Kaleo T-shirt. He looked good in red. He usually wore darker colors but the red made his hair look blacker, his skin more golden. Dressed like that—indie, relaxed—he looked younger.
I felt more than a tingle of heat between my legs as I studied him standing at the bar. His rugged, sharp profile was somehow more familiar to me than any other person’s profile on the planet. I imagined walking up beside him, sliding my hands down his fine ass and reaching up on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his neck. Breathe in the scent of soap, spicy aftershave, and Killian. Run my tongue along the rim of his ear. Feel his heavy, warm heat lean back into me, the rumble of his groan vibrating through me....
Oh, fuck.
I shook off the thought, knowing my cheeks were probably rosy red. My whole body was left needy and wanting. I crossed my legs under the table and looked anywhere but at Killian, hoping my peaked nipples weren’t visible through my bra and way-too clingy dress.
My gaze landed on a booth a few down from ours because there was a group of young women laughing and shooting hungry looks at the bar.
At Killian.
A roar of possessiveness I didn’t know I was capable of shot through me as I watched them. In fact, I think they were eyeing him and the bartender.
To be fair, they were both very juicy eye candy.
But Killian was my eye candy!
Shit.
I slumped back in my seat.
No, he wasn’t.
And I shouldn’t want him to be.
What a clusterfuck.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Fans of romances set in the world of music will find themselves captivated by this angsty tale of tarnished dreams and disillusionment that pulled at my heartstrings from the first page to the last. With an engaging main couple, one who’s far from perfect because of their anger over the past and tendency to closely guard their hearts, I found myself consumed by each word on the page and drawn to this couple because of their imperfections. Add in the vivid imagery of the Scottish landscape and readers will be completely immersed in this emotionally intense tale that ultimately had me cheering.
Skylar Finch always dreamed of becoming a music star, and with her talent and her mother’s determined support, she finally made it big with her band Tellurian. Fame wasn’t all she thought it would be though as the fan’s judgments took a toll on her self-esteem while her bandmate Micah’s feelings for her (his overly possessive behavior) crushed her spirits even more. The final act that broke her completely was the murder of her mother and the unresolved issues between them that she’ll never be able to heal. Time away from being a rock star seemed like the perfect healing balm, but a short leave soon became months of running away in an attempt to become someone else. Her voice soon gave her away though, introducing her to a music producer who frustrates her at times but who irrevocably changes her life. The chance he offers her this time around promises to give her more control, the chance to fix past wrongs, while opening her heart to new possibilities in a tale that put me through the wringer. Skylar’s a tough cookie, talented and strong-willed. She loves music, but isn’t enamored of touring or having her life viewed under a microscope. Her and her mother were a solid support to each other, unconditionally, and the fracture in their relationship was heartbreaking to see because of this. When readers first see Skylar she’s literally wasting away but is too sad and angry to go back. She’s determined but it’s palpably clear that she’s putting herself in danger living on the streets. Even when she went back to living comfortably she never forgot the eclectic people she left behind as seen through the author’s discussions related to homelessness. Readers saw Skylar at her high points and low points and through it all she remained snarky, with a tell it like it is attitude. She was drawn to Killian, though frustrated by him as well, in a relationship full of push and pull. Her feelings for him snuck up on her and I thoroughly enjoyed the combustible and conflicted connection that followed.
Killian O’Dea loves music too and has had great success as a producer before rising through the ranks of his uncle’s record company. He’s a very hard worker, very exacting, which makes him seem standoffish at times. He’s determined to succeed though, courtesy of his uncle’s constant criticism, which made me sympathetic towards him. After losing his parents, all he had left was his uncle and sister and would do anything to earn their love and respect. When it came to his sister Autumn, that love was unconditional, but with his uncle it was something that he was never going to attain no matter how hard he worked. He was drawn to Skylar the moment he heard her voice, knew her true identity, but wanted to bring her talent back to the masses as it’s talent that’s matured. Though he tries to keep things strictly professional between them, their mutually painful pasts bind them together and have them helping each other heal. Killian’s a likable hero once you get past his harsh and demanding facade. Underneath the anger is a caring and kind hearted man who’s immediately protective of Skylar. The more time spent with him the more clear it is that he wears his heart on his sleeve through subtle words and deeds. These romantic moments were nicely balanced with combustible banter and scorching sexual tension between him and Skylar. Though he could be a jerk at times, at his core Killian’s a loving hero whose POV I wish we’d gotten to see as his character called to me wholeheartedly.
This was a tale full of unrelenting angst that pulled at my heartstrings from the very first page to the last. There was a sense of loss and sadness early on, visually enhanced by the dreary weather of Scotland, before reaching a crescendo where the heroine finally chose to accept her second chance. Killian and Skylar are a combustible pairing, never letting the other get the upper hand at the start. The more time they spent together though the more they found to bond over which helped both of them to heal. Theirs was a hard-fought romance, one that traveled at a leisurely pace that allowed them to get to know each other fully. Time allowed them to form a solid foundation, one they’d need when her past comes calling. Surrounding this likable and complex main couple is a small cast of secondary characters who all had a hand in returning Skylar to the world of music. The most notable of the bunch being Autumn who’s dealing with her own lost dreams after her dance career came to an end. She’s sweet, kind, and is good at seeing past a person’s facade to who they really are underneath. She’s a supportive and accepting character that I look forward to seeing more of in the next installment. The glimpses we got of Skylar’s previous bandmates gave intriguing insight into her and have me longing to know more about them...particularly good guy, Brandon. He seemed like the big brother type who had her back when things got rough. Micah though was horrible. His tough childhood didn’t lessen the fact that he was hurtful and manipulative, but despite that I still long to know more. On a whole this is a captivating romance that takes readers on an emotional roller coaster ride that I look forward to experiencing again soon.
Skylar Finch always dreamed of becoming a music star, and with her talent and her mother’s determined support, she finally made it big with her band Tellurian. Fame wasn’t all she thought it would be though as the fan’s judgments took a toll on her self-esteem while her bandmate Micah’s feelings for her (his overly possessive behavior) crushed her spirits even more. The final act that broke her completely was the murder of her mother and the unresolved issues between them that she’ll never be able to heal. Time away from being a rock star seemed like the perfect healing balm, but a short leave soon became months of running away in an attempt to become someone else. Her voice soon gave her away though, introducing her to a music producer who frustrates her at times but who irrevocably changes her life. The chance he offers her this time around promises to give her more control, the chance to fix past wrongs, while opening her heart to new possibilities in a tale that put me through the wringer. Skylar’s a tough cookie, talented and strong-willed. She loves music, but isn’t enamored of touring or having her life viewed under a microscope. Her and her mother were a solid support to each other, unconditionally, and the fracture in their relationship was heartbreaking to see because of this. When readers first see Skylar she’s literally wasting away but is too sad and angry to go back. She’s determined but it’s palpably clear that she’s putting herself in danger living on the streets. Even when she went back to living comfortably she never forgot the eclectic people she left behind as seen through the author’s discussions related to homelessness. Readers saw Skylar at her high points and low points and through it all she remained snarky, with a tell it like it is attitude. She was drawn to Killian, though frustrated by him as well, in a relationship full of push and pull. Her feelings for him snuck up on her and I thoroughly enjoyed the combustible and conflicted connection that followed.
Killian O’Dea loves music too and has had great success as a producer before rising through the ranks of his uncle’s record company. He’s a very hard worker, very exacting, which makes him seem standoffish at times. He’s determined to succeed though, courtesy of his uncle’s constant criticism, which made me sympathetic towards him. After losing his parents, all he had left was his uncle and sister and would do anything to earn their love and respect. When it came to his sister Autumn, that love was unconditional, but with his uncle it was something that he was never going to attain no matter how hard he worked. He was drawn to Skylar the moment he heard her voice, knew her true identity, but wanted to bring her talent back to the masses as it’s talent that’s matured. Though he tries to keep things strictly professional between them, their mutually painful pasts bind them together and have them helping each other heal. Killian’s a likable hero once you get past his harsh and demanding facade. Underneath the anger is a caring and kind hearted man who’s immediately protective of Skylar. The more time spent with him the more clear it is that he wears his heart on his sleeve through subtle words and deeds. These romantic moments were nicely balanced with combustible banter and scorching sexual tension between him and Skylar. Though he could be a jerk at times, at his core Killian’s a loving hero whose POV I wish we’d gotten to see as his character called to me wholeheartedly.
This was a tale full of unrelenting angst that pulled at my heartstrings from the very first page to the last. There was a sense of loss and sadness early on, visually enhanced by the dreary weather of Scotland, before reaching a crescendo where the heroine finally chose to accept her second chance. Killian and Skylar are a combustible pairing, never letting the other get the upper hand at the start. The more time they spent together though the more they found to bond over which helped both of them to heal. Theirs was a hard-fought romance, one that traveled at a leisurely pace that allowed them to get to know each other fully. Time allowed them to form a solid foundation, one they’d need when her past comes calling. Surrounding this likable and complex main couple is a small cast of secondary characters who all had a hand in returning Skylar to the world of music. The most notable of the bunch being Autumn who’s dealing with her own lost dreams after her dance career came to an end. She’s sweet, kind, and is good at seeing past a person’s facade to who they really are underneath. She’s a supportive and accepting character that I look forward to seeing more of in the next installment. The glimpses we got of Skylar’s previous bandmates gave intriguing insight into her and have me longing to know more about them...particularly good guy, Brandon. He seemed like the big brother type who had her back when things got rough. Micah though was horrible. His tough childhood didn’t lessen the fact that he was hurtful and manipulative, but despite that I still long to know more. On a whole this is a captivating romance that takes readers on an emotional roller coaster ride that I look forward to experiencing again soon.
My rating for this is an A-
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Samantha Young is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows. Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us will be published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017.
Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the Leser Preis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.
Samantha Young is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows. Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us will be published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017.
Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the Leser Preis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.
Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.
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