As Dust Dances (Play On, #2)

by Samantha Young

The New York Times Bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series and Play On returns to the world of the arts in this intense 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 the map.

Eighteen months later she's sleeping in a tent in a cemetery in Glasgow, making just enough money to eat playing music 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 talented young homeless musician is going to help him do that. Skylar's 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 on the streets, 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...

• ISBN10: 1723128805
• ISBN13: 9781723128806
• Publish Date: 16 July 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 446
• Language: English

Reviews

[Romance Schmomance]

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Yep, I'm just going to start off with the fact that both of the books that I've read by Samantha Young has definitely topped as my top 2 favorites for the year. I keep wondering how I didn't discover her sooner because her writing is absolutely flawless and the stories are just EVERYTHING my heart loves and yearns.

Gosh, what a tough and emotional journey we went on with Skylar, absolutely bringing so many tears to my eyes. The book started off so well and it just pulls you in immediately. Of course, the romance lover in me couldn't wait for the love story, but I was definitely anticipating her personal journey towards healing and finding her happiness. I gathered that a lot of unhappiness also stemmed from having all that fame at such a young age. There's always that appeal, but constantly having your face plastered over social media, it eventually takes a toll on you. And essentially being a kid at the time, it's too much. I commended her for stepping away, even if it meant completely shutting her "family" out for nearly two years. And that was one reunion I was absolutely waiting for during the entire book.

With the opportunity to hopefully get back into the music scene and setting her own path her way, Killian enters her life. The very serious and professional man who knows and understands talent when he sees it. I wished it was a dual POV because I was dying to know what he was thinking when it came to Skylar. But my goodness, I'm sure my heart would have been beating out of chest if I had an overflow of his thoughts because the few moments where he's honest with her ... ahhhh, my heart! It would be nearly impossible to not love this man. So in a sense, we didn't have his POV and that added a little bit of guessing game to what he was thinking. But he was just as broken as Skylar was, but for totally different reasons. Losing parental figures at such a young age and quickly becoming a father to his sister. He missed out on a childhood and had to become an adult way too soon.

Skylar and Killian's story was EVERYTHING. It was painful, beautiful and just constantly left me in awe. I admired Skylar so much for working through her pain and regret. She needed to move on quickly and finally be free of that huge weight upon her shoulders. I love that she took a stand for herself and her happiness.

I am a bit disappointed that I jumped into this series without reading the first one, but I'll be reading that soon! Love this book and author so much, Samantha Young has definitely become one of my favorite authors of all time. Highly recommend this beautiful story!