As Dust Dances

Good Lord in the heaven. This book is EVERYTHING! I knew Samantha Young would bring another read into my life with this story, but I’ve never seen Killian and Skylar stealing my heart so easily.

As Dust Dances is THE read of my life. It’s the BOOK with capital letters. It’s a book that everyone has to read. It’s an experience you can’t leave without. This book changed my life. And I will never look at romance books like I’ve done before.

Without a doubt, Samantha Young is my hero of romance novels. She always creates unforgettable stories, her characters breathe and live, her words are magic. And As Dust Dances is her best work yet.

Skylar is the most powerful heroine I’ve ever met. She’s broken, yet fierce. She’s a girl who can be easily your idol.
And Killian... I’d never knew this possessive, larger-than-life man will be my top favorite hero ever. These two are so perfect together, it hurts my heart.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. You just won’t regret reading this mind-blowing story.

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.

Writing this review is going to be hard because there are no words that will explain how amazing As Dust Dances truly is.

Skylar Finch was once pop-rock princess royalty. She was the lead singer in a band that played in sold out arenas all over the U.S. On the outside Skylar was “living the dream” but on the inside Skylar was living a nightmare. When tragedy strikes, all Skylar can see is the darkness. So she runs away leaving Skylar Finch the pop-rock princess behind.

Now in Glasgow, Scotland Skylar thinks she is doing okay being alone. She busks on the streets during the day and lives in a tent at night. But then reality shows Skylar the dangers of being homeless and she suddenly realizes that being alone may not be what she wants after all.

This is by far the most intense Samantha Young novel yet! From the beginning, Samantha paints a detailed picture of the harsh reality that Skylar’s life has now become. Skylar’s story is so heart-breaking and I was on edge the whole time reading this novel because I was scared of what was going to happen next and all I wanted was for Skylar to be safe and happy.

Enter Killian O’Dea, his uncle owns Skyscraper Records. He hears Skylar busking and believes she is the artist that will bring in more success to the company. Of course it's not just the money that draws Killian to Skylar. It's her voice and her songs. They soon realize the deep connection that they have. Of course realizing the connection is the easy part. Trying to stop it is where things can get tricky. Oh man, if you want to know what Killian O’Dea is like all you have to do is think Braden Carmichael (yes, On Dublin Street’s Braden Carmichael!).

I don’t want to give too much away. Just know that Samantha has written a beautiful story in which we see how music can heal people and bring them together even in the darkest of times.

ARC provided for honest review

This was a beautiful story full of romance. Samantha Young takes you on an emotional rollercoaster full of emotion. I loved every minute of this story.

Skylar was in a band in America and always dreamed of making it big. She had everything she could ever want and was living her dream. Now she is living in a cemetery in a tent and busking on the streets. She is brave and on her on in Glasgow.

Killian knows talent when he hears it. Not long after hearing her voice on the street he knew he needed to meet with her. It takes a lot for him to convince Skylar to meet with him. After realizing how hard life on the streets can be for a female she decides she needs his help.

These two have such strong personalities and chemistry. This book broke my heart, put it back together, and pulled me in. Samantha Young has a way with words and can’t wait for more of her work.

First of all five star reviews are very rare from me. This book deserves a six. Here were two very flawed but very honest and real people who did not compromise what they knew they needed. This is not the typical romance where the H takes care of the h and his magic pe..s does the rest of the work. Sex is in the story but really only in the last 1/3 and the lovers don’t lose all rational thought even though they truly love each other. I love reading about people who communicate with love and honesty. There wasn’t a moment in this book when the writer made the characters do some stupid self sabotaging mess just for a plot twist. I read so many romance books that I’m usually about half way through and wondering when the story is going to go off on some random stupid misunderstanding oe one of the characters will do something stupid. Loved this book. Intelligent, poignant, and real.

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

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.

Passionate & intoxicating- 5 stars!

On Dublin Street may have just met it's match to the white hot heat of As Dust Dances!

Skylar Finch was living the limelight of an American popstar until unthinkable tragedy strikes. Months later Skylar finds herself busking the streets of Glasglow, Scotland. Among her lyrical soul searching and hopeful anonymity, Skylar is discovered.

In comes Killian O'Dea- broody, handsome, and record label exec extrordinaire. Driven by industry achievements and whispers of the heart, Killian finds his way into Skylar's life.

Together, an emotional roller coaster ensues. Readers will devour the raw emotion that Young delivers through character development.

This standalone sets the bar for contemporary romance novels, readers will not be able to put this one down!

My heart broke for Skylar, but goodness how I cheered her on as she strove to create a whole new life for herself, devoid of all the trappings her old one had--and trappings is a more than apt word since she felt shackled and miserable. When Killian came into her life, especially knowing that he was an A&R executive for the top record label in Scotland, I worried and wondered about the direction the story would take. Of course, I should have trusted that Young knew what she was doing. She didn't give what would have been expected; instead, she gave a story that highlighted the resilience that people have when they take necessary risks and the sacrifices one makes in the name of true love. As Dust Dances is the second in a series, but can be read as a standalone. Five-plus stars. ♥

I slowly savored As Dust Dances. It wasn’t necessarily voluntarily. Life has been extra busy and my relaxing, reading time has been limited. I’m kind of glad it worked out that way. Sneaking in a page or two here and an hour there made my giddiness and enjoyment last.

Killian gave me major Braden vibes. I freaking loved him. Skylar was an amazing, kicka$$ heroine. I think we all need a friend like Autumn in our lives. I was more than happy that it was hinted that we might get a story about her.

When I first heard the synopsis of this book, it sounded very strange to me. Samantha Young is one of my top favs so I was like sign me up. I’m glad I’ve read it. I loved it. It’s a unique story that was so refreshing to read.

I voluntarily read an early copy.

I enjoy reading Samanta Young and loved the first book Play On. But this story with Skylar mad me angry! She was selfish!!! I get that she had moments of being depressed, bit who CHOOSES to homeless! It was such a mockery! There are millions of homeless men and women who fall on hard times and they have no choice but to live on the street. But she willingly chose to be homeless, she was selfish and I hated her character!

The only saving grace in this book was Autumn and Killian. I do get that Kilian manipulated get, but he did it to help her. I literally wanted to punch Skylar for her actions and stupidity!

The only reason it's 3 stars is based on Autumn being a kind person she's the reason I finished this book. I hated Skylar!

Such a beautiful story, with a heavy romance!It was an emotional roller coaster, As Dust Dances brings all the feelings.For one more time Samantha Young hooked me from the first pages with her amazing story.She doesn't stop surprise me every time I start a new book from her.

Skylar is a fantastic and complex heroine.My heart was aching for her and her journey is intense.The romance between Skylar and Killian kept me on the edge all the time.These two with their slow burn,intensity and their love hate relationship make me swoon and melt for them and also being frustrated in a good way!

As Dust Dances is one of my favorite books from Samantha Young!I love her writing so much and she always manages to touch me with her words!

Broken heroine. Broken and brooding hero. Looks like something you have read? I’m glad to say you’ll be wrong if you said yes. As Dust Dances is so much more than what its protagonists are made of. It’s a tale of love, yes, but it’s also a tale of choices, family, friendship, selfishness and broken people. It’s the kind of book that you be with you for a long long time. Where you think about it, about the consequences of your choices and what could have been different.
It’s my first book by Samantha, but will not be the last. She has a gift with words and emotions. I cried more than one time while reading this book and think you should read it without any kind of spoiler or profound information about this story, so my review is really vague on purpose. Read it, you won’t regret.

I absolutely adored this book! As Dust Dances was a beautiful, emotional love story that I straight up devoured. Samantha Young is such a talented author. Her writing is beautiful and she will no doubt make you feel all the feels.

Killian and Skylar *sigh*... I could never get enough of these two. I loved their slow burn relationship. The push/pull aspect and the way they tried to fight their attraction made me want to keep reading. Killian may have started off kinda cold, but that man had me swooning by the end. I LOVED him.

As Dust Dances is now one of my favorite Samantha Young books. I feel like I say this every time I read one of her books but it's true. This book is EVERYTHING.

Samantha Young's books are among my favorites. Ever since I reached for "Into the deep", I am in love with the author's pen and reach for her every novel. In Poland, "Play on" premiered last year, and abroad we celebrate the premiere of "As dust dances", the second volume of the series Play On. If you are interested in how Young managed this time, I invite you to read!

Skylar Finch is a famous vocalist of the American pop-rock band, by the time. Currently, the girl lives on the street, sleeps in a tent on the cemetery, takes a shower at the pool, and earns food by playing and singing on the streets of Glasgow. One day her performance is listened to by a mysterious man who turns to her with an offer he can not refuse.

Killian O'Dea works at Skyscraper Records, a record company headed by his uncle. Ambitious, devoted to his work, the man recognizes the well-known vocalist in the girl playing on the street. He does not hesitate a moment and makes her an offer that benefits both of them. However, Skylar does not see the return to the stage in bright colors.

Another work by Samantha Young, another beautiful story. The storyline between the first volume of the series and the second is really surprising. We were just dealing with "ordinary" heroes to jump to the world-famous stars. Personally, the idea for the story "As dust dances" appealed to me, and pairing the former star with the label's employee turned out to be a hit!

The chemistry between Skylar and Killian can not be denied, and their relationship is built up gradually. However, this steady pace does not capture this relationship, but adds gentleness and sensitivity. Samantha Young adds more problems to their fate, which they will have to face. When Skylar is a step away from returning to the stage, Killian faces a choice - will his career be more important to him than his beloved one?

I must admit that I have not read books at a dizzying pace. Similarly to the first volume, a large number of descriptions that are worth adding are colorful, slowing my pace. In no way did it affect my evaluation of the book, because despite the slow pace, book was great! The English language with which we are dealing here is very accessible, though at times colorful. The story told by the author is an emotional rollercoaster, a story that captures the heart and is full of feelings.

"I know I do not yet, but I'll do everything in my power to deserve you."

"As dust dances" is another work of Samantha Young, which fascinated me and proved that the author can create amazing stories. I can not wait for the Polish edition of this book to be able to meet the heroes again. And I think I'm just looking forward to the next Young's piece from this series. "As dust dances" I can recommend you as an ideal reading for the beach or an evening spent with tea while outside of the window is raining. In fact, each scenery will be perfect for this moving story.

I loved this book

Loved the setting, loved the story and mainly the characters -- skye and killian.

They were perfect for each other in that it was more than love. it was about needing each other, saving each other, fixing their broken pieces and then just meshing together. they found themselves together and grew.

music helped saved both of them

The premise of the story started off different, in a way that quickly enraptured me. then the emphasis on family and the relationships they each had also pulled me in. i like family and familial relationships that characters share and it was such a joy to delve into their lives.

Pick up this book. its a must read. easily one of my top reads of 2018.

Killian O'Dea and Skylar Finch are two broken individuals who find each other. From the beginning, they have a connection. Skylar Finch is a musician who has trouble dealing with the deadly consequences of fame while Killian is in the music industry who has personal family issues. They find each other and have to work through issues that affect their lives and the music they create together. They each must figure out what is worth fighting for and what decisions can they live with during their journey.

Killian and Skylar reminds me of the men and women of The Dublin Street series so you cannot go wrong keeping them in mind as you read this. They are both stubborn, strong-willed people. Yet, they are also vulnerable to each other and they try to protect each other from the world.

I always have high expectations for a Samantha Young novel ever since the first time I picked up one of her books, and this one does not disappoint. I look forward to reading more from this wonderful author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank Samantha Young and InkSlinger PR for this opportunity.

I received an ARC of this book.

Samantha Young takes us back to Scotland for Killian & Skylar's story.
Skylar is on a self imposed break form the world when she meets Killian. They have instant chemistry but both have guards up. They peal the layers of each other back and look for healing. It's an engaging journey for us readers!

I love this book! A beautifully written, heartwrenching read that is dramatic yet hopeful, with a fantastically slow-burning, chemistry-filled love story. A rockstar romance with a difference, this is the story of a broken girl fighting to overcome her demons, and I was captivated from start to finish.

This is technically book #2 of the Play On series, but it’s a complete standalone, so feel free to dive on in!

Skylar Finch used to have it all. As the lead singer in an American pop-rock band she was beautiful, successful and wealthy, with the world at her feet. But despite having worked hard to achieve her dream, she was also miserable. A series of heartbreaking events saw her walk away from it all, completely disappearing from the life she had, and the lives of those who cared about her. It’s now 18 months later and she is living on the streets of Glasgow, busking to make enough money to eat and spending her nights sleeping rough, hidden away in a cemetery. But despite the hardships, she is happy to no longer be in the spotlight, and she exists with her guitar and her music and her quiet anonymity.

And then Killian O’Dea walks into her life. A broody, ambitious record executive, it’s his job to find new talent, and Skylar is his latest target. He approaches her with an offer, but Skylar wants nothing to do with what he is offering. She has already lived part of her life in the spotlight and hated being so exposed – a target of the paparazzi, with the whole world privy to her private life. But when the violently brutal danger of her lifestyle becomes all too real, Killian is her only option and she reaches out to him for help. But with his help comes a price, she needs to record an album for him.

It seems harsh, but with little other option, Skylar is hurled back into the world that she has tried so hard to avoid. After almost two years of hiding from everything, she is suddenly forced back into reality, finally facing her grief and her demons, and dealing with the prospect of the celebrity life that she has tried so hard to move away from. It’s terrifying, but by her side is the broody-but-gorgeous Scot with the hot accent, and his adorably perky sister, both of who seem willing to do anything to support Skylar and keep pushing her forward. And as Killian works with her to help her draw out her emotions and write the music that slowly begins to heal her, everything begins to change.

OMG, this book! I was sucked into Skylar’s story from the very beginning and I struggled to put it down. The full extent of all that she’s been through isn’t immediately revealed, but I could still feel her pain as the small pieces are unveiled and we are faced with the heartbreaking reality of her life on the streets and what drove her to it. And then the journey that she goes on once Killian comes into her life and turns it upside down once again is beautifully written.

Killian is such an intriguing character, and I love that the book is written entirely from Skylar’s POV because it gives him this air of mystery that I thought was fantastic! With his broody stand-offishness and cold looks, we never really know what he is thinking, and it makes the little glimpses we get of his softness something truly special.

Killian and Skylar together are a beautiful thing to watch as they work together to create her album, slowly and reluctantly, yet surprisingly easily, opening up to each other. Killian has his own demons that he is trying to deal with, and just as he is there for Skylar when she needs him, she, too, helps him to face up to his past and the realities of his life, and the partnership that they develop is really sweet – though it’s fraught with tension as the two of them battle the sizzling chemistry between them, and I felt every single spine-tingling moment of it!

The romance is a slow burn, and the build-up is delicious! The sexual tension simmers perfectly with hints of the intensity to come, and when it happens it’s all kinds of hot and beautifully emotional.

But the reality of their situation comes crashing down around them all-too-soon. And when put to the test, both Killian and Skylar will need to figure out what they want and where their loyalties lie, and they’ll need to fight hard to get it.

This is such a great read. Samantha Young sucked me right in, and didn’t let go of my heart until the final page. I felt everything that Skylar went through and I thought that her journey back to herself was beautifully written. The love story is a big part of that, and I fell madly in love with the surprisingly swoony Killian who (eventually) opened his heart so beautifully to Skylar, and the two aspects of the story blended together perfectly to create something really special.

I loved the inclusion of the side characters. From the sweet to the fun to the evil and the heartbreaking, each of them have their part to play and each of them bring something meaningful to the story. I’m hoping that Killian’s sister, Autumn gets her own book. She’s such a fun character, and with hints dropped for her, I’m hoping that we get to see more of her soon!

I loved this book. It broke my heart, healed it, and made me fall in love, leaving me with a big goofy grin at the end.

Just beautiful! Samantha Young has given us a brilliantly emotional story of love, romance, and survival. This story immersed me into the tale from beginning to end. From the very first page I was swept away by Skylar's journey on the streets of Glasgow.

Skylar is an American who used to in a very successful band. After being in the limelight for so long, and personal struggles, she went backpacking then found herself off-grid, having run away from her previous life and all of those in it.

She ran away from her fans, the press and her musical family, ending up homeless, living in a tent in a Glasgow cemetery by night, whilst spending her days busking to earn enough for a meal and a shower.

When Killian O'Dea discovers her he offers her something she's not sure she wants, but soon maybe she will be left with no choice but to take him up...?

The story is told from Skylar's POV, so to start with I found Killian to be a very secretive and mysterious character. I wasn't even sure I liked him when we first met him... As a reader I couldn't quite work out what his deal was? But as we got to know him as a character through Skylar herself, I soon fell in love with him entirely!!

He really is perfect and the two of them couldn't have been more suited. The chemistry between the two of them was fantastic, and although a slow-burn, everything works out perfectly. There was a huge amount of connection and understanding from the characters for each other situations, it added a fantastic level of emotion and sensitivity to the story.

The secondary characters were great, specially Autumn, who because such a huge part of Skylar's life and an amazing friend and confidant. I understand that Autumn's story will be coming so I cannot wait for her to get her happy ending (I hope).

An absolutely brilliant read that I would recommend to anyone who loves an emotional, moving and poignant contemporary romance!!

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!

And As DUST DANCES Samantha comes back.... For me, oridinary reader and big Samantha's fan THIS book is the best I'VE ever read from this author.

I loved Samantha since I read On the Dublin Street a while ago till todat ! After As DUST DANCES my head is empty or maybe overwhelmed with too much feelings inside ???? I feel... USED because this story wasn't easy for me to read.

Sam always try to write something more than love, and even I knew about that... OMG !!!! As DUST DANCES is a really big, BIG rollercoster to survive, and can made cry.

Skylar, Dear Skylar I loved You from the very first sight...

But that's why I saw very clearly how much You suffering, because You are young woman, who's lost sense of her life. That’s what makes me really sad... Skylar... You're one of these people who have only emptiness to hugging You by night.

Dear Skylar You are who You are because life can be full of cruel suprises. When You lost everyone who should loved You no matter what, it can’t be nothing good.

I tottaly understand why are You so... lost. It's imposible to love someone else when You don’t love and respect Yourself.

Forgive that write like that about her, I was just soo deep in this story that I can't do this another way.

Killian sees in Skylar everything what she doesn’t see for a long time. And even if he is very cocky and not nice to much, from the begining I knew that his story also has other side.

Skylar and Killian are broken souls, with 2 different stories.
Thanks to Sam's book You can find out that loneliness isn't good for any of us but LOVE can heal everything when it's good time for that.

I'm oridinary woman who loved to read. so in my review You won't find literary language. BUT for sure As the DUST DANCES is very, very good book to read.

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.

Good Lord in the heaven. This book is EVERYTHING! I knew Samantha Young would bring another read into my life with this story, but I’ve never seen Killian and Skylar stealing my heart so easily.

As Dust Dances is THE read of my life. It’s the BOOK with capital letters. It’s a book that everyone has to read. It’s an experience you can’t leave without. This book changed my life. And I will never look at romance books like I’ve done before.

Without a doubt, Samantha Young is my hero of romance novels. She always creates unforgettable stories, her characters breathe and live, her words are magic. And As Dust Dances is her best work yet.

Skylar is the most powerful heroine I’ve ever met. She’s broken, yet fierce. She’s a girl who can be easily your idol.
And Killian... I’d never knew this possessive, larger-than-life man will be my top favorite hero ever. These two are so perfect together, it hurts my heart.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. You just won’t regret reading this mind-blowing story.

Killian O'Dea and Skylar Finch are two broken individuals who find each other. From the beginning, they have a connection. Skylar Finch is a musician who has trouble dealing with the deadly consequences of fame while Killian is in the music industry who has personal family issues. They find each other and have to work through issues that affect their lives and the music they create together. They each must figure out what is worth fighting for and what decisions can they live with during their journey.

Killian and Skylar reminds me of the men and women of The Dublin Street series so you cannot go wrong keeping them in mind as you read this. They are both stubborn, strong-willed people. Yet, they are also vulnerable to each other and they try to protect each other from the world.

I always have high expectations for a Samantha Young novel ever since the first time I picked up one of her books, and this one does not disappoint. I look forward to reading more from this wonderful author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank Samantha Young and InkSlinger PR for this opportunity.

I received an ARC of this book.

Samantha Young takes us back to Scotland for Killian & Skylar's story.
Skylar is on a self imposed break form the world when she meets Killian. They have instant chemistry but both have guards up. They peal the layers of each other back and look for healing. It's an engaging journey for us readers!