denisesta
Akari Marie Smith thought starting college in Seoul would be the adventure of a lifetime...
At eighteen, Akari is ready to dive into this new world-except she doesn't speak Korean, she has no friends, and her dorm roommate isn't who she expected. Christopher Bang, an easygoing Australian-Korean guy, becomes an unlikely ally, and slowly, an unexpected bond forms between them.
But life in Seoul is messy. Christopher's confident and intimidating girlfriend, Amelia Jones, makes it clear she doesn't want Akari anywhere near him. Akari struggles with loneliness, bullying, and the dark weight of her past, clinging to her faith, her love of Jesus, and the little comforts that keep her going.
As she and Christopher navigate dorm drama, college stress, and their own growing feelings, they find small pockets of joy: church visits, picnics, pottery classes, aquarium trips, and quiet moments of prayer together. With each step, Akari learns what it means to trust, to hope, and to let someone in.
But just when everything feels like it's falling into place, the past-and Amelia-come crashing back, testing their hearts and their faith. Can Akari and Christopher survive jealousy, drama, and their own fears? Or will the city that promised so much leave them broken?
A heart-wrenching, faith-filled teen romance, One Step at a Time / Steps of the Heart explores love, trust, and courage in the face of life's messiest moments.