When Sparks Fly is an impossibly beautiful read that had me on the verge of tears more than once. Britton, Avery, and Spence are such wonderful characters, immediately endearing and engaging, with an overlapping triangle of love and friendship that, for much of the book, could have gone either way. Kristen Zimmer doesn't just make us care about these girls, she makes us want to care for them - which brings me to the most surprising element of the story.

Tom and Cate's fostering of Britton is one of those things where convention and cliché make it hard for us to expect a happy ending. They seem too good, too perfect, to loving, and the ways in which Britton tries to maintain her distance breaks our hearts as much as it does hers. When you add in the romantic complications of Avery, their closeted daughter, and you can't help but expect disaster with every twist. I won't spoil anything, but I think this may be the most realistic and loving adopted family I've ever had the pleasure of encountering on the page.

There's a secret behind their love and acceptance, just as there's a secret behind the animosity between Avery and Spence, and that secret is what challenges the romance even as it propels it forward. Strong storytelling, near-perfect pacing, and a sweet romance populated by fabulous characters make uncovering that secret a delight. Everything about this feels age-appropriate, with high school seniors who look and sound like you'd expect. It's a refreshingly relaxed environment, free of any overt bullying or tension, allowing Zimmer to focus on the beauty of photography, the joys of stolen lunchtime moments, and the emotional turmoil of the big dance.

The slow-burn romance is the highlight here, of course, and I loved how (and why) that developed. There are so many ways it could have gone wrong, so many ways what's sweet and beautiful could have come across as trashy or taboo, that I felt almost as much relief as I did happiness. I enjoyed When Sparks Fly immensely and am eager to read more of Zimmer's work.

let me start by saying: my rating isn't low because this book was problematic, or horrible.

firstly, I've seen multiple people praise it for how "relatable" and "well-written" the main character, Britton, was, but I thought it was the opposite.

everyone's tastes and likings vary, but I really, really found Brit to be shallow and hearing her thoughts; hearing her speak, made me think she wasn't very... bright? I'm not meaning to overcriticize the author of this book, nor am I saying Britton was flat-out stupid, but I feel like there weren't many layers to her character. as someone who's a completely character-driven reader, I couldn't get over how much she bored me, as she was the main character.

surprisingly, I did love Avery. I thought she was relatable, and had depth, and was a great love interest overall.

I think I genuinely could have loved this if I found the main character at least slightly relatable, since- this story was not even slightly bad. it had a lot of great aspects, like how perfectly paced the romance was, how the conflicts were explained from both sides, or how we got to see Britton and Avery's relationship evolve. it was also really really important to see how well the novel itself dealt with anxiety and panic attacks or overcoming trauma, as those are very important subjects that I'm very invested in.

the second and last problem I had was the writing.

this is a new adult novel that is clearly written by someone who's older. I can assure you, as a new adult, no one actually says or thinks: "omg", "lol", "tf", "girlie", "sis", etc. yes, sometimes maybe they do but the use of all of the slang and gen-Z shortcuts in this book seemed really odd and cringy. it felt really forced and staged. I don't think it was necessary and should have just been replaced with how teenagers... normally talk?

maybe I'm overly critical, but those two things really hindered my enjoyment of this novel.

in this case, I'd suggest giving it a chance and seeing if you feel the same way. who knows? maybe we disagree.

Contemporary romance is not typically my go-to genre, but when When Sparks Fly by Kristen Zimmer was available to review, I jumped on it. The blurb sounded intriguing, and I was already hooked.

Kristen Zimmer‘s writing is excellent. I found myself drawn in to this plot and these characters, and I couldn’t put it down. I ended up reading this in one sitting, because, every time I thought about taking a break, I wanted more.

The plot is intriguing, but what makes it better is how realistic these characters feel. Britton and Avery feel like real people, and their connection is felt through the pages.

When Sparks Fly is a beautifully written, lesbian romance, that had me hooked from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more by Kristen Zimmer.

*I received a free copy of this book from Bookouture, BOTBS Publicity, & Netgalley to review honestly on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*

This book was so good I had to stay up late to finish it! I loved Britton's character, she has had a hard start in life but didn't let it stop her from going for what she wanted or being herself. Avery was very unexpected, she was a cheerleader, pretty but was definitely not the stereotypical popular mean girl which was refreshing. I loved how their friendship developed at first, after Britton had just moved in to be fostered by Avery's parents, and then their relationship was so cute and it had me all in the feels. There was no over the top drama that you would expect from a group of girl friends which was also nice and I loved the friendship with Spence too and the backstory between her and Avery.
Overall this is a fantastic book about young love and is definitely quick and easy to read! I just wish the epilogue was slightly longer so we could see a bit more of them!

First, I want to thank Kristen Zimmer, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

Kristen Zimmer’s When Sparks Fly is an incredibly sweet LBGTQ Romance novel that will pull on your heartstrings and put a smile on your face. On the flip side she writes some really powerful storylines that addresses some important issues.

When Sparks Fly is for Elizabeth, Kristen’s home. And for my sister Breanna, who makes every day an adventure.

I loved how Kristen thanked Bookouture and praised them on their dedication to bringing beautiful literature into the world inspiring.

The cover design was very tastefully done and very beautiful. Kudos to the graphic designers for this cover it really showed When Sparks Fly!

I loved that the book was set in Boston as I am a huge fan of that area for many reasons! One of the scenes that took place was at the Salem Witch Museum. I smiled because it brought back memories of a time I visited there.

My heart ached for Britton who was born with a congenital heart defect and was such a sickly child. However, what killed me more is nobody wanted to adopt her! How crushing is that for a little girl growing up having been bumped around to different foster families?!

The way Avery described what being in love meant to her was very beautiful. It made me smile in hopes I could find what she described one day with the right person.

Oh how I got a kick on Spense naming her car Sweet Caroline after the Neil Diamond Song!

WOW!! Out of the blue comes one shocker after another that totally blew my mind and left speechless. So many things came full circle at this one moment. So many rollercoaster mixes of emotions in this scene.

Kristen threw some comedy into the mix that had me laughing hysterically at!!

Oh this story takes a very unique twist that I didn’t see coming at all-however I loved where Kristen’s mind went!!

Kristen needs to be commended on her beautifully written erotic scenes that were in my eyes arousing.

I have read my fair share of LBGTQ books. One thing I loved about Kristen’s writing is she focused on the relationships and the storylines of the characters. Those aspects were the main focus than the intimate parts. It just heightened that part of the book even more.

It was a pleasure to read and review for Kristen as she just gained a new fan.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC!

I wanted to like this book so much, but all the red flags I missed when I requested the copy made themselves apparently in the first five pages in the book. I made the choice to DNF before I even finished the first chapter.

When Sparks Fly by Kristen Zimmer is about Britton Walsh, who has been in the foster system most of her life, and in danger of falling in love with her new foster sister Avery. Immediately, I was reminded of the TV show The Fosters - so if you did as well, you're not alone.

The first red flag is that the book is labeled as New Adult, but the main character is a high school student. She's explicitly eighteen, but only barely. That paired with the disclaimer of "mature themes and sexual content" leaves little doubt that a sex scene between the love interests was going to happen. While I didn't make it nearly far enough to see, the implication alone doesn't sit great with me.

The second is that Britton, our protagonist, is immediately set up as being "not like other girls" in her new school she's transferred into as a senior. All of her classmates are beautiful and fashionable and so cool, while Britton shows up for her first day rocking a messy bun and an old band t-shirt.

The final red flag, the one that made me put the book down and walk away completely, was when said popular girls that Britton's foster sister hangs out with are homophobic on top of being too cool for Britton. When Britton voices an interest in trying out for the soccer team, she's warned that all the girls on the team are lesbians, in a tone that sounds like it's "the most disgusting word in the English language - worse than 'sewage,' or 'maggot,' or 'pus.'"

That is a direct quote.

I don't know what happens next. Maybe it all turns around and gets better and is never weird or inappropriate, but I had no desire to stick around and find out. There will be one star on Goodreads because they don't let you do zero, but oof. This was not for me.

Britton is starting at a new school for her senior year. She hates it but she's been in the foster system since forever so she's used to moving around, but she's eighteen now and close to being able to go out on her own. She just wants to get through this year, what she doesn't expect is to find a home, friends and to crush on the wrong girl, her foster sister, Avery.

Not gonna lie, I hadn't read the synopsis when I requested this. I just saw the cover and went "SAPPHICS. NEED." I'm easy like that. So I didn't know that this was between foster sisters… It's not my favorite trope, to say the least.
To be perfectly honest, this was pretty well handled here, she had the required doubts and said it didn't feel great towards the parents and such. But there were also times that disturbed me, like her saying they feel like the only parents she'll ever need, while also dating their daughter? It's really not a trope I like, it plays way too close to the incest line, and that's not something I'm comfortable with in any way.
Also, I wasn't in love with the writing… While it's pretty easy to read, it felt like it was trying too hard, especially with the slang, like the author was trying to talk like a teenager? It just really didn't work.
Other than that, the plot was well constructed and the pacing was pretty good and I still shed a tear so, you know, it worked. And it was a very fast read, so that's a bonus.

WHEN SPARKS FLY was a pleasantly surprising read. I was not a fan of the author's debut, but I was completely invested in Britton and Avery's story this time around. The characters were all relatable and realistic, while the plot was totally compelling. It was funny, heartwarming, and heartbreaking at times, but altogether a perfect balance of emotions. I'm excited for Zimmer's next release!

My thoughts…

Zimmer fans will be very excited to learn she has released a new book this spring. Her first book The Gravity Between Us was an overwhelming success. Since its release nearly 8 years ago, it has become one of the most loved lesfic books around. It has amassed over 1,200 global ratings and earned an average of 4.5 stars on Amazon alone. To say I was happy to get my hands on an ARC of her new YA book When Sparks Fly would be a gross understatement; I was flipping thrilled!!

I was captivated by the main character Britton immediately. She is an old and gentle soul. Her past is heartbreaking, but yet she makes one feel optimistic. She is a survivor, and it’s something readers appreciate about her. She tucks the beauty of each moment she experiences next to her heart where it can’t be taken from her. She knows how precious and fleeting goodness can be, and how swiftly things can turn unpleasant. Yet, she always chooses hope over despair. Because When Sparks Fly is such a positive tale of survival and love, it remains buoyant and resilient throughout. It focuses on finding oneself and feeling at home and loved there.

This book is sweetly and humbly told from Britton’s first person point of view, giving readers a bird’s eye view of not only her world, but her heart. Zimmer’s choice to guide the storytelling from this vantage point serves the story perfectly; Zimmer does an exceptional job with it. The tone and tenor give it substance and perspective, making this tale passionate while retaining a very lovely and endearing charm.

Zimmer’s writing style is spot-on. She knows how to command her audience with well scripted words. She has a firm grasp and understanding of this age group and she conveys that through wonderfully crafted dialogue. It is realistic, believable and relevant. Her writing style fits the story splendidly and holds readers page after page. She employs well placed and thoughtfully used symbolism to highlight pivotal moments quiet beautifully. These scenes are exquisitely touching and squeeze the reader’s heart. This story isn’t one you will soon forget.

Final remarks…

When Sparks Fly is a lovely and heartfelt journey into first-time love and young romance. It carries the themes of family, friendship, loss and love so beautifully and elegantly. It is so tender and gentle; it simply gets under your skin. Britton and Avery’s love is hopeful, wondrous and striking, and it’s everything we need right now. I would absolutely recommend this book.

Strengths…

•Heartfelt
•Tender
•Well-written
•Original and well-plotted story
•Likable, well-developed characters

I was excited to see another title coming from Kristen Zimmer considering that her first novel holds a special place in my heart since it was one of my first lesfic reads.

When Sparks Fly is a solid YA high school wlw romance that is a sweet and fast read. The story follows Britton, a foster child, and Avery, the daughter of the foster family that Britton is now placed with, as they go through their senior year of high school. In the process they grow closer to one another, but things from their pasts get in the way of their budding relationship. Zimmer does a good job of showing the important of confronting harder and more mature topics like trauma and abuse while also juggling fluff and feel-good.

Overall I think this is a solid starting point for young adults who want to read lesbian romance. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For countless lesfic readers, Kristen Zimmer’s debut novel The Gravity Between Us holds a special place in their heart. For many, it was their first lesfic story. Not me, as I started reading lesfic about twenty years before it came out, but it was one of my first audiobooks. And even though I wasn’t entirely convinced by the narration – one of the two narrators felt all wrong for her character – the story stuck. It took a few years for Zimmer to come out with a second book, but it’s safe to say now that she’s definitely not a one-hit-wonder.

Despite having turned eighteen a few days ago, Britton won’t age out of the foster care system until the end of the school year. She was abandoned at birth and spent her childhood going from one foster family to another. She hopes the new family she just moved in with will be her last but she’s not prepared for how kind and loving and normal (albeit extraordinarily wealthy) they are. Nor for the feelings she starts having almost from day one for her foster sister Avery.

While Britton’s life has definitely not been all rosy, she’s entering a moment in her life when she’s surrounded by good and kind people. We know she’s been hurt, we know she’s suffered, but the part of her life we get to share is all sunshine and stars, and that feels incredibly nice. Avery’s parents are wonderfully supportive of both young women, school is a nice place to be, life is worth living even when it hurts.

When Sparks Fly is such a feel-good book. It reads like a Netflix teen movie, all sweet and smile-inducing. Hear that, Netflix? How about you grab this book and turn it into a movie?

As another reviewer wrote, I would love to read more about Britton’s new friend Spence. I won’t lie, this story isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s good for the soul.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

6/10

So, as three stars on Goodreads rating system states - I liked it.

I saw this book and when I read the blurb I instantly wanted to read it. I've had Kristen Zimmer's debut, The Gravity Between Us, for a while now in my to-read shelf. Naturally, when I realized I recieved an ARC that was written by Zimmer I was so happy.

Maybe, I was a bit too happy. I guess I had my expectations way too high. Maybe it's the YA genre, which I usually don't go for, but I had a feeling I'm 10 years younger and had just discovered Wattpad again. I think I'd have enjoyed this story a lot as a young teenager (well, If I'd known I was a baby gay then), therefore, the higher rating.

I do recommend getting your hands on this cute (with some minor angst) light read. Especially if you're into YA.

I can't even begin on who I liked more. To be completely honest, though, out of all the characters I feel like I liked Britton the least. Avery, a hurting cute bi girl that is the other MC. Avery's adorable parents, Tom and Cate, whom anyone would wish for. Even to only have as friends. I liked Spence and her lovable friendship with both of the girls. I even got to like Reese. I liked all the side characters that were in their squads. Everyone, really.

Surprisingly, this wasn't an angst-y read I expected. I thought it'd be way more push and pull, touch and go, we can't do this and we can't control ourselves around eachother. And then one person going all cold and the other chasing after them. And so on. No, this isn't that kind of (I'm guessing for some sweet) torture. While this, obviously, is a predictable story, it is very simple. As I already said, this is something to read when you want to relax.

The two girls were very sweet with eachother and I loved their little dynamic. Their secrets, dates and cute moments. Even though their relationship was feeling kind of weird in the beginning they grew on me pretty quickly. I was also amazed how fast Britton became friends with Spence. It's just my asocial anxious persona talking now, I guess. But, really, all the characters and all the relationships were just too adorable.

This book, also, got me Googling some apparently made up lesbian romantic film. Big time love if I remember correctly. God, I'm such a loser.

Not-so-good things about the book time. Honestly, when I started reading it I thought about dropping the book a couple of times. As the book is written in first POV of one of the MCs (Britton) you obviously know all her thoughts. And trust me - there are so many. I do realize she's written as an observant kid but her thoughts are racing so fast I could barely catch up with them. I really dislike stereotyping and judging people (eg. just because someone is a cheerleader and/or shows more skin when wearing tight dresses and heels she must be bad at school and has no other interests, or if you wear worn-out chucks/vans and an old band shirt you’re superior when it comes to the said cheerleader, etc) and, sadly, up until about 20% I felt like Britton had these kind of thoughts way too often.* Thankfully, though, as I went by she's stopped judging so hard. So, those judging and rapidly changing thoughts weren't such a problem - it was the unnatural talk she's got. I was not too long ago a teenager myself but I never heard anyone talk like Britton does in the book. It made me cringe too many times. That is the sole reason I was, sadly, bit by bit drawn away from the story. If it weren't for that I feel like I would've loved this book way more. Now that I think about it, that's about the only real flaw I stumbled upon. Also, a minor thought: I had a weird feeling like that the book's cut up, with such short chapters, in too many pieces preventing the story from having a nice natural flow.

Now, that I'm familiar with Zimmer, I'm looking forward to reading her, about eight years old debut, as well.

* I, honestly, thought we were done with such superficial thoughts. I just got annoyed by it, but, I guess everyone isn't the same and maybe Britton really is the kind of person who thinks like that. If so, I hope she'll grow.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars. This book has all the feels and I could not put it down. It has been a long time for this book to be published since Zimmer’s first book “The Gravity Between Us”, but the wait was worth it.

Britton is in the foster system, and while she just turned 18 she still is not allowed to live on her own until she graduates, so she is moving in with her, hopefully, last foster family “the Cahills”. Their biological daughter, Avery (17/18), will be her new foster sister and there seems to be a world of difference between the two. Avery is one of the “popular” girls, beautiful, outgoing and always surrounded by her cheerleading friends. Britton, on the other hand, is more introvert, guarded and a bit of a tomboy. However, appearances can be deceiving.

This book is written in the first person from the POV of Britton and I loved her character. Due to years in the system she’s always paying attention to her surroundings and she can read people very well. I think this is part of why I could also very easily connect with Avery. Avery was a surprising character, she seems shallow but there is so much more to her than meets the eye and it’s a slow discovery to see who she really is. And yes, it’s only 1 POV, so there are still some mysteries surrounding Avery and how or why she behaves a certain way, but despite this, I felt a connection, which is something that I don’t always experience in a 1st person 1 POV book (or only late in the story).
Britton has some bad experiences in her past, but she has the biggest heart and I was glad that she was not so jaded that she doesn’t care about others anymore. I also like that she is super independent, and doesn’t want hand-outs, but she does accept help when needed. I enjoy a good dose of angst in my books and there is plenty of angst in this book ranging from teenage angst to deeper problems due to the history of the characters.

The romance is super sweet, but there were more storylines that I enjoyed equally well. The change in Britton and her place and acceptance in the Cahill family was tugging on my heartstrings and also her friendship with Spence is wonderful. Spence is one of the secondary characters that is an interesting character and that I found myself caring for. Spence and Avery are at odds, but what I liked is that both Avery and Spence do not make Britton choose between them. This says so much about their characters, they have their heart at the right place and they have strong personalities, especially considering that this takes place in a high school community with all its cliques.

The writing style is very easy to read with rather short chapters. However, and this is my only comment on the book, there is a lot of slang. I get it it’s a YA book, and some slang is to be expected, but there was so much and sometimes I even had to think about what some of the words meant…. (this could also say something about my age). I wish this was a bit toned down, but this did not outweigh the positive points of the book for me. If you’re easily bothered by slang though, then you might be annoyed by this book.

For those who can’t tell yet, I very much enjoyed reading this book and if you like YA books, this is one you want to read!

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'When Sparks Fly' by Kristen Zimmer.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Kristen Zimmer, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 28th April 2021.

This is the first book I have read by this author.

I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. It is also not the type of genre I usually read which is crime so I was looking for a change and this book stood out. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue, 46 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in the USA 🇺🇸.

This book is written in first person perspective with the protagonist being Briton Walsh. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on.


'When Sparks Fly' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Kristen discusses mature themes and sexual content so would recommend for ages 16 years and above.

Omg absolutely love love loved this book!!! It was beautifully written and perfect for the age group of not only the protagonist but also of the age groups who are likely to be reading this book. I love that we get to see Britons thoughts throughout the book as it really gives an in depth view of how she's feeling. It was so easy to read and the descriptions vivid putting you in the storyline. The cover suited the storyline perfectly and loved the twist with the blurb.

This book really took me straight back to my school days with all the cliques, the atmosphere, the friendship, just everything, Kristen had the settings down to a T. I absolutely loved when they are in Salem and it really made me want to visit it myself in person, this was definitely the closest I felt to being there or in the settings a book is describing for a while. The storyline is filled with love, friendship, loss, romance and with some mystery and a bit of a twist thrown in. Although it took me a while to work out some of the language used in parts by some of the characters I feel that definitely helped with the realism of the storyline is that is how teens talk. The storyline itself is also realistic and although I don't generally hunt down LGBT books or any form of romance to be honest I have already added Kirstens first novel 'The Gravity Between Us' to my wishlist. Speaking of which I really liked how she slipped a character from that book in as an actress in this one. Although, I havent read her other book but was googling the film and 'actress' mentioned to see if they were real and found that out.

The characters in this book are all down to Earth and I love how they all have such unique and realistic personalities, some bigger than others. Britton, Avery and Spence are the main focus characters but others also stood out for me. I think Tom and Cate are amazing parents, so modern and fun and the world would be a better place with more parents like that. The 2 friendship gangs 'The Brigade' and 'The Squad' were both the types of gangs you would typically see in schools and yet the members of each all had their own minds and personalities rather than being sheep.

I would absolutely love to see this book made into a movie and I am looking forward to reading not only 'The Gravity Between Us' but any further books from a very talented author. Welcome to my fave authour list Kristen, keep up the amazing work. I really could not recommend this book enough. Its such an easy, light hearted, addictive page turner that really captivated my heart and is filled with electricity and sparks.

Overall an absolutely addictive, sexy, stunning romance that is filled with love and friendship and full of electrical sparks.

Genres covered in this book include Romance Novel, Lesbian Literature, Contemporary Romance, New Adult Fiction, Gay Fiction and LGBT Fiction amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of anyone looking for a gorgeous romance.


290 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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This was a sweet teen story. It had the potential to be dark but was more of a feel good under difficult circumstances story. I liked both main characters in Britton and Avery and loved the chemistry between the two. Avery was a good role model of a popular girl where she was kind, bossy but kind and was never horrible to Britton which I was expecting when I first started reading this book. Britton was a likeable character to follow her story as she finally finds herself in a good place after being in horrible situations for the majority of her life.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend if you like the young adult genre.

Britton Walsh grew up in the Massachusetts’ foster system. Multiple homes, and less than ideal situations, bring her to the Cahill household her senior year of high school. Determined to survive yet another home to finally be on her own, she is unprepared for what she finds there. Avery Cahill is a cheerleader and the popular kid at school. She also carries a secret burden that positions her to better connect with Britton. From friendship to more, but only if able to overcome the personal and ethical dilemmas.

Fans of Zimmer’s debut novel had a while to wait, but her second effort is here at last, and for the most part it did not disappoint. It has been almost eight years since ‘The Gravity Between US’ and some of those young readers are in another stage of their lives altogether. I had just started reading lesfic when I read it and loved it. I am curious how many of those readers will enjoy this one too. ‘When Sparks Fly’ is another Young Adult (YA) story but entirely based in high school, as both mains are seniors. Since I do not read blurbs of books I will read, I was hoping for more of a story beyond that year. I find I enjoy it immensely when the story moves into adulthood.

All that said, the story kept me engaged and only lost me with a bit too much details of high school dances and games. There is good character development, especially for Avery, going from this rich cheerleader stereotype to allowing us to see how kind and thoughtful she really is. Britton narrates the book in first person, and it is great to read about her struggles and insecurities growing up as an unwanted child, but even better to see the unapologetic goodness within her. She is such a good observer and provides fantastic insight on hers and others’ emotions. All with a touch of humor.

The constant slang used took me some time to get used to. Please, do not let my daughters talk like that! Also struggled with the thoughts in the middle of the narration. It made for a somewhat hectic recount of things but keeping in mind the character is 18, probably appropriate. The mains were a believably good couple and I found myself rooting for them early on. I absolutely loved Avery’s parents and wish to be like them when I grow up! The main friend, Spencer, was good, but the rest of the two groups of friends got too confusing and honestly, I had no desire to make an effort to remember who was who.

Overall, a sweet YA tale that will have fans of the genera sighing. 4 stars

ARC provided by Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So, at this point I feel it's a little cliché to be a late 20's millennial lesbian and say that "The Gravity Between Us" by Kristen Zimmer was one of the first wlw books I can remember reading but... "The Gravity Between Us" by Kristen Zimmer was one of the first wlw books I can remember reading. And it was definitely the first one with an unambiguously happy ending (I still need resolution to The Miseducation of Cameron Post, but that's a different review for a different time...)

I really enjoyed The Gravity Between Us. And for a long time I wondered why Zimmer only had the one book. So when When Sparks Fly was announced, I was very excited to read her next work after a long wait.

And it didn't disappoint! This book was lovely and there was so much I enjoyed about it.

When Sparks Fly is the story of Britton Walsh, an 18 year old teenage girl who has spent her life bouncing around the foster system, until she comes to the Cahill family and things seem different, she is accepted and loved. Especially by the Cahill's daughter Avery...

As I said, I really loved this book. The characters were all wonderful. Both Britton and Avery have real depth to them. They both have demons but they both have survived and grown in different ways. And I absolutely loved their relationship. These two definitely brought out the best in each other and both helped each other grow into the best versions of themselves. I loved them individually and I loved them together.

I loved all the side characters too! Tom and Cait were such wonderful parents. I loved how they took Britton in and accepted her so easily. And everybody needs a best friend like Spence.

And to finish complimenting character work, I really liked how there was no "big bad" character. Both Avery and Britton have issues in their past, but in this book there was no evil person getting in the way of their relationship.

<spoiler> I also really love and appreciate how there was no blackout moment or late breakup and resolution in this book. I was kinda waiting for it as I've become accustomed to it in many romance novels at this point. But this book didn't do that at all. It just continued to tell the story of Britton and Avery together. And the story was great enough to carry the book without contrived drama! I really liked that </spoiler>

I'm definitely willing to wait another eight years for another book this good! I loved it, and couldn't put it down once I started it. 5/5

<i>I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I really liked this book!!! I'm a sucker for a sapphic romance so this one was an obvious win for me. I went based solely on the cover for this book so I was a little thrown when they were in High School but I rolled with it and really liked the idea. I love the terms like "Brigade" that the author gave the cheerleaders and "Squad" that she gave the soccer players. The writing was a little awkward but it was written for a younger audience so I rolled with that too and it didn't bother me too much after all. The only reason I didn't absolutely love this book was the fact that the love interests were foster siblings. I got around to the idea because they didn't know each other very long and they always felt the sexual tension between them. But it was a little creepy in my opinion. Not so creepy that I didn't thoroughly ship them though so that was good! I enjoyed this one a lot :)

This book was a quick and easy read, despite being a descent sized story. When Britton comes to live in yet another foster home, she doesn't expect to have a crush on her foster sister. The connection could pave the way to a romance or a complete disaster. Both dealing with their past baggage, their connection is one that keeps you captivated and hard to put down.
While the book doesn't have the usual drama of adult lesbian romance, the YA aspect is refreshing and the first person perspective is fitting for a young adult reader. I would recommend this to anyone who likes LGBTQ YA novels or a quick read.

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I really liked this, especially that for a teenage romance it was not filled with heart wrenching angst. Supportive family, supportive characters and had me feeling happy all around while reading. This was a very sweet read and I look forward to reading more of Zimmer's work. If you are in the mood for sweet teenage romance, this is the book for you.