3.5ish stars. This is a sweet, easy-to-read, YA romance. Britton Walsh (18, lesbian) grew up in the foster care system and has lived in her share of terrible, oftentimes abusive, foster homes. Her new foster parents, Tom and Cate Cahill, seem to be the kindest ones yet, but Britton’s growing attraction to their daughter Avery (17-18, bi) promises to complicate things.

This book is told in first-person from Britton's POV. Britton is a likable, sympathetic protagonist. She’s had a hard upbringing and has PTSD due to the way she was treated. I felt kind of meh about Avery through most of the book, as some of her behavior is pretentious/controlling and she definitely exudes that rich girl vibe. Britton is quick to notice the sadness behind Avery’s picture-perfect veneer, however, and when Avery’s pain is revealed, I started to sympathize with her more. I liked Britton’s new friend Spence, the confident jock lesbian who has history with Avery but proves herself to be a great friend to Britton. I found Spence’s relationships with both Britton and Avery to be some of the most interesting parts of this book. Honestly, I think my favorite characters were Tom and Cate, who are lovely individuals and come to accept Britton as part of their household.

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel much for the main romance, though this does put me in the minority. It’s cute and they obviously care for each other, but I didn’t feel the chemistry and I didn’t feel warm-and-fuzzy while reading. I can also see how some readers might be put off by this romance, as Britton and Avery have the same parental figures, but it didn’t seem weird to me. It’s not like they grew up together, after all.

I didn’t find the writing style particularly remarkable. The plus side is that it’s easy to fly through; the downside is that it comes off as a bit simplistic. Section breaks occur very frequently, which felt to me like a bunch of random scenes spliced together (of course, this is an artistic choice, but it didn’t really work for me).

There’s an abundance of slang in this book, both in conversation and narration. I don’t live in the northeastern part of the US, nor am I currently a teenager, but I still didn’t find all that slang very realistic. One side character in particular seemed to have a personality that was 100% slang. It kinda got old after a while, though some of Britton’s slang-filled thoughts were quite hilarious.

(I’ll also note that the cover, while very aesthetically pleasing, doesn’t quite depict the MC’s accurately. I’m assuming that Avery is the brunette, but in the book her hair is long and wavy/curly instead of short and bobbed. Also, Britton seems to be on the baby butch/soft butch side of things, and it doesn't seem like she'd wear hoop earrings. It’s nitpicky, I know, but I’ve noticed that there are many BSB books with less-than-accurate covers.)

Content warnings: animal abuse (off-page), child abuse (off-page), alcohol (recreational use), claustrophobia, car accident (off-page), death of a loved one (off-page), guilt, panic attack, PTSD

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a solid contemporary romance for young adults/new adults (it contains mature and sexual content so advised for older teen readers). The story follows Britton who has been in the foster care system all her life and is finally placed in the home of the Cahills where she initially clashes with daughter Avery.
I really liked the progression of Britton and Avery's story throughout this book. We get to see their relationship blossom into friendship and then something more, with a nicely paced plot and comfortable writing style. There was minimal angst and drama, with a focus on family, friendship, and finding your place in the world.
It's also always a plus when books with queer relationships don't focus heavily on the 'queer' part - it's refreshing when a same sex couple is treated exactly the same as a heterosexual couple would be.
The only thing about this book that bothered me was the use of slang. Some of it came off as too young or strange, and this would probably date the book quickly in years to come. I have no idea what 'suh' means.

This book follows Britton Walsh as she is place with a new family until she finishes her last year of high school. The Cahill family is warm and welcome her with open arms, well, except their beautiful daughter, Avery. As the school year passes, Britton and Avery grow closer and closer, until their attraction cannot be ignore. But, will Britton risk her stay in a stable loving family for Avery?

This book was sweet and light. A fast easy read that will leave you feeling warm and happy. I was glad I gave this book a chance. The only problem I had was the keeping up with the slang of High School. But I kind of place over those conversations. I like that between the main characters and Avery's parents, the conversations were well written and the slang was kept to a minimum and mostly non-existent. It is definitely a slow burn and worth the read.

I received thin ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited when I discovered that Zimmer has a new book ! I mean the last book (and the only), was such a big hit. It was one of the first lesfics I’ve read, so obviously it kinda was a big deal for me :)

Thank you Zimmer for not letting me down on this one :) I was smiling from beginning to end ! This is such a positive read. I’m not normally into the YA genre , but this one had a bit more depth than I expected. I did hope for a longer epilogue as I really wanted to know more about the MCs. I’m hoping there would be a second book that features Spencer as well :)

This story is full of wonderful characters, very likable MCs, an amazing foster family and lots of smiles!

I highly recommend this book If you want a feel good read that will make you smile 😊

“I received an ARC for an honest review.”

It has been a while since i read YA, but considering The gravity between us was one of my first forays into the genre i really wanted to read this one. All the characters worked for me and the first person pov didnt bother in the slightest. Britton has been brought up in the foster care system and has had not so great experiences up until she meets the Cahills. The daughter Avery Cahill is mysterious at first but when you get to the reveal halfway through, you understand more of her. Britton and Avery have a spark and need to figure out how to make things work. I really enjoyed Britton's relation with Spence. It was very mature for an 18 year old.
Since its been a while since i read YA some of the slang went above my head.
#NetGalley

This was actually a good book. The characters were well written. The main romance did feel a little weird (once you've read it you'll see what I mean) but overall not bad. Overall, the dialogue was not bad for teenage characters except there was these TWO PAGES that just made me cringe so much because it was basically "I'm going to drop a word that I've heard the youths say every single line and make it sound very weird." However, it was just those two pages, which I found a bit odd. Overall, decent. #NetGalley

This is the second book by Kristen Zimmer. Her first book, The Gravity Between Us, was entertaining with very likable characters. This book was the same but had a higher sense of maturity to it as well as deeper emotional connections.

Britton’s parents gave her away the day she was born. She lived with several foster families throughout the years, some better than others. Even though Britton was 18, she was sent to live with a foster family to finish her last year of high school. Their daughter, Avery, was also a senior. She and Britton early on established a connection and were drawn to each other. However, both girls had to deal with past events in order to move forward. Britton also liked her foster parents. She never experienced that parental love the Cahills gave her and didn’t want to jeopardize her stay with them by getting involved with their daughter.

The characters were very likable and well developed. I enjoyed the different group of friends the girls had: cheerleaders and soccer players. It was actually nice to see Britton not abandoning her friendship with a certain soccer player because Avery had a problem with her, and Avery did not force Britton to choose. I think the best part about this story was the way the characters handled themselves. They had a level of maturity that was necessary because of the way they had to deal with life’s heartbreaking incidents.

This story dealt with some serious topics as well as the love story. It was sweet and funny and also quite emotional at times. The only aspect of the story I didn’t care for was the use of slang by the teenagers. Other than that, it was an entertaining read and perfect for its targeted audience.
4.5 stars
An ARC was given for an honest review.

It took me a second to get past the internal dialogue that apparently bantered with it’s own internal dialogue but I thought this was overall well done.

I thought the perspective was age appropriate for the characters. I enjoyed how Britton believes she understands how people and the world work but is so clueless at the same time.

I enjoyed Avery’s character as well. She’s confident and popular but sometimes a bit lost and insecure.

The story is solid and had several dimensions that all weaved together well.

The supporting characters in this round everything out. The cliques were written well and believable.

I was reminded how it’s been a very long time since I have been a teenager. The writer did a great job of not only telling a good story but taking you though a modern high school setting.

It’s been sometime between books but very happy to experience more of her storytelling and writing.

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗭𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲.

Kristen Zimmer's debut was special to me because it was my first lesfic book ever and not only did it introduce me to a whole new fictional world, it left me feeling incredibly good. I finished her second book feeling the exact same way so now I'm beginning to learn that it is her style I like.

Young Adult and New Adult books are generally not my thing because young people do stupid things and I find that frustrating but Zimmer’s books are different. I love how much positivity is in her stories. Her characters are all so loveable no matter how complex their backgrounds are. Like Britton, our MC, who is the 18 year old foster kid living with the Carhill family. And our other MC, Avery, the privileged Carhilll daughter who hides secrets of her own. And I feel very happy to see how well they fit together even at that age. We also have plenty of supportive side characters like Avery’s parents and Britton’s newest best friend, Spence, all of whom are a dream come true. And I really love how Zimmer avoids needless drama, choosing instead to focus on the natural development of Britton and Avery’s relationship. 

This is another win for me from Zimmer. I love her style a lot, her writing brings a smile to my face and I can’t wait for her next one, even if it takes a couple of years.

A YA book told from the point of view of Britton Walsh, a foster kid placed with The Cahills during her senior year. Britton has trust issues after being placed and kicked out from foster homes since her birth. With the Cahills, when she found that her foster parents are not only decent people but found them endearing, she decides to step away from her feelings towards their daughter, Avery.

Avery Cahill is the popular and beautiful senior of Beverly High school. When Britton is placed with her family, she goes out of her way to care and blend Britton into her school and family. However, even being the centre of attention in her school and the apple of her parents’ eyes, Avery has been carrying a secret that is diminishing her light.

The pair found each other in unlikely circumstances and readers can expect angst while they battle with their emotions. My heart goes out to foster children who need a safe place to call home and a sense of security. It was heartening to watch Britton catch a break with her placement and find kinship and love within the same family.

I just reviewed When Sparks Fly by Kristen Zimmer. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

After reading this book, I realize this is written more for a YA audience. Regardless, I really enjoyed the slow burn of a lesbian relationship. It is an unconventional relationship in theory. Britton Walsh has been taken in by the Cahill family. Tom, Cate and their daughter, Avery Cahill. Britton has been shuffled from foster home to foster home. So, she is initially cautious about the family intentions. She slowly begins to warm to them and what seems to be genuine care. What she is very cautious about is their very popular and beautiful daughter, Avery. Avery tries to include Britton in activities with her friends. As Avery and Britton spend more time together they both realize there is more than friendship between them.
A wonderful read. If you enjoyed "The Gravity Between Us", you will enjoy this!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was completely emotionally invested in this novel from beginning to end. This all had to do with our two protagonists, Britton and Avery. Both have had some serious trauma in their short lives, with different results.

Britton has spent her life in the foster system, which sounds like its been cruel at times. She's not had a stable environment until she begins living with the Cahill's. They take her under their wing and she flourishes. Meanwhile, Avery Cahill has had her own traumatic experience that's impacted her greatly. Avery was a really compelling character, as she's quite aloof in the beginning and hard to gauge, but then as we continue the narrative she's revealed and humanised.

I felt so much for Britton, who seemed like the sweetest teen on the planet that had a really hard start to life. She was a great character that I was completely invested in. Let's also not forget that this story falls around a forbidden romance storyline, which I think is one of my favourite tropes that I don't read enough.

At points, however, I found the first person point of view quite frustrating. Some of her thoughts and feelings are quite exaggerated in the storytelling (I think due to her age?), and it was also quite limiting in its narration as it was purely from her point of view. I would've loved to have seen Avery's view point at certain points in this novel.

All in all, When Sparks Fly is a great young adult novel that I highly recommend.

I liked the concept of this book and the characters, but as someone who works with teens, including ones in the foster care system, I don't think it would be that easy of a situation living in the same household. It also reminded me of a TV show somewhat where there was a non LGBT relationship between a foster sibling and a boy in the household.

I kept this book for a couple of days before reading it because I was worried. I loved Zimmers previous book and was worried this might not be as good. A few pages in my worries had been firmly put to rest. This book zinged. I got to the twist. Wow. Now that is not wow out of left field as little clues were left so it made sense but this was a fresh plot with fresh issues.
Towards the end of the book I felt it wavered slightly. On one hand I had my eye out for the "goes horribly wrong" arc of the plot, but equally I didn't want it to. I felt a bit of tension within myself because I didn't want it to go wrong, but that means I was slightly pulled out the book, worrying about it going wrong as the end gets closer. Previously I had been swept along totally in the book. This was the only bumpy bit in the ride. Avery’s parents are unbelievably perfect. I want them to adopt me! I am not fluent in young person speak and some of the words used or the context used were new to me, but I love the way Zimmer writes authentically but not in a lazy way -like “like” used every third word to indicate young speak. I say authenticity - as someone not in that age group it was believable and not irritating young speak. Only young people can say if it is authentic! I can say I enjoyed this book, 3.5 as there was a dip for me but rounded up as did enjoy all the rest and an upbeat book despite alluded to bad treatment from previous adults.

I-- where do I even start with this book?? The first thing I noticed about this book was, how do I phrase this?, I guess we'll call it the slang? Phrases like: legit shocking' 'suh?' 'bet' 'def like her' 'If we ain’t gon’ talk, skurt.' MADE ME WANT TO RIP MY EYEBALLS OUT. I'm sorry, that's a bit harsh. But they definitely made me cringe more than 1000 nails on a chalkboard. I'm not sure if this was to try and convey the age (17/18) of the characters and is how the author perceives that age group to talk? But coming from someone who IS that age, it made me die a little inside. Anyway, other than that. I found the relationship to be very, lacking? Like it crept up out of nowhere and I struggled to see any chemistry at all? The one thing I enjoyed about this book was how the coming out to the parents went! They handled it so well and it was very heartwarming to see, even if I didn't love the rest of the book.

This is a young-adult themed book placed on the kind side where such stories can be. There's little to none drama nor gratuitous cruelty, quite the opposite. Everything is acceptance and positivism even though there are several controversial sub-themes. But they are treated with a lot of affection and delicacy.

The story is told in the first person by its main protagonist, Britton, a girl who has just turned eighteen and has been in foster care all her life. Her personal drama has not made her unapproachable or bitter, although she does not want to trust too much for fear of her disappointment. Evidently. By joining the Cahill family, she seems to achieve a stability and confidence that allow her to plan for her future.

But the Cahill family also has its personal drama. And their daughter Avery has a great inner pain that Britton detects as soon as she meets her, even though they couldn't be more different: Avery is the cheerleader captain and Britton just wants to go unnoticed.

I have to say that although this topic is not usually my favorite, since I really liked the previous book by this author, when I saw this new book of hers, it immediately captured my interest. And it has been quite enjoyable and interesting for me. It is a story on the sweet and pleasant side, which makes you look forward to the future with a certain optimism.

I liked this book more than I was expecting to, so much so that I ended up reading it all in one sitting.
I loved the characters as individuals, and would have to make my favourite Tom (the father), his (& Cate's) relationship with Avery and Britton was something really beautiful, and I appreciated the found family elements to the novel.
I must admit it took me a while to get into the writing style of 'When Sparks Fly', in general, it was good, but I did find myself getting thrown off by the "colloquialisms". I'm British, so it may be an American thing, but some of the teen-talk was so far from anything I've ever heard any real teenager say. Beyond cringing slightly at those, though, the writing itself was great.
Also worth mentioning before going on to the spoiler stuff is the overall 'vibe' of the book. It was your classic corny romance film in queer book form, which is everything I had hoped it would be and more.

For the spoiler stuff:
I loved the dynamic of the love triangle. Disregarding their backstories for a moment, I liked the tension build-up of the two different relationships, and especially the ending of Britton and Spence's. It felt like a realistic ending to me, and cute in it's own way. The book didn't force an overextended love triangle as many do, this one felt natural.
Reese's story is what pulled this from a corny romance to something more powerful. The effects it had on each character led to great explorations of grief and guilt from multiple perspectives.

There is more to say, but in conclusion, once I had gotten used to the writing style, I thought this book was great. A corny yet somehow also deep wlw romance novel, what more could we ask for?

Solid Lesbian High School Romance. This one has the metric shit-ton of angst one would expect from teenage girls - you've got the foster kid trying to fit in. You've got the spoiled rich kid hating herself over something the foster kid knows nothing about (but finds out about eventually) who leads one group of friends. You've got the spoiled rich kid's ex-girlfriend who shared in the tragedy and the guilt... and who leads the other group of friends. You've got the foster kid trying to fit in with both sets. And along the way, you get all kinds of will-they/ won't-they teasing between the three... which *also* leads to quite a bit of angst. :D But yes, somewhere along the way it becomes a bit like Sky High's *awesome* final line, and you do in fact get an actual romance as it does so. Zimmer also did an excellent job of making this a shared universe with her first book, but while making it effectively a standalone book rather than a true "series" book. So if you're into high school and/ or LGBT/lesbian romances, give this one a try. Even if you're not, this one is a good book to experiment with. As is typical of many high school based romances, there is less sex than many/ most older adult romances and more kissing. Though there is an eventual rounding of the bases. Or several. It just primarily happens "off screen". Not for the "clean"/ "sweet" romance crowd, though I've seen little evidence of that crowd looking to the LGBT romance arena anyway. Very much recommended.

Honestly I was a bit hesitant about this book, usually I like my YA books to be more dystopian than with all the feels. And this one has all the feels, but it is so good, surprisingly so actually, at least to me.

The story is told from Britton’s POV. At just 18 she is in her senior year of high school and can’t wait to age out of foster care. She has been recently place with the Cahill’s, Tom and Cate and their daughter Avery. Avery is the uncontested leader of her clique of cheerleaders and seems to be this bubbly well liked person, she intimidates Britton but also piques her interest. Britton is scarred from her life in the system and with her unique outlook on the world and amazing people reading skills she soon discovers not all is as bright as it seems with Avery. They become friends who slowly let down their walls and let each other see the darker sides of their lives. Britton makes other friends as well, super easy going Spence, captain of the soccer team for instance. For some reason she and Avery can’t be in the same room, Britton wonders why that is.
A story of self discovery, working through issues and remembering what is important in life. And this all for your adults, it’s insane how well this translates to adult life as well. Minus the high school stuff of course.

First person POV doesn’t always work for me, but in this case it works marvellously because Britton is so attuned to her surroundings and comments on it. The characters are realistic and very likeable, you really feel for them. The “parental unit” is wonderful, extremely supportive and so nice, can they please adopt me? I know I am a grown woman but that’s besides the point... Spence is such a wonderful character as well and she deserves her own book, maybe when she is a little older, that’d be a fun read. Actually all the supporting characters add something good to the story. The author really has done a wonderful job on this one.
The only thing that bothers me a little is just how easy going everyone is, no hate/ bad blood between different high school cliques, parents who are so supportive and easy going it’s unreal, everyone being extremely accepting of sexual orientation (to the point of it being a non issue, as I prefer it to be, but isn’t exactly real life, anywhere). And the amount of money that is just so easily spend by Avery, her parents have plenty, but it just annoys me a little.
Anyway, great YA read with all the feels, 4.5 stars.

This was a very good read and a long wait from Kristen Zimmer to realese another book. The gravity between us was one of the first lesfic books I read and I was looking forward to read from this author again.

Young adult romances are never my first choice but when they're nicely done it is a genre I enjoy very much.

You could tell that When Sparks Fly is written in this time and era. I was amazed by how mature both characters dealt with their attraction and relationship despite all their past and the situation they were putting in. It is great to see that sometimes when the opportunity to be happy arrives you simply have to grab it and I believe this is what happened here with Britton and Avery.

I was impressed with the groups dinamcis and how their friendship evolved. It was a good change that despite being different they didn't hate each other. Spence is a gem, not sure how someone can be so genuinely good.

The book is told from Britton's point of view and that works really well.

Definitely a great read.