I really liked that this book showed how people can go through terrible situations and mindsets and how to change this for the better. I did think it was good it was tackling harder subjects such as domestic violence, cheating, death etc. which did make you worry about the characters but also showed you how they overcome these.

The only thing I wish I knew was why Ben and Jack didn't like each other from the very beginning as this was never explained but otherwise I really enjoyed this.

Review of That Certain Spark by Isobel Hart

Isobel Hart's That Certain Spark promises a journey through personal healing and self-discovery, exploring the themes of mindfulness and recovery following a life-altering breakup. The novel centers around Claire, who is grappling with the aftermath of her husband's betrayal and a series of overwhelming life changes. The narrative invites readers into Claire's world as she navigates the challenges of rebuilding her life through mindfulness classes and the support of new and old friends.

Hart’s portrayal of mindfulness is both authentic and insightful, reflecting thorough research and a genuine understanding of the practice. The mindfulness group, which forms a core part of the story, is a refreshing setting that provides a backdrop for Claire's transformation. This aspect of the book is well-crafted, showcasing the therapeutic potential of mindfulness in a relatable manner.

However, the novel's execution falters in its depiction of Claire's character and her choices. While the premise of a woman dealing with personal upheaval and seeking growth is compelling, Claire's actions often come across as contrived. Her decision to violate a restraining order to retrieve old notes feels forced, detracting from the story's credibility. This contrived drama undermines the novel’s otherwise sincere exploration of its themes.

The supporting characters add depth and variety to the narrative, but their development sometimes feels overshadowed by the central conflicts. The story’s attempts at adding dramatic twists—such as the reappearance of Claire's ex and the dynamics with his new partner—often seem exaggerated and detract from the novel’s emotional impact. The resolution of these conflicts, too, feels somewhat unsatisfying, leaving readers with a sense of anticlimax.

Despite these issues, That Certain Spark remains a thoughtful examination of personal growth and resilience. It offers valuable insights into the process of self-healing and the importance of self-compassion. The writing is engaging, and Hart’s ability to address serious topics with empathy and humor is commendable.

For readers who appreciate character-driven stories with a focus on personal development, this book will offer a mix of relatable moments and reflective insights. However, those seeking a more realistic portrayal of personal crisis and recovery may find the narrative's dramatic elements a bit heavy-handed.

Overall, That Certain Spark is a heartfelt attempt at blending romance with meaningful self-exploration, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its dramatic tendencies and the occasionally implausible behavior of its protagonist.

Wanted to like this one and thought it had so much potential - the group setup at the mindfulness classes was interesting, and it was obvious the author knew/had researched mindfulness to portray it well in the book. However, it was the very character of Claire which killed it for me. All the getting-ons with her ex-partner and the pregnant woman her husband left her for felt absolutely forced and downright stupid at times if not at all illogical - it was like the author had to shove some drama in, so there we go, Claire goes against her restraining order for something silly like her old notes and damn the consequences, she just couldn't help herself... Sorry, but no. I can't get behind someone who will act so TSTL no matter how she's supposed to get out of the whole mess a bigger/better person

While having similar plots or at least premises, this book is much better than "Really Good, Actually" . For one this the MC doesn't make me want to pull hair out of my head. I love that this book is actually funny as opposed to just being marked that way so it won't sound like a downer.

Very well written book. Really enjoyed this author, would definitely read more by this author and recommend on my book IG

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

This book is truly wonderful. It deals with a lot of heavy topics in a very real way; it was equal measures of heartwarming and heartbreaking, with some big laughs and quiet chuckles sprinkled throughout. And a fair few tears on my part. I will be recommending this book far and wide.

One of the main takeaways i had from the book overall was how important the act of mindfulness is, the reiteration that not every thought is fact and nobody is thinking about you, what you think about yourself.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A cute book. Perfect weekend read.

The beginning of this book was so funny. I felt for the main character during her break up. But her best friend was hilarious during this book! Would definitely read more from the author!

I really enjoyed this book, I've definitely been on a bit of a kick lately with stories that seem like they're going to be a straightforward romance but then manage to hit you with issues that feel relevant and important. This totally managed to do that and was just what I needed when I picked it up (after quite a long reading rut!).

I struggled a little with Claire and some of her choices at a couple of points, but I really enjoyed her development as a character. I appreciated how real it was about what a struggle mental health can be sometimes.

L Thank you to the tour organiser for inviting me to be part of this tour
I read this last year when I was in the mood for romance and laugh out loud books
This book was so much more than a romance, it had an air of mystery and tackled some sensitive subjects.
The book was very cleverly written and I love the authors writing style.
Claire’s husband has recently ended and she is not coping well
Claire has started experiencing panic attacks. From someone who suffers from panic attacks and has quite bad anxiety, the book explored things that were close to my heart. The author did them justice, with thorough research and the appropriate amount of empathy
Claire embarks on a course of mindfulness and it was interesting to read about her journey.
The one thing that I loved about this book, is it is really. Yes it is a happy book, but we also experience the characters sadness. I really enjoyed this book.

I really enjoyed this book, it had me hooked from the beginning. The author dealt with a sensitive subject so well and made me think about the benefits of mindfulness. Highly recommend!

2.5 stars.
it was sort of interesting to see how Claire handeled the breakup. But it was much trigger warnings i didn`t know such as death and more. I wish it was a trigger warning in the blurb, or in the book before it started. That being said, i didn`t like Claire as much as i had hoped wich made the story somewhat boring for me.

LOVED loved loved this book.

The writing had me captivated from the start to finish, and I found myself reading it almost straight through one sitting. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Found this story almost hard to put down. Claire is now living alone with a cat that hates her, facing divorce, served an intervention order for harassing her ex and his girlfriend and experiencing crippling panic attacks thanks to catching her husband and friend (and business partner) shagging on the desk at work. She finds herself unable to get out of her downward spiral and only relies on her mum and long time friend for support. At their recommendation, she joins a meditation group and finds herself slowly overcoming her self doubt thanks to her new friends Sarah and David who are facing their own serious issues. After finally getting to meet her neighbour Jack (when she causes him to break his leg), Claire feels that life is finally looking up. And then her ex decides to come back into her life, Sarah needs her help and she loses the one person that had always been there for her. A beautiful and at times very sad story.

I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was going to be a predictable rom-com but it was definitely not.
We meet Claire a few months after she finds her husband cheating on her with her best friend and business partner. She feels like her life is over and can’t seem to recover. Her mother convinces her to go to a Mindfulness class where she learns how to meditate and stop some of the negative self talk that is keeping her from moving on with her life.
Unique and relatable, Claire is all of us. She is constantly doubting herself and believing that she isn’t worthy of love. I relate to her struggles with negative self talk and getting down on herself for any small transgression and I respect her journey of self awareness.
Luckily Claire is surrounded with good friends and family to help her when she needs it and I loved the cast of supporting characters.
I think the ending could have been more powerful, but I liked Hart’s writing style and I would read more from her. Overall it was a very enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc to read and review.

Reading this book was such an experience it wasn't more love but finding and going through pain and loss with those close to you.
Such a beautiful read

Unfortunately think I’ve had the same problem as a few
People. Kindle formatting and was unable to read it :(

Started wellnand sure I would have enjoyed it if it didn’t distort the page formatting

It began well but was formatted terribly on my Kindle Paperwhite 10th Gen, and my Kindle 5 - so as a result, it became impossible to read.

This is not a romance - unless you want it to be. Sorry, cryptic I know, but you'll just have to read the book to see what I mean.

What it definitely is, is a story about loving oneself, about self-esteem, mindfulness, and self-discovery. It is poignant in places, and so very empathetic. The author does a brilliant job of portraying the desolation, loss of control and self-flagellation that can occur when someone you are deeply in love with ends your relationship - and I'm not just referring to endlessly staring at their Facebook page, either!

I expected this book to go in one direction, but it took me in another. Well worth a read.