This is a story about three people, Avery and Declan and Sam. They three were very close until college when Sam was in a relationship with Avery who loved him a lot. But he cheated on her and she dumped him and Dec chose to dump Sam too and became Avery's best friend. When they graduated college they worked together and also lived with each other. But through the years it was very platonic.

Dec has many one night stands because he is the son of a bad divorce. He is anti love and relationships and marriage. Avery's parents died in a car accident many years before and she is a scared driver and so when she wants to see some college friends, she asks Dec to drive her.

But the day of, Dec flakes on her in a big way and she ends up in a terrible car accident. Feeling very guilty, Dec offers to take care of her. The accident dredges up unresolved feelings from Dec about Avery and Avery is very frustrated after her accident.

These two make some decisons on where they want to take their relationship and Dec still has many issues. Can he grow up or will he destroy his relationship with Avery?And what happens when Sam contacts her?

This was a really different type of story than I have read from this author. I felt it was not very romantic or sweet or funny. It was a lot more of serious book than I have read by the author before. Both Dec and Avery have some serious issues and they both have to learn to grow up, face their pasts and figure out where they want their futures to go. It was a really interesting story and I enjoyed it, but it was more women's fiction than romantic and it was a more serious story than I expected from this author.

I think this is the first book that I have read from this author, and I quite enjoyed reading it. The characters are engaging and likable, despite their "issues" and I like the trope of friends to lovers as I also married my best friend, over 42 years ago.

Avery Spark and Declan McCormick became best friends in college where both suppressed their more physical feelings towards each other and became best friends, eventually becoming roommates and buying a condo together. But slowly those feelings start to surface, which leads to jealousy on DeClan's part and a very serious car accident for Avery. As Declan, feeling guilty becomes her number one caretaker, they eventually give in to their attraction, but that too leads to a series of unfortunate and fortunate events. Funny while still exploring some serious issues.

I read an ARC from NetGalley.com This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

This storyline was unique which made me want to read the book from the start. I did feel that some parts of the book moved slowly but then picked back up and made me want to keep reading to find out what happens at the end! Declan and Avery's relationship was one that you couldn't help but root for! Thanks for the great read!

There were so many things about this one that I loved- the Spark sisters relationship, Avery as a whole, the use of the caretaker trope. But man oh man did Declan try me. I do think that this was kind of the point, he made some bad decisions and had some major growing to do emotionally, so hats off to Helena and her writing, but sheesh it was good he showed how caring and thoughtful he could be too. Of course, making characters realistic and three-dimensional keeps books fresh and different, so I'm not mad about the choices.

I did love Helena's traditional hijinks and hilarity that were woven into this one (hobby-horsing anyone?). This was a bonus book read with my book club, LoveArctually and we had a chance to Zoom with Helena- she's just ask hilarious and full of personality as you would expect after reading one of her books. It was a blast talking about this one, what's next for the Spark sisters and how so many of her books have easter eggs of each other hidden throughout.

So glad to have this one to add to my growing Helena collection and can't wait to see what's up next for London in the next book in this series next year!

4 stars. Avery Spark runs Spark House with her 2 sisters. They were orphaned when their parents were in a car accident. She shares a house with her college best friend, Declan McCormick. Declan is a bit of a partyer, who is also prone to make bad decisions. When Declan is unavailable to drive Avery to a sales pitch, she decides to overcome her fear and drive herself. As she’s driving, she is involved in an accident while talking on the phone with Declan. Due to her injuries, she will need someone to help her, so Declan takes some time off from work to be with Avery as she heals.
This is a friends-to-lovers romance. Typically, not my favorite trope in romance, this one was very good. These two have a great chemistry from the very beginning. And when things heat up, Sparks do indeed fly!
Thank you to #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for the advanced e-copy of #WhenSparksFly. This is the first book in a planned series and I look forward to reading the next book in the Spark House series.

"When Sparks Fly" was such a great rom-com book. The plot was a bit predictable but the journey getting there was enjoyable from page 1 till the last word. There were moments of depth filled with humor and love. I liked both Avery and Declan's character ARCS. Their journeys seem very real and genuine. The chemistry in "When Sparks Fly" was well-written and totally believable. The friends to lovers trope was perfectly played between Avery and Declan.

Avery and Declan have been best friends for a very long time. They live together as friends, hang out and watch sports together, and both secretly are in love with the other. When Declan stands Avery up on the day of their high school reunion get together, she has to drive herself and ends up getting into an accident that could have been a lot worse than the broken leg she suffers. Declan feels terrible and does everything he can to help her because he knows the accident would not have happened if he had been there to go with Avery. Her recovery ends up allowing them to realize that they have feelings for each other--but how do they deal with that without losing their friendship? This was so cute and funny! I always love a friends-to-lovers story, and this one was perfect!

I loved the premise of this book! Finally kindling a long awaited loved between two friends.

Touching on the mental health of both main characters was a plus for me. It made the characters more real and not surface level as most romance books can be.

I'll be honest and say I didn't finish this book. I made it about 50% through and just didn't have it in me to keep going. I felt no connection to either character and didn't really care if they decided they wanted to escalate their friendship to friends with benefits. Everything just felt very blah. With so many good, creative romance books on the market now, it takes a little more than what When Sparks Fly gave to keep me invested.

When Sparks Fly is a sweet and sexy friends to lovers romance featuring Avery and Declan.
This pair have been best friends since college, they own and live together in a condo, and both have some baggage from their past and struggle to form lasting relationships.
Avery and Declan are endearing and relatable and I particularly enjoyed the development of their characters over the course of this title.
Avery is the eldest of the three spark sisters who run Spark House an event venue and hotel. She’s independent, confident, and driven to make her family business a success. When she’s unfortunately injured, she’s put at the mercy of others, and has no choice but to let them take control.
Declan has a well-earned reputation with the ladies. He’s charming, charismatic, and loyal, and despite some of his early actions he has a big heart and will do anything for those he cares for most.
I enjoyed the undeniable chemistry between this pair, and hope that at some point in the future we will get the stories of the other two Spark sisters.

Avery was living her best life when she was in an accident that left her needing some care. Declan is her best friend and roommate. He decides that he will take care of Avery. The two have been friends a long time but never got involved because Avery dated Declan's best friend Sam at one time. Now the two have an unhealthy relationship as the story goes on. I didn't care as much for Declan.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.

Avery Spark co-runs an event hotel with her 2 sisters and lives with her best friend Declan McCormick.

Avery is a workaholic, relationship adverse since her last serious boyfriend cheated on her in college.

Declan is also a workaholic and relationship adverse but not that he's ever had one. No, his parents did a number on him, that relationship has made him run from anything resembling a relationship.

They get along great, who says your best friend, who is the opposite sex can't also be your roommate and it be platonic.

You know where this is going but oh boy the trip is so, well every emotion imaginable. You will laugh, cry and scream. I've read every book by this author and there are some heavy scenes but just as many light hearted and steamy ones. This is a well written story and one that is easily imagined on the big screen.

Loved the book, very well done

All the Ways to Make a Mess
My review of When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting is painfully late, and that shame is my own. I have been a long-time fan of Helena Hunting and was so excited to read her newest release. Please do not let my tardiness give you any reservations about diving into this one headfirst!

Our leading lady Avery works with her sisters at Spark House, a hotel that has become a destination spot for events from everything to weddings to hobbyhorse competitions, which we get to witness in all it’s glory! She lives with her college friend Declan who while being distractingly handsome is a commitment-phobe and also simultaneously the friend of her ex-boyfriend making him officially hands-off…or is he? While obvious to everyone around them that there are unrequited feelings between them it takes a horrible accident to make them face facts, they were never going to be able to stay “Just Friends.”

The relationship between Avery and Declan is more complex than a typical friends-to-lovers trope that we are used to. There are underlying issues that require both of them to take a serious internal mental dive before they are able to pursue long-term romance. I will say with all honesty at the beginning of the book I was not a fan of Declan, and I’m not sure that I was supposed to. His inability to deal with his feelings lead to selfish actions which ultimately contributed to the perfect storm that resulted in Avery’s accident. His guilt about what happened only furthered his spiral into an unhealthy mental state. While he cared for Avery and they began to admit their feelings for each other I spent a lot of the book waiting for the other shoe to drop. I actually began to feel sorry for him once the groveling started because it was obvious he knew what he did, but wasn’t willing to confront what drove him to it. Once Declan finally hits the wall, he gained my respect by getting the help he needed rather than relying on love and intimacy alone to hold him together.

Avery and Declan’s story stands out to me because even though they were best friends and roommates prior to the mushy stuff there wasn’t some Aha moment where they suddenly realized they were meant to be together all along. It was a slow build with bumps along the way that leads to a relationship built on newly realized truths.

Helena Hunting has always been an author that sticks out when people ask for laugh-out-loud recommendations, specifically her Pucked series. There are scenes in this book that definitely fit that ticket but overall I found this to be a bit more emotional than books of hers that I had read previously. For me this was not a negative in the slightest but just reinforced my adoration of her books. I am so excited that Avery’s sisters will be getting their stories and will be anxiously awaiting their release!

I found this trope to not be for me. Avery gives Declan way too much leeway for his spoiled behavior, and having divorced parents doesn't give you a free pass to being terrible in relationships. It was fine, otherwise. There was a lot of steam, but besides the super not okay scene of him packing her bags for her, it was...fine.

A perfect book to start a series. This was so good. Friends to lovers is always so much fun to get in to as they already are so comfortable together. Helena has a way of writing a book that makes you fall in love with all the characters. Her steam is always so great, I wouldn’t have minded a little more steam. But other than that I really enjoyed it and am already looking forward to book #2

Helena Hunting is released yet another romance novel this year!😍

Of course it’s another book that will keep you smiling and blushing! Rating this book 4.5 ⭐️ just because there were bits of pieces I found annoying but nonetheless I enjoyed Avery and Declan’s story.

Perfect for readers who:
💡Loves Helena Hunting
💡Likes friends to lovers trope
💡Enjoys a bit of angsty tension and banter!!! (Of course who doesn’t love a good banter by Helena!!)
💡Wants likable characters and character growth/development
💡Reaaaaalllyyyyy LOVES Helena 🔥😛
💡Wants an amazing HEA after hitting you with all the feels 🥰

I don't know what it is about Helena Hunting but I just thoroughly enjoy every book of hers. I somehow get so invested so quickly and I am right there with the characters. Avery and Declan were great characters, both individually and together. Both are far from perfect and Declan has some serious issues that he needs to work through, which he refreshingly does at one point. I can really believe that they have been best friends for years and that they are clearly harboring feelings for each other but denying everything. The terror in Declan hearing Avery get into a car accident and the time after that is really well done. I absolutely love best friend to lovers books but combining it with one having to take care of another trope? Genius. It just works so well. I know that Declan felt absolute guilt for Avery's accident but the way he took such good care of her for so long was great.
The conflict isn't stupid even though you want to be angry at Declan. As I said, he has serious issues and the author doesn't gloss over it. It takes time to get to where they both need to be and I liked that. It was different from other resolutions of the main conflict. I appreciate that the supporting characters actually have real voices and feel just as real as the main characters. I obviously was in just the right mood for this book but I feel like I'm always in the mood for Helena Hunting's books. If a book makes me want to go back and read certain scenes again or I think about the characters after I've put the book down, it's a success. She writes fun and sexy romcoms with just the right amount of angst. Definitely would recommend this one

When Sparks Fly is a BFFs to lovers romance by Helena Hunting. At the start, I almost dnf’d because the first chapter was so silly and, the next couple of chapters made the male characters seem like immature frat boys, both in actions and potty language. I’m glad I pushed through that part, to see that the book did deal with some topics of substance. Avery and Declan start off as platonic best friends and roommates. Avery’s accident changes the dynamic of their relationship as Declan becomes her self-imposed caretaker. Declan and Avery have to fight their own fears and demons during Avery’s convalescence, in order for them to commit to the new feelings they have for each other. While I did enjoy this book, I would have enjoyed it more without the abundance of swearing and focus on physical gratification. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

actually was super surprised by the heavier events in this novel based solely on the fact that it had been a while since I read the synopsis and just dove right in! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But I am coming to love all of Helena’s newest releases so why not!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I loved the friends to lovers trope in this book. Two best friends from college who now live together. When Avery is in a bad car accident Declan takes it upon himself to care for her during her recovery over the span of quite a few weeks. Despite Avery telling him over and over again that it’s not his fault, he still did what he could to make her comfortable. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I loved Declan’s dedication to helping her and he was so sweet. Even if it was partially done out of the guilt he felt! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Avery had such a strong will and she had completely “normal” reactions to her situations. And by that I mean she handled it like any of us would in the real world. She was upset, frustrated, lashed out, came to terms with her injuries, and then did what she needed to do to get better. I appreciated that it wasn’t all butterflies and roses and the hard truths and realities were written in! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This is one you will for sure want to pick up. I binged in one day! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Steam: 🔥🔥⠀⠀

Helena Hunting is a master at contemporary romance. Sharp, smart, sexy, sassy, dialogue and storytelling that draws you in, makes you invested in the characters. There’s always a fine line with what creates tension in a friends to lovers troupe. No conflict, no payoff. In When Sparks Fly this is going to work for many readers. I love Helena Hunting’s writing but elements included here didn’t work for me. Cheating comes really early, cascading an accident mirroring a previous trauma. There’s unresolved jealousy from a previous relationship that results in actions that felt too invasive for me. These are very individual, subjective things so know yourself as a reader. The writing is great but I advise due diligence to ensure it’s a match for you as a reader.
Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.