Member Reviews
I really adore the best friends to lovers trope and don't get to read as many as I'd like.
This book is the equivalent of a rich delicious cup of hot chocolate or homemade cookies! It left me all goey and happy inside and isn't that the best feeling when reading a low drama book by a favorite author?
Avery and Declan are relationship goals especially after the hiccups in their journey to a HEA!
Loved that there will be books for all the Sparks sisters!!
I devoured this book in one day! I loved the characters and everything they went through. Parts of it reminded me of other romance books, but it was swoon worthy. I love Helena Hunting!
I really enjoyed this book! Loved the friends to lovers! These two were great, absolutely loved them!! Can’t wait for the next sisters book!!!
I'm a huge fan of forced proximity and I loved that aspect in this book. I suppose since they were roommates already in it was a little different. It still entertaining!
Avery goes through quite an ordeal in this book, but truthfully Declan does too - just more emotional than physical. I really appreciated watching him grow throughout this book.
Avery is definitely not perfect, but I was impressed with her resilience.
The sparks in this book were amazing but it was really the last part where they put real work into their relationship that impressed me.
I did find a few parts where it seemed repetitive and unnecessary throughout the book - like what you might see in the second or third book in a series as a reminder. But perhaps I was just sensitive to repetition today
Overall a good read and I look forward to the other books in the series.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
4.5 stars for When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting.
I greatly enjoyed this book and looked forward to picking it back up when I was doing other things. The characters were engaging, the situation was not one you read in every other book, and I appreciated the loyalty each of the characters showed toward each other.
I don't believe I've read other books by Helena Hunting, but I'll be remedying that soon because this was a fun read.
It's not heavy nor is it something that's going to make you feel like you learned a lot, but that's not why I read. I read for enjoyment and this was enjoyable. Do yourself a favor, pick it up and give it a chance. I think you'll like it.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own.
When Sparks Fly
Helena Hunting
AHHHHHHH this book had all the superlatives! Amazing, Hot, Sexy and Emotionally gripping!
Avery and Declan are so much fun to read about. College friends Avery and Declan are roommates in a luxury condo. Avery runs an event space/hotel called the Spark House in Colorado Springs alongside her sisters, and a family business inherited from her parents. Declan is averse to long term relationships seeing both his parents were not great examples for him and with a dad who is a serial cheater. Avery gets in an accident, breaks a few bones, and luckily survives, brings Dec to his knees in guilt. To make up for almost getting his best friend killed, he takes care of Avery.
The writing was so amazing - I could hardly keep this book down - and find myself picking it back up almost immediately because I just love these characters and how lovely they are together. Chemistry is definitely there and so is the emotional attachment you will get from reading their story. Avery and Dec for the win - definitely sparks were flying and shooting through the roof!
Highly recommend - romance readers should not miss.
Avery comanda junto com as irmãs um hotel para eventos, a Spark House. Com uma vida bastante ocupada entre o trabalho, a família e passar tempo com os amigos, ela não tem muito tempo ou interesse em relacionamentos sérios, principalmente depois que seu namorado de faculdade a traiu. Porém, ela se envolve em um acidente de trânsito depois que seu melhor amigo Declan a deixa na mão. Declan, por sua vez, não se envolve em relacionamentos e Avery é talvez a única mulher que é uma constante na sua vida e ele se sente responsável pelo acidente já que ele deveria estar dirigindo. Agora Declan vai cuidar de Avery enquanto ela se recupera e isso vai trazer a tona a atração e os sentimentos que sentem um pelo outro.
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Como vocês sabem eu AMO os livros da Helena Hunting, toda vez ela consegue se superar e trazer uma história mais maravilhosa que a anterior. Dessa vez, Hunting entregou um friends to lovers de deixar o coração quentinho.
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Declan errou muito e tem muitas inseguranças por conta do modo como cresceu. Porém, ele trata Avery como uma jóia e se arrepende desde o primeiro momento por ter deixado ela na mão no dia do acidente.
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Avery, tem muitas questões ligadas principalmente ao acidente, ela odeia não ter sua independência e isso a deixa cada vez mais próxima de Declan.
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Eu gostei bastante da forma como a autora construiu a relação dos dois, passando da amizade ao algo mais e depois quando eles lidaram com seus problemas emocionais. A Helena Hunting tem uma característica que eu amo: os personagens dela sempre vão para a terapia.
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Se você está procurando um livro fofo e com um friends to lovers de arrancar suspiros, pode apostar nesse aqui.
This book felt like a comfort read for me, perfect for those nights where one searches for a sweet escape from the harsh and sharp lines of daily modern life. The characters have well-developed voices. I was rooting for them the whole time.
Content Alert: This book is not *clean* romance and there are some descriptive sexual scenes which I personally didn't appreciate.
This was my first book by this author and definitely won’t be my last by her!
I see this author a lot on Instagram and her books are so cute! Definitely loved the two characters and I’m excited to read other books by her.
I love a best friends romance about friends who seem to be completely clueless about their feelings. It makes the angst and ending so much more satisfying.
Avery is an amazing character. She's independent, strong, driven, and loyal. She's no push over and has no problem saying what needs to be said. I really loved everything about her. She's my favorite part of this book.
I'm really hoping this is the start of a series!! There's so many opportunities for these other characters!!!
I enjoyed the story very much, although I thought it was a wee bit contrived, I just couldn't imagine it happening for real. Declan and Avery are both larger than life characters, but I could not see Avery, and her sisters Harley and London all having the skills required to run an events hotel.
Nevertheless it was a decent read. The writing style is good, and easy to read, and there is a very sweet ending.
I so loved Declan and Avery's story, this friends to lovers is very emotional and with amazing characters. The way they both have to grow as individuals in order to find a way to be together after so many years and finally developing their relationship is a good story to read. I love how Helena creates and builts the story it gets me every time. A good recommendation.
3.25-3.5 stars. This was an okay read for me. When Sparks Fly is a friends to lovers stand alone book and is Avery and Declan's book. Avery and Declan have been best friends for years. Avery met Declan in college when she was dating his best friend. When that relationship broke up, Declan chose Avery's side and they remained the best of friends and are now even roommates. There has neer been any inkling of romance, attraction or anything between them. But circumstances change when Avery is in a very bad car accident, with multiple injuries and broken bones, requiring Declan's around the clock care. Things get kind of weird between them as they cross lines they never have before and feelings develop in new ways.
This story was interesting, but the pacing was a little off for me and meandered along. Avery and Declan were okay characters to me that I neither loved nor hated. There is also a seperation near the end, which I never like and feel stops all relationship momentum. But, ultimately, what kept this book from being really good was the lack of chemistry. The couple was so comfortable and brother-sister like, before their relationship took a sharp turn that came out of nowhere. The way they first become physical with each other comes off as Declan doing Avery a favor and not because of any attraction. In fact, I didn't feel any sort of attraction between them at all, no chemistry or anything beyond friendship vibes. I did believe that they really loved each other as best friends, but maybe that was too convincing because I never thought they fit romantically. I didn't feel any strong emotions about their story. Still, I liked the set up in this book. Avery's two sisters seemed fun characters, with all of them working together at a family event venue. I hope to see them both get books of their own at some point.
Overall, this was an okay read. It was entertaining in general, even if it wasn't my favorite Helena Hunting book. Friends to lovers is a tricky trope for me to love and I wasn't quite convinced here. Still, I enjoyed the story in general and look forward to more from Ms. Hunting in the future!
This story follows the tried and true romance outline.
It’s predictable but enjoyable. I liked all of the characters and found this story to be a quick, easy read.
I recommend it for you romance lovers and those who need a break from other genres.
This book was a blast to read, Helena Hunting writes some of the best friends to lovers romances out there, When Sparks Fly, will have you wanting more.
Avery and Declan, best friends since college that are now roommates, they were strictly in the friends zone with each other, until they weren’t. Their chemistry was amazing, lots of feel good vibes coming from these two. Lots of laugh out loud moments, the back and forth banter made them one of my new favorite couples, don’t miss out on these two, you won’t be disappointed!
Helena Hunting heats things up with WHEN SPARKS FLY. In this story, Avery Spark and her roommate/best friend, Declan McCormick crossed the line after he takes care of her following a car accident. The story takes place in Colorado Springs.
Avery and her two sisters: Landon and Harley, own an event hotel named Spark House. It’s an interesting hotel. A lot of the story revolves around creative ways to grow their business.
Avery and Declan have been best friends since college. They are likeable characters. They played intramural soccer together. I love how they share crossword puzzles. They both show a lot of growth in the story.
Avery dated their friend Sam in college. When they broke up, Declan chose Avery over Sam. Sam makes an appearance in this story that causes some friction between the characters. The two have some issues they need to resolve. Their friendship is jeopardized, but they realize the importance of the other in their lives.
Helena Hunting does a nice job with this story. I recommend this book to people who enjoy friends to lovers’ romances. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a sweet, quick read with a great friends to lovers trope. There was a good bit of emotion packed into this read, and I thought both of the characters experienced a good bit of development throughout the novel. Would definitely recommend to fellow romance lovers.
I really enjoyed this book. The only reason this book lost a star is because of the major miscommunication at the end of the book and how long it took to resolved. I adored the book and the concept. This is probably one of my favorite books by this author.
When Sparks Fly is a heartfelt, spicy and funny best friends to lovers romance.
Declan and Avery are best friends & roommates. They secretly harbor “more than friends” feelings for each other but are scared to cross that line and ruin one of the most important relationships in their lives. Declan lives his life as a playboy to hide his true feelings and Avery buries herself in her job.
Until one really big mistake by Declan results in him not being there for Avery, liked he promised, and now she is pretty seriously injured and needing of assistance. Declan wants to fix his mistake and be there for Avery now……but how exactly does she really need him? Will his guilt & secret feelings push him to finally make his move?
I loved this story. It’s honestly just so entertaining. You are alternating thoughts of “OMG, just admit your feelings” to “KISS HER NOW!!!” To “Hot Damn” since they are so hot together. I felt like an actual spectator in a real life relationship. And when they across the friendship lines they had previously drawn, it’s explosive, hot, sweet & romantic (and seriously so funny—-the special brownie scene!!). Too bad, it’s not perfect and they both make a lot of mistakes that can not only ruin their new relationship but even their friendship. You will be on the edge of your seat and rooting for them the entire time.
Another amazing book from Helena and I cannot wait for Averys’ sisters books…..
When Sparks Fly is the story told by Avery Spark. She and her two sisters run Spark House, an event hotel. Avery is happy with her life. She co-owns a condo with her good friend, Declan McCormick. They have been friends since college and they have a group of friends from that time. Avery’s parents were killed in a car accident that occurred during a rainstorm. Avery has reservations about driving in the rain because of that.
Avery has the opportunity to make a pitch to her college alumni association for the event hotel. She has made plans with some old friends to meet and attend a game while she is at the college. Declan is going to go with her. She reminds him several times about the event. The night before they are supposed to go, she has a date. This is our first indication that Declan could possibly have feelings for her. He objects to the dress she is going to wear on the date. He thinks it is too revealing when she is going out with someone he doesn’t know. She wears the dress anyway and goes out. Declan goes out that night and gets drunk, picks up a woman, and leaves his car by the bar, and takes an Uber home. In the morning, he oversleeps and then tells Avery that his car isn’t available. She had not wanted to take her car because she thinks she needs new tires and it is raining hard. She feels she doesn’t have any choice but to leave without him in her car.</p>
Declan calls her while she is driving to apologize. While they are on the phone, a guy in a white truck causes a multicar accident, and Avery is taken to the hospital. She has multiple injuries and will need full-time care for several months. Declan announces that he will be the one to take care of her over the objections of her sisters.
It is during the caregiver intimacy where we move into a new phase of their relationship. But that is not the end of the story. They have problems that both need to face before we could move into a happy ever after.
The book is a quick, interesting read. I think that while working to their “happily ever after” they run into some real-life problems that they work through. The wrinkles help the story. I think it is a good fall under the covers book.