When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting is a book that once I started reading I had a difficult time putting it down. This was a cute and fun story of friends to lovers that got pretty steamy at times. Avery and Declan are the main characters that have been friends for years when a really bad accident occurs that causes one of them to take care of the other during rehabilitation. There is crazy chemistry between these two and it was not difficult to root for success in a relationship between them. This is a fairly fast read, but totally enjoyable along the way.

Avery Spark has spent her adult life running Spark House with her two sisters. She is living her best life complete with her dream job running events at the highly coveted venue in Colorado Springs, a great group of friends, an active lifestyle, and a great roommate in her best friend Declan. But when Avery is in a car accident, she must learn to slow down to recover. Blaming himself for her accident, Declan takes on the role of Avery’s caretaker. Soon lines start to blur and the two realize they have feelings for each other. But can they put aside their trust issues and commitment phobia to make their relationship work?

When Sparks Fly is told in alternating first-person perspectives from Avery and Declan. I loved both characters. Avery is so determined and gives so much of herself to her business and her relationships. Likewise, Declan was such a good friend and roommate. He steps right up to take care of Avery when she’s in her accident.

I also loved the supporting characters: Avery’s sisters Harley and London, and Declan and Avery’s friends Mark and Jerome. I can’t wait to read future books from their perspectives!

I was pleasantly entertained and fascinated by The Spark House and all the events the Spark girls put on. It wasn’t just simple weddings and corporate events. The story opens on a hobbyhorse competition that was hilarious in its ridiculousness.

I highly recommend When Sparks Fly to fans of the friends to lovers and forced proximity tropes in romance.

Thank you to BookSparks, St Martin’s Griffin, Netgalley, and Helena Hunting for the review copy! All opinions are my own.

Avery and Declan aren’t prepared for the chemistry between them when Declan takes over caregiving duties for Avery after she is hurt in a car accident. I love the chemistry between the two and the way Helena keeps us on the edge of our seats. This small town romance will touch your heart.

This is a lovely, sweet, friends to lovers, forced proximity-ish romance.
Declan and Avery have been best friends and roommates for a long time. Their friendship is effortless and their connection is obvious but they have never crossed the line......until they do and then things get complicated!!

This is quite a lengthy and absorbing story with more than just Declan and Avery’s relationship going on. We get to meet all the other people in their lives and learn a lot about them. I’m sure we will be meeting the Spark sisters again.

I appreciate Ms Huntings writing in that their is no unnecessary angst, any problems are realistic and understandable. Yes you want to shake Declan for his choices and ways of dealing but also Avery needed a wake up on a couple of occasions and who better to deliver it than your blunt, no nonsense sisters....

I enjoyed my stay at Spark House and look forward to London and Harley’s stories.

Avery and Declan have been friends since college. They've always been close and eventually buy a condo together. When Declan fails on a promise to drive Avery to meeting in the rain, she is involved a car accident. To make amends, Declan takes on the role of caretaker. As she recovers, they become physically close. Not built on a strong foundation it only creates more complications in their relationship. A friends to lovers trope that has a long way to go for trust.
On of my favorite contemporary romance authors with a few laugh out loud moments.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Happy and heartwarming
5 stars

I am a fairly recent convert to Helena Hunting’s stories and was so excited to get my hands on this first book in this new series. This book focuses on Avery, the eldest of three sisters who own and run Spark House - an exclusive hotel / event space. I’m hoping Avery’s sisters get their own stories but either way, this story is complete with it’s on HEA so stands completely alone.

Avery is the heroine of our tale and she’s a strong and likeable woman. She’s honest, owns her faults and is loyal and loving to her friends and family. I liked that she was constantly trying to push herself to be better but also realised her limitations. I definitely rooted for her all the way through.

I adored Declan. He had a respectable job, was healthy and hugely loyal - but was still in many ways a lost little boy with his fear of commitment. He makes mistakes but I loved that he owned up to them and tried to do better. His vulnerability when it came to Avery was swoonworthy and there was none of the usual drama when there’s a character who doesn’t usually ‘do’ relationships.

This is a best friends - who are also roommates - to lovers story and while that does mean we skip the usual ‘getting to know you’ phase, there is quite a slow burn while these two move from friendship into something more. But when they do… oh Lordy, I loved it. The whole premise about why they started hooking up was why romance books were invented.

This isn’t as lighthearted as some of Ms Hunting’s romcoms and while it does deal with some potentially upsetting things, they’re all handled very lightly and we never get bogged down with unnecessary emotions. Having said that it’s not a straight romcom, this book was still really funny in places. The peanut brownies, the hobbyhorses to name but two - completely cracked me up.

There’s more to the story than just the romance it’s not just about Declan and Avery moving from friends to something more, but them becoming a couple that are perfect for each other and will stay together.

No matter what she’s writing, Ms Hunting pulled me in with this story. I was hooked from the first page and I just wanted to keep reading and reading and reading some more. As I said, I’m hoping for books for London and Harley. It may be too convenient to pair them with Declan and Avery’s friends, Jerome and Mark - but here’s hoping and I’ll read them all, regardless. This is a fun and delightful story that is adorable and will warm your heart. I very much enjoyed it and didn’t hesitate to give it 5 stars.

When Sparks Fly sucked me right in and didn't let me go. Impossible to put down and full of feelings - you won't regret reading it!

Avery and Declan are roommates and best friends (two of my favorite tropes combined). We learn early on that they both have feelings for each other, but the other doesn't know so they just go on about their business. Because of these feelings things ramp up and Avery ends up in an accident and needs full time care for a few weeks.

Declan to the rescue! Declan is insistent on taking care of Avery 100%, for reasons you'll have to find out later. This is where their friendship starts to blur the line and they become something more. I loved how their relationship blossomed over time. There is a part where things start to fall apart a bit, however I love how Hunting wove everything together and gave both Declan and Avery the necessary time to deal, rather than a quick and short "It's all better now."

Cannot say enough about When Sparks Fly! Read it!

Avery and Declan have been friends since college. In fact, he chose Avery over his best friend when the two broke up. They even bought a condo together. But when Avery is injured in a car crash that Declan blames himself for, he vows to take care of her until she can take care of herself. All that togetherness will make or break their relationship.

Declan doesn't realize how deeply he's damaged due to his own parents' dysfunctional relationship until it threatens his newfound security with Avery. Not only are her sisters frustrated with him, but his and Avery's mutual friends don't like being put in the middle.

This was an enjoyable romance. Declan and Avery are both complex, damaged people whose happiness the reader quickly becomes invested in. One of the plot premises was too farfetched for me, but sometimes you just have to suspend your disbelief and go along for the ride. This book feels like it's part of a series. #WhenSparksFly #NetGalley

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

Characters: Avery and Declan are the main characters of this story. Avery owns and operates the Spark House with her two sisters. Avery is trying to navigate the dating world. She is much more of a tomboy. She is athletic and has always been the type of girl with guy friends. I loved her independent and do it herself attitude. It made for a fun dynamic when she was hurt and Declan had to care for her. Declan is Avery’s best friend. They met in university and were instant friends. He is loyal, caring and kind. I could not help but want to get to know him better as the story progressed.

Setting: The story is set in Colorado Springs. I was a bit down that we did not get to spend much time at the Spark House. But getting to know her sisters better sure made up for it. Both London and Harley are fiercely protective and hardworking. They are all very close after losing their parents young. So what I am really hoping to see from this series are future books about the other sisters navigating love.

Pacing: The pacing was quite good. The characters did not fall in love too slow or too fast. It felt a bit longer than the average romance story and I liked that about it. The referenced accident in the blurb does not happen in the first chapter or so. It is a bit later on and I liked the pace of all the plot points. Helena really allowed for the readers to get to know the characters first before the falling in love happened.

Romance: So often in romance novels, the characters either do not know each other or they know each other but were never that close. It was so lovely to have the epitome of a friends-to-lovers romance. This romance really starts with two characters giving in to their whims. I do not want to spoil how they start hooking up to you but please please trust me. Any romance reader is gonna love how this all goes down!

This is an adorable friends to lovers, small town romance with a little emotions and a lot of laughs! Declan and Avery’s journey to falling in love was a lot of fun to read and I really enjoyed every minute of it. This is definitely one of the more realistic friends to lovers romance I’ve read and I definitely felt more connected to Declan and Avery. I’m very excited for the rest of this series, especially since the side characters had a huge part of this book! Personally I love Helena’s books and I definitely gravitate more to here hockey romances but I did still really enjoy this one🙌🏼

Avery Spark and her sisters own and run Spark House in Colorado Springs. Avery has sacrificed so much to make a success out of their business, but she loves her life. The only thing missing is someone to share her life with. When her life takes a sudden turn for the worse, the one person whom she has always counted on, her best friend Declan comes to the rescue and offers to be her caregiver. Can she trust herself to not fall in love with the one person who means the world to her? Will she risk their lifelong friendship for a chance at love?

I loved this story of friends who realize they have always loved each other. Helena Hunting draws you into Avery’s story from the very first page and it was hard to put this book down. I loved the Spark family dynamics and the bond between the sisters. After finished Avery’s story, I can not wait to see what is in store for the other sisters. A fabulous read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I was gifted and would like to thank St Martin’s Press. All and opinions are my own.

Avery and her sisters run Spark House, a cool sounding event venue. Declan has been her best friend since their freshman year of college and they now share a condo. After Avery is in a horrible car accident, Declan steps up to help her with her recovery. This is where the book title comes in. There is a lot of emotional growth to go with the physical recovery and it is well written.

I received a copy of this book to review from St Martin’s Press through NetGalley and thoroughly enjoyed it.

4.5 Stars ⭐️

When Sparks Fly was the best kind of surprise.

I am not a fan of friends to lovers romance reads but am a huge fan of Helena Hunting - so if she writes it, I will read it. Helena managed to get me to enjoy one of my least favorite tropes and gush about it!

This book is the best kind of read because not only will you fall in love with the main characters, you will also get a kick out of the secondary ones too. Avery and Declan are best friends and roommates. Their friendship is solid and based upon mutual likes and hobbies. I liked that about them. I also enjoyed that he was way into her even though he was in deep denial. Not gonna lie, there was a moment where I wanted to reach into my kindle and throttle him, but there were more times, when I wanted to hold his hand. Avery was interesting. She’s a woman’s woman. Loyal, loving, dedicated. She’s also a force to be reckoned with.

The evolution of Avery and Declan’s relationship was a beautifully complicated one. It wasn’t always easy or pretty, but it was real. This book made me feel a lot of things - on both ends of the emotional spectrum. It made me happy and sad, angry and excited, but what it made me feel most, was hopeful. There is always light at the end of the tunnel and there will always be a happily ever after, one way or another….

I can’t wait to see what’s coming next in this series. I’m giving When Sparks Fly the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval. TBR and Enjoy!

Another great, fun read from Helena Hunting. No surprise here, really. Here's the scoop:
Plot overview: Declan and Avery are roommates and good friends. Declan breaks a promise to Avery and Avery ends up injured in a car accident. Feeling very guilty, Declan takes care of her. And, as the title suggests, sparks fly, and they realize they're maybe more than just friends after all.

Trope bingo: new adult romance, roommates-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, forced proximity

There are a few things you can always count on from Helena Hunting:

Swoony heroes: Declan fits the bill nicely. Sure, he's a bit of a "playboy" when the story starts, but he never ventures into manwhore territory as far as I'm concerned. He dates, has sex, and enjoys women. He's not an a-hole about it. And when he realizes how much he actually cares for Avery, he's as loyal as a little puppy dog, and every bit as cute.

Sassy heroines: Avery is smart and doesn't take crap from anyone. Not being able to maintain her independence while she's injured grates against her very soul, but she's wise enough to realize when she needs help, and she doesn't push it away. She also graciously forgives Declan for the asshattery that lands her in the car wreck, understanding that it wasn't really his fault. She didn't hold any irrational grudges, and for that alone, I loved her. She also wasn't ashamed to admit that she was a sexual person who had no trouble asking for exactly what she wanted. I respected the hell out of her for that.

Great banter: Couples in Helena Hunting books banter like no one else. It's always a ton of fun.

Sexy times: Yes, they bang. Yes, it's totally hot. :)

Dual POV: My 5-star keeper reads are almost exclusively dual POV. So many romances these days are 1st person POV that I felt I needed to point out this one as a dual POV read. I love knowing what both main characters are thinking. I hate guess work .

Now, if I was going to complain, I'd say that this book isn't necessarily what I'd call a rom com. To me, these cartoon covers only belong on rom coms, where there are shenanigans and wackiness and lots of laughs. This was more of a straight forward new adult romance. That's not the author's fault, mind you. I blame St. Martin's marketing department for this one. Quit trying to market every romance as a rom com!!! It only ends up pissing readers off.

So, I give the book 5 stars. I give St. Martin's marketing department only 2 stars.

Note: I received an ARC from Netgalley and voluntarily left this review.

4 stars!

When Sparks Fly is a entertaining friends-to-lovers full of so much heart. It’s a slightly different take on the trope than I have read before and I really enjoyed it!!

Declan and Avery have been best of friends since college. Though there was an attraction for the beginning, they were only ever friends. When Avery started dating Declan’s best friend, it pushed them further into the friend-zone where they have stayed. Even after Sam and Avery broke up, they have never crossed the line.

Avery wants to find love but hasn’t really connected with anyone since she her breakup with Sam crushed her and broke her heart. Declan on the other hand isn’t looking for love. His view of relationships was ingrained in him when he was young because of the way his parents were and he doesn’t see a forever with someone in his future.

When Avery gets in a car accident and Declan feels the blame, he takes over her care and they become even closer. He is all in when it comes to helping Avery and lines start to blur when they least expect it.

This book is so much fun but also brings us serious situations and feelings. It’s a sweet romance between best friends who fall for each other when circumstances bring them even closer together. The transition from friends to lovers happens organically as Declan becomes Avery’s caregiver. I felt the attraction and the building tension the more time they spend together.

"The attraction I once felt back when we were freshman in college seems to have found its way out of the friendship box I stuffed it into years ago."

When they finally give in, they bring on the heat and they try hard to keep things causal but it’s hard to go back once the lines are crossed and if things go bad, their friendship may not be salvageable.

"For so long, we were magnets unpolarized. Facing the wrong way and orbiting each other, missing the connection until the world finally aligned and brought us together, only to tear us apart again."

There are some growing pains while they navigate uncharted relationship territory and while it hurt my heart, I understand why things happen the way they do, and I loved that they know what each other needs. I really enjoyed seeing Declan’s growth and Avery’s patience. I was full on rooting for them to work things out!

The secondary characters were fantastic. I loved Declan and Avery’s friends and I adored Avery’s sisters, Harley and London. I desperately want more of all of them and also more of Spark House!!

Cute story and loveable characters. Has the authors signature style of humor and love which I love reading from her. Another book that will be reread over and over again.

Wowzers, this one was STEAMY. I enjoyed the characters and their friendship. This was well plotted and I was fully engaged-until I wasn’t. The jump from friends to lovers was so swift and just not…believable. I just couldn’t stay engaged with it after that. Although it was a fun read and I enjoyed the ending, i wish the transition had been a bit more smooth and authentic.

This was a sweet and fun romance with a little angst and a lot of sexiness. Best friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites. I love seeing that aha moment when they realize they have been in love with their friend for years. That is no different with Declan and Avery. They have so much in common and everyone around them knew way before they realized the intimate connection and love for one another was more than friends.

This was enjoyable and fun and what you would expect from Helena. It was a little slow at first but still enjoyable.

4 out of 5 stars

Helena Hunting is a go to romantic comedy author for me and this book proved that once again. When Sparks Fly follows Avery and Declan, roommates and best friends, who try to work through their new dynamic once Avery is in a bad accident. She needs tons of attention all day long and getting that from her best friend starts to change her feelings about him.

I loved both of these characters and I loved the dual POV, I think every romance should have that. I don't normally enjoy the friends to lovers trope but Helena Hunting does banter and chemistry so well that I'm glad I gave this one a chance. It also had some fun side characters, I especially liked Avery's sisters and the whole side plot of their event house business. Both main characters had big emotional arc's which had me almost tearing up from time to time. The flaws for me were how anticlimactic their coupling up was and the was Declan reacted to something in the third act. Maybe his trust issues weren't explored enough for me to understand it, but it seemed largely out of character to me. The third act break up is a classic and even though I didn't like their reason for breaking up, I liked how they acted after and had a slow reconciliation.

Overall, a great, emotional, friends to lovers romcom with just enough steam and lighthearted moments.

This has to be one of my favorite tropes. Best friends to lover gets me every time and Helena Hunting writes this trope like no other.

The story of Avery and Declan is perfect because it feels real. Humans are complicated. Bagage, even when acknowledged is not always easy to handle. And it makes relationships messy. But I hope to one day be as fiercely loved as Declan loves Avery. This is a feel good romance. With a few winks for those readers who have read all her passed books, I am loving this new series and look forward to the next book! It reads fast because it is so delectable!

I see man reviews being so hard on Declan. When for me my heart broke for him, for his distress, for his love and relationship anxiety. And what he is willing to do for her, and in turn her for him, shows us just how strong their bond was despite all the bullshit.

The ratings on this book clearly don’t reflect the book I have read. Declan is now at the top of my HH book boyfriend list with Darren and Grif. ♥️