When Sparks Fly is a heartwarming, highly emotional, friends-to-lovers romance, featuring phenomenally addictive writing, and refreshingly realistic characters.

Helena Hunting is quickly building a name for herself in romance and I can definitely see why! Her latest novel introduces three tight-knit sisters, Avery, Harley, and London who operate an event hotel called Spark House. The story centers around Avery, a workaholic who still shields her heart due to her last failed romance, and Declan, a savvy financial investor with a relationship phobia.

The catalyst for the story comes when Avery gets into a massive accident, and Declan, through misplaced guilt, takes immediate responsibility for her recovery process.

When Sparks Fly beings to the forefront the mental and emotional anguish of persons recovering from major accidents.

"I wanted to inflict some kind of pain on Declan that matches my own pain."

Avery's feeling of inadequacy and total vulnerability was extremely painful to read. That feeling of despondence that comes from knowing your body truly isn't yours and that the most basic of actions is beyond your abilities.

"My physical body isn't mine to command."

As Avery begins to recover and her relationship with Declan becomes more substantial, a blast from the past causes destroys their fragile understanding.

Declan has a lot of bitter resentment towards love and relationships, compliments of his parents that overshadows his ability to form emotional connections. My favorite part of this novel was him owning his vulnerabilities and shortcomings. When Declan asks for time, it’s not because he doesn’t miss Avery but because he does miss and love her and wants their relationship to work.

Aside from the romantic aspect of this novel, I truly enjoyed seeing the bonds of the sisters who truly emulate- family above all else.

#Moralofthestory: "Life is fragile"

Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

From bestselling author Helena Hunting comes a friends-to-lovers romance that will set off a new series of love for a set of isters. Set to be released on September 21st, When Sparks Fly shows how healing can help bring people together.

I really enjoyed the trajectory of this story. The way these best friends deal with tragedy, altering their relationship, realizing their feelings, and overcoming the obstacles in their lives is so well done and shows that not every relationship can be solved with a single grand gesture and apology. That sometimes it takes time and work to make a relationship work.

Don’t worry my romcom fans: there are still plenty of steamy times in this book as well as journeys of healing (both physical and emotional) for Avery and Declan. However, this boo gave me a lot of Katherine Center vibes so if you’re a fan of her work and like a bit of steam then this is the book for you!

For my first Helena Hunting book, I was very satisfied with it! I can definitely see why people are such fans of her writing. I will definitely be checking out her blacklist collection while I wait for the rest of this series to come out!

*I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Friends to lovers isn't my go to trope, but since I've read books by Helena Hunting and have enjoyed some of them, I was eager to give this a try. But it didn't quite work out for me like I hoped it would.

We have Avery and Declan that have been best friends since college and are now roommates. I was quite curious to see how they everyday life would be like since Dec is known as a playboy. But things start coming to light when Avery unexpectedly goes on a date and that set things in motion for me. We start seeing the jealous side of Dec, which was something I expected, but just the actions he took because of that lead to other things that became quite unforgivable.

In the beginning of the book, Avery gets into an accident, which the aftermath of it all was a little graphic than I expected it to be. It definitely surprised me a bit. With the long road of a recovery for Avery, Dec steps up and takes care of her. So, there's definitely more I want to share on this, but it's kind of spoilery.

The first half of the book, I was enjoying, but hesitant of Dec. Now that they're in even more of a close proximity situation because of Avery's injuries. We start seeing things grow even more between them. From then on, I started liking Dec less and less.

One of the things that I did like about the book is mental health and that the author normalized talking to someone or getting help. Both MCs still have some growing to do especially apart. Even by the end, I still wasn't on-board with Dec and everything he did in this book.

I really wished this worked out better for me, but I know many will absolutely love this book.

I enjoyed this story even though it had a bit more angst than I normally associate with Helena Hunting's books. It had humor and a happily ever after but it also dealt with issues of grief and abandonment.

Running the Spark House, a hotel/event space that has been in her family for years, has been Avery Spark’s lifelong dream. After years of working hard and making personal sacrifices, Avery and her two younger sisters have turned the Spark House into the premier destination in Colorado Springs. Avery is living her best life, she works with her sisters and loves every minute of it, she has a great group of friends, and she lives in a fantastic condo with her best friend Declan. But everything comes to a screeching halt when Avery is in a car accident, leaving her immobile for weeks. After nearly losing Avery, Declan insists that he will be the one to take care of her while she recovers. Avery and Declan have been best friends since college and always had an attraction to one another, but when she ended up dating his best friend, Sam, they successfully stamped down any feelings they may have ever had for one another. Now, as Declan and Avery spend more time together, they each begin to wonder what would’ve happened if she'd dated him instead of Sam.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author & it certainly won’t be the last. A well written page turner with lovely characters. Whilst on the surface it’s a delightful best friends to lovers story, underneath there are the issues that are raised by Avery’s accident & past events surface for Avery & her sisters. I loved how the romance built & hoe it was both sweet & steamy. I thoroughly enjoyed it & look forward to reading more by the author
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

A new Helena Hunting book? Sign me up! When Sparks Fly is a friends-to-lovers romance.

CW: car crash, death from a car crash (in the past)

The book follows roommates Avery and Declan, who have been best friends since freshman year of college. Both have always found the other attractive but buried it for the sake of keeping the friendship. After Avery gets into a car accident that Declan blames himself for, he vows to take care of her. Declan becomes Avery's primary care provider as she's on the road to recovery and as sparks ignite, Declan and Avery finally admit how they feel about each other.

I loved the friendship in this book and the sister friendship. I hope that both of Avery's sisters end up getting their own stories. I thought that Helena Hunting did an excellent job in her handling of the conflict and how it was resolved. I appreciated that it was obvious through not just words, but also actions, that the two of them wanted their HEA.

Thank you to Netgalley and SMP Romance for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Declan and Avery have been best friends since college. When life throws them a curveball and Avery is in a horrific car accident Declan steps up and offers to help Avery through her recovery. With so much time together alone will they find that there is something there that wasn't before?

Overall this is a very cute story. I truly appreciate the author having Declan taking a step back and assessing his personal health. So many romance books throw the main characters together even if they don't have a healthy history and expect the reader to assume that the relationship will be worked out due to their love for one another. It was refreshing for both characters to have some time to actually step back from the situation and see if this relationship was really one they both wanted to commit to. Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy.

3.5 stars

This book was a four stars book but then I hit 80% and... that happened... why? Why the unnecessary drama? We were doing okay. The normal drama was okay. The romance was perfect. The sexy times were amazing. The struggles were believable and great. The angst was perfect and then unnecessary drama appears. Why? Why do that to a really awesome book?
I get things shouldn’t be easy peasy for our mc but this particular *drama* came out of nowhere and made no sense. Honestly, it kinda ruined part of the enjoyment for me. And it sucks because I was really liking this book. Without *that* this would've been perfect!
Still this was a great friends to lovers, very fun loving book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love how this book had it all. Romance, emotions, sexy times, and really good lessons in the end. It started out hooking me from the very first page. The car accident was kind of a given based on the synopsis, but you could see what was going to happen as you read even if it hadn’t. At first I also was thinking that I hated how guys could sure seem to get lucky and sleep around, but rarely do girls get to do that in stories, and then we’re supposed to be okay with the guy moving on to the heroine. But the way it was done in this book, because they were just friends, it was okay.

Besides that though, I did love how Avery had one thing she needed help with that Declan wasn’t expecting. Something she didn’t even think she’d need help with, and when it turned into what it did, that was ingenious and so unexpected! It was perfectly fitting a book by Hunting. And oh my gosh, there was that first shower scene after that, man did it get hot! Whew! I was reading that on my lunch break at work, and yeah, might have been better read at home alone in my own bed.

Declan’s reaction towards the end was so over the top, even after the phone call with his mom, that I was dreading the drama just for drama’s sake that is so often put into romance novels. But it was the perfect way for the author to turn this into a realistic ending to the story, or at least what should be realistic and how people could or should fix things. And in the ending, we got the perfect wrap-up we needed or at least that I needed. I loved the Survivor-esque obstacle course at the end!

Finally I have to mention that I loved all of their friends as well as Avery’s sisters, even London when she was being herself. I can’t wait for the sister’s stories in the future!

Avery and Declan’s story was everything I expected and so much more, I was intrigued by the blurb for When Sparks Fly and I wasn’t disappointed. Once again the very talented Helena Hunting has given us characters to not only love but to also connect with on a very real level. This is a friends to lovers romance set in Colorado Springs and by the end of this book I felt like I had made friends and visited the town.
When Avery is injured in a car accident it’s Declan that offers to nurse his best friend back to health but it’s only after nearly losing her that has him realising just how much she means to him. From the moment Avery leaves the hospital the fun begins and things start to heat up but will a relationship get in the way of her recovery…..
This book ticked all my boxes, I loved all the characters, the chemistry is scorching hot, the banter is witty but it was the relationship Avery had with her sisters that gave this story additional depth. The hero is swoon worthy and the heroine is sassy and once you add in some heartwarming moments and some entertainment with some pot brownies you get the perfect read. Wonderful, captivating read that should be on everyone’s TBR list.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 “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.”

What You’ll Find:
✔️Friends to Lovers
✔️Roommates
✔️Close Proximity
✔️Dual POV

When Sparks Fly tells the story of friends Avery and Declan. When Avery is in an accident that Declan feels responsible for, he insists on being the one to care for her. But as he helps her get back on her feet, lines begin to blur. And when things get serious, their past comes back to threaten their future.

Straight up, I have some mixed feelings on this one. While I thought some of it was fun.. having a good balance of humour, steam, angst and emotion. There were things that I didn’t like throughout their relationship. It felt much younger than I expected, in terms of their behaviour. But in the end, I didn’t doubt that they cared for each other. And again, in the end, they seemed to work through things together, each owning their own part, which I liked. It was a definitely a sweet ending. Check it out.

*Thank you to St. Martins Press for this ARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely.

Avery and Declan are best friends and roommates. They've never been more than platonic. She was dating Sam in college, who was also best friends with Declan. Once Sam cheated on her, Declan chose Avery over Sam and hasn't spoken to him since.

I enjoyed this friends to lovers story, but I wasn't 100% convinced of Avery and Declan's transition to lovers. After so many years of a platonic relationship, I just didn't believe in the change. Plus, Declan was just a little immature. He tries to make up for his behavior that occurred at the beginning of the book, but his reaction to the conflict at the end of the book didn't sit right with me. I wished he would have acted/reacted differently.

I will still read Helena Hunting as she is one of my favorites! I still give it four stars as I flew through it and ultimately enjoyed it.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. Don't be fooled by the illustrated cover; although this does have a little bit of comedy, this book is more serious than I had expected.
Avery and Declan have been best friends for almost a decade, and they have the perfect relationship. However, the first time he really failed at the friendship gig, she had a terrible car accident immediately after, and this began the chain of events that led to more. She needed almost constant care, and he decided that he needed to be the one to step up and take care of her. Shenanigans ensued.
This set up is fairly standard, but despite some foreshadowing, I was still a bit surprised at how quickly everything turned for them. Avery and Declan were both very broken people. The major conflict had been slowly building up for a good chunk of the book, and I appreciated that love doesn't cure everything. Despite that appreciation, the last quarter of the book was still harder to read, and Declan waved a few big red flags. I'm glad he did the work, but I honestly felt like Avery needed more help than she was seeking, which left me feeling a little disappointed. Until that point, I enjoyed this book, and I am hoping that Avery's sisters are sequel bait. It was a mostly enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more of her work.

When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting was a friends to lover story filled with great characters, a great story and that humor that Helena does so well.
Avery and Declan are best friends, roommates and always there for each other. Declan has always had a crush on Avery but never acted on it.
A car accident changes everything, and Declan becomes more than just a friend.
These two together have such chemistry and sizzling interactions. I just loved the banter, the caring nature, and Declan’s love that develops.
Their friendship evolved into so much more. There was some angst thrown in too, but overall it was a sweet story that developed from tragedy. I also loved the personal growth we saw from the characters dealing with their past issues to enable them to be open, honest and capable of loving each other to the fullest extent.
I really enjoyed this story, and these characters.

**3.5 Stars**

When Sparks Fly is a best friends to lovers romance involving Avery and Declan who have been best friends for years and who live together. The book starts off with some drama and a definite bit of a tragic vibe when Avery gets into a very bad car accident. She and Declan find themselves in an even greater forced proximity situation when he decides to be her caregiver/nurse and tend to her every need, which sends their relationship down a much different path.

I enjoyed the friendship aspect of the story. I liked how loyal of a friend Declan was to Avery, and I love what a great group of friends Declan and Avery have. They seemed to have a lot of fun together. I loved how well Declan took care of Avery after her accident, though I struggled with his choices prior to the accident. I struggled at times with Avery's relationship with her sisters and some of the scenes in the book involving them.

I was not a fan of the major conflict in the story. I think the book didn't need that particular conflict. I do appreciate the work Declan ultimately did to better himself, but wish there was a better way to achieve that goal. I did highly enjoy the ending.

I’ve always thought that enemies to lovers is my favorite romance trope, but I just read a friends to lovers book that’s making me rethink that! I absolutely adored When Sparks Fly by @helenahunting.

The book switches back and for between best friends and roommates Avery and Declan. They both are interested in each other but won’t admit it because of their friendship. When Declan makes a bad decision and it ends with Avery getting seriously hurt, he does everything he can to help with her recovery; including playing nurse while she heals. This forced proximity begins to ignite those deep feelings. Both characters also have some issues with their parents; Avery’s parents had a wonderful loving relationship, but they died tragically. Declan’s parents are divorced after lots of cheating and infidelity and it has really messed up his view of relationships.

I loved how real this book felt. Declan and Avery have some serious chemistry and you can feel it from the very beginning. I also loved Avery’s sisters and I’m happy that there will be more of the Spark sisters coming! The next book will tell London’s story. They are total #girlbosses and their business sounded so fun. I would love to do some pool obstacle courses!

A good friends to lovers story that has some underlying trauma/angst. While it has some funny moments, it didn't have the hilarity that I usually associate with the author (except that darned turtle lol) That isn't to say the storyline wasn't good. I had the gamut of emotions in the story. I felt the pain of loss, the fear of letting go, the fear of doing something that brings back emotional pain, the pain of well, pain from injury and inability to just do what you want to when you want to, having to lean on others when all you want to do is do it yourself. Eventually you realize that the person you always leaned on to just be there for you has become so much more. Eventually you realize that your dreams may not be everyone else's dreams.

This was an awesome friends to lovers story. Avery and Declan are best friends who have never crossed “that” line. Her heart wasn’t available for a serious relationship and he was never looking for commitment. When there is an accident and they spend all their time together the lines start to get blurry and then disappear altogether.
What I loved about this take on a friends to lovers story is that the author didn’t gloss over the hard parts. This felt like a love story you hear about in real life. Love is not always smooth sailing. It’s messy and hard work. Angry and Declan out in the hard work and got their HEA.

I don't know what happened but it just completed and utterly fell flat. Having adored many of Hunting's previous works (lets face it, it's mainly Pucked). I thought the overall premise of the When Sparks Fly sounded promising, however the execution of it didn't seem to achieve what could have been its full potential. Declan's actions especially in the beginning of the story, and throughout it, makes it a bit difficult for one to see him as the hero of this story when he isn't exactly painted as one. I understand Hunting is using this moment to also discuss mental health but at what point do we stop excusing the stuff he ultimately puts the Avery through. Overall, the chemistry and relationship between Avery and Declan felt forced, I found much of the story to be boring and ultimately drawn out.

eARC was kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Thank you to NetGalley, SMP, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: cheating (past relationship), fear of car accidents, death of parents in car accident (past), grief, car accident, long term recovery

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f best friends to lovers
-roommance/close-proximity
-hurt/comfort
-so major pining and denial
-a love of crossword puzzles
-A helping hand (wink wink)


I really enjoyed the audiobook, both narrators really added so much to the MCs. The expression, inflections, they truly added to the story.

I truly loved the friendship aspect of this book. The conflict was so well put together, their histories and backstories melding together. I'm also a huge fan of hurt/comfort and the building sexual tension while Declan took care of her, in a full-service manner, was excellent. Both characters were fully realized and independent, not needing each other but wanting the other.

There were some emotional aspects I wish the book had delved deeper into, but I loved that after the dark moment they didn't just get back together. They fought for each other and earned their HEA.

Rating: 4
Steam: 3.5