I would consider Helena Hunting one of my favorite romance authors and I have loved almost every book of hers I’ve picked up. Unfortunately, When Sparks Fly fell flat for me.

I went into it having read the synopsis (which you know I don’t usually do) and I thought it sounded amazing! A friends to lovers, with forced proximity (they’re already roommates!), when one becomes severely injured in a car accident, the other steps up to be their full time caregiver. *cue heart eyes and instant swoon.

However, I found the conversations to be repetitive and the chemistry to be lacking. I was craving the angst that we usually see in Helena’s books and honestly, I didn’t find myself rooting for either of these characters. Although I can empathize with an injury like what is sustained, I can only hear so many times how difficult it is to do ‘x, y and z’ in the span of 300 pages.

The decisions and flow of the story felt methodic, rigid and a little fake.

BUT. I am a huge Helena fan so here are some things I did like! I thought the handling of mental health was well done and I can absolutely appreciate (and applaud) characters trying to better themselves with the use of therapy. The initial relationship between the two main characters felt nostalgic and as always, the grand gesture was *chefs kiss. I loved the female main characters family, and her ties to family, but I didn’t feel they were involved enough to warrant how often they were mentioned.

When Sparks Fly won’t discourage me from picking up any of Hunting’s future books (nor should my review discourage you) but ultimately, I felt it was missing that *special something that so many of her other books contain.

I do feel that the readers for this book are out there! So definitely give When Sparks Fly a shot if you love HH.


*TW: car accidents, abuse, childhood trauma, loss of a parent.


Huge thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. Also, a big shoutout to the cover design team, those bold beautiful colors drew my eye right in!

An enjoyable light read.
Best friends Avery and Declan find themselves becoming much closer after a serious accident makes Declan her main caregiver whilst she recovers. Taking a chance on being more than friends, is though a risk, as Declan’s formative years have affected how he sees relationships.
Note: I was interested in the fact that Avery had waterproof casts as I had never heard of them. I therefore looked up the details on the Internet only to find that Avery would not have been a suitable candidate due to her surgery! Heigh-ho.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first book I've read by this author, although I have a few of her other books on my tbr. I've really been enjoying friends to lovers romances lately and I instantly wanted to read this once I saw that this had that trope. Another aspect about romances that I love is when one character has to take care of the other, particularly when one is sick or injured. It brings about a sweet dynamic and vulnerable situations that take the characters outside of their typical interactions with one another. This book delivered on both those accounts.

This story is about best friends Avery and Declan, friends since college and now in their late 20s and early 30s, living together in a shared condo. When Avery is injured, Declan jumps at the chance to help nurse her back to health. His care and attention in her time of need bring the two of them closer together than every before and their feelings begin to blossom. Unfortunately, issues from their past may threaten to creak the new foundation of their budding romance before it even begins.

I enjoyed the characters of this story, Avery and her two sisters, as well as the guy group that Declan is a part of. It was easy to follow and get swept up into this story quickly. The accident and her recovery are very involved and the honesty with which they talk about taking care of her basic needs like changing clothes and visiting the bathroom bring a healthy dose of reality into a scene which could have been painted with rose colored glasses and romanticized elsewhere. I appreciated the author wrote those scenes and made them real, vulnerable and awkward because I've been in her shoes and that describes those situations quite well.

The moment that brings them from friends to something more romantic seemed a bit far fetched to me. Without spoiling it, I'll just say that she could have found something else to take care of that instead of asking him to do so. It seemed far fetched and less than believable, but I was invested in their relationship and trajectory of their attraction to each other at that point so I kept reading. I'm glad that this story brought up mental health and therapy discussions, because some issues needed to be worked through and sorted out from the past. They were both committed to finding healthy ways to navigate the difficulties of the past, which I appreciated as a reader.

All in all, I thought this had good world building (maybe books about Avery's two sisters and more about Spark House will happen in the future?) and I enjoyed seeing Declan and Avery finally find a way to process their feelings in a healthy way, before acting on the attraction sizzling between the two.

Content: trust issues from unresolved toxic parenting, car accident, caregiving

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Avery and Declan are best friends that live together. After Declan puts a one-night stand ahead of a promise to Avery, she's in an horrible accident and Declan takes over caring for her during her rehabilitation.
I love friend-to-lovers stories but this one wasn't my favorite. I'm usually a big fan of Hunting's work-either her angsty books or her hysterical books like the Pucked series. These two characters were very dramatic but somehow they didn't resonate with me like her other characters. The steamy scenes were very steamy-good job by Hunting there, but the "spark" between them was missing for me until about 80% through the book. I was happy with the story after that point so I'll give it a solid three stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for my honest review.

I began reading Helena Hunt's hockey books, and was eager to read this story. I wasn't disappointed. Two friends who have been together for years become roommates. Avery is single, an event planner at her family's hotel. Her roommate, Declan is footloose, irresponsible and fancy free, with a different woman every night. When Avery is in a car accident going to a meeting that Declan was originally supposed to be the driver for, Declan steps in guiltily and takes over helping Avery to recuperate. The scenes of his ineptness, helping her with personal care and hygience etc. are so real and funny. They eventually develop their relationship into more, and gives the novel a satisfying end. A wonderful read.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this copy for my unpaid, honest review.

Friends to lovers is not typically a favorite trope of mine, but this is definitely the exception! I loved the chemistry between the characters and how the problems were very real and dealt with (not swept under the rug). 5 star romance!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book had everything I love from Helena, with a really fresh premise that kept me so engaged.

There were several times where I just couldn’t put this book down because I needed to know what would happen next.

The idea behind this story was SO good, it created such a great dynamic and I loved the idea of the Spark House as a whole. This book and romance felt really mature, and I really loved how the conflict was handled. It was something we don’t always see, and made this book and romance so amazing!

I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for something a bit different (in a good way)!

When sparks fly is the story of two excellent friends who share everything, love of sport, hobbies, friends, a house ... But who have always kept the limit of their relationship to friendship. Declan categorically refuses to have a serious relationship with a woman because of his parents' experience which marked him. Avery dated a friend of Declan's for a while, but Declan's friend cheated on her. In short, Declan and Avery are friends and roommates.
After a series of events and bad decisions from Declan, they find themselves closer than ever. Declan tries absolutely everything to be forgiven and has to help Avery all the time. This physical closeness and the prospect of what they might have lost changes their relationship.
I loved seeing these two friends realize their feelings and declare them. Their relationship is very beautiful, before becoming lovers, they are best friends and it is the best basis for a couple.
Avery's sisters who are very protective take care of her, the three of them are a united family.
Our couple's friends are real friends, they want the best for everyone.
Declan made a big mistake, hard to forgive, especially considering what Avery has been through in the past, and even though he feels terribly guilty and works hard to deserve forgiveness, I wish Avery had forgive him less quickly.
Avery is adorable, she needs to please everyone, to take care of others, maybe a little too much. Declan has deep-rooted fears that lead him to make bad decisions. I appreciated that he was helped by a professional. Even the best friends and the love of your life can't save you from everything, sometimes you need professionals, there's no shame in that. Declan is ready to do anything to get better, to move forward, to rebuild a healthy relationship on solid foundations with the woman he loves. It is admirable.
This very touching novel addresses important themes such as friendship, fidelity, trust, forgiveness, redemption, family, mourning, love ... There is a lot of sensuality too. In short, a pleasant romance to read.

I so enjoy a friends to lovers story - and one where the friendship has as much history as this story really gets me excited.

Avery and Declan’s friendship dates back to their college days - they share friends, her sisters know him well, they know each other’s bad decisions - that’s a lot of baggage to overcome when you realize you are meant to be a whole lot more.

I really enjoyed reading as these two struggled and realized how important it was to grow as individuals in order to become a pair.

Helena Hunting has really spoiled us in the last year or two with new worlds and new groups of friends and I have really enjoyed meeting all these characters.

Pick this one up!!!!

Best friends becoming more is one of my favorite tropes and this one is wonderfully done. I loved the characters in this story. Avery is such an independent woman with fabulous friends and sisters. Declan is a wounded hero who tries to protect his heart. The friendship between Avery and Declan is a so close. I loved that they became even closer. The book was a roller coaster of emotions but I loved every minute. I loved that they both ended up helping each other heal. I am definitely a fan of Helena Hunting after reading this book! I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting is a fun friends to lovers story. Ms. Hunting has done a good job telling this story of how Avery Spark and Declan McCormick move on from best friends to a loving relationship after Declan, who was already Avery's roommate, spends lots of time with Avery caring for her after a car accident. I enjoyed reading along as this relationship develops. Avery and Declan sure do deserve their Happily Ever After.

I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

1 star

I did not enjoy this book at all. The writing was subpar. It was too simple and didn't invoke any sort of feelings. I finished the book because when I write a review I feel obligated to at least read the whole story. However, I did not care about the outcome at all. The characters were seriously underdeveloped, the dialogue was cheesy, and the story was way too cliché.

This quick light romantic tale is a perfect summertime beach read. Avery and Declan are engaging characters and they each have tragedies in their past that make committing to a permanent relationship difficult. Predictable story arc? Yes. But enjoyable and satisfying nonetheless.
#netgalley

Really enjoyed this rom-com from bestselling author Helena Hunting!

Avery Sparks is a lovable heroine, though defiantly frustrating at times! I really adored Declan, he is so caring and loyal- I wanted him to be happy so much. Their slow friends to lovers journey went just at the right pace! I liked how the author didn't rush them into something more- instead we got treated to the step by step journey and it made the turning point so wonderful. I do wish the side characters had more development, but overall this book was a fun ride.

If you're looking for a fun, happy romance read, pick up When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting.

This story was an entertaining romance. Avery Spark and Declan McCormick are best friends and have been since they met in college. Both are athletic and sports mad. Both are wary of relationships. Avery is busy with her event planning business, her sisters, and her friends. She doesn't have time to build romantic relationships.

Declan is the product of a broken home where his parents were constantly fighting and cheating on each other. It has made Declan relationship-averse and given him a deserved reputation as a playboy.

When Avery is in a car accident, Declan feels guilty for not being with her and decides to become her primary caregiver while she recovers from a broken arm, broken leg, and broken ribs. He should have been with her on the trip since he knows she hates to drive in the rain because of its reminder of her parents death, but he went out drinking and picked up a woman for a one-night stand instead.

The two of them become much closer when Declan has to do everything for Avery as she recovers. Both realize that they are in love in a whole deeper way than just the comfortable friendship they enjoyed for years. Their friends and her sisters recognized this much sooner than either of them.

But things don't go smoothly, Declan has a lot of issues that he needs to work through before he can trust relationships and be in one without the self-sabotage of his past. It takes therapy and a gradual rebuilding of their relationship before they get their happy ending.

I liked both main characters. I liked that there wasn't really a third outside party who has trying to ruin their relationship though Sam who was Avery's first big love and Declan's friend does play a role when he reappears in Avery's life.

Romance fans will enjoy this one.

This is the first book I have read by Helena Hunting and it will not be my last. This story begins with Avery and Declan. The are BFFs who live together. Neither one of them have ventured out of the friend zone. Avery is sporty and one of the guys. Declan is a heartbreaker with fear fo commitment. Declan's fear of commitment and subsequent player ways land him in hot water when he isn't there for Avery when she needs him the most.
Avery has an accident and the Declan feels that he must take care of her to make up for his mistake.
BFFs become lovers and we get to go along for the ride.
There are some endearing moments, hysterical moments and the book was such a pleasure to read. I was cheering Avery and Declan on from the beginning.
This was an easy read that I couldn't put down. It was well written and kept my attention. The writing was polished. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more of her books.

This brand new book, and hopefully series, Helena Hunting takes us to Colorado Spring with the three Spark sister that run an event hotel, the Spark House.

I really enjoyed the plot and story arc of this book. Sometimes in romance we get everything tied up in a bow at the end, and this author took the time for healing, self care, and much needed therapy (yay, normalize therapy!)

While not the typical rom com that we’ve come to love fro Helena Hunting, this book takes us on a much more gentle and sweet romance of forced proximity, with two friends/roommates that have been denying their lust for each other.

With a swoony grovel by the hero, Declan is sure become your next book boyfriend.

*5 Stars*

ARC kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

I devoured this book. I always love Helena Hunting books, and this was certainly no different. Avery and Declan's story is fun yet emotional, and packed with lots of great moments. There are serious issues in this as well as fun ones, and I just couldn't put it down.

I really liked the relationship they had, and found myself hanging onto every word and waiting to see what would happen next. Best friends to lovers is one of my favourite romance tropes, so it's no surprise that I loved this book.

I don't really have much else to say, apart from the fact that I enjoyed this thoroughly and I can't wait for more from Helena Hunting!

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF: 29%

This is my first introduction to Helena Hunting and based on the reviews I scrolled through, it's not a very good one. I had to stop reading because I knew I would never be able to suspend my disbelief enough to finish this book.

I read the summary; I wasn't under any delusions that this would be an easy romance. But I didn't think the male lead would be such a crap character. Declan is not a good guy and Avery deserves much better than him. Sure, maybe he redeems himself (though the reviews don't paint it that way), but I can't get over what a terrible friend he is in the first quarter of the book.

Like some other reviewers, I didn't love the very graphic car accident but I can separate my personal feelings on that from the rest of the story. It felt like everything happened too quickly in order to get to the car accident point because that's a driving factor for the rest of the story.

This is most definitely not a story for me.

Sorry to report this wasn't the book for me. I can see why some readers would enjoy it, and perhaps it was my mood, but it just didn't do it for me. I found the characters and situations silly and annoying so I'm thinking maybe I'm just the wrong reader. Clearly a lot of readers loved it given the 4 and 5 star ratings on NG but I'm going to move on to my next read. All the best to Helena Hunting and my thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to read When Sparks Fly.