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.

Avery and Declan are best friends since college and are currently living together platonically as just friends. Unfortunately Avery is in a car accident that leaves her badly injured, Declan who was supposed to be driving her that day is torn up with guilt and takes full responsibility of taking care of her.
Avery and Declan have always been attracted towards each other but it was shoved under their friendship. As they spend 24x7 with each other, they can’t hide anymore. Things seem to be going well when suddenly a blast from the past shakes things up.
This is a cute and fun friends to lovers read. I loved the friendship between Avery and Declan and enjoyed their development to more. There was some angst and I like how the author resolved it. Overall a sweet, cute and steamy read.

4.9 Stars

Avery + Declan

They've been besties since college and now they're even living together.
Avery works for her family's event hotel and Declan is in finance.
The one time Avery really needs Declan to be ready on time to drive them to their class reunion/ business opportunity, he's not ready - he still has an overnight guest in his room, plus he left his car at the bar last night - so Avery has to drive alone - in her old car.
That doesn't end good and we're really mad at Declan after that...

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN ... 😍

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Adorable!

Such a cute romance!
I loved the whole setting. The family hotel - which they took over from their grandma - with its sometimes really weird events. Not just bachelorette parties. Nope. LOL!
And Avery and Declan are so cute together. They love watching sports and hanging out - and of course the reader is the only one aware of their love for each other. It might take those two a little while to figure it out.
I loved reading this! It was funny and sparky and sweet and just adorable!
Of course Declan got on our nerves a bit with his views on relationships. How he could never have a real one because his parents were horrible examples. But he'll get there in the end of course.

Can't wait to read the other two Sparks siblings books!

► WHEN SPARKS FLY was an adorable + funny + sparky + sexy + sweet BFFs-to-lovers love story! I just loved it! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Deck- he'll be sold out in no time!

3.5 ⭐️

Just when I complain about friends to lovers, I find a second F2L book that I enjoyed.

The first half of this book was 5⭐️ - I adored it, read it incredibly fast, was so impressed and excited about the direction the book was going, all the things. The MC is likable $ emotionally mature. There was good humor. It was turning out to be a super cute story and the first couple of intimate scenes had impeccable tension.

The second half of the book is where it lost its spark and ultimately what led to the 3.5⭐️. I found myself longing for deeper exploration with the characters’ internal monologues and conversations. Things felt rushed or unfinished. Chapters (ex: 21, 22) ended too quickly and I was left thinking - that’s it? I needed more there! I needed depth!

Plus the tension and all of that amazing connection and intimacy between the two characters that I loved so much in the first part of the book disappeared.

Avery’s recovery is glossed over. I was invested in her stages of healing but the last piece we really get from her (MINOR, NOT A BIG DEAL SPOILER COMING) is that she thinks her leg is ugly. We don’t get her perspective about where she’s at AT ALL after that point. That disappointed me because I felt like it was a major plot point.

The ending is cliche which is something I do KIND OF want with romance novels but something about it wasn’t quite perfect for these characters.

This book had the potential to be an incredible little romance and I wish i was a beta reader so these things could be reworked prior to release and the book would be a PERFECT F2L (it was SOOO close!!) but alas, it will live on as cute and decent but not amazing.

As a long time fan of Helena Hunting’s writing, I really wanted to love this one. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work for me. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes, but Declan and Avery’s transition to more felt a bit forced. I understand that the accident and aftermath put them in a bubble together all the time and that there were reasons for them to bury their feelings all these years, but for them both to be so oblivious for so long was a lot to accept.

Declan was a hard character to love. He was a loyal friend and it was sweet how attentive he was while Avery healed, but the reason she was in that situation in the first place bothered me. I know Declan’s choice will be a deal breaker for some readers, so please check the content warnings before jumping into this one. I found his behavior overall pretty toxic (especially in the last quarter of the book), but I understand that his numerous previous extracurriculars, inability to control his jealousy, and his difficulty with relationships was all part of his character arc. I’m glad that this was addressed at the end of the book and that Declan and Avery took time to get healthy and take care of themselves so that they didn’t fall back into destructive old habits.

The epilogue was very sweet and thoughtful and it was a great way to highlight the connection these two have shared through the years. A lot of wonderful secondary characters were introduced in this one and I would definitely be interested to see them find their own happily ever afters. Perhaps we’ll see a story for London or Harley next.

CW: automobile accident (on page, detailed descriptions), death of parents (automobile related), PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, parental infidelity, strained parental relationships, cheating ex, drugs (pot brownies), some OW drama (main character has a one night stand and later receives a proposition from a previous sexual partner)

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

Avery Spark is a busy event planner with her two sisters at The Spark House. She has close friendships with a group of guys from college, but she is closest with her best friend and roommate, Declan. After a jealousy-fueled one night stand, Avery gets into a car accident leaving her dependent on a guilt-filled Declan. Sparks begin to fly as the two best friends realize there might be more to their friendship.

I'm a sucker for any friends-to-lover story, and this wasn't an exception. The plot summary sounded cute and funny and it mostly delivered. I loved how the story was told from the alternating perspectives of Declan and Avery and how we get glimpses into the past of their friendship. Avery and Declan are two likable characters despite making some pretty bad decisions. While I enjoyed this read, I would have liked a little more buildup between Delcan and Avery, as it felt like things got kind of rushed. Overall, I really enjoyed this read.

Avery Spark, along with her sisters, runs Spark House in Colorado Springs. The family-owned business welcomes weddings, corporate meetings, parties, etc. Avery works very hard keeping it running since the sisters lost their parents some years before, and now that their grandmother has retired, she is in charge. Avery lives in a nice condo that she bought with her best friend from college, Declan. Being such an athletics loving gal, Avery hangs with Deck and other of their guy pals playing sports or watching them on TV while drinking beer and snacking.

Declan has alley cat morals going through random hookups and a string of women using the excuse that his parents have been a very bad example relationships comprised of cheating and fighting. Avery doesn’t seem to mind her roommate’s sleazy habits until they come to play in a big let down for her culminating in a very bad wreck. Declan feels extremely guilty vowing to care for Avery while she recovers including helping with her most basic and everyday needs. Not surprisingly, this closeness brings out other hidden feelings both of them have had for a long time.

Their relationship goes from friends to lovers until an unexpected call from the past sends Declan into a tailspin wrecking their relationship and causing a lot of hurt feelings. Both Avery and Declan made mistakes; however, he is the one that needs to get his head on straight to have any kind of real relationship. After the split, it takes months for Avery and Declan to get back together with a kind of slow-crawl texting, video call, meet in public kind of thing that gets really tedious and is less than satisfying.

This is a cute and quick read. I read it in just a few hours and enjoyed it overall. It wasn't an all-time fave but was the perfect beach book and I really liked Declan and Avery. I just wanted a little more depth and to see more of her sisters. ⭐⭐⭐💫 I recommend for fans of My Favorite Half Night Stand.

Best friends to lovers is one of my all-time favorite tropes and Helena Hunting nailed this one! From beginning to end I devoured this story, needing to know how different things were going to play out for Avery and Declan.

I loved Avery, she’s strong and sassy, and independent. Watching her navigate through her independence being semi taken away from her due to the accident was so heart wrenching at times, but also uplifting too. She didn’t give up and worked hard at her recovery.

Declan…ugh loved him so hard too! His playboy days are put behind him after Avery’s accident, and watching him care for her was so sweet. His moments of guilt were so sad, but I loved him taking accountability for himself and making Avery a priority as well as his own mental health!

All in all this was a fantastic book. Both Declan and Avery have serious baggage, but they figure out how to navigate it together in a great way. Helena is a go to author for me, and I really hope she writes stories for the secondary characters in this book as well!

Avery Spark’s lifelong dream is to run the Spark House. After years of hard work and sacrifice, Avery and and her two sisters have turned the Spark House into a premier destination. Avery might not have love, but she’s living her best life. That is until an accident brings everything to a screeching halt. With Avery immobile, Declan becomes her caregiver and lines begin to blur. Best friends since college, the attraction they feel for one another is undeniable. The more time they spend together, the lines begin to blur. As things get serious, their past threatens to destroy everything….

I thought this book was a cute read. It was a little slow in the beginning, but once I got in to it, I couldn’t put it down. I adored the friends to lovers romance with Declan and Avery. I loved watching the two of them grow and try to navigate their way through their feelings for one another. That being said, the road to happily ever after wasn’t an easy one for these two. Their story was filled with romance, family drama, and misunderstandings. I was curious to see where this story would go and how it would all come together in the end.

When Sparks Fall is a sweet friends to lovers romance. While I had an issue with the pacing in the beginning, I think this book is a solid and enjoyable read.

I thought Avery and Declan were great friends to lovers story. When Sparks Fly was a great story of best friends from college. Declan is the ever playboy scarred by his parents idiocy and disfunction. Avery likes Declan early on but sees how mannish he is and puts him in the friend category and then dates his best friend Sam who she finds attractive. Declan and the guys drop their friendship with Sam when he cheats on Avery and Declan continue to be best friends who live together. Their mutual friends and her sisters always wandered about the two if they would ever get together. A near tragedy has Declan caring for Avery in a way that crosses the boundaries and the two start to notice the other. A lot of growing pains on Declan's side and patience and understanding from Avery.

Such a cute, fun quick read!! Avery and Declan have been best friends since college… Avery gets hurt and is in need of some help and there is nothing better than your best friend…. This is where it heats up Declan realizes his feelings for Avery!! I like the book but at times it fell flat.. it was a cute romance and I really enjoyed the epilogue!

Ty to NetGalley for this early edition for my my honest review!!

I’ve been waiting so long for this book—and it does not disappoint!! Full of classic Helena Hunting love scenes and a great love story. An absolute must read in my opinion!

This started well but eventually dragged and while I can't say I didn't enjoy it, it wasn't really as nice to read as other books by this author. The premise was all right and the side characters engaging (though sometimes stole a lot of the show) but I felt there was too much talk about irrelevant stuff (like fake pony racing) and not enough focus on the relationship.

Helena Hunting is always an enjoyable read! When Sparks Fly met expectations. Avery, post accident, requires help from her roommate and best friend, Declan. Declan has to help her in many ways and of course "sparks fly!" This was a warmhearted and spicy read. I loved the characters and the writing. Thoroughly enjoyable and will recommend to fellow romance fans.

Thank you to Netgalley for advanced copy. I really wanted to love this book! Unfortunately, it fell flat. The premise of the hotel and meeting the grouchy caretaker was great. However, this read like a young adult book with very immature characters and storyline. I did not care for this book.

This story had me hooked with anticipation until the 40% mark. I feel like the build-up worked itself out too soon and left the story being more about the demons in the closets than what I thought I was going into. I was kind of discouraged by that.

However, I still loved the main characters Avery and Declan. Their interaction and romance seemed reasonable and realistic (and a little awkward at times 🤣). I was definitely in the 'duh' group with their friends.

I did appreciate the accident avenue for the story. I can totally see where this was hard for both characters, and the guilt associated with the accident was something I really felt for both characters for.

I liked how the writer touched on the eco-friendly side of business and the importance of it, but at the same time calling out all of our thoughts that too many people are afraid to say, yet still believe we need to do better. That was a laughable moment I got a couple chuckles out of.

I thought this was a pretty average, sweet romance. I didn’t hate it and I didn’t love it, but it was good overall.
It included friends to lovers and forced proximity tropes which I liked. I also appreciated that it was dual perspective because that allowed for a lot more understanding behind the main characters’ motives and feelings.
It was definitely cute but I felt like it was missing something. There wasn’t really any good banter and the romantic connection between Avery and Declan was physical for so much of the book that it was harder to see depth in the emotional connection later on.
It was a fast and enjoyable read but nothing really stuck out as special to me.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I received a NetGalley widget via email from St. Martin's Press Publicity. This books expected release date is September 21st.

Ok first I just have to say the first paragraph hooked me and at first I was like what the heck am I getting myself into but luckily the rest of the story wasn't as weird as that. Lets just say I didn't know hobby horse riding was a real thing especially amongst grown men. Anyways I freaking loved this book. This is a best friends to lovers romance and I loved how the romance developed. Declan and Avery have been best friends since college and they even bought a condo together after college and have lived with each other for 2 years I believe at this point. Avery is essentially one of the guys. Declan has commitment issues because of his past but its obvious that these two are into each other even before they realize it themselves the chemistry just jumps off the pages. It's funny, it's sexy it's cute it's just everything I could possibly want in a romance. This is one of those books I wish I could read again for the first time.

I loved, loved, loved this book. I felt that chemistry was very real between Avery and Declan. I loved that their relationship started out as a friendship and when something "bad" happens it makes them re-evaluate their relationship. i loved Avery, and how she communicated with Declan. Would definitely recommend this book to others.