Do you have any authors that are just really hit or miss? For me that’s got to be Helena Hunting. I’ve read books that I’ve adored and others that I’ve absolutely loathed. This one is on the bottom end of that scale though, this one is kind of a rant so don’t read on if you don’t want minor spoilers. I’m listing CWs before the review because they may change your mind on this book.

CWs: Death of parents, car accidents, traumatic injuries, ableism, grief, cheating, jealousy.

Avery and her sisters, Harley and London, run an event venue called Spark House. They’re each other’s best friends, aside from Declan. Her best friend and roommate. After a nasty breakup with Sam (cheating), Avery’s college boyfriend, Declan chooses between the two of them and sides with Avery.

One night, Avery goes out on a date and Declan is filled with jealousy. This prompts him to be a complete asshole and make some stupid decision that lead to Avery going on a road trip alone in her car when they were supposed to be together. Avery ends up in a horrific car accident and with multiple breaks. While Declan takes over as her primary caregiver, the two of them are forced to confront some pretty non-friendly feelings that they have towards each other.

Okay so listen, the premise of this was good. The execution? Not good… Declan was a dick. He was selfish and jealous and ugh. Until their fight/dark moment, I was actually rooting for them. But the conflict that happened was so toxic that I couldn’t handle it. And Avery’s sisters kind of told her that she was to blame, which she totally wasn’t and the second half of this book basically just filled me with rage.

While this book has a HEA… it shouldn’t. This is one couple that should probably have cut their losses and moved on. Anyways. I wasn’t thrilled with this book and definitely don’t recommend. Was NOT for me.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Sparks Fly is a cute romance novel that doesn't take itself too seriously. It makes it an ideal read for the summer, sitting outside under the warm sun. It centers on the blossoming relationship between Avery and Declan and follows their growth not just as a couple but also as individuals.

The good things about this book is that it's easy to read and have easy to digest characters. There is nothing really controversial about them and you don't have to peel back many layers or read beneath the lines. It's fun and entertaining and that's great.

However, it doesn't go without any flaws. It felt a bit flat, unconvincing and slow-paced. There were certain plot devices that I am seriously questioning the use of. I don't think that the book needed this kind of matter interwoven into the story just to make the two protagonists connect. It doesn't take much away from the potential of the novel, but it didn't helped either. With that being said, I suggest you make your own assumptions and conclusions!

I have kindly received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange of a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am a huge fan of friends to lovers as a trope, but the catalyst for the shift didn't work for me. Where I had issues - and this may not be a problem for a reader who has never been a caregiver - is that the thing that moves them into intimacy is an accident that leaves our leading lady needing help with all her basic needs and the leading man Declan steps in to help . Which includes help with ALL bathroom activities - ugh. It also included helping her out when she can't relieve her own sexual frustration as well, which is what launches them into the lovers part of the reationship - which was awkward.

Since my issues with story were with letting reality into my fantasy, I do have to acknowledge the one peace of reality that I did appreciate. When we get to the speedbump on the road to the HEA and Declan's past issues rear their ugly head - the resolution isn't just the easy fix that one normally finds in romance books but involves therapy.

So anyway, this didn't work for me - it brought back leads than pleasant memories, - but your mileage may vary.

ARC courtesy if the publisher via NetGalley, release date September 21, 2021.

Super cute and easy to read story. The slow burn of the main characters is wonderful. It was slower in a few little parts however overall and enjoyable book.

This had all the ingredients for a great book. But the rom and the com didn’t hit their mark. It was a quick, cute read, just not my favorite

A good story friends to lovers romance. It’s also a good story about family dynamics and how characters’ pasts affect their perceptions and actions.

Helena Hunting is usually an auto-buy author for me. When I was approved to receive an advanced copy, I was shocked and excited!

I really wanted to love this book on the level that I loved Meet Cute and the All In Series and while I thought there was some redemption at the end, a few things fell flat for me. This is a friends-to-lovers, forced proximity romance about Declan and Avery who have been friends since their first week of college. The story takes place about 10 years later and they are best friends who live together and don't realize they have feelings for each other.

Avery gets into an accident and since Declan is her roommate, and feels personal guilt about her accident, he volunteers to take care of her while she recovers. It's during this time that they both realize their feelings run deeper than friendship. I did not feel like there was enough tension or build-up between the two of them before they transitioned into a relationship.

Another issue I had with this story was the pressure and guilt she felt for having her sisters take over her responsibilities at work. Avery mentions several times that she feels bad that her sisters have to step up because she's only focused on herself. My question is: what else is she supposed to focus on with a broken leg, broken arm, and cracked ribs...? That was really frustrating to me.

Finally, the conflict they experience was expected due to Declan's lack of previous relationships, but what I did really enjoy was the redemption journey he went on to become a better person and a better partner to Avery. They had some really cute moments as he was working on himself and it's one of the first times I feel like an author actually cared to make a character try to be better after they realize how big they've messed up.

I really wanted to love this book and I really wanted it to be a new favorite friends-to-lovers, but like I mentioned, a few things fell flat for me.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the advanced review e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

The hugest of thanks to #stmartinsgriffin and #netgalley for the ARC for When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting!
Friends to Lovers is my favorite romance troupe because there’s a tipping point when the couple decides to cross a line that they’ve carefully avoided (and this can make or break the story).
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In Helena fashion, the line crossing is hands down the most unique I’ve read. I’m not going to spoil it because that’s just cruel. The ending is one of my favorites ever. I love Avery and Declan so much. All I’m saying!
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Steam factor: smoking hot 🔥
Swoon factor: all the swoon
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Remember to support your favorite authors by preordering! Releases 21 September!

I love a good friends-to-lovers story. There were some things I really like about this book, and other things that just didn’t really work for me.

I really liked Avery. She was sort of a tomboy. She enjoyed playing sports and hanging out with the guys watching sports. I found her to be a very relatable character. Then there was Declan. In his professional life he was great. He had a good job and was very responsible. In his personal life, not so much. He definitely had some growing up to do.

Avery and Declan were best friends and after college they decided to buy a condo together. They often hung out with their friends and had fun together. Their life as roommates had been really working well for them until Declan got a little jealous of Avery. Things went downhill from there. He reacted poorly and made bad decisions that had a ripple effect.

That’s where things became a little too much for me. I realize Declan felt responsible for what happened to Avery so he chose to take care of her during her recovery, but the level that he ‘took care of Avery’ seemed to be a bit much between friends. I know I don’t have any friends that I’m that close with.

Overall, I really did like the story. I just felt like the catalyst to finally get Avery and Declan together was a bit far-fetched, but maybe I’m the strange one.

Fantastic story about sisters, best friends and love. After Avery is in a serious car accident Declan insists on taking care of his best friend. Will Avery allow Declan to take care of her? Will Declan find himself wanting more than friendship? After Declan had a front row sit to Avery and Sam’s breakup will he think it is possible to risk his heart and want more than friendship with Avery?

Thank you Netgalley for complimentary copy.
Really enjoyed this story. Recommended read.

Avery and Declan have been best friends since college. When Avery experiences a life threatening car accident, Declan steps in to care for Avery's every need until she can recover. As the two grow closer together, they begin to act on the attraction and love that has always been there, but for years they have been reluctant to acknowledge.

'When Sparks Fly' is a friends-to-lovers contemporary romance that has all the right pieces in place. The chemistry between the MCs is terrific. We get to see their relationship grow and develop. The novel is told from dual points-of-view so we get to see into the minds of both characters fairly equally. My only criticism of the novel is that it may have been more effective to see more of Avery and Declan's relationship prior to the accident in order to help see the tension build between them. Otherwise this is one of my favorite Helena Hunting contemporary romances to date!

I love a good friends-to-lovers romcom, and this one had plenty of surprises in store for me. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my gifted ARC.

Avery Spark and Declan McCormick are best friends and roommates - always there for each other, but romance hasn't been on the table. When Avery gets into a terrible car accident, Declan steps up to take care of her, pushing a hospital bed into their living room and arranging to work from home. As they become closer than ever, they realize that romance is what they both want - but will their past get in the way?

I loved Avery's character - she's sporty, fun-loving, and hard-working, with a great relationship with her two sisters/co-business owners. Declan was more of a mixed bag - he clearly had a lot of issues to deal with outside of their relationship. I think Hunting wrote his character and his struggles realistically, but I can also understand how some readers would be uncomfortable with a male lead with such a short temper. In the end, I was happy with his character development and the frank discussion of mental health and its impact on relationships.

This is definitely not a closed door romance, but it's also not as steamy/detailed as some of the rom coms I have to skip pages in (e.g. the Brown Sisters trilogy). I also felt that the emotional connection between Avery and Declan was very real, and I don't always get that from romcoms. If you like the friends to lovers trope, give this one a try and let me know what you think!

Review posted to Instagram and Goodreads on July 10, 2021.

This was cute friends-to-lovers romance that also touched on different forms of trauma. The main character Avery lost her parents in a car accident and after being in a car accident herself, struggled to regain her confidence between the wheel. Her love interest, Declan, had a difficult home life growing up. Her parents had a very toxic relationship, and this has affected the relationships in his life. Overall, it is a light, enjoyable rom-com.

When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting is a book perhaps written for a younger crowd than an older group of which I am a member. The Spark House events at the beginning are not what I would call premier destination events but ones that were silly and a bit crude even. That put me off the story before the main plot of the story begun.

The writing is well done so readers who could appreciate men on hobbyhorses at water troughs would enjoy this story. Avery and Declan have a friendship that is interesting too. Even here Declan did not give a great first impression. I did find him likable by the end. As for their relationship hey were made for each other. Happily-ever-after will serve them well.

This is the second book I remember reading by this author. Sadly, this is not the author for little old me. I do think the twentysomethings especially could appreciate this story.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a fun, easy read. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, by far. I’m just not sure the initial transition in this one was my favorite. I did like seeing Avery and Declan work through things so seriously and maturely, though. And I’m glad it worked out in the end!

Declan and Avery have been friends since college. They are now roommates, just roommates. Avery has a bad car accident and is unable to do the most basic things, so Declan says he will take care of her. He feels the accident is his fault. Of course, this leads to them taking things to another level and then the issues that follow. I liked this ok, I felt that for 2 people that are almost 30 years old they didn't act like it. Like I said, it was ok

I am always excited to read a Helena Hunting novel. When Sparks Fly is a friends-to -lovers romance which tells the story of Avery and Declan. Best friends since college and now roommates Avery and Declan have managed to overlook/conveniently ignore their attraction to one another until circumstances (Avery is injured in a car accident and Declan steps in to help her) bring everything front and center. Declan and Avery were like able characters and the evolution of their relationship was well done. Oftentimes I avoid the friends to lovers trope because it can be tricky to establish the right amount of sexual tension. Helena Hunting did a great job in that area. I did feel that the conflict at the end seemed kind of forced and didn’t really work for me, and at times the details of Avery’s business, The Spark House, had me skimming the pages. Overall it was a good read, especially for those who enjoy friends to lovers and forced proximity romance.

This book was such a fun and cute rom com. Although it had some serious parts in it and made me cry I really enjoyed this read and the characters development.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

I’m truly a huge fan of Helen Hunting .. so anytime she puts out a book .. I’m here for it. This is such a cute contemporary romance book. I love to read a book that gives us dual point of views. You definitely want to preorder this one or place a request now for your library hold. This is going to be a perfect fall read!!

4/5⭐️

This book was really cute and fun to read, Declan and Avery are adorable and I liked that book centered more in their relationship than sex.

I have read Helena Hunting books before and I really liked them, so I will keep reading them she has an amazing way to write.

I loved all the sided characters and the mc they really stand out, even though Declan is a “f*ckboy” you can clearly see that he actually likes Avery, as more than a friend.

Can’t wait to see with what Helena has next❤️.