When Sparks Fly is so delightful - read it in a single day.

Avery is dynamic and complex - she's the type of woman that loves to play sports and is no-fuss, but it isn't out of character for her to get a pedi or wear a dress (even thought it may have been at the behest of her sisters). She's a girl who is friends with the boys, and life is good; the business she runs with her sisters is good and things are just getting started.

But she's not in college anymore, and her sisters talked her into putting in a bit more effort for her date with the guy from the dating app. Damn did she look good in that dress. Declan, her best friend and roommate noticed, and didn't like how it made him feel.

What happens next, I can't say without out spoiling, so what I will say is that this story felt very real. The characters complex, the situations not all wrapped up in a bow with a 'they lived happily ever after'. No - relationships, all of them, take work, effort, and consideration.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book for an honest review, as always, all opinions are my own.

I’ve read several of Helena Hunting’s books before and was really excited for this book when I saw it come up. I loved the friends to lovers dynamic between Avery and Declan, I thought their relationship really developed in a believable way and one I was swooning over while reading. As in most romance novels, there’s usually a disagreement or miscommunication of sorts that breaks the couple up before they ultimately get back together and this book was no different. I just didn’t love how it was done. I know Declan had some problems with relationships in the past but it seemed like he jumped to conclusions a little quickly and I didn’t love how they handled things. It made the ending a little harder to get on board with, even though I really loved them together.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this sweet story. Great characters. Interesting.
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A story about friends who become more when a horrible accident pushes them closer together. Good characters and a fast paced rhythm. Really enjoyable weekend read.

I adored Declan and Avery’s friend/relationship. They had this great chemistry. It was obvious to everyone but them that they had deep feelings for one another. Declan’s hang ups on relationships and love were understandable after getting a glimpse of his parent’s antics. Avery had moments that grated on me because she seemed to be on this high horse. After getting upset with Declan over the situation she was in made her unlikable to me at that moment. He had no control over that situation and it was not his fault. I even disliked London’s reaction as well. The guilt portrayed made it hard to read at times. I did enjoy the book and throughout it there were some laugh out loud moments. Outside of the drama it was very entertaining, especially with Avery eating the pot brownies!

Arc provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this introduction into this world and I just couldn’t get enough of it. I just so thoroughly enjoyed meeting these new characters and getting to go on their journey. I will most definitely be reading more wonderful books from this author.

I’ve been really digging on contemporary romance since the beginning of the pandemic. But, unfortunately, this novel has too much cringe worthy material for me to recommend. From penis themed bridal party events to phone tracking/stalking, i just could not get behind this one. And, huge trigger warnings for car accidents, for those sensitive to that topic.

This was such an adorable and emotional rom com! A friends to lovers trope that was so hard to put down. The way Declan took care of Avery said so much on so many levels. The guilt he felt broke my heart. With their undeniable attraction I found myself rooting for them while simultaneously waiting for the other shoe to drop. I loved Avery’s character, from her background, her independent personality to her relationship with her sisters. Declan is the ultimate friend anyone would be lucky to have in their corner, furiously loyal would be my description. Hunting has a way of making you feel all the feels in this one! Out in September 2021- a must add to your TBR for rom com lovers!

This book was a slow burn, in exactly the right way! I definitely recommend if you are looking for a light, fun read. Hunting never disappoints and I am left already looking forward to her next book.

Okay. I’m mildly conflicted about how I feel about this because I was definitely not sold on their relationship. The conflict midway through demonstrated a lot of red flags on Declan’s side that are very hard for me to overlook. I understand projecting because of parental issues but that should not make it acceptable or normalized. Trust is everything in a relationship and the male love interest handled the situation so abhorrently poorly that I felt that they should not even be together. In a romance novel the point is to be convinced of their relationship most of the time - right? I did not think they were meant to be together after that.

However, the tension was decent I was convinced of that and the beginning was very unexpected. It was good that they focused on mental health and therapy because after parental trauma like that it’s incredibly important. I read pucked a long time ago and I really enjoyed it, it’s not that this was bad by any means - it just felt a little off...

I always enjoy a Helena Hunting book, and this was no exception. While it was not my favorite (the characters didn't grip me like those in her Pucked series)), there was still something very sweet about Avery and Declan. I remembered Avery being much more prickly from the previous book and didn't have a good feeling as to who Declan might be. But I was happy to get to know him. In this book, London came across as much more prickly, but that was quickly translated into being a protective middle sister.

Declan was a very sweet and fun character. He was probably my favorite from this book. However, I remember thinking that for such a successful guy, he's a little clueless. But maybe I'm far enough removed from my early 20's that I forgot that men tend to be like that! Regardless, he stole my heart with his cluelessness and dedication to Avery.

If you've read about these sisters before, you'll know that this story was inevitable. Yeah, inevitable in the best way. That's why the sparks were flying!

I usually enjoy Helena Hunting books but this missed a mark for me. I found it repetitive and confusing at some points. I feel like it could do with another round of editing, so the text is more coherent.
I love the premise - two best friends who have feelings for each other but only realize when they are forced into intimate situations but it was just boring. I found myself hoping for something to happen or searching for some humour at least!

I’m a big fan of Helena Hunting and have read most of her books and liked them so much. This one was just ok for me. I felt the pacing was slow and jumps in time were confusing. How long had past and what happened in the times between? I did enjoy the characters but felt like it would have been nice to see more from them.
It was a quick and sweet book, just not my favorite.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

"When Sparks Fly" was a cute story. The basic plot is fairly cliché -- best friends and roommates Avery and Declan find themselves in a situation (in this case, Declan taking care of Avery after she is seriously injured in a car accident) that causes them to realize that they are more than just best friends; a realization that Avery's sisters and Avery and Declan's group of friends had been expecting would eventually occur. Once their true feelings are more apparent, something happens that destroys the relationship and threatens the friendship, and they have to find their way back together.

However, the author is creative in the manner in which she has Avery and Declan realize their true feelings. Avery's injuries prevent her from engaging in certain self-care acts that lead to a lot of pent-up frustration and when Declan accidentally witnesses the frustration, he offers to provide the necessary assistance, which becomes a repetitive method of assistance. This is one of many amusing moments in the story. The story is set in Colorado, so pot-laced brownies also make a memorable appearance. Another aspect of the story that sets it apart is the actions Declan takes to repair the relationship after the destructive event. Having no experience of a healthy intimate relationship (his parents were and still are a horrible example), he is prone to jealousy and over-reactions. Not wanting to permanently wreck his friendship with Avery (and hoping to possibly resume a dating relationship), he undergoes therapy to help address his own issues before trying to win back Avery.

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

3 1/2 stars

I'm not a big fan of the best friends platonic turned romantic trope but I like this writer so I wanted to read it.
A slowly developing charming romance story.
The characters were so engaging that it drew me into the story. I liked the element of the accident & Avery's recovery which added depth to the narrative.
Avery & Declan have good chemistry. I also liked the supporting characters. (their friends/her sisters)
I did like the ending and felt that it was a natural progression of the character arcs.
Steamy sex scenes.
The negative was that some of it was a bit TMI (ie. self-love scenes, etc.) for me/my personal taste.

***Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin and Helena Hunting. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own.***

I’m a fan of Hunting, but this book didn’t pull me in like I hoped it would. I liked Declan and Avery. I understood Declan’s guilt about the accident and how their physical relationship became a natural consequence of unadmitted feelings on both their parts. I just found the transition from best friends to intimacy awkward and sudden. It was clear that they cared for one another as friends, but I didn’t sense much attraction from either of them. I think I needed to see them fight their feelings of attraction for longer, in the hope that it would have made me believe there was more than just physical needs and a willingness to make up for mistakes by pleasing the other.

I liked Declan’s and Avery’s support system: their friend group as well as Avery’s 2 sisters. I thought they added a lot to the plot. What I didn’t love was that they seemed to diagnose more of what was going on between Avery and Declan than either Avery or Declan did themselves.

I enjoyed the bubble Declan created for their lives so Avery could heal, but once she was strong enough to go back to work, their dependency on each other seemed to revert back to almost a friends-with-benefits scenario. I wanted to feel more emotion from both of them, to see their attachment deepen and evolve in a more overt way. More plot was allotted to denying feelings and obsessing over fears than the development of the connection between them. I felt like I was on the outside of their relationship looking in, waiting for Declan to inevitably cut and run, as it was clear he would. I think the balance of the book was just a bit off for me. There were too many issues between them that resulted in more time with them being apart, though I appreciated the healing they both went through during that period.

Sweet best friend romance.
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Best friend to lover tropes are always a fun read. You get to know the characters from two different aspects; as friends and eventually as lovers. Once the admission of love occurs, most of the time the couples friends are saying “DUH!! You have been crushing on each other for years!”

Hunting takes this trope and brings a delightful level up with her characters who are not the typical best friends. They live together, play sports together, protect each other, and totally know each other, except in the biblical way- to start.

The storyline is unique and interesting. Hunting does not bring a tired theme and recycle it. She creates a lighthearted, creative story with a touch of angst. Declan and Avery are matched beautifully. My heart goes out to Declan who struggles with self-worth and guilt. Avery is his number one supporter and he is hers. I love the tight circle of friends that support them too!

When Sparks Fly offers a sweet yet emotionally engaging read with a light amount of heat and spice. Delightful story and another winner for this author.

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed the first half of this "Friends-to-Lovers" rom-com. Declan and Avery have been best friends since college. They now share a condo, that they bought together. Avery works with her two sisters at their family hotel and conference center. Declan is a financial advisor. Avery's parents died in a car wreck, and she and her sisters were raised by their great-grandmother afterward. This makes Avery apprehensive behind the wheel, especially if it's raining. She and Declan are supposed to drive together for an alumni event, but Declan got drunk the night before, picked up a woman, and blew off Avery. She's on her own. Needless to say, she gets in a horrific wreck.

Declan is wrecked (pun intended) with guilt. He sets himself up as Avery's caregiver as she recovers from her injuries. He'll do anything for her. Yes, anything. As he starts helping her in the shower, a lot of their boundaries are crossed. And, Avery starts getting sexually frustrated, Declan lends a hand. Of course, this leads to complications. Declan's parents had a toxic relationship, and so Declan doesn't get involved. Except now, he is -with his best friend.

Of course, like every good rom-com, there's a complication and then a HEA resolution. Here's where the story lost me.


Spoilers below:

Declan loses his mind because Avery met up with an old boyfriend over a potential business deal. Things get ugly and he won't listen to reason. He grew up with parents who were always cheating on each other, so that's where his mind goes. He accuses her of cheating and after he won't listen to reason, they break up. She ends up taking a few things and heading over to spend time with her sisters.

When she goes back to THEIR condo (she's half-owner), Declan has started packing her things for her. The condo is HALF HERS. Why is she expected to leave? Why does she leave? She then gets all the rest of the stuff from the condo. Declan then basically ghosts her, not responding to messages. Until, one day, three weeks later, he decides to extend an olive branch. And, she jumps on it.

It's still not smooth sailing at that point. He's seeing a therapist to get over his issues, and the therapist wants them to be together without being together. So, they watch movies together, but in different places - he's in the condo, she's at her sisters'. They, go to a park at the same time and sit on benches in different parts of the park and text? This goes on for months until they see each other in person again. This all seemed a bit far-fetched. Maybe it's something a therapist would truly recommend, but it seemed over the top to me.

I've read other books by Helena Hunting and loved them, so I guess you can't win them all.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

This is a sweet friends-to-lovers romance that entertains while making some serious points about issues of abandonment and guilt over letting a friend down. The two main characters are engaging and their relationship believable as they explore whether their friendship can become something more and whether or not it will survive if it does. The novel also deals with the heroine's recovery from a serious injury and the challenges involved in accepting a life altered by that event, though the tone of the book never becomes too dark or heavy. Those readers who enjoy contemporary romance leavened with humor and touching family relationships should enjoy this one.

When Sparks Fly is a sparkling 5 star read!

The story does take some time to really get going but I love a slow burn, angsty read and that’s exactly what this story is!

Relationships take time and I love that you got that time with these two! Declan and Avery already had a solid friendship but it was the more that took time to grow! It started small but morphed into more. One quick mistake derailed it all but what happened after is what I really loved about the story!

The characters took time to grow! You don’t see that often! You seem a grand gesture and then all is forgiven but that wasn’t the case and I loved that both had to work through their issues to earn trust back!

I felt the story was relatable and I loved the friend and family dynamics! I have read so many books where quick fixes magically happened but in this book you have people working and doing what they can to make their dreams reality and for me that was what makes this stellar romance 5 stars!