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!

Avery and Declan share a condo and have been best friends for years. Avery has a car accident and Declan blames himself because he promised to drive her to her function. Out of guilt, Declan claims he is the best person to take care of her as her broken arm and leg heal. He has always had relationship issues, vowing to never get serious with his dates. The proximity and constant care bring out feelings stronger than friendship for both Avery and Declan. This book looks at friendship, relationships, family and strong work ethics in a fun, sexy light. I loved the care and creative ways Declan used to work through his issues. I also loved the relationships between Avery’s sisters and the friends Avery and Declan shared since college. Good lessons on the important of healthy relationships and a supporting community.

Cute, but not my favourite of hers. I read the synopsis and wasn’t sure it was for me, but then read that it was suppose to be hilarious, so I decided to give it a try; portions were fun, but the big issue towards the end lost me. The friends to lovers trope was fun and I loved reading about a girl who was athletic and enjoyed sports and junk food, plus had make besties. But then the ending kind of screeched into this weird zone for me and ended really sweet. Too sweet for me, but happy ending folks will enjoy it!

O. M. G.

Sparks are flying out of my eyes because THIS. BOOK. YALL.

I can’t even form a coherent thought to express my love and adoration for this book. I’m already ready to re-read and super stoked for the audiobook.

With a friends to lovers trope we follow girl boss Avery has her life is literally crashed to a halt when she’s immobilized in a car accident and her (hot, thoughtful) BFF/ roommate, Declan, becomes her caretaker.

I love that this book prioritizes mental health, friendship, and communication in a romantic relationship because these things are often left out of rom-coms. I really appreciated that Helena Hunting took the time to focus on the essential foundation of a relationship.

Loved this cute book! 'Super cute plot and lovable characters make this the perfect beach read. Helena Hunting never disappoints and this is the perfect beginning to summer book!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

‘When Sparks Fly’ is yet another home run for author Helena Hunting, providing the reader with friends-to-lovers deliciousness and wittiness for days.

Avery Sparks and Declan McCormick have always had a connection. Best friends and roommates, the pair has always had an effortless chemistry and a dynamic that they both highly value and prioritize. When Avery is in a car accident and becomes wholly reliant on Declan, they both realize that there are deeper feelings that had been hiding just beneath the surface of their perfect friendship. And when they give into their undeniable attraction to each other? Sparks definitely fly.

As an avid Helena Hunting fan, I was excited to see how she’d write a friends-to-lovers story. In my opinion, it’s a trope that is difficult to do well, because the reader really has to buy into the reasons why they’re not a couple in the first place. Hunting adeptly creates two protagonists who bring their own humanity and baggage to the table, and the way the narrative unfolds is as enjoyable as it is realistic. There’s a slow simmering of romantic and sexual tension that is engaging, and also teases the reader just the right amount to keep things interesting.

Another element of the novel that I enjoyed was the sisterly bond between the Sparks sisters. I cannot wait to read more about Avery’s siblings in the subsequent books in the series. If there’s one thing that Hunting always delivers, it’s an incredibly detailed universe full of characters you want to know more about.

In all, it’s another great novel from one of the best writers in the business, and a fantastic start to a new series.

A sincere thanks to the author, St. Martin’s, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

When Sparks Fly is a binge worthy friends to lovers romance. Avery and her sisters run Spark House, a hotel catering to special events. The event in progress as we start the book is hilarious and REAL!!! Be sure to look it up… you won’t regret it. Declan is her best friend and roommate. They have a deep connection and an unexpected accident tests the bonds and pushes them to admit that they are much more than they are willing to admit. The ebb and flow of their relationship moves along beautifully. The angst and their love (oh the love) is palatable. I highly recommend adding this book to your TBR.

Avery and Declan have been friends since college, best friends to be exact. When Avery suddenly has a blind date Declan decides he's going to find a one-night stand to bring home. The next morning Avery and Declan are supposed to go meet up with friends but instead, Avery goes by herself. She then gets into a serious car accident, and the accident brings Declan and Avery closer than ever before.

Cute book. It wasn't an edge of your seat, can't wait to turn the page kind of book, but it kept my interest pretty well. It got a little slow in some parts, but overall I think it's a great summer beach read.

I LOVE Helena Hunting! And her latest book does not dissappoint! The chemistry between the main characters Avery and Declan (I've always loved this name!) are spot on. Both of them have had traumatic pasts that taint their views on relationships. Their denial that each of them has feelings for each other is extremely frustrating for the reader. But that makes it even better when realization is upon them and they start the roller coaster of awkward situations on how to navigate a "real" relationship. Their world crashes and as one needs to learn to be on their own, they each see what they need in each other. A lot of introspective thought for each character that leads to a HEA ending.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Friends to lovers, with a sweet friendship, and some pretty heavy emotional baggage for both characters to sort through. This book made me laugh, and I was really rooting for these two to succeed. I am a fan of Helena Hunting and this book held up well compared to her other books. Definitely worth a read! I couldn't put it down once I started reading! Thanks NetGalley for letting me read the ARC for this one!

I neve get tired of this trope...
Avery and Declan have lived together for over 2 years. They are the best of friends. And only friends.
They’ve played soccer together in college, drank together and watched one another thru many relationships.
When Avery gets in a horrible car accident, Declan blames himself and becomes the best nurse and all that together time changes feelings forever..,

I love Helena Hunting’s books generally, but When Sparks Fly was not for me. I didn’t care for the characters or their story.

I did power through their story and that’s why I am giving a 3 instead of a 1. I don’t want to spoil for anyone, but just to say what doesn’t work for me might be okay for others.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I absolutely love Declan & Avery. Declan is so sweet to Avery, that he will melt your heart. Truly an amazing story that will have you hooked. Another phenomenal read by Helena that I couldn’t stop reading. Perfect story with an even more phenomenal ending.

I typically love Helena Hunting's books so I was excited for this one. Not to mention I love a friends-to-lovers story!

I was so invested in Avery and Declan and watching their relationship build over the weeks while Avery is healing. It was amazing and full of that delicious sexual tension. But, things started to slow down for me after that and especially once Avery starts to regains her independence.

It definitely filled that friends-to-lovers trope, however it fault lackluster. It didn't have anything keeping me enthralled after the beginning of the novel and unfortunately, it started to feel repetitive. And that sexual tension I mentioned? Gone. There was practically zero heat after the initial encounter.

I LOVEEEE Helena Hunting and was so excited to read When Sparks Fly. I love a good friends to lovers storyline and she really delivered with Avery and Declan. It had some swoony steamy moments but also some emotional moments with real depth. Overall I really loved this book! I hope to get some additional stories for the sisters!

Once you start this book you wil not be able to put it down. Family dynamics and friendship turning into so much more is the basis for the book, but the reader comes away from it with so much more. Declan and Avery have been best friends since college. Through many ups and downs the friendship only seemed to get stronger and stronger, but when a freak auto accident leaves Avery relying on Declan for EVERYTHING it sets the two friends up to feel so much more than friendship. When sparks fly and passion ignites wil this be the beginning of the end to the friendship they once relied on? Or will their bonds of friendship be heightened with love in the mix? Helena Hunting you did it again!! Fabulous characters, honest emotions and just enough angst to make the pages keep turning. An awesome read.

Generally, this was a fun read. The characters are likeable and well developed, and there is some quirky stuff happening that made it unique given that it is a typical friends to lovers romance. I liked the two mains well enough, although I did have a hard time accepting a few of the things that Declan did for Avery when she was in a cast. No spoilers! Declan and Avery are in a good relationship from the start with a lot of interaction that shows how much they truly care for each other. And overall the conflict that complicated their relationship worked.

I do feel that, at the end of the book, some loose ends weren't really wrapped up. Like the situation with her grandmother's fountain. But I guess that's because they aren't really pivotal to the story.

💖I started this ARC hoping to enjoy it. Unlike other books, it wasn't because it was a book I'd heard good things about online already (since it’s an ARC), but I was hoping to enjoy it because I just finished reading Meet Cute also by @helenahunting ! Knowing I had this ARC sitting in my inbox after finishing Meet Cute was so exciting and it did not disappoint at all.

☺️The book is definitely a binge worthy read, yet I'm so glad I took the time to savour Avery and Declan's story. I absolutely love how Hunting writes a beautiful harmony of comfort, nerves, trust, and pleasure when Avery and Declan finally connect.

🙂Though I loved the time and reflection it took for Declan and Avery to get back together, the writing felt a little too reflective at that point (a little bit like how most epilogues are written). Nonetheless, the story and character growth was phenomenal and I loved how the entire book came together.

📚If you weren't planning on reading this sweet tale about love between friends, family, siblings, and more, I highly recommend you add it to your list! Pre-order now to have your hands on a copy when it releases on September 21, 2021!

🍦Also, Declan and I are totally on the same wave length because I've used ice cream as a bribe to get someone to go out before.

🎁Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Helena Hunting for this ARC!

This was a super cute friends to lovers story. Declan and Avery were fun to read about. I was so glad Declan stepped up and totally took care of Avery after what happened.