Member Reviews
London dirige o Sparks Fly, hotel que está se especializando em eventos, junto com suas duas irmãs. Ela cuida de toda a parte administrativa e dedica parte de seu tempo também a sua loja de itens na Etsy. Quando a Sparks Fly recebe um convite para integrar um programa de iniciativa para empresas eco-friendly, London e as irmãs vêem uma oportunidade de levar o negócio da família a um novo patamar. E é assim que ela reencontra Jackson, o CEO milionário da empresa que está oferecendo essa oportunidade a Sparks Fly. Acontece que Jackson chamou London para sair em um bar meses antes e ela disse.... não. Será que eles vão conseguir trabalhar juntos?
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Não costumo ler livros cuja profissão do protagonista seja CEO, MAS é Helena Hunting e eu leio apenas tudo que essa mulher publica. Com uma narrativa menos dramática que o usual, Helena Hunting entregou um livro slow burn com um casal que vai se conhecendo e se relacionando aos poucos.
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London sempre colocou a felicidade das irmãs em primeiro lugar e por isso se fechou para o amor. Quando ela reencontra Jackson a relação deles flui de forma natural, eles tem muito em comum e acabam passando muito tempo juntos por causa dos projetos. Jackson valoriza e respeita o trabalho de London e a apoia e incentiva e esse relacionamento saudável vindo de um CEO? Autoras aprendam!
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Jackson perdeu os pais por conta de um desastre ambiental que acarretou uma doença neles, a partir disso o rapaz passou a incentivar empresas que cuidam do meio ambiente. Meses atrás ele ficou atraído por uma loira no bar, que o rejeitou e agora ele tem uma nova chance com ela. London parece ser tudo que ele sempre quis, agora ele não vai abrir mão dessa possível relação.
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O drama que acontece no livro é tão pouquinho e eu confesso que amei como a autora não incentivou uma rivalidade feminina desnecessária. A relação dos protagonistas se desenrola de maneira muito madura e responsável e sim demora um pouco a acontecer, afinal esse CEO é tudo menos t0x1c0.
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Eu nunca vou deixar de recomendar para vocês os livros dessa mulher, sério se vocês verem por aí Helena Hunting já saibam que a história é boa!
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#ResenhasLeD #HelenaHunting
There are three Spark Sisters and Starry-Eyed Love is London's story. Spark House is the family business that all three sisters took over the running from their grandmother. Each of them has a strength to offer, London's is the artistic side. The problem is that Avery is busy planning her wedding so London attends a meeting with a multi-million-dollar company to discuss a potential partnership. What she was not expecting was to work with CEO, Jackson Holt. London had met Jackson previously and turned him down for a date, but did not know who he was. As they work more together, they begin to have feelings for one another, but they need to keep it professional while working together. Throw in a female friend who wants to be more than friends and there are a few wrenches in the works.
I enjoyed this romance, despite there being some open door romance. London is a great character, but she has some insecurities. She is not comfortable in Jackson's world, so it definitely causes some anxiety. She is a very talented person, who works hard at Spark House as well as running her own store. She goes through a lot of growth in this story, and I was glad to see her stand up for herself. Jackson was a bit harder to like. He was a bit rigid and took a lot for granted, but I guess being as wealthy as he was, he lived a very different life. I did like that he didn't give up on London and was very instrumental in getting her to move out of her comfort zone. I have to say, Jackson was a bit obtuse at times about relationships, which does cause some angst, but he had some baggage from his past to get over. I did enjoy their banter, both in messages and real life. That was where the humor fit in. This was a slow developing romance, which I liked as they got to know each other first. When the conflict comes to a head, it was well done. I saw it coming based on their personalities and baggage, but it was well written and the resolution was great. This story is a romance with family issues thrown in, as well as themes of self-esteem, recognizing your strengths and using them to the best of your abilities. I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the third and final book in this trilogy, Make a Wish - Harley's story.
The first time London Spark meets Jackson Holt it’s in a bar. He slips her his number, but she tells him up front she’s otherwise involved. End of story. Until a few months later when her family business is approached to work with a large corporation & the CEO is none other than her mystery man from the bar. There is definite chemistry between the two! I fully expected Jackson to break out all the swoony moves but when Landon gets up the nerve to ask him out he declines! She’s feels confused & embarrassed by the mixed signals but he is adamant about not dating someone who works for him even though he wants too. This was the perfect recipe for some heightened sexual tension and I love a slow burn. Sometimes the business & family dynamics overshadowed the romance, but I look forward reading the last sister’s book in the series.
Ohhhhhh this is soooo freaking cute!!! It has a lovely mixture of swoon, cheesy grin and schmexy. London, out with her sisters after a breakup, turns down a very yummy proposal. Only to walk right back into Mr. Yummy's life unbeknownst to all parties involved, a few months down the road for a potential business partnership.
Hunting put a lot into this novel and the delicate way it comes together had me engaged from start to finish. Yes, this is a romcom romance in its own right. But it also looks at taking a step back, not working yourself to death, sisterly bonds and economically smart/women run business life. It just flows so well.
We still have the rich man meets not rich woman trope but Hunting makes the meet cute to the emotional turning point not outlandish or eyerolling. There is Nothing better than not having to yell at the MCs for "seriously" moments.
I laughed, swooney-swooned and fell for London and Jackson. Definitely a poolside or beach read for the upcoming summer. This is the second novel in the Spark House series but it makes a perfect standalone too. Thank you St. Martin's Griffin for the ability to read and review this novel for an honest and unbiased review.
I am enjoying this series so much. Helena Hunting has a way with words and pulling a reader into the story. I’m so excited to be back in the Spark sister’s world. I enjoyed London and Jackson’s story. These two have such chemistry. Once I started Starry-Eyed Love I could not put it down. I smiled so much. Must read
Absolutely love this book. Helena Hunting is an amazing author that I always have to read. Didn't want to put it down.
London had just broken up with her boyfriend when she was approached by a charming (and attractive) stranger at a bar. Turning him down, London thinks nothing of it. Fast forward a couple of months, and London is working on bringing in a new client as a sponsor for her family’s hotel. To her surprise, the stranger that she had rejected was the company’s CEO. The attraction between them is instant, but both are determined to keep things professional until after the auction. After the auction, all bets are off. As London and Jackson start dating, they need to navigate Jackson’s secrets and London being overwhelmed with her job. But, when a secret from Jackson’s not so distant past rears its head, it could cost them everything.
I loved London. I understood why she initially didn’t take Jackson’s number at the beginning of the book. She tried to get over her ex and didn’t want a rebound relationship. Sidenote: Very refreshing for an author NOT to have a romantic lead ping-ponging between men. Anyway, back to London. I also loved her reaction to realizing who Jackson was when she gave the presentation. I was laughing during that. But she also did annoy me. She didn’t want to confront Avery about hiring people to help. She walked in on half a conversation and immediately low keyed flipped out on Jackson (not that he didn’t deserve it—he did, but calling herself the “other woman” when he was clear that he wasn’t in a relationship with Selene was a little dramatic). But that made her more relatable.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure if Jackson liked London until about halfway through the book. His reasons for turning her down were valid, but he kept blowing hot and cold. He also kept ignoring good advice from people close to him until it exploded at the auction. But, the way he tried to win London back tugged at my heartstrings.
I want to mention that I wouldn’t say I liked how Avery was portrayed in the book. She went complete Bridezilla at the end. That went against how she was described in book 1. I wasn’t a big fan of that.
I also wasn’t a fan of Selene or how she was written. I figured what her role in Jackson’s past was, but I thought her arc would go a different way. I wasn’t a fan of how she treated London or how mad she was at Jackson. She was the one who wasn’t responding to texts or answering calls. And what she said to him on the terrace was unbelievable. But, I do like how she did try to make things right with London at the end.
I loved how natural Jackson and London’s romance was. It wasn’t a week of them banging like rabbits and deciding that they were in love. Instead, their relationship grew over a couple of months. It was beautiful to watch that. Even the fight (and Jackson’s “betrayal”) was natural, as was the breakup and reconciliation. I loved it!!
The sexual chemistry that Jackson and London had was instant. And like their romance, it was allowed to grow. The author conveyed so much with a kiss or a touch. The sex scenes were just graphic enough, but enough left unsaid so that I could use my imagination.
The go green/auctions/hiring of Spark House storyline was well written. I liked how the author tied Jackson’s experiences with his parents into his passion for green living. There was a lot of technical jargon that I didn’t understand (or care to google), but it didn’t matter to me. That was a tiny blip in an otherwise terrific storyline.
The end of Starry-Eyed Love was excellent. I’m not going to get into it, but I was wowed with what Jackson did. It was the perfect ending for the book.
I would recommend Starry-Eyed Love for anyone over 21. There is mild language, mild violence, and somewhat graphic sex scenes.
I fell in love with the Spark sisters in When Sparks Fly last year, so I was extra excited when I heard that London Spark, the middle parental sister, was getting her own story!
London Spark has hit a slump. Her relationship prospects are dull at best, and as much as she loves her sisters and Spark House, she doesn't love her work there and it's become physically and mentally draining. As Avery takes more time away from work to plan her wedding to Declan, the more London begins to dread her hours doing financials at Spark House while neglecting her Etsy shop more and more. But then London meets Jackson Holt. A self-made, environmentally-conscious millionaire with many of the same tragedies in his past that London has in hers, Jackson and London couldn't be more compatible with each other. However, with work in the way, plenty of family drama at hand, and secrets Jackson is apparently not ready to share, London accepts that her love for Jackson is just not written in the stars. But he's not ready to give up on her just yet, and with some sisterly support, London might just finally get her happily ever after.
As much as I loved When Sparks Fly, I enjoyed Starry-Eyed Love even more. In fact, Starry-Eyed Love actually retroactively made me like the first book a little less than I did before. I thought I loved Avery in the first book, but Avery is definitely shown in a different light when we see her from her sisters' perspectives and I didn't care for her as a character nearly as much. So, sadly, this book sort of hurt how I feel about Avery and Declan's love story.
I loved London's story. I thought her story was so relatable - an overworked young professional who is trapped between paying the bills and pursuing her passions, all while struggling to find the right balance with her family. If London isn't a millennial archetype, I don't know who is.
While Jackson wasn't quite as relatable for me, I thought Hunting did a fantastic job at making him a swoon-worthy character who was equal parts perfect and flawed. Jackson really was the perfect guy for London and I'm glad Hunting created them for each other.
However, there were a few parts of Starry-Eyed Love that didn't resonate as well for me - all due to my personal tastes and no fault of the author's writing. I really don't care for the secrets/miscommunication trope, and unfortunately, Jackson did keep some big things from London that led to unnecessary drama and strife. The fact that the major problems in their relationship - and a major part of the whole story's conflict - could have easily been avoided had Jackson just been open and honest with London will always be a sticking point for me, in this and any romance. That's really the only issue I had while reading London and Jackson's story, though, and like I mentioned, it's a personal opinion due to my dislike of that particular trope.
Overall, Starry-Eyed Love was a swoony, sister-centric romance between the relatable, overworked London Spark and her environmentally-conscious, self-made second-chance, Jackson Holt. I'm so glad that London got her happily ever after (even if it made me like Avery's HEA a little less), and I can't wait to see what's coming for the third and final Spark sister!
Starry-Eyed Love is the follow up to Helena Hunting's When Sparks Fly, published last fall. Readers will be delighted that the Spark sisters are back with darling London taking center stage!
An ask for a date: a turndown immediately with a lie. London thought the handsome stranger would never be in her life again. Turns out fate had other plans with handsome stranger being CEO of Holt Industries.... a company that may want to work with Spark House. Flash forward where Jackson and London are sitting in a meeting working together with flaming hot chemistry. Both cannot act on carnal desires, that would be violating company policy. But when events are done.... starry-eyed love is just the beginning.
Starry-Eyed love has solid characters that readers will want to be rooting for: especially Jackson and London. The setting floats back and forth between Spark House and New York City, the former destination familiar to readers of the first novel. This book does tie in well with the first novel of the series; however this story may also be read as a stand alone.
I love Helena Hunting so much. She writes anxiety in such a real and relatable way. This was a lovely story that was a romance but also a story of family and sisterhood for the three sisters who run their family's hotel and event venue.
It’s a feel-good romance that makes you think about what is truly important in life.
London Sparks just broke up with her boyfriend and the last thing she needs is another man hitting on her while she is out with her sisters. Life at the inn continues to plug along until the sisters are given the chance to pitch to a multi-million-dollar company for the chance at a once-in-a-lifetime partnership.
London is just the gal for the job and things run smoothly until the CEO, Jackson Holt, hijacks her presentation. Turns out he is none other than the man she so unceremoniously rejected not too long ago. Jackson would love to get to know London more intimately, but they decide to put anything personal on hold until the business deal is sealed.
This book was as much about London and Jackson as it was about London and her sisters and the inn. Meeting Jackson made London realize that she needs more time to pursue the things that she is interested in, and not spend all her energy on running the financial and business side of the inn. Tension between the sisters, Avery’s wedding stress, and London’s increasing dissatisfaction with the status-quo just kept getting bigger and bigger.
Throughout all of this, Jackson provided a safe haven for London. A place where she could find herself again and have fun. Their growing intimacy was almost like a calm oasis in the midst of all the chaos. I loved their slow-developing relationship. They brought out the best in each other. The three sisters also learned some valuable lessons and became closer as a result.
The writing is fun and captivating. There are plenty of humorous moments, serious contemplative moments, sad moments, and very sweet romantic moments. Not to forget the heated moments between London and Jackson.
I can definitely recommend this series for any romance reader. It’s not necessary to read the books in order, each one stands well on its own.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the second book in the Spark House series but can be read as a standalone. We get London and Jackson, the story overall was entertaining, I really liked how the characters were developed and the deepness into each one of them, I like the humor that brings Helena Hunting to her stories. The audiobook was excellent and I definitely recommend getting it, we have two fantastic and talented narrators, Stella Bloom and Jason Clark. They did a great job portraying their characters, and the pacing was good, making me enjoy it even more.
London Spark is newly single and not in the mood for dating. She'd rather work on business for Spark House than date, and months later CEO Jackson Holt walks into her business presentation for a partnership between companies. Of course, he's the one she turned down before, and now the two must work together. They do have a connection and take it further once the business side of things is concluded. But Jackson has his secrets and London is entangled with her sisters. What does she really want out of life?
If London sounds familiar, that's because she showed up in her sister Avery's story "When Sparks Fly." Avery is juggling her wedding planning and the hotel events, one part of which stresses London out. She tries to handle the work of the Spark House, setting up relationships for future business, her Etsy shop, and then the relationship with Jackson. The two fall fast for each other, and I love their banter. Their chemistry is great, and they try to keep things professional even though they attend events in a decidedly romantic manner. I do love how Jackson tries to honor London's choices as much as possible, though it's also incredibly easy for him to do so when he has private jets and the ability to buy space or equipment whenever he wants. There's still the emotional work to be done before the happily ever after, and even the Spark sisters come to an agreement at the end of the book. I enjoyed seeing all of the pieces fall into place, and that even the side characters have growth.
Starry-Eyed Love had all of the things I love in a romance and more. London Spark has just gotten out of a lackluster relationship when an incredibly handsome man approaches her during a night out with her sisters. After turning him down, she’s shocked when he reappears in her life a few months later as a potential business partner. Not only is he handsome, kind and charming - he’s a self made millionaire.
As London and Jackson work together, they explore their personal relationship as well as business. The chemistry is palpable and their connection is sweet and caring. While the romance is the emphasis of the novel, I loved getting to know the relationship between London and her sisters. It was authentic and I could really feel the love and tension that comes with the bond of sisterhood. I haven’t read the first book in the Spark House series, so this can definitely be read as a standalone, but you may enjoy it more if you read When Sparks Fly first.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for a review copy. I can’t wait to read When Sparks Fly and check out Harley’s book in the future.
I adored the first book in this series, even with all the angst and drama, it was such a fun read. And I think this one would be too except I cannot get past the hero. I'm not normally anti-rich people in romance, as long as they are likable, but this guy is just not likeable. I'm sorry! I wish I could say otherwise. I kept reading, and the more I read, the more insufferable he became. It wasn't his fault, I suppose...he just couldn't help flaunting his money every five seconds. And his commitment to being green...while also flying a private jet everywhere. I think maybe millionaire romance just isn't for me.
Also, I just really didn't like his intro, which caused me to already have a bad impression of him before I even found out he was rich. He hits on the heroine in a bar, and when she lies and says she has a boyfriend, he's like "Is it serious?" Like...EXCUSE ME SIR. If the woman tells you she has a boyfriend, the appropriate response is that he's a lucky guy, not a calculation on whether or not you could steal her from him. Ew. Not a good look.
I love the way Helena Hunting writes. I adored When Sparks Fly and was so excited to see London's part. I enjoyed the quick preface in the beginning to basically set a snippet of the story. It was fun to see London and Jackson's story unfold.
I also started to dislike Avery in this book! I was shocked at how much she bothered me, but I think that was her bridezilla showing. I think it was neat to watch London's character grow and really shine this story. I enjoyed the added in antagonist, which added in some drama, twice.
As always, we know how the story is going to end, but I was actually not a huge fan of the very end of the story. I think the timing of the ending did not make sense in my personal opinion. Jackson kind of turned me off a few times with his mannerisms and the way he took charge of so much, which slightly dulled London's shine.
I do think the story was cute. I loved watching the sisters work together and the sneak peeks of Declan and Avery's wedding planning. I am excited for the next book to hopefully see where Harley goes!
I don't know how this happened, but it felt like I had just started Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting, and then it was over! I sped through this second installment of the Spark House series and even ended up enjoying it a bit more than the first. The audiobook is narrated by the same people that narrated When Sparks Fly (Jason Clarke & Stella Bloom), and I thought they fit the characters much better this time around. The story centers on another Spark sister, this time London, and her love interest Jackson. I am pretty sure I could never get sick of Clarke's voice, and it seemed really fitting for the influential CEO Jackson Holt. Both Clarke and Bloom's narration was incredibly smooth for this audiobook, and I highly recommend listening to it!
I loved being back in the Spark House world, and I really liked the fact this was a bit more of a family drama as well as a romance. There is a dash of spice as well, but I did think some of Hunting's verbiage was a little odd. Probably not words I would have picked if I were writing these scenes, but they got the point across just the same. It was really interesting seeing the dynamics between the sisters change a bit in Starry-Eyed Love, and I feel like they all grew as characters for me even with the other two sisters both being secondary characters this time around. And did I mention this series is set in Colorado? I love that I get to recognize the cities Hunting mentions, and it is always fun reading about somewhere you live. I will definitely be continuing on with this series, and I am hoping the next book will be centered around our final sister in the family.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
What a cute, cozy, starry eyed romance!
Sisters London, Avery and Harley take over running their family’s event hotel called the Spark House from their grandmother. London goes to a business meeting and meets Jackson Holt, the CEO of Holt Media. This is when I can say this cheesy line…..sparks begin to fly! Though the romance is what I consider a slow burn romance, it keeps your attention as they get to know one another.
All in all, a sweet romance that I enjoyed reading. Family ties play a big part in the story which I found enderaring.
I have not read the first book in the series, but the author does a great job of recapping some of the first book. I am looking forward to reading book three!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is my first Helena Hunting book. I didn't have super high hopes, and went into it semi blindly, just knowing it was a romance book with a cartoon cover like so many have. Let me tell you now, this won't be the last one!!! I adored the story!!! I hated Jackson at first and by the middle of the book, I adored him! And the sisters were all amazing. Excuse me while I go hunt down the first book in this series now....and hope that this series continues!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy of this one.
I enjoyed the first book on this series but this one dragged for me and I didn’t care what happened. I read about a third of it.