Member Reviews
This book gave me all the feels. Harley & Gavin are another couple that you will never forget. Their story will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. My heart hurts for Peyton and Gavin and Harley is truly the one too mend both their hearts. Truly an amazing read that will have you completely hooked.
My favorite of this series. This age gap/nannyish storyline will definitely pull at your heartstrings as well as steam up your glasses. It’s definitely worth the read.
This is the third installment in the Spark House series by Helena Hunting. Harley is the youngest of the three sisters, and I am so glad that Harley finally got her happily ever after. I loved this story so much. I loved Harley and Gavin but Peyton really takes the cake. Peyton’s character is so spot on for a young girl. I just love the relationship between her and Harley. This was such an emotional story. I found myself crying several times while reading. I will definitely be rereading this book and the rest of the series again.
Years ago, Harley Spark had one of those moments that you wish you could take back. You know, a do-over.
Following the death of his wife, in childbirth, Gavin Rhodes hired Harley as a live-in nanny for his infant daughter. Harley took care of Gavin's daughter until the baby was 18 months old. Harley did everything with Gavin and his daughter, almost like she was part of the family. Until that one fateful night. The one Harley wishes she could have a do over for. Right after that, Gavin and his daughter moved away and Harley hasnt spoken to them since.
Now, all these years later, Harley runs into Gavin and his daughter at a birthday party. The feelings are still there. The question is, can Harley and Gavin resist... or maybe they don't want to.
This was my absolute favorite of the Spark House books. It's a definite 5 stars.
Harley and Gavin were great but Peyton is the real star of this story. Make a Wish is the third installment of the Spark House series. We've met Harley in her sisters stories and I always loved the insight that she had throughout their books. Harley is intelligent, determined and has this whimsical side that helps her create the most wonderful things. Gavin in a widower with a 9 year old daughter Peyton. While Harley was the nanny for Gavin and Payton all those years ago, Gavin's emotional state never allowed them to be more. This time around they are hoping they can turn their chemistry into a relationship that can flourish. Their journey is not without bumps in the road. Gavin's MIL and his inability to truly let go of the grief from the past plays a big part in their struggles. Harley puts her heart on the line not only for Gavin but for Peyton as well. The ending had me all up in my feelings and it was the perfect ending to the series.
Truly love the Spark sisters💕 Each of their stories are fantastic & Harley’s is no exception and definitely pulls the heartstrings. One chapter 29 & the epilogue (warning:have tissues ready).
After a slight pivot in life Harley & Gavin find themselves back in each others lives. What started as a chance encounter quickly becomes more. They are very comfortable with each other and just click with each other. Harley & Peyton are everything the other needs. They fill a the empty spots that the other has…
I will say get your tissues ready! Helena writes a beautiful story for them💕 but it’s not all sunshine & glitter😉 there are some bumps in the road {that unfortunately need to happen } & some hard realizations & conversations happen 😢 Yes they all absolutely deserve HEAs and their epilogue is perfect💝
💕fave quotes📖
“You know what would be really great?” “What’s that?” “If one day you became my mom.” My heart stutters in my chest, then swells. I’m scared to let that hope take root, but the seed is already planted.😭
The apology was exactly what I needed, and it seemed, so did she. We cried together, and in the end it felt cathartic and gave us the fresh start we needed.—-Karen was very much a “Karen” up until this point. I can’t imagine being in her shoes and but for her to realize & apologize is a huge step & made her more endearing.
Peyton tears through the paper, and her eyes go wide when she sees the box inside with the inscription THE STORY OF PEYTON RHODES in beautiful gold script.—-😭cue the water works!
This has been my favorite of the books in this series. Harley is such a wonderful female main character. She was so endearing and lovable. Her relationship with Payton (Gavin's daughter) was absolutely beautiful and effortless. Gavin is sweet and is trying so hard to be a good father. He took a little time for me to warm up to, but he won me over in the end.
Some of the parenting in this book mad me angry. Like angry tears, angry. But I was angry because I cared and that says a lot. Every parent in this book is in a hard position at some point. I felt empathy for them but was also frustrated.
Helena Hunting has created a wonderful world full of characters that are charming but flawed, delightful and real.
Wow! This story was amazing. It's been while since I read a book in one go, Make a Wish was perfection!
I haven't actually read the other two books in the series, but needless to say I am going to go back and read those now!
From the very first page I was hooked on Harley and Gavins' story. You could see how torn they were when Harley was the Nanny to Gavin's little girl.
Fast forward all those years and the connection was still there. There were a few hurdles to overcome, especially for Harley as she is also navigating finding her role at work.
This story was beautifully written, one of my top reads from this year.
I loved this book!! Helena is an author that I feel almost never fails me, and this book is further proof that she just hit it out of the park. I've been following this series, and I loved the chemistry and spice between Gavin and Harley. Who doesn't melt for a single dad, really? It's truly a second chance for these two, and I'm here for it. Gavin's daughter Peyton is also just a wonderful addition to the voices in the book. I also love this book as a part of interconnected standalones, so reading it as part of the series is great but not a requirement at all to enjoy the book. I give it 5 lovely stars!!
Loved this!
What a great book to round out this series. I absolutely loved Harley, Gavin and Peyton’s storyline. This book was such an emotional roller coaster but in the most wonderful way!
I am so sad that this series had to come to an end and I am glad that Harley got her HEA.
I always thought that there was more to Harley than what we have seen in the previous books and this last book finally confirmed my suspicions. Harley, the youngest Spark sister was previously a nanny for a single, widowed father before going to work at Spark House - a place that she is starting to flounder with what her role is as things there are changing. What she doesn't expect after 7 years is to run into the single dad again or the 9 year old former charge. She further doesn't expect that after that chance run-in, that she will form a friendship that turns into a relationship with that same single dad - too bad there are a few stumbling blocks that are in the way.
Gavin, single grieving dad to Peyton moves away from Colorado Springs to be closer to his deceased wife's family and have them assist with the care of Peyton. He returns years later to be closer to his family and friends again, runs into Harley at a Spark House event and decides to catch up with her. He doesn't expect to be drawn to her and wants to spend more time with her especially since that is the last thing that he is looking for. He is lucky in that Peyton takes right to her and wants to spend more time with Harley - too bad he lets outside influences get involved in his relationship with Harley as well as not letting go of his past.
This was a great read that I enjoyed from page one. The chemistry between the pair was off the charts and the Peyton character was well written. This friends to lovers theme wasn't cliche and their story was believable as it moved along well. I enjoyed the return of the characters from the previous books as we get to see how they have progressed in life and with how they support Harley's story. Overall, this was a great read that I enjoyed from start to finish and would recommend to others.
What a beautiful story. Gavin has been through so much with the loss of his wife and being a single dad from the start. I loved how Harley had a roll in their lives when Peyton was a baby, then again when they moved back to town. The bond that Harley builds with Peyton was really beautiful, and Gavin and Harley have amazing chemistry. They had a ton of issues to work through, and it wasn’t easy. I felt every heartbreak and ounce of grief that they were working through. I really loved how Harley stepped up and voiced her feelings about Spark House. I felt like she was drifting aimlessly for awhile, but she really fought for what she wanted. These sisters have been really fun to get to know and read about. I have really enjoyed this series.
Harley and Gavin have a true second chance at romance! Harley and her sisters run spark house but Harley's true love is children. Harley met Gavin when she was the nanny to his baby daughter Peyton years ago and there was a spark but the timing was way off! Now as they have reconnected, they both seem to be on the same page, until things get really tough. There are a lot of feeling between Gavin, Harley and Peyton and many opinions from his in laws. Gavin harbors a lot of guilt and fear. As does as his mother in law. It comes down to some real work and dedication to fix these issues. What is wonderful is watching Harley really grow and understand what she will accept and what not. For them to love each other enough to accept things and change their reactions to the hurt. What a beautiful story of deep kindness and love and navigating the future!
I loved. Loved. Loved this book. A perfect addition to this little series. Long ago forbidden feelings that were never acted on, the forbidden apple was moved, but the thoughts and feelings were real. A chance meeting at a child’s birthday party, a spark that was never dulled. Have hearts mended, are the in a place to allow love in, is the past too much to risk again. All of this was perfectly written. Cheers to the final installment of the Spark sisters.
Make a Wish is the third book in the Spark House series by Helena Hunting. I've always been a fan of Helena Hunting's books and really enjoyed the third and final installment of the Spark House series. This was a sweet, touching, and fun romance with great chemistry and lots of heat. The writing felt light-hearted and uplifting even when some heavier topics were discussed. Wow, way to sucker-punch you right in the feels with that ending! Thanks, St. Martins Press, for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Just wow! I starting reading around 11pm and finished this book in one sitting! I usually wait to process what I read before I write a review but….again, just wow! To give you a frame of reference it’s now 5:45am.
It extremely rare for me to literally shed tears but OMG I lost it and became a blubbering mess near the end. Not because it’s sad but because the writing is that AMAZING!
Helena you’ve outdone yourself! I’m putting ’Make a Wish’ as one of my top reads of all time.
To read this-cover to cover-in one sitting says so much about Helena. The writing was raw, real and so beautifully crafted. I feel like I’m now part of Gavin and Harley’s family. I learned about their pasts, their fears and dreams. Feelings were validated. There was no angst and the romance felt natural.
Helena wrote about passion, grief and joy. It’s the kind of book I was able to immerse myself into. Over 6 hours later I can say that I feel complete. The epilogue. Oh dear, what a fantastic epilogue.
This book is an absolute must read.
Loved this story. The third (and final?) book in this little series, features the youngest of the Spark sisters. This is a second chance, kinda, and a little taboo/forbidden, in a sense, read. Harley had been the live in nanny for a widowed father of a newborn for almost two years, until she made a colossal mistake that forced them to move away (or so she thought.) Now, seven years later, they are back. Talk about AWKWARD. Gavin is back along with his daughter, Peyton. Single the single dad, still struggling to manage work and parenthood, and now without the help of his in-laws. So, guess who steps in to offer assistance when needed. While there is some sexual content, this story/book is not about that. She has personal problems when it comes to her own work (which is dwindling away as the hotel her and her sisters own expands and thus putting her duties in the hands of another,) and what she really desires to be doing. He has his own issues. Still dealing with the death of his wife, her overbearing parents, and now trying to figure out Harley fits into his world once again. You'll laugh, and maybe even cry, but you'll also have some high anxiety on behalf of the characters. This is the third book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone without any troubles. (Each book features a different sister.) You will see some of the same characters if you have read the others first. There may be spoilers if you plan to go read them after this book. There are also a couple cameos from characters of other books by this author. Added bonus! :) It alternates POVs. Easy to read.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
4.5☆ Make a Wish was such a cute book! Harley has had some rough times in her life, but always seems to put a smile on her face. She has a heart of gold and wants to help others. She's great with kids, which is evident by her relationship with Peyton. They form such a strong and special bond, it was really great to read. Speaking of Peyton, she's absolutely adorable and a hoot! I loved getting to know her and see how smart she is. She's got a great head on her shoulders already. Gavin is a great character too. He's also been though a lot in his life, but he's always tried his best and is there for Peyton. He really is a great dad to Peyton, and I loved seeing their bond too. Harley and Gavin are clearly made for one another, and then add in Harley and they make the cutest family. This was a great book, and I'm sad that the series is over ☹️ *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
If you want a novel full of second chance vibes, witty dialogue, and a healthy dose of sparkle, ‘Make a Wish’ is the book for you.
As the youngest of the three Spark sisters, Harley has always struggled to find her place. She thought she might have found it years ago, but everything changes when she makes a choice she can’t take back, in the form of almost kissing her boss. Seven years later, that old wound is reopened as a chance meeting places the widower she used to nanny for, Gavin, and his daughter Peyton back into her life. With the ghosts of their shared past remaining hidden, can Harley reconnect with them both? Or will another mistake ruin everything a second time?
One of the skills Hunting has as an author is that she always brings a fresh take to any trope she decides to employ. The way that Harley and Gavin’s story unfolds is like a breath of fresh air. Once they finally decide to explore their feelings, the steam is not only there, it is fantastic.
There is always such an empathy to Hunting’s writing that allows readers to sit with the characters and experience their feelings and emotions in a super visceral way. Harley and Gavin are both working through their own traumas and losses, but come together beautifully after some adversity and struggle. The epilogue was the perfect icing on the cake.
In all, this book is everything I want and expect from one of my favorite authors. It delivers on multiple fronts and closes out the Spark House series with a glittery bang.
Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s, and NetGalley for generously providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Wow, way to sucker-punch you right in the feels with that ending! But, let’s back it up a bit. This was a sweet, touching, and fun romance, with great chemistry and lots of heat. Harley is smart, determined, and has a beautiful whimsical side that she lets out whenever she feels it. Gavin is a bit of a workaholic, emotionally unaware, and has a vulnerability to him that he hides well. The single dad and the nanny didn’t work out all those years ago, but the seeds were planted. This time around, the conditions are right for them to flourish, but there are some storms to weather out first. I loved how the emotions flowed freely and you felt every single one, from all the characters, not just our couple. Gavin, Harley, and Peyton let us into their hearts and it was a wonderful thing to witness <3