Audio ARC Review thanks to MacMillan Audio.

I adored this sweet second chance romance! Nanny/Single dad is one of my favorite romance premises and this one was so cute. I hadn't read the first books in the series when I read this, but I didn't need to. I loved the sweet relationship between Harley and her former charge Peyton and of course, Peyton's dad, Gavin. I especially loved that the two main characters helped each other overcome past trauma in order to move forward.

I felt the story was a tiny bit slow before the 50% mark but then it really picked up and I couldn't wait to find out what happened.

This is a super sweet romance that will give you all the feels. I recommend it when you need something to make your heart happy. I look forward to reading more Helena Hunting books in the future.

I was so excited to get an early release of this one…I adored the 1st 2 books in this series. I’m not a “swooner” but shew, Helena can write some seriously swoon-worthy scenes. Books 1&2 I was all in and couldn’t stop telling everyone about them. This last one just didn’t have that…wow factor for me. It wasn’t bad…it was a decent read and I’ll definitely read the whole series again because it really is so good, I’m just not as keen on the last book as I thought I would be. Helena just set the bar so darn high with those 1st couple books in the series.

I was so excited to hear Harley’s love story. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stand Harley, Gavin or Peyton so it just didn’t work out as well for me. I didn’t feel that 🤩 wow factor in this book like I did with the first 2.

The MIL angle really struck a nerve with me. It seemed so real and was well developed. It will make you want to scream but then when the characters take a look at things from another perspective things tend to fall in place.

I liked how the loss of Gavin’s wife and the Spark sisters losing their parents sort of gave Harley and Gavin a way to really and truly understand and find their way back to one another.

Audiobook or Physical book? I liked the audio narrators but the kid voices they used in the book just kinda threw me. So I think I’d recommend the physical book on this one. Peyton annoyed me so bad…it could’ve been the narration though. The narrators weren’t bad I just think the voice they used for Peyton was like nails on a chalkboard. But then again I didn’t like her character anyway.

First and foremost, I did not realize this was a 3rd book in a series - HOWEVER, that did not matter. This was a true standalone and I think that's important to verify.

I have always been a fan of HH since the Clipped Wings series and the Pucked books. This book had a little of it all. Laughter, tears, and even a little *spice*. Harley was a total sweetheart. I actually didn't like Gavin that much. I think he had a lot of personal issues he still needed to work through, even at the end.

I thought the audio was great! The only thing I didn't like (and I'm not sure if it was due to the writing or the narration) was that Peyton was supposed to be 9/10 years old, but she came across sounding more like a 5/6 year old. My 10 year old is not quite as "baby-ish" and so it just kept putting me off some. But not a huge deal, just my personal preference.

Thank you, Helena Hunting and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to give this a listen!

I loved both of the first two Spark House romances, and I was so excited to read Harley's story. Then I realized it was a romance involving a SINGLE DAD and I was 100% sold. Harley worked as a nanny for Gavin and his daughter Peyton almost ten years ago, when he was newly widowed with a newborn. When they moved away, Harley blamed herself because she almost accidentally kissed him one night in the kitchen. Shortly after she started helping her sisters out with Spark House, their family's boutique hotel, and she never looked back. Well, almost never. Now, suddenly, Gavin and Peyton are back in Colorado Springs, and after they randomly reunite at a birthday party, Harley finds herself spending more and more time with her old boss and his daughter.

I honestly loved every moment of this book. The narrators did a fantastic job. While it can be tricky to handle both an age gap and the whole "single dad" thing, Helena Hunting delivers a tender yet also deliciously steamy romance that left me with smiley tears.

Harley and Gavin bond over their shared experiences with grief, and I loved watching Peyton and Harley bond over the course of the book. I finished it a few nights ago, and I'm still smiling over it.

Gavin's mother-in-law is a frustrating character, but Hunting even manages to humanize her by the end and you can almost forgive her. (I think her character hit a nerve because her relationship to food and with her granddaughter reminded me a lot of my relationship with my own grandmother, who was highly critical and similarly controlling.)

TW: obviously death of a spouse/parent, emotional manipulation, disordered eating/unhealthy relationship with food

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my advance listening copy

Fairy good!

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🤎🖤❤️💜
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 😍😚😉🙂🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration

The heroine: Harley Spark - She works for her family’s hotel and event facility with her two sisters. When Harley was twenty, she used to be a nanny for Peyton Rhodes when Peyton was a baby, she fell for Gavin who was Peyton’s widowed father. Harley lost her parents when she was twelve and had been through so much, she felt older than a lot of her peers and was happy to help Gavin and practically raise Peyton but Gavin was filled with pain and guilt and when she tried to kiss him one night, he pushes her away and soon moves away.

The Hero: Gavin Rhodes - After leaving town, he moved closer to his in-laws so they could get to know Peyton. While he worked, his mother-in-law babysat and he would pick Peyton up after work. Now that she is a bit older, he moved back to town to take over for his father who is getting ready to retire. He has never forgotten Harley and thought she was easy to be around.

The Story: Harley has been working for Spark House for years. She does the social media for the hotel and has taken over the running of children’s birthday parties. She dresses as a fairy and helps the children with the activities and crafts. She is surprised to see Peyton is one of the guests and breaks out in hives when she sees Gavin again.

This book is told in dual points of view via dual narration, though there are more chapters in Harley’s point of view than in Gavins. The book was narrated by Stella Bloom and Jason Clarke who are both fantastic narrators. Stella has a very intelligent sounding feminine voice and also does a good job at male voices which sounds completely different than her regular voice. Jason Clarke has a terrific deep and gravelly voice which sounds just as good talking about business as it does doing dirty talk.

I love Helena Hunting’s writing style and how her books focus more on relationships than on side storylines, though there are side storylines about work, family and other things they are more about the people and the supporting characters in her books are always terrific. This one has Harley’s sisters, Gavin’s friends and parents as well as his in-laws and Harley even has a boyfriend in the beginning of the book.

I was a bit surprised that there wasn’t as much humor in this one as in some of Helena’s sports romance books, like the Pucked series. Though it was still good and I plan to read anything she puts out there. I have read a ton of her books and really liked every one of them.

I was waiting for Spark House book 3, and I was not disappointed. Harley is successful, and totally lovable. 7 years ago, while caring for a widower’s baby daughter, she nearly kissed Gavin. Fast-forward, and “baby” Peyton is a little 9 year old cutie! Harley and
Gavin will have to learn to navigate their new relationship.
Pros: very sweet, kind of sexy, and heartwarming.
Cons: Peyton was written as though she was younger than nine years old. At times, it was quite distracting. It did seem to lull a little in the second third of the book, but it was worth it.!

Frequently, while I was listening to the "Make a Wish" audiobook, I thought to myself, "This could be a Hallmark movie." However, it does get a little steamy in the second half, so that would definitely need to be toned down! I enjoy Helena Hunting's work and typically find her stories light and fun. I will say that this one was less funny than some of her others, and I struggled a little in the first half since I felt like if I were friends with either Gavin or Harley, I would give them a stern talking to about what they were doing.
However, I thought this story was overall a sweet romance about moving on, and enjoyed the book and its narrator :)

It was beautiful watching the story unfold for all 3 sisters. Also, being a single parent I love hearing stories that include single parents. Some bits I wish weren't so delayed or prolonged but majority of this book was perfect for me. I loved seeing how it all turned out in the end! Such a cute read. The narrator was great, she helped reel you in and differentiate between the characters.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to this audiobook.

Very emotional yet incredibly entertaining read. Harley is a live in nanny for Gavin’s young daughter Peyton, after the loss of his wife. Suddenly, he and his daughter up and move to another city, and Harley doesn’t see them again…. For 7ish years. They meet again, completely by chance, at a child’s birthday party, and immediately they reconnect. The friendship Harley and Gavin begin to build with each other around Peyton is a wonderful thing to experience as a reader.
Harley is my favourite leading lady in a long time. She’s open, honest, emotionally mature, and extremely self aware. She’s empathetic and caring, and doesn’t react in anger or lash out when hurt. I absolutely loved her.
Gavin has been through a lot, and really struggles with deep levels of guilt and self sabotage. The way he loves his daughter is an absolute must see. He cares so deeply for everyone in his life, but the way he is with Peyton is beautiful. It’s said multiple times throughout the book, but Gavin really is a great dad.
A dual POV book, the story flowed exceptionally well, with great main characters, and not terrible side characters. I didn’t love them all, so I take away a half star, leaving me with a solid 4.5 stars.
The epilogue was outstanding, and I burst into tears. That was the perfect way to end this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. All opinions here are my own.

DNF @ 20%

She was 15 he was early 20’s now it’s 9 years later and the chemistry is still there…no thank you that’s weird

This is my favorite of the Sparks sisters books. I've liked all three but there's something extra about this one that does it for me. I think it might be all of my beloved tropes that are well done.
This one has: single dad, nanny (sort of..more like ex-nanny) & age gap. While this book is mainly plot driven you will have 2-3 short, open bedroom scenes.
Overall I'm still digesting why it fell short of a five star read but I enjoyed it and would recommend.

I did listen to this on audio and Stella Bloom & Jason Clarke are fantastic with the narration.

Gavin is a widower with a newborn and hires a young 20 year old Harley to help nanny. After 18 months of nannying there is a moment they almost kiss. Oops. Now all the sudden Gavin and baby Peyton decide to move closer to his in laws and Harley is left hurt and confused. Time hop 7 years and Gavin and Harley run into each other. And so begins the “we’re just friends” dance.

This was an easy book to binge. I didn’t realize until I got the audiobook that it was a third in a series but it works as a stand alone. The story moves along at a fast pace but not too fast. This is an age gap romance but it felt believable to me. It was an all around solid HEA romance for me.

Add to your TBR if you like
-age gap romance
-MIL drama
-grief journey
-hot dad vibes
-happily ever after

Audio: 🎧🎧🎧🎧/5

Pub date: Jan 24

Thanks @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for this audiobook ARC.

Make A Wish by Helena Hunting published January 2023 when Hayley was twenty she was a live in nanny for a dad who lost his wife in childbirth. One stressful night she almost kiss him. But right after he moves away. Now nine years later he and his daughter are back and both love Hayley

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook version of this book. Everything I write is of my own personal thoughts feelings and opinions. I am in no way affiliated with or compensated for my review.
Just fresh out of high school a young 19 year old Harley finds herself as a live in nanny for Gavin and his newborn daughter Peyton. Peytons mom died during childbirth so Gavin hires a live in nanny. Gavin realizes he is developing feelings for Harley as she has been raising Peyton for a year and a half. One night Harley almost kisses Gavin- soon after Gavin packs up little Peyton and moves away.
Fast forward 8 years and Harley is now working a family business that does various parties and events. She is doing what she belives is her last birthday party and she notices the name Peyton. She has a passing thought about the little girl she took care of all those years ago. Well it just so happens to be the same Peyton.
With any romance novel there is always fillers and you get to know more of the backstory and characters and find out the real reason Gavin moved.
In the end it all works out.

This is a great addition to this series. I personally did not read the first book but I am going to after reading this. If you haven't read the previous books in this series then you can still enjoy this book. It is a solid standalone.

If you are a fan of the second chance, single parent romance then you will enjoy this book. We have the third sister, Harley, working at the hotel who is letting go of her favorite part of her job, working with kids, when a person from her past enters the room. Before she knows it she is jumping back into her old nanny roles but with feelings that will not seem to fade. Is she just craving the family unit she's always been a part of? Does she just want to keep Peyton in her life? Or does she really have feelings for Gavin?

Great romance. I really enjoyed it. It was quick, sweet and romantic with a hint of steam. I recommend this book to anyone who has read and enjoyed Helena Huntings books before. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story.

Thank you Net Galley, Helena Hunting, and the publishers for my advanced audio copy of “Make a Wish”. I think that this was a very cute story and with a few changes, it could’ve been a 5 star read. First, I love the single parent books and them always putting their children first however I did not like Gavin as a character that much. He still seemed a little… childish? The man obviously needs therapy… like 8 years ago. I also personally did not like the narrator for Gavin. He seemed constantly disgruntled or he had something stuck in his throat. Other than that, I think this is such a cute story between a single parent and a woman who is still finding her purpose in life. “Make a Wish” definitely makes sparks fly with Harley Spark and Gavin.

The third in the Sparks Sisters series, we get to learn more about Harley, the youngest in the family. Opening with a flashback, the storyline is clearly set with that passage. In present day times, Harley is struggling to find her place with the family’s hotel business while juggling relationships and college. Though easily a standalone, it is better to read the books in order.

Fraught with emotion and unresolved feelings, the story has good twists and turns, leading to a satisfying ending. I listened to the book, which successfully used two narrators for the male and female voices.

Trigger warning: I would not recommend this book for anyone who is pregnant.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and have written an objective review.

Make A Wish is the third book in the Spark House series. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone. The third installment of the series follows younger sister, Harley.

The story starts with Harley nannying for a widowed, single father with a two year old daughter. One night Harley attempts to kiss Gavin. Soon after Gavin and his daughter Peyton move out of town and Harley has no contact with them. Seven years later they move back to town and the three of them reconnect.

I really enjoyed the narration and dual POVs. The narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life.

The single parent troupe is a favorite of mine and this story did it well. Little nine year old Peyton is adorable.

The story could have been a bit shorter and felt like it dragged at some points, but overall I felt engaged and found myself rooting for Harley and Gavin the whole time.

The final book in the Spark sisters trilogy was a nice ending to the storyline line. After years apart, Gavin & Harley, his former nanny and the youngest Spark sister, reconnected at a princess birthday party and start to rebuild the friendship that they had created years earlier. As Gavin & his daughter Peyton start to grow closer with Harley, fears and insecurities from the past start to creep into their relationship and make them wonder whether they're happy ever after will actually happen.

I listened to this advanced copy of the audiobook from NetGalley and I think I may have enjoyed the novel more in print. I did not enjoy the male narrator, so it made listening to the chapters from Gavin's perspective less enjoyable.

This was my first Helena Hunting book, and it will not be my last! Harley Spark is a sparkly and sweet heroine who is reacquainted with the widowed father, Gavin, and his sweet daughter, Peyton, for whom she nannied 7 years ago. The will-they-won't-they vibes are still strong... But can Gavin move on from the past?

I enjoyed reading about these characters, and the romance was a delight. You can't help but root for these two sweet souls. And the epilogue was the cherry on top - it was pure joy! The narrators did a great job bringing the story to life, though the male narrator sounded much older to me than Gavin's late-30s. Now it's time for me to catch up on the rest of this series!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an advance listeners copy to review. I enjoyed it!