Sparks Still Fly by Cristina Santos is book 2 in the Love in LA seris. I cried so much reading this one! Cristina knows how to write a beautiful book and I will forever think of Owen and Maeve's love story!

I didn’t realize this was the second book in the series when I got it but I still enjoyed the story. Though I do hate that despite “it always being her” Owen did nothing to try to get back with Maeve during the 7 years he was hooking up with other people.

Reading as a standalone and I was able to comprehend the relationship with Maeve and Owen. I did see an age gap in this second chance romance and a bit of miscommunication. Their chemistry from the get go was something as first lovers have. Unconditional and rare and real. The banter and romance was something that kinda stuck to me, i feel like there was a significant. I think the pre romance was a little weird to me but the post time romance/ chemistry seemed more real. The heartbreak and grief was something that the author wanted to rip out from my chest! It was pure and truth and makes you feel all throughout.

A lovely romance read!! Easy to read and cosy up with a cup of tea.


Thank you for this copy to review. I can’t wait to read the next book :)

What a great story! Made me cry laugh and love. An amazing addition to Adam and Bon’s story. Can’t wait for a third!!!

Maeve first met Owen when she went to University and befriended Lainey his little sister.
Right from the start these to had chemistry. He even kept an origami swan. They continued to bump into each other in the form of video calls when Owen called his little sister. Maeve went on and became an actress and Owen as a marine. When Owen and Lainey's father passes Maeve is there to support her friends. When things got intimate at the beach and then Owen made the mistake of pushing her away. Owen eventually left the army and started a business with his friend.
Neither of them have forgotten each other, can they find their way back to each other?
I loved Sparks Still Fly both our hero and heroine have to work through the past before they can have a happily ever after. Highly recommended for fans of contemporary romance.

Sparks Still Fly by Cristina Santos is a touching and emotional romance that will pull at your heartstrings. The story follows Maeve Howard, a Hollywood-wannabe who didn't believe in love at first sight until she met Owen James, a tall, buff, and handsome Marine. However, before Maeve can express her feelings, Owen is deployed miles away, leaving their romance to blossom over video calls and a mutual love of The Office.

Seven years later, Owen walks back into Maeve's life, and their past feelings for each other are reignited. But with trust issues and old wounds still lingering, their future seems uncertain. Cristina Santos has done a fantastic job of creating characters that are relatable and lovable, and their chemistry is palpable.

The novel is a testament to the fact that love is not always easy, and sometimes it takes courage and vulnerability to heal old wounds and find happiness. The pacing of the novel is excellent, and the tension between the characters is palpable. Cristina Santos has a talent for writing emotional scenes that are both touching and heartwarming.

Overall, Sparks Still Fly is a well-written and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of love, trust, and second chances. Cristina Santos has created a world that is both glamorous and grounded in reality, and her characters are complex and deeply human. If you're looking for a touching and emotional romance that will leave you feeling uplifted, then this is the book for you.

This book mad me laugu and twiddle my feet like a middle schooler! It was such a good, light read and essy to fly through! Owen has definitely been added to my top list of book boyfriends.

A lovely story about how events can sour a relationship and how life can get in the way, but love always finds its way. I enjoyed how Maeve finally came to realise her worth, that she was a truly loving and lovable person with so much to give, despite her mother’s efforts to convince her otherwise. Maeve and Owen’s romance was able to rekindle after she finally found out why Owen hadn't been in touch.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book. Overall it was okay of a read. I didn’t really get into the book until the last 3rd of it. I felt like that was when the storyline really took off. There were some parts where I felt bored while reading. Other than that it was a good read and I’m happy there wasn’t a third act break up because it kinda felt like it was going to occur.

They had such a beautiful and emotional story. Owen and Maeve have a unique past. Maeve is Owen's world, and he will stop at nothing to win her back. Owen and Maeve's journey through their past, present emotions, and future plans is described in the story. Owen has solidified himself as one of my favorite book boyfriends. This is a dual-timeline story about a second-chance romance.

After reading a lot of contemporary romances in the past, I thought this one was special and unique.The way it dives into the past to provide readers with the context necessary to comprehend the events occurring in the present is something I really loved. I can't wait to read the next book. It's a fast-paced, action-packed novel that appeals to all hopeless romantics.

Thank you to the author, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 stars! I am a sucker for military romances and I loved the cover of this book, so I was excited to read this. This was a very cute contemporary romance. I appreciated the angst and miscommunication throughout the story and the amount of growth that Owen and Maeve experience across the storyline. Would definitely check out more books by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book 🩷

First of all, why didn’t I read this sooner!! This was the perfect second chance romance book! Plus it includes the pregnancy trope in the epilogue (which is the only time I like it)

In this book we follow the story of Owen and Maeve, we get to see how their relationship blossomed by having a dual timeline, the first few chapters went back in time to see how they got to where they are now. Unfortunately it did contain a little bit of miscommunication, however they worked through that issue by communicating, yes they communicated like adults!!

One night they end up in Las Vegas for a bachelor/ bachelorette party and have a little too much to drink. Bam! What do you know they are now married!! What happens in vegas stays in vegas, or so they thought. Owen found out that he was going to become a dad and proposes an arrangement to Maeve, to prove that he could be an amazing dad with her help. She accepted (obviously)

The only thing that I wanted more of, was the baby action, yes we got a little bit more in the epilogue but we didn’t get a lot of baby Julia until the last 20 percent of the book however the arrangement did make them figure out they still loved each other, so all is forgiven.

Overall I loved this book! You should definitely read it!

I love second chance stories, and this one covers many years and a ton of personal growth. The characters are great. I did find some storyline inaccuracies but they didn’t take away from the novel.

Second chance romance lovers, must read. I did in one sitting. I fell head over heels in love with Owen and Maeve and their friends to lovers relationship before everything fell apart. And the emotional story that follows pulled on my heartstrings.

OWEN. This man is a gem. An adorable, rambling idiot at times. But not when the spice hits 👀🔥. He’s a grump to everyone except for those he loves. He’s been through a lot during his time as a Marine but his love for Maeve never wavered. The plans he’s had for them 😭.

Maeve. She fell hard initially and grew some thick walls after the heartbreak. She’s not letting anyone walk all over her. But she also has a lot of insecurities to overcome. And it’s so satisfying to see her break free of them.

And their love for Julia 😭. Owen didn’t even hesitate when faced with a life altering decision. Like I said, a GEM. I also adored their found family. The ending had me beyond happy. I need to go back and read Elaina and Adam’s story and I CANNOT wait for Raf and Charlie!! And when it’s finally time for Arthur’s.

Also, this book is a slow burn but spicy 🌶️🌶️.

A sweet telling of how life can get in the way, and how events can sour a relationship but how love always finds its true direction.
I enjoyed how Maeve finally came to realise her worth, that she was a truly loving and lovable person with so much to give, despite her mother’s efforts to convince her otherwise.
Finally learning of the reasons for Owen not contacting her allowed them to reignite their relationship.
Loved the playlist and the heads up regarding which chapters to skip to avoid the open door scenes,

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed Sparks Still Fly so much and think it was a great blend of sweet and spicy. Maeve and Owen meet when she is 19 and in college and Owen is in the Marines. Owen is Maeve's best friend's brother and through video chats form a connection and deep friendship. But when tragic events happen that lead to a night spent together on the beach, Owen doesn't want Maeve to wait around for him while he is deployed. Flash forward several years and Maeve is a Hollywood actress now and Owen owns his own security company, and the two are thrown together again.

I really loved how this story tackled deeper topics like PTSD, death, grief, pregnancy, and adoption, and how Maeve and Owen both had events from their past they had to overcome in order to finally be happy together. Overall I really liked this one and am hoping to read the other book in the series soon!

A sweet and heartfelt love story of love, redemption, forgiveness and healing.

Maeve & Owen are two MCs dealing with their own trauma and healing, and this book explores how they navigate their relationship and the curveballs that have been thrown their way. I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing style, but I loved the content warning, the QR code for the Spotify playlist, and the dual POV.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest reviews.

This book was super good! The chemistry was so good and I loved the second chance romance. A very emotional and sexy love story that I would absolutely recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️

Maeve is a 19 year old college student

Owen is a 23 year old active duty marine.

Sparks still fly follows their life and relationship over the course of 10 years. Showing how hard it is to have a relationship when being a Marine keeps you away. Distance, Time, & Events shake their friendship up and they grow apart. Now 10 years have gone by & Owen is no longer military but knows what he wants, Maeve. Will he be able to get the girl? Will she forgive him?

⭐️ Military Romance
⭐️ Bestfriend’s Brother
⭐️ Friends to Enemies to Lovers

Plot twists galore that I couldn’t call (and I usually do). That right there makes me give a 5 star! The heart ache crushed me. The falling back in love gutted me. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down! As a military wife, I have a soft spot for military romances. If you love a quick, easy, military, love story, Sparks still fly is for you!