Title: When Sparks Fly
Author: Helena Hunting
Publication: September 21, 2021
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Romance
Pages: 317
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
Running the Spark House, a hotel/event space that has been in her family for years, has been Avery Spark’s lifelong dream. After years of working hard and making personal sacrifices, Avery and her two younger sisters have turned the Spark House into the premier destination in Colorado Springs. Avery is living her best life—she works with her sisters and loves every minute of it, she has a great group of friends, and she lives in a fantastic condo with her best friend Declan. She might not have any love in her life, but she’s happy.
But everything comes to a screeching halt when Avery is in a car accident, leaving her immobile for weeks. After nearly losing Avery, Declan insists that he will be the one to take care of her while she recovers. However, as Declan becomes Avery’s caretaker, lines begin to blur.
Avery and Declan have been best friends since college and always had an attraction to one another, but when she ended up dating his best friend, Sam, they successfully stamped down any feelings they may have ever had for one another. Now, as Declan and Avery spend more time together, they each begin to wonder what would’ve happened if she’d dated him instead of Sam. What starts as a friend helping out another friend turns into foreplay and, before they realize it, they recognize how deeply they care for one another. But when things get serious their past threatens to destroy everything they have built.
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
I quite enjoy romance novels, although I usually leave those up to my friends to review because it’s their favorite. However, I love a good catchy cover and this one caught my eye. The description of the book hooked me and then it was all over. I had to check it out.
I’ve never read a book by Helena Hunting before and I was very excited this book took place in one of my favorite places, Colorado Springs. It follows Avery as she has a life setback that involves needing a caretaker, which is taken on by her best friend and roommate, Declan. And what do you know… sparks fly.
I love Avery. She’s this athletic, attractive girl with all guy best friends (aside from her sisters) and eats like a long distance trucker. My kind of people! I love the dynamic from the beginning between her and her three male friends. I do love Declan and I have this image in my head of the way he is described. Hunting does a good job describing someone, but leaving just enough to the imagination where you create your own image of the person. That’s my favorite. Now he’s my dream man. The sisters play an important role in this story and I love the relationship Hunting created between them. Each relationship is slightly different in this book with each holding a strong point to helping Avery be who she is. I love the family business angle and felt it added enough fluff to the conversations that the story flowed nicely and had this nice background story going aside from romance. I love me a good romance, but it needs to have a basis in reality too! This one did.
The story flowed very smoothly and I was surprised by a few rated R scenes that kept things interesting. I adore Avery. I adore all the supporting characters and felt they were pertinent to the story. What I loved the most is the very mature way Hunting handled the tough relationship stuff. Usually someone apologizes and everything is fine. In reality, feelings are hurt and trust takes time to mend. Hunting did a phenomenal job of writing that aspect of the story and the way she did it impressed me so much. Without spoiling it, you will know what I mean when you read it.
With that said, I have no complaints about this book. It was a feel good read that I got through fairly quickly. It’s the perfect end of summer book for that last trip to the beach or cozying up on a chilly fall afternoon. I highly recommend it. I will definitely be checking out more from Helena Hunting very soon. Stay tuned.
STAR RATING: 5/5
Pick up your copy of When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting on September 21st on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or check your local bookstore. Also make sure to add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads and leave feedback for the author when you are finished. You can check out more from author Helena Hunting on her website HERE.
