Just an Ok read. Friends are faithful and dialog is clever. But nothing unusual about the storyline. The first 2 books in this series were lukewarm for me and this one followed suit.

In this third in installment of her ‘Seven Shore’ series Ms Bryden takes on surfer Gia Malone, a resident of Seven Shore apartments where her three best friends all live. She’s wants more than anything to reach the number one ranking in the professional surfing circuit. The only thing standing in her way is Elle Britton. Gia can’t stand Elle but then again she doesn’t really know her. That is until they are asked to appear together in some ads for a surfing magazine. I learned a lot about surfing, and that was ok but what I really enjoyed was watching Gia and Elle fall in love. Very, very nice. Can’t wait to see what Ms Bryden has in store for Hadley.
eARC via NetGalley

Sparks Like Ours is the latest installment in Melissa Brayden’s Seven Shores series. I have not read the first two, but I really enjoyed this one and don’t feel it’s absolutely essential to have the background. Elle and Gia really do have sparks, although this starts out as an enemies-to-lovers theme. More competitors than enemies, and both are world class surfers. I had zero prior knowledge of the surfing world, so I enjoyed learning about it.
The main characters are both easy to love and the cast of friends in secondary roles are as well. Melissa Brayden is known for her snappy dialogue and this book is no exception. The plot and pacing were perfectly timed (about 5 hours to read, which is the perfect length for me). The inevitable conflict that breaks up the couple and the resolution that follows is different from other standard fare and I really enjoyed the difference. To me is was more real than the “fake” conflicts borne out of misunderstandings and made the ending all the sweeter.
Even though I didn’t read the first two installments, I’m certain I won’t miss the rest of them.

** spoiler alert ** Wonderful dialogue and lots of inclusion of our favourite couples from the past two books, Gotta love Autumn and her wonder and joy at the impending arrivals along with her ability to eat guilt free with the athlete that is Gia. My favourite conversation involved all four Seven Shores friends and their “Sparks” debate. Too funny.

No question the rivalry between Gia and Elle quickly moves through longing to lust after they are forced to work together in an ad campaign. I was loving the sparks until the novel seemed to bog down somewhere around the halfway mark. The choices both women are forced to make might be realistic but those decisions and events that transpire pulled most of the lustre off this coupling. I loved Gia and Elle’s competitive spirits [ and missed them when love got in the way. Took the fire right out of the book. (hide spoiler)]

ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review.

Gia and Elle are competitive surfers. Elle is number one in the world, and Gia has always envied her. Gia is coming into her prime, and her skills are getting better and better. This could be her year. They have the opportunity to do some promotional work together, and sparks fly between the pair. Neither has been lucky in love. Elle is trying her hand at dating, but something has always been missing. Her new guy is ok but a little dull around the edges. Gia hasn't dated much, but that doesn't stop her checking Elle out. Unfortunately, Elle has only dated men. These two are focused on their career and everything else has always taken a backseat.

This is a sweet romance about competition, compromise and believing in others. It's an easy romance read with some hot surfing. Both leading ladies are interesting characters. They have a good network of friends and promising sports skills.

4 stars out of 5. This is a quick read with a cute romance.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This series will suck you into their world, and I ended up rereading the first two books before this one to get a refresher. You do not have to read the previous two books, but I would recommend to get a better idea and feel for the different characters that are incorporated into this book. I loved Gia from the first book, so it was amazing to be able to get to know her better and see her adventure with Elle. The friends in this book create a feel for the relationships between each of the characters, making this read so much more than just a romance.

What on earth has Melissa Brayden done? Did she...write a sports-themed romance that I can call a favorite? Maybe because it's surfing, which isn't a staple sport I hear about all the time, so I loved it. Even the competition parts which, frankly, had my competitive pulse racing. Good stuff.

Okay, so how about Elle Britton? Number one in the world of surf and number one in my heart for this book, even over Hadley. She managed to charm me as well as she schmoozed the media shoving cameras in her face. There was something very easy and relaxed about her. In the Brayden universe--for those who are familiar--many characters seem in competition to make the wittiest quips or the grab the biggest reactions. Elle's character is people-pleasing without being annoying and try-hard. I appreciate that. Attractive character, relatable personality. I'd buy her calendar, for sure.

Elle and Gia, a main character of the Seven Shores books, match well and it is HOT. I hadn't paid Gia that much attention, assuming her to be a carbon copy of Hunter from the Savvy team. You know the type: hot, talented playgirl and all that. Imagine my relief when she turned out to be standoffish, even awkward around women! Much better. I love me a romance that unfolds like theirs. Elle and Gia's first kiss was perfection. I felt all the sparks there.

Sure, I had my usual quibbles with Brayden, mostly about dialogue, tone, and the overuse of certain words. But, those didn't deter me from acknowledging that she knocked it out the park for this one! Or, like, she shredded the wave thing that I...I'll stop now.

'Sparks like Ours' really exceeded my expectations and I'm too glad. Elle and Gia's relationship had all the parts of sweet, sexy, playful, hate-to-love, slow burn, toaster oven. The Seven Shores crew, I find them much more refreshing and interesting than the Soho Loft and that's coming from a New Yorker! I guess I craved this chill, sunny setting all along.

I'd like to add that the overall message resonated with me, especially with prioritizing one's career.

Now, let's get to Hadley's story because I've been anticipating it since book one in this series! Give that woman a girlfriend!

This was my favorite book in the series so far. I've been saying for a while now that Milissa Brayden needs to go back to writing some angst. This had a little but nowhere near her earlier stuff (Waiting in the Wings). "Just Three Words" in the "SoHo Loft" had similar vibes, at least in the main character. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Brayden books and sports stories.

Two pro surfers compete furiously for the number 1 spot in the world and inadvertently, fall in love. The book was smooth and read like a summer breeze and a cool cocktail. Gia and Elle are gorgeous, have fun friends, and make a very sweet couple, all which made it an enjoyable story. No real conflict at all. My favorite scene involved their first night together which was one of the tenderest moments I’ve read in a romance. If you’re looking for angst and craziness, keep looking but a wonderful beach read or a lazy, Sunday afternoon book, then yes. As for this book being part of a series, I have only read Sparks and it was fine as a stand-alone story.

What can I say that already hasn't been said. This author knows how to write a story that not only keeps the pages turning but keeps you coming back for more. This is another solid read with great characters and a nice romance in a fun series. A must read.

This was such a great book! I had been looking for something that was different than my usual hockey, football, baseball themes so when I saw this was about surfers I jumped on it.

Both characters were really great and had very different personalities. They brought the best out in each other and I loved the progression of their relationship.

Elle was super sweet. She was very personable and bubbly which was a stark contrast to Gia's more reserved personality. I loved how dedicated she was to her sport and how dedicated she was to her relationship with Gia. She really threw herself into their relationship.

Gia was a great character, too. She was very focused and very driven. She loved her friends fiercely and was an incredibly loyal person.

I loved the surfing aspect. I know absolutely nothing about surfing or the specifics of it so I can't say how accurate the descriptions were, but it FELT authentic. I will say, one thing I didn't like was what happened with their surf standings. I won't get into more detail with that, but it bummed me out how that story line went.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book. It was a fun, easy read with little angst and a whole lotta heart.

Another solid read by Brayden though I have to say the formula is getting a little tired, but this book had less drama than most of her stories which was both refreshing and also a bit underwhelming. I personally love a good amount of angst! But it was nice to see 2 people just fall in love without poor communication muddying the waters. The character’s circumstances provided relatable real world conflict but overall this was a straightforward and enjoyable love story. Both protagonists were extremely likeable.

Easily my favourite of the series so far!!! A must read!!!

Elle and Gia are rivals on the ocean, both battling for the position of top women's surfer in the world. When they're forced to spend time together, both women are surprised to actually enjoy spending time together. The sparks fly between them, and flirtation gives way to much much more. But can they balance a relationship while still battling for 1st place?

Gia and Elle are definitely my two favourite characters we've met so far. They're so fresh and fun and passionate. I loved Elle's journey, and her confidence that went with every step she took. I loved catching up with the rest of the ladies of the Seven Shores as well - and I'm looking forward to Hadley's story soon!

The dialogue in this book was exquisite - the prefect balance of quippy and serious. I felt like with this book in particular I could really connect to the characters on a deeper level and really sink into the story and get lost for a few wonderful hours. So so fantastic. Also the descriptions of the surfing were just enough to give us an idea of what was going without being so technical that you get lost.

Lovely lovely book - I can't wait to have this whole series in paperback. Definitely a perfect summer and a perfect anytime read!

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another tour de force from Ms Brayden. As ever, the dialogue is crisp and witty with just the right amount of sass and sexy encounters. Writing this good never gets stale. A heart warming, life affirming romance that had me longing to smell the surf. I can’t wait to read the next Seven Shore book and find out who Hadley falls in love with.

This is the third book in the “Seven Shores” series and is Gia Malone’s story. Slowly by surely Gia has worked her way up the surfing ranks to being second to Elle Britton, her cheerful and annoying nemesis. Being second has put her in the spotlight and circumstances force them into having to work together.

I’m surprised by how much I like Brayden’s books every time I read one. I don’t know if it’s the covers or the titles that make me think I’m going to get an average read out of them but from the moment I start reading I remember having the same thought in the previous Brayden book. This is well-written with interesting characters and a good story line.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

This is the third episode of the Seven Shores quartet, formed by Isabel, Autumn, Gia and Hadley. Of the two previous books, the first tells the relationship between Isabel and Taylor and the second develops the relationship between Autumn and Kate. So there will only be Hadley to match (this last chapter has already been announced on the publisher's page, to be published in October 2018)

For those who do not want to read the complete series, each of the books can be read independently without having read the previous ones, although it is advisable to do so and also in the order of its publication, doing so everything will make more sense.

Now, in relation to this story, that of Gia and Elle, it is a situation of going from hatred (not so much hate, rather disgust due to accumulated prejudices over time) to love, without much drama and with many romantic situations.  It is also a story of discovering the attraction to the same sex after having had a life of unsatisfactory heterosexual relationships. And it is also a story of learning what is really important in life and knowing how to prioritize and value it.

And Gia and Elle are so cute! And even though Elle is discovering this new attraction, she is the one who takes the initiative most of the time. But with the strong but sweet Gia as a source of inspiration, who can resist.

So in the end this is a wonderful romance that will not disappoint those who seek a sweet and without angst story, with the addition of finding and following the life of the protagonists of the two previous books in the series.

<i>An ARC was sent to me from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley for an honest review </i>

I love the Seven Shores Series by Melissa Brayden and eagerly await the release of each new one. ’Sparks Like Ours’ is the story of professional surfer Gia Malone and her rival for the top spot, Elle Britton. Gia thinks Elle is false and plays up to the media way too much, but she can’t help but notice her killer smile and great body. Elle thinks Gia just doesn’t like her. As they are pushed together in a promo deal they get to know each other and the sparks are definitely there - but can it ever go anywhere when they both are vying to be No1? Again Melissa Brayden has written a beautiful romance that manages to be sweet and endearing at times and very hot and heavy. This woman knows how to write throbbing passion! I enjoyed finding out more about Gia outwith her interaction with her friends Isabel, Hadley and Autumn. They are an amazing group of women who are always there for each other and they pull together for Gia when she needs it most. Seeing her in love and vulnerable was new for them as well as for the reader. I liked Elle a lot. She learned a lot about herself and developed as a character. I wanted her to be the one for Gia. Autumn’s story was lovely and brought all of the friends together in a way that bonded them even more. I won’t spoil why, but it was a highlight for me. Ms Brayden always makes me cry happy tears in her books and ‘Sparks Like Ours’ was no exception. It was so utterly romantic that I couldn’t help myself. I want more of the same please…..

I was given this Arc by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books in return for an honest review.

This is a read addressing the question, is it possible to simultaneously have a work life and personal life. Some would say of course while others would disagree. I believe it all depends on what is acceptable and perceived as good enough. In a relationship, there can be numerous challenges with one of those being regret. As I was reading, I thought both Gia Malone and Elle Britton were interesting and likeable characters. They were easy to cheer for. I was entertained and educated as I learned surfing lingo. I appreciated the hardwork they put in to be the best and the challenges of affording to compete. The story was well told with bursts of challenges and decisions to be navigated. There were a few loose ends that this reader would have appreciated resolution.

Gia & Elle are a fun pair...while there is nothing really surprising in the storyline. It is a fun story with a couple of surfers who need to balance love and competition.

I have been eagerly awaiting another novel from the 'Seven Shores' series, and yet again Melissa Brayden pulled it out of the bag. Always loved MB as an author from the first novel that she's written but I have to be honest her writing and stories get better each time. She is onto a winner yet again with this one.

Gia as we know has always been a great character, mix her up with Elle and you have fantastic chemistry.

Great book and would recommend 100%