
Member Reviews

I found this trope to not be for me. Avery gives Declan way too much leeway for his spoiled behavior, and having divorced parents doesn't give you a free pass to being terrible in relationships. It was fine, otherwise. There was a lot of steam, but besides the super not okay scene of him packing her bags for her, it was...fine.

A perfect book to start a series. This was so good. Friends to lovers is always so much fun to get in to as they already are so comfortable together. Helena has a way of writing a book that makes you fall in love with all the characters. Her steam is always so great, I wouldn’t have minded a little more steam. But other than that I really enjoyed it and am already looking forward to book #2

Helena Hunting is released yet another romance novel this year!😍
Of course it’s another book that will keep you smiling and blushing! Rating this book 4.5 ⭐️ just because there were bits of pieces I found annoying but nonetheless I enjoyed Avery and Declan’s story.
Perfect for readers who:
💡Loves Helena Hunting
💡Likes friends to lovers trope
💡Enjoys a bit of angsty tension and banter!!! (Of course who doesn’t love a good banter by Helena!!)
💡Wants likable characters and character growth/development
💡Reaaaaalllyyyyy LOVES Helena 🔥😛
💡Wants an amazing HEA after hitting you with all the feels 🥰

I don't know what it is about Helena Hunting but I just thoroughly enjoy every book of hers. I somehow get so invested so quickly and I am right there with the characters. Avery and Declan were great characters, both individually and together. Both are far from perfect and Declan has some serious issues that he needs to work through, which he refreshingly does at one point. I can really believe that they have been best friends for years and that they are clearly harboring feelings for each other but denying everything. The terror in Declan hearing Avery get into a car accident and the time after that is really well done. I absolutely love best friend to lovers books but combining it with one having to take care of another trope? Genius. It just works so well. I know that Declan felt absolute guilt for Avery's accident but the way he took such good care of her for so long was great.
The conflict isn't stupid even though you want to be angry at Declan. As I said, he has serious issues and the author doesn't gloss over it. It takes time to get to where they both need to be and I liked that. It was different from other resolutions of the main conflict. I appreciate that the supporting characters actually have real voices and feel just as real as the main characters. I obviously was in just the right mood for this book but I feel like I'm always in the mood for Helena Hunting's books. If a book makes me want to go back and read certain scenes again or I think about the characters after I've put the book down, it's a success. She writes fun and sexy romcoms with just the right amount of angst. Definitely would recommend this one

When Sparks Fly is a BFFs to lovers romance by Helena Hunting. At the start, I almost dnf’d because the first chapter was so silly and, the next couple of chapters made the male characters seem like immature frat boys, both in actions and potty language. I’m glad I pushed through that part, to see that the book did deal with some topics of substance. Avery and Declan start off as platonic best friends and roommates. Avery’s accident changes the dynamic of their relationship as Declan becomes her self-imposed caretaker. Declan and Avery have to fight their own fears and demons during Avery’s convalescence, in order for them to commit to the new feelings they have for each other. While I did enjoy this book, I would have enjoyed it more without the abundance of swearing and focus on physical gratification. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

actually was super surprised by the heavier events in this novel based solely on the fact that it had been a while since I read the synopsis and just dove right in! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But I am coming to love all of Helena’s newest releases so why not!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I loved the friends to lovers trope in this book. Two best friends from college who now live together. When Avery is in a bad car accident Declan takes it upon himself to care for her during her recovery over the span of quite a few weeks. Despite Avery telling him over and over again that it’s not his fault, he still did what he could to make her comfortable. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I loved Declan’s dedication to helping her and he was so sweet. Even if it was partially done out of the guilt he felt! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Avery had such a strong will and she had completely “normal” reactions to her situations. And by that I mean she handled it like any of us would in the real world. She was upset, frustrated, lashed out, came to terms with her injuries, and then did what she needed to do to get better. I appreciated that it wasn’t all butterflies and roses and the hard truths and realities were written in! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This is one you will for sure want to pick up. I binged in one day! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Steam: 🔥🔥⠀⠀

Helena Hunting is a master at contemporary romance. Sharp, smart, sexy, sassy, dialogue and storytelling that draws you in, makes you invested in the characters. There’s always a fine line with what creates tension in a friends to lovers troupe. No conflict, no payoff. In When Sparks Fly this is going to work for many readers. I love Helena Hunting’s writing but elements included here didn’t work for me. Cheating comes really early, cascading an accident mirroring a previous trauma. There’s unresolved jealousy from a previous relationship that results in actions that felt too invasive for me. These are very individual, subjective things so know yourself as a reader. The writing is great but I advise due diligence to ensure it’s a match for you as a reader.
Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.

In When Sparks Fly, Helena introduces us to the lovely Spark sisters, who undoubtedly will provide some delightful reading and fantastic HEAs. Avery Spark is the organization maven of the sisters; she keeps things moving and represents their event hotel bringing in new business and sponsors. All the Spark sisters are incredibly close, having lost their parents when they were younger and now running their grandmother's Spark Hotel.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Avery is involved in a car crash, breaking quite a few bones. Avery's best friend/roommate Declan feels guilt for some bad decisions he's made and decides he's going to take care of Avery. Here our story gets interesting. How long can these two continue to deny their feelings for each other, and how long can they deny their attraction? Just just how far would you go to help out your best friend?
Many comedic scenes in this book have you laughing, but at heart are some fundamental issues that Declan hasn't dealt with regarding relationships. Here is where Helena shines in this book; she doesn't take the easy way out for these two; they have to work on themselves and their relationship. I loved this phase of the story; it was utterly precious how it played out. The scenes were heartwarming and filled with the love these two had for each other as they worked toward their HEA. All proving once again you cannot go wrong with a Helena Hunting novel.

Avery Sparks runs a business with her family, which keeps her busy and she has no time for dating. All she does is work and hang out with her best friend/roommate Declan McCormick.
Declan is a playboy; he doesn’t do relationships. When Avery is in a car accident and needs taken care of Declan steps up to the plate. He works from home is there every second of every day to take care of her.
The more time they spend together and the more compromising positions they find themselves in, their attraction for each other becomes undeniable and the sparks start to fly.
I thought this was a sweet and fast read. Avery and Declan had a lot of chemistry and some steamy scenes, but I really didn’t like how like how they got together. Both Avery and Declan have been friends for years, but I almost felt like their romantic relationship was forced and not genuine. I’ve seen a lot of good reviews for this one, but it was just ok to me. If you enjoy friends to lover and forced proximity tropes then this one is for you.
A huge thank you to St. Martin's Press for my #gifted NetGalley widget.

While I did enjoy this one, it definitely is not a favorite. I felt there needed to be more plot to the storyline to make it more impactful. Avery and Declan are the best of friends and they struggled to find their places in each other's lives as more than just friends. This was a fast, cute read that I would suggest to romance lovers.

This read was good.
Avery and Declan had chemistry. But the ending was unsatisfying. I just didn’t buy into Declan’s wobble on his was to true love.
This book starts slow but is worth a read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

I'm sorry, but what did I just read? I am kinda confused. I do not understand how anyone can stand Declan. I would never be objective to Declan behavior whatsoever, so I am kinda confused on why Avery would stand by that behavior. No one should bully at all. Everyone is different. It does not mean they are weird or strange. Just different personalities to understand.

When Sparks Fly is the newest contemporary romance written by Helena Hunting. Believe it or not, it is actually the first book that I have read by her. I have heard her name often, and even have a couple of her previous books on my shelf but, for some reason have never picked them up. Well, I’m certainly glad that I decided to pick this one because it was a great introduction to her writing style and has me wanting to read more
When Sparks Fly is a best friends turned lovers type of scenario. I love those kinds of books especially when they are done right. In this case, Avery Spark and Declan McCormick are the two characters in question. They have been best friends since college and are currently roommates. The idea of romance has never crossed their minds but, suddenly they find themselves in a closer proximity than they ever expected. This brings up many questions and could change their dynamic forever.
Avery is a sweet girl but, she is very guarded. Her last relationship did not end well and since then she hasn’t really been able to commit to anything except for her work at her family’s event hotel. She is also emotionally traumatized from her parents death when she was eleven. They died in a car accident and when she winds up in a car accident herself, it brings up alot of emotions which she had thought she had resolved. Plus, she is normally very independent and does not like be helped with anything. So to be dependent on Declan is very hard for her.
Declan is in such denial about his feelings for Avery that he puts his emotions into everything else. He is a major playboy. In fact, this is the reason that Avery winds up in the car accident in the first place. Or so he blamed himself. If he had been more available, maybe the tragic event wouldn’t have happened. So when she needs someone to help her twenty-four seven, he is quick to volunteer. Only is is hard to keep those feelings hidden under the surface when they are so close together.
The switch from best friends to lovers does not happen over night for Avery and Declan. There is some strong build up first which I appreciated. And when things start to get complicated, they actually take a step back. There are so many factors that go into this dynamic and if this doesn’t work out it does not affect only them. I really liked the way that their relationship was built up. You could tell it was based on friendship and respect and that they were not afraid to call each other on their stuff. Also, they had chemistry together.
When Sparks Fly really was a wonderful introduction to Helena Hunting. I look forward to reading more from her soon. I’m also curious if she will be continuing with this and turning it into a series. Avery has two sisters who are single, plus Declan has a couple of buddies who are single I believe. Will we be able to see all them get their happily ever after?

When sparks fly by helena hunting
This is a friends to lovers slow burn romance. I got this review copy from #netgalleyarc and started reading with expectations as I liked another book by the author. However it was not that great for me and felt superficial until the last few chapters

This was a fun friends-to-lovers romance. The relationship wasn't rushed and there was just the right amount of angst. Overall, a good story, and I enjoyed it.

Helena Hunting writes the best heartfelt romances. This is a friends to lovers story. Avery and Declan have been best friends for years. They bought a condo together after college graduation and have a tight group of friends they hang out with. Avery is engrossed in making her family’s business a success. And Declan is a successful financial analyst bouncing from one girl to the next. One horrible decision by Declan changes both his and Avery’s lives forever. Will they be able to handle all these new and exciting changes to their relationship? I loved these two together and how they navigated each other’s feelings. A truly perfect love story.

I love Helena Hunting’s writing and a good friends to lovers story so I was excited to pick this one up. It had it’s cute, sweet, and steamy moments, and I loved a lot about the first half, but the last half didn’t work great for me.
Avery and Declan have been best friends since college and are currently roommates. There has never been anything romantic between them, but Avery gets in an accident that has her depending on someone most of the time for healing. And that someone becomes Declan.
I enjoyed this part of the book a lot. Watching Declan realize his feelings for Avery, him trying to make up for the accident which he feels to blame for, and especially watching things change and grow in their relationship. When Avery was mostly back to normal and started to go back to work etc things started to shift for me.

It took a few chapters to really get into this story but once I became invested in Avery and Declan, I was all in! I truly enjoyed this friends to lovers story and how both main characters came from dramatic pasts and had baggage they needed to work through. Their friendship was so strong that it seemed as though nothing could break them apart. The playfulness between them was fun, but the chemistry and sexual tension was also very apparent!
Appreciated the tension and drama that Helena Hunting infused into the couple's story and found that it really helped grow their characters as individuals and a couple. It wasn't drama for the sake of drama. It was deep routed, emotional and life changing.
I wished there was more from the side characters, especially Avery's sisters. They seemed to be such an interictal part of her life but their presence in the story was minimal.
Solid 4 star read and I especially liked the epilogue!

I loved this book. I thought it was a great friends to lovers book. Sometimes you just don’t know what you have until it’s gone or it could be done. This is the case in this book. You see Avery and Declan figure out what was always there in their own time. It is not all easy and does not go as planned. I loved that they stayed true to themselves while finding their way. They stated themselves and truly it was watching them figure it all out. It does get a little hard for a bit….. but again. They stay true to themselves! Great summer read at the pool or beach.

This is a cute friends to lovers romance. Declan and Avery are forced to re-evaluate their friendship after Declan takes care of Avery while she recovers from a car accident that left her with a broken arm and leg. I enjoyed the first two thirds or so of the book, but I felt like the main conflict was entirely Declan's fault and it made it hard for me to root for him for the last bit of the book.