After reading a couple of heavy books, I needed something light, and what better than a fun rom-com by Helena Hunting. This quick, easy read about Avery Sparks and her best friend Declan is a typical friend to lovers’ trope with all the angst and emotional baggage you would expect. Avery and Declan have been best friends since college when Avery had her heart broken by Declan’s friend. They became close friends after college and became roommates. Declan has problems connecting long-term with women due to his parent’s messy relationship. His only long-term relationship is his friendship with Avery.

After a car accident that leaves Avery unable to care for herself, Declan steps up, mostly due to guilt, and becomes her caregiver while her broken bones heal. They both soon realize that their feelings go much deeper than friendship and while hesitant to upset the status quo, move forward with their feelings. Soon they realize that love, friendship and reality can be a hard thing to mix.

This was a quick, fun read with no instant happy ending. Both parties had to accept they had to put in the work to make their relationship work which was refreshing for a change. My thanks go to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it for my honest opinion. I gave this book 3 ½ stars rounded up to four.

When Sparks Fly was the perfect blend of fun, entertaining, and sweet! It was heartfelt and sexy and I totally enjoyed it!

I liked the evolution of Avery and Declan coming together. I loved learning the ends and outs of their history and friendship and what influenced them to make the choices they’ve made over the years. I liked the attraction between them and how they kept it in check, fighting their feelings. At the beginning of the story, choices are made that have serious consequences that lead these two into a forced proximity situation. They have a lot of ups and downs and I liked the drama involved. As they become even closer, I loved them opening up, the intense and intimate moments between them, watching their feelings grow, and being vulnerable with each other. There's anger and guilt between them, frustration, and an awesome building sexual tension. I loved them working through their feelings and coming out on the other side.

This was a really good story and I loved the emotion involved. There was a nice amount of humor as well rounding it out. I liked how intimate their relationship felt beyond sex (though that was pretty hot!). I loved the closeness they already had since they were friends first and how it grew and changed into so much more. I thought there was a good pace and felt invested the entire time. I loved them coming back together for a fantastic happily ever after, all the sweet gestures, and the awesome epilogue.

This was a wonderful story about friendship and love, healing and forgiveness. It's an engaging and charming story filled with heart.

When Sparks Fly was a pleasant story. Avery and Declan were friends since college. There might have been an attraction when they first met but each tapered that down and stay just friends. They had such a good friendship and I enjoyed how easygoing and seamless it was. But then tragedy strikes and the two are forced to be even closer then they already are. As time progressed, lines start to blur and their friendship grows. It wasn't an easy ride by any means. I was fascinated to see how Helena would have this go since both Avery and Declan have issues from their pasts. Having that underlying friendship was a good key. I truly liked Avery as a heroine. With everything she had to endured, she provided her best foot forward. Declan had his good and bad moments. It was hard for me to really like him at parts but by the end he was fine. When he was all in with Avery it was sweet. I loved the Sparks sisters. They were so supportive of each other and truly loved one another. I also liked the bonds between Avery and her guy friends, besides Declan. There are some triggers and dark moments. Helena handled them with class and I liked how she showed the importance of mental health/therapy. Overall, this was a fine friends-to-lovers/close proximity read. I was intrigued from start to finish. I hope the other two Sparks sisters get their own books.

Declan and Avery have been best friends since college. Avery knows exactly why Declan is single. He’s a fantastic friend most of the time but he thinks he’s incapable of being a good boyfriend because of his parents relationship. He’s pushing thirty and he’s really never committed to any woman.
Everyone around him mostly just accepts that this is how Declan is, it’s a shame that he’s taken it as a fact that he can’t be a good boyfriend because he wasn’t given a good example of a living relationship growing up.

Everyone is used to Declan’s string of one night stands.

Avery and Declan live together. She’s the only girl in the friend group.

Declan has been dependable as a friend. But he lets Avery down in a major way and something awful happens.
He knows that Avery is afraid to drive in bad weather because her parents died in a car accident in bad weather. He knows that her car isn’t that dependable and that her tires aren’t in great shape. And he agreed to drive her to a very important meeting.
But he gets jealous when he sees her dressed up and going out on a date the night before. Rather than try to deal with what that means about his feelings for Avery, he gets drunk to take his mind off it, he brings a random girl home from a bar and leaves his car somewhere else.
When the next morning comes, he doesn’t drive Avery and he doesn’t even have his dependable vehicle around for her to use.

She winds up driving in bad weather and getting into an awful wreck.

As someone that isn’t a great driver, I was furious with Declan on Avery’s behalf. Then add in her own traumas about driving after her parents’ deaths.

Declan is sick with himself for what happens and he promised to take care of Avery during her recovery. Her sisters offer to, but it makes more sense that Avery could stay in her own home if Declan takes care of her.

But half her body is in casts and her ribs hurt. She’s alternating between a wheelchair and crutches and literally everything is hard to do. I can relate to this part too! It wasn’t a car accident but I know what it’s like to have major surgery and not be able to do anything easily.

So, I’m absolutely in Avery’s corner here.

But no one is really thinking about his awkward this is going to be for two people who are only friends.
She can’t even wash her hands without help, let alone bathe herself.

I will absolutely credit Declan for being a very good friend to Avery during this time. He took fantastic care of her.

Then things got awkward again when lines got crossed and their relationship started to move from friendship to possibly something more.

When Avery becomes fully healed, they face another challenge. Unfortunately it was during this time that Declan did something I had major problems with. I didn’t like anything about how the situation was handled.

Ultimately, I think the story resolved in a nice way. But it’s frustrating to be so mad at one of the main characters twice in this book. Both of the big mistakes Declan made were really bad ones.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks!

This is a sweet romance, I liked it a lot. Avery runs Spark House with her sisters, it’s a venue for events like weddings, bachelorette parties, etc. She is on her way to visit a client when she is badly injured in a car accident. Her roommate and best friend, Declan, was supposed drive her, but he didn’t go at the last minute. After Avery comes home, he takes care of her and nurses her back to health and their relationship goes way beyond best friend territory. Can they work through their issues and have a HEA?

This was an interesting take on the friends to lovers trope. It was well written, and the characters were drawn well and felt familiar. I recommend this book, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

This one is slightly different from Helena's normal romantic comedy books. it still has humour in but is filled with more heart and I couldn't put it down once I started it. I became completely invested in Avery and Declan.

Avery and Declan have been friends and roommates for years. Its only when after an accident Avery needs Declan's help with everything the lines start becoming blurred between their friendship and something so much more.

I loved the heart and angst in this one, it felt raw and real. You could honestly feel the push/pull between the two.

I am hoping to read more from sparks house, especially the sister getting their own stories.

I have thoroughly enjoyed other Helena Hunting books before, so this was a bit of a disappointment. I did not feel chemistry between the main characters, they way they got together was awkward, I felt like the big event that eventually tore them apart was extremely forced, and I HATED how the female MC took credit for the male MC completely overreacting (and she had others telling her to apologize/she was in the wrong, too!).

Avery and Declan have been platonic friends since they first met in college. They've been roommates for the past two years but become even closer when Avery is injured in a car accident and Declan feels responsible - he was supposed to drive her that day - and becomes her round-the-clock caregiver. Their forced proximity and the like lead to....sparks flying. (Only I guess I didn't feel the sparks!) Can Avery and Declan navigate a relationship when she begins to heal and they leave the bubble of their condo?

Avery and Declan have been best friends forever. When Avery is in a bad accident, Declan blames himself and decides he will take care of Avery until she recovers. As he is taking care of her, things change. They become more than friends. Will that affect their friendship if they take it further? Declan is afraid that he can't do anything permanent because his parent's marriage was a complete train wreck. Can they make it?

This is a classic friends-to-lovers story with all the best elements of one.
Both Avery and Declan are likable characters with enough believable flaws to make them relatable. They also interact with secondary characters that are also interesting, so every scene is full of interactions that you enjoy reading.
It's the type of plot where you pretty much know where everything is going, but Hunting applies her magic and makes it interesting, which combines with the likable characters and winds up as a very enjoyable read.
Many happy thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the read!

I really enjoyed this second chance romance story. Helena always writes romances with a lot of sizzle and this one had it all! The chemistry was on point and really made me wonder what took so long for these two to get together! So cute and Helena fans will enjoy it!

This was a cute friends to lovers romance!
I am a fan of Helena Hunting’s writing style!
Steam- 🔥🔥 (Low)

Avery and Declan have been best friends since college and are currently roommates.

Something happens to Avery and she needs help after so Declan is there for her and nursing her while she recovers. The way he takes care of her was so sweet. 😍

Along the way, a spark appears and then the romance begins. I liked this part of the book and seeing how the characters were together in a intimate way vs when just being friends.

Of course it’s not always a smooth ride from friends to lovers, so they enter road blocks along the way. Especially with Declan’s past and not knowing how relationships work.

After working out their struggles I thought the story ended in a good note. It was a sweet and real story of falling in love with your best friend!

My Review of When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting

Avery Spark, and Declan have been best friends from the time they met in College. Both successful in their careers. They purchased a Condo together, both enjoy playing soccer, hanging out with their mutual friends, and solve the weekly crossword puzzle together, while remaining friends. Unfortunately, they both have been scarred by family situations. Avery's parents died in a car accident during a rain storm, so she hates driving long distance during those weather conditions. Declan is a child of divorce, and saw the constant betrayal between his parents, so doesn't believe in romantic love. Declan's pretty much a man whore. Women come and go in his life.

Avery, and Declan are forced into a more intimate situation when Avery has a near fatal accident, and Declan volunteers to take care of her. During this time period they both realize they've ignored the feelings they have for each other, and decide to give an exclusive relationship a try. Things happen and their fragile love is put to the test, and Avery moves out. Will Avery, and Declan be able to work out their trust issues, and realize that sometimes you have to work, and fight for your HEA?

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I've read a few other books by this author and really enjoyed them so I was excited to read her new release! Helena Hunting is an interesting author to me because she spans the genre between more steamy (her Pucked series from what I remember is on the steamier side) to very low steam level. This book was on the lower side and I have to say I thought there was a lack of chemistry really between the protagonists. They definitely were well suited for each other and it was still a romantic story but I just didn't necessarily buy into there being a strong attraction between the two of them. Other than that I thought this book was pretty good. I liked the plot - it was different from a lot of others in the romance genre and I found it pretty original. I would recommend it, especially if you like romance that is a little less graphic!

Loved every page of Avery and Declan! These two besties who became more than friends. After Avery's car accident things start to turn for these two after Declan starts taking care of her. These two and their witty banter had me laughing out and loud and I loved how slowly things between them started to heat up. Declan, his character was a bit to crack into since he's been hurt in the past he brought all of his fears with him. I loved everything about Avery and her relationship with her family is awesome!! When these two finally get their act together I couldn't put this book down. Their story is laugh out loud funny, swoon worthy and highly addictive. I cannot for more to come by Helena Hunting!!

5 Sparks When You Least Expect Them Stars!!!

This book is so much more than an unexpected love story, it’s a story of family, love, tradition, and yes, finding love with the last person you expected it to be with! Avery and Declan have been friends for several years and are in fact roommates which works perfectly for their lives. They’re both physically active in soccer leagues and have the same group of friends and there’s Avery’s two sisters, London and Harley who are everything to each other.

While there might’ve been an attraction between Avery and Deck in the past, neither acted on it. But that just might change on a fateful day that changes everything about everything that is in each of their orbits. I have to admit, I was really irritated with Deck when his actions resulted in a cataclysmic change for Avery. Because of this change, the guilt he’s feeling and that’s also being heaped on him by London and Harley was literally oozing from my kindle…and I’m not ashamed to admit I was on board with it!

One of the best highlights of this story in addition to Avery and Declan is The Spark House. The Spark sisters run an event company and there is no lack of chuckles with some of the events we get a birds eye view of that’s for sure… I mean things I never would’ve thought of LOL!

Back to Avery and Deck….when Avery begins her recovery, Declan is there every step of the way, even with the glares her sisters might be launching in his direction. Because of her injuries, Deck has to help her with every aspect of her life and because of this, she has no more humility and just when she doesn’t think it can get any worse, they cross a line that once again changes everything about their friendship in ways neither expected.

I loved how this dynamic changed as this part of their story progressed. There are moments of ecstasy and pain, love and joy and heartache. Both have internal fears that don’t allow them to truly open their hearts to love and because of this, they may lose each other permanently. I loved how Ms. Hunting developed this story. It’s not an easy recovery and the challenges that arise for Avery and Deck are not glorified. As a reader we can feel every bump in their road. The question is, will they overcome these obstacles and get a love that’s been simmering below their surface for quite a while? You’ll need to read this fabulous book to get all the answers!!

When Sparks Fly is a best friends to lovers romance that’s about two people helping each other heal in different ways. Friends to lovers isn’t my favorite trope because the conflict is usually the same, the “we shouldn’t because we don’t want to ruin our friendship” back and forth, but although that definitely played a part it wasn’t the main focus in their story.

Although I loved the strong, independent tomboy Avery from the get go, I was not a fan of Declan, even though I could see his charm. In the beginning I really felt like he deserved for everyone to be mad at him, but as things progressed his story really tugged at my heart strings and he ended up putting in all the work to redeem himself. Avery and Declan together had more than friends chemistry from the beginning that everyone saw except them, but it made their transition to an actual couple relatively easy. The ending for these two was just perfect and I loved how they got to their HEA.

While this book had me a little emotional due to what both Avery and Declan go through both in the past and present, it was still relatively light with a little bit of steam. I’m looking forward to what comes next with the Spark sisters!

When Sparks Fly is Helena Hunting’s newest release. We meet the Spark sisters Avery, London, and Harley, they are extremely close they lost their parents when they were younger. Together they are running Spark House an event hotel their family owns.
Avery met Declan their freshman year in college and they have been best friends since. After college they decide to get a condo together. I love their banter, they are very close and have the same interests. After Avery has a pretty bad car accident, when she comes home, she is not able to get around on her own. Declan steps up and takes care of her 24/7.
With lots of heart and a bit emotional this friends-to-lovers romance is a roller-coaster ride to a HEA!!
The epilogue was super sweet. This is a standalone novel, but looks like we will be heading back to Sparks House for other sister’s stories.

Friends to lovers can be hit or miss for me, but Avery and Declan drew me in from the start. The progression to more than friends, while a bit sudden, felt inevitable for these characters.

Declan in particular had some baggage and major issues he needed to deal with, and I really appreciate that when that all came to a head, they didn't just instantly fix everything and wrap it up in an unlikely HEA. They took the time to work through things (yay for therapy) and rebuild the friendship before moving back into a relationship. This really helped me believe that happily ever after was in the cards for these too.

This story had a few humerous moments, but it's not the rom-com that Ms. Hunting is known for. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, just don't go into this expecting Pucked or Kiss My Cupcake. This story is, however, sweet and heartwarming, and a good start to what I assume is a new series.

I always have warm and fuzzy feelings when I read a friends to lovers romance. And it became so much fun where these two were already roommates with that chemistry that just needs a push! The characters were fun, likable, humorous and well written. But it also touched my heart. It definitely entertained me page after page. Avery and Declan have captured my little old heart and made me smile.

I notoriously adore this author. This book did not disappoint. Hunting always has a great amount of laughter, romance, and spice. This did not disappoint. Hunting is an automatic read for me and I'm so glad to have read this title. 5 stars across the board.