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. The book kind of lost that spark for me. It wasn’t bad by any means, just all the tension and those moments between Avery and Declan were gone. Add in the hero jumping to conclusions and things crumbling for a while as well as a few interactions with London (her sister) that bugged me, this one just ended up being okay for me.

I have really enjoyed Helena Hunting's books and was especially pleased at the opportunity to read When Sparks Fly. My favorite romance trope is friends-to-lovers, and this is an excellent example.

Declan and Avery have been friends since college and even live together. But they have both firmly placed their relationship in the friend zone. Things change when Avery is badly injured and Declan becomes her primary caregiver.

I really enjoyed the pacing of the book and the way in which the transition from friends to lovers happened. I loved Avery and resonated with her right from the start. Declan really grew on me, as his motivation and baggage became clearer.

The side characters are fantastic. Avery is the oldest of three sisters. This book sets up a possible series featuring her younger sisters really well. I have my fingers crossed that will happen.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

TW: car accident

Thank you SMP Romance for the advance readers copy. All opinions are my own.

**3.5 Stars**

When Sparks Fly didn't really "fly" for me - bad dad joke intended.

My loves:
1) I love the plot premises. Best friends to lovers is one of my favorites troupes.
2) On top of the best friends to lovers, readers also get the bonus of the roommates troupe.
3) The dynamics of Avery, London and Harley - each totally different yet work so well as a team
4) The happy ever after ending + epilogue

My dislikes:
1) I am not a fan of Declan. Yes, I love totally love his redemption at the end but up until that portion of the book he is a very hard male lead to actually like. He is described as and 1000% acts as f*#k boy the majority of the time and it took me out of the book.
2) I didn't buy into the chemistry that is Avery and Declan...at all.

Helena Hunting is an amazing romance writer. Every book is not for every person and this one was just not it for me. If you are a fan, definitely read this book!

Rating: 3.75/5
Genre: Contemporary Romance and Adult Fiction
Warnings: death of a parent, car accident and injury, infidelity
Read if you liked: Crazy Stupid Bromance People We Meet On Vacation
Steam: 3/5

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. When Sparks Fly will be released on September 21st.

I’m pretty hit or miss with Helena Hunting books but this was a win for me…I’m a friends to lovers fan and this does it well.

Things I loved: Great chemistry, you could see their friendship woven throughout as well. Crossword puzzle moments. The accidently eating of pot brownies…y’all this was funny. Avery is a feisty independent woman!

Things I didn’t care for: Their fight was silly and way blown out of proportion but they handled with well after with (*cough) therapy. I wasn’t always a fan of Avery’s sisters (mainly London) and the verbiage they used.

I usually really enjoy Helena Hunting's standalone contemporary romances and while there were parts of this book that I enjoyed, it mostly fell flat for me.

I loved the overall premise of the book, but would have loved more of the emotional connection to be at the forefront rather than the hooking up. Because while it was clear that they loved each other and got along well, that was all pushed to the side the moment they started hooking up. Then it just became a book about hook ups...

I did love the side characters - her sisters and their friend group - the little quirks they all had (making the little origami stars was so fun), and all the other event details that went into the story.

I really enjoyed Avery and Declan’s story and the way the best friends to lovers plot unfolded. The business and family plots were also well done.

When Sparks Fly is a fun contemporary romance by Helena Hunting. Ms. Hunting has provided readers with a well-written book and a lovable cast of characters. It is written in first person, alternating point of view though, not my favorite format. Ok, I hate it. But the story made up for it so as my finger hovered over the 4th star I debated with myself was it good enough to make it to 5. Declan and Avery have been friends since college and now share an apartment, as friends. Declan was to take Avery to a meeting but went out the night before, brought a woman home, left his vehicle at the bar, totally failed Avery. Avery was in an accident and Declan claims he's the one to take care of her recovery since it was his fault she was driving her can. Avery and Declan's story is loaded with drama, humor of the laugh-out-loud variety, smoking hot sexy bits, action and suspense. I enjoyed reading this book. When Sparks Fly is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Declan and Avery’s friendship starts to change after her car accident. They find out those feelings they have for each other are deeper then they both wanted to realize. While their past gets in the way for a while, they find out their love is strong and forgiving.

Avery Spark is an event planner living her best life. When a car accident leaves her bedridden, her roommate and best friend Declan steps into be her caregiver. The car accident is indirectly Declan’s fault - he was supposed to be driving her in his SUV. Instead, he had a one-night stand the night before and was too hungover to take her. Declan feels responsible for Avery’s accident and takes on the responsibility of handling all of Avery’s needs. (ALL of them - do you see where this is going?)

I love Helena Hunting, and I was so excited for this one. It did start off slow for me, but once I get into it, I couldn’t put it down. Typically, I hate the friends to lovers trope, but Avery and Declan’s relationship felt realistic. Put this on your TBR list.

Thanks to @NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC! When Sparks Fly is on shelves on 9/21/21. You should preorder it, so it’ll fly to your shelf in September. 😉

Helena Hunting is always a solid choice if you are looking for a fun, entertaining romance story. Avery and Declan are best friends and roommates who fulfill almost all of the platonic roles in each other’s lives. When Avery sustains serious injuries in a car wreck, her busy life as a hotel manger for her family business and forays into the dating scene are impacted. Declan drops everything to take care of her around the clock. Their close relationship begins to turn romantic and they each have to decide if the risk is worth the payoff.

I loved Avery and Declan and it was hard to imagine how they couldn’t see their own chemistry from the beginning. Their friends and families were not surprised at all when things quickly went from friendly to romantic. As with most love stories, there is a twist that threatens the connection but this one felt very authentic. I was rooting for a clean resolution and for a happy ending for everyone. I also really enjoyed the scenes between Avery and her sisters. Family businesses can be complicated and you could see how each sister filled a role in the team. They were supportive of one another and ultimately communicated well. This was a very captivating read!

Thanks to Helena Hunting, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book and the characters were likeable enough. Was a fun, light read, but somewhat predictable as well. Easy HEA when you need a quick read!

When Sparks Fly sadly didn’t set off any sparks for this reviewer. It was just a bland storyline with nothing I could connect to unfortunately.

Do you have any authors that are just really hit or miss? For me that’s got to be Helena Hunting. I’ve read books that I’ve adored and others that I’ve absolutely loathed. This one is on the bottom end of that scale though, this one is kind of a rant so don’t read on if you don’t want minor spoilers. I’m listing CWs before the review because they may change your mind on this book.

CWs: Death of parents, car accidents, traumatic injuries, ableism, grief, cheating, jealousy.

Avery and her sisters, Harley and London, run an event venue called Spark House. They’re each other’s best friends, aside from Declan. Her best friend and roommate. After a nasty breakup with Sam (cheating), Avery’s college boyfriend, Declan chooses between the two of them and sides with Avery.

One night, Avery goes out on a date and Declan is filled with jealousy. This prompts him to be a complete asshole and make some stupid decision that lead to Avery going on a road trip alone in her car when they were supposed to be together. Avery ends up in a horrific car accident and with multiple breaks. While Declan takes over as her primary caregiver, the two of them are forced to confront some pretty non-friendly feelings that they have towards each other.

Okay so listen, the premise of this was good. The execution? Not good… Declan was a dick. He was selfish and jealous and ugh. Until their fight/dark moment, I was actually rooting for them. But the conflict that happened was so toxic that I couldn’t handle it. And Avery’s sisters kind of told her that she was to blame, which she totally wasn’t and the second half of this book basically just filled me with rage.

While this book has a HEA… it shouldn’t. This is one couple that should probably have cut their losses and moved on. Anyways. I wasn’t thrilled with this book and definitely don’t recommend. Was NOT for me.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Sparks Fly is a cute romance novel that doesn't take itself too seriously. It makes it an ideal read for the summer, sitting outside under the warm sun. It centers on the blossoming relationship between Avery and Declan and follows their growth not just as a couple but also as individuals.

The good things about this book is that it's easy to read and have easy to digest characters. There is nothing really controversial about them and you don't have to peel back many layers or read beneath the lines. It's fun and entertaining and that's great.

However, it doesn't go without any flaws. It felt a bit flat, unconvincing and slow-paced. There were certain plot devices that I am seriously questioning the use of. I don't think that the book needed this kind of matter interwoven into the story just to make the two protagonists connect. It doesn't take much away from the potential of the novel, but it didn't helped either. With that being said, I suggest you make your own assumptions and conclusions!

I have kindly received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange of a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am a huge fan of friends to lovers as a trope, but the catalyst for the shift didn't work for me. Where I had issues - and this may not be a problem for a reader who has never been a caregiver - is that the thing that moves them into intimacy is an accident that leaves our leading lady needing help with all her basic needs and the leading man Declan steps in to help . Which includes help with ALL bathroom activities - ugh. It also included helping her out when she can't relieve her own sexual frustration as well, which is what launches them into the lovers part of the reationship - which was awkward.

Since my issues with story were with letting reality into my fantasy, I do have to acknowledge the one peace of reality that I did appreciate. When we get to the speedbump on the road to the HEA and Declan's past issues rear their ugly head - the resolution isn't just the easy fix that one normally finds in romance books but involves therapy.

So anyway, this didn't work for me - it brought back leads than pleasant memories, - but your mileage may vary.

ARC courtesy if the publisher via NetGalley, release date September 21, 2021.

Super cute and easy to read story. The slow burn of the main characters is wonderful. It was slower in a few little parts however overall and enjoyable book.

This had all the ingredients for a great book. But the rom and the com didn’t hit their mark. It was a quick, cute read, just not my favorite

A good story friends to lovers romance. It’s also a good story about family dynamics and how characters’ pasts affect their perceptions and actions.

Helena Hunting is usually an auto-buy author for me. When I was approved to receive an advanced copy, I was shocked and excited!

I really wanted to love this book on the level that I loved Meet Cute and the All In Series and while I thought there was some redemption at the end, a few things fell flat for me. This is a friends-to-lovers, forced proximity romance about Declan and Avery who have been friends since their first week of college. The story takes place about 10 years later and they are best friends who live together and don't realize they have feelings for each other.

Avery gets into an accident and since Declan is her roommate, and feels personal guilt about her accident, he volunteers to take care of her while she recovers. It's during this time that they both realize their feelings run deeper than friendship. I did not feel like there was enough tension or build-up between the two of them before they transitioned into a relationship.

Another issue I had with this story was the pressure and guilt she felt for having her sisters take over her responsibilities at work. Avery mentions several times that she feels bad that her sisters have to step up because she's only focused on herself. My question is: what else is she supposed to focus on with a broken leg, broken arm, and cracked ribs...? That was really frustrating to me.

Finally, the conflict they experience was expected due to Declan's lack of previous relationships, but what I did really enjoy was the redemption journey he went on to become a better person and a better partner to Avery. They had some really cute moments as he was working on himself and it's one of the first times I feel like an author actually cared to make a character try to be better after they realize how big they've messed up.

I really wanted to love this book and I really wanted it to be a new favorite friends-to-lovers, but like I mentioned, a few things fell flat for me.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the advanced review e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

The hugest of thanks to #stmartinsgriffin and #netgalley for the ARC for When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting!
Friends to Lovers is my favorite romance troupe because there’s a tipping point when the couple decides to cross a line that they’ve carefully avoided (and this can make or break the story).
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In Helena fashion, the line crossing is hands down the most unique I’ve read. I’m not going to spoil it because that’s just cruel. The ending is one of my favorites ever. I love Avery and Declan so much. All I’m saying!
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Steam factor: smoking hot 🔥
Swoon factor: all the swoon
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Remember to support your favorite authors by preordering! Releases 21 September!