When Sparks Fly was my first book by Helena Hunting so I did not know what to expect. I enjoyed the beginning and liked the characters. I went down hill from there. All the characters seem to have way to many hidden issues and from there we go into pages of explicit sex. Not what I read a book for I actually enjoy a good plot line wrapped in good story telling. I made it half way through before deciding there are to many good books left to read to keep fighting my way through this one. It was not for me.
Thank you netgalley for the early copy.

I hadn't read any of Helena Hunting's books before diving into this book did not know what to expect in her writing style, but after reading I'll be looking for more of her books.

When Sparks Fly was a fun friends to lovers story with extra heart thrown in. I was hooked from the beginning, when Avery was hilariously separating a fight between patrons at Spark House - where could this book possibly be going if the main character starts out with such a ridiculous thing to have to deal with.

I thought that Avery and Declan's relationship developed in ways real life relationships develop. They have been friends since college, witnessed each others romantic endeavours for years and have jointly owned a condo for two years - these two are clearly real best friends.

I really enjoyed reading Avery's POV chapters and her interactions with her sisters, who are hilarious, kind and protection, and I want to know more about them! Declan's chapters were a little too guilt ridden to be believable, but they did lead into the mental health aspects and relationship building perfectly.

Overall, I loved this book and found the storyline to be well developed, making it a quick, fun read I wanted to keep reading, and I was wishing for more after it was done.

I am a major fan of Helena Hunting's books and have read almost every single one. Unfortunately, I was not a fan of this book. I wasn't sold entirely on the main character's chemistry and some of the plot twists. I will always continue to read this author's books and while I didn't fall completely in love with the story I did get some connection where I read it cover to cover.

Thanks to @netgalley for this early copy of When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting! This one is out in September.

Synopsis: Avery Spark & Declan McCormick have been friends since college and are now happily roommates. But when Avery is severely injured in a car accident on the way to secure a sponsorship for her and her sisters’ business, Declan becomes her primary (and full of guilt) caretaker. And while it should feel like normal, some dynamic has totally shifted — and Avery’s not sure how long it can last given Declan’s “hit it and quit it” past.

If you want a book with a fairly good amount of steam, this is your book. There’s quite a bit of body massages turned into more, oral sex and so on. Otherwise, I found it to be a bit of a boring read & hugely predictable. There are some swoony moments of “friends-to-lovers” that involve like mutual pining and self-restraint, and I do enjoy the trope of taking care of someone injured, but there were a lot more moments that just didn’t work for me as a romance reader (tons of jealousy/jealous actions which I only find okay in very specific situations).

I didn’t feel for or connect with these characters at all, which was odd to me because they had all suffered through difficult circumstances (CW for brief mentions: death of a parent, car accidents, divorce, adultery/cheating). But the whole book had a way of showing and not telling, which kept me at a distance from them. Even the sister dynamic didn’t end up working for me, which was disappointing because I feel like this is getting ready to be a interconnected romance series about all the Spark sisters.

I wouldn’t put someone off from reading this themselves, as I didn’t find anything inherently offensive, but I might call it a library read.

Helena Hunting's latest novel relies heavily on the friends to lover and close proximity romance trope. Both of which can make for a fun romantic read. Which for the most part, that is exactly what this novel was. Surprisingly, this novel also focused quite heavily on the hero seeking professional mental help to work through many of his issues that were preventing the couple from moving forward. While I applaud the author for including this and trying to make more people aware of mental health, at times I felt like it made the resolution simply drag on for too long. But perhaps that was also the author's way of showing that counseling is not a quick fix but a necessary one just the same. Despite the slow wrap-up, overall the book was quite enjoyable and I hope we get to see more of the Sparks sisters in future books!

Avery lives with her best friend, Declan, and runs the Spark House hotel with her sisters and has little time for much else, especially dating. A car accident leaves Avery needing help doing pretty much everything, a job Declan volunteers for since he blames himself for Avery getting in an accident. He dives headfirst into being the best friend and nurse a girl could ask for. Compromising and awkward situations lead to an intimacy between the friends that can only alter their relationship.

This is a feel good romance with just the right mix of heat and humor for an enjoyable read that keeps Helena Hunting as a must read author for me. Friends-to-lovers is my favorite romance trope, so I jumped on the opportunity to review When Sparks Fly. Hunting is a go-to author for me so I knew I’d enjoy her latest. I think she is a great author. The plot was appealing and flowed very well. This book pulled at my heartstrings. It’s got a lot of funny moments but it has a lot of depth to it’s storyline. The characters were well developed and relatable and I cared about the outcome of their story. I loved their group of friends and how supportive they are with each other. I knew that the couple would have a happily ever after since that always happens in romance, which is one of the reasons I like to read this genre. Sometimes you just need a HEA story. The emotional depth of the story was great! Avery and Delcan’s chemistry is fire! Smoke was coming out of my Kindle. And I liked the sweet conclusion to Dec and Avery’s story. I hope the other Sparks' sisters get their stories told. I'd love to know more about London and Harley. Thanks to Netgalley and the St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an eARC of the book.

I love a good friends to lovers romance, and this one did not disappoint. Avery and Declan have been best friends and roommates from their first meeting at their college freshmen orientation. After some disappointments and a car accident, the two start to connect romanctically. The story was predictable and the characters were a little unoriginally, but it was an easy read for a lazy day.

Best friends to lovers with lots of internal challenges to overcome. After an accident leaves Avery unable to care for herself, Declan steps up to selflessly, if guiltily, be her caretaker and then some.

Easy, fast read with feel a good ending.

I really enjoyed this latest book by Helena Hunting, for a variety of reasons - the alternating perspectives between Avery and Declan, the loyal and endearing friendship they had from the get go, the reality of caring for someone after a profound accident and how challenging that is for both people, and the acknowledgment that sometimes time apart to become whole is what's best for a relationship. A delightful, quick read!

When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting follows the story of the Avery Spark and her roommate and best friend, Declan McCormick, who have known each other forever. They have supported each other most of their lives and Avery is one of their "guy group" who hang out, play ball and do most everything together. When Declan gets drunk, hooks up with a woman while Avery is on a bad date and backs out of plans with Avery and she winds up in a horrific car accident, Declan feels that it is all his fault, he never should have put his date first. Especially since he was jealous! He takes on the job of caring for Avery during her recovery and all of the feelings they've set aside for so long come to the forefront.

A typical boy/girl romance, this novel was an enjoyable read, and would make a good beach read. Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

My goodness. How do I love Helena Hunting? Let me count the ways.
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The most amazing build up.
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The characters. Plain and simple. I love them.
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Prince charming is not real. What is real? A real man with real issues facing them.
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Chemistry.
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Everything is not wrapped up in a hot minute.
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I could keep going.
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This story made me smile and laugh. I blushed and all in all. Loved it. So excited it is a series. I cannot wait for the rest!

Wow- In True Helena Hunting fashion, this has everything f you could want in a book- friendship, romance, comedy, strong women, and real life getting in the middle of all that. Absolutely loved this book- finished it in a plane ride and made it go by so quickly

This is a sweet, friends-to-lovers story that is an easy read. The plot was rather obvious and it was easy to see where the story would go, which is a bit of a shame. At times it was a little slow and repetitive, but it had its good points and I did enjoy reading it.

I liked the friendship between Avery and Declan, both friends since college, they get along really well and share a flat. After Avery is in an accident they have to get a lot closer as Declan looks after her. I did find them a little frustrating at times, with all the introspection and I certainly wanted to bash their heads together.

Overall, this is a nice story and if you are after an uncomplicated love story with a touch of heat then this book will probably suit you.

This book pulled at my heartstrings. It’s got a lot of funny moments but it has a lot of depth to it’s storyline. There’s pain and sorrow to go along with the funny. It’s a best friends to lovers story. The writing is super and I loved the characters. I just devoured this book. I was so wrapped up in Avery and Declan’s relationship. I really hope Avery’s sister’s each get a book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thank you to the publisher for ARC of When Sparks Fly. I love a good friends to enemies and forced proximity - sign me up!! Overall, I enjoyed the interaction between Avery & Declan. I do feel that this story was missing the great banter and heat from HH’s books. I was frustrated with Declan with his self sabotaging ways and those types of big conflicts. This was a 3.5 star read.

I’m normally a fan of Helena Hunting’s, but this one fell a bit flat for me. It’s an ok friends to lovers/forced proximity but the transition from friends to lovers felt rushed and just kinda weird for me. I wanted to like the characters more, but I feel Avery was a huge pushover and I wanted her to be stronger. She kept apologizing for things she shouldn’t have with both Declan and her sisters. I also didn’t feel a more than friends chemistry with them, until nearer to the end of the book. With them having been best friends, I felt the big conflict was a bit much. I know Declan has trust issues stemming from his parents, but I don’t feel he would have gone off the way he did. I did like that therapy played into it because he wanted to be better for her and he needed it for himself. The last 25% of the book I thought was the strongest. I just wanted to feel the love between them more.

Overall, it was an ok, quick read and I will continue reading Helena Hunting books.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3 1/2 Stars

I struggled with this one. I honestly forgot I was still reading it. There was a lot going on, more than necessary. I liked both main characters but thought they were a little too one dimensional and caricatures of what people should be like. It followed the exact format a friends to partners story would, but what split them up just didn’t sit right with me or feel realistic.

Ms. Hunting’s romantic tale of friends to lovers has angst, sweetness, anger and redemption. Declan and Avery have put each other firmly in the friend zone, until an accident makes her dependent on him and gives him the chance to change the status quo. Told with sweetness and humor, these friends get...eventually to their H.E.A. although it was a twisty path. It’s definitely a fun read and not to be missed.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse, and recommend it .

Another win for Helena Hunting! I’ve been reading her stories since her days of Twilight fan fiction and she never disappoints. I loved the angsty arguing back and forth with Blaine and Ronan that they both realized was based on situational irritation. I will ALWAYS request a Helena Hunting novel because it’s a promise of a page turner I won’t put down.

Declan and Avery are college friends who become roommates and with some bumps along the way eventually more. After an accident forces some dependency issues things progress fast between the pair but Declan has some relationship/family/trust issues and these come up in a not so pleasant way. This kind makes him a not so lovable character, but it wasn't irredeemable to me. Overall this was a nice quick friends to lovers read.