4.5 stars

I’m a huge fan of Helena Hunting, she always knows how to write a feel good book!

I really enjoyed When Sparks Fly, it was a fun and romantic friends to lovers. The tension when Avery and Declan realize they are truly interested in each other and start dating other people…I loved it it!! And they had such a great friendship prior to dating it almost seemed nonsensical to not be together!

The narrator for this audio book was great, she did a good job with the voices and -urging emotion into the characters. I will definitely be checking out other books she narrated. And as far as the writing goes, Helena did a good job of that as well. I can always count on her stories to be good and she’s always consistent in her writing which I love. I would definitely recommend the book or the audio for this one.

Super cute romance, great chemistry. Ill read anything HH writes! Loved the cast of characters as well - a must read for romance fans!

First, I must say that I fell in love with the characters in this story. Avery works with her two sisters at Spark House, a special events venue. She co-owns a condo with her best friend, Declan. She’s been the only female member of their friend group from college. When Avery is in a horrific accident, Declan insists that she stay in the condo so he can take care of her. It’s easy to tell that their feelings are deeper than friendship, although it is difficult for them to see it. When they begin to realize their feelings, they fear that this could ruin their friendship. They need to do some deep soul searching about themselves and their individual pasts to see if their relationship can move past their deep friendship.

Also reviewed on Kobo under the name IrishEyes430

Avery Spark loves the challenges and opportunities that come with running Spark House, an event planning venue in Colorado Springs. Her two younger sisters are also part of the business, as is their grandmother, but Avery’s talent for bringing in corporate accounts and repeat clients is spectacular. While driving back to her alma mater to meet with the alumni association regarding a special event, Avery is in a serious car accident, which brings up buried memories of the devastation the sisters felt when their parents died, in a similar accident.

Declan has been Avery’s best friend since college, and being raised in a horribly dysfunctional home has colored his view on relationships, so even though he and Avery were roommates, he had never crossed that line with her. After the accident, his guilt at standing her up, leaving her to make the drive all while knowing she was terrified of driving any distance in the rain, especially on bad tires, led him to become her full-time caregiver while she recovered. Having to help Avery shower and use the bathroom, offering back massages to help her relax, and being with her constantly forced Declan into recognizing that his feelings for Avery were changing into something that felt suspiciously uncomfortable for the man who effectively sabotaged any relationship that even hinted at becoming permanent.

Avery’s drive and independence, and her determination to make Spark House successful, made her a strong and realistic character. I appreciated Avery and Declan’s uncomfortable reactions to their changing relationship, and I felt that their confusion was believable. I liked the family support Avery received from her sisters and thought their concern for her was valid without being over the top. This was a fun read, enjoyable and entertaining, and I loved the little touches that made the characters whole, like the crossword puzzles and game nights.

When Sparks Fly is a wild friends-to-lovers romance. I don't know that there's a simple way to effectively describe the journey from besties and roommates to something more, other than to say it involves a little black dress and serious car crash. Weird, but I think it mostly works.
Average spice level, in my opinion.

Witty, funny, sexy and packed with emotion, When Sparks Fly, is a pleasure to read. This well written novel follows two friends as their relationship turns into something that is so much more. The story moves quickly and the characters are endearing. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book in a long while that I have wanted to start reading again from the beginning after finishing it. It's a very charming and touching friends to lovers romance. The fact that both have had feelings for the other since college made this story quite sweet.
A fun read, in equal measure lighthearted and serious. Both characters are emotionally damaged and it takes a lot of soul searching for the two of them to resolve their issues at the end. Their transition from friends to lovers was very entertaining. Declan was a real sweetheart during Avery's recovery and there were quite a few humorous scenes. Their friends added some light humour to the story as well. The scavenger hunts at the end of the book were really touching and charming. With a thoroughly heartwarming and feel-good happy ending, this book will leave you feeling all gooey. 🥰

What a great friends to lovers story and a sisters bond i can relate to. Avery is a strong independent woman until she gets in a accident and has to rely on her best friend who carries guilt for her accident. When their closeness, they can no longer deny there feelings for each other. You will laugh, cry and your heart will be full. Another great book by Helen Hunting.
I received a advance copy by author in exchange of a voluntary honest review.

First off I have to say how much I love the cover of this book. It is so fun and the color really grab your attention. When Sparks Fly was a great friends to lovers story. I could not put this book down. Avery and Declan have been best friends forever and are roommates. When A wry has an accident and Declan hells take care of her feelings start to come out they have been burying deep down. They both try and keep their feelings hidden from each other but that gets harder the more time they are together. I really enjoyed this book and all the characters. Read it!

Title: When Sparks Fly
Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5

Running the Spark House, a hotel/event space that has been in her family for years, has been Avery Spark’s lifelong dream. After years of working hard and making personal sacrifices, Avery and her two younger sisters have turned the Spark House into the premier destination in Colorado Springs. Avery is living her best life—she works with her sisters and loves every minute of it, she has a great group of friends, and she lives in a fantastic condo with her best friend Declan. She might not have any love in her life, but she's happy.

But everything comes to a screeching halt when Avery is in a car accident, leaving her immobile for weeks. After nearly losing Avery, Declan insists that he will be the one to take care of her while she recovers. However, as Declan becomes Avery’s caretaker, lines begin to blur.

Avery and Declan have been best friends since college and always had an attraction to one another, but when she ended up dating his best friend, Sam, they successfully stamped down any feelings they may have ever had for one another. Now, as Declan and Avery spend more time together, they each begin to wonder what would’ve happened if she'd dated him instead of Sam. What starts as a friend helping out another friend turns into foreplay and, before they realize it, they recognize how deeply they care for one another. But when things get serious their past threatens to destroy everything they have built.

Either I’m just too old for this book (I’m not that old!) or this just wasn’t a good fit for me. I enjoy the friends-to-lovers trope, but both of these characters had the self-awareness of a pet rock and what Avery needed help with—the inciting incident if you will—was so overdone and ludicrous I almost stopped reading right then.

Helena Hunting is a bestselling author. When Sparks Fly is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

"Maybe you want to show us a couple other ones and we can vote for a fave?" I suggest. "What about that army-green shirtdress?"
"Oh! Yes. Okay."
I can feel Jerome and Mark staring at me. "What?"
"Why would you want her to change out of that? And what the hell is a shirtdress?" Jerome asks

Busted. Declan knew he was being unreasonable. The first dress Avery tried on was crazy hot. Why does he care, though? They've been friends since college. Roommates for a few years. He kept his extracurricular activities for other women, yet seeing Avery in that dress reminded him that his best friend was incredibly hot. And he didn't want her date to have the privilege of that view.

Avery really isn't into dating. Hanging with the guys and spending time with her sisters was enough for her. Well, maybe. It's not like she doesn't think about relationships. She just doesn't want to get her heart broke like she did all those years ago.

Things take a turn and suddenly, Declan is helping Avery recover after an auto accident. He feels so much guilt for putting her a bad situation, of course he'll do whatever it takes to get her back on her feet. What he didn't count on his feelings coming to the surface, and finding out that Avery's were right there, too.

This story is more than just a friends-to-lovers story. It tackles difficult hurdles two people have to overcome to get beyond that first layer of infatuation. I adore how complex Declan's character truly is, though at first sight he's a typical pretty boy player.

Great book!

Loved this book...the main couple was so much fun. They had so much growth to do together and apart. An incredible journey and I hope to see further books in the series about the younger sisters of the lead female character.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book (given by Netgalley)...

3.75/4 stars

I adore a good best friends to lover story when it is done properly and I did enjoy this book. Avery and Declan have been besties for a while when things starts to take an interesting romantic change in their relationship. There were definitely moments I wanted to shake some of the characters, but it was an enjoyable read.

I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a hero more than I disliked Declan. He just made one bad move after another. The author wrote a good redemption epilogue but in the end it was just too late for me personally. I did enjoy Avery’s backstory and the aspect of her business, The Spark House with her two sisters, London and Harley. I think the author set it up to write their stories next and I will give them a try because this one did have great chemistry and steam and would like to see more of these characters.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3

When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting is a friends to lovers romance that sort of fell flat for me. While I typically love the trope, I had to force myself to finish, mainly because I couldn't stand Declan and how I felt like I was reading two different books. I liked the first half but coming into, what I called it, Act Two, it felt like I was reading another book and I couldn't get with them as a couple. I typically love Helena's books but this was a miss for me this time.

Avery Spark is loving life, she works with her sisters at a job she adores, and her best friend is also her roommate. She doesn't have time for relationships and dating is not something she looks forward to. The free time she does have is spent hanging out with the guys and playing sports. Her life is upended when she is in a car accident and needs round the clock care. Her roommate Declan volunteers to care for her because he feels responsible for what happened. She agrees to let him help but soon realizes just how awkward this situation is going to be. Declan is ready to jump in and has no problem in helping with any thing she might need. As time begins to pass the awkwardness fades and the two begin to feel more than friendship for one another. Neither is great when it comes to relationships because of past issues. Follow along as the two try to figure out what they want and need from the other. Will love win in the end or will past issues rear there ugly head and.put and end to something that could truly be wonderful?

This friends to lovers romance was intense. It doesn't shy away from heavier topics such as fatal car accidents, jealousy, trauma, temporary disability and more. I love the way Hunting explored the dynamics of a friends to lovers dynamic within a larger friend group and the way a relationship can test the limits of that friendship. I also really appreciated that Avery didn't magically heal after her accident and that the descriptions of her needing to be cared for were authentic. I also really appreciated the way that Declan dealt with the relationships in his life and grew to realize how toxic the dynamic truly was.

I struggled with some of the repetition and some of the bigger topics were introduced and then didn't seem to get resolved.

Thank you to Netgalley & St. Martin's Griffen for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Helena Hunting is one of those authors I have been aware of for a very long time but have never read any of her books, so I was excited to read this one. It’s a contemporary, friends to lovers, sick bed romance. Avery and Declan have been friends for years and are roommates when Avery is left with a broken arm and leg in a car accident. Declan takes it upon himself to care for her because he feels responsibility for the accident (he wasn’t with he when he should have been). The two finally own up to their long suppressed attraction and begin a friends with benefits relationship wile still denying their love for one another.
I really liked Avery. I loved seeing her interact with both her sisters and her friend group. She felt very authentic and I fell like I was really able to get a feel for who she is. I also really liked Declan. He somehow managed to be an alpha tool while still being sweet in a way that felt like a real human. I appreciated the authenticity of the pair’s individual journeys and their journey as a couple.
It’s a minor thing but as someone who does the New York Times Crossword every day, it made me laugh that one of the ways that Declan showed his love to Avery while he was in cold storage was by doing the all the down clues on the cross word leaving her the across clues. That’s not how crosswords work, especially newspaper ones. If he did all the down clues, the crossword would be complete.
I did listen to part of the audiobook and really enjoyed it. Both narrators did really well and kept me engaged in the story. I will have to read more of Helena’s books in the future.
Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was an easy, enjoyable read. I liked Avery and Declan, and while they had good chemistry, I didn’t necessarily feel the sexual tension between them. Overall I enjoyed the story. It was a satisfying read.

Declan and Avery are best friends who live together and when Avery gets into a car accident, Declan filled with guilt takes the initiative to be the one to take care of Avery. With all the forced intimacy, it’s impossible to not realize what’s always been there but after Avery’s healed, their relationship outside of their bubble is tested.

I liked it okay. Their chemistry with one another was fun and familiar. The only thing that made me not love it was the abelist-esqe commentary when Avery was hurt and in the hospital as well as when she returned home. It was all written like she wasn’t able to live comfortably in a wheelchair or was something less because she had casts on and didn’t have a lot of mobility.

An overall rating 3.2 out of 5 is what I'm giving this one. Thank you netgalley for the ARC!