This is a good book. The two main characters are. Zoey and Mike. They have been best friends all their lives. Zoey Is a fixer of appliances whether home or commercial. Mike is an attorney. There is an attraction. They each have some issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

When Sparks Fly is book 5 of the Rendezvous Falls series, but it's my first read in this series and my first Jo McNally book. What have I been missing, y'all?! I don't know what I was expecting, but this blew all of those expectations out of the water. This was cute, and spicy, and had an older main couple --this is like almost everything I love in a romance here.

Listen to my conversation with Jo McNally, and check out the show notes (where I link to most of books mentioned and of course to When Sparks Fly ). Not only was this book awesome, but so was chatting with her. It's on Nerdy Romantics Podcast. Tune in to check it out.

Engaging, heartfelt, and fun!

When Sparks Fly is an alluring, tender, friends-to-lovers romance that transports you to the idyllic Rendezvous Falls and into the lives of the reliable, handsome Mike McKinnon and the hardworking, single mother Zoey Hartford as they discover that even though they’ve been the best of friends forever perhaps there’s a little something more underneath that’s worth taking a chance on.

The writing is light and playful. The characters are supportive, kind, and genuine. And the plot is an entertaining, amusing mix of friendship, family, community, responsibilities, parenthood, snappy banter, undeniable chemistry, humorous moments, small-town antics, and unconditional love.

Overall, When Sparks Fly is a sexy, sweet, uplifting tale by McNally with characters I couldn’t help but fall in love with, a charming storyline that kept me engaged from start to finish, and a happy-ever-after ending that made me swoon.

WHEN SPARKS FLY—Jo McNally
Rendezvous Falls, Book 5
HQN
ISBN: 978-1-335-91638-9
August 9, 2022
Contemporary Romance

Rendezvous Falls, New York – Present Day

A recent divorce has Zoey Hartford protective of her teenage daughter, Hazel, which means no dating. She has a good group of friends, including her best friend since childhood, Mike McKinnon. He has stood by her through the years, and she can talk just about anything with him. But romantic involvement with Mike? Never…until they are forced to spend the night together during a storm. With Hazel gone, there is nothing for Zoey and Mike to do but strike sparks with each other. Suddenly, their friendship has shifted into the romantic zone.

Mike has always thought of Zoey as nothing more than a good friend. He knows that she went through a bad time with the divorce and dealing with her ex cheating on her. Hazel is a good kid, but she is still suffering from the loss of her parents splitting up. Her dad is about to marry his pregnant girlfriend, which makes Hazel want to hold even tighter onto her mom. Meanwhile, Mike continues to be supportive of Zoey, but when their relationship changes, he can’t help but wonder if Zoey can be his for the rest of their lives.

WHEN SPARKS FLY is a really good friends to lovers romance. Readers will easily get the long-time friendship between Zoey and Mike. They sometimes will share a bottle of wine in the evening at her shop (she repairs things for a living) and chat about just anything. Friends have been pushing each of them to find love again (Mike is a widower with no children), and each was asked if there could be anything between the two. Both Mike and Zoey denied that, because their friendship is important. But maybe being asked that question put the little seeds in their heads because suddenly they are all too aware of each other.

Mike is a lawyer, and when Zoey’s neighbor threatens legal action to force her to take down some metal art objects created by her late father, it’s Mike she turns to for help. Meanwhile, Hazel informs Zoey about her father’s upcoming marriage and the pregnancy, which pretty much closes the door on a child’s fantasy that her parents will get back together. But Hazel’s fragility has Zoey doubling down on her vow that she won’t bring a man into her life until her daughter is older. Of course, this means that she and Mike will have to sneak around if they want to make love. Plus, they try to pretend that things are still in the friend zone when they are around others. But that doesn’t work because the sparks are flying hot and heavy between them.

WHEN SPARKS FLY is an enjoyable, laid-back romance that will charm readers. Mike and Zoey are good people and deserve happiness after experiencing losses—her marriage breakup and Mike losing his wife in a sudden accident. A side story has Zoey’s godmother, Vickie, finding love with a guy from her high school years ago. He’s fixing her deck and showing her that love can strike at any age. Sparks of attraction appear to be flying everywhere. Be sure to grab a copy of WHEN SPARKS FLY.

Patti Fischer

Ok this one is not a favorite. I found the story slow and had a hard time staying connected even though the characters are interesting and the decorating choices ultra-fun.
Zoey and Mike have been friends forever. They've had each other's back when Mike went through losing his wife and Zoey went through her divorce but suddenly the friendly banter between them seems to have a double meaning or are they reading too much into it.
Mike has been dating all the women set up for him and enjoying them but he's restless. It takes Zoey going out to dinner with a good-looking guy for Mike to conclude that he's jealous and it takes the guy to point out to Zoey that the chemistry between her and Mike is smoking. Well that becomes the signal for them to progress to friends with benefits.
When her daughter surprises Zoey and a naked Mike, it's not such a laughing matter but between social media hell and a supportive cast of friends and family they will work their way out of the mess they've made.