This book was so fun. The dialogue didn’t feel forced, the characters were relatable, and the less appropriate scenes were well executed. My only drawback was the timeline toward the end.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was able to listen to the audiobook version of this new story by Helena Hunting, narrated by Jason Clarke and Stella Bloom via NetGalley, and it was a very easy story to listen to.

Avery and Declan have been best friends for the better part of a decade, and when Avery is in a terrible car accident, it makes a lot more sense for her to stay in her home with Declan rather than move into her sister's small home for the recovery. But as they spend more time together, they realize they each have more than platonic friend feelings. They have to admit this to themselves and this brings about the concern of what happens to their friendship if their relationship fails.

I did really enjoy this romance, but I did find parts of the story repetitive. There were multiple times that the past was repeated as a reminder to the reader that wasn't really needed. I did enjoy the tropes Hunting used: friends to lovers, forced proximity, and caretaking; so overall I gave this story a 4 out of 5, mainly due to the repetition.

This was my first by the author and I do think I will try more! I enjoyed beginning the most, I got frustrated with the miscommunication but over all enjoyed the story!

I really, really wanted to like this book more than I did. I absolutely hated Declan. I am all for the a*hole heros who eventually redeem themselves but this guy was awful all the way through the book. He did do alot of groveling but I also didn't feel like he changed. And I really didn't like Avery either. She was the typical "I'm not like other girls" girl. She likes sex, she preferred to hang out with guys, and she didn't like girls because they were dishonest. Blah blah. I hate that type of girl.

So overall I really would have DNFed this book if I wasn't reading it for Netgalley. If I don't enjoy the characters, I can't enjoy the story. So this one wasn't for me.

The narrator was fine. No complaints here but she couldn't make up for the bad story.

I read this as an audiobook from NetGalley. Typically, in October I read a lot of spooky books and need some romance to break it up so that I can still sleep at night. I tend to enjoy friends-to-lovers romance and this book sounded like it would be right up my alley, so I requested it. It was my first read from this author.

I mostly enjoyed this book. It isn't a book that I would add to a favorites list, but I am not really disappointed either. The first part of the book was great. I even cried at one point. But I think that I just never felt the chemistry and connection between these two characters as they moved into the second half of the book. They didn't feel like a MISMATCH or anything, but I never felt invested in their relationship. It might be that I am just not into sports and didn't understand their bond, but I just felt that spark missing between them. I did enjoy the story though and the steamy parts were pretty awesome.

This book was pretty enjoyable. I really, really love the relationships between the sisters and friend group. I wish there had been more of that.
I didn't really read the description before reading the book so the caregiver angle took me by surprise a bit. And honestly, I found it rather uncomfortable. The idea of her broken body being the turning point for romance did not work for me.
That said, the writing was good and the story was mostly a good read. The audio was excellent The door was more open than I generally go for, and I couldn't really relate to the timing for the sex starting up. It seemed weird to me, but maybe it will work better for others.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this audio ARC

This was a good story but I cant help but feeling it could have delved a little bit deeper emotionally and so for me it left something to be desired by the end. I liked the basic bones of the plot I thought it was entertaining.

For me the love scenes were a but too much, I didnt need them to be so explicit but I get some others may love that about this novel.

I liked the characters but I felt they could have been developed emotionally a little bit more than they were....

Either way its a relaxed read and easy to get into. Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for the complimentary arc in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the audiobook was definitely better than physically reading it. The narrators were perfect.

I loved this book! It has the perfect amount of emotion and steaminess, tied up in a gripping love story. Some might consider it predictable or cliché, but I have been reading a ton of spooky books lately so this was a breath of fresh air. I also really enjoyed Avery as a character combined with her two sisters who were very close knit, along with her best fried Declan. They made this whole novel so good, and I highly recommend this book!

I knew I couldn't wait to read this one by Helena Hunting! loved both Meet Cute and Kiss My Cupcake last year and wasn't disappointed.

In this friends-to-lovers romance, Declan came out the gate rowing a douche canoe and I was sure I was going to hate his character. When his best friend Avery is in a car accident, he steps up to take care of her. There was plenty of built up sexual tension 🔥 I loved the discussion of insecurities and I found Declans characteristics very relatable.

I listened to the audiobook while at work and read the ebook at night when I couldn't listen. I have LOVED having both options on netgalley. The dual narration is my favorite when listening to romance.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader/ listener copy When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting. This book is one I will be recommending to others for a very long time. Declan and Avery are best friends that turn into alot more after a car accident requires her to be nursed back to health by her roommate. The chemistry between these two is pure electric and have you want this book to never end.

SPOILERS AHEAD! This book gets two stars only because the very beginning of the book was decent and gave me hope for the rest of it…. which was quickly dashed by the 15% mark. Avery wasn’t that bad, but good lord Declan is an awful romantic partner. Controlling, jealous, and quick to blame are some pretty big red flags, and it was all just excused by Avery going “No, I shouldn’t have met up with my ex for closure and to help my company.” It was just so stupid, but at least he got therapy I guess? Also, London was kind of awful in the middle of the book as well. And there was far too much description of every outfit Avery wore, which I think was meant to make us see how she was truly a “guys’ girl”. Overall… I disliked this book so badly when I really wanted to love it (friends to lovers is my favorite trope). I also didn’t really like the narrators, so it was just bad all around.

Avery Spark and her sisters run an events hotel in Colorado. It’s Avery’s burning passion, and her sisters? Well, they support her dream and are all in with just one caveat…Avery must run the show.

Avery’s personal life isn’t nearly as exciting as her professional life. She lives with her long time (male) friend Declan. Strictly plutonic folks! They are besties at best. No benefits here.

But after Avery gets into a serious accident that leaves her incapacitated it’s Declan that steps up to look after Avery’s every need. Did I mention every?

This was a sweet and fun rom-com that I listened to in just a few sittings. Narrated by Jason Clarke and Stella Bloom, both did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life.

Looking forward to reading (listening) to more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio 🎧

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 friends to lovers story. I liked the audio a lot - very steamy. Great female characters & great support characters. Would recommend to romance fans!

I’ve read and listened to this book. The audiobook adds another layer to Helena Hunting’s magical writing. BFF to lovers is a favorite trope, and this is. Feel good listen.

This was a cute romance. I enjoyed the characters and the love story. I'm a sucker for the friends to lovers trope so most of the time it's an automatic win for me as a reader. The story moved at a steady pace and never felt slow or rushed. I'll keep this author in mind in the future as well.
My only hang ups are with how they began their...."relationship". I won't spoil but surely she could have figured out a way to achieve what she wanted to....ahem....do,...without a real person. That kind of felt like a quick fix to throw them together. They were cute together though and I enjoyed it so it wasn't that big of a deal.
However, the hero has some issues. I get that he has fears and insecurities but his reaction to their misunderstanding was very over the top. All of it could have been avoided if he had just been better at listening. All in all, I enjoyed this and send a special thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC!

“When Sparks Fly” is the story of Declan and Avery - best friends since college and are so close that they even live together. However, things take a turn when Avery ends up hospitalized and in a cast for several weeks due to Declan’s jealousy and neglect in her time of need. The story slowly progresses during their forced proximity when Declan does everything he can to make up for his ass-like character. Whether it’s giving Avery a bath, wrapping his muscly arms around her to help her maneuver around, or extending his hand for other “relaxing” activities, they grow closer physically and emotionally.

There was a couple steamy moments, but I feel like their story could have been delved deeper. While the conflict was predictable, I did like how Declan had to work for the HEA. He proved to be stronger, motivated, and eager to be a better man - for himself and for Avery. Though I favour other Helena’s books over this one, this remains a likeable one. I just wish that the final lead up to the “down and dirty” was not an unexpected fade to black.

If you like a friends to lovers story, forced proximity, and the whole “will they or won’t they” angst, this is for you. If you like audiobooks, the voices of Jason Clarke and Stella Bloom were absolutely perfect as Declan and Avery. You won't be disappointed!

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. I loved the narrators for this book. 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!

This book was just OK for me. The story was very contrived and felt not authentic. At times I was cringing especially when Avery told her sisters about her relationship with Declan. There was TMI going on there...yuck!