This was a great second installment in a series. I enjoyed the characters and the continuation of learning about family. I thought the plot was fabulous and I would recommend to others.

Mein Leseerlebnis

Das zweite Buch um die drei Spark-Schwestern ließ sich aufgrund des lockeren, angenehmen Schreibstils der Autorin gut lesen. Ich bin von Anfang an in einen guten Lesefluss gekommen und das änderte sich im Verlauf der Geschichte auch nicht.

Gut gefallen hat mir auch, dass man das Knistern zwischen den beiden Hauptfiguren sehr gut spüren konnte. Auch hatten ihre Dialoge eine gute Energie und fühlten sich natürlich an.

Das alles hört sich soweit ja sehr gut an, beim Lesen gab es für mich trotzdem ein paar Probleme mit der Geschichte. Primär war das, dass ich die Hauptcharaktere und auch die Nebencharaktere nicht so interessant fand, wie erhofft. Dadurch fiel es mir schwer zu ihnen eine gute Beziehung aufzubauen. Infolgedessen war mein Interesse an der sich entwickelnden Liebesgeschichte und auch der Beziehung zwischen den drei Schwestern eher mäßig stark ausgeprägt, was natürlich beim Lesen eines Liebesromans nicht ideal ist.

Eine Zeit lang habe ich die Bücher von Helena Hunting sehr gerne gelesen, mittlerweile funktionieren sie für mich als kurzweilige, ganz nette Unterhaltung meist noch recht gut, aber leider begeistern sie mich nicht mehr. 🖤🖤🖤1/4

Für wen?

Schaut in eine Leseprobe rein, wenn ihr diese mögt, könnte diese kurzweilige Liebesgeschichte gut für euch funktionieren.

Wer wie ich mit den letzten Büchern der Autorin Probleme hatte bzw. wessen sich Begeisterung sich in Grenzen hielt, kann das Buch lesen, es ist aber sicherlich keine Geschichte, dir ihr unbedingt lesen müsst.

Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting is the second book in the Spark House contemporary romance series. This one combines romance and humor in an engaging and fun story. London Spark has just broken up with her latest boyfriend and is out celebrating her single status with her sisters Avery and Harley. When an attractive man pays for their food and drink and slips her his number, she turns him down. A few months later, a multi-million-dollar company calls and asks for a meeting to learn more about Spark House, the event hotel owned and managed by the three sisters, and see if it would be a good addition to their network. During the meeting, the company’s CEO, Jackson Holt, walks in soon after London starts her presentation. She eventually realizes that he is the man she had rejected at the bar a few months ago.

London and Jackson are both well-developed characters with a lot of depth. Both also have flaws which make them seem even more realistic. The secondary characters have varying degrees of depth that is applicable for their roles in this story line.

The author provides a look at a love that blooms slowly between the two main characters. The prose is well-written, touching at times, and humorous at other times. There is a lot of focus on family, friendship, hard work, and communication with a few romantic scenes in the last third of the novel. While there is an immediate attraction, they maintain a more professional relationship until after an event where Jackson takes an active role rather than members of his team. This is a romance that takes time to develop and flourish. There are several other serious themes that play a role in this story as well. These include grief, work/life balance, lack of transparency, dreams, goals, loss of a relationship, and listening to others.

Overall, this was an entertaining, appealing, and delightful novel with some humor. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

St. Martin’s Press – St. Martin’s Griffin and Helena Hunting provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for May 10, 2022.

This is book two (of a series of standalones) featuring the three Spark sisters who run a small specialty hotel...which caters to various types of events. It's been in the family for three generations and the sisters strive to keep it in the family, no matter how much it grows. And grow it does. This book features the middle sister, London. The one who is least comfortable with her role in the company. She wants to be more involved in the creative side of the business, but with only the three of them to do all the work, it gives her little time to do what she loves. No time for what she loves to do, let alone time for any sort of relationship, but that doesn't stop her from trying when she meets a handsome man who runs a company wanting to take on small 'green' businesses and help them grow. With London being in charge of the business/administrative end of things, she's the liaison for their hotel to work with this new company, and the boss takes a keen interest in her, taking a more hands on approach than he's ever had before. The characters are perfect for each other. He is confidant and generous and patient. She has doubts, is stressed out and running on fumes. Ying and yang. There are some sweet moments, some teary eye moments, some swoony moments and of course, some sexy moments. ;) It's got some fun times but also a lot of stress inducing times. It's easy to read, and the story flows nicely. It alternates POVs. While each book is a stand alone (featuring a different sister) there may be some spoilers of book one if you haven't read that one yet.)

*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

Starry Eyed Love by Helena Hunting is the second in a series of novels about the Spark sisters. This time London Spark is in the spotlight. London is working at Spark House, working behind the scenes with the financial end of the business and also designing the floral arrangements for events held there, which is her true passion. When she goes out for the first time in a long time, she turns down a man who just didn't seem to be her type. Later on, at a financial meeting with a green company who wants to partner with Spark House, the CEO of the company sits down, unexpectedly in the meeting and it's the same man she turned down at the bar, Jackson Holt. London is beside herself, will that turn down ruin any chance of working with his company?

As things progress, London and Jackson become very close and, well I don't want to ruin the book for anyone! This is a fast paced, enjoyable novel, as are all of Ms. Hunting's novels. Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review. If you enjoy Hunting's novels, don't miss this one!

These two had off-the-charts chemistry and it just smoldered forever! An immediate attraction that isn’t acted on and then once it could be, had to be delayed because, reasons. That just made it all the sweeter to resist, and then when it didn’t have to be denied anymore, it imploded and took them both down with it. And through it all, I just wanted to hug both of these characters all the time. They were both so genuine and thoughtful and kind, and it made me dislike almost all the other side characters because they weren’t as nice to them as they were. Except Harley and Mitchell, I really liked them because they were always on London and Jackson’s side. Anyhow, London and Jackson had their moments, but they just fit, they worked so wonderfully together, and they made me so happy that they worked things out and in a way that was perfect for them <3

Helena Hunting made me fall in love with her writing style long ago. Thru these years I was always trying to catch up with her stories, without any exceptions.

When I saw last year that she's planing to write another series I jumped on that horse without thinking too much. I really liked the first book in this series, and I was more than curious where, when and how author will lead us into this world again.

I like Starry Eyed Love, I found here typical Helena's humor, and writing style. I read it in one sitting, because Helena is a really good story teller. She mixed wery well her characters with events in the book, and made a good story. Jackson and London brings fun, swoon on really good level. I liked their slow bur type of romance, but honestly.... I would want a little more passion/tension between them. Besidee that, everything was at the point.

I'm sure this book should be perfect for many readers, and they will have lost ot of fun during reading, just like I had.

This was the second book in the Spark House series that I started last summer. It was so cute, but I didn’t love it as much as the first one. This sequel was more focused on the sisters’ family business, Spark House. It was a little slow until about 60% of the way through it. I loved the characters though. I think London is my favorite of the three sisters! She’s independent, crafty, and owns an Etsy shop (like me!). I also really liked Jackson and how the author gave us his perspective. I didn’t love the conflict there were in and I felt like he should have been more honest. But other than that, I really liked the book!

Such another great book in this series! I loved falling back into the world of the Spark sisters. Please tell me there is a place out there like Spark House because I definitely want to go and visit there! London and Jackson had a chemistry you could feel coming off the page from the very beginning. Jackson was so sweet with the loving and caring way he treated London. You could truly tell how much anguish he was feeling after things between them became rocky. Helena Hunting also gave us a perfectly wrapped HEA!

I loved that we got some more cute sister moments between Avery, London and Harley and can't wait to read Harley's story!

Helena Hunting does it again! Starry-Eyed Love is the romance we all need right now. London is a wonderful heroine: fiercely loyal to her sisters, quirky, and incredibly hardworking. The colleagues flirt plot is fun, spicy, and keeps the story flowing naturally. The Shacking Up series cameos were a wonderful surprise. I will be recommending this to anyone who loves a sweet friends to lovers romance.

When London and Jackson first meet, Jackson crashes and burns. London is just out of a relationship and not read to jump into another one. Second times a charm they say; however, the second meet up is all business, and no pleasure. London and Jackson form a tentative business partnership and table their growing attraction for each other until they can find a way to let business and pleasure mix.

'Starry-Eyed Love' is an enemies(?)-to-friends-to-lovers contemporary romance that has all the feels. The chemistry between the London and Jackson is sharp, Its easy to get invested in their developing relationship. For fans of the first book in the series, this one won't disappoint. However, you don't need to read the first to enjoy the second. This novel also develops the relatonships amongst the sisters a little more thoroughly. Hunting fans will recognize some other key players in this novel that were featured in her other series, "Shacking Up." Again not necessary to read the prior series to enjoy this book, but just a fun surprise..

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I am a fan of Helena Hunting already, but this one solidifies it for me. A fun read with all the right feels. Five STARS.

4.25 Stars

London + Jackson

London is the second Spark sister to find her happily ever after.
She just broke up with her boyfriend and is not looking for someone new right now - that's why she doesn't accept the phone number of this super hot guy at the bar.
But three months later he's suddenly in her life anyway. He's the millionaire CEO of a company they're trying to get to work with their hotel. And he's really interested and invested - even though that part of his business is supposed to be the job of his employees...

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN ... 😍

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Adorable!

Such a cute romance!
Just like the first book it was so sweet and cute and funny.
I love the whole setting of this series. The family hotel - which they took over from their grandma.

And it's so cute how they try to not start anything as long as they're in business together.
It a real adorable cinderella kind of love story with him being this ultra rich guy flying her to New York for a night ...

They should've probably talked a bit more about things. It was really cute but I kinda hate that we had so many unnecessary misunderstandings or omissions that could've just been cleared with some talking.
But still - I loved reading it. I love the sisters - even though I wanted to throw Avery out every single window with the way she was acting all through the book! Jeez!

Can't wait to read the final book!

STARRY-EYED LOVE was an adorable + sparky + cinderella-y + very sweet love story! I loved reading it! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Jackson - he'll be sold out in no time!

Sparks are flying when London and Jackson are together. But, they are working together and a relationship could be bad for them. The chemistry is off the charts in the fun romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a syrupy sweet Hallmark channel worthy book. My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this sweet book.

To describe it in Hallmark movie blurb terms: “As third generation co-owner of a unique hotel and event center with her two sisters, London Spark doesn’t have much time in her life to pursue her creative dreams, never mind love. But when handsome, self-made millionaire Jackson takes a very active interest in not only her but what his company could do for her family business, London is torn between her desire for him and her duty to her sisters.”

I’m not typically a romance reader, but this was cute.

This is one of those rare romance novels that hits all the elements for enjoyment in the right ratios: romance; meet cute; cute likable characters; plausible storyline; heartfelt and endearing.

I have a hard time—often—finding romance novels that suck me in and this was one that did! It begs to be a movie cast with A-list stars.

With tender human observations, this is a feel-good book we need!

Loved it!
I loved going back to the Spark House & having more of the Spark sisters. London & Jackson’s unique love story was a sweet start & a breathtaking ending to this book!

London is the creative mind of the Spark sisters who has been pigeon-holed into being the meticulous head of running Spark House. In an effort for the venue to go more green, a big eco-friendly company seeks partnership. While in the middle of her pitch, London realizes the company's CEO Jackson, is the same attractive man she turned down at a bar just months before. The two continue working closely as part of the partnership as the line between business and pleasure begins to blur.

**

There is a quote about reading that resonates with me:
"Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else's shoes for a while." -Malorie Blackman.

I often find this to be true but in the case of Starry Eyed Love, walking in London's shoes was as easy as a midday stroll in my favourite runners. She is the most relatable character that I've read in awhile. She is a people pleaser to the point of detriment, putting her own interests (an Etsy store) to run the family business with her sisters. I love that she had her own coping mechanism for her anxiety: making paper stars. London is easy to root for, and that's what I look for in a protagonist.

Jackson was also a swoon-worthy love interest who has experienced his own hardships. I respect his constant understanding and need to take it slow. Together, they were dynamite.

I did prefer this one to the first in the series, but I was a tad put-off by Avery's behaviour. I went from generally liking Avery in her story, to disliking her here. I know it was a subplot to bring the sisters closer together and to show London's growth in her assertiveness but it just seemed to odd to use another former protagonist to do so.

Book featured on Instagram Book featured on my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/meetcute247/?hl=en

I read the first book in the series and really enjoyed all of the characters, as well as the quirky nature of Spark House. Avery and Declan were fun and their story was enjoyable, but I have to say that the story of London and Jackson was so much better. I liked that we got to see the business side of Spark House and to get to know who London was. I have to admit that I was curious what her stars look like and spent an inordinate amount of time on Pinterest and other sites trying to figure out which type of origami stars she was making and then how she was turning things into Etsy products. Way too much time as my family pointed out when they saw me looking at paper folding videos yet again!

Jackson was likeable, and the team around him didn't detract from the story. Although I will admit that some of the loose ends around his past tied up a little too neatly with a bow in the epilogue.

The story moves quickly, but the romance takes time to develop which is nice. Even though they aren't exactly friends first, it's still nice to see them take their time to get to know each other even if the situations are a bit OTT.

I have to admit that I wasn't impressed with how Avery threw around her weight with her sisters, and how she failed to notice that she was doing exactly what she accused Harley and London of doing. But it did match with her personality so I could totally believe that it would play out that way when it came time to planning her big day. And at least Avery and Declan were effectively woven into this story without it being forced or too much.

I am very much looking forward to a book 3. I am also curious to see if there will be a way to swing a 4th book with some other characters. Normally, I like a series to end, but this one seems to be getting better with each plot so maybe I'll be good for a book 4.

If you like Lauren Layne and haven't read any Helena Hunting, then I think you would really like the Spark House series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you for letting me read this book St Martin's Press and NetGalley. I enjoyed the first book in the series and felt like I enjoyed this one even more because I knew so much about the sisters already.
Jackson is pretty wonderful, though I would've liked to have seen him a bit more imperfect at times. London is just a doll and definitely deserves the best.
I haven't read the shacking up series yet, though I know some of Hunting's characters from that make a cameo here, and I love crossovers.
Really keen to see Harley's happily ever after, and how it affects the Spark House.