I loved reading this book! It was very enjoyable to read and I loved that there was LGBTQ+ representation as well as Black love. Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me to read this!

Unfortunately this book just did not work for me. I found it really are to be interested because of all the work place information and relationships. I didn't find Stella compelling as a character, and I find it really hard to get into insta-love-- this was no different. I was a little scared about where the storyline was going with AI but it's clear the characters were against it. Idk, but I will be looking our for more from Jamal in the future.

!!!
Sex positive!
Bi 4 bi!
Girlie finds a man that is obsessed with her!

10/10. Amazing. The writing style is very fluid and easy to follow — I’d read 50 pages before I even realized it. Max & Stella are sure to become some of my favorite characters!
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Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher for my
ARC!

Stella is invited to a sex club on Valentines Day and plans to lose her virginity while she is there. Max is at the same club to check it out as a possible investment for his brother Miles. Big boobs and a glass of liquor are the beginning of Stella and Max’s meet cute. To make their relationship even more complex is that Stella works for Miles and Max introduces Sparky, new AI software for Mile’s company to use. Stella and Max have to navigate their feeling for each other, business connections, and ultimately family.

This story is more than just Stella and Max meeting in a sex club so she could lose her virginity. It’s also about being comfortable with who you, relationships, and learning to let go. I really appreciate the way Stella's virginity was handled. She wasn’t some simping and meek girl, she was comfortable with her sexuality but hadn’t PIV yet. I also liked that Max wasn’t toxic masculinity like “I felt the barrier and knew she was a virgin” or outwardly confronted her with it. Their relationship growth felt natural. There were some hints with the ending but nothing definitive and it was HEA. I still like Miles and would like to see him in a future book. Chelsea is someone we all know and at times want to avoid and other times was to help her. Overall this is a good book with some light spicy content.

Stella's visit to a sex club ends abruptly when her partner has to go in search of a condom and she chickens out on waiting around. When the gorgeous man she hasn't been able to stop thinking about shows up at her work the next day, both of them are excited at the prospect of a second chance at finishing what they started. Max is the ultimate gooey cinnamon roll boyfriend who has protected his little brother and sees only the best in everyone. Stella is career focused and has a gaggle of great friends that support her and keep her social calendar full. Also Stella is a virgin and works for Max's younger brother who is phasing out her job with Max's AI software.
I really enjoyed this story. I liked the characters, and while I have a hard time conceptually falling for a tech bro, Max's cinnamon roll sweetness gave me all the awes. Stella is strong and has proven that she doesn't need a man, so watching her find one who was worth her time was rewarding.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I'm looking forward to recommending this book to contemporary romance fans.

Stella is 27 and so ready to lose her virginity. So when her best friend invites her to a sex club, she uncharacteristically says yes. There she has a meet-cute and then a sexy tryst in short order with a mysterious man.

But when their fiery moment gets interrupted, she loses her nerve and runs away. The next day at her job as a writer for a digital media company, she discovers he's the CEO of a tech company who’s come to introduce a new AI tool that all employees must use going forward. This announcement sends shockwaves through the staff, raising ethical concerns and fears of layoffs, and making her new love interest- Max, public enemy number one.

Amidst the chaos, Stella and Max begin a clandestine affair, struggling to keep their blazing hot relationship secret from everyone. But what starts as a thrilling hookup becomes increasingly real for both of them, forcing them to reveal their love, regardless of the fallout.

This ultra-steamy novel features dual points of view, complex cultural and sexual identities, a compelling workplace drama, and an uplifting happily ever after.

3.5🌟
This centers around a late bloomer falling in love.
This was a really cute, sweet, and tender story. The MMC, Max was a space and comfort person for the FMC, Stella. It was so sweet watching them develop a connection.
I also enjoyed the themes in this book, the complicated friendships, cultural identity and sexuality.

Now I didn’t really love the third act of this book. The MMC being the owner of an AI company also gave me mixed feelings.
However, overall I still enjoyed the story.

Thanks to Zakiya, my love, and Berkley for letting me read and review this book early. All thoughts are my own!!

Sparks Fly follows Stella who goes to a sex club to lose her virginity and meets a mysterious man who she has immaculate chemistry with. They spend some time together, but ultimately part ways, only for Stella to go to work the next day and discover her mystery man is making changes to her workplace that are not super welcome.

I love Zakiya’s writing with my entire being. Her books always leave me feeling so connected to the characters and so deeply invested in their relationships. Stella and Max are so wonderful together. Their chemistry was DELICIOUS, and the development of their relationship had me giggling and kicking my feet so much in the one day it took me to read this book.

As a fellow late bloomer when it comes to relationships, I felt so attached to Stella and her journey. I really love her and I JUST WANT HER TO HAVE EVERYTHING SHE WANTS!! I also really loved that Max was just basically down bad the entire time. He was just so cute, and I really loved them together. The spice?? Incredible. The tension?? Spectacular. They were so sweet and tender and caring towards each other as well, and I LOVE THEM!!!!!

Sparks really did fly between Stella and Max, and I need everyone to read this book ASAP!!

I adored how the big conflict at the end was handled!! It was truly the best way for it all to transpire. I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK OKAY??

I will say I definitely do not know enough about the different types of AI and how to differentiate their purposes, but I really liked how this book was very negative genAI. The characters in this book make it clear how they feel about AI, and I loved that. It makes me want to research it more and learn about it beyond what I already know.

Sparks Fly is out in December, and everyone better be ready to read it!!

COMPLETELY ADDICTED!! Stayed up til 5am finishing this book! I needddddd 486 books. in this universe pronto💕 This is unequivocally my TOP favorite book of the year! I read it feverishly (as soon as i downloaded the copy on to my kindle) and I haven’t stopped thinking about ALL the characters since finishing the last page. Genius 10/10 NO NOTES! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS AUTHOR’S VOICE AND WILL READ ANY AND EVERYTHING TO COME!

I can’t wait for other people to read this book. It’s so enjoyable. The pacing was good and so was the premise and I loved that there was bi representation and Black love in the same story. I was rooting for Stella & Max.

This book was such a bold, vibrant surprise. Stella is the kind of heroine I don’t see nearly enough. She’s smart, awkward, self-aware in the most endearing way, and watching her step into her own power was incredibly satisfying. Every fumbling, chaotic, vulnerable moment just made her feel that much more real. The romance had this amazing tension that never felt forced. Max is charming and intense in all the right ways, but what I loved most was the way they challenged each other. There’s undeniable chemistry, but also friction and vulnerability and that slow, hard-earned trust. I loved the way it explored intimacy and identity with so much nuance and heart. I loved it.

This book hit me in all the right places. Stella’s journey is raw, funny, and so refreshingly honest about finding yourself later than expected and daring to take chances on love and life. I loved how the author portrayed her hesitation and vulnerability without shying away from the humor and awkwardness that comes with those first big steps. It felt so real and human. The romance with Max is electric but also deeply grounded. Their chemistry sparked off every page, fueled by shared experiences and a genuine connection that went beyond surface attraction. I appreciated how their identities and shared cultural background added layers of depth and warmth to their relationship without ever feeling forced or tokenised. The writing is sharp, with a perfect mix of witty banter and tender moments that made me laugh, swoon, and even reflect.