Helena Hunting is one of my favorite authors, and When Sparks Fly is one of those older books from my shelf that I somehow never got around to reviewing. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. It was an okay read with some enjoyable moments, though it never became as memorable as I hoped.
Avery Spark runs Spark House, a family-owned hotel and event space, alongside her two sisters. Her work keeps her busy, and she is content with her life—even if romance isn’t currently part of it. She also shares a condo with Declan, her best friend since college. Despite the attraction simmering beneath the surface, neither of them has ever been willing to risk their friendship.
Their relationship begins to change after Avery is seriously injured in a car accident. Declan feels responsible for the circumstances that led to it and insists on taking care of her during her recovery. Suddenly, they are spending even more time together, and keeping their long-hidden feelings under control becomes nearly impossible.
The first half was definitely the strongest part for me. I enjoyed the caretaking aspect and the gradual shift in Avery and Declan’s relationship. Because they already know each other so well, their closeness feels natural, and there are some genuinely sweet scenes between them. Their chemistry is easy to see, and the forced proximity adds plenty of tension as they begin to wonder whether they could be more than friends.
Declan, however, tested my patience from the very beginning. His careless choices play a part in what happens to Avery, and although he tries hard to make amends, there were several moments when I wanted to shake him. His guilt and devotion during her recovery helped soften my feelings toward him, but some of his later behavior brought that frustration right back.
Unfortunately, the story lost momentum for me once Avery became more independent. The anticipation that made the beginning so entertaining faded, and the conflict in the second half felt unnecessary. Declan’s tendency to jump to conclusions created drama that could have been avoided with an honest conversation. Instead of adding emotional depth, it made their romance more frustrating.
I also missed the humor I usually enjoy in Helena Hunting’s books. There were cute and steamy moments, but I expected more of the fun energy that often makes her stories so addictive. Since she is a favorite author of mine, perhaps my expectations were simply a little higher.
One aspect I did enjoy was the Spark family dynamic. Avery’s dedication to Spark House gives the story plenty of heart, and the bond between the sisters adds warmth—even when their involvement occasionally becomes overwhelming. The setting and secondary characters also made me curious about the other women in the family.
Overall, When Sparks Fly was a decent friends-to-lovers romance, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. The strong beginning, genuine friendship, and undeniable chemistry kept me entertained, while the later conflict prevented me from fully connecting with the romance. I’m glad I finally read it, but it lands firmly in the “it was okay” category for me.
If you enjoy best friends becoming lovers, forced proximity, caretaking, and a hero with plenty of emotional baggage, you may have a better time with Avery and Declan’s story than I did.
Happy reading!
- Would I recommend this book: Yes.
- Would I re-read this book: Probably not.
- Would I read future books by this author: Always, without hesitation.
e-ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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Meet the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romances ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
Where to Find Helena:
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