TITLE: When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Release Date: September 21st 2021
Format: Audiobook (8 hrs and 32 mins by MacMillan Audio)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Friends to Lovers
Narrators: Jason Clarke, Stella Bloom
Blurb: Running the Spark House, a hotel/event space that has been in her family for years, has been Avery Spark’s lifelong dream. After years of working hard and making personal sacrifices, Avery and her two younger sisters have turned the Spark House into the premier destination in Colorado Springs. Avery is living her best life—she works with her sisters and loves every minute of it, she has a great group of friends, and she lives in a fantastic condo with her best friend Declan. She might not have any love in her life, but she’s happy.
But everything comes to a screeching halt when Avery is in a car accident, leaving her immobile for weeks. After nearly losing Avery, Declan insists that he will be the one to take care of her while she recovers. However, as Declan becomes Avery’s caretaker, lines begin to blur.
Avery and Declan have been best friends since college and always had an attraction to one another, but when she ended up dating his best friend, Sam, they successfully stamped down any feelings they may have ever had for one another. Now, as Declan and Avery spend more time together, they each begin to wonder what would’ve happened if she’d dated him instead of Sam. What starts as a friend helping out another friend turns into foreplay and, before they realize it, they recognize how deeply they care for one another. But when things get serious their past threatens to destroy everything they have built.
I didn’t think I’d love this audiobook as much as I did because the plot wasn’t anything novel. But narrators hit this one out of the park. Stella Bloom was able to capture Avery’s essence as an independent yet caring businesswoman and sister. Jason Clarke made me feel like Declan was a good guy with a soft heart. This duo was magic.
The characters Avery and Declan were just fun and likable individually and together. Also, the author told the story in a way that I was in each persons head so it kept me engaged and entertained even though I suspected where the journey was headed.
Avery was a character that was a grown up tomboy. She enjoyed her guy friends and sports as much as she enjoyed her own sisters. She inherited Declan and the guys from her ex fiancée (after the broke up) and they are now clique. Her banter with the guys was entertaining. Declan was a womanizer but as her best friend, he made sure to keep respectful boundaries. But when he failed to keep his word and an accident resulted, Declan decided to show Avery how remorseful he was and how much she means to him. It was a catalyst to re-examine his relationship with Avery.
The author added just enough heat, tenderness and character development to make it one of my favorite reads this year. It had a good number of tropes but the dual narration really put the story telling on another level. It’s a treat to be in both characters heads and hearing their thoughts. The narrators added a special touch to the story. I definitely recommend this audiobook to those who want a feel good rom-com that is well paced and sexy.
*Special Thanks to Netgalley for the audiobook given in exchange for an honest review.
Awesome review Ezi!
Thank you my friend ❤️
Thank you P