book recs, author services, general badassery
  • Blog
    • Free Romance Reads
    • Our Thoughts
    • 1-Click Wonders
    • Author on Authors
    • Chattin' with Authors
    • So You're New To...
  • Book Recs
  • Reviews
    • 5-Star Reads
    • Contemporary Romance
    • Historical Romance
    • New Adult Romance
    • Paranormal Romance
    • Romantic Comedy
    • Romantic Erotica
    • Romantic Suspense
    • Teen Young Adult
    • Hall of Shame
  • About
    • Contact
    • Review Policy
    • Guest Post Guidelines
    • Advertising on Romance Rehab
  • For Authors
    • Romance novel blurb help
    • Referral Program
    • Romance Remedy
    • Romance Author Services
    • Online Writer's Resources
    • Proofreading Test >
      • Proofreading Test Answers
  • Blog
    • Free Romance Reads
    • Our Thoughts
    • 1-Click Wonders
    • Author on Authors
    • Chattin' with Authors
    • So You're New To...
  • Book Recs
  • Reviews
    • 5-Star Reads
    • Contemporary Romance
    • Historical Romance
    • New Adult Romance
    • Paranormal Romance
    • Romantic Comedy
    • Romantic Erotica
    • Romantic Suspense
    • Teen Young Adult
    • Hall of Shame
  • About
    • Contact
    • Review Policy
    • Guest Post Guidelines
    • Advertising on Romance Rehab
  • For Authors
    • Romance novel blurb help
    • Referral Program
    • Romance Remedy
    • Romance Author Services
    • Online Writer's Resources
    • Proofreading Test >
      • Proofreading Test Answers
Picture

When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting

9/21/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
New Adult Romance 
Publication date: ​09/21/2021
Kindle Unlimited: No
Cliffhanger: No
Another great, fun read from Helena Hunting. No surprise here, really. Here's the scoop:
Plot overview: Declan and Avery are roommates and good friends. Declan breaks a promise to Avery and Avery ends up injured in a car accident. Feeling very guilty, Declan takes care of her. And, as the title suggests, sparks fly, and they realize they're maybe more than just friends after all. 

Trope bingo: new adult romance, roommates-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, forced proximity

There are a few things you can always count on from Helena Hunting: 

Swoony heroes: Declan fits the bill nicely. Sure, he's a bit of a "playboy" when the story starts, but he never ventures into manwhore territory as far as I'm concerned. He dates, has sex, and enjoys women. He's not an a-hole about it. And when he realizes how much he actually cares for Avery, he's as loyal as a little puppy dog, and every bit as cute. 

Sassy heroines: Avery is smart and doesn't take crap from anyone. Not being able to maintain her independence while she's injured grates against her very soul, but she's wise enough to realize when she needs help, and she doesn't push it away. She also graciously forgives Declan for the asshattery that lands her in the car wreck, understanding that it wasn't really his fault. She didn't hold any irrational grudges, and for that alone, I loved her. She also wasn't ashamed to admit that she was a sexual person who had no trouble asking for exactly what she wanted. I respected the hell out of her for that. 

Great banter: Couples in Helena Hunting books banter like no one else. It's always a ton of fun. 

Sexy times: Yes, they bang. Yes, it's totally hot. :) 

Dual POV: My 5-star keeper reads are almost exclusively dual POV. So many romances these days are 1st person POV that I felt I needed to point out this one as a dual POV read. I love knowing what both main characters are thinking. I hate guess work .

Now, if I was going to complain, I'd say that this book isn't necessarily what I'd call a rom com. To me, these cartoon covers only belong on rom coms, where there are shenanigans and wackiness and lots of laughs. This was more of a straight forward new adult romance. That's not the author's fault, mind you. I blame St. Martin's marketing department for this one. Quit trying to market every romance as a rom com!!! It only ends up pissing readers off. 

So, I give the book 5 stars. I give St. Martin's marketing department only 2 stars. 

Note: I received an ARC from Netgalley and voluntarily left this review. 

Does this book contribute to or help crush the romance stigma?
No rehab needed. This one is clean and sober.     
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Romance Rehab newsletter sign up

    FOLLOW US 
    Reedsy Top Book Reviewer 2019

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017

Picture

BLOG
FREE Romance books
​Book Recommendations

Our Thoughts
1-Click Wonders
5-Star Reads
Authors on Authors
Chattin' with Authors
So You're New To...
What Not to Read
REVIEWS
​
Contemporary Romance
Historical Romance
New Adult Romance
Paranormal Romance
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Erotica
Romantic Suspense
Teen/Young Adult
ABOUT
Contact
Review Policy
Guest Post Guidelines
Advertising on
​Romance Rehab

​
FOR AUTHORS
Online Writer's Resources
Proofreading Test
ROMANCE AUTHOR SERVICES 
Romance novel blurb help
Romance Remedy program

Referral program

Romance author services
  • Book cover critique
  • Animated book covers and social media graphics
  • Beta reading
FREE Romance Rehab newsletter: ​Subscribe here
KnockinBooks LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
​© 2020 KnockinBooks LLC