When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting Book Review

“He’s my best friend, he’s been my rock for years, and in recent weeks he’s become my everything.”

(pg. 223)

About

Author: Helen Hunting

Genre: New Adult Romance

Series: Spark House Book 1

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Kiss My Cupcake

Synopsis

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.

Review

Spoilers Contained Below

To the best friends turned lovers,

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I love love love friends to lovers and When Sparks Fly was a friends-to-lovers dream 🥺💗💗!!!!

So so so so cute! And sweet! And endearing! And heart-wrenching! And beautiful!

What a good time!

I love friends to lovers because there’s all that history there and we can build off of that. I know most people like enemies to lovers, or I hear a lot more about people loving enemies to lovers, but gosh, friends to lovers is my favorite trope and I’m a sucker for a friend falling for another friend. Call me a hopeless or hopeful romantic, either way, you can call me a romantic because I read romance books for my lack of a love life 🙈.

Anyway, I really loved When Sparks Fly because it had heart, it had romance, it had my favorite trope, it had sports, it had healing, it had self-awareness, it had dual POV, and it had a freaking epilogue. If I said it once, I can say it again, but it doesn’t feel like the end of a romance book if there is no epilogue these days! Am I wrong? No.

I really liked getting to know Avery and Declan and their friendship. It felt authentic, honest, and super casual, which I loved because it meant they were already comfortable with each other to talk or share awkward moments and conversations. I mean, they could leave underwear around the house and it wouldn’t be weird for them, or they could do laundry and look at each other’s underwear and it wouldn’t bother them. I loved how they had Thor jokes throughout the story because Thor is one of my favorite Marvel superheroes. I could just impinge a Thor Funkopop sitting in their doorway as their bat signal. I also loved how they had a routine and knew each other better than anyone and didn’t judge each other for what they did as roommates.

Just the fact that Avery and Declan were roommate best friends was another level of fun because it was like getting two tropes in one! Also, living with someone is another level of intimacy because you learn their habits and routines kind of like what I talked about above with the laundry and the Thor Funkopop. I liked how they had a good thing going with sharing dinner nights, playing soccer at the rec center together, and cooking for each other. They just gave off really cool and chill friend vibes who obviously (well to us) liked each other more than just friends.

I loved learning about their friendship history because it helped paint a picture to how much closer they were or how much closer they have grown over the years. I liked that Helena Hunting didn’t give us this whole spiel about how they were best friends and they did this, this, this, and this, but she would give snippets of moments that built their friendship and how they became closer. It made me appreciate their friendship more. I learned about how much they have been through together and how much history they shared.

They met in their freshman year of college when she joined her roommates for a freshman tour group scavenger hunt thing and Declan was put in her group. They quickly became friends because they were both wearing jerseys for their favorite soccer team and bonded over their love for that team and sports in general. It would have been fun to have flashback moments or to have maybe a pre-book about their friendship because I would love to read about who they were in college and how they bonded over the years. But I loved how we learned how they became friends at the end of the book rather than in the beginning because it made me appreciate their friendship even more and see it as special and beautiful because it was. You don’t meet a lot of people in life that you instantly click with and who feels like your best friend. Sometimes, luckily, we do, and if we do find those people, we should keep them in our life because they are our friends. I liked how even after college, they remained friends; their friendship was meant to be. Moving in together also meant how close they were and comfortable they were to be around each other even if we all knew deep down they liked each other.

Avery liked Declan because he was an objectively handsome dude, which I could understand—tall dark and handsome is my vibe too—-but she never wanted to ruin their friendship by starting something with him. She also knew how much “baggage” Declan had from his parents, so she knew better than to want to be in a relationship with him because it could mean a lot of things that she would have to navigate through—-not in a bad way, but just an unsure way. I’m going to get into Declan’s family “baggage” after this, but Declan also was known for sleeping around in college and not having serious relationships because of his family. So I could understand even more why I didn’t want to start a relationship with Declan. She started a relationship with Declan’s best friend, Sam, at the time because I guess he was the next best thing. I mean, I don’t blame her, but dating the best friend of the guy you actually like probably screamed complications for miles. It also didn’t help that Sam cheated on her after he graduated and moved away while she stayed and finished college. That sucked. I don’t like cheaters because of personal reasons, so my heart hurt for Avery because she really liked Sam and him going behind her back to be with someone else, betrayed her trust and made it difficult to want another close relationship with someone else for years because she was scared of being vulnerable or being with someone and they would hurt her the same way. How Avery felt was completely understandable because I would probably be hesitant to give my heart over to someone else after being cheated on like that so easily. I don’t think Sam should have cheated on her—I don’t condone cheating in general—-he should have broken up with her when he knew he liked another girl. To heck, if he was scared about hurting Avery’s feelings if they broke up because gosh knows her feelings were going to be hurt either way. Also, cheating on her was waaaaay worse. It also made things wwwwaaayyy worse.

It gave Avery trust and intimacy issues for years. Then it also split Declan and Sam’s friendship because Declan chose Avery’s side and didn’t want to be friends with someone who cheated on her. I don’t blame Declan because he also unconsciously loved her back then but didn’t know it. But I just loved how he chose her and how he kept chasing her because he loved her and wanted to be with her even if he couldn’t or wouldn’t admit it to himself at the time. So they all hated Sam’s guts, which was fine because he cheated on Avery. But when a relationship ends because someone cheated, that relationship can linger with you because the hurt feelings might still be there or you might have not gotten the closure you wanted. I understood how Avery was still processing her hurt because that’s a very valid emotion to feel. I was happy that she had good people like Declan and her sisters who were always there for her.

I loved loved loved Avery’s sisters. What a fun group of gals 🥰! They have a unique bond where they had to look after each other from a young age because their parents passed away in a car accident due to severe weather. It’s why Avery and her sisters kind of fear driving or traveling in bad weather, which is completely understandable because I would be terrified as well. Also, to lose two of the most important people in your life at such a young age made my heart sad for Avery and her sisters. They had to learn to heal and lean on each other because they were all they had—-them and their Grandma. Their Grandma sounded like a star, and I’m happy she was living her retirement up in Italy! Go Grandma!! But I also loved how Avery, London, and Harley all had Spark House to bond over because it was their event center that was run by their Grandma and now them. I also loved how they would talk about everything and anything—-boys, sex, drama, dating, work—- like true sisters would. There was a part where Avery mentioned how she didn’t feel as close to London and Harley as London and Harley were to each other. She went away for college, so she left them behind, which naturally brought London and Harley closer together. I could understand how Avery felt like she didn’t have a close bond because she left for college, but while reading the book, it never felt like they were not close; they were each other’s number one support system and it showed in all the love and care they had for each other. I had siblings go away to college each year so I was the only child at home for a long time, but our relationship changed while they were away, but when they came back, I felt like it became more or less stronger because we missed each other and appreciated each other’s company more. So maybe that was the situation with Avery, London, and Harley because I felt genuine love between them.

Spark House seemed like such a fun and interesting place to be.

I recently read Twice Shy, and Spark House kind of gave me the same vibe as the house in that book, more towards the end though. If you know, you know.

Avery mostlyAvery mostly ran Spark House because she was the oldest—-she had all these responsibilities to create brand and sponsor relationships and to manage calls. It’s not easy to manage a business, but I loved how they had each other to support one another or balance the stress of the events they were planning. I also loved how Declan helped with the finances because it brought him into the mix. He still doesn’t strike me as a finance guy 😂. I mean, I’ve never met a finance guy who looked like Declan, then again, Declan is fictional but real in my heart. Yikes. Anyway . . .

It was obvious that Declan was jealous and being territorial or protective towards Avery when she put on that little black dress for a date. I freaking CACKLED when Declan saw her in that skimpy dress and he told her to go try on other dresses and Jerome and Mark gave him a look like “What’s wrong with you?” We all knew Declan just didn’t want her to look hot, so when she put on the t-shirt dress and he was like, you look good, I was in hysterics. Yea, she looks good enough to not go out and wow anyone because you’re being a jealous little butt 🤪. But then the fact that he went out that night and got shizfaced and slept with a random weirdo because he was jealous and wanted to feel something or release whatever male energy he had pent up, was freaking beyond me.

He really darn did screw up in more ways than one because he for 1) did let Avery down by not driving her to their alma mater to make a sponsorship deal 2) he wasn’t there to keep her company on the drive 3) her tires sucked butt and 4) it was freaking pouring rain and knowing her family history, he should have known that she would have been anxious to drive in the freaking rain by herself. But he let her down because he let his jealousy get the best of him. I don’t see how sleeping with someone else and getting drunk shows someone else you like them????? Idiot. If I was Avery, I would have been peezed off too. It also hurt to see how much she was looking forward to driving with Declan and how she wanted him there with him—he was her best friend and he chose to do something stupid on the one day he needed her.

As someone who is a relatively new driver or who doesn’t drive often, I constantly think about how scary driving is because it’s a huge responsibility. I know there are driver’s out there like that white pickup truck dude who tailed Avery’s car, and I just want to give a little PSA that no amount of going faster or rushing to places is worth hurting yourself or others. It’s not. Take it easy. Take it slow. Calm down. Make responsible and safe decisions because at the end of the day, that’s a life or lives we’re talking about if you decide to rush and weave through traffic or tail someone because you just have to go somewhere super quickly or you are not patient about the situation. It’s not worth speeding through and it’s not worth other people’s health and safety. It’s not. Slow down. It’s not a race. Be safe. I just wanted to say that because I have to tell myself that too whenever I just want to get home from school because I’m tired and hungry, but then I know that no amount of speeding or being a reckless driver, especially in bad weather conditions is worth it. Take it easy. Take it easy on others. Driving is a serious responsibility and you should protect others and yourself as you drive. So I didn’t appreciate this white pickup truck dude tailing her because gosh knows I would have felt every bit as jittery and petrified as Avery in that situation.

I was just waiting for something to happen though, even if I didn’t want it to happen. I don’t know, I just felt like if Helena Hunting was mentioning this dumb driver white pickup truck dude this many times, it had to be for a reason. Did it surprise me that there was a crash? No. Disappointed And broke my heart? Absolutely. Driving is not worth rushing. I was freaking crying when Declan stayed on the line with her and how he ran to his neighbor to call London on the neighbor’s phone so he could still be with Avery. You know, I give him credit for at least being there on the phone when everything happened because at least he ensured she got help and would be okay. But gosh, his anguish and agony really gripped my heart because I could feel how much he felt tortured that he wasn’t there to drive her and that this was his fault and now he was going to lose her. Gosh, when he fell to the ground when he heard the ambulance go to the scene? TEARS 😰.

It’s hard not to blame yourself for something you feel like could have made a difference and you would never really know.

Declan carried the guilt that he wasn’t there for Avery all throughout the book. I understood where he was coming from, naturally, because he felt like he shouldn’t have let his jealousy get the best of him and slept with a random check instead of driving Avery to the school like he promised. He also knew how much she didn’t like driving in the rain and that her tires were bad. But yet he let her go because he wasn’t in any state to drive. In a lot of ways, yes, I do think he was a darn idiot for letting Avery down because he should have been there with her instead of sleeping off his jealousy. But I don’t blame him for the accident because it was the white pickup truck guy’s fault; Declan wasn’t the one tailing Avery all the way to the school. It’s just really difficult not to fault yourself in a difficult and devastating situation like that because there are many what-ifs. But Declan was there for her when it did matter—-he stayed on the phone with her and he wanted to take care of her as a way to make it up to Avery. I don’t think Declan taking care of Avery was his way of making it right with her after he left her hanging, but I genuinely felt like he did want to take care of her because Avery was his friend and he loved her.

London and Harley were less than eager about Declan taking care of Avery. More so London if we’re being honest. I don’t blame her for being protective of Avery and wanting to take care of her instead of it being Declan. I mean, he did let Avery down and in her eyes, he was the villain because this whole situation may or may not have happened if he had been the one to drive her. I really liked how London had these different facets—sweet and caring with her sisters, determined and hard-working with Spark House, protective over the ones she loves, and creative as heck. Her different facets made her more human because we all have different ways we act around people and react to situations. I also liked how Harley was the mediator even if she was the youngest because she balance London’s hardcore protectiveness for Avery and what Avery wanted to do for herself.

I did think it made the most sense for Avery to heal at home with Declan because all her stuff was there I did think it made the most sense for Avery to heal at home with Declan because all her stuff was there and he felt bad enough, so might as well make him do something useful 😂. Also, can we give an applause for how London and Harley stepped up with taking over Spark House after the accident? What true sisterly love if you ask me! I loved that! They knew how much Spark House meant to Avery, but they wanted to be there for Avery as much as they could, so that meant running Spark House while she recovered. I give them so much props because it’s not easy running a business, let alone a whole institution that hosts events. Also, with Sparks House struggling financially, they had to find sponsors and reach out to different people to ensure they had events. That must have been hard to manage between two people who never were on the managing side of things. I think they must have seen how much Avery did and appreciated her job a lot more. But I could also understand how doing all that managing things must have drained London and Harley because they weren’t contributing to Sparks House in the way they wanted—-decor and creativity.

I understood after a while why London and Harley were on edge/tense with Avery because this wasn’t the job they signed up for, yet they were doing it out of love for Avery and giving her time to heal. But it felt like Avery wasn’t helping them out one bit or making things easier when she ruined the Go Green deal with her whole weed brownies spiel about the turtles and paper straws (gosh that was HILARIOUS and I’ll talk more about it later 😂). From London and Harley’s perspective, I could see how it felt like Avery was doing nothing and was ruining the hard work they put in once they took over for Avery; it felt like they were failing all they tried to build in her leave. I liked when London was upfront with Avery and told her straight that she needed to help out more or do something because she was working her butt off trying to make deals and host events, but she wasn’t contributing anything positive. It’s not easy to hear those things, but Avery needed that wake up call to know that her sisters were unhappy because they had to unexpectedly take over Spark House and manage everything when that wasn’t what they wanted to do, but did because they loved her. So that really flipped how Avery began to help them once she was feeling much better and could do more.

But I just really appreciated their honest and open sister relationship to talk to each other and be upfront because it’s not easy to tell people things when they are uncomfortable or unfavorable to hear. I’m also really excited to read London and Harley’s stories in the future because they have interesting personalities that I would love to know more about. For London, it’s the fact that she dates all these random guys who she really doesn’t want to date but stays with them anyway. So there’s something commitment-wise we need to explore with London. I also wonder how her Etsy shop will do—I’m thinking pretty darn successful. For Harley, she seems like a chill and calm soul and I would love a big teddy-bear burly person or someone to add spunk to her calm personality, but still match her energy. I think we can explore more about how her parents passing away early on affected her because maybe not really knowing her parents impacted her more than her sisters. I don’t know, but I really like the Spark sisters 🥰.

Declan taking care of Avery was just what I needed to feel better 😆.

What a good guy.

Like a decent guy who legit took care of her.

Avery wasn’t used to someone taking care of her because she was highly independent (and there’s nothing wrong with being independent). But she never asked for anything from anyone or relied on someone because she always had herself. So when her arm and leg were broken, she had to learn to accept help even if it made her uncomfortable.

“Because this is Avery and she’s always been the kind of person who likes to do things on her own.”

(pg. 101)

I understood how big of an adjustment that was for her to go from never relying on anyone to having someone support her in daily tasks. I really liked how Helena Hunting created an honest portrayal of Avery’s emotions after the accident because it was natural she would feel uncomfortable and like she didn’t like herself because so much had changed with her body and her life. I think of the scene where she goes home for the first time since the accident and she stands in the bathroom and looks at herself in the mirror. When Avery started to break down because she saw the bruises, scars, and pallidness of her skin, I just wanted to hug her. She had nothing to be embarrassed about and she shouldn’t feel so hard on herself after all she had been through. I don’t say this to invalidate her emotions, but to say that she was healing and should give herself grace. But again, I understood that when you look in the mirror and you’re not feeling or looking your best, it can send you down a negative thought spiral of “I’m disgusting,” or “I’m this or that.” Many times it’s because we know what we look like at our best, so to see ourselves at our worst, it’s a slap in the face and the ego. I feel that way whenever I’m not having a good mental health day or I’m hard on myself for eating this or that.

“I scream, completely irrational, out of control mentally, emotionally, because my physical body isn’t mine to command right now.”

(pg. 85)

I wanted to hug Avery when she started to cry because she was going through a lot and her healing would take months more.

I can’t speak for everyone, but sometimes I think that when we want something so badly like to heal or to lose weight or gain weight or to get this job or chase a dream, we want the end result to happen instantaneously. I heard somewhere that as people we are used to getting things with the click of our finger—-instantaneously that waiting for something unsettles us because we aren’t used to it. I know when I was going through a very rough part of my life, I wanted that instantaneous gratification of chasing what I wanted, but it had to take time for me to chase what I wanted even if it wasn’t the healthiest goal. Avery’s healing would take time, but I could feel her wanting that same instantaneous healing so she could get back on her literal feet to take over Sparks House, play soccer, and take care of herself. That’s another thing—her athleticism. As someone who exercises pretty much every day, I could relate to Avery’s anguish about not being able to be active. It’s hard for me too because I like to run (most days) because I realized it has been a great way for me to release pent up energy and it’s also nice to feel like I’m actually going somewhere when I run outside. But I remember I had a swollen foot once and I couldn’t run because it hurt too much to run. I also had my wisdom’s taken out a few years ago, and I couldn’t run for a few weeks because I didn’t want to hurt my healing process. Whenever I had to step-back from running, I felt unsettled because running was something that I enjoyed and that I did to feel good. But then I couldn’t run for some time and then I suddenly felt disgusted and hard on myself because I wasn’t moving or active. It’s hard when you’re an athlete or you like moving around because you have to stay in one place to heal unless you hurt yourself even more, taking even longer to heal. Avery had it rough.

But I think it was a nice change that she had to slow down and enjoy the journey because if she had never had this time, who’s to say when she would have ever slowed down to let someone actually be there for her?

Declan was there for her.

“I’m taking care of my best friend because she needs me.”

(pg. 101)

Get you someone who would massage your feet, cook for you, wash your hair, bath you, take you to the bathroom, and be your release. I WAS SCREAMING!!!!! What a sweetie 🥺!! And what a spicy tease too 😉!

They really said let’s blur this fine line of friendship to lovers because they went in hot.

I loved the fact that he cooked for her. I loved to see it!

I just really loved how well he knew Avery would make her favorite foods because he knew she probably wasn’t feeling too hot and he wanted to make her happy. I also loved when he got her her favorite bacon mac n’ cheese. It just really helped that he knew her so well because he could take care of her in the right way and make her smile when she was going through a rough time.

I also loved how he would put a blanket on her when she was cold 🥺. Or how he set up the whole apartment so it could be more accessible for her.

Personally, I would feel suppppper awkward if someone had to help me go to the bathroom because that’s my business and that’s a business I don’t want others to see 😂. But I loved how natural it was for them to be vulnerable and awkward together because they knew each other for so long that it was okay. Being best friends helped make the situation less awkward because they weren’t thinking about trying to impress each other or put on a perfect front because they already knew how each other worked from living with each other. Helping someone go to the bathroom is a whole other level, but they navigated through it like respectable best friends.

The giving her a shower part was SPICY 😅👏🏼!!!! I didn’t understand how Declan kept his cool the entire time he would help her bath.

That’s called WILL POWER 😂 or something. As someone who obviously loved her as more than a friend, it just surprised me that he didn’t feel some sort of way more often in that situation if you know what I mean. But gosh, even the way he would shampoo her hair. . . . my goodness. Giving someone a shower or bathing someone (if it’s the right person) is highly intimate, and it just gives all the feels. You have to really get up in there to give someone a shower, you know 🙈? But I liked how he wasn’t awkward about helping her because he got to touch her and also help his best friend.

I also enjoyed the sweet moments when he would do menial things to take care of her. I loved that he would give her massages to ease the tension in her back, feet, legs or wherever. Get you someone who will give you a massage without being asked. Gosh knows, I always want a foot massage but never have anyone willing enough to massage my feet after I run or a long day of standing up. *sigh* I loved when Declan painted her nails so she felt pretty even if she had two big casts on her body. I loved how he would blow-dry her hair. Declan’s story about his Grandma who taught him how to blow-dry and braid hair was super cute. I loved having a positive peek into Declan’s past because his Grandma was his safe place and haven away from his shiz parents.

I guess we can talk about the parents now 😅. They were complete shiz. Trash, if you will.

I’ve probably said this multiple times, but in books, it’s mostly the parents that instill traumatic experiences for kids that they have to grow up with and navigate later on.🙃. Hooray.

Tell me I’m wrong.

Declan’s parents always fought/argued growing up, so Declan never knew a healthy relationship. It also didn’t help that his dad slept with his secretary and was a big old cheat. And then to make matters better (read worst), the mom slept with the dad’s best friend as a way to get back at him. Like that helps 😆. Ooops, not sorry I went there. But then they had to drag Declan in the middle of everything and it made him resent his parents because he didn’t want to be in the middle of their petty choices and fights when he was his own person. But even now, they still put him in the middle, which is unfair to him because he doesn’t need their baggage negatively affecting him.

One of the things that rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning of the book was how everyone said Declan had a lot of baggage. Even Declan would speak poorly of himself, thinking that he never knew a healthy relationship growing up, so he didn’t think he would be a good partner. Honestly, he needed to give himself more credit because he wasn’t his parents and he was already a good friend, so I think he would make a great partner. I just think he was scared that he was going to end up like his father and cheat one day, but cheating isn’t inherited, it’s a choice. I grew up in a similar situation and I don’t think that I will be a cheater because I know firsthand how much it hurts to hurt your loved ones from cheating. But I could understand Declan’s fear because he didn’t know what healthy love looked like. I didn’t either. But I think just because our parents may not have been the prime role models of love, doesn’t mean we should discredit ourselves for not knowing what love is. We know love from what we see in books, movies, shows, small acts or big acts we see on the streets or everyday, and our relationships with others who we love. Love is all around us if we can see it, and Declan had so many people who loved him and who he loved with honor and integrity that I think his parents’ experience blindsided him to the fact that love isn’t just romantic. He could still love and not know what it is.

Suffice to say, I just want people to know that not having a healthy model for love doesn’t mean you are incapable of having a healthy relationship with someone you love.

It absolutely does not.

And you are not your parents. You are not your parents ‘ choices or mistakes. You can be better and choose to do better. That’s the beauty of growing up and having autonomy over what we do.

But back to his relationship to Avery.

Bro, really should have knocked on her door or something when she was masturbating 😂.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand he was concerned that she fell down or something in her room. He was sure wrong! I freaking cackled because before she went to her room to have some personal smexy time, Declan was doing some push ups or something fit in the living room in his sweaty body and his gray sweatpants. Wild Til’ 9 fans know exactly what I’m talking about 😆. If I were Avery and I saw that, I sure would have felt some sort of way too. Duh.

But also, I loved the sex positivity in this book. Helena Hunting did not shy away from talking about a woman masturbating, which isn’t something most people would be comfortable talking about. For a long time, society has looked down on women, especially, who maturate because somehow it’s taboo or wrong for a woman to want pleasure. But I liked that we saw a normal woman who wanted pleasure and wasn’t afraid to talk about it or do what she needed to do to feel what she needed to feel. Women have needs just like everyone else and we shouldn’t make women feel wrong or awkward about it. It’s natural. So I really appreciated reading about Avery and how she was comfortable with her body and her needs because sometimes as women we shy away from that because of the stigma.

But I also appreciated how Declan didn’t make Avery feel weird for masturbating either.

I kind of felt we were tip-toeing in the realm that he would help her feel pleasure. I mean, they were both getting comfortable and a bit sensual and intimate around each other, it was about freaking time they crossed this friendship line.

I say, let’s not go back!

But when he actually said he would help her . . . . I SCREAMED!!!

What a best friend 😆!!!!! He really said I will take care and tend to every need. I love to hear it.

They really got the spicy spicy on. They sure weren’t friends anymore, if you asked me. I mean, a friend probably wouldn’t or shouldn’t go that far if they just want to remain friends, but I don’t judge! But they loved and trusted each other so it wasn’t even a question that they would have some spicy spicy time indeed. And it wasn’t surprising that they both enjoyed it because they LOVED each other and just never admitted their true emotions so far. I loved when they did admit they loved each other as more than friends because it had been a long time coming. And honestly, they made such a cute couple because of how natural and comfortable they were with each other. It just made the most sense!

“I want you. I want to be with you. . . I think I can be good to you. I want to be good for you.”

(pg. 223)

Avery and Declan had to tell their other friends about the change in dynamic because it would be weird if Avery and Declan were all touchy-feely or romantic around their other friends and they wondered what was going on. Jerome and Mark seemed honest to good friends. I loved how they hyped Avery up in the beginning when she wanted to wear that stunning black dress and Declan wanted Avery to wear the equivalent of a sack. I freaking cackled when Avery put on a shirtdress and Mark was like, “You look like an elementary school teacher” 😂. Not me feeling attacked. It’s true though! I also liked hearing about an adult friendship group that had set days they hung out because it’s nice to hear how they made time for each other amidst their busy schedule. I loved how they also treated Avery like one of the guys because they bonded over their love of food and sports. They worked so well together and had amazing chemistry. So it was natural that the whole friends group worried about the friendship dynamic changing once Avery and Declan dated. They could break up and that could make things awkward in the friend group. Or if they stayed together, it could make Jerome and Mark feel uncomfortable like the third and fourth wheel. But I think they had an honest friendship going and could work through the changes. 

I freaking cackled at the weed brownies. To be honest, what the heck was a bunch of weed brownies doing in her cabinet anyways 😆?!?!? I mean, Jerome and Mark said something about how they brought the brownies to their apartment, but what were they thinking just leaving it there without at least a gosh freaking note on top that said contains weed. I mean, that would have helped! I felt bad for Avery because she just got off of meds and she was starting to feel better and move around more and now she was stoned? high? off her head and was spitting nonsense. It was funny to read her spiel, but also probably not healthy for her to say thins inebriated when she was in a precarious state.

“I’m about to reclaim my self-sufficiency, I’m also on the brink of losing something.”

(pg. 226)

As mentioned a bit previously, Avery was slowly but surely healing, and with that came the fear that she would rely on Declan less and it would change this romantic bubble they had been in. Because she could do more, it meant they both could go back to their respective jobs. It also meant they would spend less time together because they weren’t seeing each other for hours on end. They formed a stronger relationship in their little bubble because he took care of her and they had the space to navigate emotions they probably felt since they met each other but never fully acted on it. But being back into the real-world scared Avery because she liked this good thing they had going, which I could completely understand. It’s like when you go on vacation and you have no worries and you just live it up. But when you go back home, all the responsibilities come rushing back—-doing laundry, cleaning up, having to cook, going back to work. It’s like a slap of reality that sometimes we don’t want to wake up to but have to because that’s life. I wondered how their relationship would also go now that they were back to a more normal routine.

I also understood how Avery had gotten so used to being dependent on others.

“I feel like even though I’m getting my body back, I’m more dependent than ever.”

(pg. 226)

There’s still nothing wrong with asking or accepting help. I think it was just awkward for her to still feel like she wanted help because she went so long without it. But I believe it was nice that she knew she had others who would help her and that she should accept that help while balancing her independence.

You know that point in a book where all seems nice and dandy? Everything super good and happy? Yea, I worry when I read that everything’s going good 😂. Because that means, everything is going to fall apart soon!

It always happens, I tell you.

When Sam emailed her, I’m not going to lie but I was like, “What does this loser want?” 😂

Sorry not sorry.

He didn’t just get to come back and email Avery after all these years like he didn’t cheat on her and trampled on her precious heart! No sir.

Sam owned a lodging area and he wanted to partner with Spark House for winter events. This would create a huge partnership and revenue for Spark House, so Avery wanted to see if the partnership could work. Also, after losing the Go Green account, she felt like she out it to London and Harley to find other revenues of income. I didn’t think there was anything wrong with Avery going to the cabins to visit Sam because she wanted to make a business deal. Sam was also married and had a kid, so it’s not like he was going to cheat on his wife (gosh, I would hope not) and play something on Avery. It seemed purely business. I’ll admit, I wasn’t too keen on Sam because he did hurt Avery badly. I think Avery could have told Declan that she was going to go visit Sam because he wanted to strike a business deal, and that way Declan at least knew what was going on. Maybe he could have gone with her as support or he would have talked her down from it or whatever—-the whole situation was a point of contention. But the fact that she didn’t tell him about it made the situation look worse than it actually was. On the other hand, I didn’t think there was anything wrong with her not telling Declan because it really wasn’t a big deal and she was just scoping out the place. If she filled Declan in about the situation later, then that was okay. Now keeping the whole exchange a secret, would be wrong. But she wasn’t doing anything salacious.

I honestly respected the maturity Sam and Avery had to talk about how they were both young and how Sam made a huge mistake that he regretted. You know what? He did wrong, but I appreciated that he knew he did wrong and was willing to own up to it and apologize again even if sorry really does nothing. It was the thought that counted because it meant she grew up enough to recognize his wrongs, and I think that counts for something. I also liked how Avery also got closure with Sam because he apologized and better explained himself. She could also see how she was in a much better place than the person whose heart was broken by him. We loved that for her. Sometimes people are not right for us in one part of our life and we have to separate from them, but I find that sometimes when we come back or see that person again, they grow up enough to realize that what happened was wrong but they could move on knowing that maybe it was for the best. I liked that she could move on and fully give her heart to Declan because she was no longer harboring hurt from when she loved Sam.

But dang.

Declan really had to have a shizzy day that day out of all freaking days 🙈!

No, when his mom called, I was like, this is not going to go well!!!!!!

Honestly, the mom and dad needed to get a life and stop dragging Declan into their mess because it’s not like he wanted to hear how his dad was an unfaithful twit AGAIN. And then his dad wanted to talk to him too to probably tell him to not talk to the mom. I could already feel him thought spiraling because his mom and dad had to go out and trigger all his insecurities that he would never amount to a good partner. I really really really wanted to screech in Declan’s ear that he was putting so much pressure on himself in saying he wouldn’t know how to love Avery because his parents never knew how to love each other. Again, he should give himself more credit—–he wasn’t his parents.

But gosh darn, when Avery came home and went to shower and he saw the text from Sam pop up on her phone . . . !!!! YIKES!!!!

He did a complete 180. He dived into that thought spiral! He jumped into that well of conclusions!

He was just asking for a fight because he had an off day and his insecurities came to haunt him at the worst moment possible.

I had to agree with Avery that I didn’t like the version of Declan that was yelling at her and jumping to all these assumptions without letting her explain what the situation was. He really went from she went to go see Sam in some cabin place all day and that she probably slept with him and now was washing off the traces of their sex. He also spiraled hard into thinking that she was cheating on him just like his dad cheated on his mom, and that she chose Sam over him. I mean, BRO CALM DOWN!

It’s not as bad as it looks.

But you know, the mind is a powerful thing, and when we are in a dark place, especially a traumatic place, I can understand how we believe what we want to believe and it’s hard not to. I get it. He was projecting his hurt and fears on Avery.

But realistically, why the FREAK would she cheat on Declan with the guy who cheated on her and broke her heart? I mean, yea, she might have loved Sam and chose him before, but she didn’t love him anymore. I could understand why he felt like Avery always chose Sam because he emailed and she ran to him. But it wasn’t romantic or anything, it was just a business deal, so I didn’t think she did anything wrong. Declan was just not in the best headspace to be talking to her that day and his whole mother and dad thing and his ex-best friend and the woman he loved possibly (not really) cheating on him, probably didn’t help.

I agreed with Avery that if he didn’t trust her and that things with Sam were just business, they couldn’t be together because he would always wonder if she was cheating and would get mad at her just like he was doing right then. Honestly, good for her for knowing that he wasn’t going to see reason and that she needed to get out of that situation to let Declan cool down.

The AUDACITY he had to pack her suitcases once she left the apartment was beyond me. But then when he said he packed her suitcases to make it easier for her, it wasn’t a terrible thing to do. It still sucked how they went from friends to lovers to nothing to each other at all. It also really disgusted me how he had all these random chicks all over him. He uses sleeping around as a defense or coping mechanism because it’s easier than being in a real relationship because that way he can’t cheat or hurt anyone if things are already casual.

As much as Declan popped off on her that day, I respected and admired Avery when she also stood up to him. He was drowning in drinks and ladies, but Avery wasn’t going to let that stop her from living her life and trying to see this situation through. I liked how she recognized his feelings but also said her part—-the part he never let her explain when he was making all these assumptions about Sam and her. But I liked when she said:

“The hardest part, Declan, is knowing how capable you are of being loyal and faithful, but you seem to need to prove the opposite to yourself to keep you safe from being hurt. You self-sabotage. I’ve watched you do it countless times, and you’re doing it again.”

(pg. 270)

As friends and lovers, she knew him better than anyone.

And I think it had hit like a boomerang to the chest to hear how Avery believed that he was capable of love but he was so used to telling himself he wasn’t, that it hurt himself and those he really did love. Again, the mind is a powerful thing and we believe what we want to believe. Almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Declan was a good guy who carried around a lot of hurt, but that didn’t define him.

“I leave him standing there, so many things left unsaid, and wonder if I’m destined for a life full of unfinished relationships and love that can’t ever be fully realized.”

(pg. 271)

Dang 💔.

She loved him. But she can’t love him enough to heal what’s already been hurt.

The in between period of them not talking, made my heart hurt because they cared about each other, but weren’t in healthy places to see each other.

Avery lived with her sisters who made room for her at home. I loved the sister talk that Avery had with London when London said how Declan’s perspective wasn’t entirely wrong because London would feel the same way—-that if someone she loved saw their ex, she would feel hurt. I loved how she talked Avery into getting her other half of her soul back because London wasn’t Declan’s biggest fan, but he made Avery happy and that mattered more.

I thought it was cute how they would ask Jerome or Mark how the other was doing because they still cared. Avery and Declan’s break-up did change their dynamic, but I liked how the bros still wanted to be friends with her.

I loved loved loved hearing how Declan was in therapy.

There’s nothing wrong with asking for help or accepting it when we need it. In Declan’s case, therapy felt like the right thing to do because he had all this past hurt that he needed to work through and understand. What I loved about Declan going to therapy was that he wanted to be a better man for Avery because he did love her. He just didn’t know how to love her when he needed to work on himself. There’s beauty and growth in recognizing that we carry hurt but we don’t always have to do it alone.

“It was never just about Sam; it was everything, all his fears rolled together and laid out before him.”

(pg. 275)

One of the things I really wanted more of in the book was to read Declan’s perspective after he popped off on Avery because I wanted to know if he regretted what he said or how he felt. I also wondered what he was doing before he went to therapy. What drove him to go to therapy after a while? It would have also been nice to read what he was doing in therapy to help him be a better man and work through his past hurt. I was really waiting for Declan’s POV chapter to come up, but it never did. I’m not going to lie, I was a bit disappointed because I would have liked to see more of Declan’s perspective in this situation. But I get it, the book was more about Avery’s journey; it’s just more could have been said about Declan’s journey as well.

What I appreciated a lot about the end was how Declan recognized the way he spoke to Avery wasn’t the nicest and he apologized for it, but I also liked how he didn’t want to jump back into anything with her because he didn’t want to hurt her or himself. He was in a precarious position. But what I loved loved loved was how they wanted to rebuild their friendship more than anything. That was just perfect 👌🏼! They started as best friends who fell in love with each other and who fell apart, but what mattered most to them was being friends 💗. That’s so precious.

“I end the call with a smile and a beautiful seed of hope that if nothing else, we’ll be able to save our friendship.”

(pg. 282)

I liked how they would continue the crossword puzzles with each other as their way of communicating but not really. I laughed that he had a blow up doll that he called Avery and kept in his apartment because he missed her. Kind of creepy at the same time, but I guess whatever. I also respected Declan’s boundaries in not being able to see her face-to-face right away because he needed to work on himself and wasn’t ready to see her. I don’t know why it made me tear up so much to read how they would meet up on opposite sides of a place when they did their outings. It just felt like their friendship was so delicate, but sweet because they loved each other and knew how much the other was trying but they wanted to find their way back to each other even if it meant not really seeing each other yet.

“My heart clenches, but I understand that he needs to work through this, and I’m willing to wait, because I think we’re worth it.”

(pg. 290)

I loved loved loved that 💗.

It must have been hard for Avery to distance herself from Declan because she knew she had to give him space, but she also wanted to be there for him. At the same time, she knew she also couldn’t just be friends with him, not when she loved him as more than a friend.

“The hardest part of being in love with him is that I don’t know how not to be that anymore.”

(pg. 291)

What they have been through together, changed their relationship forever.

“But everything is new and different and our history has changed our story.”

(pg. 292)

In the best way of course. It felt like they were meeting on different sides of a bridge, not really wanting to cross the other side because they weren’t ready to see what was on the other side. But I really enjoyed how they built their relationship through long conversations and movie dates online. They were mending in all the ways that mattered—-strengthening their friendship.

I loved loved loved the ode to the freshman scavenger hunt where they became best friends. I liked how I loved loved loved the ode to the freshman scavenger hunt where they became best friends. I liked how the scavenger hunt ended at the restaurant where Avery agreed to move in with Declan. I also loved how he had a book of their friendship 🥺💗.

You can’t say that Avery and Declan didn’t have an extraordinary and beautiful friendship 💗.

I love a sentimental moment. I also loved how Declan was finally opening up about his feelings of always loving her but never knowing how. It highlighted how far he had come in working through his past hurt to be honest with himself and her. I loved how mature they were about talking through their problems and working on what they needed to to be better people because that showed true growth and self-recognition. I liked how above all, they really focused on how much their friendship mattered and how they could be more than friends with another try.

“For so long, we were magnets repelling. Facing the wrong way and orbiting each other, missing the connection until the world finally aligned and brought us together, only to tear us apart again.

But this time we’re both whole and ready.

This time there’s nothing holding us back, not our pasts or our fears.”

(pg. 305-6)

Exactly.

I think the accident forced them to spend more time together and admit that there was something more there than they ever wanted to admit. After that line had been crossed, they couldn’t be just friends but they also needed to work on themselves to be together. Once they did, they could be who each other needed because they already had that strong friendship foundation.

I knew in the epilogue he would propose 😆!!!!!!! I mean, how could he not!!!

It wouldn’t be a proper epilogue if Declan didn’t propose!

I loved loved loved how he created an obstacle course with London and Harley’s help and how when Avery got to the crossword, it spelled out “Will You Marry Me?” and his pieces said, “Please Say Yes” 🥺. I just had a feeling that he was going to propose to her in crosswords because it was their thing 🥺💗!!!! I love!

I also loved how we could see how Declan was still genuinely working on himself and their relationship. It takes a lot to admit that you need help, and it’s another thing to put in the work to actually want to heal. Good for Declan for working on himself and for trying to forgive himself after Avery’s accident because that was another thing he battled. A big part of his healing was also telling himself that he wasn’t his parents. Thank goodness for therapy 😂👏🏼 because that’s what I’ve been saying all along!!! But I’m glad he finally knows that and that he’s trying to remember he’s not his parents. It’s hard because sometimes we might be doing good and then one day, our mental health is all over the place because something or someone triggers it. It’s difficult to remember all we had to unlearn and unhealthy thoughts creep back in, but with Avery and his friends by his side, I think Declan is already becoming a better man.

*Cue Taylor Swift’s Better Men*

“Why it was so easy to call him my best friend.”

(pg. 300)

Or

“She’s my best friend and the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

(pg. 308)

I guess when they say marry your best friend, they really mean it.

I mean, is there any other better way than that? 😉

Overall, the book was such a fun journey of healing and love. I loved the tropes and the growth. I also liked the maturity of the resolution, albeit I would have liked more said on Declan’s perspective and how he was working on himself. I also would have liked to have seen Declan and Avery go on their first date because I bet that would have been a fun time. I also would have loved to see them more after they got back together and how they eased into their new relationship. I’m assuming she moved back in with him.

I also wondered about her driving PTSD and if she ever became more comfortable driving by herself or in the rain. I would have also liked to read more about London and Harley, which I figure we’re going to get in future books. Maybe in future books, we’ll get to see the Grandmas and see them fix the fountain at Spark House.

Anyway, what was your favorite part of the book? Least favorite part? What did you think of the book? 

What is your favorite trope? Enemies to lovers, fake dating, friends to lovers, etc?

Let me know below in the comments as I love hearing from you all 💕

I hope you have a beautiful day whenever and wherever you might be reading this 😊.

And as always, with love,

Rating

4.98 Full Bloom Flowers

Characters: I loved Avery and Declan and their friendship. They both had strong personalities and complemented each other well 💗. I also love love love the Spark sisters

Plot: Friends-to-lovers with taking care of the main character and living in the same apartment? What more could I ask for!?

Writing: This is my second Helena Hunting book, and I really enjoyed it! The writing was spicier and gripping. The also liked the dual POVs because it was fun to see how Declan and Avery felt about each other.

Romance: Cute, cute, cute, spicy, spicy, spicy