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oncemorewithreading's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so god damn good and I found it impossible to put down. When I wasn't reading it I couldn't stop thinking about Jess, Sam and what Victoria was going to do in order to ruin their happiness.
Going into this book you know how it's going to end but that doesn't stop you from fully consuming this book and going on this journey with Jess and Sam. I laughed, I felt warm and I also cried.
Jess is an amazing character who I honestly loved and admired. She works in a hidden shelter for women and children who have left home with nothing in order to escape from the abuse they face at home. Not only that but she struggles with her mother, who hasn't been the same since Jess's father left them when she was 8 years old. She feels guilty for how close and at home she feels with her Aunt and Uncle but her mother doesn't make it easy for her. Jess was also a very easy-going and understanding character who was so calm in situations where I would have been pulling my own hair out.
I liked Sam and loved the banter he had with Jess. He was such a great character and I would have loved to have read parts of this story from his perspective. I also respect him for how he dealt with the beginning of the relationship but at times I wanted him to fight harder against Victoria and stand up for Jess more.
I liked the fact that this book wasn't just a romance novel, it dealt with mental health and focused heavily on the people left behind when relationships end and how they cope with it. This book shows you two completely different reactions, from a complete mental breakdown to enacting revenge because you think that person still belongs to you. It was hard watching these characters become unable to move on. I also love that Wake explored the other side of it and how hard it could be for the person who takes their place.
Honestly this was such a brilliant book. It wasn't cheesy (like I thought it might have been) and it wasn't completely focused on the whirlwind relationship Jess and Sam found themselves in. It shows that it isn't always rainbows and butterflies, but there are struggles and bumps in the road that they had to navigate around. I cannot wait to pick up more of her books!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Going into this book you know how it's going to end but that doesn't stop you from fully consuming this book and going on this journey with Jess and Sam. I laughed, I felt warm and I also cried.
Jess is an amazing character who I honestly loved and admired. She works in a hidden shelter for women and children who have left home with nothing in order to escape from the abuse they face at home. Not only that but she struggles with her mother, who hasn't been the same since Jess's father left them when she was 8 years old. She feels guilty for how close and at home she feels with her Aunt and Uncle but her mother doesn't make it easy for her. Jess was also a very easy-going and understanding character who was so calm in situations where I would have been pulling my own hair out.
I liked Sam and loved the banter he had with Jess. He was such a great character and I would have loved to have read parts of this story from his perspective. I also respect him for how he dealt with the beginning of the relationship but at times I wanted him to fight harder against Victoria and stand up for Jess more.
I liked the fact that this book wasn't just a romance novel, it dealt with mental health and focused heavily on the people left behind when relationships end and how they cope with it. This book shows you two completely different reactions, from a complete mental breakdown to enacting revenge because you think that person still belongs to you. It was hard watching these characters become unable to move on. I also love that Wake explored the other side of it and how hard it could be for the person who takes their place.
Honestly this was such a brilliant book. It wasn't cheesy (like I thought it might have been) and it wasn't completely focused on the whirlwind relationship Jess and Sam found themselves in. It shows that it isn't always rainbows and butterflies, but there are struggles and bumps in the road that they had to navigate around. I cannot wait to pick up more of her books!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
scarlettacres1's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very lovely and easy quick read.
The story follows Sam and Jess as they have to overcome problems with ex-girlfriends, friends, family and their jobs. I really enjoyed this book as the relationship was very cute and I loved that both of their jobs really meant something in the world and how they would be helping people.
The only thing I struggled with really was Jess’ Mum and I felt that some of it was predictable but I enjoyed it nonetheless!
Thank you to Netgalley, publishers and the author for allowing me this copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows Sam and Jess as they have to overcome problems with ex-girlfriends, friends, family and their jobs. I really enjoyed this book as the relationship was very cute and I loved that both of their jobs really meant something in the world and how they would be helping people.
The only thing I struggled with really was Jess’ Mum and I felt that some of it was predictable but I enjoyed it nonetheless!
Thank you to Netgalley, publishers and the author for allowing me this copy in exchange for an honest review.
betweenthe_pages's review against another edition
2.0
I have very mixed feelings on this one. It all just moved a little too fast for me? I think the overall story was good, and I liked the focus on how getting both sides of a story is important and sometimes it takes putting yourself in another person's shoes to fully appreciate what they've been through. Jess' work with the women's refuge was also well written and a job I don't think I've ever seen mentioned in a book before. However the romance was just a little too far fetched for me. I know love at first sight is a thing, but they'd known each other for barely 5 weeks and were moving in together & wanting to get married. I'm all for doing what you want, but they didn't even really seem to know each other that well? I don't know it just didn't feel real and I couldn't fully invest myself in the story. I think it's a book with a lot of potential but just not for me I don't think!
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
There’s nothing worse than rejection you’d think...but we’re asked to reconsider that idea in this heartwarming tale of romance.
Whatever your views on love at first sight, we’re asked to consider that possibility in The Spark. Jess has been deeply affected by her parents’ divorce and mother’s subsequent breakdown. It’s shaped her adult life, and has clearly made her a person deeply concerned for others. But at what point do you have to be a little selfish?
When Jess first meets Sam, the son of her aunt’s neighbour, there is an immediate spark between them. Relaxed and comfortable, this is the first meeting that makes you believe in happy-ever-afters. Sam, however, has a girlfriend and these two are good people so they do nothing about their feelings.
One month on, things have changed. Sam and Jess take the tentative steps of starting a relationship, and it is as good as they’d hoped...though the spectre of Sam’s bitter ex causes problems.
What follows is bittersweet. Both Sam and Jess come out of it well. They form olive branches in their past. But they try to do the right thing by others, and it’s not good. Sometimes you want them to be selfish.
Eventually we get the suggestion that things would go as we want.
Thanks to NetGalley for granting me access to this prior to publication.
Whatever your views on love at first sight, we’re asked to consider that possibility in The Spark. Jess has been deeply affected by her parents’ divorce and mother’s subsequent breakdown. It’s shaped her adult life, and has clearly made her a person deeply concerned for others. But at what point do you have to be a little selfish?
When Jess first meets Sam, the son of her aunt’s neighbour, there is an immediate spark between them. Relaxed and comfortable, this is the first meeting that makes you believe in happy-ever-afters. Sam, however, has a girlfriend and these two are good people so they do nothing about their feelings.
One month on, things have changed. Sam and Jess take the tentative steps of starting a relationship, and it is as good as they’d hoped...though the spectre of Sam’s bitter ex causes problems.
What follows is bittersweet. Both Sam and Jess come out of it well. They form olive branches in their past. But they try to do the right thing by others, and it’s not good. Sometimes you want them to be selfish.
Eventually we get the suggestion that things would go as we want.
Thanks to NetGalley for granting me access to this prior to publication.
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
4.0
This was an engaging read. The characters were well constructed and developed , The writing was really good and it flowed so well, my first book by this author and won't be my last. A perfect piece of escapism, but also touching on more serious issues, an entertaining read that really lifted me when I was feeling low. The perfect book to pick up to pick you up
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
bex1408's review against another edition
4.0
A classic rom com that makes you all warm and fuzzy inside!
abiwright's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
_lc_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This is a bit of a heavier romance. Lots of tension and stress. They are together for most of the book so the main storyline is his ex trying to break them up, while our MC is also trying to reconcile being the other woman when her father left her mum for another woman. The whole mum/dad part of it was actually the bits I liked the most.
(Slight spoiler coming up) The whole crazy ex girlfriend thing was a bit tiresome and honestly when she posted the picture of the refuge it just made me furious.
CN for domestic violence, leaving abusive partners, woman’s refuge. The MC works in a DV woman’s refuge so there is a bit of background content about families (including children) fleeing abusive situations.
Single POV, low spice (some fade to black), 18+
(Slight spoiler coming up) The whole crazy ex girlfriend thing was a bit tiresome and honestly when she posted the picture of the refuge it just made me furious.
CN for domestic violence, leaving abusive partners, woman’s refuge. The MC works in a DV woman’s refuge so there is a bit of background content about families (including children) fleeing abusive situations.
Single POV, low spice (some fade to black), 18+
melindakay's review against another edition
4.0
Fun British rom com with a lovely heroine. The ex and the mom were quite frustrating, but I suppose that is good character development! The “spark” between the main characters was well developed and believable.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.