Scan barcode
haleyandherbooks's review
3.0
If you love the instant-love trope, have a got the book recommendation for you! With a name like “The Spark” I should have known going into this that there would be some element of instant love, but Sam and Jess fall hard and fast. Like immediately.
After meeting at Jess’ family BBQ, they can’t stop thinking about each other. The only problem is – Sam has a girlfriend. Yikes! While they don’t *technically* do anything wrong, they still manage to be just on the border of making an inappropriate move towards each other. When Sam decides that he cannot be with his girlfriend any longer because he’s just so in love Jess, Victoria becomes a messy, dramatic problem. This book is full of swoony romance, beautiful people (aren’t they always?), and drama – both from Victoria and from Jess’ family history.
Sam and Jess are both likeable characters. It’s fun to watch their attraction and relationship grow. There are plenty of swoon-worthy moments between the two of them, but for me, they weren’t the main event of this story. I was heavily invested in finding out about Jess’ family history. Her dad abandoned her when she was little and her mother always made it seem as though he had no interest in being a part of her life. But when Jess goes to find her dad, nothing is as it seems. I wish there had been even more of this story line to grab on to.
And let’s not forget about Victoria – the psycho ex. I mean honestly, I kind of get where she’s coming from. The love of her life dumps her for a girl he fell instantly head over heels with and she’s left to figure out how to proceed. She’s already so heavily engrained in his family’s lives, so it makes sense that it’s not an easy split. I definitely don’t condone her actions, and she seemingly gets worse as the story progresses. None of the things she does are okay, but I do understand feeling hurt and broken.
Overall, this was a fun and quick read - perfect for picking up as a beach read!
After meeting at Jess’ family BBQ, they can’t stop thinking about each other. The only problem is – Sam has a girlfriend. Yikes! While they don’t *technically* do anything wrong, they still manage to be just on the border of making an inappropriate move towards each other. When Sam decides that he cannot be with his girlfriend any longer because he’s just so in love Jess, Victoria becomes a messy, dramatic problem. This book is full of swoony romance, beautiful people (aren’t they always?), and drama – both from Victoria and from Jess’ family history.
Sam and Jess are both likeable characters. It’s fun to watch their attraction and relationship grow. There are plenty of swoon-worthy moments between the two of them, but for me, they weren’t the main event of this story. I was heavily invested in finding out about Jess’ family history. Her dad abandoned her when she was little and her mother always made it seem as though he had no interest in being a part of her life. But when Jess goes to find her dad, nothing is as it seems. I wish there had been even more of this story line to grab on to.
And let’s not forget about Victoria – the psycho ex. I mean honestly, I kind of get where she’s coming from. The love of her life dumps her for a girl he fell instantly head over heels with and she’s left to figure out how to proceed. She’s already so heavily engrained in his family’s lives, so it makes sense that it’s not an easy split. I definitely don’t condone her actions, and she seemingly gets worse as the story progresses. None of the things she does are okay, but I do understand feeling hurt and broken.
Overall, this was a fun and quick read - perfect for picking up as a beach read!
scarlettacres's review
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.
thetbrhoarder's review
4.0
I absolutely loved this!!
As taboo as the subject of falling in love with someone else while you’re in a long term relationship is - Jules managed to write a heartwarming and loving novel which explores not only true love but also knowing your own worth and doing what you have to to preserve your heart.
Such a lovely story and one I’ll be recommending to a lot of people. Definitely a book for fans of Sophie Kinsella and also for fans of Flat Share and The Switch
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for sending me this book for review!
As taboo as the subject of falling in love with someone else while you’re in a long term relationship is - Jules managed to write a heartwarming and loving novel which explores not only true love but also knowing your own worth and doing what you have to to preserve your heart.
Such a lovely story and one I’ll be recommending to a lot of people. Definitely a book for fans of Sophie Kinsella and also for fans of Flat Share and The Switch
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for sending me this book for review!
erinmhenderson's review
2.0
I...have a lot of feelings.
First off, the book is decently written - but its the storyline I have a major problem with. It's pretty common for Romance Novels to be populated with beautiful people, but the constant mention of Jess's beauty, Sam's Beauty and how thin and perfect (gag) Jess is was irritating.
Second, this plot is messy, dramatic and a whole big pile of grey area. Sam and Jess meet at a BBQ and fall instantly (and I mean instantly) in love. Except, Sam has a girlfriend. Which, I mean - he's upfront about right away but they're still texting each other and connecting over social media. Nothing inappropriate but it's definitely toeing the line and doesn't sit well with me. Especially since I'm supposed to be rooting for them, it's just a sketchy lead up.
Sam dumps his beautiful Instagram influencer girlfriend of 4 years because he's magically fallen in love at first sight with Jess. Cue more mess. A rightfully heartbroken ex who's now painted as the villain and crazy. She shows up at their dates, she vandalizes the protagonists car, she follows her home etc.
I hated all of it. I really truly felt for Victoria (the ex) and hated the "we're just two innocent people in love, how dare she ruin this for us" nonsense from Sam and Jess.
All in all it made me feel icky, and I couldn't get into the storyline at all. Which is too bad because Jess has some interesting family backstory that was promising but ultimately overshadowed by all the annoying and petty drama.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
First off, the book is decently written - but its the storyline I have a major problem with. It's pretty common for Romance Novels to be populated with beautiful people, but the constant mention of Jess's beauty, Sam's Beauty and how thin and perfect (gag) Jess is was irritating.
Second, this plot is messy, dramatic and a whole big pile of grey area. Sam and Jess meet at a BBQ and fall instantly (and I mean instantly) in love. Except, Sam has a girlfriend. Which, I mean - he's upfront about right away but they're still texting each other and connecting over social media. Nothing inappropriate but it's definitely toeing the line and doesn't sit well with me. Especially since I'm supposed to be rooting for them, it's just a sketchy lead up.
Sam dumps his beautiful Instagram influencer girlfriend of 4 years because he's magically fallen in love at first sight with Jess. Cue more mess. A rightfully heartbroken ex who's now painted as the villain and crazy. She shows up at their dates, she vandalizes the protagonists car, she follows her home etc.
I hated all of it. I really truly felt for Victoria (the ex) and hated the "we're just two innocent people in love, how dare she ruin this for us" nonsense from Sam and Jess.
All in all it made me feel icky, and I couldn't get into the storyline at all. Which is too bad because Jess has some interesting family backstory that was promising but ultimately overshadowed by all the annoying and petty drama.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
mitchell963's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kerry123's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
cherryhayburn's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Child abuse and Suicidal thoughts
the_scribe_owl's review
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
DNF at 16%
I wish I could happily continue on reading this, but I physically can't bring myself to. I was staring at it unable to read and then skimmed until the end of the chapter. I just can't read it. Jess is whiny, Sam is annoying, and I just can't bear reading it. I hope someone ends up loving this book, but I just can't make myself read it.
DNF at 16%
I wish I could happily continue on reading this, but I physically can't bring myself to. I was staring at it unable to read and then skimmed until the end of the chapter. I just can't read it. Jess is whiny, Sam is annoying, and I just can't bear reading it. I hope someone ends up loving this book, but I just can't make myself read it.
rhiannonlawrence's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
taraddonai's review
5.0
Love is hard! Jess hoes to her Aunt’s BBQ and meets Sam, who catches her attention and then some. Sam is attached and they go their separate ways - only to chance meet each other a few months later. They go through the trials and tribulations of new love only to realize he’s (she’s) the one