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aworldtrapped's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
lynguy1's review
4.0
Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting is the second book in the Spark House contemporary romance series. This one combines romance and humor in an engaging and fun story. London Spark has just broken up with her latest boyfriend and is out celebrating her single status with her sisters Avery and Harley. When an attractive man pays for their food and drink and slips her his number, she turns him down. A few months later, a multi-million-dollar company calls and asks for a meeting to learn more about Spark House, the event hotel owned and managed by the three sisters, and see if it would be a good addition to their network. During the meeting, the company’s CEO, Jackson Holt, walks in soon after London starts her presentation. She eventually realizes that he is the man she had rejected at the bar a few months ago.
London and Jackson are both well-developed characters with a lot of depth. Both also have flaws which make them seem even more realistic. The secondary characters have varying degrees of depth that is applicable for their roles in this story line.
The author provides a look at a love that blooms slowly between the two main characters. The prose is well-written, touching at times, and humorous at other times. There is a lot of focus on family, friendship, hard work, and communication with a few romantic scenes in the last third of the novel. While there is an immediate attraction, they maintain a more professional relationship until after an event where Jackson takes an active role rather than members of his team. This is a romance that takes time to develop and flourish. There are several other serious themes that play a role in this story as well. These include grief, work/life balance, lack of transparency, dreams, goals, loss of a relationship, and listening to others.
Overall, this was an entertaining, appealing, and delightful novel with some humor. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
St. Martin’s Press – St. Martin’s Griffin and Helena Hunting provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for May 10, 2022.
London and Jackson are both well-developed characters with a lot of depth. Both also have flaws which make them seem even more realistic. The secondary characters have varying degrees of depth that is applicable for their roles in this story line.
The author provides a look at a love that blooms slowly between the two main characters. The prose is well-written, touching at times, and humorous at other times. There is a lot of focus on family, friendship, hard work, and communication with a few romantic scenes in the last third of the novel. While there is an immediate attraction, they maintain a more professional relationship until after an event where Jackson takes an active role rather than members of his team. This is a romance that takes time to develop and flourish. There are several other serious themes that play a role in this story as well. These include grief, work/life balance, lack of transparency, dreams, goals, loss of a relationship, and listening to others.
Overall, this was an entertaining, appealing, and delightful novel with some humor. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
St. Martin’s Press – St. Martin’s Griffin and Helena Hunting provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for May 10, 2022.
marieintheraw's review
4.0
London was a fun main character to follow. This is both a sisterly story, but also a hard-core romance. The romantic interest is absolutely compatible with London and it was enjoyable seeing their story playout.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
tlrps's review
adventurous
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
3.5
kaydanielsromance's review against another edition
5.0
This is a sweetly romantic tale with a slow build.
London Spark is my new favorite Spark sister, although the little sister, Harlow, may be running a close second. Harlow's story seems like it could be fun, but back to London, she's quirky and full of energy, has a mind set for business and is dedicated to her family. Her passion and dedication knows no bounds, except maybe when it comes to dating. When an attractive man approaches her in a bar, literally days after her last failed relationship, she lets him down easy, or what she thought was easy, by not accepting his phone number and saying thanks, but no thanks. She never thought she'd see him again, especially when she's presenting to a new media company and he's the billionaire that runs it.
Jackson Holt is the head of Holt Media. He's also the guy who was turned down by London a few months ago. Granted he looked like a homeless man at the time, but he had a very good reason for his glam-down look. He'd just been camping and had a full beard and was not in a suit, but seeing her again still had the same effect on him that he'd had back then which had pretty much knocked him off his feet. This time around is different though as they enter a working relationship and he can't jeopardize her chance by dating him.
While these two work together, there can be no hanky panky, but the chemistry is still sizzling. Once their contract is done, the gloves come off, metaphorically speaking...however, is Jackson keeping secrets that could ruin the relationship they've been building?
This book is fun, low on drama, but also a slow build for heat. A perfect contemporary romance that fits in between lots of angsty reads. I loved it. (P.S. there are some really great cameos from Helena's other books...squeeeeeee!!)
This is the second book set in the Spark House world, but can be read as a complete standalone.
London Spark is my new favorite Spark sister, although the little sister, Harlow, may be running a close second. Harlow's story seems like it could be fun, but back to London, she's quirky and full of energy, has a mind set for business and is dedicated to her family. Her passion and dedication knows no bounds, except maybe when it comes to dating. When an attractive man approaches her in a bar, literally days after her last failed relationship, she lets him down easy, or what she thought was easy, by not accepting his phone number and saying thanks, but no thanks. She never thought she'd see him again, especially when she's presenting to a new media company and he's the billionaire that runs it.
Jackson Holt is the head of Holt Media. He's also the guy who was turned down by London a few months ago. Granted he looked like a homeless man at the time, but he had a very good reason for his glam-down look. He'd just been camping and had a full beard and was not in a suit, but seeing her again still had the same effect on him that he'd had back then which had pretty much knocked him off his feet. This time around is different though as they enter a working relationship and he can't jeopardize her chance by dating him.
While these two work together, there can be no hanky panky, but the chemistry is still sizzling. Once their contract is done, the gloves come off, metaphorically speaking...however, is Jackson keeping secrets that could ruin the relationship they've been building?
This book is fun, low on drama, but also a slow build for heat. A perfect contemporary romance that fits in between lots of angsty reads. I loved it. (P.S. there are some really great cameos from Helena's other books...squeeeeeee!!)
This is the second book set in the Spark House world, but can be read as a complete standalone.
gmlawler's review
1.5
Main characters are so vanilla/bland—there is so much banal generic work-speak that a kid could write it. 345 is blah. Some heartening talk about parent loss.
moonchild720's review
3.0
This book was really cute. I think I liked this one a little bit better than the first one. There was just something whimsical about how the characters met and their story that I really enjoyed. I really liked it and I can’t wait to read the next one.
laksita's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This was SLIGHTLY better than the first book. Slightly being the key word.
But good god. I still can not understand how this author could get published. Terrible dialogue (it seriously read like the back of a package: info-dumping galore and sounded stilted as fuck) and a LOT of tell instead of show.
I’m even more convinced now that this author is a nepo baby.
But good god. I still can not understand how this author could get published. Terrible dialogue (it seriously read like the back of a package: info-dumping galore and sounded stilted as fuck) and a LOT of tell instead of show.
I’m even more convinced now that this author is a nepo baby.
pixiepages's review
5.0
I genuinely loved all the characters in this book, actually in this series. I actually related so much to London. Trying to balance her job, her etsy, and her life. No one understands how much work it actually is and now a hot CEO, Jackson is in the picture. He made sure to make his way into her life. He was just so sweet. Hello Jackson, are you real? If so, where are you hiding? I can’t wait for the 3rd sister's story.
Spicy: 2
Spicy: 2