Ever have a defining life moment you wish you could do over? Harley Spark has one. The time she almost kissed the widowed father of the toddler she nannied for. It was so bad they moved across the state and she never saw them again.
Fast forward seven years and she’s totally over it. At least she thinks she is. Until Gavin Rhodes and his adorable now nine-year-old daughter, Peyton, reappear at a princess-themed birthday party hosted by Spark House, Harley’s family’s event hotel. Despite trying to avoid the awkwardness of the situation, she can’t help but notice how unbearably sexy he looks in a tutu. Add to that a spontaneous hives breakout, and it’s clear she’s not even remotely over the mortification of her egregious error all those years ago.
Except Gavin seems oblivious to her inner turmoil.
So much so that he suggests they get together for lunch. For Peyton’s sake, of course.
It’s the perfect opportunity to heal old wounds.
Or it could just reopen them.
This is one of those times Harley wishes she could see the future.
| Title: | Make A Wish |
| Author: | Helena Hunting |
| Series: | Spark House (Book 3) |
| Pages: | 368 |
| Genre(s): | Contemporary |
| Trope(s): | Friends to Lovers Single Parent |
| Point of View: | First Person, Present Tense, Dual Viewpoint (H & h) |
| Location: | Colorado Springs, Colorado, US |
| HEA: | ✔️ |
| Release Date: | 24th January, 2023 |
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Emotional and uplifting
This is the third and final book of the Spark House Trilogy and finally gives us youngest sister Harley’s story. While I have hugely enjoyed the previous two books in this series (When Sparks Fly and Starry-Eyed Love), I’m happy to say that this book stands completely alone and no previous knowledge of the sisters or their books is needed to fall in love with this one. Which I’m completely sure that you will do.
We start off with that nearly-kiss before moving onto the current day and the re-introduction of Harley and Gavin. Even in that first non-encounter I felt the sparks between our pair. And when they meet again, it’s still there and as obvious as if there was a giant bonfire of lust burning beside the couple.
I knew I loved Harley from the moment that Gavin came back into her life. She was wearing an adult fairy outfit, is covered in glitter and yet she’s still panicking about that nearly kiss. No drama over her costume – just a mess of overthinking. She was a delight. I liked her honesty, her ability to self-reflect and also the juxtaposition of her fear, doubt and unsureness and the sexy self-assured sexual minx that comes out when she’s with Gavin. I think her dilemma of finding her own place and passion was so relatable that you’ll be rooting for her from the first.
Gavin himself was a great character if a little more layered that I first realised. At first he’s grumpy, then friendly, and then jealous before finally getting with the programme. He’s unsure – about a lot of things – but he’s as honest as he can be. Even when you know he’s wrong, the reason for his actions is completely understandable. I especially liked his chats with friend, Ian. He was like a little guardian angel giving blunt advice in ways that only men seem able to do.
“…an uplifting and happy romance that makes all the emotional turmoil more than worth it.”
I always say that I’m not normally keen on stories with children – but then I also don’t think I’ve ever actually disliked a story for that reason. And with that in mind, Peyton was an absolute delight. She was sassy, funny and smarter than she probably should have been. I loved her relationship with her dad as well as her relationship with Peyton. The fact that we get her perspective in the story was the icing I didn’t know I needed on the cake.
While there’s definitely a palpable connection and chemistry between our characters, this is definitely a sloooow burn romance. In fact, Harley has a boyfriend for a while after she meets Gavin again. I know this can be a problem for some people but there’s absolutely no cheating and I personally didn’t feel any lines were crossed – even emotionally. And even so, Harley beats herself up enough about the circumstances anyway. With all that out the way, Harley and Gavin are deliciously hot. And somehow it’s hotter that they have to sneak around to get by Peyton – the little cockblocker!
I’m also not normally one to choose stories with widows or widowers but I couldn’t resist rounding out the Spark House series. And I’m very glad I did. There are definitely some emotional parts where I was shamelessly crying and some uncomfortable truths to be uncovered. But ultimately it’s an uplifting and happy romance that makes all the emotional turmoil more than worth it.
What I’ve especially liked about this trio of books is that whichever sister is in the spotlight – that’s the one you root for and focus on. When it was Avery’s story – she was my favourite. Then London was my favourite. Now Harley has all my love and affection. I’m just glad I’m not that fickle in real life! Maybe. It’s not that I stopped liking the other sisters but Ms Hunting does a fantastic job of giving the reader that insight into the mind of our heroine and making her our number one. It was fantastic to see Harley find her own perfectly imperfect love – and also to see all the sisters have their happily ever afters. Whether you’re reading your way through the Spark House series or just looking for some emotional but happy romance – I’m sure you’ll love this book. 5 stars.
*I received this book in exchange for my honest review.*
NYT and USA Today Bestselling author, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from contemporary romance with all the feels to romantic comedies that will have you laughing until you cry.
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