theaccidentalromanceblogger's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
In this third installment of the Spark House series, we follow Harley's story. She's working at the hotel with her sisters, but business is developing and she's starting to feel unsure of her role in all of it.
One day, in what is supposed to be the last kiddie birthday party hosted by her at the hotel, she sees them: Gavin and Peyton. Gavin is a widower and Peyton, whose mom died in childbirth, was her charge for 18 months. She nannied for them until she and Gavin had "a moment" in the kitchen and all of a sudden, he packs up and moves closer to his in-laws.
When they reconnect, feelings that were dormant come to the surface, but Peyton's grandparents are not going to be happy with Gavin dating again and having another woman replace their daughter...
Y'all know I adore Helena Hunting but I struggled with this one. I was annoyed by every single decision all characters make on this one. The grandmother drove me to drink and I didn't really get involved in their romance. To top it all off, like in the previous books, the sisters become "clueless" self-absorbed women who can't see they are dismissing Harley all the time. It was just Avery in book 2 and now it's Avery and London in book 3.
I'm also one of those rare people who likes kids in romance novels (when done well), but Peyton is supposed to be 9 years old and she behaves like she is 6 and that kept me pulling me out of the story.
The book is well written, after al it's Helena Hunting, but I was... gasp .... bored.
On to the next series, as she is still a one-click author for me. This one was not for me.
Possible triggers: grief, manipulative relatives, death in childbirth (historical)
toddie09's review
funny
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
4.0
becahreads's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Pregnancy
tamsterdam_reads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Injury/injury detail, Sexual content, and Mental illness
reading_w_dee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
After enjoying Helena Hunting's Starry-Eyed Love last year, narrated by the same couple, this story of Harley Spark, London Spark's sister from Starry-Eyed Love, was a great continuation to the story of the Spark family!
This was a fun, forbidden love, second chance romance. I enjoyed the character development and working through very relatable challenges. I think this one was even better than Starry-Eyed Love!
This was a fun, forbidden love, second chance romance. I enjoyed the character development and working through very relatable challenges. I think this one was even better than Starry-Eyed Love!
read2more's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
megkstyler's review
4.0
If a single dad romance is your jam you won’t want to miss this one! I really enjoyed Make a Wish! It was a fast paced read that I pretty much read in one sitting. I loved Gavin and Harley, but it was Payton that stole the show for me. I am a sucker for a cute kid that is a major part of the story. It is a pet peeve of mine while reading a single parent book and the kid is barely a background character. This wasn’t the case at all in this book. This book has some heavy and will give you the feels! Another book that once I finished I wasn’t ready for it to end. I’m greedy and wanted so much more! This is the third book in this series and is a true standalone. I absolutely recommend this book!
Received a arc for a honest review.
Received a arc for a honest review.
kara_hildebrand's review
5.0
Make A Wish is the third and final book in the Spark House series by Helena Hunting and it's my favorite of the series! It's a single dad, second chance romance full of fun, sorrow, joy, hope, lust, love, friendship and family. Seven years ago Harley was the nanny for Peyton, a toddler who lost her mom. She almost made the mistake of almost kissing Gavin, but nothing happened. Then they moved away. Now they are back and when they run into each other Gavin wants to have lunch and catch up. Harley is thrilled to spend more time with Peyton. She's not sure what to make of the connection she and Gavin seem to have. He seems to be interested in her, but that can't be right? Can it? Gavin never forgot about Harley, but she was barely twenty years old back then. Now she's all woman and he can't deny how he feels about her. But there's Peyton to consider. The more time they spend together the more time he wants with Harley. With Peyton and all to himself. Is he ready to move on? Put the past behind him and have a future with Harley? This is such a great, emotional story! So much loss but so much hope. I thought Gavin and Harley handled things like adults. And Peyton is freaking adorable! I love her honesty and openness. I loved how Gavin talked to his best friend and got advice. How Harley and her sisters are a team. And I loved how Harley stood up for herself. She finally realized what she wanted and she asked for it. It was great to see Avery, London and their men again. I'm sad the series is over, but it ended perfectly!