It's always exciting to dive into a book by a new-to-me author, especially when they come as highly recommended as Monica Murphy. I've seen amazing things about her Lancaster Prep series, and so I decided to finally take the plunge with her newest release. If you know anything about my reading taste, then you know small-town romances are one of my favorites to read about. Throw in the single dad trope and a firefighter hero? I was sold on the plot before I even finished reading the synopsis.
Before we dive into the spicy (and sweet) details, I want to give a huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Let's just say, the sparks were definitely flying.
Synopsis
After a humiliating, and very public breakup, heiress Rachel Henderson retreats to her family's lake house for the summer. But her quiet escape literally goes up in flames when a candle mishap sets the house on fire. Enter Wyatt: local fire captain, a devoted single Dad, and the grumpiest man Rachel has ever met. While he saves the house, he doesn't hold back on lecturing Rachel about her recklessness.
Determined to prove she's more than just a socialite, Rachel stays in town, gets a job, and keeps crossing paths with the infuriatingly handsome fire captain. As the summer heat rises, so do the sparks. But Wyatt is a man with deep roots in the small town, and Rachel is a city girl with a life waiting for her back at home in Manhattan. When the season ends, she'll have to decide if her heart belongs to the city or by the lake with Wyatt and his daughter.
Strengths
Something that really stood out about When Sparks Fly was the tropes. The small lake-town atmosphere gave all the cozy vibes, as well as the "everyone knows your business" atmosphere that I always love in this genre. Wyatt, as the single Dad and firefighter, was everything I wanted in a hero: protective, slightly grumpy, and totally devoted to his daughter.
Beyond the main romance, I was pleasantly surprised by the found family aspect of this book. Rachel doesn't just fall for Wyatt; she falls for the community too. Her new friendships added more depth to the story, and the chemistry between some of the side characters had me already crossing my fingers for them to have their own book in the future. Lastly, Murphy's easy to read writing style paired great with the cute summer romance vibes, making this book feel like the perfect lake or beach read to pick up this summer.
Weaknesses
While there was so much to love, there were a few elements that didn't quite align with my reading preferences. I am a die-hard fan of a slow burn romance, you know the kind where the tension builds until you're practically screaming at the characters to finally kiss? But in When Sparks Fly, the romance leaned much more towards the insta-love trope. The characters found their way to each other a lot sooner than I anticipated, and while their chemistry was on fire (no pun intended), I personally missed that long, drawn out build-up. If you prefer a faster paced romance with an intense connection, then this will be right up your alley, but as a slow-burn lover, I found myself wishing for just a bit more of the "will-they-won't-they" tension.
Would I Recommend It?
If you are looking for a quick, bingeable summer read, then my answer is yes! This book is officially releasing this May, just in time to make it the perfect addition to your beach bag for the warmer months ahead. While I personally crave a bit more of a slow burn, Monica Murphy's writing still kept me engaged until the last page. If you are a fan of hot firefighters, sweet single-dad moments, and a charming small-town setting, you are sure to find something you love here.
Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars
Spice Rating: 2/5 Stars
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