I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Make a Wish by Helena HuntingSeries: Spark House #3
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on January 24, 2023
Genres: Adult Contemporary Romance
Pages: 368
Source: the author
Format: E-galley
My Rating:
Goodreads
Cover Design: Danielle Christopher (@dfio216)
Illustrated: Monique Aimee (@moniqueaimee)
Blurb:
With her signature charm and sense of humor, bestselling author Helena Hunting creates a novel about love, family, and second chances in Make a Wish.
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…
Universal links
Ebook → http://bit.ly/3iZep24
Audio → https://bit.ly/mawsparkaud
Paperback → https://bit.ly/3R14SUL
Apple Books → https://apple.co/3yGYlqY
Nook → https://geni.us/MakeaWishNook
Kobo → https://geni.us/MakeAWishKobo
Google Play → https://geni.us/MakeaWishGP
Amazon US → https://amzn.to/3vGZsVK
Amazon CA → https://amzn.to/3wjeIbH
Amazon AU → https://amzn.to/39YjD9j
Amazon UK → https://amzn.to/3Le6PZz
Amazon Universal → https://geni.us/MakeAWishZon
Audible → http://www.audible.com/pd/B0B1KV7VHG
Website → https://helenahunting.com/books/make-a-wish/
My Review
I enjoyed getting Harley’s story in this final book in the series. Her story was definitely different from the other two sisters in the romance aspect. But even though she felt like she was the only one who didn’t know where she fit into the family business, really all the sister kind of felt that way in their own stories in their own ways. We did get to spend time with the other sisters, but with them now having their own loves/families, I feel that they weren’t as present in Harley’s book as she had been in their books.
Gavin was so frustrating in how he wouldn’t stick up for Harley, even knowing what his guilt was based on. But in a way that is what makes this story what it is. The fact that the people have real issues, and that they do have to maybe talk to someone, professional therapist or the like, in order to figure things out. The way that things aren’t just fixed because they realize they have the issue, because they also realize it isn’t going to be so easy to get past it.
I adored Peyton, the little girl was adorable and sweet, although maybe portrayed a little bit younger than I would think of a girl that age? Just because I have a niece right about that age, and she seems a little more mature. But it also would make sense with how her life has been and that she’s an only child that could have made her behave that way. And her role in the story was perfect, and even if a little young seeming, still realistic in my opinion.
As usual, I do miss the steaminess that comes with Hunting’s self-published books that we don’t get with the traditionally published books like this. And there were a few times I felt things were a little slow in this story. Also, I’m not really fan of the older man storyline. But I like how it worked out in this one and I do have to admit Gavin and Harley were perfect for each other. The epilogue was great too, and I’ll be sad to leave this little fictional family and their world.
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
Connect with Helena
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Twitter: http://bit.ly/2mloUim
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Zt1xm5
Facebook Fan group: http://bit.ly/2kN5yCD
Website: http://www.helenahunting.com/
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I’ve been meaning to try her books at some point.
Definitely you should! She’s an auto-buy author for me!
I thought Make a Wish was the best one of the series. I’m also not a fan of older man romances but agree that she did a good job with this one. And of course, Peyton stole the show!
It was a really good ending to the series for sure!
i like the take on issues in this book
It was good how it was done I think!