Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Make a Wish by Helena Hunting Narrator: Stella Bloom, Jason Clarke
Series: Spark House #3
Published by MacMillan Audio on January 24, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Length: 9 hours, 56 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: NetGalley
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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
Make A Wish is the third book of the Spark House series following one of three sisters as she tries to find her place in the family business while also navigating a new relationship with a the widowed father she nannied for eight years before. It is a cute story and can be read as a standalone.
Harley and her sisters have made their hotel a destination for weddings, business conferences and kid’s birthdays. She was happy working with her sisters doing the kid’s parties but those aren’t as lucrative as the other kinds of events and are about to be scrapped. Harley also helped with social media, but the hotel is about to franchise and now has a team for that. She is a bit lost in where her place is at Spark house and is now trying to figure out a way to still work with her sisters at the family business, but also have something she loves doing while there.
Harley nannied for Peyton and Gavin for a year and a half when Peyton was a baby, right after the death of his wife in childbirth. One night lines almost got crossed and Harley almost kissed Gavin. Right after that, he moved to be closer to his in-laws. Now Gavin is back in town and a ten year old Peyton is adorable. When they run into each other at an event, something might be there but with Peyton as a buffer, they explore hanging out with her and becoming good friends.
As someone who dated my Hubs when his kids were about the same age as Peyton in the story, I related to a lot of the troubles of balancing a relationship with someone with kids and some of the additional conflicts with in-laws and mixing a family. While this was different because there is no ex to deal with, there are still relationships and boundaries that need to be considered and navigated.
I connected to the characters and their issues. Harley sometimes is too understanding and forgets to stand up for herself in all of her relationships, while Gavin has the death of his wife to deal with and the guilt of falling in love with someone new. I enjoyed this story and the cute ending. I think a lot of the time Peyton stole the show with her child exuberance and personality. Overall, a very cute story.
Narration:
Stella Bloom is a favorite narrator of mine. She narrates many books written by Kristen Ashley and I think she captures the emotions of characters in romances so well. Jason Clarke has a huge list of books he has narrated as well. While I don’t know his voice as well as Stella’s, he has this great rumble for the male lead that was incredibly sexy. I liked how he portrayed all the characters. Together they narrated fantastically. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:Â HERE
About Helena Hunting
Helena Hunting is the author of The USA Today and NYT bestselling PUCKED Series. She lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes everything from romantic sports comedy to new adult angst.
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Glad to hear this is a cute one…I’ve already got it on hold at my library. 😀
Likable characters who aren’t perfect with some real issues to work through
Oh I think I could relate to this book as well, as I’m a step momma and met my husband when my stepson was just turning 5. So not the SAME age but similar. And it is a lot to navigate, so that appeals. for sure. Good to know it can be read as a standalone too!
I really understood the extra benefits and obstacles that children bring into the mix
Great review, I don’t think I’ve read her maybe I should 😉
Pretty sure this was my first book by her too.
I read and enjoyed this one too. And I agree that Peyton really stole the show!
Such a cute little girl who was really written to her age.
This is an author that I have wanted to try for a long time. This sounds like a good series to start with.
It was my first book by her too and I think a great intro to her work.
It’s been a while since I’ve read anything by this author. This seems like good series, though. Glad you enjoyed the audiobook.
This series seems to have a lot of the tropes I really enjoy. The book before was a friends to lovers story.
Harley sounds sweet.
She really seemed like a solid character that we could really get behind. She is amazing with kids.
I’ve been enjoying this series so I’m glad to hear the latest installment is another good one. 🙂
Yes! I’ll eventually make it back to the first two of this series.
I’ve really enjoyed this series and I’m looking forward to this one.
I agree that Peyton stole the show in this one! And the ending was really good! Great review.