Review: "Make a Wish" by Helena Hunting

Congratulations to Helena Hunting on the release of her latest novel, "Make a Wish," book #3 of the Spark House series. Characters from the previous books make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

 

As a college student, Harley Spark worked as a live-in nanny for widowed landscape architect Gavin Rhodes. She'd been caring for his young daughter Peyton for over a year when an attempt to comfort him after a rough night nearly resulted in a kiss. Much to Harley's embarrassment, he pulled away. A few days later, he informed her that he'd decided to move closer to his in-laws so that they could help with Peyton. Harley was out of a job, and other than a few text messages shortly after the move, she didn't hear from Gavin again. 

 

Seven years later, Harley and her two older sisters have taken over the family business, Spark House, and turned it into a successful event hotel. She's hosting a children's party one afternoon when she unexpectedly comes face-to-face with Gavin, whose daughter is a guest. They recently moved back to Colorado Springs and it's been a rough transition for Peyton; she misses her friends back in Boulder and hasn't made many new ones since school hasn't started yet. Peyton latches onto Harley and begs her father to let them spend time together. Gavin's initial lunch invitation is quickly followed by a trip to the zoo, and before long, Harley has once again become an important part of Gavin and Peyton's lives. She and Gavin can no longer deny the attraction between them, but the situation is no less complicated than it was seven years earlier. Can Harley and Gavin find a way to make it work this time, or is at least one of them destined for a broken heart?

As much as I enjoyed the first two books of this series, this one was my favorite. Harley and Gavin's story was a bit of an emotional roller coaster, but I was rooting for them the whole way. What I most loved, however, was how Harley's relationship with her sisters grew over the course of the story. As Spark House continued to expand, it had become increasingly difficult for Harley to figure out her place there. It took a lot of courage for her to finally voice those concerns to Avery and London. I appreciated that they were so willing to hear her out and make changes to ensure that she felt as fulfilled in her work as they did.

 

I highly recommend "Make a Wish" for all contemporary romance fans and look forward to whatever Helena Hunting writes next.

 

*Review copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Make a Wish"

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…