What do you think?
Rate this book
Spark
We had one weekend. No expectations. Just passion. But fate—and Atlanta’s hottest wedding—had other plans.
Dante
I came to this wedding to support my friend and escape the pressure of launching a gemstone empire. I didn’t expect the woman in the poofy dress with the sharp tongue and the unforgettable bloomers.
Arianna is smart, stunning, and not the least bit interested in my usual charm.
That only makes me want her more.
She says it’s just one night.
But I want every night after.
And I’m not used to hearing “no.”
Aryanna
Dante Marino is temptation in designer shoes.
He’s way too good at getting past my defenses.
What started as a fling turns complicated when our chemistry spills beyond the sheets.
Because this weekend?
I’m supposed to focus on my best friend’s wedding—not fall for a man who could unravel everything I’ve worked for.
We live in the same city.
We run in the same circles.
And if he finds out who I really am, I won’t just lose the heat—we’ll lose any chance at something real.
Spark is the sizzling prequel to the Lust & Luster series. It introduces the Marino brothers, their billion-dollar gem business, and the women bold enough to set their world on fire.
What you can expect from Spark:enemies to loverswedding hookup to hot messbillionaire CEOhidden identityoutrageous bridal couture (with hoop skirts and bloomers)slow-burn steam that turns scorchinga series-starter prequel you won’t forget
Dante
I came to this wedding to support my friend and escape the pressure of launching a gemstone empire. I didn’t expect the woman in the poofy dress with the sharp tongue and the unforgettable bloomers.
Arianna is smart, stunning, and not the least bit interested in my usual charm.
That only makes me want her more.
She says it’s just one night.
But I want every night after.
And I’m not used to hearing “no.”
Aryanna
Dante Marino is temptation in designer shoes.
He’s way too good at getting past my defenses.
What started as a fling turns complicated when our chemistry spills beyond the sheets.
Because this weekend?
I’m supposed to focus on my best friend’s wedding—not fall for a man who could unravel everything I’ve worked for.
We live in the same city.
We run in the same circles.
And if he finds out who I really am, I won’t just lose the heat—we’ll lose any chance at something real.
Spark is the sizzling prequel to the Lust & Luster series. It introduces the Marino brothers, their billion-dollar gem business, and the women bold enough to set their world on fire.
What you can expect from Spark:enemies to loverswedding hookup to hot messbillionaire CEOhidden identityoutrageous bridal couture (with hoop skirts and bloomers)slow-burn steam that turns scorchinga series-starter prequel you won’t forget
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2025
99 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Ainsley St. Claire
46 books253 followersAinsley St Claire is a Romantic Suspense Contemporary Romance Author and Adventurer on a lifelong mission to craft sultry storylines and steamy love scenes that captivate her readers.
An avid reader since the age of four, Ainsley’s love of books knew no genre. After reading, came her love of writing, fully immersing herself in the colorful, impassioned world of contemporary romance.
When she isn’t being a bookworm or typing away her next story on her computer, Ainsley enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones. She is happily married to her incredible soulmate and is a proud mother of two rambunctious boys. A scotch aficionada and lover of good food (especially melt-in-your-mouth, velvety chocolate) St Claire has an appreciation for the finer things without pretention. Travel and adventure have taken her around the world, getting inspiration for many of her stories from the characters she meets and observes along the way.
To find out more about Ainsley St Claire both creatively and personally, feel free to visit her official website at www.ainsleystclaire.com or follow her on social media (@ainsleystclaire). St Claire always loves to hear from her readers so feel free to reach out via ainsley@ainsleystclaire.com
An avid reader since the age of four, Ainsley’s love of books knew no genre. After reading, came her love of writing, fully immersing herself in the colorful, impassioned world of contemporary romance.
When she isn’t being a bookworm or typing away her next story on her computer, Ainsley enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones. She is happily married to her incredible soulmate and is a proud mother of two rambunctious boys. A scotch aficionada and lover of good food (especially melt-in-your-mouth, velvety chocolate) St Claire has an appreciation for the finer things without pretention. Travel and adventure have taken her around the world, getting inspiration for many of her stories from the characters she meets and observes along the way.
To find out more about Ainsley St Claire both creatively and personally, feel free to visit her official website at www.ainsleystclaire.com or follow her on social media (@ainsleystclaire). St Claire always loves to hear from her readers so feel free to reach out via ainsley@ainsleystclaire.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 1, 2025
Amazon
Aryanna meets Dante in the funniest of meet-cutes, and a spark between them is lit. They're here for their friends' wedding, and they end up forging more than a casual connection that lingers long after the wedding is done. But her secret identity, and the revelation of it is going to mean that connection will be tested, to the extreme.
Dante is a grumpy, grumpy man ever since his fling with Aryanna. She ditched him without a word and hasn't responded to his texts. He's not used to women walking away from him, and he doesn't like it, at all. He wants everything with her and he can't even find her. Until he does. And when he finds out who she really is? Let's just say his feelings are about to turn as icy as the beautiful but cold gems that are his passion. She has a lot of explaining to do...
Spark has me impatient to find out what happens between Dante and Aryanna next. I like the setup, it's a good way to lead-in to their full story. But, I'm really disappointed with how short it is, and how incomplete it is. I know it's a prequal, novella length, but I still feel like a bit more character detail and backstory detail is necessary to keep it from feeling so abrupt. It did achieve what prequels set out do so, though - made me eager for more of this couple with sizzling chemistry. Unfortunately, the next story in the series appears to not be Aryanna and Dante's story, but his brother Matteo's. I'll just have to impatiently wait for whenever the rest of Aryanna and Dante's story releases.
ARC provided by the author for an honest review.
Review: Live Through Books Blog.
Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Bookbub | StoryGraph | Linktree
August 30, 2025
Sparks of Love that Sear Souls and Cover Dreams in Ashes
Being invited to participate in a wedding –not as merely a guest, but as a member of the wedding party—is both a gift and a curse. For Arianna Karimi, now a resident of San Francisco, the wedding couldn’t be scheduled for a more inconvenient and difficult moment. But for her childhood bff, Alicia McKay, Arianna will put the challenges—cost, distance, timing and the hideousness, impractical and physically uncomfortable wearing the bride’s choice of bridesmaid’s dress —aside.
But nothing is more important than supporting her best friend forever, Alica—the friend who had helped the young Arianna, a stranger in a strange land feel loved and accepted. Living with her aunt and uncle after her parents sent her from Afghanistan as a child after her siblings were killed by forces seeking to punish her parents for their views. Her parents had acted swiftly and drastically. And knowing that they sent their daughter away to America to live with her aunt and uncle where they would most likely never embrace their only remaining child, they also sent the treasure of their hearts with the treasures of their work—a range of uncut gems—carefully sewn into the hem of their beloved daughter’s garments.
Now, years later, the adult child of a traumatic past, Arianna is embracing her family new family, especially her childhood bff, Alica, as she approaches her wedding day—despite the cost, the distance, the inconvenience, the discomfort of the bride-chosen wedding attire—and even some unpleasant bridesmaids.
What Arianna never expected was to meet Dante Marino, a man whose handsome, charming, funny, supportive and understanding nature helps her endure the difficult, hot pre-wedding and wedding day activities. He is a man, who like Arianna, is there to support his friend—a college buddy, now groom-to-be. And, like Arianna, he and his family of brothers are fulfilling the dreams of deceased parents whose gift to their orphaned children was the bounty of a diamond mine. Now, the brothers have their sights of using their family’s diamonds as the foundation to establish a high-end jewelry line.
And, though the events of the wedding and sharing his family’s plans—including information about additional gem sources, contacts, and the incorporation of a new business. Unfortunately, without the disclosure from Arianna of her similar dreams of a gem-based business venture, the paths of the two San Francisco-based entrepreneurs and wedding companions are set on a path of eventual conflict with no apparent happy ending!
Like an unnoticed spark can create a roaring flame, the spark of shared dreams and passionate nights set the stage for a challenging relationship of Arianna and Dante. The sparks of love are in direct conflict with the sparks of familial dreams and ambitions, promising to engulf the undeniable connections of the wedding attendants in the challenging and high stakes of San Francisco gem based startups.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Being invited to participate in a wedding –not as merely a guest, but as a member of the wedding party—is both a gift and a curse. For Arianna Karimi, now a resident of San Francisco, the wedding couldn’t be scheduled for a more inconvenient and difficult moment. But for her childhood bff, Alicia McKay, Arianna will put the challenges—cost, distance, timing and the hideousness, impractical and physically uncomfortable wearing the bride’s choice of bridesmaid’s dress —aside.
But nothing is more important than supporting her best friend forever, Alica—the friend who had helped the young Arianna, a stranger in a strange land feel loved and accepted. Living with her aunt and uncle after her parents sent her from Afghanistan as a child after her siblings were killed by forces seeking to punish her parents for their views. Her parents had acted swiftly and drastically. And knowing that they sent their daughter away to America to live with her aunt and uncle where they would most likely never embrace their only remaining child, they also sent the treasure of their hearts with the treasures of their work—a range of uncut gems—carefully sewn into the hem of their beloved daughter’s garments.
Now, years later, the adult child of a traumatic past, Arianna is embracing her family new family, especially her childhood bff, Alica, as she approaches her wedding day—despite the cost, the distance, the inconvenience, the discomfort of the bride-chosen wedding attire—and even some unpleasant bridesmaids.
What Arianna never expected was to meet Dante Marino, a man whose handsome, charming, funny, supportive and understanding nature helps her endure the difficult, hot pre-wedding and wedding day activities. He is a man, who like Arianna, is there to support his friend—a college buddy, now groom-to-be. And, like Arianna, he and his family of brothers are fulfilling the dreams of deceased parents whose gift to their orphaned children was the bounty of a diamond mine. Now, the brothers have their sights of using their family’s diamonds as the foundation to establish a high-end jewelry line.
And, though the events of the wedding and sharing his family’s plans—including information about additional gem sources, contacts, and the incorporation of a new business. Unfortunately, without the disclosure from Arianna of her similar dreams of a gem-based business venture, the paths of the two San Francisco-based entrepreneurs and wedding companions are set on a path of eventual conflict with no apparent happy ending!
Like an unnoticed spark can create a roaring flame, the spark of shared dreams and passionate nights set the stage for a challenging relationship of Arianna and Dante. The sparks of love are in direct conflict with the sparks of familial dreams and ambitions, promising to engulf the undeniable connections of the wedding attendants in the challenging and high stakes of San Francisco gem based startups.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 24, 2025
The story opens at a wedding in Atlanta. The bride has chosen a southern belle motif that escapes the bridal party’s understanding but not their compliance. Her childhood friend calls it “Cliche Southern “ but acknowledges it as the Bride’s day going out of her way to be there for her dear friend.
Against this backdrop the MFC bridesmaid and the MMC groomsman commence a predictable wedding fling. She’s an exotic beauty. He’s a jaw dropping handsome entrepreneur that’s on the brink of starting a family business that’s steeped in luxury and potentially great wealth. The fling takes a turn when the two develop a deeper connection than expected. It’s steamy and there is a lot of pillow talk, much of which surprisingly has to do with the gem business and the MMC ‘s business plan. The wedding is fun the fling is fun he falls hard.
The scene changes to San Francisco to every Ainsley St Claire fan’s delight. We revisit familiar sites as well as beloved characters. But wait there’s intrigue, plot twist, a revelation that to quote one character promises “This is going to be fun!”
Spark is Dante and Aryanna’s story. It’s the prequel to the Lust & Luster series. It’s short and sweet there in lies its flaw. There are characters that could have been developed and background that that could have been explored. Hopefully we’ll learn more as the series reveals the Marino family’s story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Against this backdrop the MFC bridesmaid and the MMC groomsman commence a predictable wedding fling. She’s an exotic beauty. He’s a jaw dropping handsome entrepreneur that’s on the brink of starting a family business that’s steeped in luxury and potentially great wealth. The fling takes a turn when the two develop a deeper connection than expected. It’s steamy and there is a lot of pillow talk, much of which surprisingly has to do with the gem business and the MMC ‘s business plan. The wedding is fun the fling is fun he falls hard.
The scene changes to San Francisco to every Ainsley St Claire fan’s delight. We revisit familiar sites as well as beloved characters. But wait there’s intrigue, plot twist, a revelation that to quote one character promises “This is going to be fun!”
Spark is Dante and Aryanna’s story. It’s the prequel to the Lust & Luster series. It’s short and sweet there in lies its flaw. There are characters that could have been developed and background that that could have been explored. Hopefully we’ll learn more as the series reveals the Marino family’s story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 2, 2025
Spark sets a flame 🔥
The story opens at a wedding in Atlanta. The bride has chosen a southern belle motif that escapes the bridal party’s understanding but not their compliance. Her childhood friend calls it “Cliche Southern “ but acknowledges it as the Bride’s day going out of her way to be there for her dear friend.
Against this backdrop the MFC bridesmaid and the MMC groomsman commence a predictable wedding fling. She’s an exotic beauty. He’s a jaw dropping handsome entrepreneur that’s on the brink of starting a family business that’s steeped in luxury and potentially great wealth. The fling takes a turn when the two develop a deeper connection than expected. It’s steamy and there is a lot of pillow talk, much of which surprisingly has to do with the gem business and the MMC ‘s business plan. The wedding is fun the fling is fun he falls hard.
The scene changes to San Francisco to every Ainsley St Claire fan’s delight. We revisit familiar sites as well as beloved characters. But wait there’s intrigue, plot twist, a revelation that to quote one character promises “This is going to be fun!”
Spark is Dante and Aryanna’s story. It’s the prequel to the Lust & Luster series. It’s short and sweet there in lies its flaw. There are characters that could have un been developed and background that that could have been explored. Hopefully we’ll learn more as the series reveals the Marino family’s story.
The story opens at a wedding in Atlanta. The bride has chosen a southern belle motif that escapes the bridal party’s understanding but not their compliance. Her childhood friend calls it “Cliche Southern “ but acknowledges it as the Bride’s day going out of her way to be there for her dear friend.
Against this backdrop the MFC bridesmaid and the MMC groomsman commence a predictable wedding fling. She’s an exotic beauty. He’s a jaw dropping handsome entrepreneur that’s on the brink of starting a family business that’s steeped in luxury and potentially great wealth. The fling takes a turn when the two develop a deeper connection than expected. It’s steamy and there is a lot of pillow talk, much of which surprisingly has to do with the gem business and the MMC ‘s business plan. The wedding is fun the fling is fun he falls hard.
The scene changes to San Francisco to every Ainsley St Claire fan’s delight. We revisit familiar sites as well as beloved characters. But wait there’s intrigue, plot twist, a revelation that to quote one character promises “This is going to be fun!”
Spark is Dante and Aryanna’s story. It’s the prequel to the Lust & Luster series. It’s short and sweet there in lies its flaw. There are characters that could have un been developed and background that that could have been explored. Hopefully we’ll learn more as the series reveals the Marino family’s story.
December 23, 2025
Aryanna's best friend is the only reason she is wearing this monstrosity of a bridesmaid dress. It's not only the organza print, but the hoop cage in graduated sizes she has to step into, because Alicia wants an old-fashioned Southern wedding. Hooped skirts, along with a lace parasol.
If that wasn't enough, it was unseasonably hot and muggy for April in Atlanta. When she and another bridesmaid arrive in the hotel lobby, the wedding planner rushes to them, telling them that only one bridesmaid would be able to travel in the car at a time due to the expansive dress.
Aryanna was grateful for the hoop skirts that hid her face because she was surely given the groomsman she was traveling with a view with the hoops flying upwards to fit in the car. With her flight delayed, she missed the rehearsal dinner and had no idea whom she was inadvertently flashing.
I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. Even though Aryanna had warned Dante they weren't going to have a wedding hookup she couldn't resist having one night with him. She knew it was going to be her only chance since he would only feel hatred towards her when he finally understood why their friends thought they had so much in common.
This book is action-packed, full of humor and smoking hot. This book is full of angst and has a surprising twist that takes the story from lovers to enemies. Highly recommend!
If that wasn't enough, it was unseasonably hot and muggy for April in Atlanta. When she and another bridesmaid arrive in the hotel lobby, the wedding planner rushes to them, telling them that only one bridesmaid would be able to travel in the car at a time due to the expansive dress.
Aryanna was grateful for the hoop skirts that hid her face because she was surely given the groomsman she was traveling with a view with the hoops flying upwards to fit in the car. With her flight delayed, she missed the rehearsal dinner and had no idea whom she was inadvertently flashing.
I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. Even though Aryanna had warned Dante they weren't going to have a wedding hookup she couldn't resist having one night with him. She knew it was going to be her only chance since he would only feel hatred towards her when he finally understood why their friends thought they had so much in common.
This book is action-packed, full of humor and smoking hot. This book is full of angst and has a surprising twist that takes the story from lovers to enemies. Highly recommend!
August 29, 2025
This prequel is a novella which introduces some of the characters in the new series Lust & Luster. It’s short & hot, & bodes well for the new series.
Aryanna (bridesmaid) & Dante (groomsman) meet at a wedding in Atlanta. As is tradition bridesmaid & groomsman have a hot & spicy fling, though it seems that their connection may already be deeper than that. But when back in San Francisco Aryanna doesn’t return his calls. Dante’s disappointed, & his brothers (with whom he runs their family gem business) give him a hard time. It’s not long before we discover why she’s ignoring him.
Once the action moves to San Francisco we see some familiar places & meet old friends. The crunch comes when they finally meet again by chance, & Dante finally realises the reason she has been ignoring him.
It is refreshing to find the venture capitalists investing in a different industry to the usual tech & financial services industries. This is a great scene setter, & I can’t wait to see what is going to happen between Dante & Aryanna, but am going to have to wait as Allure, the first book in the series will be Matteo’s story (one of Dante’s brothers).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Aryanna (bridesmaid) & Dante (groomsman) meet at a wedding in Atlanta. As is tradition bridesmaid & groomsman have a hot & spicy fling, though it seems that their connection may already be deeper than that. But when back in San Francisco Aryanna doesn’t return his calls. Dante’s disappointed, & his brothers (with whom he runs their family gem business) give him a hard time. It’s not long before we discover why she’s ignoring him.
Once the action moves to San Francisco we see some familiar places & meet old friends. The crunch comes when they finally meet again by chance, & Dante finally realises the reason she has been ignoring him.
It is refreshing to find the venture capitalists investing in a different industry to the usual tech & financial services industries. This is a great scene setter, & I can’t wait to see what is going to happen between Dante & Aryanna, but am going to have to wait as Allure, the first book in the series will be Matteo’s story (one of Dante’s brothers).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 31, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
Spark was a quick, decently spicy read. Aryanna and Dante, bridesmaid and groomsman at their best friends’ wedding, have a weekend of passion and then go back to San Francisco, with Aryanna vowing not to see him again and Dante spending every minute wondering when he can see her again. Both in the gemstone and jewelry business, they find out they’re new competitors and lust turns to hatred immediately.
Aryanna was a confident boss bitch, taking risks and making her (and her family’s) dreams come true. Dante was a bit of a spoiled rich guy, but seemed like a hard worker nonetheless. I’ll continue on with the series in the future to find out how their lust-to-hate-to-love story goes, and also to see how Dante’s brothers find love.
The writing did feel a bit clunky at times. It swung from sounding very formal to totally normal with no rhyme or reason - it wasn’t tied to who was talking, it was just overall inconsistent in tone, like two people wrote it and mashed their pieces together.
Thanks to Booksprout and the author, Ainsley St. Claire, for the ARC of this novella in exchange for my honest review!
Spark was a quick, decently spicy read. Aryanna and Dante, bridesmaid and groomsman at their best friends’ wedding, have a weekend of passion and then go back to San Francisco, with Aryanna vowing not to see him again and Dante spending every minute wondering when he can see her again. Both in the gemstone and jewelry business, they find out they’re new competitors and lust turns to hatred immediately.
Aryanna was a confident boss bitch, taking risks and making her (and her family’s) dreams come true. Dante was a bit of a spoiled rich guy, but seemed like a hard worker nonetheless. I’ll continue on with the series in the future to find out how their lust-to-hate-to-love story goes, and also to see how Dante’s brothers find love.
The writing did feel a bit clunky at times. It swung from sounding very formal to totally normal with no rhyme or reason - it wasn’t tied to who was talking, it was just overall inconsistent in tone, like two people wrote it and mashed their pieces together.
Thanks to Booksprout and the author, Ainsley St. Claire, for the ARC of this novella in exchange for my honest review!
September 5, 2025
Spark- 4⭐️
Lust and Lister Series
by Ainsley St. Claire
I’ve been a long-time fan of Ainsley St. Claire, so diving into a brand-new series from her? Instant excitement.
Aryanna is fire—strong, passionate, and loyal to the core, whether it’s to her friends or her business. Then you’ve got Dante… oh Dante. He’s the kind of man who straddles that fine line between arrogant and determined. But underneath it all, you just know he’s the type to love hard and treat his woman like a queen.
The problem? They’re not exactly on the same page. And if you know anything about St. Claire’s books, you know that means buckle up—twists and turns are guaranteed. (And you all know I live for a good plot twist 👀).
Oh, and let’s not forget the real spice of any wedding: that one bridesmaid who just has to outshine everyone else 💃 … plus a healthy dose of family drama to keep things messy and delicious.
This series is off to a sparkling start, and I cannot wait to see where it goes. Because let’s be real—diamonds are a girl’s best friend… even when that’s all she’s wearing. 💎🔥.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lust and Lister Series
by Ainsley St. Claire
I’ve been a long-time fan of Ainsley St. Claire, so diving into a brand-new series from her? Instant excitement.
Aryanna is fire—strong, passionate, and loyal to the core, whether it’s to her friends or her business. Then you’ve got Dante… oh Dante. He’s the kind of man who straddles that fine line between arrogant and determined. But underneath it all, you just know he’s the type to love hard and treat his woman like a queen.
The problem? They’re not exactly on the same page. And if you know anything about St. Claire’s books, you know that means buckle up—twists and turns are guaranteed. (And you all know I live for a good plot twist 👀).
Oh, and let’s not forget the real spice of any wedding: that one bridesmaid who just has to outshine everyone else 💃 … plus a healthy dose of family drama to keep things messy and delicious.
This series is off to a sparkling start, and I cannot wait to see where it goes. Because let’s be real—diamonds are a girl’s best friend… even when that’s all she’s wearing. 💎🔥.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 24, 2025
A new series is coming and I can't wait. We meet Aryanna and Dante at their best friends wedding in Atlanta. Aryanna has known the bride, Alicia, since her childhood, and Dante is a friend of the grooms and they are both in the bridal party. They meet in the most hilarious way on the way to the church. Not only is it a spark, it's an inferno that follows. These two are in the world of precious and semi-precious gemstones. Both need funding to start their companies successes. After a weekend of immediate connection, Aryanna leaves Dante, and Atlanta, with an I'm sorry note. He vows to find her once he gets back to San Francisco. What is she sorry for? Weeks later back in San Francisco, Dante finally runs into Aryanna and realizes the truth. We will meet Dante and his three brothers in the future. I will be waiting (impatiently). Thank you Ainsley for another great story. Looking forward to Allure and Matteo!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 1, 2025
Spark
By Ainsley St Claire
Main Characters: Dante and Aryanna
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
5 out of 5 stars
I love this author. I have read and reviewed about 26 of her books so far. This is a prequel novella to her Lust & Luster series. It will be about the Marino brothers. The book is about 90 some pages. These two m/c meet at a friend’s wedding and their chemistry quickly ratchets up. Aryanna knew this could only be a one-night stand for reasons she did not share with Dante. She disappears in the morning and not leaving any way for Dante to contact her. “I’m sorry.” her note said. It appears they are in the same business and she might just use some of Dante’s ideas to get hers going. Now what could go wrong with that? We will have to wait for the next book “Allure” because this ends in a cliffhanger. I can’t wait!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
By Ainsley St Claire
Main Characters: Dante and Aryanna
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
5 out of 5 stars
I love this author. I have read and reviewed about 26 of her books so far. This is a prequel novella to her Lust & Luster series. It will be about the Marino brothers. The book is about 90 some pages. These two m/c meet at a friend’s wedding and their chemistry quickly ratchets up. Aryanna knew this could only be a one-night stand for reasons she did not share with Dante. She disappears in the morning and not leaving any way for Dante to contact her. “I’m sorry.” her note said. It appears they are in the same business and she might just use some of Dante’s ideas to get hers going. Now what could go wrong with that? We will have to wait for the next book “Allure” because this ends in a cliffhanger. I can’t wait!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 27, 2025
Their Unforgettable Connection -
Aryanna and Dante connected at her best friend’s wedding and even though she said there would be no shenanigans going on between them, they ended up having a mind blowing night together. Unfortunately, Aryanna left before Dante could convince her to explore their connection when they return to the city they both lived in, but what he didn’t know was that she had her own reasons for not staying in contact.
However, fate brought Aryanna and Dante back together in each other’s lives in the most unexpected way, but it didn’t go the way either one of them anticipated. The captivating story quickly grabbed my attention from the beginning and pulled me in, and it left me thirsting for more, so I hope you are prepared for the story’s cliffhanger and can wait to read more of Aryanna and Dante’s story.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Aryanna and Dante connected at her best friend’s wedding and even though she said there would be no shenanigans going on between them, they ended up having a mind blowing night together. Unfortunately, Aryanna left before Dante could convince her to explore their connection when they return to the city they both lived in, but what he didn’t know was that she had her own reasons for not staying in contact.
However, fate brought Aryanna and Dante back together in each other’s lives in the most unexpected way, but it didn’t go the way either one of them anticipated. The captivating story quickly grabbed my attention from the beginning and pulled me in, and it left me thirsting for more, so I hope you are prepared for the story’s cliffhanger and can wait to read more of Aryanna and Dante’s story.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 28, 2025
A new series with a little introductory teaser to the Marino brothers that have found themselves targets for cupid's arrow. Dante, Luca, Ciro and Matteo are working together to keep their family business not only afloat but to make it shine. Dante hops the company jet to attend a friend's wedding in Atlanta. He leaves for the wedding happy and carefree. He returns feathers ruffled and ghosted. Aryanna is going all out for her friend's wedding wirh no complaints. She took a cheaper flight which made her late, she dished out money for a bridesmaid dress she will NEVER wear again and she had a fling with one of the groomsmen. Now the wedding/weekend is done, back to CA to continue to work on her company as ghosts her fling. We get a taste of the characters, the family banter, great chemistry with a dash of feelings. All in for this ride, currently in line for next train. Enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 1, 2025
Spark is a short novella prequel to the Lust & Luster Series by Ainsley St. Claire. This book introduces us to Dante Marino and Arianna Kimari. He is the oldest Marino brother who's family is well known in Jewelry Industry while Arianna is a Master Gemstone Cutter. They meet in Atlanta at her best friend's wedding. The groom is a college buddy of Dante.
She knows what he does back home in San Francisco, but unbeknownst to him she asks questions that end up helping her get the seed money she needs to start her own competitive jewelry business.
After calling her for weeks with no response, he runs into her at a restaurant as she is about to find out she is getting the funding for her business. As her investor says; "This is going to be fun."
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She knows what he does back home in San Francisco, but unbeknownst to him she asks questions that end up helping her get the seed money she needs to start her own competitive jewelry business.
After calling her for weeks with no response, he runs into her at a restaurant as she is about to find out she is getting the funding for her business. As her investor says; "This is going to be fun."
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 1, 2025
I would say this was a 3.5/75. I struggle a bit with prequels as I’m never really sure how much they add to a series. While I did enjoy this short novella, having read Lies of the Billionaire first I felt like I had more understanding of Dante and the Marino family and I would have appreciated Aryanna’s character being developed more. I didn’t find her very compelling and knowing she was deliberately deceiving Dante made it hard to empathise with her or invest in her story. The length of the novella also meant there wasn’t quite time for the relationship to develop and unfold so I just didn’t really connect with it. I hope that as the series progresses this will change.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 12, 2025
Spark is the prequel to Ainsley St. Claire’s new series, Lust & Luster. We are introduced to our MMC, Dante Marino and our FMC, Arianna Kimari.
Dante and Aryanna’s “sparkler” charged story ended before they had a chance at something beautiful ❤️ leaving me wanting WAY more and now having to patiently wait book 1, Allure. I CANNOT wait for what is to come, and I hope a love story is reignited, sizzling off the pages, despite everything they will have to go through. 🔥❤️💎
Spark is quick read, you won’t want to put it down when you begin, so make sure you have time to read the beginning of their story 😍 I love Ainsley St. Claire’s books, and I already know this new series won’t be a let down!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dante and Aryanna’s “sparkler” charged story ended before they had a chance at something beautiful ❤️ leaving me wanting WAY more and now having to patiently wait book 1, Allure. I CANNOT wait for what is to come, and I hope a love story is reignited, sizzling off the pages, despite everything they will have to go through. 🔥❤️💎
Spark is quick read, you won’t want to put it down when you begin, so make sure you have time to read the beginning of their story 😍 I love Ainsley St. Claire’s books, and I already know this new series won’t be a let down!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 2, 2025
Ainsley St Claire always creates the best characters with steam and a storyline that is plausible! Aryanna is a mystery woman and Dante is a charmer: wedding shenanigans, hookups, and so much spice from the beginning. Dante is a dirty talker who definitely leaves an impression, but Aryanna has a business plan that leaves no time for personal endeavors. This novella is a taste of the magic between them and ends on him discovering what she does for a living. I love their chemistry and can’t wait for the next part: hopefully even hotter and more intense!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2025
Spark is the prequel to the Lust and Luster Series which is the story of Dante, the eldest of the four Marino siblings and CEO of their business which supplies precious and semi-precious gem stones, and Aryanna, a master gem cutter. They meet at their best friends' wedding and end up spending two nights together, but Aryanna has a secret. This well written prequel has lots of spicy passion, great characters, secrets, unexpected plot twists, and a look at the cut-throat diamond industry. The next book in the Lust and Luster series is Allure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 3, 2025
Aryanna and Dante meet at a wedding and sparks fly between them. Its not long before they get together. However, Aryanna knows that once he knows what she does it will end things between them. So, after sharing an amazing time together she sneaks away before he has a chance to learn anything. Dante doesn't like that she left but wonders about the message she left behind. Will he find her? Can they find a way to be together?
This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 9, 2025
This is the prequel to the Lust & Luster Series by this author. It is a heartfelt romance between Aryanna and Dante. These likeable souls and the unique plot make for an enjoyable read. What starts out as a fling turns into something more. It is a sweet love story with drama and steam, sexual tension and chemistry, and twists and turns, plus appealing secondary characters. A good introduction to the new series..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2025
Only the Beginning
Spark is definitely the proper title for this prequel as we get just that, a spark of what's to come in this series. While it most focuses on Dante and Aryanna, it is an introduction into their respective ambitions that seem to come to head in an explosive manner. The intense chemistry between them while palpable and a taste of happiness felt, the ending left me with mixed emotions and a desire for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Spark is definitely the proper title for this prequel as we get just that, a spark of what's to come in this series. While it most focuses on Dante and Aryanna, it is an introduction into their respective ambitions that seem to come to head in an explosive manner. The intense chemistry between them while palpable and a taste of happiness felt, the ending left me with mixed emotions and a desire for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 22, 2025
Well, we meet the next people for Ms. St. Claire's new series.
Dante and Aryanna at their friends' wedding. They have immediate chemistry. A sex fueled weekend later, Aryanna heads back to San Francisco to get ready for a big presentation. Dante, not realizing that she was leaving, wakes up to an empty hotel room.
Things heat up when Dante realizes who Aryanna really is.
I can't wait to dig further into this series!
Dante and Aryanna at their friends' wedding. They have immediate chemistry. A sex fueled weekend later, Aryanna heads back to San Francisco to get ready for a big presentation. Dante, not realizing that she was leaving, wakes up to an empty hotel room.
Things heat up when Dante realizes who Aryanna really is.
I can't wait to dig further into this series!
August 23, 2025
This is the beginning of a new series!!!! This book is Aryanna and Dante’s story. I love the fact this book is about gemstones because it’s a very different backdrop from the usual billionaire story. The couple also have unusual life histories. It’s an exciting short book! However, it ends in a cliffhanger that will likely untangle itself much later, as the next book in the series is about another character.
August 26, 2025
Dante and Aryanna had an off the charts hot weekend and then she disappeared. He was beside himself that he couldn't find her, but she was not calling him on purpose. What he didn't know was that they were in the same business and competitors. There story will continue in the next book along with Matteo. This is going to be a wild ride. I can't wait.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 30, 2025
This is the perfect start to the new series. It sets the story with enough to hook you in to want more. I Cannot wait to read what comes next.
Dante and Aryanna’s chemistry is just wow. They spend an unforgettable weekend together not anticipating crossing paths again soon.
Aryanna takes off with just leaving a brief note -
I’m sorry. A.
All because Dante did not pay attention to a small detail.
.
August 30, 2025
Dante and Aryanna meet at a wedding and the instant attraction is hot and super steamy, but Aryanna is hiding a secret and when Dante finds out he is going to hate her. This novella length story sets up the characters for the series Lust & Luster and I can't wait to read it! Already I'm looking forward to seeing other crossover characters from previous Ainsley St Claire series and I can see this is going to be a fabulous series!
August 30, 2025
This book starts off with drama and gets even better with each turning of the pages. Danter and Aryanna connect and have a lot in common in more ways than one. She leaves him in the early morning to catch her flight devastating Dante. What he doesn't know is that she is his business rival. This is a great introduction into the series, and I can't wait for more of it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 31, 2025
This is Dante and Aryanna’s story. I love enemies to lover stories and this is one so right for me .
As stated : Spark is the sizzling prequel to the Lust & Luster series. It introduces the Marino brothers, their billion-dollar gem business, and the women bold enough to set their world on fire ,my kind of stories.
Thank you Ainsley for letting me read this lovely story , this was a must read and can't wait for the rest of the series
As stated : Spark is the sizzling prequel to the Lust & Luster series. It introduces the Marino brothers, their billion-dollar gem business, and the women bold enough to set their world on fire ,my kind of stories.
Thank you Ainsley for letting me read this lovely story , this was a must read and can't wait for the rest of the series
August 31, 2025
I honestly can’t wait for the next book in the series. As this one left me wanting loads more. I was devastated it wasn’t longer as I wanted more straight away it was that good. It also left me with so many questions that need answering. I’m now counting down the days till the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 13, 2025
Aryanna is there for her friend’s wedding, fate on the other hand has something else in mind. The something else is Dante, a man that is sinful to look at and very hard to resist. They can’t fight the attraction and the spark is clear to everyone even though they try to hide it from others. Now that they have returned to the real world Dante wants to find her and see where it can go. They run into each other at a restaurant and finds out something that leaves Dante mad and Aryanna sad.
August 26, 2025
Dante and Aryanna meet at a wedding and have an immediate attraction and connection, or so Dante thinks. Both are involved in the jewellery business. However their subsequent meeting leads to a cliffhanger and is the prequel to what sounds like a really good new series with the Marino family which I am really looking forward to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews