When Sparks Fly

by Monica Murphy

PRE ORDER NOW! From the New York Times bestselling author of A Million Kisses In Your Lifetime comes a grumpy x sunshine summer romance that sizzles.

After a very public breakup, a summer at her family’s lake house is exactly what heiress Rachel Henderson needs.

But after setting her mother’s expensive curtains on fire, Rachel is saved by a very handsome fireman. Too bad he’s also the grumpiest guy she’s ever met.

Rachel keeps running into the fireman around the lake, and when she breaks through his tetchy façade, she finds herself totally falling for him. And it seems he feels the same.

But as summer draws to a close, Rachel must Will she head back to the city, or stay by the lake forever.

Genres: Romance, Firefighters

Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 28, 2026

About the author

New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author. A believer in kissing. A believer of love.

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Reviews

[Amanda Blanche · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC copy - releasing in May 2026.

This is an opposites attract - rich naive spoiled big city girl and the gruff single dad small town fireman.

Rachel is hiding out at her family’s vacation home, running away from her problems and her very public break up. Having never worked and relied on her parents for money, she’s not coping well. In an effort to cheer herself up - she sets up a little home spa day - and sets the house on fire. Who shows up to put out the fire, but the captain himself, Wyatt. It is not love at first sight - more like attitude and attraction. As Rachel gets cut off by father and left to figure out her life in this small town, she makes new friends and explores her chemistry with grumpy Wyatt. But Rachel doesn’t know what her plans are, where she belongs and if she wants to settle down - whereas Wyatt needs stability. Even as they grow closer, the cracks in their relationship grow, new insecurities develop and Rachel needs to decide if she’s staying or going.

I think the cover is beautiful, love the retro vibe of it and the artistry. I did not like Rachel as an FMC, I found her to be too much of a “damsel”. And even with her showing some growth, I just didn’t connect to her character. I found the relationship between her and Wyatt to be very superficial, and I also didn’t connect to their connection. I think this book has promise, just missed on some execution and character development - for my preference of reading.

[Britnee Weir]

I was provided this book as an ARC copy from NetGalley.

I DNF’d this at 30%. I’’m so sad because I was so excited for this book… the cover and the synopsis sounded so good. I found the writing a little immature for me and I absolutely hated the FMC. Please tell me why the woman runs into a burning house to save a bag…. I’m sure that she comes into her own as the book goes on but unfortunately, this is the year of DNFing books I don’t love after a certain amount of time.

[Manda Eclectic Mood Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.25 rounded up because I was feeling generous
✨Summer Romance
✨Dual POV
✨Small Town
✨Single Dad
✨Found Family
✨Firefighter
✨First in a series
🌶️ 3+ spice scenes

Rachel sets her vacation house on fire after a bad-public break up. She's rescued by Fire Captain Wyatt in nothing more than her bathrobe. Stuck in California, she finds the kindest person ever to let her stay in her guest room while she tries to find a job and make enough money to get home. Unless she decides to stay for the very good-looking fireman that keeps showing up.

positives: the cover was so cute. Wyatt was a good dad with apprehension to bring anyone into his life that he shares with his child. he's a firefighter with a good family.
Rachel is unwilling to give up after she was cut off from her rich daddy. The side characters were just as interesting as the main. Maybe a bit more interesting i.m.o...

negatives: it was very lust forward and insta-lovey. 30 percent into the book and they're full on doing it. - so, if you like spice throughout the book then you might like this.
It would be a great vacation or poolside book.

Thank you to Blackstone publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an early copy and review it honestly.

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️ – When Sparks Fly by Monica Murphy

This was my first Monica Murphy book, and I went in SO excited because firefighter romance?? Yes please. That’s one of those tropes that usually has me hooked immediately.

But honestly…this one was a bit of a struggle for me.

The biggest issue was Rachel. I really tried, but I just could not get past how immature and honestly kind of annoying she felt through a lot of the story. Instead of connecting with her, I found myself getting frustrated over and over again. It made it hard to fully enjoy the romance when I wasn’t rooting for her the way I wanted to be.

Wyatt, on the other hand? He deserved better 🤷🏼‍♀️ He felt more grounded and easy to like, and I kept wishing he had a love interest that matched his energy a little more.

The writing itself was fine, and I still love the idea of a firefighter romance, but the character dynamic just didn’t work for me the way I hoped it would. Not a bad read, just not the right fit for me.

[Aileen Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔥 When Sparks Fly by Monica Murphy 🔥
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a fun, spicy small town romance with a very memorable meet cute. Rachel’s life literally goes up in flames after a public breakup, and being rescued by Fire Captain Wyatt sets the tone for a fast-moving, chemistry filled story.
Wyatt was definitely a highlight, he’s a devoted single dad, protective of his child, and cautious about letting someone new into their lives. I appreciated Rachel’s determination to stand on her own after being cut off from her wealthy father. The side characters also added a lot of charm to the story.
That said, this is very much a lust forward romance. The attraction happens quickly and the spice is present throughout, so if you love high-heat and insta chemistry, you’ll enjoy this.
Overall, it’s a great vacation or poolside read, quick, dramatic, and steamy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Abby Aguilera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Monica Murphy, thank you to NetGalley!

I love a cowboy/blue collar/firefighter romance, so the premise of this was right up my alley. I read it within a couple of days and the cover is just so cute, I scream.

I won't contain any story spoilers, but I ended up wanting to like it more than I did. My main complaint was the story felt a little disjointed and I think I just personally didn't jive with the writing style. I didn't feel super connected with the characters, which does happen sometimes for me with romances, but that may be different for another reader!

All in all, it was a 3 star for me in that it was a good quick read with spice, but I probably wouldn't use it for reader's advisory. That said, I do have previously saved Monica Murphy books on my TBR and I will be giving them a go.

[Emma Eiden · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first thing that struck me about this book was the incredible cover- from its striking colors to fun scene of where our main characters first meet? Adorable. Now on to the story:

The writing was a little juvenile for me which then made the copious amount of sex scenes a bit alarming… but it’s truly where I saw the best writing. Classic grumpy sunshine, young girl (22) and an older, but very tolerable age gap of 29 firefighter. And he’s a single dad! The tropes are troping in this one for sure.

Overall, it’s a cute romance if you just want to vibe out with its predictable plot points. I did find the relationship between Dottie and Rachel very enduring and loved the “coming of age” aspect our FMC got to experience throughout. A liked it.

Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Shann T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from Netgalley for my honest review. I instantly couldn't put this book down.
Rachel is a heiress whom discovers her boyfriend is cheating and it goes viral, she then escapes to California to hide out. Her father then cuts her off.
Rachel has never worked or realized how much things cost and what hard work is.
In her family's rental house in California she accidently starts the bathroom on fire- hence her father cutting off the funds and told her to figure her shit out. Then comes Wyatt- a firefighter that gets the call for the fire. He is instantly drawn to her and is also cautious as he has a 6 year old daughter. He figures a one night stand will be perfect cause she will be leaving as her dad cut her off. When he realizes she is not leaving, he wants to know her intentions as he is protective of whom he brings into his circle when it comes to his daughter. She is leaving when the summer is over, as the place that hired her closes after labour day and she will have no job.
There is some spice and a potential for a spin off book with Wyatts brother. It was a quick read and i enjoyed it.


3.5 stars

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this because the cover is SO stunning and the premise of a firefighter romance is something I love. However, this is not very well written and Rachel is just so incredibly immature, in every way. I understand that she is supposed to be an heiress with a silver spoon and she is only twenty-two years old but she was incredibly aggravating. Wyatt deserved better, and he was the true highlight of this book. Also, the spice was hot but I just could not get past Rachel.

Thank you to NetGalley, Monica Murphy, and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC of this book.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I’ve read by Monica Murphy and I enjoyed it! Being married to a firefighter, I find myself drawn to the firefighter romance books. The story line was good, however the actual writing was a little immature for me. Overall I thought it was cute and enjoyed watching Rachel and Wyatt’s relationship grow.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Briana Gagnon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up!

I love a MMC who is a firefighter and this man was hotttt. I realized I just can’t read books with younger FMCs anymore because she just annoyed me most of the time 😅

I enjoyed the story despite being annoyed. Great spice and small town vibes.