Where We Begin: Eine New Adult Romance, die unter die Haut geht

by Kristen Zimmer, Milena Schilasky (Translator)

Der Raum ist dunkel bis auf das Licht der Straßenlaternen, das durch die Jalousien hereinscheint. Ich kann sie kaum sehen, aber ich spüre sie. Sie drückt mich gegen die Wand, und wir küssen uns so heftig wie noch nie zuvor. Ich habe so lange darauf gewartet, dass es passiert, und endlich ist es so weit. Dann fliegt die Schlafzimmertür auf, und jemand ruft ihren Namen ...

Britton Walsh hat nie ein Zuhause gehabt. Nach einer Kindheit im Fürsorgesystem erwartet sie nicht, dass sie jemals eines finden wird. Doch als sie ihr letztes Schuljahr bei Pflegeeltern in einer neuen Stadt beginnt, bedeutet dies einen weiteren Neuanfang. Tom und Cate Cahill scheinen in Ordnung zu sein. Das Problem? Ihre Tochter Avery.

Avery ist hübsch, beliebt und cool – das komplette Gegenteil von Britton. Sie ist alles, was sich Britton von einer Schwester oder sogar einer Freundin wünschen könnte – aber nachdem sie so lange ohne beides überlebt hat, weiß Britton, dass ihr Herzklopfen, wenn Avery den Raum betritt, nur eines bedeuten kann ...

Doch Avery hat ein Geheimnis. Etwas, das an ihr nagt und sie davon abhält, jemanden an sich heranzulassen, am wenigsten Britton. Wird Averys Sturheit, sich für einen Fehler in ihrer Vergangenheit zu bestrafen, Brittons letztes Jahr an der High School und die Suche nach einem Zuhause unmöglich machen? Können zwei so unterschiedliche Menschen jemals eine Gemeinsamkeit, eine Freundschaft oder vielleicht sogar etwas mehr finden?

Eine unvergessliche LGBTQ-New-Adult-Liebesgeschichte für Fans von Alicia Zett, Sophie Bichon und Lea Kaib.


sind begeistert von Where We Begin:

»WOW!! ... hat mich total umgehauen und sprachlos gemacht.« Heidi Lynn's Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

»O mein Gott, ich liebe, liebe, liebe dieses Buch!! … großartig ... süchtig-machender Pageturner, der mein Herz gestohlen hat ... Absolut fesselnde, sexy, atemberaubende Romance, die mit Liebe und Freundschaft gefüllt ist.« Bookworm 86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

»Dieses Buch war so gut, dass ich bis spät in die Nacht aufbleiben musste, um es zu Ende zu lesen ... so süß und hat bei mir alle Gefühle ausgelöst ... fantastisch …« Goodreads Rezensentin, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

»Ich konnte es nicht aus der Hand legen ... jedes Mal, wenn ich daran dachte, eine Pause zu machen, wollte ich mehr. Ein wunderschön geschriebener lesbischer Liebesroman, der mich von Anfang bis Ende gefesselt hat.« Jessica Belmont, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

lieben Kristen

»BESTES. BUCH. ALLER ZEITEN. Wirklich ... Wisst ihr, wie schwer es ist, ein LGBT-Buch zu finden, mit dem man sich identifizieren kann? ... habe es buchstäblich all meinen Freunden empfohlen. Lest es! Es ist fantastisch!« Goodreads Rezensentin, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

»Wow!!! Was für eine unglaubliche Geschichte!« Goodreads Rezensentin, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

»Atemberaubend

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Young Adult, Lesbian, Queer, Audiobook, Contemporary

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2021

About the author

Kristen is a Massachusetts-based freelance writer and editor. A member of the International Women’s Writing Guild, she holds a B.A. in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing from Montclair State University. She also studied Music Performance with a focus on percussion instruments at Five Towns College. When not busy writing or burying her nose in books of the YA/New Adult fiction persuasion, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family, which includes two adorable Black Lab mixes and a very patient Better Half, and making electronic music. The Gravity Between Us, a contemporary New Adult Romance, is her first novel.

Follow Kristen on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkristenzimmer

Visit Kristen's author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/kristen...

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

'ARC provided by both NetGalley and The Publisher in exchange for a honest review'

**'Some storytellers spend a part of their lives learning the skills and art of using words really well.Their words sometimes make the souls of their readers stronger, brighter, deeper..'

4.5stars!
Kristen Zimmer returns after taking such a long hiatus from writing with a sweet, alluring and absorbing YA book, 'WHEN SPARKS FLY'
'WHEN SPARKS FLY' is a nicely written story for anyone who doesn't want to read anything deep, boring or dark involving teenagers but wants something edgy, little intimidation, fluffy with some silliness intertwine. The drama is perfectly balanced; explanation of the why & how Britton (one of the leads) ended up living with The Cahills, moving from one foster home to the next (some okay, some bad & others just mentally draining) --- to that slow developing relationship between Britton & Avery (the daughter). For the most part, all the characters were well-developed -- from both leads to the parents to their high school buddies/friends. Nothing happened too fast and the storytelling never dragged on -- just perfectly paced.
Overall, I'm gonna say that this was a ripping good teenage love story that is in large part about acceptance of others, embracing life's changes and the relevance of being Loved. Perfect for all Ms.Zimmer's long-awaited fans and interested readers.

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super sweet YA read. It’s really interesting but most WLW books fans know the name Kristen Zimmer, including myself. While I have been reading “lesbian” fiction for a long time, it’s only in the past decade or so that it has become so abundant and easy to find. You used to have to go to a bookstore -and only certain ones had them- or even use a mail-in system to get a sapphic book. In 2010, I got my first Kindle –but if you remember the old school Kindles they were not so great-. I didn’t get the point and was still mostly buying paperbacks. It wasn’t until late 2012 and 2013 that I really got what a Kindle meant. All of a sudden I could buy these ebooks that could be half or even a third of the price of what I normally paid. I also finally realized that if I could get some good mainstream books for such a great price, maybe I could get some quality WLW books too. While of course I got some real stinkers, and even porn pretending to be actual stories, but when I bought The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer -for either free or at the most 99 cents at the time- things really changed. That purchase meant I could find WLW books that were quality, easy to find/purchase, but still affordable, and there now was a whole new world available to me. Kristen Zimmer changed my reading habits and I will forever remember her name.

While many of us know her name, Zimmer has not written any other books since then. I have to admit I didn’t think we would see anything new from her but now eight years later, we finally have her new book, When Sparks Fly. I’ve been big into YA the past few years so I was really excited about reading this. While I am calling this YA, this might be more NA (New Adult) worthy. While both characters are in high school -they are 18- there is an explicit sex scene. This is a YA book that seems more geared to older teens and adults. I was happy with this read but it didn’t quite live up to my super high expectations. It’s a very good and a solid book, but I’ll explain why I personally could not give it 5 stars.

The biggest reason was that this book was a little too sweet for me. I love some good feels but when it comes to YA, I love teenage angst. I like YA that really makes you feel and can turn a reader into a mess. There was some baby angst here at times, but nothing that really got me. The only few emotional connections I had to the book was when something was super sweet. I had lots of smiles and a few awwws, but I never was knocked over with emotion.

I also found the book to be a little long. I was completely into the book in the first third, and the last, but the middle third started to drag for me. I felt like most things were done and I kept looking at the book and wondering how was there going to be another 100 pages? If there had been more angst or bigger emotional moments, I think it would have kept the book going better. I do want to be clear that the last third was ridiculously adorable and I loved it, I just wish the draggy part before was better.

While I did complain a little bit, I have to talk about something good. I absolutely adored the character of Britton. Well not just Britton but the entire main and bigger secondary characters were wonderful too. I did find the two friend groups to be hard to tell apart, the characters were not very defined, but Spence, the parents, and the two mains were all really well done. Britton was easy to connect with and parts of her personality actually reminded me of myself, -which is always weird when you read about a character who at times thinks and acts like you might- but anyway I really enjoyed being in her headspace and if Zimmer wanted to write about these characters in college, I’d read that book in a heartbeat.

In the end this is a book that I would easily recommend. Because the characters are 18, I think this book would appeal even to people who might not be crazy about YA. If you like cute, feel-good romances books, then this book if for you. While this didn’t quite meet up to my super high expectations –because of who Zimmer is and means to me- I still really enjoyed this and I expect most sapphic fans will too.

A copy was given to me for a review.

[Corporate Slave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when I discovered that Zimmer has a new book ! I mean the last book (and the only), was such a big hit. It was one of the first lesfics I’ve read, so obviously it kinda was a big deal for me :)

Thank you Zimmer for not letting me down on this one :) I was smiling from beginning to end ! This is such a positive read. I’m not normally into the YA genre , but this one had a bit more depth than I expected. I did hope for a longer epilogue as I really wanted to know more about the MCs. I’m hoping there would be a second book that features Spencer as well :)

This story is full of wonderful characters, very likable MCs, an amazing foster family and lots of smiles!

I highly recommend this book If you want a feel good read that will make you smile 😊

“I received an ARC for an honest review.”

[pipsqueakreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Zimmer's style.

Kristen Zimmer's debut was special to me because it was my first lesfic book ever and not only did it introduce me to a whole new fictional world, it left me feeling incredibly good. I finished her second book feeling the exact same way so now I'm beginning to learn that it is her style I like.

Young Adult and New Adult books are generally not my thing because young people do stupid things and I find that frustrating but Zimmer’s books are different. I love how much positivity is in her stories. Her characters are all so loveable no matter how complex their backgrounds are. Like Britton, our MC, who is the 18 year old foster kid living with the Carhill family. And our other MC, Avery, the privileged Carhilll daughter who hides secrets of her own. And I feel very happy to see how well they fit together even at that age. We also have plenty of supportive side characters like Avery’s parents and Britton’s newest best friend, Spence, all of whom are a dream come true. And I really love how Zimmer avoids needless drama, choosing instead to focus on the natural development of Britton and Avery’s relationship. 

This is another win for me from Zimmer. I love her style a lot, her writing brings a smile to my face and I can’t wait for her next one, even if it takes a couple of years.

I received an ARC from Bookouture through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

For countless lesfic readers, Kristen Zimmer’s debut novel The Gravity Between Us holds a special place in their heart. For many, it was their first lesfic story. Not me, as I started reading lesfic about twenty years before it came out, but it was one of my first audiobooks. And even though I wasn’t entirely convinced by the narration – one of the two narrators felt all wrong for her character – the story stuck. It took a few years for Zimmer to come out with a second book, but it’s safe to say now that she’s definitely not a one-hit-wonder.

Despite having turned eighteen a few days ago, Britton won’t age out of the foster care system until the end of the school year. She was abandoned at birth and spent her childhood going from one foster family to another. She hopes the new family she just moved in with will be her last but she’s not prepared for how kind and loving and normal (albeit extraordinarily wealthy) they are. Nor for the feelings she starts having almost from day one for her foster sister Avery.

While Britton’s life has definitely not been all rosy, she’s entering a moment in her life when she’s surrounded by good and kind people. We know she’s been hurt, we know she’s suffered, but the part of her life we get to share is all sunshine and stars, and that feels incredibly nice. Avery’s parents are wonderfully supportive of both young women, school is a nice place to be, life is worth living even when it hurts.

When Sparks Fly is such a feel-good book. It reads like a Netflix teen movie, all sweet and smile-inducing. Hear that, Netflix? How about you grab this book and turn it into a movie?

As another reviewer wrote, I would love to read more about Britton’s new friend Spence. I won’t lie, this story isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s good for the soul.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly engaging YA romance and I fell in love with it completely. Britton is 18 and a senior in high school and pretty much just gritting through her newest foster placement to get to where she can be on her own as an adult. And I can't tell you how refreshing it was to meet the Cahill family. Foster parents often get a harsh read in fiction because they're an easy source of background trauma. The Cahills may be a touch on the "too perfect" side, but I've known people exactly like them and I can't tell you how fun it was to sink into their family and watch Britton blossom under their care. And I particularly like how well Zimmer showed the depths and sorrows that were also part of their lives once you got to know them well enough to see below the surface. This was so fantastically well-done.

And I liked how Britton had trauma, yes, and damage from some experiences in her past, but she was still a nurturer at heart. She was a complex mix of bravery and need and I loved seeing Avery and Spence peel back her layers. And while it was a little contrived having Britton form the exact friendship needed to reconcile a two year-old rift, seeing her fit naturally into the breech and provide needed healing that opens the possibility of reconciliation was outstanding.

So this is a great story of hope and family and love set in a background of loss and hurt. And I fell into it, loving every moment. So while some aspects could be criticized for being a bit too on-the-nose or too ideal, maybe, I was completely onboard. So yeah, all the stars and I really hope the author will produce more just like it.

A note about Steamy: There's frank talk about sex and a single explicit sex scene putting this on the low end of my steam tolerance. I thought it was incredibly well-done, frankly, and I loved seeing them struggle with the dilemma of their situation and how they had to work to understand one another and communicate through their uniquely intimate circumstance.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, in all honestly, I’m not sure how to rate this or what to say. I’m going to go with 3.5 stars. I didn’t hate this by any means, I liked it. However, I didn’t love it and the romance wasn’t my favorite thing about the book. And that’s disappointing for this to be a romance novel.

This is my first book by Zimmer and her other novel “The Gravity Between Us” has amazing reviews. I think that led me to have higher expectations than what was delivered. I think I’m somewhat of an outlier here as the other reviews I’ve seen have been glowing 4.5 or 5 stars.

“When Sparks Fly” is the story of Britton Walsh. She’s a foster kid who has recently turned 18 and just moved into her hopefully last foster home before she graduates high school. She moves in with Tom and Cate Cahill and their daughter, Avery. Avery is a popular and gorgeous cheerleader who seems to be the one all the other girls look up to. Britton, on the other hand, is her total opposite. She’s a soft butch who prefers vans and band t-shirts. Britton is smitten with Avery but knows that the daughter of her foster parents is off limits.

Let me start with the good. I really liked Tom and Cate and the whole family aspect of the story. This story is told from Britton’s first-person point of view and so you get to know a bit of her past and her feelings about things. I felt badly for her story and loved seeing her be accepted as she was in a nice family. I also loved Britton’s relationship with Spence. It’s a little unusual to see a character start a friendship and continue that friendship when they know their potential love interest doesn’t approve of that friendship. I thought Spence was a great character and would love to see a story written for her. Her story touched me too and I’d like to see how she ends up.

What I didn’t like isn’t as easy to answer. For one, there is a ton of slang in this and maybe because I’m so removed from being 18 that there was some I just didn’t understand. Also, do teenagers really speak and think like that? I have a couple of teens in my life and neither one speaks with that much slang, nor do they tend to shorten even the most basic of words.

I also had issues with Avery and the romance in general. I think I could’ve gotten to like her had we had her point of view but without it she doesn’t always come off that great. I found her to be controlling and moody, though being a teenager, maybe that’s expected a little. In terms of their romance, I just didn’t feel a real emotional connection there. Others have said they felt one so maybe it’s just me. To me their relationship was more physical and shallower than what I wanted to expected.

While this book didn’t wow me with the deeper emotional feelings that I prefer, I did think this was a good read and enjoyed it overall. It covers quite a few emotional topics but still ends on a happy, positive note.

I’m looking to forward to reading Zimmer’s debut and also hope she writes more in the future.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I hope we don’t have to wait many years again for Kristen Zimmer’s next book, I very much like her novels. I love her writing style and her ability to bring all the feelings realistically on the paper. I couldn't exactly put myself in Britton's shoes, but I did get an idea of what it means and feels like to be at the mercy of the system and to grow up in foster care. Although we don't learn very much about her past, it's enough to know that she had to endure things that no child should have to.

This story is a wonderful journey with Britton Walsh who comes to a new foster family, the Cahills, for her last year of high school. She just hopes to make it through this year and then live her independence with a scholarship. But unexpectedly she learns that there are actually foster parents who love her for herself and that she can trust them. This is a completely new situation for Britton, who has been passed from foster family to foster family. She had learned the hard way that it was best to rely and trust only on herself.

But with the Cahill's everything is different. Cate and Tom both have good jobs and can offer their daughter Avery a privileged life, which Britton is now a part of. But really calling a family her own is a whole new concept for Britton she first had to learn.

Told from Britton's point of view, it was heartwarming to see her slowly realize that she is worth just as much as everyone else and slowly open up, especially to Avery. Also, how she befriends Avery and then develops romantic feelings is nicely told. I could understand her fear that Cate and Tom might see this as taking advantage of the situation rather than a real love story.

Avery also goes through a great development, she learns a lot from Britton and realizes that she has to face her feelings and tackle problems if she wants to solve them. Although they are totally different in many ways, they fit together very well and are a really sweet couple.
The friend groups of the two play their part in the story but only Spence has real meaning. She is a wonderful friend and I wish she would get her own book from Kristen Zimmer.

The story has a good pace and is flowing nicely. The MCs are great young, women still looking for their way in life and finding great love. It's not a dramatic story with lots of angst and troubles, but a story that makes you feel the emotions of the protagonists. And I love books that make me feel.

An easy and exciting YA romance.
My rating 4.5 stars.

[MZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book has all the feels and I could not put it down. It has been a long time for this book to be published since Zimmer’s first book “The Gravity Between Us”, but the wait was worth it.

Britton is in the foster system, and while she just turned 18 she still is not allowed to live on her own until she graduates, so she is moving in with her, hopefully, last foster family “the Cahills”. Their biological daughter, Avery (17/18), will be her new foster sister and there seems to be a world of difference between the two. Avery is one of the “popular” girls, beautiful, outgoing and always surrounded by her cheerleading friends. Britton, on the other hand, is more introvert, guarded and a bit of a tomboy. However, appearances can be deceiving.

This book is written in the first person from the POV of Britton and I loved her character. Due to years in the system she’s always paying attention to her surroundings and she can read people very well. I think this is part of why I could also very easily connect with Avery. Avery was a surprising character, she seems shallow but there is so much more to her than meets the eye and it’s a slow discovery to see who she really is. And yes, it’s only 1 POV, so there are still some mysteries surrounding Avery and how or why she behaves a certain way, but despite this, I felt a connection, which is something that I don’t always experience in a 1st person 1 POV book (or only late in the story).
Britton has some bad experiences in her past, but she has the biggest heart and I was glad that she was not so jaded that she doesn’t care about others anymore. I also like that she is super independent, and doesn’t want hand-outs, but she does accept help when needed. I enjoy a good dose of angst in my books and there is plenty of angst in this book ranging from teenage angst to deeper problems due to the history of the characters.

The romance is super sweet, but there were more storylines that I enjoyed equally well. The change in Britton and her place and acceptance in the Cahill family was tugging on my heartstrings and also her friendship with Spence is wonderful. Spence is one of the secondary characters that is an interesting character and that I found myself caring for. Spence and Avery are at odds, but what I liked is that both Avery and Spence do not make Britton choose between them. This says so much about their characters, they have their heart at the right place and they have strong personalities, especially considering that this takes place in a high school community with all its cliques.

The writing style is very easy to read with rather short chapters. However, and this is my only comment on the book, there is a lot of slang. I get it it’s a YA book, and some slang is to be expected, but there was so much and sometimes I even had to think about what some of the words meant…. (this could also say something about my age). I wish this was a bit toned down, but this did not outweigh the positive points of the book for me. If you’re easily bothered by slang though, then you might be annoyed by this book.

For those who can’t tell yet, I very much enjoyed reading this book and if you like YA books, this is one you want to read!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Cammy Chareon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly never thought I would enjoy reading a YA novel, or a book about adolescents as I’m not a fan of all the angst and over-the-top drama. I was really blown away with how much I liked this book! Plus, the cover is so beautiful!

Britton has never met her parents as she was given away as a baby. She has been jumping from one foster home to another, and her experiences have not been ideal. She gets assigned to live with the Cahills, who are decent, good people. They have a daughter, Avery, who befriends Britton and shows her kindness. Britton has to navigate her feelings for Britton while simultaneously trying to adjust to her life in a new environment.

Although there was nothing overly special about the plot, Kristen Zimmer made sure to sprinkle it with her magic. The writing was excellent; it was so engaging that I found myself continuously turning the pages. The story flowed really well.

The main characters were wonderful, and I love how they each grew throughout the book. At the start of the book, Britton has already accepted a life of loneliness and misfortune. She never believed that she can amount to much. Avery, on the other hand, is harboring guilt feelings because of an event that happened in the past. It was wonderful to see them unpack their feelings, lay them all out, and help each other pick up the pieces. Despite being adolescents, Avery and Britton were mature for their age. There a lot of moments wherein I thought they’d have a misunderstanding, but they actually communicate and are patient with each other. It made them all the more endearing to me.

The supporting characters like Spence and Avery’s patients were amazing, too. I appreciate that there wasn’t anyone toxic or problematic in the story, and it focused more on their journey. There was a part of the story near the end that I thought was too good to be true, but then again this is a fictional book. Also, I think Zimmer considered current times.

This is a book that will tug at your heartstrings. You will find yourself empathizing with the characters, laughing with them, and feeling their pain. I really enjoyed this read. What an excellent comeback from Kristen Zimmer! 4.2 stars for me. :)

An ARC was given by Bookouture in NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Tere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Britton Walsh grew up in the Massachusetts’ foster system. Multiple homes, and less than ideal situations, bring her to the Cahill household her senior year of high school. Determined to survive yet another home to finally be on her own, she is unprepared for what she finds there. Avery Cahill is a cheerleader and the popular kid at school. She also carries a secret burden that positions her to better connect with Britton. From friendship to more, but only if able to overcome the personal and ethical dilemmas.

Fans of Zimmer’s debut novel had a while to wait, but her second effort is here at last, and for the most part it did not disappoint. It has been almost eight years since ‘The Gravity Between US’ and some of those young readers are in another stage of their lives altogether. I had just started reading lesfic when I read it and loved it. I am curious how many of those readers will enjoy this one too. ‘When Sparks Fly’ is another Young Adult (YA) story but entirely based in high school, as both mains are seniors. Since I do not read blurbs of books I will read, I was hoping for more of a story beyond that year. I find I enjoy it immensely when the story moves into adulthood.

All that said, the story kept me engaged and only lost me with a bit too much details of high school dances and games. There is good character development, especially for Avery, going from this rich cheerleader stereotype to allowing us to see how kind and thoughtful she really is. Britton narrates the book in first person, and it is great to read about her struggles and insecurities growing up as an unwanted child, but even better to see the unapologetic goodness within her. She is such a good observer and provides fantastic insight on hers and others’ emotions. All with a touch of humor.

The constant slang used took me some time to get used to. Please, do not let my daughters talk like that! Also struggled with the thoughts in the middle of the narration. It made for a somewhat hectic recount of things but keeping in mind the character is 18, probably appropriate. The mains were a believably good couple and I found myself rooting for them early on. I absolutely loved Avery’s parents and wish to be like them when I grow up! The main friend, Spencer, was good, but the rest of the two groups of friends got too confusing and honestly, I had no desire to make an effort to remember who was who.

Overall, a sweet YA tale that will have fans of the genera sighing. 4 stars

ARC provided by Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Gabriella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5ish stars. This is a sweet, easy-to-read, YA romance. Britton Walsh (18, lesbian) grew up in the foster care system and has lived in her share of terrible, oftentimes abusive, foster homes. Her new foster parents, Tom and Cate Cahill, seem to be the kindest ones yet, but Britton’s growing attraction to their daughter Avery (17-18, bi) promises to complicate things.

This book is told in first-person from Britton's POV. Britton is a likable, sympathetic protagonist. She’s had a hard upbringing and has PTSD due to the way she was treated. I felt kind of meh about Avery through most of the book, as some of her behavior is pretentious/controlling and she definitely exudes that rich girl vibe. Britton is quick to notice the sadness behind Avery’s picture-perfect veneer, however, and when Avery’s pain is revealed, I started to sympathize with her more. I liked Britton’s new friend Spence, the confident jock lesbian who has history with Avery but proves herself to be a great friend to Britton. I found Spence’s relationships with both Britton and Avery to be some of the most interesting parts of this book. Honestly, I think my favorite characters were Tom and Cate, who are lovely individuals and come to accept Britton as part of their household.

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel much for the main romance, though this does put me in the minority. It’s cute and they obviously care for each other, but I didn’t feel the chemistry and I didn’t feel warm-and-fuzzy while reading. I can also see how some readers might be put off by this romance, as Britton and Avery have the same parental figures, but it didn’t seem weird to me. It’s not like they grew up together, after all.

I didn’t find the writing style particularly remarkable. The plus side is that it’s easy to fly through; the downside is that it comes off as a bit simplistic. Section breaks occur very frequently, which felt to me like a bunch of random scenes spliced together (of course, this is an artistic choice, but it didn’t really work for me).

There’s an abundance of slang in this book, both in conversation and narration. I don’t live in the northeastern part of the US, nor am I currently a teenager, but I still didn’t find all that slang very realistic. One side character in particular seemed to have a personality that was 100% slang. It kinda got old after a while, though some of Britton’s slang-filled thoughts were quite hilarious.

(I’ll also note that the cover, while very aesthetically pleasing, doesn’t quite depict the MC’s accurately. I’m assuming that Avery is the brunette, but in the book her hair is long and wavy/curly instead of short and bobbed. Also, Britton seems to be on the baby butch/soft butch side of things, and it doesn't seem like she'd wear hoop earrings. It’s nitpicky, I know, but I’ve noticed that there are many BSB books with less-than-accurate covers.)

Content warnings: animal abuse (off-page), child abuse (off-page), alcohol (recreational use), claustrophobia, car accident (off-page), death of a loved one (off-page), guilt, panic attack, PTSD

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, at this point I feel it's a little cliché to be a late 20's millennial lesbian and say that The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer was one of the first wlw books I can remember reading but... The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer was one of the first wlw books I can remember reading. And it was definitely the first one with an unambiguously happy ending (I still need resolution to The Miseducation of Cameron Post, but that's a different review for a different time...)

I really enjoyed The Gravity Between Us. And for a long time I wondered why Zimmer only had the one book. So when When Sparks Fly was announced, I was very excited to read her next work after a long wait.

And it didn't disappoint! This book was lovely and there was so much I enjoyed about it.

When Sparks Fly is the story of Britton Walsh, an 18 year old teenage girl who has spent her life bouncing around the foster system, until she comes to the Cahill family and things seem different, she is accepted and loved. Especially by the Cahill's daughter Avery...

As I said, I really loved this book. The characters were all wonderful. Both Britton and Avery have real depth to them. They both have demons but they both have survived and grown in different ways. And I absolutely loved their relationship. These two definitely brought out the best in each other and both helped each other grow into the best versions of themselves. I loved them individually and I loved them together.

I loved all the side characters too! Tom and Cait were such wonderful parents. I loved how they took Britton in and accepted her so easily. And everybody needs a best friend like Spence.

And to finish complimenting character work, I really liked how there was no "big bad" character. Both Avery and Britton have issues in their past, but in this book there was no evil person getting in the way of their relationship.

I also really love and appreciate how there was no blackout moment or late breakup and resolution in this book. I was kinda waiting for it as I've become accustomed to it in many romance novels at this point. But this book didn't do that at all. It just continued to tell the story of Britton and Avery together. And the story was great enough to carry the book without contrived drama! I really liked that

I'm definitely willing to wait another eight years for another book this good! I loved it, and couldn't put it down once I started it. 5/5

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly I was a bit hesitant about this book, usually I like my YA books to be more dystopian than with all the feels. And this one has all the feels, but it is so good, surprisingly so actually, at least to me.

The story is told from Britton’s POV. At just 18 she is in her senior year of high school and can’t wait to age out of foster care. She has been recently place with the Cahill’s, Tom and Cate and their daughter Avery. Avery is the uncontested leader of her clique of cheerleaders and seems to be this bubbly well liked person, she intimidates Britton but also piques her interest. Britton is scarred from her life in the system and with her unique outlook on the world and amazing people reading skills she soon discovers not all is as bright as it seems with Avery. They become friends who slowly let down their walls and let each other see the darker sides of their lives. Britton makes other friends as well, super easy going Spence, captain of the soccer team for instance. For some reason she and Avery can’t be in the same room, Britton wonders why that is.
A story of self discovery, working through issues and remembering what is important in life. And this all for your adults, it’s insane how well this translates to adult life as well. Minus the high school stuff of course.

First person POV doesn’t always work for me, but in this case it works marvellously because Britton is so attuned to her surroundings and comments on it. The characters are realistic and very likeable, you really feel for them. The “parental unit” is wonderful, extremely supportive and so nice, can they please adopt me? I know I am a grown woman but that’s besides the point... Spence is such a wonderful character as well and she deserves her own book, maybe when she is a little older, that’d be a fun read. Actually all the supporting characters add something good to the story. The author really has done a wonderful job on this one.
The only thing that bothers me a little is just how easy going everyone is, no hate/ bad blood between different high school cliques, parents who are so supportive and easy going it’s unreal, everyone being extremely accepting of sexual orientation (to the point of it being a non issue, as I prefer it to be, but isn’t exactly real life, anywhere). And the amount of money that is just so easily spend by Avery, her parents have plenty, but it just annoys me a little.
Anyway, great YA read with all the feels, 4.5 stars.

*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*

[MaxDisaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I'd like to explain my reasoning behind it:

I'm barely out of (Czech) high school myself and have never been to the USA, which causes the following problem: whenever there is a book about American teenagers I find it utterly ridiculous.

The whole educational system: the concept of high school sports being something the whole school officially cares about, being able to drive young but drink at 21, having to go to a highschool in a designated area where you live, the fight for scholarships so you don't end up in debt for the rest of your life...
It all feels immensely foreign to me and I'd be lying if I claimed I don't find a lot of this stuff stupid as well.
Of course there is also the fact that I graduated high school only three years ago and I can guarantee that none of my classmates ever spoke/acted like the teenage characters in this book (but that may be blamed on cultural differences as well). This issue of mine applies to most books about teenagers (written by adults in the USA).

So yeah, I couldn't help but felt like all the "teen interactions" were kind of weird.
And the book was based on those, so....
The book lost points for that.

Otherwise it was a nice story, low on angst (I was pleasantly surprised) etc.

I also feel obliged to address the topic of Avery, because I have read several reviews criticizing her as immature/self-absorbed. She's a teenager, obviously she's immature and self-centred to a certain degree, that comes with the territory of puberty. That's completely realistic and believable. She's not perfect and that's OK.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

I-- where do I even start with this book?? The first thing I noticed about this book was, how do I phrase this?, I guess we'll call it the slang? Phrases like: legit shocking' 'suh?' 'bet' 'def like her' 'If we ain’t gon’ talk, skurt.' MADE ME WANT TO RIP MY EYEBALLS OUT. I'm sorry, that's a bit harsh. But they definitely made me cringe more than 1000 nails on a chalkboard. I'm not sure if this was to try and convey the age (17/18) of the characters and is how the author perceives that age group to talk? But coming from someone who IS that age, it made me die a little inside. Anyway, other than that. I found the relationship to be very, lacking? Like it crept up out of nowhere and I struggled to see any chemistry at all? The one thing I enjoyed about this book was how the coming out to the parents went! They handled it so well and it was very heartwarming to see, even if I didn't love the rest of the book.

[Heinerway · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Gravity Between Us, the previous book by Kristen Zimmer, is one of my absolute favorite books. And, of course, I had to read her new book.

When Sparks Fly is a very sweet story. Surprisingly for a young adult novel, there is almost no angst at all here. But, unfortunately, there is also nothing exciting or mind-blowing in the story. It is just a very nice read, nothing more and nothing less.

[kay! · Rating 1 out of 5]

"anytime you have to say, "it's not incest, technically" that's not good, ryan."

To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement. This book is by the same author who wrote "The Gravity Between Us" so I had high expectations. But alas, I was met with this.

Let me start out with the positives. This was enjoyable, I wasn't bored, no matter how dumb this story got. The family dynamic was really nice to read about and honestly was the only reason I didn't DNF this book.

Now said family dynamic is good... but then... oh dear.

Britton (our main character) is placed in a new foster home and guess what--- falls for her foster sister. Yes, very much The Fosters 2.0. All the while, Britton is convincing herself that it isn't incest. The whole thing was just... really uncomfortable. Not to mention Britton is sleeping in her foster sister's dead sister's bedroom. And guess what! They get caught having sex...by the parents.

Now, now, if you're a Cassandra Clare fan, you may not think that's a deal-breaker but oh my lord were these characters bland. Just so utterly flat. Britton had no personality besides being the stereotypical lesbian archetype. I actually did find Avery quite interesting and it's a shame that we didn't get to see her point of view in this story.

My favorite part of this book was the author's complete lack of knowledge on how teenagers talk. It was hilarious and definitely the most entertaining part of this book-

Anyways. This was a rant review, so if you want something dumb and short, I guess pick this up?? I don't know, whatever floats your boat.

[XR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the feels... I was surprised at the way it snuck up on me without even realising it. 🥺

I thought Britton and Avery were sweet and I dig their ship name, BrAvery. There were some slang used in the book that I did not understand but Urban Dictionary helped so it wasn't too bad. I especially enjoyed this because of the way Tom and Cate behaved after the death of their eldest. I think, for so long... after my older brother passed, I just - let's just say that what I read in this book was what I always longed for.

[currentlyreadingbynat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was completely emotionally invested in this novel from beginning to end. This all had to do with our two protagonists, Britton and Avery. Both have had some serious trauma in their short lives, with different results.

Britton has spent her life in the foster system, which sounds like its been cruel at times. She's not had a stable environment until she begins living with the Cahill's. They take her under their wing and she flourishes. Meanwhile, Avery Cahill has had her own traumatic experience that's impacted her greatly. Avery was a really compelling character, as she's quite aloof in the beginning and hard to gauge, but then as we continue the narrative she's revealed and humanised.

I felt so much for Britton, who seemed like the sweetest teen on the planet that had a really hard start to life. She was a great character that I was completely invested in. Let's also not forget that this story falls around a forbidden romance storyline, which I think is one of my favourite tropes that I don't read enough.

At points, however, I found the first person point of view quite frustrating. Some of her thoughts and feelings are quite exaggerated in the storytelling (I think due to her age?), and it was also quite limiting in its narration as it was purely from her point of view. I would've loved to have seen Avery's view point at certain points in this novel.

All in all, When Sparks Fly is a great young adult novel that I highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Gaby LezReviewBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of When Sparks Fly by Kristen Zimmer Audiobook narrated by Lynn Norris

Eight years after Zimmer’s debut book The Gravity Between Us stormed the lesfic world by surprise with an engaging new adult celebrity romance, most lesfic fans thought we weren’t going to read another book by this author. So when I saw that her new book was being released on audio narrated by the talented Lynn Norris, I decided to give it a try. I’m really happy I did.

Britton Walsh has been a foster child all her life. Now at 18, she only has to finish her high school senior year to gain her freedom from the care system. Her latest foster parents seem to be alright but her foster sister is a mystery. Avery Cahill is beautiful and popular, the antithesis of Britton, but Avery is also guarded and is keeping a secret. As Avery and Britton slowly form a bond, they also start to have feelings for each other. Can both young women leave their past and fears behind and build a future together?

This was a very entertaining YA novel with the perfect balance of romance, angst, banter, and teenage drama. I think the fans of the genre are gonna love it. The story is told from Britton’s point of view, whose life in the care system has been hard but she’s a fighter and determined to make it better. Soon she’ll learn that Avery, who has everything that Britton craves, also has reasons to be unhappy. Both young women will learn to find comfort and support in each other.

I’m hardly an expert in YA books but I thought that Ms. Zimmer did a very good job at describing the struggles of teenagers when dealing with their peers, family issues and dating. The best parts for me were the time shared between Britton and Avery from when they hardly talk to each other until their bond grows. The dialogues, the body language, the things said and unsaid, were very well written. Their chemistry was, for a YA book, super hot, and there was even an explicit sex scene which might not be the norm for the genre but made sense in the context of the story.

I remember listening to the audiobook of The Gravity Between Us and feeling disappointed by the two-narrator performance. I admit I was a bit wary that this one would be another letdown, specially after reading great things about the novel. But I shouldn’t have worried at all. The audiobook was narrated by Lynn Norris who unfortunately doesn’t read much lesfic. Someone, please do something to rectify this. Her performance of the different emotions was impressive and she kept a great pace, but what impressed me most is her ability to interpret different voices, specially for the numerous teenage characters. After the recommendation of my friend Jude, I listened to her narration of JS Fields’s Ardulum series and was even more amazed. But that’s the theme for another review.

Zimmer’s fans who waited for so long for her second book will definitely be happy with this one. The story would have been 4.5 stars but Ms. Norris upgraded it to 5.

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

[Yoly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars are not enough to rate this book! Loved it!

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Kristen Zimmer’s The Gravity Between Us - it was my first lesfic book and I was excited to read and review When Sparks Fly. I should probably state right off the bat that I’m not a big fan of YA/NA books, because I sometimes feel my advanced age (ahem) won’t appreciate the dialogue or general thoughts/sentiments of the young main characters. Usually, I’m proven wrong, but in this case, I’m afraid it got to me.

Dialogue such as: “If we ain’t gon’ talk, skurt.” left me scratching my head - I mean, I know I’m old, but am I THAT old? There was a point where I stopped reading the book at 70% for about 3 weeks because I just wasn’t that into it anymore. I moved on to other books in my library, and that helped me get back to it a bit more refreshed and appreciating the story more after that.

I liked both Britton and Avery and thought they were well thought-out characters. But the first-person narrative from Britton’s point of view didn’t allow me to understand Avery or the other characters as much as I would’ve liked. I did appreciate the parents though - how refreshing to have an accepting and loving family show their support for both their daughter and Britton considering the circumstances.

This has some ‘wicked good’ reviews so I’m definitely part of the minority in not giving it some 5-star love. It's a 3.25 from me.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very little angst. Liked the setting, plot, the primary and secondary characters. What I can’t understand is the lingo when the characters are talking/conversing with each other and/or among friends. I guess i’m way past that age where adults talk as such 😊

[Les Rêveur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book I didn't know I needed until I started it. 

This book was the kind of perfection I was in the mood to dive into. I absolutely loved reading Britton and Avery’s love story. I sometimes struggle with teenage love stories because I wonder if they will make it in the real world, but these ladies are destined to be together forever.

Britton was the star of the story, and honestly, I'm so glad Kristen Zimmer wrote this from her POV because I only wanted to be in her mind and see things the way she sees things. She's so kind, loving and authentic, which was a testament to her nature when her life to date wasn't easy. 

When Avery finally shows Britton her feelings, I felt my heart swell because I don't think I have ever read a character more deserving of happiness than Britton. She deserves only happiness from now on, and honestly, I think Avery has been through enough sadness to be worthy of someone as special as Britton.

I just loved their love and loved all the surrounding people in both their lives that were non-judgemental and supportive during Britton’s readjustment into a new world and to Avery's secrets coming out.

Oh! The ending and epilogue? Absolute perfection. That's what fairy tales are made of.

The chemistry between Avery and Britton was a slow build because even though the immediate attraction is there, Britton is trying to suppress it. After all, Avery is her foster sister. But when these two finally let their guard down, it's like a turning tide. You can feel the chemistry emanate off the page. Loved it!

I absolutely adored reading this book. It was like a warm hug, and I know I will reread it time and time again. I really hope we don't need to wait as long again between books from Kristen Zimmer because I love her writing.

[hubsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just "ok" to me. I'm not normally a YA fan, but have been pleasantly surprised by a few so decided to give it a try. I am encouraged that more YA work is coming out though, I don't think any existed when I was young, and had I read this then, I'm sure I would have been obsessed by it. Kind of like watching Dirty Dancing for the first time. You never forget your first time....

First up: the slang and dialogue. Oh god. It wasn't too noticeable right at the start, but it gradually got more and more heavy and it took away from the story. Now, I have teens in my life, a whole whack of them, and not once have I heard them utter phrases such as bruh, yo, "bang the right on the highway," curving, shipping, "she got yo' ass," the daps, the wickeds, ......really? In almost every friend interaction? It was too much. I'm surprised less people didn't comment on this, as it very much affected the flow for me.

That aside, I did enjoy Britton as a character, and warmed to Avery. Both were assertive and spoke her mind and didn't feel the need to conform. Britton seemed written too old though, I know she's been through things, but her mindset seemed more that of a 40 year old. I feel like all of us wish we had the experience and maturity of now to apply to then, so she was somewhat unrealistic in that sense. The story was good, but didn't need to be as long as it was. Not a lot really happens, it kind of reminded me of Dazed and Confused, where friends hang out, sort of go to school, hook up, drink, then it ends. There is one hot and heavy sex scene (but they are 18!) that is completely not based in reality for a first time encounter.

Overall just an OK read for me.

[Laura Nowlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My extremely eccentric and cishet father in law recommended this book to me, so if you're a fan of hetero romance and unsure if you'll connect to f/f fiction: 1. Get over yourself, and 2. Give this a shot Zimmer is the real deal.

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute!

Britton has finally found the home she has been dreaming of after years in the system, but when Britton develops feelings for her foster family’s daughter, Avery, she can’t believe the hand fate has dealt her. Conflicted by her feelings for Avery, Britton tries to navigate her new life and home, unaware that Avery has secrets of her own. As they grow closer and the truth comes out, can Britton help Avery get over her guilt and can they have something more.

Such a cute and sweet story that had lots of things to keep the characters and the reader on their toes. I contemplated a lot of the dilemmas of both Britton and Avery’s situations alongside them. I completely understood Britton’s hesitations and wariness of her feelings for Avery for fear of loss of the dreams she’d always had, and yet I also understood Avery’s guilt about past events that haunted her and affected her way more than I could have imagined.

There was a lot of heartache and drama surrounding the story, from the past for both Britton and Avery. As these past events became knowledgeable to each of them it helped to form their bond. For Britton, learning of those experiences and having Avery open up to her was clear that was what started to make her feel at home. Avery just accepted her, which when I first met Avery I wasn’t sure she would. I very much judged Avery and thought I was going to spend the whole story taking Britton’s side against all the people making life hard for her in a new place but Avery really surprised me and I loved her as soon as I encountered her first interactions with Britton.

Together, Britton and Avery were sweet and they were total opposites that just worked. Avery was good for Britton because despite all she was carrying on her shoulders, she was strong and confident, encouraging Britton to get past all her fears. But equally, Britton was good for Avery because she provided her the chance to be listened to and work through her demons without judgment or fear of further guilt and blame. I loved the relationship they had both to start and when it further developed.

This is a lovely young adult type story but I loved it, every second and find myself smiling at many of the moments they shared. It was magical in so many ways and proved that unexpected love and good things do happen if you just take a chance and believe they will. This was my first story by Kristen but I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what she brings us in the future, including, hopefully, more from Britton and Avery.

[Erica Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

Such a good book. I fell in love with these characters. Kristen Zimmer does such a good job of putting you inside the main character’s head. I laughed. I cried. I fell in love.

[Unpopmary · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐