Mark Beckett is the most annoying, patronizing, arrogant jerk on the face of the earth. So, naturally, I can’t get the damn man out of my head.Fiona: Like the old saying goes, I’m a jill of all trades but a master of none. What I lack in skill, however, I make up for in enthusiasm—something certain people (ahem) find irritating. But I have my reasons for living my life the way I do, for diving … life the way I do, for diving into one project after another and trying to make a difference. And if Mark Beckett doesn’t like it, he knows where to find the door. I don’t need his approval … or his panty-melting kisses.
Mark:
I enjoy the simple things in life: a job well done, a cold beer, a hot woman … you get the idea. But there’s nothing simple about the mess I just found myself in. The last thing I need is a pint-sized princess sticking her nose in my business and pushing every damn one of my buttons like it’s her job. But Fiona Pierce may be the only one with the tools to solve my problems—and the power to change everything.
Winner of the 2017 National Indie Excellence Award for Romantic Comedy
Winner of the 2017 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal for Romantic Comedy
If you like hot, hilarious romance with unforgettable characters and a big fat HEA, The Spark is for you!
Get your copy of The Spark today and see what everyone’s been talking about!
PLEASE NOTE: This product is a republication of the 2016 version of THE SPARK. It contains special content and bonus scenes for an enhanced reader experience.
**Warning: This book contains laugh-out-loud scenes, so we don’t recommend reading it in the dentist’s waiting room. It also contains hot sex and naughty language, so you may not want to buy it for your grandma–unless she’s cool like that. Go, Grandma!
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Happiness
It’s not something that comes easy. Fiona is so afraid of commitment that she doesn’t do long term. Mark saw his parents bad marriage and doesn’t do commitment either. But they are friends of Nate & Laney. When scary stuff happens it brings them close, can they be together.
I really enjoyed this story and the writer did a good job of pulling you into the storyline and characters. It was a great read and I couldn’t wait to read the next book in the series which was good too!
Fiona is my soul sister, I want her to be real so bad!!! I love the multiple conversations that go on in her head at any given time! This book was witty, funny and just so entertaining! I wish it went on forever!!!
We first met Fiona in The Fix which is Book One of this series. She was the crazy best friend of Laney who was loaded with double entendre one liners. In this book Fiona is still a fun and crazy girl but she brings about new zaniness. Between her designer outfits and let’s not forget all the shoes and boots etc. I could not help but have a clear picture of her in my head and a smile on my face when reading. Fiona has dealt with a lot and since she is usually only interested one one night affairs. It was interesting to see how she deals with Mark once she heard his intentions. I enjoyed Fiona’s story and had many a smile and giggle at her antics. She is a great character since I was never really sure what she was thinking or going to do next.
PS I loved Marks nickname for her. I think it fits her perfect!
I was not a fan of Mark after the first book or the beginning of this book. I did end up really liking him by the end of the book. He also is only interested in one night stands and makes fun of Nate for his relationship with Laney. But he slowly starts to evolve into an human ( you know, from the pig he was before) as time goes by and he gets more time with Fiona. Definitely not love at first sight between the two. I think there is mostly hate and sarcasm. Then that underlying attraction starts and away we go on a great story. We get to meet Marks family in this book and I loved the relationship between Mark and his brother Jake. When they hung out or had phone conversations you could feel their brotherly love for each other.
By the way the ending of the book is phenomenal! I can’t say what happens but it totally revamped my opinion of Mark and made me believe in him.
Jake and Bailey or Gavin next? Either way I will be reading it! Great second book of the series!
I did listen to this on audio. Amanda Stribling and David Clark are the narrators. Both did an amazing job with these two characters. I think they were the perfect picks! Another on my favorites listen!
This book has to be my favorite. It had a little bit of everything I love in a story. SUspense, romance and laughter make this story a must read. Opposites attract is one of my favorite tropes because of all the banter between the main characters. This story did not disappoint. Add the fact that Fiona has a bit of attitude and the banter because laugh out loud fun. Mark and Fiona are opposites, yet there is that spark that keeps bringing them back to each other. When Mark’s father brings trouble to his mother, Fiona jumps in ready to help. This is where the chemistry heats up. The romance was slo, but it was well worth the wait, because there was so much happening in the middle that I could not stop listening.
Amanda Stribling and David Black brought this story to life. Amanda really narrated Fiona perfectly. She brought out Fiona’s spunk, attitude and sass. David brought Mark to life. He narrated Mark exactly as I imagined him to be. This narrating team is fun to listen to and easy to follow. They made the experience of the story even more enjoyable.
This easy fun storyline is fast paced, has plenty of drama, suspense, amazing humor, secrets, angst, danger, and twists and turns. The characters are well developed, have undeniable chemistry, incredible banter, and seem to break each other every rule in not getting feelings department. It is a great standalone with in the Carolina series getting appreances from previous characters and new additions. A wonderfully narrated story really feeling all the emotions and characters differences.
THE SPARK is the second book in the Carolina Connections series. Though each will stand on its own, there is interaction with the couples from the other stories in the series. I recommend reading them all and in the order of release.
I have to admit, I had other books in my Audiobook Library when I received this one. Fiona the Firecracker raced to the top of the list to be “read” next. I’m not going to apologize for doing that. I’m not sorry!
The dialogue is real. It may not be what you hear every day, since we all have to be so politically correct, but it is what so many of us are thinking. I think my favorite was when Mark asked his brother Jake, “Out of three million sperm, you’re the winner?” Thank God, nobody could hear how hard I snort-laughed when that one came through the speakers!
Narration: Amanda Stribling, David Black did an amaze-balls job of providing the voices for Mark and Fiona (as well as the rest of the characters). I often forgot that I was listening to actors and thought I was listening to the antics of my Carolina friends over the speakerphone! I’ll be looking for them as narrators again.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: THE SPARK
Series: Carolina Connections #2
Category /Genre: Contemporary Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Listenability: NSFW
Received from: Sylvie Stewart (as an Audible gifted copy)
This book is for those of us who enjoy a witty, entertaining enemies to lovers trope. I felt a connection with the characters as well as their family and friends.
I was impressed by the dialogue so well characterizing the heroine’s personality. Having dealt with serious disease treatment effects, it was interesting to read how it affected this character’s life. The character development in the book was excellent and well integrated with romance between the two main figures. Not overdone, it brought both tears and laughter to me while reading it. A job well done. 4.5 stars, Thank you to the author.
Man I really enjoyed this book . I wasn’t too sure at first , but I am glad I read it. Fiona is hilarious , the things that come out of her mouth will have you dying laughing . This book isn’t just funny there are some parts that will bring years to your eyes. This is my first book by Sylvie Stewart but I look forward to reading more .
Fiona was the best part of the book. She was delightful. I laughed so much at her antics. Her and Mark were so cute together. It was fun to have the gang together plus Jake and Kelly. On the flip side I found myself wandering off at times hence the 3 star rating. I am intrigued to read the other books in the series because I like the core group characters. Until next time y’all happy reading.
This book is even better than the first! These action and drama had me hooked. And these two with their back and forth is so funny you will be chuckling while listening. Once it gets serious, I was so heartbroken and aggravated I wanted to throw something. So many emotions are pulled out in this book that you are left happy and excited to start the next.
Even though this was not my favorite Carolina Connections book when I read it, it was still a fun audiobook. I thought the group conversations between body parts were a little much in the written version, but somehow Amanda Stribling made it seem…well, still not entirely normal, but at least not so odd.
The characters were great, and I love the writing style. I listened to the Audible version. The narration was awesome, and they obviously performed it better than I imagined it when I read it. I always appreciate dual narrators when there are dual points of view.
Overall, I’d recommend this series. The Spark is a standalone with no cliffhanger and you could read only this one, but you shouldn’t.
Liked it so much I read all the others too!
This book was a bland read. When I saw the cover asking for a review I honestly couldn’t remember the story. I had to review a bit in my kobo to remind myself. So that pretty much says it all. Nothing stood out, the storyline wasn’t memorable and the characters didn’t hold my attention. But who knows maybe it will be one you will enjoy!
This is a good book. I have two in this series so far good reads.?
I loved these characters! I recommend the entire series!!!
Nice summer beach book.
Good book to read.
Why oh why does this very talented author resort to using the vile m -f on page after page? Constant use of the “F” word is bad enough, but m-f is disgusting and a real turn-off.