He’s a fun-loving ice cream shop owner looking for more than a fling. She’s a straight-laced food critic too scared for love. Little did they know how much a foolish kiss would trigger an avalanche of emotions too great to contain. Colin Spark may not have the best track record when it comes to his career choices, but he’s loved the same woman since he was thirteen. His only obstacle to winning … to winning her heart is proving he’s ready to settle down—an impossible task now that his store is going out of business.
Since her sister’s passing, Candy Connelly has survived by being in control and protecting her heart. There’s only one man she’s let her guard down with, but his unreliable past shakes her confidence in his future.
Colin won’t give up pursuing his passion; Candy won’t give in to her attraction. That is until an accident brings all their unspoken issues to the surface and forces them to listen to their hearts. Will this incident be the spark that drives them apart for good or gives them their sweetest taste of romance yet?
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Oh, what fun to read this book about yummy stuff like candy and ice cream! Yet, there is so much more than that in this story involving the next brother in the Spark family.
The author had the mother of these wonderful men name them by the alphabet. The first was Aiden then Brandon, Colin, Darren, and Evan. This story is about Colin and his free-spirit ways. He’s the one brother who doesn’t seem to know exactly what he wants to do, but he does know who he wants to do it with. Candy has been a part of this “family” for a long time and she’s enjoyed spending time with Colin, but now that he seems to want a deeper relationship, she gets cold feet.
Will they be able to come to an understanding and cherish each other for who they really are?
I guess you’ll have to read this book to find out!
I have come to really enjoy reading books written by Liwen Y. Ho, her writing is smooth and the story flows with wonderful characters and dialogue. I had a problem of not wanting to put this book down. It truly was enjoyable! I was truly caught up in the story and didn’t want it to end.
The relationships with friends and families are so real. When we can put ourselves in the characters’ lives and understand the pains and joys, that is what makes a book great! This author has done that!
This is a sweet tale of friendships, tender love, and a beautiful lesson of how God really does want to take our burdens and bless us. This is a tale of standing up for what you believe in. It’s a story of finding purpose and following dreams. This author weaves these wonderful lessons into our hearts through her books.
This is a wonderful book to read, I highly recommend you pick it up!
When I first found out about this series, it was through a sneak peek at A Single Spark. It was an excerpt from the first chapter and it definitely drew me in to read Aiden’s story. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there were going to be four more stories (one for each brother). I must say, I don’t exactly know what I was expecting, but each new story and each new brother 😉 have unexpectedly carved an especial place in my heart, while making me root for them and their special one 🙂 first with Brandon and now with Colin.
With Brandon, it was easy to fall for his quiet strength and steadiness, but with Colin, there were so many things that took me by surprise. I guess that, just like Candy, it was easy to overlook or, in a way, “dismiss” the impulsive guy. Yet I ended up loving Colin’s drive and passion, especially when it came to the woman he had loved forever *happy sigh*
As for Candy, I’m just really, really glad we got to see her side of the story. Having lost her sister a while ago made me think that she’d already “dealt with it” (as much as it’s possible for a person, knowing one will never be really “over it”). Yet to find out in this book that she’d never let herself grief for Mandy really tore at my heart, and made me feel for her. Thus, I also loved how she starts opening up to her family about this.
As for the end, it’s just the sweetest :3 5 stars and completely recommended!!
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Colin: A lovesick fool on a sugar high … and her name is Candy
Candy: Uptight, stubborn, control freak … hardened
Do opposites really attract? Yes and no…. it takes work to tear down walls, especially walls built up due to grief. With walls, you don’t have to ‘feel’, just go about life focusing on things that are completely controllable. That is how Candy lives. She’s framed her life around her career, a career she controls… no bosses to answer, deadlines of her own making and overachieving in everything she does. She’s a perfectionist… hard core.
Colin has been attracted to Candy since he was 13. But she’s four years older so he was forced to keep it in the ‘crush’ area. However, giving up is not something Colin knows. He keeps eyes on Candy and keeps hope alive…. day by day and year after year. Candy sees Colin as an unsettled, immature, wreck.. His entrepreneurial ventures keep flopping but his one love is sweets…. and he does his best to pair that love…. sweets and Candy. To him, it’s the perfect combo.
Life has a way of teaching many lessons. Both Candy and Colin need growth and growth can be painful. As we watch Candy and Colin grow, we get to see God’s healing, His road to redemption and how He brings love into what should be a dead end relationship. Yes, opposites do attract …. with a little help along the way.
Oh, what a sweet sweet story for the sweetest Spark brother! Colin is a fun, spontaneous, generous, and genuinely loving man though he doesn’t have a firm direction in life. Candy is a determined, straight-laced, type A woman who is older than Colin and totally convinced that they do not suit, though they’ve been friends since childhood. Colin’s faith is quite admirable and his unshakable devotion to Candy is sigh-worthy. This is book 3 in the series but can be read as a stand-alone (though I guarantee that you’ll want to read about Aiden and Brandon if you haven’t already).
This is a great story that can be read in one sitting. If you enjoy contemporary romance, this (and the entire series) is a must read.
I was given a copy of the book by the author and was under no obligation to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
What fun to see Colin grapple with what to do with his life and his love! Candy struggles with needing to be in control and dealing with grief. They make a great couple but are totally opposite personalities which made for some lol situations. Worthy read.
Ahh! Colin and Candy’s story was beautiful. Both are so sweet, and the one-sided feelings were definitely proven by Colin again and again, despite Candy’s resistence. The ending was as sweet and happy as your favorite ice cream treat, with a cherry on top!
“The Sweetest Spark” by Liwen Y. Ho is a very well written romance. Even though this is book # 3 in The Spark Brothers Series it can be read as a standalone. It makes this book more enjoyable if you read the first two books so you can have the background. This was a very quick and easy read. Once I picked up the book I didn’t put it down until I was finished. I love this series and can’t wait to see what is in store for us next. This is the perfect book for readers that love to read clean romances.
The Sweetest Spark is a well-written Christian romance. Candy and Colin make a great couple, although it took her a long time to realize that. I understood her concern and what made her feel that she had to be invulnerable. Liwen Ho makes it easy for you to feel with her characters. The plot has some twists and moves along at a quick pace. The setting is the San Francisco Bay Area. I enjoyed reading the Sweetest Spark and recommend it to readers of clean romance and to Christian romance readers. I received an ARC. I chose to write a review of this sweet romance.
This was a sweet romance that was cute. Candy is a type A personality that everything as a place and a spot in her life. Anything that goes against its place in her life gets an automatic out in her life. Colin has been in love with Candy for years and he just wants Candy to see that he is good for her. Candy points out why she wants nothing to do with Colin and hurt feelings abound, but it does help to bring about change. I like how the opposite personalities play on each other in the story. I didn’t sense much chemistry between the couple which made it more challenging to read, but I did enjoy how loyal Colin is to Candy throughout the book. I received a copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I loved Colin!!! He and Candy had been friends for years and had a brief moment. He loves her but she doesn’t love him or does she? Candy had a few “things” to conquer. A really sweet romantic read with characters who had a strong Christian faith.
The Sweetest Spark
This book is the third in Spark Brother series. Each brother has a focus in their lives whereas Colin Spark still has to find his direction. He knows he loves Candy, a woman older than himself, but a perfectionist who shields herself from hurts.
I had a tough time relating to Candy, even as a perfectionist myself and understanding that Candy is working through the grief of losing her sister to cancer. I also didn’t really like Colin, although it was wonderful to see him mature throughout the book.
I also found this book became a bit religiously preachy vs. previous books in this series. Although I generally enjoyed this book, I did not enjoy it as much as the previous books in the series. I’m hoping future books fall back to be less religiously preachy.
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
This was a very good clean read. I would highly recommend it.
I am freely giving my review!
Colin Spark was a sweet character who cared about others in particular Candy, who he’s had a crush on for years. However, he was immature going from one career idea to the next and laughing at everything. At first Candy seems standoffish, but that could have been because she was afraid to open herself up and get hurt and she was embarrassed by her attraction to younger man Colin. I like how in the book she realized what was important and opened herself up to happiness. And Colin did mature and accept that he needed to stand on his own two feet and not rely on Aiden to bail him out anymore.
I love the Spark brothers! I have really enjoyed this series so far. I loved Colin and Candy from the first book and loved reading their story. They did seem mismatched, but I love how great that makes their chemistry and relationship. You don’t have to read the other stories in the series to enjoy this one, but I highly suggest you do, because they are so good.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary and honest review. I enjoyed this love story of Colin and Candy. The author did a great job of holding my attention and made it even better with a HEA ending. I highly recommend this book. It is a great addition to the Spark Brothers series and no cliffhanger.
I highly recommend The Sweetest Spark. It is a fun, clean, Christian romance about not expecting perfection. Colin and Candy have been friends forever. He wants more. She thinks he is unfocused. The story follows them as they grow toward each other. I read it cover to cover in a few hours. I love all the books in this series – this just might be my favorite.
One of the sweetest stories of unrequited love you’ll read this year. It was such a satisfying journey to watch these two characters work toward their happily ever after.
The Sweetest Spark is a book where the characters just walk right into your heart-well, by book 3 of the Spark Brothers, you are invested in these lovable and fun people – uh… CHARACTERS (Characters in a book, NOT real people-yes, I know! Really!) Colin and Candy are wonderful characters BECAUSE of their issues that they work through… and discover that everything works when they work together. Isn’t that something that we would all benefit from learning!!! I am looking forward to the rest of the series!
* I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is a sweet and loving story. However, that is not to say everything comes easy. Colin is a very sensitive and has deep feelings for Candy. Candy doesn’t want to be in a relationship with someone who is younger than her and can’t provide for a family. Colin is a Christian (as well as Candy) and prays for Candy to come around. He also has struggles trying to find the right career for himself.
A faith based, loving and realistic story.
This is the 3rd installment in the Spark Brothers series by Liwen Ho. You don’t have to read the first two books, but it does help to know the background.
I had a harder time relating to the 2 main characters in this book even though they are well-written, and Ho does a good job in describing their growth and development. There are good insights into dealing with grief, figuring out what character traits are really important in a relationship, and how to show love by actions as well as words. Maybe I just don’t have friends who are like either of them. I still enjoyed reading the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.