As promised for my July 4th post, today I’m reviewing Sparks Fly, a contemporary romance by Aurelia Yates.
Title: Sparks Fly
Series: N/A
Author: Aurelia Yates
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Length: 41 pages
Publication Date: June 30, 2023
Publisher: Self-Published
Blurb: Colt is a twenty-two-year-old owner of a biker dive bar that he’s turning around into a success.
Feeling pressure from his dad, he takes time off from work to visit during 4th of July at the family’s lake house.
Maggie is a twenty-eight year old certified public accountant who’s enjoying a week of sun and fun but when Colt rides in, the attraction sends sparks.
****
This is a short story with plenty of punch. Maggie is at her wit’s end trying to elicit any kind of response from her boyfriend Charles who is wrapped up in everything but her. Even with her BFF’s advice of dumping him, Maggie goes with Charles to his family’s lake house for one last chance. What she doesn’t count on is Charles’ step-brother, Colt, showing up, and as the title says, sparks fly.
But there are problems. First, Colt is twenty-two to Maggie’s twenty-eight. They are at different points in their lives. She’s mature and ready to settle down. By the one thought I read in Colt’s head “I treat all women like dirt,” he’s immature, a little on the misogynistic side, and not ready to settle down. Plus, he’s Charles’ step-brother. And Maggie’s in a relationship. So yeah, three strikes. This had my attention.
But Maggie can’t help the attraction. A woman at her age is thinking about certain things she’s been missing. Plus, Charles seems to only have eyes for the girl next door whom he grew up with—Nat.
It’s quite the tangled web, but an enjoyable web. The short story does end on a cliffhanger, though, which bummed me out. But the author is planning a novel for this prequel.
If you don’t mind a story that ends on a cliffhanger, and no HEA or HFN, then I recommend you give this a read. The author did a good job fleshing out the characters, their goals, and their conflicts. It’s a bite-sized fun read. Maggie’s an adorable heroine you’ll root for, and as for Colt, he’s a hero that makes you go “hmm” and wonder if he’s right for Maggie, although he’s sexy as sin. All we can do is wait and see what happens in the forthcoming novel.
Maggie Blackbird 