Book Review: Chasing Sparks (Sparkwood: Scenes From A Small Town #2) by [Author’s Name]
Have you ever picked up a sequel and felt an inexplicable blend of excitement and dread? That was my sentiment diving into Chasing Sparks, the second installment in the Sparkwood: Scenes From A Small Town mini-series. After the stirring saga of The First Spark, I was eager to see where [Author’s Name] would take us next with Ori and Ash’s complicated romance. But let me tell you, this journey was emotional—like a rollercoaster you thought you wanted to ride, but halfway through, you just wish it were over.
The story picks up shortly after the first book, throwing us into the whirlwind lives of 39-year-old Oriana "Ori" Thorne, who owns a charming bookstore/coffee shop, and 38-year-old Asher "Ash" Hammond, a tattoo artist with a heart full of ghosts. It’s in Vegas, of all places, that things start to spiral when Ash’s past crashes into his present at a tattoo convention. The reintroduction of Lucille, his first love—and a woman who adds layers of complexity to an already tangled relationship—pushes Ash into existential territory that is both frustrating and oddly fascinating.
But here’s the kicker: Ash’s internal monologues about his "gray friends-with-benefits" situation with Ori—who deserves so much more than being tossed around in his emotional maelstrom—were laced with irritation for me. His repeated assertions of not wanting anything serious, yet indulging in a host of old flings, felt like déjà vu by Chapter 5. I found myself yelling (internally, of course) at a fictional character for his lack of maturity and respect toward Ori. I mean, who needs that drama?
As we progress through the chapters, it’s impossible not to feel the inevitable push and pull between exceptions and reality. The situation escalates further when Ash’s ex reveals she’s pregnant, bringing a minefield of issues into Ori’s life. It’s a classic scenario of “what will he do next?” but one that felt more exhausting than exhilarating. The pacing shifted in a jarring way that left me feeling ungrounded; at one moment, we were knee-deep in romance, and the next, it swerved into crime and suspense territory.
While [Author’s Name] certainly knows how to keep readers on their toes, the emotional depth I had savored in the first book felt stripped away. Instead of sincere growth, we saw repetitive dramatics—from Ash’s cringe-inducing self-justifications to the assortment of “ink bunnies” flitting in and out of his life. By the time I reached the end, I was left with a mix of resentment and sadness, not just for Ori but for how the narrative had skewed.
In terms of writing style, [Author’s Name] puts forth an engaging voice but seemed to struggle with consistency in character development between the two books. The humor and heart are still there, but they occasionally felt overshadowed by the melodrama, making it hard for me to stay connected with the characters I once adored.
In conclusion, Chasing Sparks may appeal to readers who revel in high drama and emotional chaos, especially those who enjoyed the tension in the first book. If you’re looking for relatable love stories with genuine growth and resolution, however, you might want to think twice before investing time in this rollercoaster. This book’s journey has made me question whether I’m ready to follow the series to its next chapter, even as my curiosity about Mina, the upcoming lead in Book 3, lingers like a spark refusing to die out. All in all, this reading experience left me feeling a mix of exhilaration and exhaustion—definitely a wild ride, albeit one I might be ready to step off from for now.
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