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Sparks Fly

by Clare London (Goodreads Author)

3.4 of 5 stars 3.40 · rating details · 173 ratings · 16 reviews

Nic Gerrard is this year's brightest young entrepreneur, charming and charismatic, with time for everyone. Aidan West is his cleverest programmer, fiercely committed to his work and with little time for friendship or socializing. Together they created the successful dating agency, Sparks, with a new and refreshing approach to matching people. A year later, their lives are...more

Paperback, 208 pages

Published July 1st 2008 by Dreamspinner Press

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GayRomLit Retreat Authors-2011

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Feb 25, 2009 ElaineY rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm

Right through, from start to finish, I couldn't get what was so wrong about Nic that made Aidan accuse him of being arrogant and self-centered, etc, etc, etc. Not just Aidan but that Badham woman. I thought Nic was pretty normal. He's attractive, attracted to both sexes, wildly successful and enjoying both work and play. It was other people (as he says, in the end) that were bent on telling him what he was, wasn't and should be and do.

Aidan came across like some serial-killer in the making - a g...more Right through, from start to finish, I couldn't get what was so wrong about Nic that made Aidan accuse him of being arrogant and self-centered, etc, etc, etc. Not just Aidan but that Badham woman. I thought Nic was pretty normal. He's attractive, attracted to both sexes, wildly successful and enjoying both work and play. It was other people (as he says, in the end) that were bent on telling him what he was, wasn't and should be and do.

Aidan came across like some serial-killer in the making - a geek, stuck in his apartment alone with just his computer, no friends. His whole life revolves around his programs and staying angry with Nic. He's like that from the first chapter right up to the last and exhausted me with his hang-ups over Nic.

So why 4 stars? Because in spite of my being put off by Aidan's treatment of, and reaction to Nic, there was more depth to the characterization in this story than most of its kind that I've read. The author (never heard of her till now) spent more time building the relationship between the two men against the backdrop of computer/internet technology. Though the plot did require the inclusion of some programming jargon, it never overwhelmed at any point. Just sufficient to give me the idea Aidan knew what he was doing.

4 stars because it still engaged me emotionally and frustrated as I was with these two men, I wanted an HEA for them. I was also creeped-out by Charles - I'm not exactly sure what he is but he acted like Nic's valet more than anything else - and was curious to see how he ends up (I was happy with it).

My complaint, though, is that I still needed a few more chapters showing me the results of Aidan's decision to take that risk of letting go and loving Nic. There had been so much angst, their relationship so volatile and Aidan constantly going off like a fire cracker self-combusting that after my own hectic week in real life, I needed a more substantial HEA. At the end of the book, Nic and Aidan will be taking off on a vacation and I know they're going to be fighting every step of the way.

I'm not sure if I want to spend more $$$ just to get what ought to have been this book's epilogue.

(less)

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Apr 13, 2010 Elisa Ramblings added it

Once in a time the cover of the book perfectly decipts the main characters. Infact you see two young men, one slightly younger and handsome than the other. Nic Gerrard is a 23 years old financial guru. Two years before, barely out of college, he launched a dating company based on a matching program he developed with the help of another young programmer, Aidan West. Fame and fortune smile to Nic, and now he is the man of the day, the most sought bachelor. And in the past he was happy to oblige al...more Once in a time the cover of the book perfectly decipts the main characters. Infact you see two young men, one slightly younger and handsome than the other. Nic Gerrard is a 23 years old financial guru. Two years before, barely out of college, he launched a dating company based on a matching program he developed with the help of another young programmer, Aidan West. Fame and fortune smile to Nic, and now he is the man of the day, the most sought bachelor. And in the past he was happy to oblige all the fans around him, dispensing sexual favors like a king waves to his people. Actually Nic is not a bad guy, he simple seems unable to say no. Employees, former fiancees (both male than female), friends... if they ask for a night of sex, Nic is willing to give it to them. Probably it was a preservation instinct, having lost his mother very soon, and never known his father, Nic learned not to develop deep feeling for people, since they can easily go away. Something he experimented also with one of his lover, an older man who helped him at first when he was alone, but that then, without much worries, chose to leave for newer shores.

Even his first working relationship with Aidan was taken on in the same way; they worked well together, maybe they could have something more, but when the work was done, Nic practically filed Aidan in a hidden portion of his brain, like a good memory. Not that Aidan was not around, simply Nic moved on toward another goal.

On the other hand, Aidan is not at ease with relationships and similar stuff. He had a very bad experience with a former lover, and he no more trust himself to be a good judge around feeling. So probably he was glad that Nic didn't try to deepen their relationship beyond work. But now Nic seems to have changed his mind, and he is till more present in Aidan's life. He doesn't accept a "no" as answer, and Aidan is ever more in trouble to maintain his control around the handsome man.

Trying to solve an hacker attach to their matching program and also develop a new feature, Nic and Aidan spend a lot of time together. Nic has the chance to see that he is no more interested in the no string attach encounters as before and Aidan can see a new side of the man, a side that makes him believe, and hope, that he will not be only another conquest, a new toy to play and put aside soon after.

The undercurrent hacker mystery is also a good one: I hadn't found the culprit, I had two suspects, and no one was the right!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1935192035/?...(less)

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Oct 24, 2011 Michelle B rated it 4 of 5 stars

A fluffy, happy contemporary urban m/m romance. There is a plot and a baddie whose efforts they must thwart, but all-in-all, an enjoyable read. I probably like Ms. London's True Colors better, as I read it first, but I'd still recommend this book for a light afternoon read, snuggled under a blanket when it's raining outside. I adore B/B when they don't realize how hot they are for each other, and this story delivers on that theme.

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Oct 31, 2012 Charly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Too many sparks for me

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 5/10

PROS:
- Aiden intrigued me almost as soon as he entered the story (in Nic’s recollections, not even in person). His silence, his privacy, and the fact that the unbearably dashing Nic has been unable to get to know him all combine to give him Aiden air of quiet mystery. I couldn’t wait to see the unveiling of his character. (See cons below also)
- The development of details pertaining to the me...more Too many sparks for me

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 5/10

PROS:
- Aiden intrigued me almost as soon as he entered the story (in Nic’s recollections, not even in person). His silence, his privacy, and the fact that the unbearably dashing Nic has been unable to get to know him all combine to give him Aiden air of quiet mystery. I couldn’t wait to see the unveiling of his character. (See cons below also)
- The development of details pertaining to the men’s job is well done. London obviously knows quite a bit about programming or did a lot of research.
- The sex scenes are rough and passionate and intense. These two men don’t do anything halfway, whether it’s working or arguing or tumbling in the hay.

CONS:
- The two main characters are constantly fighting. Even when they have the occasional tender moment, it’s almost always ruined shortly thereafter by an exchange of insults or (what seemed to me like) contrived accusations. Even during the final makeup scene, they’re arguing as they seduce each other. Aiden, especially, irritated me: he’s angry 70 percent of the time. The other 30 he’s just being sullen.
- The POV here is third person omniscient, which means that you get a look at the thoughts of multiple people within each scene. Yes, this is a valid point of view for storytelling. I just don’t like it. It makes it difficult to discern whether what you’re reading is Character A’s thought or Character B’s *perception* of Character A.
- I don’t like reading sex scenes that involve one of the main characters with someone who’s not the other main character. That happens twice here. I’m not suggesting that the scenes don’t serve a purpose; I just didn’t understand why those scenes couldn’t have been simply mentioned in passing rather than described in a fair amount of detail.

Overall comments: The title here is apt--there are definitely sparks between these two. They’re at each other’s throats right from the beginning of the story, and they never let up. The downside for me was that I WANTED them to let up. Just a bit. Now and then. London is a good writer, but I didn’t enjoy this one much.(less)

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Aug 13, 2009 Jenre rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

This is one fabulous book. It is so fabulous I'm finding it very difficult to think of anything negative to say about it. I think I'll start with the positives.

This book is what you might term 'character driven'. If you like plot-heavy, fast, frantic suspense stories, well this book is not for you. Fortunately, I love stories which focus on the emotional journey of the characters, especially if they are realistic and well drawn as is the case with this book. I loved both the heroes, even though...more This is one fabulous book. It is so fabulous I'm finding it very difficult to think of anything negative to say about it. I think I'll start with the positives.

This book is what you might term 'character driven'. If you like plot-heavy, fast, frantic suspense stories, well this book is not for you. Fortunately, I love stories which focus on the emotional journey of the characters, especially if they are realistic and well drawn as is the case with this book. I loved both the heroes, even though they were completely different.

Our first hero is Nic, a young, dynamic, charming entrepreneur. He has worked hard to make his dating agency business a success and, as a result, has become a celebrity and media darling. He's attractive, confident and promiscuous.

Our second hero is Aidan, a shy, introverted computer programmer. He has worked hard to set up the dating agency computer programme which is used to match up the potential couples. He has a fear of rejection, so pushes people away (often using anger as a defense mechanism), preferring the company of his computers and a few select 'online friends'. He hasn't had sex in a long time.

The plot of the book involves a mysterious hacker who is trying to hack into the dating agency programming. This is essentially used as a means to get our two heroes together and provides an excuse for them to keep in touch. Because of this, the plot is resolved quite easily once the characters have become emotionally involved with one another. The story then focuses on resolving the emotional barriers raised by the characters, before coming a very satisfying conclusion.

The 'sparks' refers to not only the name of the dating agency, but also the relationship between the characters. They spend quite a lot of time arguing with each other. Nic wants to get to know Aidan better; Aidan pushes Nic away. Aidan disapproves of Nic promiscuity; Nic doesn't see why he should turn down what is freely offered. Nic likes socialising with others; Aidan hides in corners at parties. Most of the conflict is caused because the two men don't understand each other and, like real men, find it difficult to talk about their inner feelings, or share past hurts. It's when they swallow their pride and start to open up with one other that the bridges are built and they begin to be able to see past the labels they have applied to each other.

It was all very marvellous. I was taken on an emotional journey every step of the way. I experienced Nic's frustration and dawning self-awareness; Aidan's anger and crippling insecurity; and the gradual growth of love between the men in Clare London's deft hand. She made me care very much about these men.

So what were the negative points? There was only one minor fault really and that was that the characters were very self absorbed at times. There were occasional lengthy passages devoted to introspection and I became impatient for the story to continue. However, I do appreciate that some of this introspection was necessary for the characters to develop. They needed to think through some of their actions and realise the need for change.

I hope I have put across how much I really liked this book. I'm giving a grade of 'Excellent' because I'm definitely going to be reading Sparks Fly again and again(less)

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Aug 02, 2011 Mara Ismine rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, contemporary, male-male, mystery-crime, romance

Very enjoyable character driven romance with a side mystery plot.

The main characters Nic, the extrovert, sucessful entrepreneur, and Aidan, the introvert, computer programmer, are the classic example of opposites attract.

They spend most of the book arguing and denying which struck me as very male, even when I wanted to smack both of them around the head. For every moment of understanding and progress there were at least two moments of misunderstanding and running away.

The characters develop and...more

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May 25, 2009 amelia cavendish rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of gay romance

Shelves: books-2009, erotica, fiction, gay-male

Nic and Aidan are very likable characters in an engaging story. Nic, the successful entrepreneur, whose first company was Sparks (a dating agency), is finding that fame and fortune are not living up to his expectations and Aidan, the introverted chief programmer for Sparks' partner matching programme. They come together again after a year apart when Nic wants to make a few changes to the matching programme, and they both find themselves attracted to one another, something they both try hard to i...more

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Apr 10, 2010 Kris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, m-m-romance, some-recommended-reads, the-tasting-from-my-blog

The Tasting:

Why I bought it:

This is testing my memory... I think I bought it because the story sounded different to others I’d read at the time. It, together with Caught Running, was also one of the first books I’d read from Dreamspinner Press and made me a fan of this small m/m romance epublisher.

Dislike/like (ending on a high note):

Dislike~ Neither Nic nor Aidan are particularly likeable at first, especially Aidan. The great thing about good character development... you get to learn why they a...more

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Jun 15, 2009 Cyn Coons rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: boy-smut, smut

I love Clare London’s characters. They’re always so vivid and leap off of the page. You find yourself cheering them on, just waiting for the happy ending that you know is lurking out there for them. This story is no exception.

First, we have Nic, a bright, young, entrepreneur who has, along with his lead programmer, Aidan, created a dating agency which is just about to go public. The site is quite successful, but Nic has an idea that is really going to revolutionize the online match-making world....more

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Jun 07, 2012 Jess Candela rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, read-in-2010

Obviously an early effort, as there were way! too! many! exclamation! marks! used throughout. Also, frequently difficult to tell at times exactly whose POV it was. And don't even get me started on the inconsistencies about the entrepreneur with years of experience, but this was his first venture just one year ago. Or that the programmer responsible for the system was a contractor, and apparently had no stock options. Very obvious the author doesn't live in Silicon Valley!

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Mar 21, 2010 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

M/M story with relationship driven plot. Characters were a bit stereotypical - one hero is a driven entrepreneur with too much charisma and the other is a brilliant but socially challenged geek. Too much angst for my taste - but that's just me.

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Feb 14, 2011 SusieQ rated it 4 of 5 stars

I got a little confused trying to understand the dynamic between these two, but liked the overall storyline.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 25, 2013 Claudia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotica, mm, mf, suspense-mystery, painful-to-get-through

The story idea was great, the execution not so much. The characters were both very hard to relate to and when it got down to the mystery part of the story it was kind of a let down how everything got wrapped up basically within a paragrahp. Also, english is my second language but I don't think that you should have exclamation points in every paragraph. It kind of made me want to put the book down and just let it sit there for the rest of eternity. It made me that mad! I have read other stories f...more

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May 15, 2012 Chris rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, gay, ebook, owned, 2009, done, 2012, reread

Pretty good m/m romance about a successful entrepreneur who gets around, but finds himself thinking about the prickly programmer who helped launch his first venture, an online dating service. This suffers from an excess of exclamation points and... I know Clare's a much more polished writer now than she was when this was written. :)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 13, 2012 ~*coffee*lover*~ rated it 1 of 5 stars

Unfortunately, I couldn't get into this story, the character's didn't make me want to read more about them, and I ended up giving up about half-way through :(

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Aug 09, 2012 Lily rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, m-m, what-i-read-in-2012, contemporary

Nicely written but not one of favorites from this author.

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May 16, 2013 Pablo marked it as to-read

May 16, 2013 Kiki Lynnwood rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: general

Apr 16, 2013 Bookbee marked it as wish-list · review of another edition

Shelves: hmmmm, dreamspinner, p

Apr 15, 2013 Jill marked it as to-read

Shelves: mm, have-but-not-read

Apr 11, 2013 Helle marked it as to-read

Shelves: m-m

Apr 11, 2013 NicStar marked it as to-read

Shelves: mm, dreamspinner

Apr 03, 2013 Viv marked it as to-read

Mar 29, 2013 Kayla rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mar 28, 2013 Notta Chance rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: hacker-or-it, businessman, contemporary-setting

Mar 26, 2013 Dawn Prowler rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m-romance

Mar 23, 2013 Jeff rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mar 19, 2013 Angel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mar 19, 2013 Francesca rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mar 02, 2013 melek marked it as to-read

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