Let’s start with the obvious—the audiobook narration? 10/10. No notes. The performers brought this book to life in a way that made every argument, heartbreak, and spicy moment hit just right. If you’re going to read this book, I highly recommend the audio version because they carried this story on their backs.
Now, the actual story? I wasn’t ready for how much I’d appreciate the messy, crunchy layers of these characters. It’s not your standard dark romance; it’s complicated, frustrating, and painfully real in the way it handles love, disappointment, and human failure.
The dual perspectives worked so well here. Watching both sides unravel, love, betray, and attempt to rebuild themselves made the tension all the more sharp.
One of the MMCs—let’s be honest—was a slimy piece of shit for most of the book. The kind of man you want to throat punch and ask, “How are you still breathing after that?” He does technically redeem himself by the end, but it’s one of those redemptions where you still kinda want to kick him in the shins.
The FMC though? I loved her journey. She starts off tangled in love and disappointment, feeling betrayed in real-time, and by the end, she comes into her own. It felt like such a realistic portrayal of what it’s like to fall out of love with the fantasy of a person and face the ugly truth of who they are.
And then there’s the other MMC—the grumpy, cranky, emotionally constipated but empathetic king. He’s the type of man who quietly protects, stays loyal even when it hurts, and doesn’t need to shout about it. He was easily my favorite part of the entire story.
Sparktopia isn’t about fairytales or fantasy-level romance. It’s messy, human, and full of flaws—and that’s exactly why it worked for me. It’s about love that disappoints you, and the people who still show up for you after the fallout.