UpSpark: A Love Story

Funnily enough, I know exactly how to describe this book, but at the same time I don’t. I couldn’t classify it into any particular genre, as it ebbs and flows from magical realism, to general fiction, to romance, to spiritual fiction. The writing flowed nicely, and it was really easy (maybe too much! My poor sleep schedule) to find oneself mesmerized by Nicole’s prose. Because of the way the plot wasn’t a deep, complex one packed with plot-twists, Nicole took her time to introduce Enya and let us know her and Jacob in depth. Character-driven novels aren’t that common nowadays, and this may be one of the most perfect examples. Enya dives deep into her spiritual journey, unafraid and unashamed, and there were some great passages reflecting upon her life, her choices, and fear that left me thinking long after the lights were out. Sometimes “life knowledge” can come across as either patronizing, or obnoxious, but Enya’s inner monologue was far from either. I could really connect with her, and see things through her eyes. I felt my own mindset change alongside Enya’s, and in several ways, this story helped me open up to myself and go deeper in my introspections. Enya and Jacob took me on my own spiritual road trip. My favourite part was the first one, as they traveled to different Native American reservations and learned more about their culture, life philosophy, and traditions. Upspark has opened my eyes to a wholly different philosophy of life, one that I had glimpsed but not quite seen until now, and I’m sure it will keep me thinking for a few more days, at the very least. Thank you, Nicole, for this amazing ride. Can’t wait to read StarDust and TwinFlames!