Gateway to Love

by Sarah Hadley Brook

Ten days to finally make the leap from friends to lovers….

Craig and Mitchell have been friends for years, but each of them reached a point where that camaraderie became… more. Mitchell’s kept his feelings close to his chest. So has Craig, but now that they’ve graduated from UMKC, he knows it’s his last chance to show Mitchell they’re meant to be before their careers take them to opposite sides of the country.

He insists they can’t leave Missouri behind without one last adventure. Mitchell agrees to a road trip to visit all the touristy spots and say goodbye to their home state.

As they spend their days and nights together, buried feelings rise to the surface and hope blossoms. When their journey ends with a dance beneath the Branson stars, will they find love and a future together at the end of the road?

States of Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Gay

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2018

About the author

Sarah Hadley Brook lives smack-dab in the middle of the Heartland and is the mother of two wonderful young men, as well as two cats. During the day, she works in the nonprofit world, but reserves evenings for her hobby-turned-passion of writing, letting the characters she conjures up in her mind take the lead and show her where the story will go. When not working or writing, she can be found reading, working on dollhouses, trying her hand at new recipes, or watching old movies and musicals. In her ideal world, Christmas would come at least twice a year, Rock Hudson and Doris Day would have co-starred in more than three movies, and chocolate would be a daily necessity to live. She dreams of traveling to Scotland some day and visiting the places her ancestors lived. Sarah believes in “Happily Ever After” and strives to ensure her characters find their own happiness in love and life.

Reviews

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories in the ‘States of Love’ series are always great fun, not least because they are a great way to get a flavor of any given state – of the people, the sights, and the food. ‘Gateway to Love’ is no exception. With two main characters who have spent their college years in Kansas City and are now taking one last road trip to say goodbye, the mix between the well-known and things they do for the first time is wonderful. I thought the map at the beginning of the book was a particularly nice touch and wish all the volumes in this series would have that feature!

The unexpectedly changing relationship between Mitch and Craig firmly remains center-stage throughout and was really the best part for me. They’ve shared an apartment and the experience of being students, become best friends, crammed for finals, and are realizing, now that they have graduated and will likely get jobs in different states, that their lives will change forever. And while not being able to see each other daily might be okay for “just friends”, the fact that both young men have fallen in love with each other makes the prospect of separation much more difficult than it otherwise might be.

Craig’s idea of a road trip to see some of the sights Missouri has to offer proves to be both tempting and torturous for Mitch. Tempting because – road tip! Yet prolonging the agony of spending time with Craig, possibly sharing hotel rooms as they go, without any hope of more makes Mitch hesitate. After all, he has a magazine internship waiting for him in West Virginia and should be preparing for the move and finding an apartment. Right?

Craig has accepted a job in California, but hates the idea of being separated from Mitch with a passion. He has no idea how to bring it up, how to talk about it, so he decides to show Mitch how he feels – by suggesting the road trip. The lack of straightforward communication and the resulting misunderstandings almost end any hopes Craig (or Mitch) might have had of getting what they really want – each other!

If you like road trips and getting to know a state through someone else’s eyes, if you want to watch two young men struggle with their true feelings and talking about them, and if you’re looking for an entertaining, informative, fun, and emotional read, then you will probably like this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends Craig and Mitchell are newly graduated and on the cusp of starting jobs (Mitch in West Virginia and Craig in California) but before they go their separate ways, Craig suggests a road trip through Missouri. Mitch has loved Craig desperately for four years, while bisexual Craig realized about a year ago that he was falling in love with Mitch. But ... [big sigh] ... neither man knows how to tell the other of their feelings.

Each and every day of their trip, Craig and Mitch struggle with using their words and while they turn the corner from friends to lovers in a series of steamy scenes, they are no closer to revealing their hearts. Mitch offers up a lame "what happens on a road trip, stays on a road trip, right?" while Craig at several destinations on their trip, announces to people they meet that they are pretend boyfriends or fiances, and then apologies with a "I was just ... goofing around." Aarrgghh ... around 90% of the story, they are still not talking about their feelings. But finally the boys gets their HEA and an epilogue gives the story its sweet ending.

The author does a nice job of showing fun and interesting tourist stops throughout the state of Missouri and I enjoyed the tour very much. I could have done without a lot of Craig and Mitchell's internal agonizing and second-guessing, but I liked the ending and give "Gateway to Love" 3.5 stars.

I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.

Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews

[SoCalBookReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This book was alright. A shorter story and pretty quick read.

The two characters Craig and Mitchell have been friends for years. Both harboring feelings for each other that they are afraid to let the other person know about. That kind of annoyed me at times during the entire book. The fact that they couldn’t have an honest discussion with each other just created so many missed opportunities for them. Going on the “last chance” road trip with each other was a good idea in theory. But still, if they still can’t talk to each other, what is the point? Lol. The ending was satisfactory. I was afraid for a minute that Mitchell would make the wrong choice, because yeah, your sister's feelings are totally more important than the person you love *rolls eyes*. But ultimately these two finally figured it out and got it together long enough to make it work out in the end.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gateway to Love is a charming and entertaining book with one of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers. It is a road trip filled with fun, sweetness, and sexy moments. The perfect story to read during the weekend or ,why not, on your own road trip.
Best friends Craig and Mitchell—no Mitch for Craig, mind you—decide to take a road trip around Missouri before they start their new jobs miles away from each other. They may be best friends for years and know each other inside out, but there is one tiny thing that they don’t know. That is that they are in love with each other. Not willing to jeopardize their friendship, neither boy dares to speak his mind.
Then the fun begins. As the story is told from alternating POVs, the reader knows what each boy is thinking and feeling, but they don’t know it from each other. Sarah Hadley Brook did a great job writing this dancing around each other. I wanted to nudge them along and tell them to open their eyes, but they had to figure it out for themselves. And the road trip is a perfect way to do that. They are used to be together twenty-four seven, but being on vacation is completely different. Just like they discover the beauty and mysteries of the places they visit Mitchell and Craig get to know each other on a different level, a very attractive level, and they discover there are still some things they didn’t know about the other. It only deepens their mutual attraction. I loved the oh-so recognizable circle of guessing, hoping, not believing, and hoping again until finally one breaks the tension and does what they should have done years ago.
One thing though. I wished the book were a bit longer. Not that this is a well-rounded love story. It’s just that these guys were so much fun and I wanted to read more about them.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars

Gateway to Love is another book in the Dreamspinner Press States of Love line, and this one is a great addition. Brook manages to create two wonderful characters and showcase the Show Me state with some of it’s finest attractions. Let me start there. I loved the road trip angle, and I really thought the author did a good job of giving the reader a taste of Missouri. A key component to this line is giving the state in question it’s due right along with the characters. Not every book I’ve read hit the mark in that regard for me, but this one definitely does. If you’ve never been to Missouri, or if it’s your home state, this book will give you a lovely view of Missouri.

I adored both MCs. They are sweet and insecure, but also so much in love with each other that it just leaps off the page. I’m a fan of friends to lovers, and I loved that Brook managed to make them both awkward about it while also showing the depth of their affection. Of course, the guys don’t talk when they should (and my only issue with this book is that it dragged on too long for my liking), but in the end, they finally have the conversation and the payoff is fantastic.

Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.

[Tracy~Bayou Book Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Craig and Mitchell have been best friends since they met in college 4 years ago, but Mitchell has felt something much deeper than just friendship for Craig for some time, so when Craig invites him to take one last epic road trip across Missouri, before they move to opposite sides of the Country he’s a bit hesitant. Can Mitchell spend 10 days in close quarters with Craig, without spilling his feelings for him?

This was a sweet story, frustrating at times, but mostly sweet. While I loved both Mitchell and Craig, I wanted to knock their heads together!! Omg, the tip toeing around what they wanted was SOOOOO frustrating and of course, every time they got close to confessing their feelings for one another, either they chickened out, or someone interrupted their conversation!!! *bangs head against desk*

While I was a bit frustrated, the story was still enjoyable. It was well-written, although it had way too much inner dialogue for me. I loved traveling across Missouri with Craig and Mitchell. The author did a great job with the visualization of the sights they visited.

This was a sweet, sexy and fun read, that I’d definitely recommend, just wear a helmet!

*copy provided by author or publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Anne Barwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, low on the angst, friends to lovers story. I loved the little touches that show the quirks—and highlight—the places they visit on their road trip. I thought the story uses the tropes of the genre well, and although it was predictable in places that didn’t detract from my reading enjoyment. Both characters are sweet, yet second guessing themselves, and I thought their romance worked well against the backdrop of a road trip as there was always a deadline in each of their minds, which pushed things along a bit. I liked Adam as a character too, and the way he encourages Craig and Mitchell’s romance—I was cheering him on as much as them by the end of the story! I also appreciated the epilogue catching up with them a year later.

I debated writing a longer review, but with a shorter book that risks crossing into spoiler territory, and I wanted to avoid that. Most of my thoughts as I read the story—apart from what I’ve mentioned above—was along the lines of “silly boys” but I figure that’s a good sign that I’m getting emotionally involved in their romance.

I’d recommend Gateway to Love to readers who enjoy a short, sweet, feel-good, low angst, friends to lovers story with likeable characters, and a road trip.

[Jayne {aka cupcakesandbookshelves} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Friends to Lovers stories, it's one of my favourites, especially when the MC's both have secret crushes on each other. It's so sweet and it was fun seeing how Mitchell and Craig got it together as the book progressed. I would have liked some things explained and fleshed out a bit more in the story, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
3.5 Stars

*Copy kindly given in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much*

[Lena Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Never hesitate to let the one you love know how you feel. Align your minds, synchronise your hearts and above be fearless when dancing with their souls.” ~ Truth Devour, Wantin

With the way that Mitchell, in 'Gateway to Love' by Sarah Hadley Brook, feels about his best friend, Craig, the last thing he wants to do is go on a road trip with him. Living with Craig for the last four years while they were in college has been excruciating. Mitchell loves Craig, but is certain that his friend does not feel the same way; for years he has stuffed down his feelings of love and desire otherwise, he can't deal with it.

Craig is thrilled that Mitchell has agreed to join him. Also, he's anxious because he's been in love with Mitchell for a long time, but has never gotten up enough nerve to tell him. Craig wants to profess his love, but doesn't want to do anything that will damage their treasured friendship. However, he decides he has to tell Mitchell now, while they are still together, before it is too late. With both of them leaving for new jobs, his trip seems to be the perfect opportunity to be alone with Mitchell for long enough to finally tell him how he feels.

They've mapped out their trip to include visiting some of their state's historic sites, tourist attractions, and parks. They have already gone to most of the places, but figure that one more time will be like saying goodbye to the state and each other. Each mile they travel, things vary between being closer and feeling uncomfortable. Craig begins to do things he would not normally do, paying special attention to Mitchell; he becomes more affectionate, and gives him long, meaningful looks that he hopes convey his intentions. Mitchell wonders about his change in behavior, but won't let himself be lured into the fact that Craig is feeling more than friendship. After all these years of holding back, Mitchell can't figure out how to let go. Craig has been holding back too, but he's not afraid of Mitchell's rejection. Craig figures that he knows so much about Mitchell that he can win him over if necessary. The longer the trip goes on and the friendlier he and Craig become, the harder it is for Mitchell to pretend to be indifferent. Both of them are powder kegs ready to explode if something doesn't give soon.

'Gateway to Love' is part of the ‘States of Love’ series. I've enjoyed these endearing books and have learned a lot about the states by following the characters and vicariously visiting historic and recreational places as the plot thickened. Craig and Mitchell are great guys who are so set in their misconceptions about each other, that they couldn't communicate their desire to be more than friends. They lost a lot of valuable time and happiness by keeping their feelings to themselves. Communication isn't an easy thing, but is essential in a good relationship. They are already wonderful friends; with practice and proper communication, they can become great lovers as well. Thanks, Sarah, for helping the guys get where they need to be.

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Carra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends to lovers is a favorite trope of mine, so Gateway to Love had my interest piqued from the start. The road trip facet also made me want to read, since that type of setting has potential for the story to become unique. As for characters, the majority of the story focuses solely on Mitchell and Craig, with their friend Adam joining for some scenes later on in the book, so it was up to them to drive things along.

When it’s both main characters who have fallen for each other without the other knowing, there’s always the chance that they will never wind up revealing their feelings if they think doing so will damage the friendship. This allows for a measure of angst from the start, and that was true here with that angst running through much of the story. Even when they kind of hook up at one point, they look at it as a one-off without meaning—something that ups the tension for both of them given the feelings they have for each other. It is obvious though how well these two fit together, and the chemistry they have.

There’s a lot of awkwardness between Mitchell and Craig, even more so when Adams meets up with them. There was also confusion on both sides since they were each throwing off mixed signals with some of the pretending they did when around strangers just to have some fun on their trip. I found it a bit frustrating since these aspects kept the story from flowing smoothly for me since there was so much uncertainty between them. The author did detail several things about their travels and the places they visited—appropriate since this book is part of the publisher’s States of Love line—though for me it was more detail than I really needed to enjoy the story…I’m more interested in the relationship and its development than the different settings, so more intricate details tend to distract me from that.

In the end, Gateway to Love was a 3.5-star read for me, and was a relatively quick read at just under a hundred pages. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and some sexual content.

[Didi]

For all the sweet idea this friends-to-lovers novella had, the story simply didn’t work for me. That best-friends-kept-their-true-feeling-from-each-other is one of the often relate themes in whatever romance genres that I’ve read before. Depending on the delivery, it can be a story I enjoy - even love - to read! There’s just so much potential in it alone. That’s not what happened here.

My first impression on “Gateway to Love” was how still immature the characters were. Craig and Mitch were just graduated and about to embark on their new life (and adult life, according to them) in new states; so perhaps I shouldn’t be too harsh on them living their last-carefree moments. Then these guys spent quite a lot of time during their road trip thinking they needed to talk, but when the chance present itself they’d either flee or fuck.

With the length of the novella there’s ample ways to whip up a plot to bring together Craig and Mitch. Yet somehow the story went all over the place between both men’s POVs worrying how to come clean to their friend. The few double down of telling then showing when Craig and Mitch reminisced felt repetitive. The road trip was an awesome facet here with the places they stopped by along the way, yet even this was splotched with the Craig and Mitch’s swinging mood.

The bottomline, I guess it’s just difficult for me to like the story once when I didn’t like the characters or the writing style in general. Rather a bummer as I thought I was going to like this book.


Advanced copy of this book is kindly given by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secret crushes, friends to lovers, a quick fun story.

Gateway to Love was a pretty quick read for me. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and I thought this one was pretty good.

Best friends for four years, and housemates for the last year, Mitch and Craig love each other but neither knows how the other feels. I really get this as years ago I had feelings for someone I'd known forever and later found out that they had similar feelings. Fast forward to 44 years of wedded bliss (well mostly anyway 😊). So, while I think these two were a bit old to be reluctant to let the other know how they feel, I do get it.

The two guys embark on a vacation, visiting various tourist sites in their home state of Missouri. I've been to several of the places they visited and I think the author did a great job of describing the locations; especially going up into the St. Louis Arch in what seemed to me like the inside of a clothes dryer drum. 😊

When Craig and Mitch finally start admitting how they feel things keep getting in their way and awkwardness sets in. The story kept me engaged throughout and I read it in one sitting.

An advanced copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

For the Full review, visit https://wp.me/p220KL-eZH

From that review:I happen to love the States of Love Line of stories from Dreamspinner Press.  Each with a particular focus on a State, I've ventured into backroads, tasted  state wines and foods, and visited many state local attractions as couples met or as here in Gateway to Love by Sarah Hadley Brook, friends found their way to lovers and HEA.

Sometimes I was able to totally immerse myself in the romance and state of choice.  Other times, It was a lovely brief fling, a romance I  enjoyed but it went by swiftly without as much  depth as some of the others.  Gateway to Love falls into the second category.  This might be due to the short nature of the story, 98 pages in length.  It didn't give the author much to work with in order to expand on the road trip,  and describing the venues the young men visited.  It's that element that really adds to the flavor and personal essence of each couple, their background, and relationship.  Here it should have been deeply personal because it was  where they grew up and went to college, and yes, full of  memorable sites for their last road trip together.  The author even supplies the readers with a map of the trip and state."

For all our reviews, visit http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...

[Josh Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two collage friends take one final road trip before they move to opposite sides of the country. They both have been harboring a secret, the same secret “That they are each in love with the other.”

I found this story sweet and romantic without being too sweet and sickly. Mitchel And Craig, are two cute Collage Graduates that have been sharing an apartment during their collage years. They have formed a strong friendship, they know everything about each other and are almost a couple.

Neither one has built up the courage to let their true feelings be known to the other, they’d rather keep their secrets to themselves than risk losing each other.



But with Ten Days left together before life takes them in different directions we follow Craig attempts at showing Mitchel how much he means to him. The trip has some bumpy and awkward moments, as they flirt with one another to the brink, before laughing it off as having fun.

Can they find their courage before it is too late?

I found the story warm and cozy, yes I wanted to bang their heads together and tell them to open their eyes and see what is in front of them. But I also found their flirting fun and easily forgive them for being blind.

I was surprised how much I smiled and felt happy reading this book. An enjoyable read that will make you smile, and warm and gooey inside.

[Kirstin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Best friends Craig and Mitchell are at a turning point in their lives. They are both done with school and have accepted jobs in their respective fields, but both have a secret. They are desperately in love with each other. With one moving to West Virginia and the other to California, chances are they won't see each other again. But when Craig insists they take a road trip together, Mitchell can't say no.

I was super excited when I read the blurb for this book. It sounded exactly like something I'd love. The writing just fell flat for me. It seemed choppy and short and the same phrases were used over and over. I'm pretty sure that each of them said "we need to talk" at least twice in the last twenty pages.

The actual relationship between the MC's was difficult to imagine. They were very awkward with each other and spent most of the book in silent states of being, which is probably why "we need to talk" was overused.

I did enjoy the history that surrounded their adventures around the state of Missouri, I just wished there was more showing of their feelings instead of telling what they were doing.

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gateway To Love is a beautiful friends to lovers romance by Sarah Hadley Brook.

Mitchell and Craig have been best friends for years, but have never admitted to being in love with the other. As they are about to separate for post college life, Craig plans a road trip for the two men.

What follows is a sweet and tender romance between two young men as they try to confess their feelings. And, of course, they are moving to different parts of the country soon.

I adore these two young men who are obviously meant to be together. They are so fun, flirty and adventurous with each other, leading for some nice moments.


Gateway To Love is definitely worth a read if you enjoy friends to lovers stories.

[Jules Lovestoread · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story could have been fleshed out a bit more, and flowed a bit better, but Craig and Mitchell were very sweet together. Full review coming to www.thenovelapproachreviews.com

[kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

We need to talk.

[Kobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

good. sweet.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars