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Once Upon a Dare #1
The Gate to Everything
International Bestselling Author Ava Miles presents a heartwarming and romantic second-chance story about two people who rediscover their love for each other…and what it means to be a family. Connected to her bestselling Dare Valley series and what Publisher’s Weekly called “an appealing story,” this romance is guaranteed to make you believe in love all over again.Quarterback Jordan Dean thought he had everything until his long-time girlfriend broke up with him. His football rock star life had become too burdensome to her. Plus there was another teensy, weensy reason. Chef Grace Kincaid had gotten tired of waiting for him to propose. Ouch.When Jordan wins the Super Bowl, he tells himself it’s enough. But he can’t get Grace out of his mind. When she calls, insisting they meet, he eagerly agrees. .Only to discover he’s going to be a father….Grace had always wanted a happily ever after—her yellow house, the picket fence, and children—with Jordan. She’s not willing to settle for a shotgun wedding. But hope makes her agree to live next door to him in the dream house he’d secretly had built for her. The fire of their attraction and deep waters of their love reemerge as they become parents for the first time.The gate between their houses becomes the key—to everything.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2016
412 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Ava Miles
101 books1,143 followersMillions of readers have discovered International Bestselling Author Ava Miles and her powerful fiction and non-fiction books about love, happiness, and transformation. Her novels have received praise and accolades from USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and People Magazine in addition to being chosen as Best Books of the Year and Top Editor’s picks. Translated into multiple languages, Ava’s strongest praise comes directly from her readers, who call her books and characters unforgettable.
Ava is a former chef, worked as a long-time conflict expert rebuilding warzones to foster peaceful and prosperous communities, and has helped people live their best life as a life coach, energy healer, and self-help expert. She is never happier than when she’s formulating skin care and wellness products, gardening, or creating a new work of art. Hanging with her friends and loved ones is pretty great too.
After years of residing in the States, she decided to follow her dream of living in Europe. She recently finished a magical stint in Ireland where she was inspired to write her acclaimed Unexpected Prince Charming series. Now, she’s splitting her time between Paris and Provence, learning to speak French, immersing herself in cooking à la provençal, and planning more page-turning novels for readers to binge.
Ava is a former chef, worked as a long-time conflict expert rebuilding warzones to foster peaceful and prosperous communities, and has helped people live their best life as a life coach, energy healer, and self-help expert. She is never happier than when she’s formulating skin care and wellness products, gardening, or creating a new work of art. Hanging with her friends and loved ones is pretty great too.
After years of residing in the States, she decided to follow her dream of living in Europe. She recently finished a magical stint in Ireland where she was inspired to write her acclaimed Unexpected Prince Charming series. Now, she’s splitting her time between Paris and Provence, learning to speak French, immersing herself in cooking à la provençal, and planning more page-turning novels for readers to binge.
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July 5, 2016
The Gate To Everything is book one in the brand new Once Upon A Dare series by Ava Miles. This book was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the author.
Grace Kincaid and Jordan Dean have known each other since they were little. They spent years as friends, and later as a couple. They each had dreams, Grace’s to go to culinary school and become a chef, and Jordan to be a professional football player. Now, living in Atlanta, they had both achieved their dreams. Grace was a rising chef in a 5 star restaurant. And Jordan, who was quarterback for the Atlanta Rebels, had taken his team all the way to the play offs and has hopes for the super bowl this season.
Success hadn’t always been there for Jordan. He had spent years as a second string back up quarterback for another team but ever since coming to Atlanta, he had become a rising star. Along with being a famous quarterback, came all the glitz and glamour of fame. His life was lived completely in the media’s view. So it was part of the deal of being the girlfriend of a famous football player that Grace was also continuously scrutinized. The press was cruel. Grace was a quiet, private woman and dealing with the public scrutiny was not easy. There was never any doubt that she and Jordan loved each other, but lately it didn’t seem enough. They were drifting apart and seemed to want different things. Grace became more unhappy and distant, so it was inevitable that their long relationship would end.
Fate always gets the last laugh, though. Grace had dreamed of marrying Jordan and having a family with him. So shortly after their break up, she discovers she is pregnant. Before they had broken up, Jordan had secretly built a replica of a yellow house Grace had always loved in their home town, in Atlanta so she could be near her restaurant and he his team. He convinces Grace to move into the house and he will live next door with a yellow gate separating them. That way he can be a part of the baby’s life. Secretly he is hoping that this will give him the chance to prove to Grace that he can be the man she needs him to be. That there is hope for them.
This is a sweet and I’m sure realistic depiction of how life must be for anyone in the public eye. The press can be so cruel, and the lengths some will go to to get the picture they want or the things they will say to sell a story, are both shocking and alarming. Not to mention the impact it has on the people the press are stalking. Jordan does pretty well ignoring the press but Grace struggles with it. When you add in a baby, and the danger it places his family in, everything changes.
Will love be enough to hold this little family together or will the press ruin any chances they have at any kind of life together, at reconciliation? I did enjoy this book and look forward to the next one in the series, Finding Faith.
“Some people bring out the best in you. But the one you marry…well, she’s the gate to everything.”
July 8, 2021
Entertaining
I could understand Grace's reasoning for initially breaking up with Jordan. Unknown to her was the fact that Jordan was already working on doing his best to make her dreams come true. But when they got back together and Jordan proved how much he was growing and the effort he was making to keep them together, I became impatient with Grace's attitude and "vulnerability." Grace excelled in a difficult career and should have been better able to handle Jordan's fame instead of shrinking and running from it and from their relationship.
I could understand Grace's reasoning for initially breaking up with Jordan. Unknown to her was the fact that Jordan was already working on doing his best to make her dreams come true. But when they got back together and Jordan proved how much he was growing and the effort he was making to keep them together, I became impatient with Grace's attitude and "vulnerability." Grace excelled in a difficult career and should have been better able to handle Jordan's fame instead of shrinking and running from it and from their relationship.
September 20, 2016
No what i expected and so much better than I was thinking it would be, I have a seriously love for Ava Miles writing but with this one being a sport orientated romance even after reading Natalie and Blake's story i still wasn't convinced i would like it, now don't get me wrong I love sports but normally sporty romances are full of well trashy type drama, fake people and they just don't normally do it for me, I should have known Ava's spin on a sports romance would be just as classy as everything else she has written. Grace and Jordan grew up together, found love together but then football and fame tore them apart but then a little miracle gives them a second chance if they are both brave enough to take it.
What I loved most about this story was that even through the toughest times Grace and Jordan always had a super strong love for each other enough to let each other go hoping they could be happy apart when in the present Grace was miserable but the thing with love is if its a true love it never ever goes away so when your given a second chance jump at it and hold on that what this story was about for me because no matter what troubles are around if your love is true there is always a solution you just need to open yourself up to seeing it.
There was nothing I didn't like about this book and yes it was another one that had be crying throughout like most of Ava's books have done but crying is a great way to release emotions.
What I loved most about this story was that even through the toughest times Grace and Jordan always had a super strong love for each other enough to let each other go hoping they could be happy apart when in the present Grace was miserable but the thing with love is if its a true love it never ever goes away so when your given a second chance jump at it and hold on that what this story was about for me because no matter what troubles are around if your love is true there is always a solution you just need to open yourself up to seeing it.
There was nothing I didn't like about this book and yes it was another one that had be crying throughout like most of Ava's books have done but crying is a great way to release emotions.
July 8, 2016
Ava Mile's writing just gets better and better. When I read a new book from her, I think that it is the best book she has ever written but when she releases another book, the new book seems to be even better. I especially love her Dare River series and now Once Upon A Dare series. The titles themselves are so meaningful and each book in these series teaches us such powerful lessons and touches the heart deeply.
Jordan has overtaken John Parker (from The Chocolate Garden) to be the ultimate hero in my heart. Yes, he did make mistakes but I really love how he changed. I was really touched by all that he tried to do for Grace and I think he more than compensated for all the stupid mistakes he had made. Grace, on the other hand, like most of Ava Mile's heroines, is one stubborn woman. Although I can understand that she was just trying to protect her heart, I was really exasperated with her many a times. I'm glad Jordan managed to touch her heart in the end.
** I received an ARC provided by the author in exchange for a honest review
Jordan has overtaken John Parker (from The Chocolate Garden) to be the ultimate hero in my heart. Yes, he did make mistakes but I really love how he changed. I was really touched by all that he tried to do for Grace and I think he more than compensated for all the stupid mistakes he had made. Grace, on the other hand, like most of Ava Mile's heroines, is one stubborn woman. Although I can understand that she was just trying to protect her heart, I was really exasperated with her many a times. I'm glad Jordan managed to touch her heart in the end.
** I received an ARC provided by the author in exchange for a honest review
March 18, 2022
Not my favorite by this lovely author. We’re all flawed and works in progress so this should have been a lovely listen. It wasn’t that for me. I didn’t particularly like either of the MC’s. Jordan was an immature spoiled child who while reveling in his success gave zero thought to the love of his life. He kept waiting for “the right time” and expected her to be there for him with him giving her nothing in return. No commitment, no promise, just “it’s all about me so why aren’t you happy for me?”. And he was a bully when she became pregnant. Again, it was all about him. Grace, who was a successful chef just sat back and waited for him to “come around”. Seriously? I don’t understand female authors writing such spineless women. That aside, she didn’t really try to integrate to his football world and seeemed to be constantly mock and berate it, but I also understood as it made him cocky & egomaniacal. I’m with her, but they were both childlike. And there is no world in which they’d have made it work so the inevitable HEA rang so incredibly false and on some level annoyed me. Once, just once I’d love to see the female character be the one who doesn’t have to turn herself into a human pretzel for a partner and at the very least for their to be equity in whatever resolution they come to. Tired of the male always being the one who gets it all.
June 20, 2021
Fame almost ruins everything.
Grace, the main female character, has planned her life with Jordan. She has selected the dream house, is passionate about being a chef, and is waiting for Jordan to pop the question. But there is trouble in Paradise. Jordan is a Super Bowl winning Quarterback. He is no longer just the boy next door. He's rich, famous, and in demand. There are paparazzi, groupies, parties and phot-ops. Grace hates that loss of privacy. She resents the time he puts into the game, and the money he earned. Plus, Jordan wants to ride the high as long as he can, and wait to get married. He's a dolt! And Grace is misguided.
The path to a Happy Ending is tortuous but successful. There are a few situations which explain Grace's point of view and Jordan's hesitation to propose.
I enjoyed the book. Now, how did Jordan's team end the season?
Grace, the main female character, has planned her life with Jordan. She has selected the dream house, is passionate about being a chef, and is waiting for Jordan to pop the question. But there is trouble in Paradise. Jordan is a Super Bowl winning Quarterback. He is no longer just the boy next door. He's rich, famous, and in demand. There are paparazzi, groupies, parties and phot-ops. Grace hates that loss of privacy. She resents the time he puts into the game, and the money he earned. Plus, Jordan wants to ride the high as long as he can, and wait to get married. He's a dolt! And Grace is misguided.
The path to a Happy Ending is tortuous but successful. There are a few situations which explain Grace's point of view and Jordan's hesitation to propose.
I enjoyed the book. Now, how did Jordan's team end the season?
July 17, 2025
This novel is the author being lazy. The plot is basically the same as Dare Valley #8: A Bridge to Nowhere. The similarities are numerous. In both cases, the male romantic interest is a professional football player - in fact a quarterback. In both cases the female romantic lead has a problem with the insidious part of fame / women all over the guy, paparazzi, just the general trappings of fame. In both cases the couple lives next door to each other (the man set this up in both cases). The only difference is in The Gate to Everything has a fence with a gate in between the two houses; In a Bridge to nowhere, the husband has a bridge built over a small creek between the two houses. In both books, the women work in the food industry. So -- lazy, writing, Ms. Miles.
May 27, 2017
Let me start by saying I have loved all of Ava Miles books. I couldn't wait to read this one. However, I couldn't stand the heroine in this story. She comes across as selfish. Throughout the whole book she depends all the changes in Jordan (which he does) and she continues to be herself, which she needed to make just as many, of not more changes to herself. She was a really unlikeable main character and predictable.
March 7, 2018
The Gate to Everything
This is the first in this series. It was about a long time relationship that hit bottom due to his career as a quarterback and her not wanting to be in the limelight. After their breakup her becomes a player. But when he finds out that she is pregnant he has a wake up call. Will he be able to win her back? What about the reason for the breakup? Can't wait to read the next book.
This is the first in this series. It was about a long time relationship that hit bottom due to his career as a quarterback and her not wanting to be in the limelight. After their breakup her becomes a player. But when he finds out that she is pregnant he has a wake up call. Will he be able to win her back? What about the reason for the breakup? Can't wait to read the next book.
September 16, 2019
I thought Jordan was a jerk. My main problem was Grace had been with him for seven years but he wanted to wait for his football career to take off before they got married. Why?? If she wanted to be with him and stay with him when he was doing just ok with his career, then obviously the fame didnt matter to her. Oh well, I still thought he was a jerk.
September 11, 2017
This was an easy read, but I had way too many issues with Grace (the main character). She never seemed to be willing to meet Jordan half way, and goes back on her word at the end, which was infuriating. I just cannot get behind a character that is pretty wimpy, when it comes down to it.
February 7, 2019
Fabulous
Well these two had me cussing too lol and I like Grace doesnt do that. But their love won in the end. I loved their little Ella and felt for their dilemma. Thankyou Ava hugs xx here's looking forward to Sam's story
Well these two had me cussing too lol and I like Grace doesnt do that. But their love won in the end. I loved their little Ella and felt for their dilemma. Thankyou Ava hugs xx here's looking forward to Sam's story
March 6, 2019
Sweet Love Story
This is a story filled with trials that test an enduring love. The characters made me laugh and cry. Sweet Ella is the best part of all. Love and football are a great combination.
This is a story filled with trials that test an enduring love. The characters made me laugh and cry. Sweet Ella is the best part of all. Love and football are a great combination.
May 6, 2019
Again great read
It don't dawn on me that this series was a spin off of care valley, and I don't know why it wouldn't. It's a great story and great characters. Once again Ava has hit it out of the park, thank you.
It don't dawn on me that this series was a spin off of care valley, and I don't know why it wouldn't. It's a great story and great characters. Once again Ava has hit it out of the park, thank you.
September 13, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book. Love is never easy and it takes 2 to make a marriage work - you both have to want it. Great love story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2017
Great read. Enjoyed the characters and watching them evolve. Ava Miles is an excellent author. All her books are great to read!
December 17, 2017
Touching
Wow, my heart was breaking at various times for each character and was almost in tears a few times. I really felt like i knew Grace and Jordan
Wow, my heart was breaking at various times for each character and was almost in tears a few times. I really felt like i knew Grace and Jordan
June 15, 2018
Grace ruined the book for me. Sort of a spineless jellyfish. Get a backbone and grow up!
October 16, 2019
when will be the next one? love this and want to read more :p
March 8, 2017
Oh come on
I love Ava's books. But this was hard to get thru. At one point I looked and thought "really? Only 65% finished". Grace had no reason to be the way she was. He had always been there. What else could she want? Meh.
I love Ava's books. But this was hard to get thru. At one point I looked and thought "really? Only 65% finished". Grace had no reason to be the way she was. He had always been there. What else could she want? Meh.
July 13, 2016
Anything is possible, even navigating the difficulties of a long term failed relationship between two people who love each other, but seem to have very different ideas about happiness. Ava Miles’ Once Upon a Dare series begins in earnest with The Gate to Everything. Jordan and Grace were able to overcome various obstacles in order to come to terms with how they truly feel about each other and how they envisioned a future together. It was especially risky because they were a high profile couple since Jordan was starting quarterback for the Atlanta football team, and they had an unexpected baby on the way.
Each Ava Miles novel highlights different themes in relationships. In The Gate to Everything, Grace is an atypical football girlfriend since she’s invested in her own career as a chef, even as she loves Jordan. At first, Grace fears not being glamorous enough for Jordan, thanks to ongoing negative reports in the paparazzi press who called her “(Jordan) Dean’s Dull Girlfriend,” as well as harshly criticized her style and her anatomy—and what woman can’t relate to that? A few short months later, Grace discovers she’s pregnant, shares the news with Jordan, and soon afterward, they’re living on the same property in a replica of Grace’s dream house he’d built in anticipation of proposing to her. They’re able to share parenting duties, even though they live separately and due to Jordan’s fame, they’re constantly under public scrutiny. Relationships won’t work without mutual trust and respect, and the strong desire to do what’s right for individuals and as a couple. Jordan and Grace learned to become truly intimate by sharing their fears and doing their best to work on them, which is the ultimate ingredient in fostering, nurturing, and strengthening relationships because they wanted to do right, not just for themselves, but for their beautiful baby girl, Ella. Of course that always requires work, and so it’s a good thing that neither Jordan and Grace were afraid of that.
Some people decide to marry because they’ve been a couple for so long, and it’s believed to be the “natural” thing to do. Others marry because there’s a baby on the way. Neither Jordan nor Grace chose to follow those rules since they truly loved each other and knew each person deserved the best, even if that meant they couldn’t be together as a couple. Fortunately, they were able to prove that real love can only be achieved through true intimacy, and that’s the only way to stroll together happily through The Gate to Everything.
I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.
Each Ava Miles novel highlights different themes in relationships. In The Gate to Everything, Grace is an atypical football girlfriend since she’s invested in her own career as a chef, even as she loves Jordan. At first, Grace fears not being glamorous enough for Jordan, thanks to ongoing negative reports in the paparazzi press who called her “(Jordan) Dean’s Dull Girlfriend,” as well as harshly criticized her style and her anatomy—and what woman can’t relate to that? A few short months later, Grace discovers she’s pregnant, shares the news with Jordan, and soon afterward, they’re living on the same property in a replica of Grace’s dream house he’d built in anticipation of proposing to her. They’re able to share parenting duties, even though they live separately and due to Jordan’s fame, they’re constantly under public scrutiny. Relationships won’t work without mutual trust and respect, and the strong desire to do what’s right for individuals and as a couple. Jordan and Grace learned to become truly intimate by sharing their fears and doing their best to work on them, which is the ultimate ingredient in fostering, nurturing, and strengthening relationships because they wanted to do right, not just for themselves, but for their beautiful baby girl, Ella. Of course that always requires work, and so it’s a good thing that neither Jordan and Grace were afraid of that.
Some people decide to marry because they’ve been a couple for so long, and it’s believed to be the “natural” thing to do. Others marry because there’s a baby on the way. Neither Jordan nor Grace chose to follow those rules since they truly loved each other and knew each person deserved the best, even if that meant they couldn’t be together as a couple. Fortunately, they were able to prove that real love can only be achieved through true intimacy, and that’s the only way to stroll together happily through The Gate to Everything.
I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.
January 1, 2017
Good book
This story was super great. I enjoyed the way grace and Blake came together and how they stood together for there family.
This story was super great. I enjoyed the way grace and Blake came together and how they stood together for there family.
January 31, 2017
"The Gate to Everything" is the first book in a new series by Ava Miles. The "Once Upon a Dare" series is a spin-off from the "Dare Valley" series dealing with Blake Cunningham's football brothers. This first installment in the new series was fantastic!
This book focuses on quarterback Jordan Dean and his childhood sweetheart, Grace Kincaid. Jordan and Grace have always been the "golden couple". They've been together through thick and thin with Jordan's career in football and Grace's career as a chef. As Jordan's gotten more and more famous, Grace is having a harder time dealing with the by-product of that fame, the paparazzi and tabloid journalism. Eventually, it becomes too much for Grace, she breaks it off with Jordan, and flees to Italy. Months go by and when Grace returns from Italy, she meets with Jordan to tell him that she's pregnant. This is when the story really takes off as it has both of them dealing with still being in love with each other, but her still having a hard time with his popularity. Him wanting to keep her and their baby safe but stymied on how to do it. It's a fabulous story line that moves along at a decent pace, neither too slow or too fast.
While both characters are richly complex and well-rounded, I definitely connected more with Grace at the beginning, probably because I'm introverted and not comfortable in the spotlight either. I wasn't so sure about Jordan at first, but as the book went on, I grew to love him even more than Grace. He cares so deeply and yet, like many men, he's so afraid of being vulnerable in front of Grace. Yet, it's only by being vulnerable that he and Grace connect at a deeper level.
It's a great romance on top of being a wonderful insider's look at what fame and the spotlight must feel like to some spouses of sports stars, male or female. I loved the ending and I'm looking forward to the next one in this series! Pick it up and read it. It's a great feel-good story!
[I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review. My review was not influenced by this, nor was I compensated for my review. All opinions and conclusions are my own.]
Originally posted on: Valerie's Musings
This book focuses on quarterback Jordan Dean and his childhood sweetheart, Grace Kincaid. Jordan and Grace have always been the "golden couple". They've been together through thick and thin with Jordan's career in football and Grace's career as a chef. As Jordan's gotten more and more famous, Grace is having a harder time dealing with the by-product of that fame, the paparazzi and tabloid journalism. Eventually, it becomes too much for Grace, she breaks it off with Jordan, and flees to Italy. Months go by and when Grace returns from Italy, she meets with Jordan to tell him that she's pregnant. This is when the story really takes off as it has both of them dealing with still being in love with each other, but her still having a hard time with his popularity. Him wanting to keep her and their baby safe but stymied on how to do it. It's a fabulous story line that moves along at a decent pace, neither too slow or too fast.
While both characters are richly complex and well-rounded, I definitely connected more with Grace at the beginning, probably because I'm introverted and not comfortable in the spotlight either. I wasn't so sure about Jordan at first, but as the book went on, I grew to love him even more than Grace. He cares so deeply and yet, like many men, he's so afraid of being vulnerable in front of Grace. Yet, it's only by being vulnerable that he and Grace connect at a deeper level.
It's a great romance on top of being a wonderful insider's look at what fame and the spotlight must feel like to some spouses of sports stars, male or female. I loved the ending and I'm looking forward to the next one in this series! Pick it up and read it. It's a great feel-good story!
[I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review. My review was not influenced by this, nor was I compensated for my review. All opinions and conclusions are my own.]
Originally posted on: Valerie's Musings
July 6, 2016
I don’t know how to describe what happens each time I read a book by Ava Miles. I’m transported to someone else’s life – and actually feel like I’ve lived it. What a magical ability she has to weave you right into the story.
THE GATEWAY TO EVERYTHING is the first book in a new spin-off series based on the close-knit group of football players that we met in a previous Dare Valley book. This book follows the relationship of quarterback Jordan Dean and his long-time love, chef Grace Kincaid. The thing that resonated in this book was the impact celebrity status has on not only the life of the celebrity, but of everyone around them. Just WOW! I’d never really given it much thought. I had the attitude that it’s the price you pay for being famous. I don’t feel that way now. No one should have to pay a price that high. Jordan handled his public persona much better than he did his private one. Both he and Grace learned a lot about what is important in life – and priorities - even though they were on opposite sides of the fence. I had empathy for both characters. I was unable to pick a side. I was rooting for both of them. Through it all, Jordan is still in love with Grace, and is determined to fight to keep her with him. He loves her enough to give up the career he has always dreamed of to prove to her that she is more important than anything to him. What greater love? I can’t imagine what it would be.
I found THE GATEWAY TO EVERYTHING to be a magnificent read. It was captivating, heart-wrenching, soul-searching perfection from beginning to end. I cried happy tears and sad tears. I laughed out loud at the antics of the “Once Upon a Dare” boys. LOVE them! You truly just want to hang out with them for days. This one is a true emotional roller coaster ride – but I didn’t want to get off, as painful as it was at times. Prepare to fall in love. This is a phenomenal book that you won’t want to put down. A brilliant and epic family drama.
*I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review. All conclusions are my own.
THE GATEWAY TO EVERYTHING is the first book in a new spin-off series based on the close-knit group of football players that we met in a previous Dare Valley book. This book follows the relationship of quarterback Jordan Dean and his long-time love, chef Grace Kincaid. The thing that resonated in this book was the impact celebrity status has on not only the life of the celebrity, but of everyone around them. Just WOW! I’d never really given it much thought. I had the attitude that it’s the price you pay for being famous. I don’t feel that way now. No one should have to pay a price that high. Jordan handled his public persona much better than he did his private one. Both he and Grace learned a lot about what is important in life – and priorities - even though they were on opposite sides of the fence. I had empathy for both characters. I was unable to pick a side. I was rooting for both of them. Through it all, Jordan is still in love with Grace, and is determined to fight to keep her with him. He loves her enough to give up the career he has always dreamed of to prove to her that she is more important than anything to him. What greater love? I can’t imagine what it would be.
I found THE GATEWAY TO EVERYTHING to be a magnificent read. It was captivating, heart-wrenching, soul-searching perfection from beginning to end. I cried happy tears and sad tears. I laughed out loud at the antics of the “Once Upon a Dare” boys. LOVE them! You truly just want to hang out with them for days. This one is a true emotional roller coaster ride – but I didn’t want to get off, as painful as it was at times. Prepare to fall in love. This is a phenomenal book that you won’t want to put down. A brilliant and epic family drama.
*I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review. All conclusions are my own.
July 6, 2016
What a start to this new series! This was an emotional read that definitely packed a punch. If you liked Blake and Natalie's story, you will love this since there are similarities. Plus Blake and Natalie make an appearance, which is always a win!
Jordan and Grace have been together for 7 years, but things change once Jordan's NFL career really starts taking off. Grace doesn't feel that she fits in his world anymore, and they end up breaking things off even though they still love each other. Fast forward 3 months, and Grace meets with Jordan to share some shocking news... she's pregnant. Seeing these two hurting characters come together over this pregnancy was so moving. This story is poignant, and their journey was beautiful to watch.
Jordan was a fantastic hero. Sure, he has his faults, but watching him overcome them and work to be more open with Grace was powerful. Like Blake, he has a sensitivity that you don't often see in these "larger than life" type of male heroes. Grace was an interesting character, too. She doesn't start off the story with the same kind of confidence that you see from many of Ava's heroines, but she really comes into her own in this book and ends up fighting for herself, her happiness, and her family. And we can't forget Baby Ella! She stole the show!
There were times I wanted to cry throughout their journey, and I could feel my heart breaking with them at times. I really enjoyed their strength and dedication to their relationship and their family. I'm not a parent, but I loved seeing them learn the ropes.Watching them really get to know each other and learn to laugh together again was probably my favorite part!
I love the Once Upon a Dare crew and was thrilled to catch up with them. Natalie and Blake were a hilarious addition, and I loved their visit! I can't wait to read Sam's story and delve into deeper into this world!
**I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.
Jordan and Grace have been together for 7 years, but things change once Jordan's NFL career really starts taking off. Grace doesn't feel that she fits in his world anymore, and they end up breaking things off even though they still love each other. Fast forward 3 months, and Grace meets with Jordan to share some shocking news... she's pregnant. Seeing these two hurting characters come together over this pregnancy was so moving. This story is poignant, and their journey was beautiful to watch.
Jordan was a fantastic hero. Sure, he has his faults, but watching him overcome them and work to be more open with Grace was powerful. Like Blake, he has a sensitivity that you don't often see in these "larger than life" type of male heroes. Grace was an interesting character, too. She doesn't start off the story with the same kind of confidence that you see from many of Ava's heroines, but she really comes into her own in this book and ends up fighting for herself, her happiness, and her family. And we can't forget Baby Ella! She stole the show!
There were times I wanted to cry throughout their journey, and I could feel my heart breaking with them at times. I really enjoyed their strength and dedication to their relationship and their family. I'm not a parent, but I loved seeing them learn the ropes.Watching them really get to know each other and learn to laugh together again was probably my favorite part!
I love the Once Upon a Dare crew and was thrilled to catch up with them. Natalie and Blake were a hilarious addition, and I loved their visit! I can't wait to read Sam's story and delve into deeper into this world!
**I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.
July 11, 2016
"I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own."
This book is the first book in the Once Upon a Dare series which is about a group of young men who all did football camp in Dare Valley together and their friendship and lives now that they are famous football players.
Grace and Jordan have known each other since they were little kids. They developed their relationship from friends at a young age to a couple. Jordan has developed into a famous football quarterback and Grace is moving her way up as a top chef in a 5 star restaurant. As Jordan finally gets more successful with football his fame keeps growing and becomes a lot for Grace to take on. As things keep going Grace feels like the plans she had of her and Jordan getting married and living in the little yellow house her dad and Jordan built together years ago is disappearing. She sees Jordan’s fame as something that has become insane and she can’t deal with anymore. Grace decided they are done and they break up right before Christmas. As fate would have it now that they are not together anymore Grace finds out she is pregnant with his bay. As Jordan and Grace try to deal with the issues of fame and who that has affected them and their relationship. Can they figure things out and become a real family?
I loved this book. It gives a great insight to living the life of fame and what it can do to your family. I really felt bad for both of them and cannot imagine all of the people every day who have to deal with the craziness. I do feel like Grace’s character was a little without a backbone through most of the story and that is a little frustrating but I think that was the idea of her coming from a small town. That being said I still loved the book and the outcome. This is a great story.
I have not found a book Ava Miles has don’t that I haven’t loved. I can’t wait for the next Once Upon Dare book with Sam.
This book is the first book in the Once Upon a Dare series which is about a group of young men who all did football camp in Dare Valley together and their friendship and lives now that they are famous football players.
Grace and Jordan have known each other since they were little kids. They developed their relationship from friends at a young age to a couple. Jordan has developed into a famous football quarterback and Grace is moving her way up as a top chef in a 5 star restaurant. As Jordan finally gets more successful with football his fame keeps growing and becomes a lot for Grace to take on. As things keep going Grace feels like the plans she had of her and Jordan getting married and living in the little yellow house her dad and Jordan built together years ago is disappearing. She sees Jordan’s fame as something that has become insane and she can’t deal with anymore. Grace decided they are done and they break up right before Christmas. As fate would have it now that they are not together anymore Grace finds out she is pregnant with his bay. As Jordan and Grace try to deal with the issues of fame and who that has affected them and their relationship. Can they figure things out and become a real family?
I loved this book. It gives a great insight to living the life of fame and what it can do to your family. I really felt bad for both of them and cannot imagine all of the people every day who have to deal with the craziness. I do feel like Grace’s character was a little without a backbone through most of the story and that is a little frustrating but I think that was the idea of her coming from a small town. That being said I still loved the book and the outcome. This is a great story.
I have not found a book Ava Miles has don’t that I haven’t loved. I can’t wait for the next Once Upon Dare book with Sam.
July 15, 2016
THE GATEWAY TO EVERYTHING is book one in the brand new Once Upon A Dare series by Ava Miles. It is the first book in a series based on the group of football players that we met in a previous Dare Valley book. This book follows the relationship of quarterback Jordan Dean and his long-time love, chef Grace Kincaid. We can see here how celebrities are harrased because of the publicity a picture or information of their public life will give magazines or TV programs.
Jordan and Grace need to live their relationship between the glamour of fame in Jordan's life and the simplicity and quietness of Grace's.
Jordan's life was lived completely in the media’s view so Grace's life was also continuously scrutinized. The press was cruel. Grace was a private woman and dealing with the public scrutiny was not easy. She and Jordan loved each other, but Grace became more unhappy and distant, while Jordan was enjoying his fame and public life. The inevitable happened and their long relationship ended.
Soon after their break up, Grace discovers she is pregnant. Before they had broken up, Jordan had secretly built a replica of a yellow house Grace had always loved so she could be near her restaurant and he could be near his team. He convinces Grace to move into the house and he will live next door with a yellow gate separating them. That way he can be a part of the baby’s life. He still loves Graces and hopes she will give him a second chance.
This story is a sample on how the press can be so cruel, and the lengths some will go to to get the picture they want, alarming and shocking. Not to mention how it affect the people the press are stalking. Through it all, Jordan is still in love with Grace, and is determined to fight to keep her with him. He loves her enough to give up the career he has always dreamed of to prove to her that she is more important than anything to him.
"I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own."
Jordan and Grace need to live their relationship between the glamour of fame in Jordan's life and the simplicity and quietness of Grace's.
Jordan's life was lived completely in the media’s view so Grace's life was also continuously scrutinized. The press was cruel. Grace was a private woman and dealing with the public scrutiny was not easy. She and Jordan loved each other, but Grace became more unhappy and distant, while Jordan was enjoying his fame and public life. The inevitable happened and their long relationship ended.
Soon after their break up, Grace discovers she is pregnant. Before they had broken up, Jordan had secretly built a replica of a yellow house Grace had always loved so she could be near her restaurant and he could be near his team. He convinces Grace to move into the house and he will live next door with a yellow gate separating them. That way he can be a part of the baby’s life. He still loves Graces and hopes she will give him a second chance.
This story is a sample on how the press can be so cruel, and the lengths some will go to to get the picture they want, alarming and shocking. Not to mention how it affect the people the press are stalking. Through it all, Jordan is still in love with Grace, and is determined to fight to keep her with him. He loves her enough to give up the career he has always dreamed of to prove to her that she is more important than anything to him.
"I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own."
July 21, 2016
Sorry, as much as I loved this book, it took me a long time to forgive Jordan for his actions... Right at the beginning of the book, in the prologue, it's made obvious that Grace is miserable due to him putting Football before her. She says she thinks they need to break up and he's all, "Sure, let me take you home." (Because they were at a party) And he Does. Not. Fight. For. Her!! Not one bit!! He drops her off at home, seems sad about it, and drives away!! Then, in the 3 whole months that they're apart he attends party after party with woman after woman, all of it photographed and publicized. So Grace is forced to see this bullshit... Yet we're supposed to believe he's forever and ever in love with her? That he can't live his life without her? If you're like me and have to know if it was all for show and he didn't actually sleep with them?
Despite all of this, the book was great. I tore through it, flipping pages like mad. Jordan's interactions with their baby are awesome. Despite his asshatery behavior during their breif break up, he adores his daughter with all that he is. As for Grace? She could have used a stronger backbone at first, but she gets one. I mean, how many of us can identify with her problems? Of not being able to step out of their own house without being hounded by reporters? And not due to who she is, but due to who she's dating. The consequences of Jordan's fame were smothering her. But she finally figures out how to deal with it by the end of the book. So I'll say that I did love it and I can not wait for Sam's book to come out next.
Despite all of this, the book was great. I tore through it, flipping pages like mad. Jordan's interactions with their baby are awesome. Despite his asshatery behavior during their breif break up, he adores his daughter with all that he is. As for Grace? She could have used a stronger backbone at first, but she gets one. I mean, how many of us can identify with her problems? Of not being able to step out of their own house without being hounded by reporters? And not due to who she is, but due to who she's dating. The consequences of Jordan's fame were smothering her. But she finally figures out how to deal with it by the end of the book. So I'll say that I did love it and I can not wait for Sam's book to come out next.
July 7, 2016
Grace's biological clock is ticking. She is going to be 33 soon. She had always imagined that her and Jordan Dean, the winning quarterback for the Atlanta Rebels, wold be married with a baby and living in her dream home in Deadwood, SD. Instead she is at another lavish party feeling as dull as the media describes her. Grace is an award winning chef and has never felt so insecure. She is listening to her mom on the phone tell her that her dream house has been sold. She has to make a decision about her future. When Jordan finds her on the balcony watching the party, she tells him that she needs to break up with him because neither one of them are happy. They are growing into two different people who are too far apart in what they want. There is no way for either of them to know they will be brought back together in a big way!
Ava Miles new Once Upon A Dare series starts out with a bang. As she weaves Grace and Jordan's story, you begin to see her real talent for making her characters real. I want to go to Marcello's and have dinner. Ava shows how Grace and Jordan grow and overcome their fears together. Grace who is so successful and sure as a chef is unsure and afraid in her personal life. Jordan is decisive and confident on the football field is still harboring insecurities from his childhood. This was an enthralling journey with Jordan and Grace. I love Ava Miles'Dare Valley series but the Once Upon A Dare series is opening up new areas of pleasure and knowledge for this football fan!
Ava Miles new Once Upon A Dare series starts out with a bang. As she weaves Grace and Jordan's story, you begin to see her real talent for making her characters real. I want to go to Marcello's and have dinner. Ava shows how Grace and Jordan grow and overcome their fears together. Grace who is so successful and sure as a chef is unsure and afraid in her personal life. Jordan is decisive and confident on the football field is still harboring insecurities from his childhood. This was an enthralling journey with Jordan and Grace. I love Ava Miles'Dare Valley series but the Once Upon A Dare series is opening up new areas of pleasure and knowledge for this football fan!
July 18, 2016
Beautiful start to a brand new series!
The Gate to Everything is book one in Ava Miles new series, and I cannot wait to see everyone else’s stories! First off, these characters were introduced in a Bridge to a Better Life, and I would recommend that you read that book first. It helps to introduce the characters as this story picks up in the middle of their love story.
What I loved about this book, is that it goes into what happens after you have your happily ever after. Jordan and Grace have already been together for 7 years and each has already risen to the top in their careers. So what happens after you get everything you want? Life keeps happening. It was refreshing to see a story that deals with this as many romance novels focus on the beginning of a couple’s story and not what happens next. I think this novel beautifully depicts how a relationship still needs nurturing and care to make it work, no matter how much you love one another. The emotions and beautiful writing made me cry right along with the characters. I would highly recommend having a tissue box next to you as you will feel their pain and the joy they have in their new baby.
I cannot recommend this book and other books by Ava Miles enough. You can tell that writing is her passion and it shows throughout her works. I cannot wait for the next one!
"I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own."
The Gate to Everything is book one in Ava Miles new series, and I cannot wait to see everyone else’s stories! First off, these characters were introduced in a Bridge to a Better Life, and I would recommend that you read that book first. It helps to introduce the characters as this story picks up in the middle of their love story.
What I loved about this book, is that it goes into what happens after you have your happily ever after. Jordan and Grace have already been together for 7 years and each has already risen to the top in their careers. So what happens after you get everything you want? Life keeps happening. It was refreshing to see a story that deals with this as many romance novels focus on the beginning of a couple’s story and not what happens next. I think this novel beautifully depicts how a relationship still needs nurturing and care to make it work, no matter how much you love one another. The emotions and beautiful writing made me cry right along with the characters. I would highly recommend having a tissue box next to you as you will feel their pain and the joy they have in their new baby.
I cannot recommend this book and other books by Ava Miles enough. You can tell that writing is her passion and it shows throughout her works. I cannot wait for the next one!
"I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own."
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