What do you think?
Rate this book
Gateway Crescent
Jo Bendixon loves to sing, enjoys working in a coffee shop, and is secretly teaching herself to code. If only she could find a way to combine her varied interests into a career her sisters would approve.
Luke Donwell’s Catholic faith is the bedrock of his life. For as long as he can remember, he’s contemplated a vocation to the priesthood. Now it’s time to make a final decision about taking his vows.
When Jo and Luke end up working together, neither of them is prepared for the heat blossoming between them. Luke begins to doubt his calling, but Jo encourages him to continue seeking the truth. Her heart will break when he leaves her, but how can a girl compete with God?
Luke Donwell’s Catholic faith is the bedrock of his life. For as long as he can remember, he’s contemplated a vocation to the priesthood. Now it’s time to make a final decision about taking his vows.
When Jo and Luke end up working together, neither of them is prepared for the heat blossoming between them. Luke begins to doubt his calling, but Jo encourages him to continue seeking the truth. Her heart will break when he leaves her, but how can a girl compete with God?
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2019
About the author
Brenda Margriet
24 books100 followersBrenda Margriet writes savvy, slow burn, contemporary romances with ordinarily amazing characters. In her own ordinarily amazing life, she had a successful career in radio and television production before deciding to pilfer from her retirement plan to support her writing compulsion.
Readers have called her stories “poignant,” “explicit and steamy,” “interesting, intriguing and entertaining,” and “unlike any romance you’ve read before” (she assumes the latter was meant in a good way).
Subscribe to Brenda’s newsletter and you’ll immediately receive a free read. You’ll also tag along with her dog-walking adventures, find out what she’s reading when she should be working, and other randomness…along with all her writing news, of course!
https://www.subscribepage.com/brendas...
A quick note to those reading Brenda's reviews on Good Reads. Her star rankings might seem on the low side. It's not because she's mean, just picky.
Readers have called her stories “poignant,” “explicit and steamy,” “interesting, intriguing and entertaining,” and “unlike any romance you’ve read before” (she assumes the latter was meant in a good way).
Subscribe to Brenda’s newsletter and you’ll immediately receive a free read. You’ll also tag along with her dog-walking adventures, find out what she’s reading when she should be working, and other randomness…along with all her writing news, of course!
https://www.subscribepage.com/brendas...
A quick note to those reading Brenda's reviews on Good Reads. Her star rankings might seem on the low side. It's not because she's mean, just picky.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 28, 2019
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
GATEWAY CRESCENT (Bendixon Sisters Book 2) by Brenda Margriet is a contemporary romance set in British Columbia. This romance is the second in the trilogy and features the youngest of the three Bendixon sisters. It can easily be read as a standalone, but it does give you glimpses of book 1 as the timelines run simultaneously.
Josephine “Jo” Bendixon loves bright colors, singing and life in general. Her two older sisters believe she is flighty and never finishes projects she starts and this is hurtful to Jo. She does not share that she is teaching herself computer coding and she is working toward combining all of her interests into a career. When her volunteer job at the library is taken away, she gets the opportunity to work at Gateway Crescent teaching disabled children computer skills. At the same time she volunteers to work with Luke on the end of school year music concert in the park.
Luke Donwell is the music teacher at the local high school. He loves working with teenagers, but he has always had a deep faith and contemplated becoming a Catholic priest. He has set up a weekend away at the seminary to decide if the priesthood is what he truly wants to do with his life. When his friend’s younger sister, Jo volunteers to help with the end of the year concert and a new music therapy program at Gateway Crescent, he is glad for the help, but being with Jo makes him begin to question many of his long-held beliefs.
Jo and Luke work well together and both are surprised by the attraction each feels for the other. Luke is up front about his possible vocational change and Jo encourages him to keep his weekend obligation even as both have feelings of more than friendship. Luke has a major decision to make for himself, but it will effect all who love him.
I must admit that I do not usually read romances with religion as a major focus, but I loved the first book in this series and all of the Bendixon sisters. Luke is a complex character who pulled me in with his faith and beliefs and is an extremely caring and giving person, but also at times he demonstrated the intolerance of others’ beliefs that makes me dislike religious doctrines. Jo is a loving, free spirit who may not have found her true calling yet, but is open and searching. Jo and Luke’s story was a heartwarming romance with many realistic bumps in the road. The secondary characters all added depth to the storyline. There is one sex scene and I felt the author handled the emotions and dialogue in a realistic way that was true to the story.
I enjoyed Luke and Jo’s romance. I also enjoyed the glimpses of book one that remind you of that sister’s story. I am looking forward to reading the oldest Bendixon sister’s romance next.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
GATEWAY CRESCENT (Bendixon Sisters Book 2) by Brenda Margriet is a contemporary romance set in British Columbia. This romance is the second in the trilogy and features the youngest of the three Bendixon sisters. It can easily be read as a standalone, but it does give you glimpses of book 1 as the timelines run simultaneously.
Josephine “Jo” Bendixon loves bright colors, singing and life in general. Her two older sisters believe she is flighty and never finishes projects she starts and this is hurtful to Jo. She does not share that she is teaching herself computer coding and she is working toward combining all of her interests into a career. When her volunteer job at the library is taken away, she gets the opportunity to work at Gateway Crescent teaching disabled children computer skills. At the same time she volunteers to work with Luke on the end of school year music concert in the park.
Luke Donwell is the music teacher at the local high school. He loves working with teenagers, but he has always had a deep faith and contemplated becoming a Catholic priest. He has set up a weekend away at the seminary to decide if the priesthood is what he truly wants to do with his life. When his friend’s younger sister, Jo volunteers to help with the end of the year concert and a new music therapy program at Gateway Crescent, he is glad for the help, but being with Jo makes him begin to question many of his long-held beliefs.
Jo and Luke work well together and both are surprised by the attraction each feels for the other. Luke is up front about his possible vocational change and Jo encourages him to keep his weekend obligation even as both have feelings of more than friendship. Luke has a major decision to make for himself, but it will effect all who love him.
I must admit that I do not usually read romances with religion as a major focus, but I loved the first book in this series and all of the Bendixon sisters. Luke is a complex character who pulled me in with his faith and beliefs and is an extremely caring and giving person, but also at times he demonstrated the intolerance of others’ beliefs that makes me dislike religious doctrines. Jo is a loving, free spirit who may not have found her true calling yet, but is open and searching. Jo and Luke’s story was a heartwarming romance with many realistic bumps in the road. The secondary characters all added depth to the storyline. There is one sex scene and I felt the author handled the emotions and dialogue in a realistic way that was true to the story.
I enjoyed Luke and Jo’s romance. I also enjoyed the glimpses of book one that remind you of that sister’s story. I am looking forward to reading the oldest Bendixon sister’s romance next.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
July 14, 2019
3.5/5.0
This book portrays fantastic family dynamics. All families can be complicated, so the fact that Jo tends to obsess about how her family views her decisions can be relatable.
Read full review in the 2019 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This book portrays fantastic family dynamics. All families can be complicated, so the fact that Jo tends to obsess about how her family views her decisions can be relatable.
Read full review in the 2019 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 26, 2019
This author is a real find, her books are easy to read and pull you into the world of the characters quickly.
This story is Jo's, another of the Bendixon sisters, and the bad timing of her and Luke noticing each other. It is bad timing because his booked in for a weekend away preparing to be a priest!
I liked Jo, she's the sister that never finishes anything according to her sisters, but she is a talented lady and as a characther is warm and endearing. Luke, conflicted Luke I did like Luke, his gracious and caring, but he did make me angry sometimes. I know he is a religious but he was a little critical of Jo's lapsed faith at times, and his mum well, that's where he got it from.
I loved how the author had this story running along the same timeline of book 1, it was fun seeing glimpses into Maddie and Marcus skirting around each other!
This is a warm romance and is a satisfying read, full of real-life struggles and a conflicted heart!
4.5 Stars
This story is Jo's, another of the Bendixon sisters, and the bad timing of her and Luke noticing each other. It is bad timing because his booked in for a weekend away preparing to be a priest!
I liked Jo, she's the sister that never finishes anything according to her sisters, but she is a talented lady and as a characther is warm and endearing. Luke, conflicted Luke I did like Luke, his gracious and caring, but he did make me angry sometimes. I know he is a religious but he was a little critical of Jo's lapsed faith at times, and his mum well, that's where he got it from.
I loved how the author had this story running along the same timeline of book 1, it was fun seeing glimpses into Maddie and Marcus skirting around each other!
This is a warm romance and is a satisfying read, full of real-life struggles and a conflicted heart!
4.5 Stars
Read
July 11, 2019"This book portrays fantastic family dynamics."
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
June 19, 2019
This was definitely a completely different kind of romance...nothing conventional about this one and I loved it! The timeline in this book runs simultaneously with book 1, so we get glimpses of that story through a different perspective. They can definitely be read as standalones though.
Jo, the youngest of the Bendixon sisters, is trying to find her way in life, always feeling like she doesn’t live up to her sisters’ expectations. Luke is a music teacher and is seriously thinking about going into the priesthood, with a discernment weekend planned in his near future.
When the two of them end up working on a couple of projects together, the pull and attraction is front and centre. Considering Luke’s commitment to the church and his possible future, Jo is a huge temptation and a true test. Jo is uncomfortable with the deep belief he has in his faith, but supports his need to follow his vocation. She tries to put her feelings aside, knowing how different they are. Although not having the same religious values is a problem for both of them, staying away from each other doesn’t seem to be something they do well...it’s a disaster in the making! Not knowing if love could possibly triumph over what seemed like insurmountable circumstances, I couldn’t stop reading.
The characters is these first two books have been a real treat to get to know and I’m now eager to read Book 3!
Jo, the youngest of the Bendixon sisters, is trying to find her way in life, always feeling like she doesn’t live up to her sisters’ expectations. Luke is a music teacher and is seriously thinking about going into the priesthood, with a discernment weekend planned in his near future.
When the two of them end up working on a couple of projects together, the pull and attraction is front and centre. Considering Luke’s commitment to the church and his possible future, Jo is a huge temptation and a true test. Jo is uncomfortable with the deep belief he has in his faith, but supports his need to follow his vocation. She tries to put her feelings aside, knowing how different they are. Although not having the same religious values is a problem for both of them, staying away from each other doesn’t seem to be something they do well...it’s a disaster in the making! Not knowing if love could possibly triumph over what seemed like insurmountable circumstances, I couldn’t stop reading.
The characters is these first two books have been a real treat to get to know and I’m now eager to read Book 3!
June 19, 2019
The characters in these first two books have been a real treat to get to know and I’m now eager to read Book 3! The timeline in this book runs simultaneously with book 1, so we get glimpses of that story through a different perspective. They can definitely be read as standalones though. This was a completely different kind of romance...nothing conventional about this one and I loved it!
Jo, the youngest of the Bendixon sisters, is trying to find her way in life, always feeling like she doesn’t live up to her sisters’ expectations. Luke is a music teacher and is seriously thinking about going into the priesthood, with a discernment weekend planned in his near future.
When the two of them end up working on a couple of projects together, the pull and attraction is front and centre. Considering Luke’s commitment to the church and his possible future, Jo is a huge temptation and a true test. Jo is uncomfortable with the deep belief he has in his faith, but supports his need to follow his vocation. She tries to put her feelings aside, knowing how different they are. Although not having the same religious values is a problem for both of them, staying away from each other doesn’t seem to be something they do well...it’s a disaster in the making! Not knowing if love could possibly triumph over what seemed like insurmountable circumstances, I couldn’t stop reading.
Jo, the youngest of the Bendixon sisters, is trying to find her way in life, always feeling like she doesn’t live up to her sisters’ expectations. Luke is a music teacher and is seriously thinking about going into the priesthood, with a discernment weekend planned in his near future.
When the two of them end up working on a couple of projects together, the pull and attraction is front and centre. Considering Luke’s commitment to the church and his possible future, Jo is a huge temptation and a true test. Jo is uncomfortable with the deep belief he has in his faith, but supports his need to follow his vocation. She tries to put her feelings aside, knowing how different they are. Although not having the same religious values is a problem for both of them, staying away from each other doesn’t seem to be something they do well...it’s a disaster in the making! Not knowing if love could possibly triumph over what seemed like insurmountable circumstances, I couldn’t stop reading.
Read
December 14, 2020I loved this book! Other reviewers have done a synopsis of the story, so I won’t echo that here. What I will say was how refreshing it was to read a story where one of the main characters was a person of faith, but without the author trying to convert the reader. I love stories where faith is just an accepted part of a person’s life. I think the author showed this very well, as well as the questions, doubts and conflicts faith sometimes gives us. A couple of reviewers mentioned they found Luke a bit unaccepting or intolerant. I didn’t find this. The author dealt very well with Luke balancing his faith, his mother’s views( (which were a bit intolerant), and his growing feelings for Jo.
If you like faith in your stories without the author trying to convert you, this is definitely one for you.
I would love to read a follow up story about them and how they’ve managed to learn to live together. Even better, a story that shows his mother learning the concept of grace.
If you like faith in your stories without the author trying to convert you, this is definitely one for you.
I would love to read a follow up story about them and how they’ve managed to learn to live together. Even better, a story that shows his mother learning the concept of grace.
December 2, 2019
This series is so very unique. Brenda Margriet brings us the youngest sister, Jo Bendixon in this second story of the sisters. Gateway Crescent takes place at the same time as the first book allowing the reader glimpses into the lives of the other sisters. Jo works for the local coffee shop, is a computer wizard and loves music, specifically singing. Luke's faith has been a central part of his life ever since he was young. The seed to join the priesthood was planted in his youth and now he has decided to take the final steps towards that goal. Jo waltz into Luke's life and her bubbly personality and presence now causes him to question his dreams of being a priest. The emotional turmoil in this story will both frustrate you and endear you to these characters. I am looking forward to the next sister in this series!
June 23, 2019
This was such a heartwarming story. Luke is making plans to become a priest. When he starts spending more time with Jo, the youngest of the Bendixon sisters, an attraction to her grows. Is he meant to be a priest or is he meant to find a woman to marry, someone that isn’t Jo? This book will have you wanting to bop Luke’s and Jo’s heads together at times, but no one is perfect, as we find out in this book. I can’t wait to read Camryn’s story next. If you’ve read Allegro Court, you’ve meet Jo and Luke, but if not, you can still read and enjoy Gateway Crescent.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews