Twenty-one-year-old Neka is a bit of an introvert, she also happens to be stunningly beautiful.When she discovers her friend James is about to be dumped, she sees the perfect opportunity to escape from her quiet life. Can she summon the courage to leave it all behind?James Copley comes from a ruthless family. It’s rubbed off.Years ago, he disengaged from his brother’s smear campaign, but now his … smear campaign, but now his father has offered him an ultimatum, “Get married or lose your seat at the table.”
Plotting to stamp his design on the family business, he proposes to a woman, even though he doesn’t love her.
But his carefully laid plans start to unravel when she leaves him on the day she’s due to meet his family.
Could years of planning his comeback vanish with her departure?
A possible solution comes in an unexpected form: Neka. She’s not only a friend, but the daughter of his benefactor. And she’s right there, offering to support him.
But will her support stretch to marriage?
He attempts to win her over to his plan but collides with her powerful father who wants to leverage the situation for his own gain.
In their fight for survival and love, they are forced to face some uncomfortable truths.
Can they overcome thwarted dreams and missed chances to find true love, or does forcing destiny’s hand only lead to misery?
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Sometimes when you feel something is right, you have to take a chance. Neka is in love with James Copley. They are both from business families and James has been put into a position that he must marry to retain his place in his family’s business. His brothers and father, though seemed to love him, also came off a bit as cut throat as well. When James’s first fiancé dumps him, Neka puts herself in place to be his second.
This was an interesting and different romance of two people who were going to marry to better the families. It almost seemed as though it was a business arrangement. The families were very much involved in their lives, personal and business, and many times became a hinderance to this young couple.
Even though Neka is young (21), she knows that she is in love with James. However, she is not so sure about how he feels about her. She is ready to accept him without the love if only he will one day return it. She wants more than a business arrangement.
James sees the unbelievable woman Neka is and her value. It takes him a little time to see his true feelings for her. Before he even realizes how much he loves her, needs her, and wants her, he must prove to her through his courtship that she is someone most precious to him.
This was a unique romance, how it began, the progression, and the resolution- and I enjoyed it.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
THOUGHTS
A Gateway to Hope by E.C. Jackson is an impressive debut novel who is real with an imperfectly perfect heroine.
I enjoyed seeing a story with realness even if there was a main character that annoyed me quite a bit for the book but I overall enjoyed it.
The faith themes were well written in a perhaps overly shown way at some points but I found it warming and I loved the family elements.
There were a few annoying things… Okay, they were supposed to be, like the selfish ex-fianceé and her trying to get back at the guy she ditched… I was also unsure of some things that happened with the families and inconsistencies with them. Otherwise, I found A Gateway to Hope to be an enjoyable read and romance readers will enjoy them.
18+ recommendation due to sexual suggestions and/or comments.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Thank you in advance to the author, E.C Jackson, for providing a complimentary copy for review. A positive review was not required, all words and thoughts are my own.
I was offered a chance to review the entire four (4) book set and these books were my first introduction to the author – then again, they are also the first novels by the author.
A Gateway to Hope is the author’s DEBUT fictional novel (and the first in this series), and from the writing – it is difficult to even tell that it is a debut novel, especially a self-published one. The writing is engaging, relaxed, realistic.
This is the only book that lists the cast of characters in the story.
This book also has a heavy emphasis on “sexual purity” and addresses the “sin” of intimacy before marriage.
A Gateway to Hope begins as Neka shows up to the airport to help James who has an interesting problem – he needs to get married to claim his rightful place at the family business. The only issue is his fiancée, Teri, has decided to walk away right before heading to meet James’ family.
Having been friends with Neka, James is certain he can pass her off as his fiancée, and she is willing to help him. And, Neka has her reasons to help him.
Neka is old fashioned and believes that even marriages of convenience can lead to falling in love. But, it also helps that the two do love each other. Though, there were times, especially halfway where it wasn’t going where I thought it would.
Jackson tackles tough issues with James referring to hypocrites and views of hot issues such as abortion, homosexuality, and intimacy before marriage. Though this is a brief section/comment and isn’t central to the story.
This was such an engaging and beautifully written story that it was hard to believe it was the author’s first novel.
I did have a problem with all the business talk, so I did skip those parts. It can be an exciting glimpse into how businesses work. The family business aspect was also explored though I felt it was a bit more filler.
I also wanted to know what the purpose of Teri’s visit an accusations against James was. What was her end game?
Neka was delightful, though young; James was definitely an interesting character to read as well. The support characters were realistic, even if I had questions about their motives.
The story has a beautiful and happy ending. I was hooked right after chapter one (1) and definitely didn’t want to put it down by chapter nine (9). It wasn’t a page-turner by any means, but it definitely held my interest.
There were a few beautiful lessons the reader will take away, at least, I did – not now doesn’t mean not ever; along with God has a plan for his children.
The book has a strong Christian theme; which are, at times, central to the plot of the story. Themes such as forgiveness (even in the worst of scenarios), second chances, and redemption are abundant. There are bible quotes, sermons, as well as even biblical life rules (ie: abstinence until marriage). There is no foul language or any intimate on-page scenes in any of the books. There are some references to pre-marital intimacy which is prior to the beginning of the book.
The cover depicts the couple featured in the book. This, and the other covers for the books in the series are absolutely beautiful for a self-published series. These could easily be movie-of-the-week “poster” quality covers. They’re definitely reminiscent of Lifetime movie ads and/or Harlequin stories.
This book; as well as subsequent ones; are all written with short chapters in each book with vivid details in third person POV.
While these are a “series”, they are definitely standalone books and are not connected in any way by characters or cities. They are merely a themed series. It is not necessary to read the other books as the events in this book are not mentioned in the next three books: A Living Hope, The Certain Hope, and The Confident Hope.
Fans of the genre, diverse romance, and more serious romances will more than likely enjoy this book.
The characters are written realistically, with realistic drama and dialogue that could easily play out like a Lifetime movie.
This is the first book from this author and I am impressed with the writing. The story is one where a person asks themselves.” Am I willing to do anything for a friend?” Neka steps up to help her friend James in a very unselfish way. She decides to marry him so he can benefit in the his family business. It was quite a big step for Neka to just pick up and leave everything to follow James to announce their engagement to his family. There is a twist in the story that will present some problems. Let’s just say someone may have second thoughts.
James was not my favorite character at the beginning. I was beginning to wonder if maybe Neka had lost her mind. James is very selfish, needs approval and wants to always be right. With Neka’s strong belief in God, there is bound to be some disagreements along the way. James bugged me when he kept calling Neka , “sweets.” I thought it was almost like he was trying to convince himself that she was the right one for him after his fiasco of a relationship he just broke off.
The story is one that examines marriage in a Godly way and how Neka doesn’t shy away from what God says about marriage. It’s a great story that shares wisdom, patience and communication between two people. At first their marriage was to be a business deal, but searching her heart, Neka knows she must do the right thing. I loved how the author gives readers a story that shows how a simple argument allows the enemy to come in and cause doubt. James and Neka are wonderful characters and I loved seeing them grow and prefer one another. Marriage isn’t always easy especially when we let pride come in.. When we invite God in to our marriage, ” a three cord strand is not easily broken.”
I received a digital copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
3.5 Stars
When Neka Lacey makes an abrupt decision, her life alters in ways she never saw coming. Within the course of a day, she leaves her family’s home, travels to another state, and finds herself engaged to her friend James. The tension in James’s family both upsets Neka and firms her resolve to stand by him.
I wasn’t a huge fan of James at first. He comes off as manipulative, steering people and situations to get the results he desires. But when the tables are turned and James finds himself on the receiving end, he reacts better than I thought he would.
Add in Neka’s family, a multi-company buyout, and a couple ex-girlfriends and the idyllic life Neka hoped for begins to tarnish.
In A Gateway to Hope, E. C. Jackson pinpoints potential issues when a couple begins to merge their lives together. There are misunderstandings, disagreements, and questions about whether this relationship will make it to the altar. To survive, all relationships require communication and compromise.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Gateway to Hope
James just broke up with Teri when going home to meet his parents. Neka shows up at the airport to go with James instead. She is very caring and loves to help people out. She really wants to help James out and that is her number 1 goal.
I loved the inspirational part of the book. All the closeness of both of the families. There was a lot of business talk between the families that I did find a little boring. Even though they start as friends will it become more.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
‘Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…..’
James is a self-made business man who has trouble seeing anyone else’s viewpoint. Dumped by his fiancé at the airport, all his plans seem to blow up in front of him. Neka is a gorgeous young lady who always believes the best in everyone. Leaving home without letting anyone know, she steps into a world where everything changes. What follows is a story of learning to share of yourself, those deepest thoughts and feelings, as well as understanding that in a relationship you must be ready to forgive and move on. I appreciated how the spiritual walk of these characters evolved over the novel, bringing them to a much better awareness of God’s leading in their lives.
I received this ARC through CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.