Usually when I read the next in a series, I re-read the previous books, especially when it’s been a while since I read them. But with City of Champions, book 2, in Chloe T. Barlow’s Gateway to Love series, I didn’t re-read the first one. I just jumped right in. And I’m so glad I did. It felt a bit like coming home. Visiting with friends and remembering why I love them some much.
I think one of the best things about this book is that it feels so real. Real problems. Real issues. Even Wyatt and his issues in football are very real. And very much in time with current events. And living in the Pittsburgh area, very much a Pittsburgh football player.
The beginning of the book killed me. That prologue. Heartbreaking. But it definitely set up the rest of the book. It showed why Jenna is, the way she is. But to be 6 and go through all of that. And then to have more shit happen to her in high school. And turn out the way she is, amazing. She is so strong. She has gone through so much but has come out on top.
Wyatt hasn’t had an easy life either. It was hard but in a different way than Jenna’s. He had a legacy to live up to and then he had to be the man of the house. And he still feels he needs to keep those roles.
I think one of the best things about this book is that it feels so real. Real problems. Real issues. Even Wyatt and his issues in football are very real. And very much in time with current events. And living in the Pittsburgh area, very much a Pittsburgh football player.
The beginning of the book killed me. That prologue. Heartbreaking. But it definitely set up the rest of the book. It showed why Jenna is, the way she is. But to be 6 and go through all of that. And then to have more shit happen to her in high school. And turn out the way she is, amazing. She is so strong. She has gone through so much but has come out on top.
Wyatt hasn’t had an easy life either. It was hard but in a different way than Jenna’s. He had a legacy to live up to and then he had to be the man of the house. And he still feels he needs to keep those roles.
But Jenna and Wyatt coming together is meant to be. The problems that they had when they were younger make them cautious. It makes them take their time. But with Jenna, her past and her present are colliding and that helps her make the jump to take a chance with Wyatt. And it’s the same with Wyatt. His history makes him pursue Jenna.
The one thing I love so much about Chloe’s books is that, she lives in Pittsburgh and you can tell through her writing. That keeps her books real. She also takes real life issues and doesn’t dramatize them. Yes, there is drama in her book. Yes, she made me put down my iPad and walk around in circles saying “Oh my god, holy shit” for a few minutes when a twist I wasn’t expecting happened. But her characters are so real. The settings are so real. Everything that happens in City of Champions, you could see happening in real life. This is a love story that you could see happening
.
This is a can’t put down, must keep reading all night until you fall asleep and your iPad hits you in your face type of book. A book where your kids start to love the author and they get to stay up late because mommy can’t put it down type of book. It grabs you. Keeps you wanting more. And when it ends, messaging the author asking why you have to wait until spring to hang out with them again type of series. And those are the best type.
~Katie
The one thing I love so much about Chloe’s books is that, she lives in Pittsburgh and you can tell through her writing. That keeps her books real. She also takes real life issues and doesn’t dramatize them. Yes, there is drama in her book. Yes, she made me put down my iPad and walk around in circles saying “Oh my god, holy shit” for a few minutes when a twist I wasn’t expecting happened. But her characters are so real. The settings are so real. Everything that happens in City of Champions, you could see happening in real life. This is a love story that you could see happening
.
This is a can’t put down, must keep reading all night until you fall asleep and your iPad hits you in your face type of book. A book where your kids start to love the author and they get to stay up late because mommy can’t put it down type of book. It grabs you. Keeps you wanting more. And when it ends, messaging the author asking why you have to wait until spring to hang out with them again type of series. And those are the best type.
~Katie