Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Linda, Paranormal Romance Guild
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
HAYES
I say yes to adventure. To spontaneity. But that’s probably why all my relationships ended in heartbreak—for me. So, I swore off dating for a year. Figure out who I am and what I want.
Then my dear friend Emilee was killed in a car crash. She’d started a Bucket List, but much had been unfinished—she was only 27. So, when our group decided to tackle her bucket list, I chose: Take a road trip with my brother.
I don’t have a brother, but Emilee did. An older, sexy as hell, very straight, international pilot brother. A road trip with him will be fun, meaningful… and platonic. A totally uncomplicated five day, no temptations trip.
Except Gabe wasn’t all that was ‘advertised,’ and every hour on the road makes staying detached harder.
If I’m not careful, I won’t just break my own rules—I’ll break my heart.
GABE
Love means loss. I’ve buried my parents, my first boyfriend, and most recently, my baby sister. That’s why I keep people at arm’s length. It’s safer that way. Especially when being openly gay in the cockpit still raises eyebrows.
So why did I say yes to a road trip with Hayes? Maybe because he reminds me of Emilee. Maybe because, for the first time in years, I don’t feel like I’m free-falling. Or maybe… I’m tired of flying solo.
Because Hayes isn’t just Emilee’s best friend. He’s funny. Obscenely positive. Loyal. Off-limits. Stupidly gorgeous. And unraveling every defense I’ve ever built.
When the trip ends, I’ll have to choose: keep flying… or finally land where I belong. Because love might mean loss… but maybe, this time, it also means home.
Open Roads, Open Hearts is a heartfelt, steamy MM romance about love, loss, and taking the leap—because sometimes, the best destinations are the ones you never planned.
The Review
Hayes Warner just lost his best friend Emilee, twenty-seven years old, killed when a drunk driver hit her car. Emilee was a member of their friends group – once nine, now eight.
During their time of mourning, Hayes and the others reviewed her journal, which included her bucket list.
They decide that each person will take one of her bucket list items and finish it in honor of her. Hayes reads about her wish for a round trip with her brother Gabe, who is sitting in the bar they are in, and decides that the round trip is what he will undertake, if Gabe agrees.
Gabe is deeply affected by the loss of his younger sister. When Hayes proposes embarking on the round trip together, Gabe agrees, in order to bid his final farewell and seek closure. This journey will serve to honor Emilee. The trip is planned to New Orleans.
The drive is long and silent – well, except for Hayes, who can’t seem to stop talking. Gabe lives up to the nickname Emilee gave him, Mr. Cactus. Hayes is attracted to Gabe, but has no idea if he is gay or not. Emilee always talked about him finding a nice girl, marrying and making her an aunt, so he’s either in the closet, or straight.
They visit Mark Twain’s home, the Titanic Museum, and all the places they know Emilee would have loved. The trip will be written up in her journal – one item finished. Hayes does his best to get Gabe talking, but it doesn’t work, and every time mentions Emilee, Gabe seems distressed.
Finally, after Gabe tries to get Hayes to stop talking, he does the one thing he knows will shut his mouth – he kisses him, and the question of his sexual orientation is answered. The kiss is amazing, but Gabe refuses to talk about it, and soon regrets his actions.
As Gabe and Hayes grow closer, Gabe knows he will never get into a relationship with Hayes – or anyone. He has lost too many people – a best friend, his parents, his grandparents and now his sister – and is afraid of losing anyone else. He is also afraid to let others know he is gay for fear of the ridicule, and losing his reputation as a pilot.
What started as an effort to complete a friend’s bucket, evolves into something very different.
Four stars.
The Reviewer
I am an avid reader the mother of 3 sons and grandmother to seven grandchildren. Since retiring I have been doing more reading while volunteering as a CASA worker. CASA is an organization that works with the family court system to ensure that children are in the best living situation. There are way too many children that get overlooked in the foster care system and I visit homes and make visits to the parents. I was born and raised in New York and my husband of 50 years and I live in Upstate New York.
The Paranormal Romance Guild was established in 2009 by 8 Indie Authors and one Reviewer to be a constant help for authors. You can be a free author member, submitting your work for review OR become a Premium Author Member for a small yearly fee and enjoy many extra services including Free Beta Reads, Author Giveaways and many others. Your reviews are posted on our 3 FB Sites, Amazon, Goodreads, Twitter and Instagram. WE REVIEW ALL GENRES LGBTQ+ welcome.
Check out our website: https://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/
FB: https://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/
