She’ll juggle your balls.For Stella Allesandro, chaos is good. She’s a rising star at a leading sports publicity firm. She’s known throughout the industry as the jock whisperer–the one who can tame the baddest of the bad boys in professional sports without losing her signature smile.But Cal Hartshorn is an entirely different kind of chaos.He’ll fix your broken heart.This former Army Ranger and … your broken heart.
This former Army Ranger and now-famous cardiothoracic surgeon fails at nothing…except talking to a woman he’s adored from afar. Whether on the battlefield or operating room, he’s exacting, precise, and efficient, but all of that crumbles when Stella is in sight.
Cal always knows–and gets–what he wants, and now he wants all of her. His forever girl.
But Stella isn’t convinced she’s anyone’s forever.
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Before Girl is the newest release from Kate Canterbary
The #ManBrick apparently popped up in some snippets that the author posted in her Facebook Group. I had not yet discovered Kate’s books when they first appeared, so I therefore had no expectations other than hoping for another fantastic book and – of course – I was not disappointed
Top 5 things the made me *Squee* about Before Girl:
1) The #ManBrick himself is in my age demographic – totes relatable!
2) Stella is sports-lovin’ bad ass chick – again, totes relatable… I may love shoes and kittens, but I can also scream at the TV about hands in the ruck
3) Getting to see Drs Acevedo, Emmerling and Hartshorn interacting at work – just like Greys but much much better
4) Breadcrumbs – so many breadcrumbs….
5) Correct and proper use of “Todger”
I got all the things I know and love about Kate’s writing – on-point banter, accurate and vivid descriptions of worlds Stella and Cal inhabit, super hot sexy times, a great cast of supporting characters and a realistic, relatable but still totally fresh and unique story.
You just can’t go wrong with a Kate Canterbary book. This is a standalone, but you’re missing out if you haven’t read her entire back catalog (or if you’re an audiobook addict like me, enjoyed the fantastic audiobooks). Stella and Cal were totally worth the wait and now I cannot wait for (along with the audiobook for Before Girl [gives Audible a pointed stare]) what Kate comes up with next!
I am officially and unequivocally enamored with Dr Cal Hartshorn. His unfiltered mouth and feelings are a treasure. I was also taken with Stella Allessandro, the object of Cal’s affections. Her quirky humor and offbeat personality were so much fun. I literally chuckled my way through this book, at times laughing out loud. Kate Canterbary has produced yet another piece of pure reading entertainment. While this romance is mostly lighthearted there are some underlying issues of insecurities and mistrust that color the way both Cal and Stella deal with each other.
5 growly, man-brick Stars for Cal & Stella!! One of my top 2018 reads!
I don’t even know where to start with the perfection that is this book.
Cal is everything I imagined him to be. Growly, dirty (in the best ways possible!) shy, and best of all a man-brick. Stella (Stellllllllla) is a strong woman (the only kind Kate writes for us!) knew how to juggle balls (ahem), and keep the men in her life in line….except when it came to Cal.
The build up of this book kept me glued to the pages and wanting more. I loved getting to reconnect with some favorite characters from previous books, and getting to meet some new secondary characters (hello Stella’s assistants!)
Get this book TODAY and fall in love with the growly heart surgeon with a heart of gold and the publicist who will juggle all the balls like the expert she is!
I completely love Before Girl. It is such a beautiful and amazing story that has the FEELS and the Steam. When it comes to the main characters, Cal and Stella- they are amazing!!!
Their story was so steamy, sweet, intense, sexy and flat out funny. I found myself appreciating their slightly older ages – Cal’s 42, Stella is 35.
I enjoyed their story was a role reversal from those typical romances out there today. Both are successful in their chosen careers yet it’s Stella who runs at commitment while Cal’s ready to settle down and have a lifelong commitment. What’s evident is their chemistry- it’s powerful and the witty banter between them is sensational.
Cal is sexy, handsome, so seductive , sweet and just swoon-worthy; plus he is a romantic! He is just open to new things and he is open to all things Stella. And Stella, she is a strong, sassy, fierce woman who doesn’t take anything from anyone. She is amazing at her job and handles multiple balls at the same time without breaking a sweat but mention commitment and she starts sweating bigtime. Cal comes into Stella’s life and it was a huge moment for both. They are so right for each other. It was a rollercoaster emotional read and full of heat, drama, sizzle and romance. This is why I enjoy reading Kate Canterbary stories because she brings home the love and the heart each and every time. This story is a standalone but has loose times to the Walsh family series. Cal and Stella made the book so insanely good!!!
My Rating: 4.9 stars *****
I have come to expect wonderful books from Kate Canterbary but she always seems to surprise me with each new release, and BEFORE GIRL is no exception. It was such a satisfying read.
I loved Cal and Stella. Their story was sexy, sweet, intense and funny. I appreciated that they were slightly older characters – Cal’s 42, Stella is 35. I enjoyed that their story was somewhat of a role reversal from typical romances; both are successful in their careers yet it’s Stella who baulks at commitment while Cal’s ready for a lifelong commitment. Their chemistry is powerful and the banter between them is wonderful.
I am captivated by Cal. He’s grounded yet incredibly romantic. He’s direct but prone to blushing. He’s an all round nice guy and is a master at dirty talking. He’s gentle and considerate but around Stella he turns into a bitey, growly man that makes me want to melt into a puddle. He’s ideal and I can’t even be annoyed at his perfection. Well, I think he’s perfect and I won’t hear otherwise.
Yes, I have more than a little crush on Cal but Stella’s more than worthy of him. She is terrific. She’s thriving professionally and personally she has her life set up in a way that works for her. But then along comes Cal who rocks the foundation she’s built her personal life upon.
But wait, there’s more! We also get a wonderful cast of secondary characters. On Cal’s side, we get to visit with some characters from the Walsh series. We also get to spend time with Sebastian Stremmel, who we met in Thresholds. I am still campaigning for him to get him own book. Stella brings with her a pair of endearing assistants who are constantly bickering. We also meet her wacky yet lovable family who introduced me to Bathtub Marys and Dominican Cake.
There are so many great things about BEFORE GIRL. I loved it and highly recommend it.
I’m sitting here to trying to convey my feelings for this book. Cal and Stella are authentic, imperfect, and completely relate-able. I’m besotted with this couple. Cal is Army Ranger turned doctor – he’s growl-y, totally sexy and leads with his heart. And, Stella – beautiful, smart, feisty yet skittish about all things men.
This story is organic – these characters along with the secondary cast are interactive with other about everything. I love that about Kate’s writing. It’s like your with them laughing, chatting and texting about whatever come to mind. There is something comforting in Kate’s words. We’ve all been in situations where you don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Cal and Stella are up there now on my list of all the time favorite Canterbary couples.
We’ve heard about Man-brick and the woman who captures his heart for a couple years now; whether you’ve read about the Walshes or Talbott’s Cove – jump right in with Cal and Stella, you certainly won’t be disappointed. I’m trying not to repeat myself but I just love unfolding of this story. It’s smart, completely sexy and unforgettable.
Another best of 2018
Oh my manbrick! This book is EVERYTHING I hoped it would be and SO MUCH MORE than I expected! Cal and Stella are now some of my most favorite characters ever, both individually and as a couple. This book was well worth the wait.
Cal is shy and awkward; he’s growly and sweet; he’s an alpha male in the most unassuming way; he’s such a contraction of characteristics at times and that it makes him perfect. Stella is a kick-ass woman; she’s strong and in charge; she handles multiple balls in the air like a pro; she unapologetically knows who she is; she’s also vulnerable and sweet. She the kind of woman I want to be or at least be friends with. The two of them together are perfect. They both understand demanding jobs and accept that about each other. The chemistry is explosive and the heat can burn you from a mile away.
Not only do you get this amazing couple, but you get a plethora of side characters to fall in love with. If you read Preservation, you will know the dynamics of the Hartshorn/Acevedo/Emmerling friendship. They are 3 doctors that work at the same hospital and have become a tight knit group. They love to give each other a hard time and you get lots of that in this book. You also get a little more of Stremmel, a new doctor that came on the scene in Thresholds. He’s so grumpy and it’s amazing. I only hope that we get his story soon. We also get Stella’s assistant who are like bickering siblings and a problem client that’s more like an overgrown child wanting attention. The three of them are fascinating. We also get a mention of a new doctor, that if previous books are any indication, hopefully that Easter egg will be in other books. Many times a secondary character is just a way to move the story along. A blip on a radar and someone you don’t think about later. These secondary characters are definitely no blip. They grab you by the shirt and scream in your face to pay attention to them. Even if we only get a small glimpse, they are so intriguing and well written, you want to know more.
I know I’ve mentioned that some of the characters are in other books, but this is a complete standalone. You do not have to have read any of the other books to thoroughly enjoy this one. However, I have a feeling that you will want to go read the others after this one. This book should go immediately to the top of your TBR list. Wait…that’s not true. You should stop what you are reading right now and read this book immediately. Wait….still not true. You should stop all other reading until you’ve read every single one of Kate Canterbary’s books including this one, at least once. Yes, this is a book and an author who you will read over and over again. Once you’ve read them all several times, you’ll want to get the audiobooks so that you can listen to goodness as well.
Get this book! Get it now! If I had won that $1.6 billion lottery I’d be giving everyone this book and all the books from this author. Everyone needs Kate Canterbary books in their life, and you most especially need Cal and Stella’s story in your life.
I enjoyed every bit of this hilarious story.
The road to true love does not run smoothly.
It’s wonderful and witty with a cast of characters that entertained.
Kate is the queen of smart romances! There, I said it! And it’s true.
Before Girl is another jewel in the crown!
If you have been a long time “Canterbarian”, like myself, you will have a good basis to start this story of Cal and Stella!
What I really enjoyed about this story is the almost role reversal with Cal and Stella. Stella has “calendar boys” and she is not ashamed of it, she is honest about it and she doesn’t apologize about it. Nor should she in my humble opinion!
Cal is all the growly, bitey goodness you come to love in Kate’s stories. He is so adorkably awkward. He has been hopelessly falling for Stella on the sly, he wants the white picket fence, the happily ever after, all the swoony goodness! He is perfection wrapped in a beautiful package! (Stella says so!)
I also admire and enjoy the fact that Kate doesn’t dumb down the words to get the point across. She doesn’t pander to the masses. She writes smart, funny, smokin hot romances for the modern woman.
You also get peeks of past characters from other books, but not so much as to overshadow the main characters. I felt a bit nostalgic when reading, but in a great way.
You can never go wrong with reading Kate’s stories. This is a total stand alone and I am hoping for more about certain secondary characters. I am not going to name names, but you will figure it out when you read it!
Thank you for sharing your stories with us Kate! Please don’t ever stop writing!!