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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5 Are They Each Other’s Forever?
You know that saying that not every book is for everyone? Yeah, that’s not the case with books written by Kate Canterbary. Every single one of her books has brought me so much escape, laugh out loud moments, squirming in my seat moments and an overall joy of being a reader and Before Girl is a prime example why this author is an automatic one-click for me!
Stella and Cal meet when he literally plows into her on the running path they’re both on one early morning and this begins a relationship that neither expected…well Cal was in it to win it, but our girl Stella isn’t interested in forever, she’s a woman that loves sex, isn’t ashamed to admit it and satisfies her “itch” as often as she can…until Cal makes it his mission to make her his.
Ms. Canterbary has given us a book that sucked me in from the very beginning. We’ve seen Cal in a couple of her other books and he’s a man that gets what he wants! I absolutely LOVE Stella. She’s a no-nonsense woman that is at the top of her game in her career with a sense of humor that matches Cal’s tit for tat. And the chemistry between these two is SCORCHING HOT and there’s no doubt that everyone will be satisfied when it’s all said and done…
“’It’s easier if you let me be on top. Less work. Faster too,’” she said. “’Why the hell would I want to speed things up?’” “’You wouldn’t,’” she replied. Her lips tipped up in a way that suggested she knew something I didn’t. Or understood something I was missing. Wasn’t that always the way with this woman? “’But I want to make it good for everyone. That’s all.’” “’If there’s one thing I can promise you, it’s that.’” I was breathless now. Aching, aching, aching. “’Studying your body and understanding how to make it hum is not work, Stel.’”
I literally consumed this book. I kept thinking, I’ll get to a point where I can put it down and get some sleep…not so much. I laughed and swooned my way through the entire book!! I especially loved how our H/h are older than a lot of characters we read about. They have life experience and are comfortable in their own skin. And while they’re very hot and sexy, they don’t fit what is considered the norm in today’s society. Yet another reason to love this book and Ms. Canterbary!
This is a definite must read book. Once you experience the magnificence of this author’s ability to tell a story that keeps you enthralled throughout the book, you’ll be a lifelong fan like me!!
Kate Canterbary’s long-awaited #manbrick is finally here and it is as glorious as you’d expect! I adored every single second of this book, from the initial meet-cute between Cal and Stella to the very last page of the epilogue—it is pure perfection! Before Girl is witty, sexy and fun, introducing new characters and bringing back old Canterbary favorites from the Walsh universe in a story that will completely enchant readers. The story is a complete standalone but does have some interconnected characters as mentioned above.
Let’s start with Cal…..this stunning “manbrick” is the stuff of wet dreams: gorgeous, sexy, smart, successful and a full on alpha male with a filthy, filthy mouth. His game may be a bit awkward but he makes up for it in every other way possible. This man is everything! When his world collides with Stella’s (quite literally), the stars align and the angels sing. No greater meet-cute has been written and not only did I swoon over the scene, but I also couldn’t stop re-reading it because it was perfection! Stella is all sorts of fun. She’s independent, strong and grabs the bull by the balls in work and in play. I loved her spunky, adventurous side. She is the yin to Cal’s yang. Their chemistry is instantaneous and electrifying. Canterbary takes her time with these two, cultivating their relationship in a slow-burn, taking the reader on a swoon-worthy ride. And trust me, dear reader…..every second of the wait is worth it!
Before Girl is a story you will want to savor. Take the time to read without racing through. Canterbary’s clever writing is on full display with not only a memorable storyline but a cast of characters that will worm their way into your heart. This one is a definite 5 star, must-read.
Worth Everything!
Before Girl is a magnificent love story. Stella and Cal take us on a sizzling journey about embracing love and not letting fear paralyze you. When you find a partner that cherishes your quirks and flaws and passion, you find home. They are that safe place where who you are is more than enough.
Stella Allesandro is strong, sassy, smart, and sensual. She is comfortable in her routine and in her control. She isn’t looking for “the one”, however “the one” runs straight into her like a ton of bricks. That man brick is Cal Hartshorn!
Cal is brilliant, precise, and meticulous. He is assertive, except when it comes to talking to the gorgeous woman he finds fascinating from afar. When Cal and Stella collide, they are pulled together like magnets. It is intense and beckoning. Through their subsequent interaction Cal is enthralled; positive that Stella is his end game. Yet, Stella fights their connection and tries to relegate it to nothing greater than lust.
Cal and Stella have different ideas as to where their relationship is going. I enjoyed the banter, innuendo, and friendship that developed between them. The sexual tension and dirty talk is stellar! I admire the way Cal stokes the desire he feels for Stella into palpable adoration and reverence. Stella feeds into it and becomes bolder and braver in testing her predetermined relationship limits.
Another highlight that shined in Before Girl is Stella’s inner dialogue. It is funny and endearing. I fell madly in love with Cal, Stella, and her family! Kate Canterbary has a gift for writing families and side characters that intrigue and captivate the reader. That definitely factored into my love of Before Girl. Her world building continues to astound me. This book gave me ALL the feels and is a must read!
Kate Canterbary is the queen of words!! I couldn’t wait for Before Girl because I have loved all of her books. I wasn’t disappointed, this book was everything I could have hoped for. With the way she fights m, I felt like I was right there with these amazing characters, felt like I was literally laughing out loud with them and feeling their insecurities. That to me is the mark of a gifted writer. It was an absolute joy to watch these two characters, Cal the rumblely grumbled dirty talking surgeon and Stella the strong badass PR specialist, fall in love. It wasn’t an all together easy road but for them but it was well worth it end when they reached their HEA!
I love me some insta-chemistry/lust/I can’t wait to plow you with my man meat books. And boy did Cal and Stella have that in the first few chapters of this book. Poor Cal and his lack of finesse but boy did he make up for it with the dirty talk and his biting ways. Stella is my kind of heroine who gives zero (expletive) if you can’t handle that she likes and enjoys sex. “I am, woman I love to get down and dirty” or however the saying goes.
I love this author, she never disappoints in telling a funny, sometimes thought provoking, yet powerful story. My issue comes later in the book. I had things figured out with the story which is never the issue because the author will usually throw a curveball. But what I didn’t see coming was the conflict and for me, I had a little issue with. Again, it can be a me issue and not necessarily anyone else’s. Not everyone may feel the same, so go with an open mind.
I, like many of her loyal readers couldn’t wait for Before Girl, affectionately known as #manbrick. Cal Hartshorn did not disappoint. The ladies may not be ready for this grumbly/growly #manbrick ways, but he was certainly worth the wait. Oh and Stella (I can’t help myself and scream Stelllllla from A Streetcar named Desire), she is someone I can definitely see myself hanging out with even though she prefers pineapple rather than guava in Dominican cake, but that’s a discussion for another time. Overall, great story, funny moments, and definitely some hot sexy times.
I went gaga over this book, and I really couldn’t tell you why. The beginning has a big hurdle that fortunately I was able to overcome.
Dr. Cal Hartshorn is a heart surgeon who has admired sports manager Stella Alessandro from afar every day for the past eight months. He’s too shy to approach her, but when finally forced to talk to her, he suddenly goes from Mr. Bashful to a guy throwing out crude pick-up lines left and right. Completely douchey and it made me not buy the whole shy guy angle that was pushed so hard, but I fell for him anyway. Like I said, I’m not sure why I enjoyed this story so much, but I did.
Maybe it’s because Cal holds nothing back. There is no playing it cool with this man. He loves intensely and lays all of his feelings for Stella right out there knowing she could step all over his heart. He’s giving, supportive, and non-judgemental.
Maybe it’s because Stella is an ambitious, successful, strong woman who enjoys sex and is unapologetic in making sure her… um… needs get met. Or maybe it’s her crazy parents who are wildly entertaining.
Maybe it’s because I love a good dirty talker, and—man, oh man—Cal could teach a master class in the art of panty melting dirty talk.
Maybe it’s because Cal is over 40, Stella is in her mid-30s, and there are precious few sexy romances featuring older main characters. These two burn up the sheets!! I love that even though they’re flawed, they’re old enough to know what they want and mature enough to go after it without wading through a lack of communication and a bunch of unnecessary bs.
I don’t know what it was, but I had a smile on my face throughout. This was the first book by Kate Canterbary I’ve read; I’m already looking for more.
Recommended for fans of:
Doctors
Romances with older characters
Dirty talkers
Great story, it captures my attention from the first page and it makes me happy reading about a different type of heroine. This book gives me all the feels, I can’t help but fall in love with the characters, the author and her books.
Absolutely loved Before Girl! Cal and Stella are both such fantastic characters! I found them both believeable and extremely relatable, I think for me it was refreshing for the hero and heroine to be early forties and mid thirties.
They both have extremely demanding jobs that they both love!
They both know what they wanted and went for it. In Cal’s case he had been admiring Stella from afar until one day he ran into her literally!
I love that one minute Cal is all growly and then the next minute all tongued and shy!
I loved seeing Stella’s family who she clearly loves, her Mum and Dad were so funny!
It’s always nice seeing some of my other favourite characters from the Walsh series. I can’t wait to get my hands on Stremmels book, maybe we had a we glimpse into who his HEA will be!
The story of Cal and Stella was so much fun (and funny, angsty and touching). I remembered Cal from other Walsh stories, but this one is a standalone, no problem. Stella kept things very interesting and offered no apologies for leaving options open while enjoying (and falling for) one awesome guy. I love Kate’s characters because they defy stereotypes, and this story was a blast.
If you are a Kate Canterbary fan you will know about the long -awaited story of the “Manbrick”, Cal Hartshorn, and the “ball handler”, Stella Allesandro. Cal is actually a famous cardiothoracic surgeon and Stella is a sports agent. It was lust at first sight for Cal, who admired Stella from a distance for a way too creepy amount of time. An accidental meeting on the running path finally brings these two strong personalities together.
Stella definitely knows what she does and doesn’t want in life and Cal is a brilliant man but very awkward when it comes to women. Together these two settle into a nontraditional, “non-relationship” that works for them. This is a very unique situation between these two that is interesting and kind of a slow burn. It really made me happy and frustrated at the same time.
Kate Canterbary has such a way with words, be it meaningful or humongous, that seem to be carefully crafted for readers to enjoy.
Cal was first introduced in The Walsh series, which I also highly recommend. This book also includes a character named Dr. Stremmel, who we will get to read about later in 2020. I’m looking forward to that story.
I loved Cal and appreciated that he would take it slow for the relationship shy Stella. His love for her kept their friendship/relationship going until she figured out she wanted him for the long run. Sweet and steamy romance.
It was ok, but I got tired of him being the long suffering, patient nice guy. And she was neurotic.
Love her writing style and stories!
SO GOOD!!!
It is so good to see a book about someone older than a college student and who has her own life. The doctor was a little strange in that he’s a top doctor but is terribly shy. Takes away from the story.
I really liked this book. The two main characters were both flawed and for good reason. But in the end, they cared about one another enough to make their relationship work.
I have always attempted to give ‘star’ ratings on my completed reads, just as a tracking method for my titles that I have completed. I have unlimited packages for audio, kindle, and utilize the local/state library.
However, I do not check the ‘I recommend this book’ unless I am willing to reread a book and or a series.
[I read about 5-15 books a month through kindle, and I listen to about 15-30 books monthly]
I have a full life as a nurse, professor, wife, daughter [daughter in law], sister, and mother. I love to read and love a thousand other lives by turning the pages in countless books.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide a review. Happy reading 🙂
Cal has been a great addition to the Walsh series line up. He’s this big, shy, friendly guy and the way he meets Stella is just perfect. And Stella, well she is going to fit right in with the rest of the crew with her girly girl ways and sports background.
Both are totally human, relatable characters with lots of the same insecurities we all have, which makes them so lovable. You’ll be left rooting for them both.
Really great, enjoyed it very much!
“The bad boys have hearts of gold and the rebels just want to be understood. The nice ones though, they show up and cause all kinds of trouble.”
How do you get the girl you’ve been dreaming about for months to notice you? Knocking her down on the trail probably isn’t the best meet-cute. But Cal is so endearingly cute and awkward that his blunder works for the fiercely independent Stella. Now if only he could knock down the walls she keeps around her heart.
Steamy, angsty, and witty Before Girl will have you laughing and swooning for Cal as he sets out to prove to Stella that she can be The One and not just the girl before.