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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A fantastic contemporary romance. This is one book I was looking forward to reading and it didn’t disappoint. I love Cal and Stella’s story. WOW!! Cal is a surgeon who has been stalking stella for a few months. Stella isa wonderful character, she is not a pushover. I suggest you read all the Walsh series before you read this book BUT this is a standalone I enjoyed this book tremendously I’m looking forward to more books in this series
Love all her books!!!
Cal
Heart surgeon with a heart of gold, yes.
Ex-Army Ranger with a filthy mouth, also yes.
“I keep them coming like you wouldn’t believe, Stella Allesandro,” he replied. “Like you would not believe.”
Stella
Sports publicist juggling a ton of balls, yes.
Smart, sassy, strong ass woman, of course.
This was the kind of chivalry I wanted: open my door, smack my ass.
Loved this story, and love this author. A must read!
If you are a part of the Kate Canterbury fandom then you’ve been looking forward to this book just as much as I have…and it did NOT disappoint! I love how Kate always makes her characters seem like they could be your best friends…or your husband. Lol. Cal is drop deal drool worthy! Hes growly and just the right amount of alpha Male. He is after all THE #manbrick. Stella is a take charge woman and doesnt take shit from anyone especially her multimillionaire clients that she tells what to do like a boss. These two together are vulnerable, real and absolute heat! Give this a read, you wont be disappointed.
This is a stand alone book…but do yourself a favor and pick up some of Kate’s other books. The Walsh series is amazing! Guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and repeat.
Every time I think this author can’t write a book as good as all her other books she proves me wrong. This current story is just as good as all the others. Cal (man brick as he is known to many) will pull at every heartstring you own. He is the guy girls dream of but he is not without his flaws, even though you don’t want to acknowledge them. In my mind he’s perfect. Stella, is a strong, independent, self assured woman, or so you would think. She has a lot going on, good and not so good. Together they give us a very original and fresh story.
The author has tackled very current subjects and presented them in a unique and upfront fashion.
She brought ALL the feels to this book. I laughed, teared up, smiled, swooned, and hoped. Don’t worry there’s plenty of heat! Plus there’s romance and devotion.
One of the best parts of the story, we get to become reacquainted with characters from past reads and get to meet some new people that I’m seriously hoping we’ll get to meet up with again.
I could go on and on about this book but it’s just saying the say thing with different descriptive adjectives of how much I loved this book. I don’t do spoilers so you need to read this book. You deserve to feel as good as I did. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
Stella and Cal oh my what is not to love!
Cal our cardiothoracic surgeon- Army ranger that is a bit bossy, growly and yes a man brick . Stella is independent does not do commitment and relationships are to be penciled in and scratch your itch . She is a fixer and works her magic with a slew of athletes that constantly need hand holding !!The moment that the path by the pond brings them running into one another their lives are never going to be the same . As Stella says I don’t belong to anyone I belong to me but no matter how confusing her relationship begins to get with Cal she realizes that although it has upset her normal apple cart of a life she doesn’t feel chaotic . They each seem to have a calming effect on one another with a huge amount of sexual chemistry . I loved them !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
This is a story that will make you believe in ‘the one’ isn’t always the first one on your dance card. Sometimes we need to grow and experience all the things as an adult to find the perfect happily ever after we deserve. Don’t wait. Go click this romance story and devour it’s goodness.
Grumbly, growly heart surgeon Cal Hartshorn was smitten with Stella Allesandro the first time he saw her in the park. He knew it, his friends knew it…if only he could work up the nerve to let her in on his attraction. Eight months and a rescue from a rogue raccoon/beaver later they finally get acquainted. Their rough & tumble first meeting leads to a swoony coffee house date full of innuendo & promise. Cal’s insta-love is adorably sincere and panty melting and their sexual chemistry is off the charts, but independent, no-strings Stella is not looking for a relationship. Cal is all in and undeterred by her reluctance- he knows what he wants and is willing to wait for her to come around.
I don’t know that anyone will ever replace Riley Walsh as my favorite Canterbary boy, but Cal is a very close second. This awkward, passionate, protective man stole my heart. “I’m gonna make your body knows who it belongs to, sweet thing” – that statement right there, that dirty little proclamation is what did me in. I read that & let out an audible sigh! Oh My Gosh!! Stella, take this man home right now! “Sweet thing” may just be my new favorite endearment!
This book is a treasure, meant to be savored and reread. My copy is a patchwork of colorful notations from all the passages I found amusing or steamy or just artfully phrased. The wonderful words also beg to be read aloud & I can’t wait to hear the audiobook! Cal & Stella’s story exists in the Walsh universe but can 100% be read as a stand-alone.
Review in exchange for ARC
Again, Kate Canterbary did not disappoint. I could barely put the book down. There were so many sweet, sexy and comical moments. I chuckled out loud so many times throughout.
Cal has admired Stella from afar for so long. It was almost as if fate intervened and made him finally talk to her. Cal is smart, shy, sexy and “obscene”!! All positives in Stella’s book but she swore guys off a long time ago. She doesn’t want anything serious, or so she thought. She is happy with her loud family and her booming crazy busy career. She is definitely an “I am woman hear me roar” kind of lady. Cal respects all of that. He loves every single thing about Stella and he says he’s willing to wait for her to come around. He’s just not telling her that’s what he’s doing. He doesn’t want to scare her off. Her past is already not on his side and he’s trying to be careful not to scare her away any more than she already is.
Will it be too much, too long, too hard?
This can be a stand alone but why would you NOT read the entire Walsh series that introduces these amazing characters? The writing is extraordinary. The characters are funny and real and sexy as hell!! These are the type of people you want in your life.
Sit back, relax and enjoy!!
With her signature wit, Kate Canterbary has delivered another steamy, swoony must-read! If you’re a fan of smart romance with ALL the feels, say “YES” to Before Girl. You won’t regret it!
I was aware of the man-brick stories. I even had a few of them ready to read…but for whatever reason I never pulled the trigger on them. I was thrilled to hear Kate was going to publish them and I waited with bated breath to read all that is Cal Hartshorn. We’ve seen snippets of him in an earlier Walsh book or two and my full expectation what that he would be more like Stremmel was…just a miserable person but oh how in love I fell with the rumbly-grumbly man-brick. Before Girl almost turns traditional relationships on their heads in such a beautiful way…a way that only Kate Canterbary can bring us. Both Cal and Stella are strong, emotional characters but both hide their strength and emotions behind the witty quips, the funny dialogue and the awkward moments. Both have their own reasons for being unattached and it seems their lives as they know it serves them well….until it doesn’t. When you know, you know…and both Stella and Cal will have to learn to navigate the pitfalls of their lives and their pasts in order to get to meat and sauce of the matter. Can one who believes she is no-one’s forever believe that she can have forever with Cal? Full of the usual, wonderful, sarcastic and “inner mind” writing that is what Kate does best, this story hit me in the heart and had me rooting for Cal…and for Stella to have their homerun!!
Canterbarians have waited quite a while for #ManBrick to grace our e-readers. That wait was worth it and then some as Cal and Stella came to life in Before Girl.
Sexy, sassy, with a touch of silly and a lot of heart. Before Girl is my favorite Kate Canterbary book yet. The story sucked me in, Stella and Cal had chemistry, and banter like no other. Stella is the ultimate Boss Babe, dedicated and hard working. She’s independent and not sure if she’s ready for Cal.
He’s all in. A top notch heart surgeon, he’s so good with his hands. 😉 I loved his character, he was romantic and sweet, he could be a tad overwhelming at times, but in a sexy way.
Overall, Before Girl was a #MustRead. Stella and Cal are impossible to look away from. I was enthralled from the first page. This story hooked me, and Ms. Canterbary absolutely KILLED IT! Before Girl was paced evenly, and the writing was out of this world. Before Girl is perfect read for any contemporary romance reader!
I have been a huge fan of Kate Cantebary for years and have been a huge fan of #manbrick even before it was an official story, but an amazing weekly episodic type serial the author had us addicted to. Of course this story is slightly different and expanded upon, but one thing remains the same: I was eating out of her hands then and am just as addicted now. Cal and Stella are absolutely everything!! I loved how real and relatable both these characters were and could not stop reading!
When months of seeing his dream girl on the running path ends in a literal collision, world renowned cardiothorasic surgeon Cal Hartshorn could never have expected Stella Allesandro to be the one to knock him on his behind instead. Gah!! This story was all types of swoony and sexy. Cal was quite the match for the independent and sassy Stella and his long game in making Stella his ticked all my feel boxes.
While I did think Cal’s feelings for Stella were more insta than what I’m used to his dirty mouth more than made up for it, and after reading this book and seeing his devotion to Stella, we all know that Manbrick has no chill. Stella was the asset he was working to win and she was in his crosshairs from the day one. Once again this author has gifted us with her magical words and I for one am dying for her next one. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
Cal is on the top of his field as a cardiothoracic surgeon and is very smart except when is comes to woman. Point in case following a woman around a walking trail every day for 6 months hoping she will notice him until the one day he literally collides with her and asks to marry her within a hour. He’s easy to blush all the while saying dirty things.
Stella is a very independent and strong woman who is also on top of her game at work. She can’t help but be drawn to the super growly and extremely yummy Dr. Cal and before she knows it she’s breaking all of her rules.
This is a story about two people who were hurt and who maybe haven’t healed as much as they think they have. About a man who wants everything even before he has even exchanged more than a smile with his woman and a woman who isn’t sure she can take the leap of faith she needs for happily ever after.
Before Girl gives you all the feels and makes you want Cal and Stella to just figure it all out.
This is a standalone story but you do see glimpses of characters you have met before in the Walsh world. I received an advance copy for a honest review.
Fans of Kate Canterbary rejoice; Cal “Man-Brick” Hartshorn is finally here! Cal and Stella’s story may have started in bits and snippets a few years ago, but their full tale is finally here for all the world to enjoy!
And enjoy it you shall! You’ll enjoy their quirky and awkward but totally witty banter and the sweet, shy moments that evolve into some of the most wickedly naughty dirty talk. And, if you’re like me, you’ll definitely enjoy all the sexy times filled with Cal’s growly possessiveness… it’s enough to bring a girl to her knees! I thoroughly enjoyed every second of these two and although I was elated with the epilogue, my only complaint is that I was left wanting more.
I’ve been waiting a long long time for this book. What started out as a few chapters provided over time in a FB group has finally gotten a full length novel, and it was worth the wait. Full of characters that fans of the author already know and love (but if you don’t that’s ok) and a couple new characters that add to the ebb and flow of all the feels that I get when reading this author’s work. Some of the one liners will cause you to crack a smile and others will cause you to laugh out loud. The story is full of the witty banter, swoon worthy moments, steamy sexy times, and momentary heart break that I expect from the fabulous author.
I absolutely love Cal & Stella! I have loved them since their first appearance in #manbrick. I followed faithfully & stalked Facebook for more of their story. I’m so glad that they spoke loud enough to get a complete book!
Kate did it again! The wit and snappy banter draws you in and you never want to leave. If you have never read Kate before, this is a great book to jump in, and if you have read her, you are going to want to read this book.
#Manbrick FTW!!
For the past two and half years, there’s been teasers about what Dr. Hartshorn’s book was going to be. Snippets of this hot heart doctor who has been watching Stella from afar for a long time, never getting the courage to start a conversation.
These characters. I loved them so much. I love a male character that isn’t afraid to be the first one to go all in instead of playing the field and being a jerk. I love that Stella doesn’t apologize for her relationships with men. She dates around and never once feels bad about it. She’s a powerful woman. She’s strong. She’s pretty amazing. Cal is wonderful. I loved the friendships. I love this world that Kate Canterbary has created and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
Well written with realistic and awesome characters. Page turner!