Reviews

Before Girl by Kate Canterbary

romcommer's review against another edition

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2.0

Slow af

bluebirdsfly's review

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emotional funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I know some people will take issue with Cal, but dear me, I think I'm pretty much in love. Go for it if you're into awkward and shy around women grown men that are 1. not scared of making their feelings known, 2. are seriously dirty-minded, 3. totally respect a woman's boundaries and work. I know some people do not get Cal's personality and wonder how someone so incredibly incompetent at small talking women could be a beast in bed, but I get it. Oh I do get it, Cal. Also Stella, you're amazing and even your issues are amazing. I mean, not that her issues are awesome but they way she handles them and how things are not too dramatic but it's just all about the lemons that life throws at you that take you down... it's just amazing. You're badass, I love your ball busting (pun intended) ways with your clients and I love that you can both feel self confident in your life while acknowledging everything Cal brings to it. *sigh* . The chemistry between these two is out of this world. In one morning, it descends into marriage proposal but for real, read this. It's hilarious and perfect and definitely insta-love without being insta-love. I swear it all makes perfect sense.
 

rihoward's review

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5.0

One of the best of 2018

Sweet holy titfire. This author is always one click for me. Always. I swear she could rewrite my state DMV manual and I would read it as if it was the newest literary masterpiece. She is like my drug dealer only it is words instead of drugs that keep me hooked.

I had mixed feelings about this book when it first was announced that it would be coming out. Not because I didn’t want to know the story of Cal (trust me I did). I felt this way because it was bittersweet to think of starting a book about a guy that I knew from Nick and Alex from the Cornerstone series. That series is one of my all-time favorites and it still hurts my heart that it is over. Having read the Cornerstone series, it was nice to have that added connection to the characters and stories when they did interact. It made the series have an even stronger connection for me. Although, you don’t have to have read that series for this standalone to make sense (although you should TOTALLY read that amazing epic series—god knows I have several times over in its entirety).

Cal. Sweet lord. This guy. I was intrigued by Cal because even though he was only a secondary character he still had a presence. That is what this author is phenomenal at doing—creating secondary characters that are powerful but don’t overshadow the main characters while biding their time for their own story to be told. Mind blown. He truly was a duality in himself and one of the reasons I fell hard for him. He was awkward and charming. Alpha and Gentleman. Blunt and fumbling. He somehow made it all work together (another testament to the gift that this author has). He knew with certainty that Stella was his end game and would do whatever to get her on the same page. Stella. This girl is in the same league as Shannon. She is a take no prisoner female in a man dominated sports world and she makes no qualms about being the best. In order to do that she keeps a routine that doesn’t allow her to see that there is more to life. She is feisty. I like that the author did not make her a size zero (like a size 14 is bad) and that she oozed confidence and self-esteem and tons of lady swag. I don’t think either of these characters had any idea of how their encounter in the park would become such a serendipitous event in their life.

I cannot recommend this book or author enough. I set my calendar around her release dates. Her characters and her stories always become part of my world and own a piece of my heart.

readingg8r's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sunshinebooklover's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

dawntorow31's review

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kaitstew23's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

jmill525's review

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

diesselreads's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jsas13's review

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lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

Kindle unlimited book. I love a good grumpy surgeon trope. But the insta of it all wasn’t my fave. I do like Kate Canterbury though and laughed out loud a few times.