Audiobook Review: Before Girl by Kate Canterbary

What do you do when your Forever Girl does not believe that she is anyone’s forever? That’s the question that Dr. Cal Hartshorn has to answer his “Before Girl,” a standalone spinoff of Kate Canterbary’s series, “The Walshes.”

For fans of the series, Cal Hartshorn made his first appearance in “Preservation,” Book 7 and Riley Walsh’s story. He works with Dr. Nick Acevedo, who has been a recurring character since Book 1 and got his own story with Erin Walsh in Book 6 “The Spire.”

Before Girl

Just like all other books in The Walsh series, “Before Girl” is unique. Not your typical rom com, “Before Girl” is a slow burn romance though the main characters are older. Cal Hartshorn was 42 and his love interest, Stella Allesandro was 35.

While Cal was decisive and confident during surgery, he just could not find the courage to approach Stella. So, for 8 months he just watched her, that was until fate decided to intervene and Cal literally ran over Stella while jogging.

From there on, Cal and Stella did a strange courtship dance. With both having baggage from their pasts, it was hard for them to cross the threshold for a real and meaningful relationship. Cal had been on a dry spell for a long time while Stella juggled a “friends with benefits” sexual partners.

Slow to commit, both Cal and Stella found themselves frustrated both emotionally and sexually. Hence the question, is there a forever for both of them.

Many might find “Before Girl” too slow or not enough actions between the sheets. But that is exactly what the story is asking for! The two main characters are so career oriented that they literally have to stop and smell the roses, to use a cliché. The moment they did, they finally were able to fully consummate their relationship.

A beautiful read for those who are reading the print version and a great listen for those who found the story in audio! This is my third listen to Virginia Rose. My first for her was “Playing for Keeps” wherein Jason Clarke also narrated the male lead. I heard her again in “The Wish Collector” wherein she totally nailed the main female character. In “Before Girl,” Virginia Rose once again did not disappoint. I loved her interpretation of Stella.

For Jason Clarke – his performance can be summed up in one word – WOW! Or better yet W00T! His portrayal of Cal as a consummate professional was right on target and was a perfect foil for Cal as a man who did not know how to act in front of a woman whom he had a huge crush on for a very long time.

That said, I just have to mention this because it bothered me. The whole time, Jason Clark was pronouncing Nick’s last name in its Italian form (Ah-che-ve-do) instead of the Spanish form (A-se-ve-do). Nick is from Texas with Hispanic roots, so it should have been pronounced in its Spanish form.

Then, I got to thinking that in the story, Stella is part Italian, so perhaps that’s the reason why the producers thought that Acevedo should be pronounced in Italian. Still, Nick had been around since Book 1 and his character had been established.

Except for that minor complaint, Jason Clarke’s performance is impeccable as always. And I continue to enjoy listening to him. In fact, I have two books right now – Reveal by K. Bromberg and Instant Gratification by Lauren Blakely – in my iPhone that is on queued up to be listened to. Both books have Jason Clarke narrating the male lead.

Before Girl is Rated M for Mature due to sexual content.

Image credits: Photo of Boston public garden by Monica Volpin; Photo of running shoes by Napat Seang; Photo of surgeon by Olga Guryanova; all on Unsplash.