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Emma Alcott

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Before the Call: A Small Town Hearts Novel Kindle Edition

by Emma Alcott (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.3 608 ratings

Book 2 of 3: Small Town Hearts

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If good things come to those who wait, Gabe’s longtime crush on his straight best friend is about to pay off big time.

Clark Summers, all rippling muscle and sunny smiles, is every bit as hot as his name suggests. Gabe should know—he’s been crushing on him since forever. Which is long enough to have discovered that while Clark is down to spoon him in a best-friend kind of way, he’s not looking to fork.

Gabe knows he should move on, but when he comes home from college and gets sucked into being Clark’s private tutor, there’s nothing he can do. Clark is irresistible, and Gabe… well, Gabe’s determined to nail this job in more ways than one.

Before the Call is the hot and hilarious second book in the Small Town Hearts series, but no knowledge of previous books is needed to fall in love with this one.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083ST2D1N
Publisher ‏ : ‎ (January 27, 2020)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 27, 2020
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3049 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #565,544 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #3,233 in Gay & Lesbian (Kindle Store)
- #7,054 in Gay Fiction
- #13,302 in Gay Romance

Customer Reviews:
4.3 608 ratings

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Emma Alcott

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Should you ever find yourself traveling down the gravel street of a quiet forest community in the Midwest, you may come across Emma Alcott—suburbanite by birth, but small-towner by choice.

Emma loves all things doctors say you should only enjoy in moderation, writing the stories of her heart, and traveling. Once upon a time, she fell in love with a man from another country and moved mountains in order to be with him. They’ve now been married for half a decade and have far too many fur-children.

Seriously.

Do you want a dog?

To stay up to date with Emma’s new releases, follow her on Amazon and be sure to subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/emmasnewsletter

If you love Emma’s books, you might also enjoy her work as her alter-ego, Piper Scott!

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

608 global ratings

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J.E.M.

Redeeming of small towns

Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2021

Verified Purchase

It hit me about the same time it slapped Gabe upside his head.

This book was a little less about the couple and just a little more about changing the idea that small towns are so set in the old way of thinking that homosexuals can live and love there without it looking like a witch hunt once they are find out.

That was surprisingly a fresh idea for me. I have read stories before when the guys lived in a small town, buy unless they were already brimming with other homosexuals, it was never so stated that it was them against what we except small towns to do to such people.

Now the romance. Honestly, we don't care what “lable” fits Clark, but I would have liked to read a part where he could say, “Yes, that explains so much.” But in a way we do, it just doesn't come with the story saying he’s demi, ace or what.

I love Gabe’s internal thought process, and they are sweet as a couple. Now the only question is how much longer do they have to wait before Clark can move out to live with him?

Great story.

Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2020

Verified Purchase

I love Gabe and Clark. Their story is sweet, funny, frustrating, and perfectly them. Friends to lovers, gay for you/sexual awakening, finding your one and only. Poor Gabe has been in love with Clark since they met in high school. Clark has been dealing with helping to support his siblings that he never took the time to notice how he felt about his best friend.

These two. I love them and how warm and caring they are with each other. They are there for the best of times and the worst of times. It was great when Peyton pulls her little tease with Clark and it gets him thinking about his real feelings for Gabe.

This story has two great leading men, a best female friend to both of them, and saving a brother from potential harm. This story covers a lot and you will be holding on for the whole ride.

Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2021

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As this book came to an end, I actually teared up!! This two guys start this story as the dearest friends, but are separated for years. The call from Gabe’s mom brings them together and nature takes it’s course. These two are so sweet before the love explodes that their story only grows and improves!! My current favorite!! Looking for the sequel!!

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Bo

Just Not Convincing Enough

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2020

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This one was not as convincing as the first one in the series, mostly for the reasons I usually have when a gay man returns to his small town because of a new job and runs right into all the hopes and dreams that were dashed when he left his town and his big, brawny, straight best friend behind. A friend who, over the course of time, turns out to give us an HEA.

I found the prodigal returnee, Gabe, to be too nerdy and too indecisive about everything. I found Clark, the man whom he loved who now is basically raising his eight siblings, an almost oblivious individual. The way they come together, emotionally and physically, just did not do it for me.

Sorry.

9 people found this helpful

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Bridgetann

Love, love!!!

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2020

Verified Purchase

I received an ARC of this book. This is my honest review. The Small Town Hearts series is quickly becoming one of my favorites. The characters in this story made me laugh and at some parts, I wanted to cry. I instantly fell head over heels in love. I grew up in a small town so I'm very familiar with the different town characters. The ones that gossip but also stick up for their own!! Clark and Gabe made me laugh and loved each other so hard, you can't help but love them right back.

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2020

Verified Purchase

What a joy this book was. Two best friends finding the love they shared before they were an us. I enjoyed the dynamics of these two. How they loved each other before they even knew what love was. I loved the nerdy fumbling I loved how they were grown ups and talked, I loved how there wasn’t much angst. There were lots of kids and a dog but they didn’t take over the story just added to it.
Great writing, great story, hawt smexy and wonderful side characters.

Excited for the next book in this series

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ViaVon

Totally funny but so much more!

Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2021

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This book had laugh out loud moments and sobbing tears moments in between a truly wonderful set of main and secondary characters. The storyline was beautifully crafted and the characters felt like you could relate to people you actually knew. Loved it from start to finish, despite my eyes glazing over the dreaded math. 😂

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Stacy Perry

Hot and sweet, excellent writing

Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2020

Verified Purchase

I love the story so much. It was smoking hot and such a nice, real story about a couple of great guys with nice families in a friendly small town. Big bonus: This book seems like it was edited by a professional! No grammar mistakes or words mistakenly left out or doubled to interrupt the flow of the story. This writer’s talent definitely deserves attention. Very enjoyable.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Richard L.

I am hiding now, thank you Kindle

Reviewed in Canada on July 18, 2020

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Helluva grand story with tension, humour, & longing. Perfectly written secondary characters, and a side order of sinister. COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN until I finished it. Re-read it numerous times. One part made me wail like an idiot banshee, followed up by giggles and a few sighs. I am so embarrassed that a writer can make me devolve into a goofball. I love this story. I hate myself for all the feels. Ugh.

Emma Allcott, just take my money and my stoopid dignity. Hugs😉

BEAUMONT

Finally GETTING it…

Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2022

Verified Purchase

After the first in the series, which I thoroughly enjoyed I was anxious to get to this one. The premise and the tenderness with which Alcott treats it is wonderful, reminding us that if we were only able to get past the gender stereotypes with which we have been socialized that in fact love is love. The concept hit home with me reminding me of deep friendships I had as a teenager, crushes and what-if’s that were set aside and ignored.

There’s adequate angst and drama to keep the reader engaged. I definitely recommend it.

I couldn’t get to the full 5 stars on this one for the following reasons: 1. Too many kids with waaaay too much presence - they could have been pushed back at least a bit.
2. Mom is mentioned several times but never expanded upon. In the end she might as well have been excluded because the focus was on the kids.
3. Zero struggle on Clark’s part - I mean, even though he had that moment of realization (loved that part), it was a little unbelievable to see him go from zero to 60!

What I absolutely loved:
1. Alcotts ability to inject humour in both the thoughts and the dialogue of the characters - I can only think that I love her mind - but at times it was a bit hard to follow (I’ll forgive that)
2. And I loved the character Peyton - could have used more of her! Case in point - a text she sent to Clark: “Well I might know a guy but he’s so far in the closet he may never come out”

Patty

Straight best friend.

Reviewed in Australia on August 23, 2020

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Oh I loved this one, best friends, falling for the straight boy. Gabe and Clark were adorable together. Clark coming to terms with his feelings for Gabe and his sexuality. A sweet read with a small amount of angst and drama.

Celpompom

Another beautiful story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2020

Verified Purchase

I am in love with Emma Alcott's writing.

Her stories are so smooth and organic. Bad things do happen, like they do in real life, and even if they get resolved maybe easier in the books, they still ring very true.

I loved Gabe and Clark. They were both such amazing characters. Loving, funny, sweet. They took things in stride never questioning things too much.
I loved the humour in this book, and all the quirkiness.

I can't wait for more of these books

Kindle Customer

Cozy

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2020

Verified Purchase

Funny and easy. The story was okay, but it was a bit to awkward for me. Liked the first book better.

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Before the Call: A Small Town Hearts Novel Kindle Edition

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