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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 out of 5 stars 611 ratings
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.
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  1. Book 2 of 3
    Small Town Hearts
  2. Print length
    352 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 27, 2020
  6. File size
    3.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 3 books in this series.
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083ST2D1N
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 27, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Small Town Hearts
  • Best Sellers Rank: #339,676 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 611 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Emma Alcott

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 stars
611 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story sweet and well-crafted, with one review noting it addresses a timely situation. Moreover, the writing receives positive feedback, with one customer highlighting its realism, and customers enjoy the characters, with one mentioning they made them laugh. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with several customers finding it not as convincing.

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Story qualityWriting qualityCharacter developmentEnjoymentPacing
10 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the story sweet, with one customer noting it's a slow burn romance, while another mentions it addresses a timely situation.

"Hot and sweet, excellent writing..." Read more

"...I love Gabe’s internal thought process, and they are sweet as a couple...." Read more

"I love Gabe and Clark. Their story is sweet, funny, frustrating, and perfectly them...." Read more

"...These two are so sweet before the love explodes that their story only grows and improves!! My current favorite!! Looking for the sequel!!" Read more

8 customers mention "Writing quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting there are no grammar mistakes.

"...Their story is sweet, funny, frustrating, and perfectly them. Friends to lovers, gay for you/sexual awakening, finding your one and only...." Read more

"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...." Read more

"...Great writing, great story, hawt smexy and wonderful side characters. Excited for the next book in this series" Read more

"...I absolutely loved Gabe and Clark and I didn't want their story to end. Loved it!" Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers like the characters in the book, with one mentioning that they made them laugh.

"...This story has two great leading men, a best female friend to both of them, and saving a brother from potential harm...." Read more

"...The characters in this story made me laugh and at some parts, I wanted to cry. I instantly fell head over heels in love...." Read more

"...It was smoking hot and such a nice, real story about a couple of great guys with nice families in a friendly small town...." Read more

"...and sobbing tears moments in between a truly wonderful set of main and secondary characters...." Read more

6 customers mention "Enjoyment"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very enjoyable, with one mentioning they loved the nerdy fumbling scenes.

"...This writer’s talent definitely deserves attention. Very enjoyable." Read more

"...Loved it from start to finish, despite my eyes glazing over the dreaded math. 😂..." Read more

"...I loved the nerdy fumbling I loved how they were grown ups and talked, I loved how there wasn’t much angst...." Read more

"...SO SO many. Overall a great read." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"2 positive1 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it not as convincing.

"...This story has two great leading men, a best female friend to both of them, and saving a brother from potential harm...." Read more

"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..." Read more

"...I also just loved how it had such a Mean Girls vibe...." Read more

Low angst
4 out of 5 stars
Low angst
While this is the second book in the series – there’s no connection in any way to the first book, so this can be listened to all on it’s own. Emma Alcott has given another wonderful comfort/low-angst listen with adorable characters. While there is a bit of drama, it’s not between Gabe & Clark it’s from external situations. Not exactly GFY as much as Clark just not realizing what it is he wants, while Gabe has always known he wants Clark. I think this fits better in the best friends to lovers category. Narration: Michael Ferraiuolo is amazing here. It’s only the second book I’ve listened to him narrate and I love his ability to be a full cast all by himself. I wouldn’t hesitate to listen to anything else he narrates.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • J.E.M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars 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.
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  • JD
    4.0 out of 5 stars Cute
    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.
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  • Bridgetann
    5.0 out of 5 stars 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.
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  • Bo
    3.0 out of 5 stars Just Not Convincing Enough
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    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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  • Richard J. Valley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tears of Joy!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    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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  • S Wilgus
    4.0 out of 5 stars Friends to Lovers, one of my favorite tropes
    Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The adorable dork and the older brother who shoulders responsibility after his father's death and cares for the family. After being apart for four years, they find themselves together again. Although he has always thought of himself as straight, Clark realizes that he is totally in love with his gay, dorky friend. The story has it all, angst, love, snark, drama, and humor. However, I must say that I felt really bad for Peyton - too bad she didn't find love in a subplot. If you like sweet, slow burn romances, this is for you.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Stacy Perry
    5.0 out of 5 stars 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.
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  • ViaVon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Totally funny but so much more!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    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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Top reviews from other countries

  • Richard L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars I am hiding now, thank you Kindle
    Reviewed in Canada on July 18, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    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😉
    Report
  • Edga
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is the second of Ms Alcott's books I've read, and I already can't wait for the next one in the series. Gabe and Clark are such likeable characters, they drew me in from the beginning.

    I love it when you get both of the MCs' point of view. It was lovely to read what both Gabe and Clark were thinking about, and to trace their character development throughout the story.

    A well written book - it's easy reading, yet not boring - from the start I got so involved, that I was desperate for things to work out for them. I kind of felt sorry for both characters, but more so for Clark, he's such a sweetheart, he totally deserved his eventual happines.

    I totally recommend reading this and the previous book in the series, After the Crash. It's obvious that author works hard on her characters and their personalities. They were fully rounded out, and totally easy to empathise with.

    I also enjoyed the secondary characters, and look forward to learning more about Devon. All in all, a sweet, easy to read story. There's a smidgeon of angst, lots of humour and a lot of heart present in the story. Loved it.
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  • Patti
    4.0 out of 5 stars Straight best friend.
    Reviewed in Australia on August 23, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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  • BEAUMONT
    4.0 out of 5 stars 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”
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars 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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