Before the Call

A Small Town Hearts Novel

By: Emma Alcott

Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Rule #1 Don’t fall for the ridiculously hot straight guy

Rule #2 Especially not if he’s your best friend

Rule #3 Extra-especially not when you’re supposed to be his private tutor

Rule #4 Oh, god, but those eyes

Rule #5 Okay, maybe eyes are fine if you don’t look south

Rule #6 Don’t look south

Rule #7 You looked south, didn’t you?

Rule #8 Are you even listening?

Gabe Mitchell isn't listening. What's worse, ever since he moved back to the small town he thought he'd left for good, he's turned into a habitual rule breaker.

Falling for his straight best friend, Clark Summers? Check.

Falling for his straight best friend, Clark Summers, who also happens to be his newest mature student? Check.

And don't you dare get him started about what's going on down south, because Gabe doesn't need to check that to know he's in deep.

It's a good thing Clark's missed him these last four years, and a better thing that he's willing to do whatever it takes to have Gabe back in his life, because rules are about to be broken. All of them. And Clark’s only rule? The one about being straight? It might just end up broken, too.

Before the Call is the second book in the Small Town Hearts series, which features heroes scattered across the rural United States who find love where they're least expecting it. In addition to friendship that turns red-hot, you can expect to find generous servings of vanilla ice cream that are anything but vanilla, interesting “tutoring” techniques, a nerd who's head over heels for the best friend he can't have, and a jock who loves his Dork even after years apart.

©2019 Emma Alcott (P)2020 Emma Alcott

A Sweet Romance

Before the Call is the second book in the Small Town Hearts series, but it is a standalone book. The characters and events from the first book are not connected with the second book at all. The only thing the two books have in common is the theme of a small town and contemporary romance.

Gabe and Clark have a beautiful friendship which transforms into a beautiful romance. Watching these two men discover that the feelings they have for each other is more than just friendship, and they both feel the same way, was beyond sweet and made my heart feel warm and fluffy. I really liked the family dynamics within the book, especially with Clark’s younger siblings, and how everyone rallied together when an outside force threatened one of their own.

Michael Ferraiuolo narrated the audiobook and did a great job. He kept his characters consistent and distinct (and there were a lot of characters to voice). There was one voice he did for a female side character (Missy) that I did not really enjoy, but that was an artistic interpretation of a character and the character only made a few appearances. The audiobook production was well done and overall I thought the audiobook was a splendid.

First-time listener and sticking around....

This terrific story was my introduction to audio books. My review is not an all-five star one because as good as the story was, it lacked more pathos and suffering before Clark and Gabe rejoice in their happily ever after. For those who have fallen for a "straight" best friend, this book will speak volumes to those feeling and give you a glimpse into the joys of that dream becoming a reality. I was particularly impressed by the narrator. The depths of his voice range to handle and deliciously deliver on multiple characters was critical to how well the story came across. As for the author, I do love how well rounded and fully dimensional the main characters were. However, for this listener the overall plot lacked more substance and felt somewhat rushed.

OMG Gabe and Clark. Too adorable!!

Best high school friends to lovers. Clark so not seeing anything beyond Gabe being his bestie and Gabe falling for Clark back in high school. Gabe goes away to college but come back because he can’t find a job and one becomes available in his home town. The very place he didn’t want to come back to because of unrequited love for his best friend and to afraid of what the town’s people would say if they knew he was gay. Clark not aware of why his life wasn’t working out until Gabe is back and seems to balance him back out. Best friend Peyton points Clark in the right direction though. They go through some ups and downs but Through it all they find each other. Hope there a story for Devin. Loving this series. Michael narration hits the voice for Clark just perfect. It felt like a Clark voice and just was so good. Gabe character was well played also.

Such a sweet tale

This book and narration was perfection. All the small town stuff you'd expect and all the feels too.

Before the Call

Omg this audio book was absolutely positively amazing. I would highly recommend this audio book.

Listen to this book

If you like GFY stories then this is the book for you. Emma Alcott knows how to do GFY right! No angst or second guessing. Very very sexy. Very funny. Great story line. The narration is as wonderful as ever by Michael Ferraiuolo. Don't miss out and buy this book!

Highly enjoyable

I actually really enjoyed this listen. It was a bit slow to start, but once it got going, I was totally invested. The characters were really easy to love and the snarky humor just really got me.

Michael F. is brilliant in his narration, as always.

Friends to lovers with a 2nd chance vibe

It's a nice sweet pretty low angst friends to lovers. Narration was done well though some of the voices were a bit cringe worthy and a little irritating.

Friends to Lovers plus 2nd Chances

This is a sweet story about two childhood best friends who drifted apart after high school. A phone call brought them back together.

It’s a joy to listen, the unfolding of layers of their friendship. The challenges along the way. The strength of their friendship withstanding everything.

There’s a lot of humor in this story, a lot of steam too. And some serious parts but I love how Emma Alcott wrote those, it organic. The pace and resolution fits the flow of the story very well.

Michael’s showcase of different range of character voices is stellar on this one. His music is a great addition too, it makes the audiobook so unique.

High School Loves

OMG, Clark and Gabe were too perfect. I love reading about high school friends who become lovers later in life. Gabe is your typical nerdy high school boy in love with his best friend. He of course doesn't tell in, instead he chooses to leave his town behind and make a new life elsewhere. He is forced to move back home, and upon coming home reunites with his best friend. Clark isn't your typical jock. He is hard working teen that had to take on the role as father/provider. He doesn't recognize his feelings for his friend until later. What makes this story so great is the sweetness. The boys both have feelings for each of but they don't know how to communicate it. Luckily for them, they have a mutual friend that is willing to play matchmaker.

Michael once again has knocked this out of the park. I especially love his teenage girl voice!