The One Before
by Miranda Smith
Bookouture
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 04 Nov 2020


I am reviewing a copy of The One Before through Bookouture and Netgalley:


She loves him, and trusts him, but what if that’s a mistake?



Madison and her Fiancé Cooper hope that Whisper Falls will be the new start they both want. Whisper Falls is a safe, and quiet town that’s on the shores of a beautiful lake is the perfect place to spend the rest of their lives.



But before long Madison learns that Cooper’s high-school girlfriend Celia disappeared after a party, and then her body was found in the lake.




The town does not believe that Celia’s death was an accident.





Madison loves Cooper, but she needs to know the truth, did he kill Celia?


If she starts answering questions what other secrets will be revealed? Will she end up meeting the same fate as the woman who came before her?



If you are looking for a powerful, fast paced, psychological thriller, I highly recommend The One Before!



Five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

The Douglas family are a very wealthy powerful and respected part of the Whisper Falls community. Whisper Falls itself is a quiet place to live so it was rocked to it’s core more than ten years ago when young girl, Celia who had been dating Cooper Douglas at the time, was found dead.
No Cooper is back in Whisper Falls accompanied by his Fiancée Madison, to take over the family business. Celia’s mother believes Cooper played an instrumental role in her daughter’s death as he was the last person to see her alive so she takes to stalking Madison and she will stop at nothing to make sure Madison doesn’t marry Cooper.
This was such a gripping plot and was excellently written to keep me absolutely hooked the whole way through and a brilliant twist I did not see coming made this a fantastic psychological thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley Bookouture and Miranda Smith with the ARC of The One Before my review is honest and unbiased.

This was a great quick psychological thriller/mystery. It was fast paced and I kept being surprised by the twists and turns. Even when I thought I had figured it out, I was wrong! I enjoyed this book and will be looking for more by this author. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Madison is engaged to Cooper.
She moves to Whisper Falls for a fresh start
But then the rumours start that Cooper had something to do with his high school sweetheart's death
So Madison decides to try and find out the truth for herself
Plenty twists and turns
Thanks NetGalley

The short chapters were nice and well designated as to who/what. The writing is solid and well done.

It starts a bit slow. The twists come a little too late to really make the story gripping and a page turner from the get-go.

Thank you for giving me to opportunity to read and review! This was a fast, engrossing, read! There were a couple twists, that I didn’t see coming and I was on my toes the entire time. This was a great read, with an enjoyable ending.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review. This is a new author for me.

I raced through this twisty suspenseful thriller. Unpredictably and compelling.

All is not as it seems and its a race to expose the truth before the big day. But what happens when even the fiancee starts to ask questions.

Published 4th November

Thank you Netgalley, Boukouture and the author Miranda Smith for an advance copy which I devoured.

Madisson loses her job as an investigative journalist and moves with her fiancé to his childhood home Whisper Falls, where his family are a bit of a bigshot.

Once there Celia realises that there are some secrets that won’t go away. Like what really happened to Coopers dead ex-girlfriend Celia.

This has all the bones of a decent thriller although I felt that as an investigative journalist, or even human curiosity, Maddie would have investigated (googled) Copper to a deeper degree than she seemed to. Maddie is no pushover though she is a plucky heroine that carries her part well.

The pace is a slow burner and there are some good twists and turns that you really don’t see coming. Just for me the comeuppance end was bit unlikely but there is just enough suspense there to keep you turning the page.

This is more a 3.5 than a 3 and I definitely recommend as a page turner.

One thing I loved about this books was the tension between all the characters. You could literally cut it with a knife.

I think Miranda Smith does an incredible job with getting you hooked into the story very fast. I found the story to be very original and fast paced. Although I figured out the "big reveal" I still really enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more by this author.

"Cooper’s high-school girlfriend Celia disappeared after a party. Three days later, her body was found in the lake".

Was it an accident? The locals don't think so! Maddison, Cooper's wife-to-be arrives in the town, on hearing these rumours, and being an investigative journalist....... well I am sure you can guess the rest. I found the beginning quite slow but as the book progressed- wow- did it speed up! lots of twists, turns and secrets exposed.
A very enjoyable read. Once the story got going I couldn't put it down. Maddison was formidable, the plot intriguing and well worth a read into the wee hours. I think it would make an awesome film too. Thank you so much Netgalley, Bookouture and Miranda Smith for giving me the opportunity to read The One Before.

If the first twist had come a little sooner I think it would have improved the story a a lot but I was pleasantly surprised by The One Before. It’s not the best book I’ve read this year but considering we’re in November don’t take that too seriously!

The investigative side should be strengthened. I can see the bones of a fantastic story here but it needs tweaking in a few places to make it a bit more exciting for the reader. I liked the rumours and I thought the Douglas family relationship was told perfectly. Everyone has met a family like that!

The ending wasn’t exciting enough which was a shame. I thought it was the weakest part of the story since there’s no fear for the characters. Overall this is an average thriller but with some fantastic writing! If you’re looking for something new I can recommend this one for something a little different to others on the market. 3.5 / 5.

Madison and her fiance Cooper Douglas return to his home town to have their wedding and start their married life together. But Madison is shocked to discover the town's negative attitude towards Cooper due to the death of his high school sweetheart Celia. It was ruled an accident but could his family have used their wealth and influence to cover up a murder?
Madison is a tenacious journalist but has now turned her attentions to organising her wedding and solving the mystery about her fiance's dead girlfriend. She is loyal to Cooper and determined to prove his innocence.
Meanwhile we also see Helena's perspective. She is convinced that Cooper killed her daughter and will stop at nothing to get justice. Some chapters are delivered as flashbacks to Celia's final hours before her death in 2006 and it becomes clear that there have been secrets hidden by the influential Douglas family.
I enjoyed Madison's journey of discovery as she tries to reconcile her kind hearted fiance with the cold blooded killer image he has in town. She is also trying to negotiate new relationships with her in laws, a stressful experience that most people will be able to identify with!
The style of writing is easy to read and the plot is fast paced. There is great misdirection and some fantastic twists that I had not expected at all. Overall, The One Before is an intriguing thriller.

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I enjoyed this fast paced thriller about a young couple about to marry. When Medison returns to Cooper's home town she hears some unpleasant tales involving his childhood sweetheart, that died when they were dating. The longer she stays there the more she starts to doubt her fiancee. Him and his family may not be telling her the whole truth. Is she paranoid or is there more to the story. An enjoyable read that will keep you engaged.

Book Description:

I love him. I trust him… But what if I’m wrong?

Whisper Falls is a fresh start for Madison and her fiancé Cooper. The safe, quiet town on the shores of a beautiful lake is the perfect place to spend the rest of their lives.

But then Madison learns that Cooper’s high-school girlfriend Celia disappeared after a party. Three days later, her body was found in the lake.

And the town thinks it wasn’t an accident.

Madison loves Cooper, but she can’t help wondering. She has to know the truth.

But if she starts asking questions, what other secrets will be revealed? Will she meet the same fate as the woman who came before her?

A dark, gripping psychological thriller with a brilliant twist, The One Before is perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Gillian Flynn and Rachel Caine.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The One Before' by Miranda Smith .

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 4th November 2020

This is the first book that I have read by this author. It most certainly will not be my last!!!

I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching and intriguing cover and intriguing synopsis. The blurb also stated that it is perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter. I am a HUGE Karin Slaughter fan so am looking forward to see if it loves up to this statement!! I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue and 66 chapters.The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in Whisper Falls, USA 🇺🇸.

This book is written in a mix of first and third person perspective and the main protagonists are Celia (Third person perspective) Madison (First person perspective) and Helena (Third person perspective). I enjoy books written in both first and third person with several protagonists as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. You alse get to bond more in first person perspective with the character. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

WHAT did I just read!!!! WOW!!! I mean seriously Wow!! I was NOT expecting that lot fairplay!!! This has GOT to start with a MASSIVE WELL DONE MIRANDA SMITH!!!! Ooopps sorry, yes, needed a minute to get over that but I've just left you hanging there... Sorry.... Let me tell you more...

Firstly let's start off with the writing style, etc!! Extremely well written book which had me hook line and sinker!!! It is so smoothly and beautifully written I completely forgot I was even reading a book a few times. The blurb and cover really fit the storyline. This book did have a cover change and while I did like the previous covers the be new one suits it the best.

As you can tell I LOVED the storyline. I found it quite fast paced and loved the setting and just well... Everything!!! The first twist comes in at around 50% and that hit me a shocker immediately. Was not expecting that one... Or the rest. I'd assumed the identity of a certain person only to be completely side swept there and from that point on it just became explosive!!! Twists after shocks after turns!!! Arggghhh... Its so hard to NOT say anything about them as it will give too much away and spoilt it for future readers but it definitely left me speechless over and over!!! I have read hundreds of psychological books and I really do think this one is definitely in the top 3 when it comes to dropping bombshells. I am, in fact still she'll shocked!! Just brilliant fairplay and all links in and wraps up perfectly!!!

THE plot throughout is rammed with suspense, mystery, lies, surprises, tension and did I say surprises!!! Well done Miranda you have most definitely hit my favourite author list!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your books and when oh when is this going to be turned into the movie of the year!!! Gone Girl and many others have NOTHING on this one!!!

Loved the characters and thought they were portrayed perfectly with great character development. I was completely invested in them and thought they were all unique with their own quirks, I really seemed to click with Regina but also think she's a Marmite type of girl, love her or hate her. I was definitely surprised by the secrets that some were hiding and how well they were kept hidden too!!

Overall an absolutely page turning, explosive must read that will leave you shocked!!!

Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction and Psychological Thriller amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Gone Girl, Karin Slaughter, P. N Tracy, Carol Wyer, CL Taylor and just everyone to be honest!!! What are you waiting for??? Seriously grab your copy now!! .

278 pages.

This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it!!!! ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews

#TheOneBefore #Bookouture #MirandaSmith #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@MirandaSmith @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86

https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86

https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?ref=bookmarks

https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__tn__=%2As-R

Author Bio:

Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Before completing her first novel, she worked as a newspaper staff writer and a secondary English teacher. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three young children.

https://mirandasmithwriter.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MirandaSmithAuthor/
https://twitter.com/msmithbooks
https://www.instagram.com/mirandasmithwriter/

Buy Links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/34Cl9sC
Apple: https://apple.co/3fystYI
Kobo: https://bit.ly/30tnCUl
Google: https://bit.ly/31jUygW

The One Before is a fairly fast paced small town thriller that I read in a day.
Madison thinks she’s got it all as she moves with her fiancé Cooper back to his hometown, Whisper Falls. Coopers family help her to start organising her wedding and with them being the richest in Whisper Falls nothing is too much trouble for Coopers mother. Madison soon realises that living in a small town everyone knows everyone and gossip is a plenty, which is all well and good until she hears that years ago Cooper was suspected of killing his high school girlfriend. Madison trusts Cooper but was it really an accident and when she starts to uncover other things that don’t add up is Cooper really telling the truth?
This was a fairly fast paced thriller that had a well thought out plot that read well. The characters were well developed and although I wasn’t a fan of some I did like Madison and thought she was quite a strong independent woman.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

This was a story about a girl who falls in love with a guy from a small town. After a mistake that results in her losing her job they leave the city to return to his small town to take over the family paper.
The small town has memories of her future husbands family. It is the questions about the death of her husbands former girlfriend that seem to be front and center.
Can she believe he had nothing to do with her death? How can she reconcile the man she loves with the man the small town believes he is?
This story was well written and you find yourself becoming an investigative reporter trying to get to the bottom of things.

I enjoyed the story. Thanks to Netgalley for my complimentary copy, thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a truly engrossing story indeed and certainly one i would recommend to friends and readers. I will now be interested in the authors other books,

Big Little Lies meets Gone Girl in Miranda Smith’s gripping, addictive and chilling new thriller, The One Before.

Madison and her fiancé Cooper are head over heels in love with one another. Madison has long believed that Cooper is her soulmate and she cannot help but hope that the town of Whisper Falls will be the place that the two of them can build a future together. But just how well does Madison know Cooper? As she begins to settle in Whisper Falls, she begins to hear shocking rumours about her fiance’s past that have her thinking twice about spending the rest of her life with a man whom she has fallen head over heels in love with whom she maybe doesn’t really know after all…

Madison is shocked when she hears about Cooper’s former high school girlfriend, Celia. Cooper and Celia had gone to a party a long time ago and then she had disappeared. Her body had been found in the lake three days later and everybody in Whisper Falls believes that Cooper was the one responsible for her death. There is no proof or evidence that points to Cooper’s guilt, so why does the entire town believe that Cooper had murdered Celia? Could the man she loves really be a murderer? Is she sharing her house and her life with a man capable of taking somebody else’s life? Madison is determined to uncover the truth about her fiancé’s past, but is she ready for the shocking revelations she is about to lay bare? Or should some secrets remain dead and buried?

Madison has questions she is determined to find answers to. But will her quest for the truth lead her down a dark and dangerous path where she will end up meeting the same fate as Celia? Is Cooper innocent? Or will her Prince Charming turn out to be a cold-blooded killer who will strike again to keep the secrets of his past hidden?

A compulsively readable thriller that will hook readers in from the very first page, Miranda Smith’s The One Before is a shocking, twisted and heart-stopping chiller about old ghosts, present dangers and devastating betrayals I couldn’t bear to put down. Miranda Smith knows how to tell a spine-tingling story full of tension and terror that keeps readers gripped throughout and The One Before is one nail-biting page-turner that will leave them breathless.

A must-read for domestic thriller fans, Miranda Smith’s The One Before is an unmissable thriller readers won’t forget in a hurry.

It's not often I read a book in one day but I found this soon to be released book by Miranda Smith impossible to put down. Entertaining with enough mystery to keep the reader interested. Would recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

I think this might be my first book by Miranda Smith and I loved it!
Madison and Cooper are told to pack their bags and move to his hometown of Whisper Falls. This small town is where Cooper grew up he was a 'different man'. Lets say he is much different than what Madison thought. There was so much build up to the twisted ending and I loved it!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.