This one was so/so for me. I really love Sophie Cousens and her previous books but this one kind of missed the mark for me. The characters weren't that likable and I found myself a little annoyed. Overall 3/5 stars for me.

This was a really cute read, but felt a little dysfunctional at times. I didn't love Audrey's character and couldn't understand some of the decisions she was making. The ending also felt a bit rushed to me. Overall, I enjoyed it though. Than you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC.

I liked the book but I hated the main character. I think she was incredibly unfair to Josh (her fiancé). Justice for Josh!

There are times where you only read a third of the novel and it’s enough to leave a lasting impression. This was one of those times. If I had to describe this book with two words, it would be these: “yikes” and “frustrating.” From the first page, this story carried endless story construction issues. Additionally, it was difficult to connect with Audrey as the main character. That connection failure was largely due to her negative attitudes and her habits of treating people poorly.

I’m going to open my review with a discussion about the main character, Audrey. Once again, I find myself saying that trauma and mental illnesses are not excuses for being awful to other people. It is exhausting to see that “plot” appearing, time and time again, in contemporary romances. It is a triggering plot-line to see, but it’s also a plot that character’s rarely take accountability for. And that was the case in this novel.

The lack of accountability was a general theme for Audrey’s characterization. Much of that was driven by Audrey’s “emotional arcs” and “emotional reactions.” Her emotional arcs and reactions never made much sense. Take, for example, the chapter during the rehearsal dinner. There was a moment where Josh was checking in on how Audrey was doing, and she snapped at him, telling him to stop saying she looked “stressed and pale and crap.” The anger in her words felt like it came out of left-field, as the earlier interaction was nothing but amiable. That was a failure of set up for Audrey’s emotional state. Emotions, much like plots, need to come in arcs. They have to crescendo and decrescendo in a logical sequence; Audrey never once had that, and I was often confused about what I, the reader, needed to be feeling in a given moment. But with that one conversation, it cemented for me how desperately I didn’t want to be in her head.

There is a reason why Audrey didn’t work as the main character—the story construction was weak. As far as writing style goes, it was empty and carried no emotions; but, there was a lot of telling instead of showing. That phrase stands true for the characterization, descriptions, and emotion writing. Frankly, I’m a reader who doesn’t care what another character is wearing. But I would like to know what their emotions and body language is telling the main character, and how their backstories got them to the current moment. The novel lacked all of that.

When it comes to the plotting, it was confusing. I’m a reader who doesn’t mind a timeline that jumps around frequently, but I do mind when the set up does not support that timeline jumping. That was the case here. Audrey would often lament about Fred being the person she “fell in love with” in one day. But that statement never carried weight, which, in turn, never made me care for whatever Audrey was thinking about. That was due to the scenes depicting that “romance” happening chapters after a statement about Audrey’s love-feelings was made. Again, if the set up had come before emotional statements were made, the impact would have been there.

Additionally, there was a failure to provide enough backstory for all of the characters—excluding Vivien, of course. Much of the backstory failure was a result of the failure to properly set up the plot. For all of the jumping around of the timeline, we never received enough backstory set up to support whatever it was Audrey was struggling with in a given moment. Most of the characters were on the page, but had a blank slate behind them. In general, I just wanted more from all aspects of this novel.

I’m not a reader who relishes abandoning books. I try my best to push through them and figure out what was wrong. But in the case of Before I Do, there were too many “writing don’ts” preventing me from finishing this book. There were simply too many story construction issues that made it a worthy read.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This book was a pretty good read. It was quick and had super cute moments. I’d read it again! My daughter loved hearing about this one, too!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC! This story was overall enjoyable, and the love triangle was an interesting storyline. I like “right place, right time” stories such as Audrey finding the photo book pictures and taking her own for Fred. Where things got a little messy for me was Audrey jeopardizing the dream relationship/fiancé/almost husband she had! My jaw almost dropped when she realized that Fred was not the one for her after obsessing over him for so long. I had a little secondhand embarrassment for Audrey in that sense. Thankful that she made the right decision, but man it was a rollercoaster getting there.

Sophie Cousens does it again! What I expected: bride returns to previous flame, leaving undesired man at the altar. What I got: SO MUCH MORE THAN THIS! Audrey's story, her internal monologue, her uncertainties and back-and-forth resonated so much with me. This is the type of book that you are thankful for - not only is it a beautiful story, but it can create some clarity in your own life. Highly recommend. Thank you G. P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the ARC.

Struggling with how to rate this.

Overall the book had such an intriguing premise. And the story could have gone in so many ways. The last part of the book was definitely my favorite part of the story

I loved the astronomy bits woven in but i really really didn't love the main character. She felt very very selfish. I did love the "supporting" cast if you will

Meh. It was fine.

Audrey was a really hard MC to root for. I’m not against a difficult MC, but it was a looooooong time before she realized why she made some of the decisions she made and held onto the “idea” of Fred. The back and forth storyline and flashbacks with time with Fred and her mother drama was maybe too much. And the whole time we have Josh who gave her zero reasons to doubt their relationship and he stayed strong and faithful all throughout. And in the last 10% of the story she realizes her errors (wait-does she???) and begs to have him back. Josh, my boy, you deserve better.

I can’t even imagine reading this book with my eyes, the audiobook saved me!

Dear Epilogue- 😩😩😩 we didn’t need you.

I picked this for my book club and EVERYONE loved it so much!
Have you ever had a perfect day, never to see that person again? Do you dream of the one that got away? This book is your fantasy come to life.

Audrey is hours away from marrying her down to earth fiance Josh, when Fred shows up. The one guy she constantly thinks about as the one that got away? Is this a sign she shouldn't marry Josh?

I loved the premise! I loved being pulled in a million directions and by the end of it, I felt as confused as Audrey did on who she should end up with. I feel like in most romance books, you know immediately who is gonna end up together, so I loved switching it up and being genuinely surprised by what was coming next.

I feel like it's SUCH a relatable debate most people worry about once it's time to settle down, and I know everyone of my friends felt like they related to it in some way or another.

Overall, Sophie Cousens NEVER misses. She is such an auto-buy author for me, and if you love romances, I can NOT recommend this book enough!!

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Part of me loved this book. I like the interwoven plot lines and the "mystery feel" of coming to understand the background. On the other hand, I never felt like I deeply knew the characters. I felt like even at the end of the book, they remained shallow acquaintances and caricatures of themselves. It made the book drag far longer than I felt necessary. Overall, it was a cute story and had a good moral to it. A warm hearted chick-flic book, but not a literary masterpiece.

Sophie Cousens' writing has the ability to absolutely draw me in and captivate me. I'll admit this book had a slow start for me- I was not entirely sure if I wanted to cheer for Josh or Fred, the photo booth guy. Around halfway through, though, I was absolutely gripped by the story and finished it all in one sitting.

Audrey is about to marry Josh, the love of her life. But then Fred, the one who got away, shows up the night before her wedding, sending Audrey into a tailspin. Audrey has to figure out what's important to her - the thrill of something new or enduring love.

A good but not great story I had high hopes would receive the praise I wanted to give it. It was interesting enough but not a favorite of the month.

I’ve really enjoyed Sophie Cousens other books and I’m sad that I didn’t love this one.

The premise was really interesting but ultimately I didn’t find Audrey that likeable and wasn’t invested in her relationship with either guy. Love triangles are so tricky and I just don’t think this one was executed that well. I had no idea which way it was going to go, which is refreshing in some ways, but also speaks to the fact that both options were just kind of meh. Also what fun is a romance novel if you’re not rooting for the romance?

I did enjoy all the ridiculous wedding shenanigans and the multiple timeline format. I also just really like Sophie’s writing and I continue to look forward to her future books.

Thank you GP Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a good book.
So much going on and sooo many unpredictable events.
So usually we get predictable themes in romance books but the way the author took this book was great and it kept you wondering and wanting to know if the characters' choices were the best and where it leads them
easy to read which keeps your interest and sucks you into their story and their lives
very well written
and one last thing is that there are sooooooo many emotions in the book
must read

Would like to thank Net Galley for the chance to read this book and am happy to give my voluntary review and honest opinion.

Honestly my year doesn’t end until I read a Sophie Cousens book! This is my third year to end my year out with one of her novels and honestly it’s a tradition now at this point!

Audrey is about to walk down the isle, but what happens when “the one who got away” shows up. One bad omen after another, and a lot of bad luck lead Audrey to questioning everything about what and who she wants.

This is told in 3 timelines. The present, when she met Josh her fiancé, and when she had her meet cute wirh Fred.

Josh and Audrey seem like polar opposites, but they have so much history. Fred and Audrey have a one day love story of what could have been, and have so much in common.

I loved following the story of these three, the timelines are not linear but they really told the story so well. I honestly had no idea who Audrey would end up with. Audrey also shared a lot about her relationship with her mother during these stories which added another dynamic layer.

This was a fun romance/women’s fiction that has a little mystery to it, and I always recommend Sophie to others! She has a way of keeping me interested, making me laugh, and like I said I love ending my year with one of her books!

Thank you to Putnam books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

One of my favorite books this year! Honestly, I don’t like love triangles, BUT this one is done really nicely. I loved the ending too. I love the way SOPHIE writes, she is a gem. I also love that it is closed door.

Audrey is about to get married. How does a person choose between a love they know and a love that may just be destiny?

In Sofie Cousens book, ‘Before I Do’, she writes a tale that sucks you in from the beginning and make you dream of a love and commitment like Audrey has.

This was cute but not my favorite of Sophie Cousens. Loved the ending though. Would still read anything she publishes.

I don’t know that I was really into the excessively non-linear timeline of the story. Ultimately though, I enjoyed the message of the book. The characters were well developed, as well as the relationships between them. It won’t be my favorite book of the year, but it was enjoyable.