I keep going back and forth about this book. I typically live and die for Sophie Cousens and I saw glimmers of why throughout this book. Ultimately, it wasn't one I was dying to keep picking up. I liked the story line and how it was a modern riff on Gone with the Wind. But at the end of the day, re: this book, frankly I don't give a d***.

This was an absolute delight to read! When “the one who got away” shows up the night before your wedding… you can only imagine the shenanigans that are about to happen. This was funny, sweet, swoon worthy, and touched up on some sensitive subjects. I’m a huge fan of Sophie Cousens writing and this one easily became my new favorite.

I have come to the conclusion that Sophie Cousens is not an author for me. I tried to read this one and the previous book one after another, and did not connect or enjoy either of them.

Please note that I received this book via NetGalley.

This happens to be one of my favorites only because it's a straight what-if book.

The girl falls in love gets heartbroken and moves on... or so she thought. Aubrey is getting married to the guy she moved on to. The day before the I dos her sister arrives with her date. That date happens to be the one she had an instant connection with. Do you take this as some type of omen or just fate-mucking things up? This is a good book to read if you are into love triangles and the past comes back to bite.

Audrey and Josh are set to get married, they're enjoying their rehearsal dinner until Josh's sister shows up with Audrey's former whatever he is, Fred. He was her one day of possibility. But now could he be her future, was this fate stepping in? Should she marry Josh?

Is true love a choice or fate?


I just reviewed Before I Do by Sophie Cousens. #BeforeIDo #NetGalley

I found it very hard to really get into this book. I did not love the characters. Seemed to drag on a bit. Unfortunately, not one of my favorites.

After reading This Time Next Year, I was thrilled to read Cousens’ newest novel. I really enjoyed the concept of this one & the shifting timeline, but it was slow at parts. I found it harder to connect with Audrey as a MC but overall I did enjoy her love story. A decent romance that’s very light on steam!

I enjoyed this story! It’s not quite a romance- more about a woman finding herself and reflecting on the last, but I liked it! The end wasn’t my fave, but overall it was good!

What would you do if, at your engagement party, your first "love" is an unexpected guest?

Generally, I'm not a fan of second-guessing at the wedding stage. As a result, Audrey frustrated me at times. There is, however, a good reason why Audrey is a mess and that likely saved the book for me.

Before I Do was an interesting read. I enjoyed Audrey's growth throughout the book. Audrey is floundering a bit, as many twenty-somethings do. She has given up her dreams to be an astronomer and is struggling to make a go of her photography business. She doesn't trust romantic relationships, although she's been involved in what looks to be a good one with Josh.

Sophie Cousens writes back and forth in time by setting points in time related to when Audrey is supposed to say I do - X hours, days, months, years from when Audrey is supposed to say I do. It was a little difficult for me to follow at times. I'd definitely recommend reading over listening to an audiobook to keep track of the timing.

My favorite part was the ending. I appreciated how Cousens wrapped up the entire story.

3.5 stars rounded to 4

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam - G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ARC.

Before I Do is my second time reading a book by Sophie Cousens, and of the 2 it is definitely my favorite so far! There were so many different elements that I loved, first of all being that this isn't just any old rom-com. It has a very unique premise and Cousens makes you think about fate and bad omens and if they are actually a real thing or not. Some people believe in them, and some don't, and I loved the way this book brought that into question through Audrey's situation. I also loved the way the story is broken up, bringing in Audrey's past while also stressing her current panic and hesitation over the upcoming wedding. Astronomy also has a spot in the novel, and I appreciated the fact Cousens had to research it for the book as she didn’t know anything about it. I don’t know much of anything about astronomy myself, and I thought it was an interesting and special aspect of the story.

I would also like to rave about the audiobook for a moment because even though there wasn’t anything particularly special about it, the narrator made all of the difference. Emma Sidi seems to have only narrated 3 books if you’re including Before I Do and I really hope she is going to voice more because she has GOT IT. I loved her so so much as the voice of Audrey, and I can’t imagine anyone else bringing her to life quite the way Sidi did. For this reason, I would recommend the audiobook to anyone in a heartbeat, and when (not if) I do a reread of this it will be 100% audio all the way again. There were some rather comical moments in Before I Do that had me laughing my butt off, but in true Cousens fashion also times when I had tears glistening in my eyes. And that epilogue!! It might be one of the best I have ever read, and I adored it. I wasn’t quite sure the direction the story would take, but I ended up being very satisfied with it and am very happy Cousens went the way she did. If you want a new take on a rom-com that will make you question omens and fate, I recommend picking this up ASAP!

"Before I Do" is another win from Sophie Cousens. Her writing is transportive. Her characters feel deeply real. And this classic story of "Is he really the one?" will tear at your heartstrings and make you believe in real love.

Before I Do by Sophie Cousens is a story told by alternating constantly between the present and flashbacks from the past. This can be a bit confusing at first, but later it makes more sense. At the heart of this story, it is a romantic and readers of this genre will not be disappointed. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Audrey is getting married to Josh tomorrow. Everything is going along great until the night before the big day. Fred shows up as a plus one. Fred and Audrey met and spent an incredible, perfect day together a while ago. Fred was “the one that got away” from Audrey but now he’s here. Is it a sign that she’s not meant to get married tomorrow? Is fate trying to intervene?
I loved this book! The book was funny, witty and entertaining. The author did a great job of going between past and present time. The supporting characters added warmth and laugh out loud moments to the story. I felt for Audrey as she was trying to navigate her way through her circumstances to find out who she was truly meant to be with.

I highly enjoyed this story from start to finish. Told in multiple points throughout the main character's life, we travel backwards from their wedding to when Audrey and Josh meet, their relationship and how her wedding day doubts were really brought on by experiences in her past.
Great plot and I loved the ending- she is a must-read author for me! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Sophie Cousens book and I think I am now a fan. I loved how the book was written in multiple timelines and it would take us back to before and after the "I Do". I have to say that this book kept me on my toes and had a lot of unexpected twists and turns in it. I am a sucker for romcom's and even though this was it felt like it was so much more than your normal romcom. I loved how it showed how our decisions either big or small can shape our lives.

Great story and this author just gained a fan.

I had previously read a book by Sophie Cousens and was excited when I saw a new one was coming out! I love how the story is not cut and dry, you have no idea which way Audrey's journey will go - will she end up with her fiance, Josh or with her what-if from years ago, Fred? I loved how this was told with memories from then (Fred) and now (Josh). Honestly, until the end chapters were upon me, I had no idea how I felt about each of her options. I do knlw thad I couldn't put this one down!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this one so much. I will be reviewing a physical copy of this book on my social media platforms but thank you agin to Putnam for the digital arc

I've read all of Sophie Cousens' books, and I was delighted to receive a copy of Before I Do. I'm also a big fan of books told over multiple timelines where bits of perspective are shared. Plus, I'd read a book just about Granny Parker!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

I appreciated the plot of this book, I really like the idea of weighing all your options before you make the single most important decision of your life and really go through all of your "what-if" moments. That being said, OUCH, it was pretty brutal to have all of these thoughts and a "mid-wedding" crisis on the day before and of your wedding! Audrey romanticized a chance encounter with Fred several years prior to her wedding to Josh, even though it was a very brief meeting, they felt like kindred spirits and she always wondered "what-if" right up until Fred showed up as her almost sister-inlaw's date! From there, a string of events happen that will leave you in disbelief. It was very far fetched and just a disaster at that point. I also couldn't get past the toggling back and forth from her life before, to her wedding disaster currently, then back to before, etc. It was too much and I kept losing interest.
When it's all said and done, I was team Josh all the way; while she tried to redeem herself to Josh, she was a lost cause to me.

I recently discovered Sophie Cousens and was as enchanted by this story as all of her others. Delightfully written with characters whose edges don't stop at the endpapers. Sophie writes romance in a way that reads like a rom-com movie unfolding. I can't wait to read more!