This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

This book kept me in suspense on how I was going to feel about it when all was said and done. In the early pages I was intrigued but then I became skeptical.. in the end I actually considered giving it 5 stars but there’s one aspect of the story that keeps me from being able to. I can’t really say what here without being really spoilery so instead I will focus on some overall thoughts below. I received an ARC of this one prior to its release earlier this year. Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC!

I loved the love story. I usually have a harder time with anything resembling a love story but my favourite trope of he fell first and pined hard is in these pages so I had a clear favourite male lead.

At one point I wasn’t sure if I liked any of the characters but I came around to all of them, some faster than others.

Very unique premise within this story and it kept me wondering how this could all end.

I laughed a lot out loud, especially in the final portion of the book.

Overall a great read, I just wish the one element made more sense to my logical brain, but I did love how everything wrapped up.

Thank you Boldwood and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I enjoyed this romance / part time-travelling book.

Liv is about to get married, however she’s given the opportunity to live one week over again. Will she take the opportunity? What will the outcome be if she does?

A thought provoking concept and a fabulous book to dive into and escape for a while.

Loved this one! This was emotional with time slips, and I found this was more than just a romance. There was nuance and depth, and I really enjoyed it. Fans of Emily Henry, Paige Toon, and Ashley Poston will enjoy this!

The One Before the One by Emma Cooper is a emotional gut punch for readers that brings together a love triangle and time travel and the question about if you ever get over your first love. It's definitely one that I did not want to put down.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Very neat concept! Readers follow Liv in the final days before her wedding and she has the chance to live a single week over again. This is an emotional read that focuses on complex relationships. If you like time-slip romances, this might be for you!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Oh my heart. This is one of the most heart-wrenching books I have ever read. I wish I could give our main characters all big hugs to help them get through this. Emma Cooper did an amazing job exploring the complicated themes surrounding love, grief, and mortality. Olivia is such a lovable character and I love how despite the situation, she still stays strong.

This without a doubt is a book that will stay with me for a very long time.

Just finished The One Before The One by Emma Cooper and I’m still processing everything!

Liv is about to marry her new love when, suddenly, she’s back in time, six days before her boyfriend Kit disappears—seven years ago. But here’s the twist: Kit is actually thr brother to James the man she’s with now. Liv is given the chance to rewrite history, to figure out why Kit left, and to potentially save him. But doing so means confronting a heart-wrenching dilemma: does she choose the man she once loved, or the man who’s helped her heal? 😔💔

I thought I was picking up a light read, but this book is SO much deeper than I expected. Time travel, complex love triangles, and layers of emotional depth that will have you questioning fate, love, and the choices we make. The dynamics between the brothers and Liv are messy, raw, and beautifully written.

From the first page, I was hooked by the witty banter and genuine emotion. Emma Cooper explores love in all its complexities—sometimes the person you thought you were meant to be with isn’t the one you end up with, and that’s okay. 💭

Big thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC! Highly recommend if you love a story that will tug at your heartstrings and keep you guessing until the very end. 📚💫

Olivia is getting ready to marry James, the brother of her first love, Kit, who disappeared seven years ago and is presumed dead. When she starts to suspect that maybe he isn’t dead her entire world is turned upside down. How would her life look if Kit had never left and what does that mean for her and James?

I really liked this book. There was some time travel involved, which I typically don’t enjoy. However, this was done in such a way that it fit right in with the story and I loved it.

Seven years ago, Liv’s boyfriend, Kit, disappeared on a hike. With help from family and friends, she eventually moved on with her life. On the morning of her wedding with James (Kit’s brother), Liv steps out of the doorway and goes back in time - to six days before Kit disappears.

Liv is reliving those same six days again. She needs to get it right this time. Can Liv save Kit? And if she does, will she choose him or James?

The story comes from Liv and another character’s first-person POVs. It was well written but it all seemed strangely familiar, so much so that I kept checking if I had read it before. The idea is great but was much stronger than the execution. Sadly, I didn't love it, but it was a good quick beach read.

Judging this book on the cover (because I tend to not often read blurbs) I went into this one expecting a bit of fluff, but instead what I got was an emotional and incredibly deep book! There is mystery, there is some time travel and there is just so much depth! The journey of finding and recognizing real, true love is a really beautiful one. I loved how hooked I was - right from the beginning and I was oh so sad when I finished the book half a day later... because I just wanted more!

This one is one that I will be thinking of for a long time to come, I just know that this book and these characters will stick with me which makes me so grateful.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Story with time slips and not so much romance. This was ok for me. I may not have been in the mood for it at the time and just wasn't super invested in the story. I'd read more from this author though.

This book was an absolute delight! From the very first page, I was hooked by the witty dialogue, relatable characters, and the perfect balance of humor and heartfelt moments. The story explores love, self-discovery, and the idea that sometimes the person we’re meant to be with isn’t who we expected.
If you love contemporary romance with depth, humor, and plenty of heart, this one is definitely worth picking up!

Where is the hype for this book?! I will be searching for more books by this author. This is such a unique story and it unfolded perfectly. Perfect ending! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and helping me find a wonderful new author!

Description and cover: cozy magical realism romance. Actual content: a mild speculative thriller with a touch of a love story. I'm uncertain why it’s billed as a romance, but the story is solid. I believe it would perform better if marketed accurately.

"The One Before the One" is told from multiple perspectives across various timelines. It's confusing, intriguing, and melancholic. The plot is extremely easy to spoil, so aside from not expecting a romance, I suggest diving in without any preconceived notions!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

A second-chance romance with a time-travel twist, this novel throws Liv into the ultimate pre-wedding dilemma: rewrite the past or stick with the life she’s built? Packed with heartache, hope, and a love triangle that will have you screaming at the pages, it’s a rollercoaster of ‘what ifs’ and impossible choices. Perfect for fans of tearjerkers with a side of destiny, this one will keep you flipping pages, early contender for my favourite book of the year.

What an enticing new novel from Emma Cooper!! The description of this book does not do it justice- magical realism coupled with secrets and mysteries made for a really compelling story! It’s a quick read with just the right amount of twists and turns. It took a minute for me to really get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked! I really liked the characters and the storyline, but some parts felt really rushed while others felt dragged out. I was really happy with the ending, though!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

A lovely page turner ❤️ it's more than a normal romance book.... there is a little time travelling in it but don't let that put you off!
I went into the book not knowing much about it just that I enjoyed Emma's previous books. There are some twists and turns that I didn't see coming.
Loved it .

I enjoyed the time travel and mystery of this story and it definitely had me wondering what was going on. I think I didn’t connect to any of the characters and that is what kept it from a higher rating but the premise of the story was really good.

A magical realism story where you'll never see the ending coming

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me this arc to review!

I absolutely devoured this book as I loved the plot so much. The way you feel towards certain characters in this book changes so much from beginning to end and I just really did not see it coming. It has constant twist and turns that shock you and keep you invested to see what happens at the end. I will never stop recommending this book!