This is a great book and my first time reading something by this author. I found myself wanting to keep reading because I needed to know what happened. There were a few twists I didn’t see coming and I loved them. I found myself loving each character, having sympathy for them, feeling frustrated, all the emotions. I will recommend this book to others.

Liv is ready to marry the love of her life, James. To make things a bit more complicated, she's marrying the brother of her missing ex boyfriend. Liv was with Kit before and he vanished and was assumed dead seven years earlier but on her wedding day it appears that he might not actually be gone. Did she 'settle' for his brother or is James really the one she was meant to be with? This is an easy read and enjoyable.

3 Stars
One Liner: Got potential but ends up lukewarm

Seven years ago, Liv’s boyfriend, Kit, disappeared on a hike. With help from dear ones, she moved on in 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 disappeared.
Liv is reliving those same six days again. She needs to get it right to save Kit. Can Liv save Kit? And if she does, whom will she choose?
The story comes from Liv and another character’s first-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
So this has a sort of time-slip/ time travel/Groundhog Day (without multiple loops) story where the FMC travels to the past to relive six days before an event that changes her future forever.
I grabbed the book despite my dislike for love triangles as I was curious to see how the time travel part was handled. There wasn’t any explanation given but I wasn’t confused when the shift happened.
The writing is quite descriptive and lyrical. While this gave us some lovely quotes, it also took up a lot of space. Some scenes stretched while others ended quickly, so essentially, we have uneven pacing.
Liv was decent and I liked her enough. Seeing the shift in her was interesting. James should have had more space. TBH, it doesn’t make much sense that we don’t get more than a couple scenes with Liv and James but are told many times about their love. Compared to this, Kit and Liv have so many scenes!
However, my major issue with the book is the excessive limelight on Kit. Kit this, Kit that, oh gosh! I mean okay, he was put on a pedestal, but everyone and we get hints about his flaws but all those should have been used in the plot at some point. Why raise so many questions but not deal with any of them when there’s a chance for it? The same with the mother’s actions. No one even questions it after the truth is out. No comeuppance?
As much as I appreciate the intent of not taking sides, I need details sorted properly. Don’t raise those questions if you don’t want to address them. Simple as that!
Moreover, even the epilogue takes the focus away from the central plot. This is supposed to be Liv’s story. Her past and present and how she navigates through the muddle when she gets a second chance.
Ava was actually a great character. It’s a pity that she doesn’t have more meaningful conversations with Liv and help her look at things from another perspective.
There isn’t much romance as such but it is there. Since I already picked my choice, I wasn’t interested in what we got. At least, I’m glad that there is one grand gesture (feels like a consolation prize but I’ll take it).

To summarize, The One Before the One has a great premise and raises many vital points only to brush them off. With just one more chapter, all of it could have been sorted and the book would have had a more balanced and stronger ending.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheOneBeforeTheOne

This story follows Liv who finds out on her wedding day that her missing boyfriend is actually still alive. I went into this pretty blind, but was expecting a romance. It was an interesting genre - a mix of romance, mystery and magical realism. There were many twists I did not see coming and was so invested in wanting to know what happened next. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Emma Cooper’s The One Before the One is a beautifully crafted story about love, loss, and the choices that shape our lives. Liv, on what should be the happiest day of her life, wakes up seven years in the past, just days before her ex-boyfriend Kit mysteriously disappeared. Given this rare second chance, Liv must decide whether to try and save Kit, knowing it could change the life she has built in the present.

This novel is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, blending humour and emotion in a way that keeps you hooked. Liv’s journey is a poignant reminder of the power of love, the weight of regret, and the courage it takes to face the past. It’s a perfect read for anyone who has ever wondered, "What if?"

I loved this book! I could not put it down and read it in one sitting!! It was so good! I thought the romance was paired well with the mystery element; they blended nicely and neither one ever overpowered the other. The character development was incredible, you could feel for Liv, James and Kit at all the right times. Simply beautiful all the way through!

Riveting from start to finish, I couldn't put this book down. Emma Cooper has managed to captivate her audience from the very first page and the hits just keep on coming. Thought-provoking, powerful, and a beautiful love story at it's core, we are taken on an adventure where you question everything you think you know and the story you have been told. A wonderful read that can teach us a lot about the choices we make and the boundaries we push for love. 10/10 would recommend!

What a great book to start off the new year! This is one that stuck with me all day until I could pick up where I left off again. The cover is beautiful and heavily influenced my decision to read it.

There's romance. There's suspense. There's time-traveling. There's heartbreak. There's HEA.

Liv's world was turned upside down when her boyfriend, Kit, disappears. After years of searching for him, both Liv and Kit's brother, James, accept that he's really gone. But in the process of their search, they find each other. Seven years later, they're getting married! Until, on their wedding day, Liv gets catapulted back in time to before Kit left. Now, she has the chance to find out what happened to him and why.

I loved everything about this book. The characters were well-built and extremely likeable. I loved seeing the relationships that Liv had with both Kit and James. Although, I found myself rooting for James more. It gives you a dual POV and timeline of Liv's time spent in the past and the days after Kit's disappearance. It's a mix between Groundhogs Day and The Butterfly Effect.

The only thing that I'll say I didn't care for much, was that the last couple chapters were a little too cheesy. But overall, I enjoyed this book! I mean, I hadn't even finished it before recommending it to my coworker.

This was a really interesting read. I requested for it because the title and the cover got my attention, and the synopsis made me want to get into it. Don’t be fooled by the cutesy cover, folks! I went into this book expecting a lighthearted romance, but there was a mystery plot to this that kept me reading. I was so convinced I already knew how this was going to end, and it was just a matter of reading to know how they get there… but I was wrong, and there was a twist in this book that certainly caught me by surprise!

However, while I liked the premise of the book, some parts felt a bit dragged out and were too descriptive. It also seemed like some metaphors were inserted to make the writing feel lyrical, but it often felt out of place than impressive. There were also unresolved plot threads and plot points that were overly emphasized but felt unnecessary to the story.

Overall, the book was interesting and the premise did hook me, but I do agree that it could have undergone a few more rounds of editing. This was definitely a unique read, and I would recommend if you’re looking for a story with a romance and mystery plot that touches on themes of grief.

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for a review!

I really enjoyed this one! Not as much of a chick lit book as the cover or title may suggest. I do wish there was even more of a focus on James/Liv, but that's just because I loved the two of them.

When I read the first few chapters and realised there was going to be some 'time travel' I was not really sure if this was going to be my kind of story. I I couldn't have been more wrong! After this point I couldn't put it down and devoured it within a day and a half.

It's the story of Liv, trying to piece back together her life after her boyfriend Kit disappears on a hike. 7 years later, she's taking a stab at happiness with the man who's helped her heal - Kit's older brother James. As strange as it might seem to outsiders, their relationship really works and they are both looking forward to the wedding. Only - the morning of the wedding Liv opens the door and realises she has travelled back in time to the week before Kit's disappearance. Can she work out why he goes? Can she stop him? What about her fiance James?? Will she have to choose between them?
As she lives each day again, she sees the clues she missed the first time and we as readers try to work out the mystery alongside her.
I really enjoyed this book and was both relieved at the ending and sad because it meant the book was over! I am now on the look-out for more of Emma Cooper's novels and will definitely recommend this one. Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t even know where to start because The One Before You by Emma Cooper completely floored me. Picture me standing up slow clapping because this book deserves every ounce of applause. It’s like a homier, more heartfelt version of 13 Going on 30, but so much more. Honestly, it’s been years since I’ve truly connected with a romance novel, and this one just renewed my love for the genre in a way I didn’t expect.

I went in blind, intrigued by the title but not expecting much. Let me tell you, this book didn’t just live up to its name—it surpassed it. Why isn’t this a movie already? It’s everything a romance should be. The flow was effortless, the twists caught me completely off guard, and the POV shock (IYKYK)Genius. The shock and confusion I felt (in the best way possible) kept me glued to the page.

The characters had so much life. Liv, Kit, James—I felt all their emotions right alongside them. The happiness, the heartbreak, the anger, the joy—it was all so real. And Mac? Absolutely hilarious. He added so much charm to the story; I found myself laughing out loud at his antics. And let’s talk about Liv for a second—girl, I was rooting for her so hard to make the right choice because it was so obvious where her heart truly belonged. The way it all unfolded was just beautiful.

I stayed up all night because I couldn’t bear to put this down. Every chapter pulled me deeper into their story, and by the end, I was a complete wreck in the best way. This book is pure magic. It’s heartwarming, emotional, funny, and unforgettable. I’m so happy I read it—The One Before You is truly something special.

First, can we talk about how gorgeous this cover is?
I requested this arc based on the cover as well as the intriguing synopsis. I was expecting a sweet romance, and this was a romance, but this book was also SO MUCH MORE.
On her wedding day, Olivia somehow finds herself seven years in the past. As she tries to unravel the mysterious disappearance of her first love, she experiences many new revelations in her past. The story is told from a dual pov, which adds to the mystery element of the story. There was a fantastic spin on the story that had me actually going back a couple pages to make sure I hadn’t misunderstood! Wow. This was an emotional story that I couldn’t wait to get back to.

Emma Cooper is a new to me author, but now I feel the need to go read her backlist, asap!

My suggestion is to go into this book without reading the blurb. The author did a fantastic job at hooking you into the storyline, that’s why I’m not going to say. A lot about what it’s about. A woman discovers her boyfriend missing and the story unravels from there. You find out more about the woman and who she is as the story progresses.
There weren’t many mistakes in this copy either and it read like a full length novel (although more on the easier side).

Thank you to the publishers and author for sending me this copy

- ARC Review -

When I say I DEVOURED this book in less than 24 hours I mean it!!

No Spice/Closed Door Romance/Mystery isn’t my go to genre, and so I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy this, but I have never been so glad to be wrong! 😍

The first 4 chapters were a little bit slower paced than I’m used to and then all of a sudden BAM! I couldn’t put the book down! 🤯

I absolutely loved the time travel element of this book and feel as though it was done so well! It’s quite a niché that not all authors get right, but boy did Emma Cooper get it right 👏🏼

I experienced an entire rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed (mostly at Mac), I felt angry, I felt relieved. I feel like I went through all of the emotional turmoil with Liv! Having to choose between your first love & your current love isn’t a situation anybody would want to go through. Seeing her make her decisions was heartbreaking and satisfying at the same time! 💔

The twists and turns this book takes genuinely had me questioning everything, especially Chapter 30! Iykyk! 👀 I legitimately had to put the book down and process for a good 10 minutes. Then go back and reread an earlier chapter, then go back and reread that chapter 😂

Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the opportunity to ARC read this wonderful book 💖

જ⁀➴ 4.5/5 ★

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎꒰🧾꒱ 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎

“𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭; 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵.”

arc review 💌
release date: jan 31

꒰ 🌼꒱ 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭 - liv’s boyfriend kit disappeared 7 years ago without a trace, she’s been through grief, sorrow, and heartbreak. now it’s the morning of her wedding and she finds herself back 7 years prior - a few days before his disappearance. she has the chance to fix everything and find out why he left all those years ago. she has to choose between the man she loved then and the one she loves now.

꒰ 💔 ꒱ 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 - this book was so insane. it had magical realism, second chance (kinda), and thriller elements in this romance. i don’t want to say too much because it’ll spoil the story. there is spice in this book but it’s brief and you can skip it. this book had me speeding through the pages and anticipating what was going to be uncovered next. i’d definitely recommend this book. the last 15/20% had me STRESSING, like and i was so shocked. this book would be great to get out of a slump. it’s a romance but it felt more like a thriller/women’s fiction with mystery and magical realism.

⁀➴ this quote stood out to me and i liked the message the book gave in the end
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “ask for help. live in the now. not in the past where all your mistakes are, not in the future where you see yourself winning the big bet, but now. the present is such a gift. living is such a gift. don’t let it slip through your fingers. you’ve all been braver than i have ever been, because you’re all here.”

At first, I thought this book would be another "One True Loves," or at least have some similarities, but I was pleasantly proved wrong. This book was simply phenomenal and kept my attention the entire time!

4+ rounded up.

What an intriguing read! I don't think I have a read a time slip romance since I began my reading journey. If you are looking for a lot of romance/smut, this probably isn't the read for you. However, if you are looking for mystery based on a little romance this is definitely worth picking up.

I am not even sure how to review this without giving anything away! On her wedding day Liv comes to a revelation about her ex-boyfriend, with the shock of the news she ends up slipping back in time as her present self, 7 years prior to her wedding day, 7 years before what she thought her world was ending, 7 years before everything she thought she knew about her ex, Kit, was questioned. The time slip takes her back exactly 6 days prior to the last day she saw Kit and she is determined to break down everyday leading up to the final day to determine what happened and most of all why?

Emma Cooper held my interest throughout the entire book, obviously I wanted to know how this all ended but while reading about Liv's time in the past, she compares subtly between the love she shared with Kit to the love she has in present with her fiancé. Liv can see, feel, the different kinds of love that can be had in relationships, and she knows which love is the forever kind, there was never a doubt.

There were a few twists, some I was able to concluded leading up to the discovery, some I surely did not. This book definitely ended with a HEA, but I can't tell if I am disappointed or happy about it? Let me know what you think if you choose to read!

Thanks, NetGalley, Emma Cooper, and Boldwood Books for my copy of an e-Arc!

I was crying and laughing at the same time!! Emma Cooper really has a way with words. There was also a bit of a taylor jenkins reid essence to this so that was really good.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a delightful mix of romance, magical realism, and mystery, genres I don’t believe I’ve read all at once before. This book kept you guessing until the very end! There were twists, shocking reveals, and it kept me interested and turning the pages. I loved to see the character development and true love story unfold between Liv and the one she’s meant to be with.

Tropes:

Enemies to lovers
Love at first sight (swoon)
Second chance romance
Magical realism