“There are moments in your life that you try to capture; to take a snapshot of, keeping the past alive in the present.”

while a love story is the heart of this book, it is also so much more. i never really knew which direction it was ever going to go in (and to be honest, i didn’t expect it!) i’m going to put a spoiler tag on this but beware.

there were so many twists with this book. you think that you’re in kit’s pov but when you learn you’re actually in james’ i had to pause for several moments. i had to start off with that part before i said anything else, you got me.

before you learn the real truth on why kit faked his death, i was very conflicted between the relationships. it’s said many times. while liv loved kit so much, james is the love of her life. i really enjoyed all the characters and was really into the story the entire time. the characters, especially kit, are flawed but #real. the time travel aspect of this was super interesting too. it definitely helped tell the story and you can really feel the desperation liv was in to figure out what the hell happened to kit (i never suspected gambling and being in huge amounts of debt being the reason.) the moment when they finally reunited after 7 years is really bittersweet. i’m glad with the epilogue everyone got their happiness, especially kit.

the james part of this story was really good. you don’t realize it is james that left until a little over half ways through the book. i completely understand why he did it, but also it did make it feel like a lot was happening. you do get closure with it, but it felt like an added on storyline we didn’t need. now in saying that, i still enjoyed it and it explains things about his character.

overall, i really enjoyed this book. i think rereading it would make for an interesting experience.

thank you to NetGalley and publishers for letting me read this arc!

Wow, I loved this book! The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved how many twists and turns there were. The ending was great, it was nice to have a hopeful, happy conclusion after the drama.

Emma Cooper delivers an unforgettable blend of romance, mystery, and heartfelt emotion in The One Before the One. From the very first page, this story pulls you into the whirlwind of Liv’s life—a life turned upside down not once but twice by love, loss, and the extraordinary twists of fate.

Liv is on the brink of a new beginning, about to marry James, the kind and steady man who brought light back into her life after the heartbreak of losing Kit—her first love and James’s brother—seven years ago. But when Liv stumbles upon a sentimental gift on her wedding day, everything changes. Suddenly, she finds herself transported back in time to six days before Kit’s mysterious disappearance. With this second chance, Liv is determined to uncover the truth about Kit’s fate and confront the emotions she’s buried for years.

What makes this story stand out is Cooper’s ability to explore the delicate intricacies of relationships. Liv’s connections to Kit and James are rich with complexity, painted with a realism that makes their entanglements believable rather than contrived. Cooper handles the potentially controversial premise—falling in love with your missing boyfriend’s brother—with care and nuance, making it easy to understand Liv’s choices and the emotional rollercoaster that follows.

The time-travel element is executed seamlessly, adding intrigue without overshadowing the emotional heart of the story. Liv’s journey through those six critical days is filled with revelations, twists, and gut-wrenching moments that keep you turning the pages late into the night. Every detail, from the pacing to the subtle clues woven throughout, builds toward an ending that is as surprising as it is satisfying.

Liv herself is a standout protagonist—resilient, compassionate, and deeply human. Her struggles feel relatable, her triumphs earned. By the end of the book, you’re not only invested in her happiness but also inspired by her courage to face the unknown and embrace life’s messy, unpredictable nature.

The novel’s tone strikes a perfect balance between romance and mystery, with moments of humor and tenderness sprinkled throughout. The final chapters are packed with revelations, leaving readers stunned and heartbroken in equal measure. Yet, the conclusion is ultimately uplifting, offering closure and hope without tying things up too neatly.

Emma Cooper has crafted a story that lingers long after the last page—a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the choices that shape our lives. The One Before the One is a must-read for fans of emotional, thought-provoking romances with a twist.

The One Before the One had that touch of turning back time that I love to read about it. The ability to actually impact that timeline is always 50/50 depending on the author and in this story I was curious which way it would go given the premise. The story focuses on Liv, who is about to get married to James. James just so happens to be the brother of Kit, the boyfriend that Liv was deeply in love with when he disappeared seven years ago. When moments before her wedding Liv finds sentimental gift that harkens back to her relationship with Kit, along with a note that seems to indicate he is alive, our timeline rewind occurs.

From the jump it’s important to note that the possible ick at James and Liv’s relationship is addressed and as a reader it’s easy to understand after four years of Kit missing how Liv and James could begin a relationship leading to a wedding a further three years down the line. And getting to see Liv go back to her life with Kit 6 days before his disappearance was helpful in setting the stage as to why she was so in love with him as I thought our look back might reveal he wasn’t so great. What it instead reveals is why Kit disappeared along with helping Liv feel confident in which of the brothers she really loves. Towards the end we get a twist that may or may not have been anticipated, but what follows will warm your heart.

I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

I’ve been in such a romance mood lately, and The One Before the One did not disappoint! It’s the kind of book that grabs you right from the start with its unique twist and keeps you hooked with all the feels.

The story kicks off with Liv, who’s finally found happiness again after losing her boyfriend Kit seven years ago. She’s literally about to walk down the aisle when—bam—she finds herself back in time, a week before Kit disappeared. Can she figure out what happened and stop him from leaving? And if she does, what does that mean for the love she’s built now?

What I loved most about this book is how real Liv’s emotions feel. She’s torn between two loves, and Emma Cooper makes you feel every moment of her struggle. The time-travel element adds just the right amount of intrigue without overshadowing the heartfelt, character-driven story.

There were a couple of slower parts, and I wanted just a bit more closure at the end, but overall, it’s a beautifully written story that made me laugh, cry, and think about all the little moments that shape our lives.

This was such a beautifully written book. I refuse to give spoilers but it’s worth every second it takes to read, I promise! I wasn’t expecting the twist at all, and I hadn’t even realised it was going to happen. Anyway, perfect book, highly recommended

ok i’m reading this on the last day of december and i think i can say this is in my top 3 books I have read this year.
i have devoured it, i have texted my children numerous times today to tell them im reading a fantastic book. i have gasped out loud a good few times.
this is a great read and i am now going to go find other books by this author!

My favorite thing about this book was that it was clear from the first moment Liv finds herself in the past that there was no question about who she would end up with. Her primary motivation is to find out what happened to Kit and gain some answers/closure for herself. I also really liked that she wasn't actually able to change anything - I thought that was such a departure from what you usually get in time-travel romances. Liv being able to find out more about Kit and to look at him through an older, more mature lens only served to show her that she was marrying the correct brother. Side note, I liked that it wasn't in the summary that the man she was set to marry was Kit's brother, that was a nice surprise. The secondary POV was ambiguous enough in the beginning that it wasn't clear who was narrating, but I'm glad it was James. I really liked getting to know more about him. And since we had learned more about his strained relationship with his mother and how he was always made to feel inferior to Kit it is understandable why he reacted to Kit's return the way he did. I'm glad Liv realized James was the one she loved - I can see why Kit was an attractive option when she was younger, but the more I learned about him the less I liked him. He was the epitome of a spoiled child who never really thought about anyone but himself. I'm sure he could have found a way to reach out to let Liv and his family know he was alive but needed to disappear for a while - and making his return known on their wedding day, seriously, what was he thinking? The only thing I would have changed in this book is that I wish Liv had stood up for James when his mother made the comment about running away being in James's DNA from his father especially since her golden boy who had just returned after faking his death for 7 years was standing right there - that mother is truly the worst. I loved the ending with Liv and James (thank goodness he had to return to the cabin!) and the epilogue.

‘The One Before the One’ is a beautiful story that had me reflecting on aspects of my life and “what-ifs”. This story follows Liv, who loses her boyfriend Kit after he disappears on a hike. She finds herself with the unique opportunity to relive the last week with him before he disappears to try and find out why he disappeared and if she can save him. There are multiple POVs throughout the book and a twist that dropped my jaw. I really enjoyed this book, thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC.

This was such a great read! Excellent storyline, romance, mystery, and time travel. I always love stories with a dual point of view. Add it to your tbr!

This book was an intriguing read and does keep your attention throughout the whole novel, the author does well at combining romance, mystery, time travel and emotional upheavals. Reminiscent of One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The relationships were handled realistically based on the plot's situations and the time travel was well done keeping your attention with many twists, turns and clues. The ending was realistic and what would be expected in healthy relationship choices. Emotional reactions to those relationships were very mature and full of growth for the characters.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an e-ARC.

This is the first Emma Cooper book that I have read and I enjoyed it from start to finish! The one before the one follows Liv through the heartbreaking journey of her boyfriend going missing, but all is not as it seems. Suspenseful, surprising twists, lighthearted, poignant and a joy to read.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. It’s my first Emma Cooper read. I always love a good love story. I didn’t read the synopsis of the story; I just went in blind.

At first I was so confused by the time travel. I didn’t realize it was happening. When I did, I was disappointed because this wasn’t the type of book I’d typically choose to read.

Of course there were so many questions I as the reader had to ask myself. What happened to Kit? Why did James abandon Liv on their wedding day.

How did the necklace end up in James’ pocket?

I knew I had to finish the book. I felt obligated to read it all because I got an ARC. I felt I owed my time to Emma Cooper and see it though.

Boy, am I glad I did! I was originally going to give this book three stars, but as I went through, it quickly became a solid four star read for me. I was invested in Liv’s search for answers and I had to see how everything was connected.

The love story between Liv and James was so beautiful. I knew that they were fated to be together. There souls were connected on a level that wasn’t there in Liv’s relationship with Kit.

I’d definitely recommend reading this book! I’m glad I did!!

This is my first Emma Cooper novel, but it definitely won’t be the last. An intriguing and complex plot which captivated me and held my interest to the very last page. Excellent storyline, very well written with great characters . Loved it and highly recommend.

I was intrigued by the premise and hooked during the first half. I liked the plot twists, but the second half was slow. The ending gave me an overall liking. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy.

On Liv’s wedding day, she’s transported back to the day her ex boyfriend disappeared to learn why and where he went. Told from two perspectives and time, this is a wild ride! I started off loving Kit and being skeptical of Liv and James. Then, I fell in love with James’ character.

Not my typical genre, but I LOVED The one before The One!! It is so well written and the subject of time travel is fascinating!! Loved the characters and the way the story flowed. Highly recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

Interesting concept, romance meets mystery. Liv travels back in time the morning of her wedding to figure out why her first love disappeared 7 years prior. Very unexpected twists and great character development! If you like Rebecca Serle or One Italian Summer, this has a similar vibe!

I really liked The One Before The One by Emma Cooper. I was taken by surprise. The whole concept of the time traveling to possibly get a second chance at love was done very well. I was not expecting the plot twist but I was hoping what happened was for a different reason. I was upset with one of the mmc. But when I really thought about it things like that actually do happen. So I could understand it.
I really liked Emma Cooper's writing style. It was easy to follow and kept my attention. I'll definitely be checking out her other books.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.
The One Before the One was very reminiscent of Jill Santolpolo and CJ Connolly books. I enjoyed it very much, The characters were great and the plot was amazing. The pace of the book kept me hooked. Highly recommend.