I received a free advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of my favorite reads of 2024! I absolutely enjoyed every second. It moved quickly enough to keep me engaged but had enough suspense to keep me guessing. I loved the main character and related quite a bit to her personality and her inner dialogue. I enjoyed the commentary and perspective offered on different kinds of love.

Highly recommend.

4.5 stars.

Wow! What an amazing gem this book turned out to be. One part romance, one part magical realism, and one part mystery - combined to make a fantastic, interesting story I like one I’ve read before.

7 years ago, Kit, the love of Olivia’s life went missing. He went for a hike and never came back and was later presumed dead. Over the years, she fell in love with his brother, James, as they both grieved together. On the morning of her wedding day to James, Olivia finds a note that indicates Kit may be alive and that James may have known. As she leaves her hotel room to confront James, she is hurtled 7 years into the past and wakes up a week before Kit goes missing.

This story is told from multiple POVs and keeps you guessing at every turn. There are some fun twists. I loved all the characters- Liv, James, Kit, Ava…well,
maybe not Kit’s and James’ mom, Lynn, but that’s okay. 🙂

Definitely add this one to your TBR. It may not be on your radar, but it definitely should be!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this, it was both funny and sad in places, a really interesting plot and narrative that was well executed, the perfect holiday read!

Liv thought her life was over when her boyfriend, Kit, vanished on a hike. Seven years later, she’s about to marry someone new when she suddenly wakes up a week before Kit disappeared. Now, she’s determined to figure out what happened and maybe even change fate. This book is a wild ride with romance, mystery, and packs an emotional punch.. Liv’s journey through grief, love, and self-discovery will keep you hooked, and the twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat.

I absolutely loved this book, I didn’t know where the story was going to go in the end but it was great. The characters were great and the story captivating. By about 50% of the way through I struggled to put it down. Would definitely recommend, there were many twists and turns.

As someone whose birthday happens to fall on the wedding day in the book, I couldn’t help but feel an instant personal connection – what are the odds? I went into this read completely blind about the supernatural twist, and I was pleasantly surprised by it. The book is suspenseful, romantic, and thoroughly entertaining. I'm proudly Team James all the way!

One of my favorite moments was the plot twist involving the point of view – I won’t spoil it, but wow… genius-level writing. I was genuinely shocked by how cleverly it was executed.

That said, I feel there were a few aspects that could have been stronger which i shared in a private note with the publisher.

Despite some minor critiques, I’m giving it five stars because I devoured the book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it from a subjective perspective. As an author myself (my book The Jade Necklace is currently on NetGalley), I understand the value of constructive feedback. Emma Cooper crafted a story that entertained me, and that’s ultimately what matters most.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I really enjoyed reading this book and found after only around 15% I was hooked. The concept is very interesting and easily allows you to relate to the main character and those around her.

Liv’s reactions to the life she has experienced feel incredibly real and proportionate so, despite the fantasy/magical aspect in terms of time travel, at no point does it feel unreal. The switches between times and points of view are worked into the book so well, meaning there are no points where you feel lost or confused.

The book has the perfect amount of twists without giving you whiplash alongside a very healthy dose of cheesy romance.

I think the ending was maybe slightly prolonged with an epilogue from the point of view of a character I maybe wouldn’t have chosen, but overall I felt very satisfied with the direction the book took.

A very easy and addictive read which I’d definitely recommend and will look forward to reading more by this author!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc! I absolutely loved it and I didn't expect most of the plot twists! It was so interesting to see liv to go back in time and find out what happened to kit and I was curious to see who she was gonna choose in the end. I wasn't disappointed, I'm just glad they're happy. If you love something with time travel and romance then this is for you.

The One Before The One by @itsemmacooper is a lovely heartwarming read about love, fate and families. Perfect for those that love One Day and Time Traveller's Wife.

Kit and Liv are made for each other, their destinies decided following Liv nearly drowning and Kit rescuing her. Liv believes Kit is 'her one' and so when Kit disappears one night, Liv is heartbroken believing Kit is dead.

It takes years for Liv to rebuild her life and eventually she finds love again, but it's with Kit's brother, James. However on the morning of Liv and James wedding, Kit returns..

Liv then gets caught in a time warp, reliving the last 7 days before Kit disappears. Will Liv change her actions and change the course of fate to rescue the one she loves and will this mean there's no future for her and James.

Just wanted to say thank you to @theboldbookclub and @netgalley for this ARC, absolutely love reviewing new books and helping authors like @itsemmacooper

#netgalley #netgalleyreads #boldwoodbooks #boldwoodbloggers #TheOneBeforetheOne #bookstagram #bookworm #christmasreads #itsemmacooper

Good story, I enjoyed the twists... all the back and forth was sometimes confusing but not a huge deal.

So glad I got the ARC for this incredible story! 7 years ago Liv is blindsided by the disappearance of her boyfriend Kit. He goes missing on a hike, and for the next 3 years Liv desperately searches for him as well as answers to why he suddenly vanished. He is eventually presumed dead and Liv moves on. She begins a relationship with Kits brother James. On their wedding night she overhears a conversation between her friends that has her questioning the love James has for her. Right before she is set to wed James she finds a necklace and a note, confirming that Kit may actually be alive. I could not put this book down. It begs you to answer the question if we could change our future would we want too? Without giving anything else away I’m recommending this amazing story. I rounded up from 4.5 because 4 didn’t feel fair for how involved I became in this story. Thanks for NetGalley, the author, and Boldwood Books for the ARC. I adored this book!

Brilliant book. Loved all the twist and turns. Liv's boyfriend disappears and his brother James and her spend years looking for him. She then has the chance to go back a week to try and find him and stop him disappearing

**Book Review: *The One Before The One* by Emma Cooper**

Emma Cooper’s *The One Before The One* is an unforgettable journey through love, loss, and the mysteries that bind us. This stunning novel weaves together a poignant and captivating story that will keep you guessing.

At the heart of the novel are Liv, James, and Kit—three characters whose lives are interwoven by a shared past and a complicated love triangle. James and Kit are brothers, but the tension between them goes beyond sibling rivalry. Both are in love with Liv, and the complex dynamics of their relationships are masterfully explored by Cooper, creating an emotional depth that feels raw and real.

The story unfolds in a split-time narrative, slowly revealing clues about Kit’s mysterious disappearance. This method of storytelling is a triumph—Cooper's pacing is perfectly executed, allowing the reader to piece together the puzzle alongside the characters. Each revelation builds on the last, pulling us deeper into the mystery, while the alternating timelines make for a truly immersive reading experience. The way the past and present are intertwined is nothing short of brilliant—at times suspenseful, at other times heart-wrenching, and always intriguing.

What stands out most is the emotional connection Cooper fosters between the characters and the reader. Their actions, feelings, and decisions are so well written that they feel almost tangible. You’ll find yourself sympathizing with them, questioning their choices, and rooting for them even as the story’s twists take you in unexpected directions.

It’s rare to find a story that keeps you guessing without ever feeling contrived or predictable. Cooper achieves this with skillful storytelling and a deep understanding of her characters. The novel builds an incredible emotional resonance, making it a book you won’t easily forget.

*The One Before The One* is a true masterpiece in split-time storytelling. It’s unique, heart-wrenching, and filled with suspense, making it an unforgettable read. If this book is any indication of Emma Cooper’s talent, I will be eagerly awaiting her future works. Highly recommended for fans of emotional, character-driven stories that keep you on the edge of your seat!

This was a really fun read with the timeline jumping and mystery interwoven with the romance. There were a couple of plot points I didn't care for like why Kit disappeared. Overall, an engaging and enjoyable read.

5 stars!!

A big thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this incredible ARC!

This story was so well-written and let’s just say a wild ride. It combined romance and mystery so well and I’m very very happy with how it ended. I loved Liv and how strong she was throughout the book and both Kit and James were strong MMCs. Overall, this was a beautiful book and I plan to read more by the author.

An unusually twisty, turny and mysterious romance that kept me guessing and had me reaching for my kindle in every spare moment! Compelling, romantic and so much fun. Recommended.

📚ARC Review 📚

The One Before the One ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When Liv’s boyfriend, Kit, disappears on a hike, she thought her life was over. With the help of her family and friends, she finally moved on and found love again. Now the morning of her wedding day, seven years later, she steps through a door and has somehow gone back in time to the week before Kit disappeared. Determined to find out what really happened, Liv looks for any signs that lead up to the moment of Kit’s disappearance. But can she rewrite fate and if she can, does she really want to?

This was one of those books you don’t really know what’s going to happen next. The way it was written, threw me for a loop halfway during the story. I would consider this a romantic mystery but also dealt with lots of other heavyish topics. Liv went through so much and was able to overcome grief and find love again while also staying loyal to herself. This story and the characters were well written. Each chapter had you wanting to know more. Overall, I really enjoyed this one!

This book will publish on January 31, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced readers copied. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

Romantic Fiction isn’t my usual genre but there are a few authors that write the books in a way that doesn’t make me want to leave it aside, never to be finished , the female main characters are strong minded and independent who when the male character appears doesn’t lose herself, what made this book enjoyable was that there is a mixture of bitter sweet romantic parts with a touch of mystery and some funny moments. As I have said I have a list of go to authors when I need a break from the gritty crime genre that I usually read and Emma Cooper has been on that list since the first book that I read. A definite five stars from me.

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

James before Kit?
Why did Kit suddenly disappear on a hike seven years ago?
Who is Mac, and what is his relationship with Kit and James?
What is the secret hidden by James and Kit's mother?
Above all, why does Olivia suddenly travel back to the year 2016? Can she change fate?

These are some of the questions that lingered in my mind while reading this book.
The storyline is very intriguing and not confusing, as the chapters are well-organized between the current events and flashbacks. The chapters are short, and most importantly, they are engaging because the storyline is arranged beautifully.

My favorite parts of this book are the moment Olivia discovers the reason for Kit's disappearance and when Olivia confronts James at Mac's cabin.

Overall, it was really hard to put this book down because the story was amazing. There wasn't an overwhelming amount of romance, as it was perfectly balanced with mystery. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for making this ARC available in exchange for a honest review.

Oh man, my heart just did a backflip off of the vault while reading this book. It also took off upon sticking the landing and ran off in a completely opposite direction then I expected.

I loved the unpredictability of the book amd the creative nuances of the characters that the author created.

Livs about to marry the love of her life James. Her and James didn't have a east pathway to true love. Liv dated his brother Kit for many years and thought James hated her as he was cold to her. After Kit took off for a hike and never reappeared, James became her rock. They fell in love 3 and a half years after tirelessly searching for Kit. Three years later they were getting married.

Liv always wondered why Kit dissapeared and wonders if he's still alive. On the day of her wedding, she finds a necklace inscribed in a box from Kitt and a note indicating he was alive. She walks through a door and insecurity transported to 7 years prior, a week before Kitt left and finds herself wrapped in Kits arms in their shared apartment.

She becomes determined to look for any clues to Kits disappearance and tries to get past, Grumpy James to assist her.

Told in alternating povs, it's a story of delving into the past. Its a story of discovering and keeping true ❤️ love.