Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

What a wonderful story. So many themes, you’re lured into a sense that this will be a romance with a dash of mystery, and you end up with a huge, unforeseeable twist (which actually makes sense to the plot preceding it, unlike some books), and a slap in the face from a serious issue faced by one of the main characters.

I would have liked to get to know James a little bit more in the beginning of the book - the James that Liv was in a relationship with - to understand his character better when meeting the old James. However, Kit’s character was vivid, and the development of Liv’s feelings for both men throughout the book and her realisation about who she’s meant to be with felt real and organic. I was pleased that everything was tied up towards the end, although I wish Liv would have told her mother in law where to go in the epilogue! A captivating and original novel which I would highly recommend.

This book took me totally by surprise as I was expecting the usual romcom. However, it’s a really good mystery with elements of romance thrown in. I was hooked from page 1 and really enjoyed the various twists and turns throughout. The writing is solid and the characters all developed well. It’s definitely one that I’d recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc!

The premise of this was really compelling! The writing was pretty solid and when someone goes missing - it's difficult to capture that "grey area" of how to process this person being gone from view but not so much the mind. I thought all of the characters were developed well, and the book explores all sides. It even turns more into a mystery, which I loved.

I think the description does it a disservice, though. I honestly don't think I would have picked this book up had I known the MC falls in love with her deceased love's brother. It's just a romance trope that personally turns me off right away - but I know plenty of readers who gravitate to the idea of this. It's understandable why Liv might feel comfort with James, and I found it believable that they'd wait a few years and that some family would be divided on the relationship. I just couldn't really get invested in them from the get-go.

That being said, I think this is more of a fiction/mystery with romance *aspects* to it.

This was my first book by Emma Cooper and definitely happy to have found her. This book has so many layers to it that it keeps you wanting more you don’t want to put the book down but at the same time you don’t want to finish the book. The characters are very well developed and Emma did a wonderful job with each and every chapter all the way to the end. Definitely want to take the time to read (or re-read) this one.

This book really took me by surprise. I was instantly hooked by the premise and found it very hard to put my kindle down as I hung on every page, waiting for answers to the many questions the story posed. I loved the range of characters and the different emotional and moral journeys they faced. The theme of love was a thought-provoking one in this read and I adored how we delved into the different types of love a person can experience (and the value each may hold at different times in a person's life).

Overall, Cooper weaves a perfect blend of twisting mystery and touching romance., creating a book that urges you to question whether you can ever really know a person, especially yourself. (3.5 stars)

This was my first book by Emma Cooper! It did not disappoint. The main character was relatable and vulnerable which made you feel all the feels. It was heartwarming with a few twists. It was a little slow for me but overall enjoyable otherwise.

What a compelling and twisted five-star read. This one will wring every emotion out of you, it will have you wondering what the true story is, and who should Liv end up with? Which would you go for, the love you have now who helped you through your loss, or your first love, if you had your chance again? I can honestly say that I was up and down with who I wanted, and then it was all good in the end, I was glad the way the story went, it felt like the right way. There are twists and turns that will keep you guessing, but also a story that will suck you in, and have you wanting to go searching clifftops and wandering, or maybe that was just me as I’m between where Liv lives and where Kit went missing, so both areas are well known to me, each chapter reveals another layer of the story, it adds something extra to it, the deeper you get into the story the more you know and the more complex the story gets, I liked that it was a drip feed story, as it would have been too much to get all of the information all at once. Overall this was a great story, and one that will stay with me for a long time.

Emma Cooper delivers a beautifully written, emotional rollercoaster in The One Before the One. This heartfelt story explores love, heartbreak, and self-discovery with Cooper’s signature blend of humor and poignancy. It’s a journey that feels both raw and uplifting, resonating deeply with anyone who has experienced the complexities of moving on.

The protagonist’s story is relatable and compelling, with moments of vulnerability balanced by witty dialogue and heartfelt introspection. Cooper’s characters are multi-dimensional and brimming with life, making it impossible not to root for them as they navigate their emotional challenges.

The narrative is thoughtfully paced, allowing readers to savor the highs and weather the lows alongside the characters. Cooper’s ability to explore themes of grief, healing, and the courage to embrace new beginnings makes this book a truly memorable read.

While some plot points felt a bit predictable, the emotional depth and Cooper’s engaging prose more than compensate. The One Before the One is a story of resilience and hope—a reminder that sometimes, the road to finding yourself leads to love when you least expect it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Review for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read an ARC of The One Before the One by Emma Cooper, in exchange for my honest review.

Mind-blowing perfection! Every single star!

You know a book is good when you're not paying attention to how long you've been on the dreadmill (<--that is not a typo).

This story was extremely well-written; the characters, the dialog, the twists! Oh my, the twists were amazing!

I will definitely be reading this book again.

Emma Cooper, you are remarkable! Phenomenal writing!

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC! I really enjoyed reading this romance with its little bit of mystery and suspense. There were some great twists and turns throughout this book! I enjoyed the characters and how Emma wrote them. Highly recommend if you want something to draw and keep your attention.

Seven years earlier…Liv’s boyfriend leaves on a hike to never be seen again.
Until her wedding day to none other than his brother: we’ve all read a trope like this except this features some time travel to the week he left with Liv trying trying to piece together what made him disappear: unlike many stories with this format, there is no confusion with our main character on who to end with. She is locked in her current relationship. The story is easy to consume, I read in a single setting.

I think at the time of release many will appreciate the nature of looking back, but powering forward with certainty.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Sometimes time travel in books can feel a bit confusing, but this was done really well by Emma. I was rooting for every character throughout the book and felt emotionally invested in each one we met, too! I started reading this book when I was in the middle of something and was genuinely upset when I had to step away. Read in one day because I just couldn’t put it down!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Liv thought her life ended the day her boyfriend Kit left for a hike and never returned. Presumed dead, Liv grieved his loss and fought hard to continue on. Seven years have passed and on the eve of her wedding she steps through a doorway that lands her back in time six days before Kit leaves. She now has the chance to change the course of events that take place. Can she save Kit, and if she does will she have to choose between him and the man she loves?

This book was really interesting and captured my attention. The mystery plot is fun, and I was invested in Liv’s search for answers. The romance left a lot to be desired. I wish we could have seen more scenes between James and Liv in the present timeline. We don’t really get to see their relationship, we’re just told about it. Because of this, I didn’t quite feel the connection between them.

I would say this falls more in the realm of women’s fiction. For the romance fans just know it’s light on the romance. That being said it’s still a good book with an interesting storyline.

I could not love this book more!
A fantastic combination of chasing the truth, questioning the reality of who you can trust, and a real love story that unfurls to be uplifting and hopeful.
There's one part that threw me so much I had to go back over it several times, so well written!

A time-bending, well-written novel that grabs you from the first word but struggles a little to keep,you engaged until the end.

“The One Before the One” is a romance book (possibly a second chance - maybe?) with a bit of magic thrown in. Liv, on the day she’s to marry her husband, discovers that he’s disappeared - which was eerily similar to what happened to her seven years ago with her soon-to-be-husand’s brother. I thought Ms. Cooper deftly handed the whole “yes, I was dating your brother, but now I’m going to marry you” thing very well. I liked how the time travel worked and I liked how Liv and James worked together in the past timeline. I’m not sure how I feel about James and Kit’s mother, though - though her husband, Alan, seemed rather cool. Yes, they were minor characters, but the parents’ role was a part of this book. I cannot say that I loved this book, but I found the idea - and timelines - to be interesting ones to explore. Overall, an enjoyable read.

I received an ARC of The One Before The One from NetGalley. I haven’t read any of Emma’s books before but this one sounded interesting. I absolutely loved this book! It has many twists - some I saw coming and several that took me by surprise. It has a love story but there’s many bigger themes. I highly recommend this as a must read for 2025!

This was a really lovely read! It was nostalgic and romantic, and one I will remember for awhile.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this via Netgalley.

'The One Before The One' is an achingly beautiful read from Cooper. From the beginning, I knew I would love this book and the more I read the more it took of my heart. Cooper tells this in two time periods and although I did work out the twist early on, I relished reading about the goings on and seeing how the characters get there. Cooper portrays a lot of emotions in this book and does so spectacularly well. Most of all, love is captured simply and beautifully.
The characters really make this book, Liv, Kit and James are three characters whom I have taken into my heart and they will have a special place there. This was a complete joy to read and I cannot wait for Cooper to write another.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.

ARC REVIEW - no spoilers (I promise) 🫶

Synopsis: Seven years after Kit’s disappearance, Liv has rebuilt her life and found love again—until her wedding day, when she’s inexplicably thrown back to the week before he vanished. With six days to uncover the truth and possibly save him, Liv faces an impossible choice: the man she loved then or the one she loves now.

This book is stunning—I READ IT IN ONE SITTING!! Overall, a perfect blend of mystery, romance, and tension. The twists, especially in towards the end of book I definitely did not see coming!!

I thought the character of Liv was written so well, and I really enjoyed her!

Would highly recommend 🤍⭐️

- thank you NetGalley for the ARC