I loved this one! I completely went into this expecting a cutesy romance and sweet nostalgia. But instead we got a mystery, thriller, slightly sci-fi moment and im living for it? the perspective shifts, and “now versus before”, guessing what was truly going on the entire time - SUCH a cool concept! what a fancy way of unveiling a mystery and what a lovely, tense yet heartwarming story overall!

The concept:
Ooh I LOVED how the shift back in time worked! I fear saying too much to avoid spoilers, but the way in which going back into time was handled, and how the time shifts interacted was so satisfying and exactly what I would like out of a sci-fi-y mystery. Nothing is over-complicated, and the focus stays on the plot, its characters, and the things they learn and relationships they make - no unneeded time spent on wacky technical aspects that wouldn’t rlly matter to the story anyway. I loved how once you pick up on the structure, the time shifts, the perspectives and so forth, the story is easy flowing with highs and lows in the right places. My only real complaint is that certain parts felt like they dragged, especially in the beginning where almost a bit <i>too</i> much was set up and I couldn't help but feel like I was getting info-dumped and ended up stalling this read a bit. BUT once it picks up, it picks up FRR and i finished everything past the first like 4 chapters in one sitting! How each day reveals smthn new is so MWAH, and the perspective shifting was also so masterfully done - I really hope to see more books like this!

The characters:
First of all, thank the LORD for an MC who does the right things, asks the right questions, and is just in her right mind period. I’ve gotten way too used to characters making dumb decisions, but this girlie is not one of them! I loved how Liv’s relationship with Kit and James are built up, as well as the extent nothing is exactly what it seems. I'm working SO HARD to not give any spoilers, but each character with their individual flaws and quirks are endearing and unique, even if not completely fleshed out considering we’re on a limited time frame here (6 days yall take it or leave it). Each piece is so authentic, and even the complexities of the relationships are unravelled so beautifully, I am in AWE. All i’m going to say is I love me some James fr, and Liv’s character gives me some hope for contemporary FMCs.

The ending:
SO SO happy with how everything wrapped up omg ALL THE CLOSURE MWAH (chefs kiss). No spoilers promise, but everyone is where they should be (eh ishh). While I was initially a bit unhappy where a certain character ended up, this is honestly just a me problem especially when this whole story talks about the beauty of moving on and taking steps forward, and thus the ending is at no fault hehe. I love how Liv got to appreciate those in her life even more and just how cutely everything came together.

tl;dr:
Aaa such a heartwarming read overall!! Please read this one for yourselves and i promise it’ll play out almost nothing like you expect in the best ways possible :)

Thank you SO SO MUCH NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Emma Cooper for an E-ARC copy of this book! <3

I enjoyed this book and how thought provoking it was, with the ultimate "What if?" question in regards to true love... It had me at the edge of my seat throughout and I felt like the story flew by as I was anxiously waiting to find out how it ended! I will be recommending to others!

Liv and Kit were happy, but he disappeared after going on a hike one day and she was devastated. She searched for him with his brother James and after 3 years, she realizes that she's fallen for James. The story picks up the day before the wedding and Liv overhears people talking and she starts to doubt her relationship a little. The morning of the wedding, Liv swears that she sees Kit outside and is taken aback. She also finds herself 7 years in the past the days leading up to Kit's disappearance. She wants answers, but she also wants to prevent it somehow. She's also torn that if she prevents it, will she still end up with James. The stroll down memory lane is very eye opening. Mysteries are solved and a new one arises. The story was well written and you do find yourself invested in the characters.

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the time travel aspect of The One Before The One. To be honest, I was a bit skeptical at first, but to my surprise, it was so well written that it completely worked for me. The story had me hooked from the start, and I found myself constantly guessing what Liv, the main character, would do next. Just when I thought I had things figured out, a curveball would hit, keeping me on my toes the entire time.

It really made me think about what I would do in Liv’s situation, and I love books that make me reflect like that. The twists kept me intrigued, and I ended up reading it in just a few days because I couldn’t put it down.

The ending was especially satisfying. It wrapped everything up so nicely and left me with a warm feeling of happiness for the characters. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a story that keeps you guessing and pulls at your heartstrings.

ARC review- I liked the idea of this book, but the execution fell a little flat. It definitely grabbed my attention and there was a good twist in the middle, but the last quarter of the book fell flat for me.

Oh this book was phenomenal! Just so well done. I was so enlightened by it all. And the truth, the one before the one. I couldn’t put this book down. The words will take you away, get ready for a marvelous read.

By far Emma’s best book yet!

If you loved TJR’s One True Loves this one is for you!

Perfect for those who enjoy:
- Time travel
- Descriptive stories
- Emotional rollercoasters
- The perfect ending

With thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

This is only the second book I’ve read this year but I know I won’t regret it if I say it’s one of my top 10 favourites for 2025. WOW was all I could say as I read on and on ( yes, you can’t put this book down and yes be prepared for a couple of sleepless nights ). What a storyline! When I thought I’d understood there goes a major plot- twist and all I wanted to do was go back to the beginning and re- read it now that I knew. I didn’t of course, because I JUST HAD TO know what would happen next. Prepare to be amazed by this very talented storyteller. I utterly loved it.

With many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an early copy.

Thank you for the ARC! I really liked the premise of this book, but I don't think it delivered. There were a lot of things it was trying to accomplish and all of them felt half-baked. It could have used a few more rounds of editing and a few less plot points. I did want to keep reading though, because the story hooked me, and I wanted to find out what happened. So, I will give it 3 stars for an interesting set up.

*I read this as a free ARC copy prior to official release, and voluntarily am offering this review.*

I made the mistake of beginning this book on the Friday night of a busy weekend. And then proceeded to stay up way too late and had to wake up too early. This would be a great lazy weekend read, bevause once it gets in motion, it doesn't really slow down until the end.

Book tags/tropes: contemporary fiction, drama, time travel, love triangle, mystery, missing person

Trigger Warnings: no

Steam/Spice level: 1.5/5- Adult relationships, but not really part of the plot

My rubric review words for the year:

Cozy: 4/10. This is not a relaxing book, however it's intense without being violent or scary. The pace of the story will keep you turning those pages.

Charming: 6/10. As an American, I personally find most books set in the UK to have a certain charm and lyrical style of writing. This is my first read of Cooper's and as much as I enjoyed the plot and chatscters of this book, her literary craftmanship made it stand out.

Clever: 7/10 this isn't a particularly funny story, and the gravitas is reflected throughout. I felt like the end was a bit too wrapped up in neat little packages. However the bulk of the book kept a reasonable driving pace and there was a specific twist I did not see coming midway through.

Character-driven: 8/10. The individual responses and interactions of the characters really tipped this book into the zone of almost equally driven by plot and characters. Dual-POV can also be tricky, but is done in such a way that it carries the plot steadily while making room for respective character thoughts and feelings.

Personal list score: 7.5/10
Market score: 4.5- so rounding up to a 5.

This one started off a little rough for me. The transitions between topics was stilted and was a little confusing at times. Once we really got into the meat and bones of the story it really smoothed out. I liked the development of Liv, and her self awareness as the story developed. I’m not usually a fan of the back and forth between past and present storylines but, this one held my attention more than most. Though I still found myself more invested in the present than the past. I enjoyed this storyline as a whole, it was definitely full of surprises. I really enjoyed the ending.

4.5 stars rounded up

Going into this book, I was unsure of what to expect, going off of the blurb only. But I am so glad at past me for deciding to read this! I read it in less than 24 hours, and the plot twists and surprises kept me on the edge of my seat. Emma's writing was wonderful, and the pacing of the book fit the shock and suspense.

We start with Olivia prepping for her wedding to fiancé James, but things are amiss when she steps out of her hotel room and into seven years in the past. Back before she lost her first love, Kit. There's history between all three of these characters, and let me tell you my jaw was ON THE FLOOR when I found out what it was!

Olivia ends up outside her flat she shared with Kit, the time being a week before he went missing. It's up to her to figure out why Kit went missing, what happened to him in the years after his disappearance, and how to get back to present-day and her impending wedding with James. She collects clues and information each day, and I found myself keeping tabs on what we know and trying to guess why Kit left, and I was shocked to find the truth!

Please, please pick up a copy of this book when it comes out! It's such a gripping read!!

One note that keeps it from 5 stars (a complete nitpick of mine) is the dialogue only uses one quotation mark 'like this' rather than doubles "like this." Again, a nitpick of mine, but it does knock it from being a full 5 stars.

I thought this book was slow to get going. I became more engaged in the story around half-way through. I thought the flashbacks were too wordy, boring in fact, and I skim read those parts. I didn't like being mislead regarding the brothers. I think we needed more scenes with Liv and James. Also, what James did . . . Not on, not when you think what Kit did. I'm surprised Liv wanted to be with either brother after that. I was rooting for the ending we were eventually given. With thanks to NetGalely for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, wow, wow! This book was so good!

The story pulled me in from the very start. Yes, there was no real explanation for the time-travel aspect but it worked and the story was well-executed with plenty of emotions, twists and turns.

The characters were wonderfully written. I loved how composed and level-headed Liv was. I loved how invested I was in rooting for Liv when she was trying to catch Kit out and I loved how she stayed loyal to her true love.

I got this book from NetGallery.

Wow, what a beautiful book! I really loved it!
It is a romantic story with a touch of mystery. You want to know what happened to Kit. And whether they will find each other again.

I really liked how the story was told from various times (before and after the disappearance) and from different characters. Halfway through I found out that the story after the disappearance was different than I had imagined. You automatically fill in something and then it turns out to be different. What a plot twist! The story remains exciting until the end.

You just feel throughout the book how she is tossed back and forth between the love she felt for both men.

Maybe I will read this book again in a while. The ending is clear, but I think that if you read the story again things will become even clearer, that things will stand out that you may have missed the first time.

I really enjoyed this book and can definitely recommend it. This was my first book of 2025 and if the rest of the year continues like this it promises to be a great book year!

Thank you NetGally for providing me with the ARC!

This book gave me “In Five Years” meets “One True Loves,” two books I throughly enjoyed and this was no different. A time traveling romance with a little mystery and “who will she pick” scattered throughout.

I loved the short chapters that kept me engaged and continuously saying “just one more chapter.” While I wish there was a little more character development, it was a really good book.

I loved this book so much! It was an easy read and it read it in about two days. The author, Emma Cooper, was phenomenal at character descriptions and the back and forth between present time, before he left her, after he left her etc. There's some unexpected twists which I loved. There's also romance in there. Highly recommend.

This book had me gripped from beginning to end. Stayed up late to keep turning pages. This was a fantastic, emotional and suspenseful story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I don’t know how to review this book without being vague because I don’t want to spoil anything!

I went in thinking it was a cute little romcom, time travel story and I was completely surprised at how the book unfolded. It was really fun to read and totally unexpected!

I loved the pacing and the plot. It was one of those books where I kept saying “just one more chapter!”

While it wasn’t the romcom I was expecting, it still ended up being incredibly romantic and I highly recommend going in blind!

Romantic content: innuendo and vague descriptions

*Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC!

Overall, this was a good book with what I felt was a pretty original storyline. It was interesting enough to read in almost one sitting, but I didn't feel strongly connected to any of the characters. There were a lot of complex and interesting storylines happening at the same time, so it was easy to stay invested in what was going on. I would read other books by the same author as I found the writing style pretty easy to follow along, but I don't know if this is a book that would come to mind when someone is asking me for a recommendation.