This one started out making me think of the book One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which made me really love it in the beginning. It then took a turn when time travel happened and we ended up in the past. I was in suspense over the big mystery as to why Kit went missing/was presumed dead. I enjoyed getting to know him, Liv, and James. When the mysterious reason was finally revealed though, I felt pretty let down. Yes, it was what I assumed had happened, but it still felt disappointing. I was hoping for this huge, jaw dropping moment that just never came. The ending was exactly how I wanted it to go with what happened to Liv, so that made up some points for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Emma Cooper for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of The One Before the One in the return of an honest review.

This book had incredible potential. It gave mystery, a good love story, and tender moments. However… I felt so let down by the secret. :( It fell sooo flat for me… I am not sure what I was even expecting… but it was not that. I also was icked out when Kit came back and made a joke about being able to disappear fast when he was thinking about where James had went. There were also a good amount of conversations that I didn’t know which character was talking or saying what. All in all, still an entertaining read, I just felt like the ending was… not my favorite.

OMG, where do I start with this book?
First, I want to review with no spoilers, but that will be sooo hard to squeal about the twists and turns without giving things away!
So, can you imagine having the chance to go back to a 'better' time in the past and making some changes that could change the trajectory of your life?
Liv finds herself in that same situation, except on the eve of her wedding.
After losing her fiance, Kit, tragically, it has taken her years to come to terms with his disappearance finally. She has taken steps to move forward and seems happy until a freak moment takes her back seven years to the week before Kit's disappearance.
This is where the story takes off. There is a dual POV and a shifting timeline. Short chapters take us through Liv's experiences as she relives a week where she is not sure she can change anything, but she learns a lot about her own life that she had no idea about. And the experiences of one who left in the days after his disappearance.
I don't want to be cryptic, but I can't say too much other than I was gripped and confused in a good way. This romantic mystery, as I think it should be tagged, had many twists, which made me double-check things. It was so cleverly written that I didn't know what was going on for a while!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

I loved this book. It wasn’t predicable to me. It surprised me. It had a great plot. Overall I am satisfied with this read.

I absolutely loved this book, sat up reading it until dawn as I was so enraptured with the story and the characters, I couldn’t bear to put it down.

Liv is the main protagonist in the story and the book features the relationship between her and her fiancé and his brother that disappeared one day without explanation. Liv gets the chance to go back in time to discover what, if any, explanation there could be and at the same time discovers things she may have missed the first time.

The book is so beautifully written with such care and depth of character that I was disappointed to get to the end. I could see this as a film and pictured the central characters clearly in my mind.

Will definitely be recommending this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow what can I say another brilliant read from this fabulous author who has the capability to tear your heart into about a million pieces and put it back together again. This story drew me in from the start and was an emotional read with dual points of views and lots of twists and mystery about it. The time travel element worked beautifully and added to the brilliance of this book.

I will remember this book for a while to come

I told my husband about this book! Let me tell you, I read 2 books a week and rarely tell him about what I'm reading but this book! Wow!
The nostalgic feel, the mystery, the characters are all woven so intricately and to mention (no spoilers but a serious topic which comes to light during the book- when you read it you'll know what I'm talking about) in such a passionate way actually brought tears to my eyes. I personally after discussion with my husband (who wants to read it) think if this book changed the title, then this could potentially reach more readers...The title suggests that it's a romance story but this is so MUCH MORE! Definitely a don't judge a book by its cover, title or synopsis kind of book.

I love it that much I think this should be picked up and made into a movie!

When the worst happens, eventually life moves on in some way even though the life you now have, well that’s totally different. But what if everything you knew was wrong, what if the past played out differently, what if you knew things now you didn’t know then and got the chance to go back?

Love is complicated, hard and given in many ways to many people. This story challenges true love, forever love and the different paths a person can take if they know everything there is to know.

An intriguing story with a unique concept - almost sliding doorsesque which was interesting. I found my feelings towards certain characters changing throughout, not that I disliked any of the characters but who I was rooting for completely changed!

Heartfelt read! Would definitely recommend

My first book of 2025 and I started and finished it in one day! Once I started I could not stop. Emma gripped me from the very first page and didn’t let go…
The writing was fantastic. Characters very relatable and I didn’t see the twists coming! I don’t usually love back and forth storylines but this was done perfectly. I honestly don’t have a single bad thing to say!

There is such a lot going on in this book. Romance, mystery, time travel, betrayal and some really surprising twists that made me pause and have to re-read as I never saw them coming. This all kept me glued to the book and the ending was perfect. I shall certainly look out for further books from this author. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. This review is voluntarily given.

💌Arc review

The book revolves around Liv and her life's struggles as her boyfriend who she planned to marry, leaves her and is thought of by everyone to be dead.

A wonderful book including elements of time slip, slight love triangle and a wholeheartedly optimistic ending. Certain scenes which make you blush, and the fluff that the book contains are quite memorable and provides the reader a sense of hope, faith and optimism that life works out in the end, even when you think it doesn't. And that everything happens for the best.

A lesson I personally took from the book is that sometimes all we have to do when we are stuck is to retrace our steps and see what we missed out on. And that learning to differentiate infatuation with true love is necessary for a relationship, as much as communication is (which we have seen in the book, the lack of communication leading to the last few scenes).

[Spoilers from here on]

A book dealing with the struggles of addiction is one I have never been able to relate much to, however I felt extremely bad for Liv and felt her pain as my own when she realized the reason Kit left. I felt my own heart breaking alongside her.

Having rooted for James from the beginning, I spent time blushing as he confessed his love to her. The optimistic tone of the book gives me hope that we just need to pause for a minute and we may find that life isn't all that bad.


-Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for making this possible!

5/5

Liv's boyfriend, Kit, left for a hike one Friday morning and disappeared. With no indication from police that he would've ran away and evidence to suggest dangerous activities gone wrong, he is presumed dead. Now, seven years later, Liv is in love and preparing to get married. On the morning of her wedding day, she finds a clue that leads her to believe Kit may still be alive. But before she is able to answer all her new questions, she steps into the past...literally. One moment, she is walking through her hotel room door, and the next, she is stepping into her home, seven years ago, with Kit as alive and vibrant as he was before she lost him. Realizing she has been sent back in time to one week before his disappearance, Liv must figure out what truly happened the day of he left and what the repercussions of saving him must be.

This was such an unexpected five-star read for me! The premise is so unique, especially with the backstory of James, Kit, and Liv. The execution was so well-done! I found myself having doubts at the very beginning, but I absolutely devoured it, especially once Liv is transported back in time to being with Kit before his disappearance. I thought the writing was great. The two different POVs that we are given were amazing, especially with the reveal given towards the end. I love how Liv is given a different perspective on both James and Kit by going back in time. The mystery-solving portion of the story had me on my toes and wanting just to keep reading. The resolution was beautiful, and I was so very glad that there wasn't any back-and-forth or overthinking on Liv's part. I was happy to see the resolution for all the main characters as well as the healing that happened for the family members and side characters. I really loved the heart of this book, and would love to read more by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC; all opinions are my own.

“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.