The book was beautifully written, deep and engaging. It was about love, loss, friendship and family. Audrey and her dad's relationship was so heartfelt and the letter made me feel so emotional. Initially, when I read the blurb, I thought this is a second chance story and Fred would be the right choice for Audrey but I was proven wrong. The plot definitely took me by surprise. But I couldn't connect with any character. I mean it took me a while to warm up to them. But I would totally love having a friend like Miranda! And the whole story of Audrey & Josh meeting and falling in love was cute at it's best and appealing but I wasn't overly attached to that. I didn't like the fact that suddenly Audrey's past made her overthink and question her decisions on the wedding day, and if felt like she was marginally cheating on Josh. Though I could understand her better towards the end and she had good character development and I still enjoyed reading the book.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange of an honest review

I'm a big fan of Sophie Cousens and jumped on her latest book Before I Do. As expected, I absolutely loved it! I wasn't sure how it would end, nor how I wanted it to end, but I'm very happy with the conclusion! The characters are well developed, there were funny and emotional moments, and the writing is excellent! I couldn't put the book down until I finished it at 4 am.

100% recommend!

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Audrey is marrying Josh, but on the eve of their wedding , Josh's sister turns up accompanied by Fred, someone Audrey once spent a magical afternoon with many years ago, but whom she has never forgotten. Is this a sign that she is making a mistake marrying Josh? This is a great story with some brilliant characters. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

This was a very entertaining story. Funny in some parts and sad in others and great fun overall. A great cast of very different characters who carried the story along at a pace. There was a lovely conclusion with humps along the way..

Thanks to #netgalley and publishers for arc
A nice easy reading book if a little drawn out it follows a day in life of Audrey who is getting married or is she? It goes back over various periods of her life from 6 years before the day she does to 1 hour before she does
It intertwines stories about her mother’s multiple marriages and her various friends relationships to her past relationships and one in particular
When it comes to the day it does leave you thinking will she marry Josh?

I loved that Before I Do wasn't predictable, I genuinely didn't know how it was going to end - and I wasn't sure how I wanted it to end, but when it did end the conclusion was really satisfying!
Fun, easy to read chicklit, another brilliant read from Sophie Cousens.
4 stars,

We join Audrey in a chaotic scene on her wedding day. She was due to marry Josh, who, as the story unravels, would appear to be a great candidate for husband!
Audrey however, still has a piece of her heart with Fred, who she had a whirlwind, perfect day with, many years before. The reason they met is the stuff of rom coms.
When Fred turns up as a plus one at Audrey's wedding, all the bad omens start to make sense.
This story is told at various times before and after "I do".
I really loved this book. The characters are brilliant and mainly likeable. The way Audrey's fears are revealed and the layers which led her to being this way is cleverly unpicked within the story.
A definite must read!

Firstly I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC 🥰🥰

Before I do tells the story of Audrey, and the people that have shaped her life. The story is based around her wedding day to Josh and goes backwards and forwards from present day to as far as 6 years. It tells us of her meeting Josh (her fiancé), Fred (the one that got away), her mother, father & stepfathers and all of her friends. As the book progresses Audrey gets second thoughts because of ‘bad omens’ happening during her wedding. As these happen, we learn more about her by looking back at her life.

I enjoyed learning about Audrey’s past and the general story was ok, I just didn’t really understand why every part of the plot was needed? Lots happened and never really went anywhere and then right at the end it all jumbled up and finished. Fred coming back into Audrey’s life was such a great idea but it was kinda oddly done and he was ignored even though he was such a big part of the plot? Everything just seemed a bit rushed at the end to me despite the build up being so huge. Total anticlimax 😅😅

The set up and synopsis for this book sounded so brilliant so I was so happy to get my hands on it!! Unfortunately for me it just didn’t quite hit the mark - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Audrey is going to marry Josh. He is sweet, nice, dependable. But is he her soulmate? And when Fred, the one who got away shows up the day before the wedding unexpectedly, she starts having serious doubt. It was a quick read which I enjoyed. We get told about Audrey's story through flashback and at some point, I couldn't put the book down.

Before I do by Sophie Cousens is an easy read and it is an entertaining read. It skips through different timelines and once you get used to that it all begins to make sense. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline and thoroughly enjoyed reading another of Sophie Cousens books on holiday.
Highly recommended

An engaging and heartfelt novel about second guessing your choice of life partner, Before I Do uses some old tropes but gives them a new twist while examining some real life dilemmas. Audrey is about to marry Josh, someone who has been a steadying constant in her life for a few years. But when Fred, someone from her past shows up at the wedding rehearsal dinner amid a day filled with bad luck omens, should she read that as a sign? Fred was always the one that was the “what if” guy. Their encounters in the subsequent hours that evening before the wedding and the next morning only seem to reinforce the idea. As her past life unfolds in small segments, insights into the various elements that can explain Audrey’s last minute wobbles come to light. And with it the question about the reason for our choices and who is a best life mate and whether there is a soulmate are examined. It’s a poignant and sometimes funny look at a young woman’s dilemma and how she comes to solve it. Engaging and sympathetic characters round out an absorbing read.

Audrey is all set to marry Josh, someone who is run-of-the-mill, down to earth and reliable. They have been dating for four years and now it is time for them to exchange their vows and become Mr & Mrs. However, at the rehearsal dinner Audrey has a few wedding jitters, not helped by the arrival of Josh's sister and her date Fred. Someone she met six years ago and might just be the one that got away.

The story flits between timelines to gain insights into the different characters' backstories, how they met, how their relationships unfolded and how things could have been different if they had chosen a different path (very Sliding Doors). Audrey is struggling with a whole host of what-ifs. Pulling on emotional heartstrings about love, friendship and how making the next steps in our lives can be overwhelming.

An easy read and a good story. Audrey is about to get married when her ‘what if’ turns up as a guest of her friend. What does she do? What is she looking for and which man can provide it. The ending is not necessarily what you think!

I loved this book. I was not sure what direction it would take so it was surprising and refreshing. I loved the addition of stars as an interest for the characters. This was very enjoyable, romantic and funny.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy.

👰‍♀️BOOK REVIEW👰‍♀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#BeforeIDo by #SophieCousens

⏩for synopsis

Sometimes when you start a book you get that feeling and know instantly that your going to love it - well I got that here and let me tell you it didn’t disappoint!

This book surpassed all my expectations for a book of this genre; it was an intelligent and interesting read. I enjoyed the split timelines - swapping to different stories of Audrey’s history and watching how they all collided together. Each part was just enough of a snippet to keep you reading on desperate to return back to that moment in time.

Audrey was a great lead character; instantly relatable, you couldn’t help get caught up in whimsical ways knowing her heart was always in the right place. The other cast of characters were also amazing (everyone needs a friend like Hillary btw!) and they all complemented narrative perfectly.

Even thought this book jumps around a lot, I found it easy to follow and Cousens writing easy and immersive to read. What else is there to say? Definitely her best yet!

With thanks to @sophie_cousens @netgalley @hodderbooks for allowing us to read this one early!

RELEASE: September 29th

-EMILY

@the_book_girls_1

I really love the magic in this book. It shouldn't make you as emotional as it does but there is something special about this.
I particularly loved all the astronomy parts, I'd have loved more from the past with Audrey and her dad.
The story flicks forward and backwards through time leading up the wedding, Audrey's upbringing, meeting Josh, meeting Fred, the wedding and thereafter. Each chapter continues to build the suspense of what is fate trying to tell Audrey.
I echo the sentiments of the plane passengers - surely all this bad luck can't have happened. Who could blame Audrey after all that!
I loved the ending for Audrey and her mum especially, it was a relationship that desperately needed healing.
A lovely, light hearted romcom by one of my most recent must buy authors!

I was excited to start reading this book. I’ve read this author before and felt confident I would enjoy this book as much as the previous.

Unfortunately I couldn’t really gel with this one. I’m not sure what it was, I can’t put my finger on a specific reason, but I just struggled to read and engage.

I’m not sure if the book felt confusing for others or if it’s a result of me being extra tired this week while reading it.

I liked the idea of the story, but wasn’t a massive fan of it. I appreciate the hard work of the author.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

Funny, romantic, light but with a bit of depth too, perfect holiday read. Audrey looks to the stars but maybe she needs to be looking nearer to home. Delightful.

This book focuses on Audrey - about to marry Josh - and Fred, who she had one fabulous afternoon with six years earlier, and then never heard from again. It starts off pitching itself as the classic ‘missed connections’ trope, when Fred doesn’t show up to their meeting spot, and thus becomes Audrey’s fantasy perfect man. But this book is so much more than that, and goes deeply into what it is we are actually looking for in life. When Fred appears at Audrey and Josh’s wedding, Audrey has to confront all her fears about marriage, commitment, and what she’s doing with her life.

Audrey is all set to marry Josh, despite Granny Parker and her omens. However, the night before the wedding Josh's sister turns up with Fred who Audrey met 6 years before and had an amazing time with. Is it fate?
Audrey has a crisis of confidence but turns up for the wedding only for something to happen which prevents the wedding. Will she marry Josh or will Granny Parker and her omens tempt fate?