Absolutely loved this book. What a great perspective on relationships… who’s right for you, and building connections in different ways. Will stay with me - I loved Eliza in particular! Tried to explain it to people and it sounds bizarre but it’s utterly brilliant and insightful

Such an interesting concept for a story but it really worked, great read, I loved every minute and raced through

Laura Pearson is back with yet another emotional, thought-provoking novel. I could not put it down. Despite having finished reading this book over a week ago, I catch myself thinking about the characters.

Pearson writes with depth and soul, creating believable characters within a desperately clever concept. She knows the rules of this world inside and out and can answer every question the reader could possibly want to ask without it ever feeling like an info dump.

I have a feeling that, despite not being someone who re-reads books, I will be coming back to Eliza Valentine before long.

Absolutely pitch perfect.

This is a gorgeous book, centred around an original and thought provoking idea. I enjoyed it very much - Laura Pearson is becoming one of my go-to writers.

Such a unique storyline. Told from the point of view of the almosts. Exploring the spirits of potential life. A real page turner, looking at fate from a fresh perspective.

I have read a few books by Laura Pearson, this doesn’t disappoint!

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Beforelife Of Eliza Valentine' by Laura Pearson.

Another absolutely fabulous, beautiful, unique, stunning must read from this incredible author!!! Absolutely love, love, loved it!!! This book has fantastic descriptions that set you straight in the scenes. The cover, title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this stunning, unique feel good page turner!! Well done Laura on yet another thought provoking page turning beauty! The storyline itself was absolutely unputdownable so make sure you clear your schedules before starting to read it!!

Laura does it yet again!! i mean, seriously lady!!! How can you keep coming up with some superb, unique and stunning storylines each and every single time??? I just absolutely adored everything when it comes to this book and it really is one of the most stunning books I have read this year!! In this one of a kind novel we meet Eliza valentine and her siblings who are all "Almosts", none have been born yet and they all may or may not ever be. Each of these Almosts wants to live and they all do everything in their power to do so but can they all come into life or are they all destined to never exist? To discover the answers to this and many more questions grab your copy of this absolutely unique and thought provoking novel today!! Laura has such an absolutely amazing, creative and imaginative brain to come up with this absolutely amazing concept of children that you may or may not have had if things had not turned out the way they did and turned out differently. I was fascinated watching how Becca's personalities, friendships and relationships developed and changed from the perspective of a child waiting to be born. It was absolutely gorgeous watching the characters all grow, develop and change as they each went through their own heartbreak, dramas, life changes, romances and much more. I was rooting for each and every one of them throughout!!! If you are looking for a stunning read filled with romance, intrigue, friendship, feel good moments and so much more then this is definitely the perfect book for you!! Laura's evocative writing skills sucks the reader seep into the pages bringing the storyline to life along with all the amazing characters. While reading this book you will kept swept away and left feeling happy and filled with warmth. This book is an absolutely stunning and thought provoking read that is perfect to lift your spirits!! I think this is definitely one of the most, if not the most thought provoking and unique book that I have ever read, just an absolute treasure!!! When turning the pages of this must read Laura takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions from heartbreak, happiness, love, sadness, bliss and so much more!! I felt like I was next to Eliza watching Becca with her throughout the book. I devoured this book in a few hours as it is one of those that I just could not put down. there were so many times that I told myself that I would just finish the one chapter and then go back to it but that chapter ended in a way that I could not put it down and then the next one did and then the next and so on until I came to very last page. I would absolutely love to see this beauty turned into a movie and I will be at the front of the queue to go and see it!! Laura's writing skills will absolutely absorb you into the book and whether you are in the world you will be devoured in the story in the blink of an eye.

Clear your schedules and grab your tissues. I could not put this stunning, unique and emotive book down and devoured it in a few hours!!!

The characters were all an eclectic mix and each one of them were realistic and strong. The fact that our protagonist is not even living and is a child waiting to be born is just absolutely brilliant, unique and fascinating! I was completely invested in Almost Eliza along with each and every one of the other characters and I already miss most of them even though I have just closed the pages. All of the characters are intriguing, unique, strong and I absolutely loved meeting each and everyone one of them. The only disappointment is that they are not actually real as I would love to sit down and have a cuppa with them and get to know even more about them all. It absolutely loved being able to see the characters develop their personalities, relationships and friendships amongst other things, seeing them grow in strength and empowering themselves and each other. An absolutely amazing gang of characters who will stay with me for a long time and I am already missing them. Laura's evocative writing skills didn't just bring the storyline to life but also this amazing group of characters so another huge well done Laura.

What are you waiting for?!? Pick up one of my favourite, unique and thought provoking page turners and get ready to get sucked in to this addictive book!!!

ANOTHER MASSIVE WELL DONE to Laura on yet another HUGE success!!! I loved every page of your book and I cannot wait to read more past and future amazing books. This is exactly why you are on my FAVOURITE authors list and I cannot wait for your next page turner. Here's to your next success 🥂!

Overall an unputdownable, unforgettable, unique book of a child waiting to see if they will ever be born!!!

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🎧Audiobook Review🎧

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I want to thank NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book.

🏘️Family
🥰Relationships
✨Chances
💓Unique

Laura Pearson is one of those authors whose books I eagerly await. Her writing is beautiful and her ability to find new and interesting topics always amazes me. This story is filled with so much love, hope and reflection. The connection between Samuel, Eliza, Lucy and Thomas is unique, I was holding back tears. Another superb story to add to the collection.

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

Original, thought-provoking and beautifully written - another wonderful read from Laura Pearson. Highly recommend. .

The story focuses on Becca Valentine and her four 'almosts' - children that she may or may not become mother to one day. The main character is Eliza, one of the four almosts. She is very kind, fiercely loyal, and fairly wise. It's interesting to see how she handles her dilemmas and choices and how she grapples with the ethics of her actions. I love the way the characters relate to each other and the sibling rivalry and closeness that develop. Becca's story is compelling, and all the characters are really well written.

The author succeeds in portraying a convincing 'other world'that has clearly been intensely considered. The emotions experienced by all were very real, and the characters were relatable. It's such a fascinating idea that these ghost like children get to watch their mother grow up, find out who their father is, and observe all the actions that will affect whether they are born. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and loved the original premise. Laura Pearson should be on your radar if you like novels with depth of character, human experience, relationships, and insight.

This is a really unusual book and I wasn’t too sure about it at first then, before I knew it, I was engrossed, so much so I missed lunch to finish reading it. Seriously this is a brilliant and compelling read. It’s Becca Valentine’s story but told from the perspective of Eliza Valentine, Becca’s Almost daughter. Let me explain. Eliza is one of Becca four potential future children, they live in the Beforelife and they follow Becca where and whenever they like. See simple!

Briefly, as well as Eliza, Becca has three other potential children, Samuel, Lucy and Thomas. But the four Almost children understand that there are two possible fathers involved and that they may not all be born. They know their conception dates and they each have one Chance to change the future but no guarantees. Although they have been with Becca since her birth, the story starts when Becca is just seventeen, and at school taking her exams. After some shock news at home she goes to meet a boy for their first proper date but he doesn’t turn up and she dejectedly goes to a party alone where she meet Ryan. And that’s all you’re getting from me!

Loved the prologue, it really sets the most unusual and original scene. The whole idea was so clever and I found myself believing all of it and the Almosts became the characters I most connected with, particularly Eliza. I also loved Becca’s Dad - don’t they say that women fall for men like their fathers - I’m not sure Becca’s quite understood that memo! There was some interesting portrayal of parents and parenting, and whilst I might not have had children myself I recognised a lot of this in friends and their families. A very enjoyable and entertaining read, but also emotional and thought provoking. I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Having read and enjoyed a couple of Laura Pearson's other books I was intrigued by the storyline for this one but wasn't sure I wanted to read it but I am so glad I did. What a wonderful book and if I'm honest that doesn't actually go halfway to describing how I felt about this one, absolutely loved it.

I have a question about what constitutes a review. Would it be sufficient for me to just say I LOVED THIS BOOK? I mean really loved it, as in recommending it to multiple people even before the book was released. Loved it!

Okay, so apparently there needs to be more.

The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine has a very unusual premise. Eliza and her siblings Samuel, Lucy and Thomas are Almosts. They are the children that their mother, Becca Valentine, might have if all the stars align. They came into existence on the day that Becca was born and have been with her her whole life. They know what their dates of conception might be, but they don't know who their father is until they see him for the first time. If they aren't conceived, then they disappear from existence and if they are conceived they won't remember their potential siblings. Obviously as their date of existence approaches there is a growing degree of angst because they don't know what their fate will be and they have very little control. And things are complicated because the there are two different dads in the picture!

Through Eliza's eyes we get to know Becca. Becca is a young girl whose parents split up and she makes a poor choice, finding herself pregnant whilst still at school. She tries to make it the best of the situation and to be a good mum, but in addition to being estranged from her mum, her friends are all moving on with their lives whilst Becca was learning to be a mum. Thank goodness for her dad, who believes in Becca and who will support her no matter what!

I was completely involved in this book. There were several times where I had to put it aside because I knew that something dramatic was about to happen. However, I was then compelled to pick it up again because I needed to know what happened next.

The whole concept was completely different to anything I have read before and it was so well done!

I was less than a quarter of the way through the book and I had already bought another 3 of Laura Pearson's book. I can guarantee that this book will be on my best of list for this year!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 5/5

I love a story with a ‘what if’ premise. What if someone had made a different decision? What if you missed that train? What if you caught that train?! This book had a premise I don’t think I’ve ever come across before and it was immediately intriguing. We are all familiar with the term ‘the afterlife’ whether we believe in one or not but what about a beforelife? In this book, Laura Pearson introduces us to four ‘almosts’. The almosts are the potential children of Becca Valentine. They are the children that she might have depending on the choices she makes. They all know their conception dates and recognise their father when they see him. But with dates overlapping and different dads, it seems they can’t all come into being.

Narrated by Eliza, one of the ‘almosts’, we are also introduced to Samuel, Lucy and Thomas. These four are with Becca all her life and they all have one Chance (yes, with a capital) to influence her choices to try to make sure they are born. Laura Pearson has made this such a compelling read since as we get to know each character, we become quite invested in their coming to life! It’s also quite a thought-provoking read as a parent as it’s something that has on occasion crossed my mind. What if my daughters hadn’t been born when they were – would they be the same people or would they be completely different? It’s something that’s just impossible to imagine!

Becca is a very young mother and she is torn between two men. I really can’t say much more than that as it would give you hints as to what happens! I admired her strength and the love she had for her child. She had some difficult choices to make and the author put her in some difficult situations. It was interesting to see how her relationship with her own family affected what kind of mother she was. I particularly liked the close relationship she had with her dad and the way he supported her unconditionally.

The Beforelife of Eliza Pearson is the first book I have read by Laura Pearson and I really enjoyed it. I’d definitely read more by her in the future. It’s a compelling and engaging book with wonderfully formed ‘almost’ characters who you really want to exist. Who gets that opportunity is something I will leave you to discover when you read the book but be warned, you may have a lump in your throat.

What an incredible read! I don’t know how to talk about it in a coherent way because this story spoke directly to my heart and I’m all a jumble of emotions rather than thoughts.

The idea that we have all lived in this ‘beforelife’ world, unseen but ever present next to our future mother, is something I’ve never come across before, and I love it.

This original premise is only one of the things that make the book so special. The character development was amazing – you won’t possibly be able not to take sides and root for a happy ending – and the twists in the story felt achingly plausible and relatable. And speaking of that happy ending, the fact that it might somehow not be 100% what you thought it would be just takes this novel to another level of heartbreaking beauty.

If this all sounds too cryptic, go ahead: this is a book you have to read – and feel – first-hand.

I would like to thank Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine was written by Laura Pearson, a new discovery for me, but one I will be seeking out again soon. The book was written in a unique way: the life of Becca Valentine, narrated by her possible daughter, Eliza. Becca had several possible children, from two possible fathers, who were with her every day up to their conception day when they were either conceived or no longer there. I truly loved the concept that our possible children were with us from the beginning and had a vested interest in our lives. Becca didn’t have an easy story. She had two very different men in her life and struggled to figure out what was the right choice for her. In the end, Eliza learned that her possible mother’s happiness mattered most of all. I loved Becca, Eliza and the other possibles, and Becca’s father. The story was really well written, well paced and highly engaging. I didn’t want to put it down. I found the entire story so interesting that I am fascinated to see what other gems this author may have penned! This is a low spice book that I would recommend for readers who enjoy contemporary women’s fiction about coming of age and the consequence of our choices on the paths our lives take. This is not a book to be missed.

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine is my third venture into one of Pearson's books and it's another easy five stars all the way!

I loved the whole concept of the beforelife plot, it was unique, original and adds a whole new spin on this crazy thing we call life.

It's quite the emotional read, so begin without tissues at your peril!

Eliza Valentine is our main character and she has four 'almosts' - the almosts being her yet to be born children who have to basically wait around to see if they're going to be born, or not - and this is their story.

The story itself is so enjoyable and captivating you'll be compelled to keep reading, I know I was.

Do you believe in fate and things that happen for a reason? On that note I'll leave you with a thought provoking 'What If?'

This was a book with an entirely original premise, and one that required a considerable suspension of disbelief – but that was something I didn’t find difficult for an instant, and it took me on an emotional journey unlike any other as its beautifully written story unfolded.

Imagine the notion of a beforelife – the children we might have, assigned to their mother at her birth, awaiting their own conception. Or not – as they watch her relationships develop, the choices she makes, they might always only exist on a different plane, never be born and destined to disappear from her life. But each of these “almosts” has the opportunity to make one intervention by manipulating things – hoping to ensure they have their opportunity, although the outcome is never guaranteed.

Becca Valentine has four “almosts” – Samuel, Lucy, Thomas, and Eliza who tells the story. Their relationship is that of siblings – very real despite their situation, with greater closeness between some than others, and all the competitiveness and vying for position and falling out you’d find in a real world family. And they know who their fathers will be – and know there’s very little likelihood of them all being born. Becca herself has a fragmented family – a father who really cares, a mother who isn’t there for her – and, from a relatively young age, faces the choice between two would-be partners. And, her actions having their consequences, that choice proves immensely difficult – one might be far more stable and suitable, but her situation sometimes forces her down a different route. And as she makes her difficult decisions, she’s watched by her maybe children – each one knowing that the course her life takes will decide their future too.

The characters are wonderfully drawn – the “almosts” entirely real in every way, with complex personalities, hopes and fears, and a love for their mother that’s already fully developed. And Becca herself – I so often ached for her, desperate for her to find some measure of happiness. The author’s emotional touch is absolutely perfect and I found myself so involved in her story, always aware of the impact of her choices on the individuals hoping to enter her life.

I’m conscious that some might think that the whole premise might make this a book they wouldn’t enjoy – I had my own initial doubts, but I really couldn’t recommend this special book more highly. As well as making you feel – and very deeply – it makes you think, about the whole nature of families and motherhood, the consequences of following different paths through life, and the sacrifices we’re sometimes forced to make. At times, it’s totally heartbreaking – but also a book filled with love, and one I’ll never forget.

Beautifully written and so imaginative and poignant.
Laura Pearson always writes characters with such empathy. I especially loved Becca and how we were with her for every decision and seeing the impact of her choices on her life.
This is such an innovative idea for a story - Eliza, Lucy, Samuel and Thomas feel so real, so much part of the story and not just part of Becca’s life. The decisions taken, the choices made all making up the road we follow.
Another breathtaking read from Laura.

This story felt quite a unique idea, and is by a new to me author. I enjoyed the writing style and found it easy to get into and wanted to keep reading.