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.

In a Nutshell: One of the most unusual storylines I've ever read in contemporary fiction! An interesting combo of realism and magical realism. Wasn't a big fan of the characters' actions, but the rest of the book made this a memorable read.

Plot Preview:
Samuel, Thomas, Eliza and Lucy, the four “Almosts”, are in the Beforelife, awaiting the time their mother Becca Valentine will give birth to them and bring them into the human world. They came into existence the day Becca was born, and are constantly by Becca’s side, bound to her until their conception. But Becca is unaware of them and doesn’t know that there are four possible children in her future.
Now, two men have shown up in Becca’s life as potential suitors. The problem is, one of them is going to father Samuel and Eliza, and the other will father Thomas and Lucy. But the order of their birth dates and their age gaps indicate that their path won't be smooth, especially considering that Becca is just seventeen. All four want to be born. But would that be possible without endangering Becca’s happiness?
The story comes to us in the first-person perspective of Eliza, Becca’s third potential child.

I grabbed this for three reasons: the whimsical title, the stunning cover and the author. ‘The Last List of Mabel Beaumont' and ‘The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up’ were both such heartwarming reads. But this novel surpasses those two in imagination as well as execution.

Bookish Yays:
😍 The first sentence. Will join the elite list of one of the best opening sentences ever!
😍 The curious prologue, immediately establishing the unusual setting the four “Almosts” inhabit without simply copy-pasting a scene from the main plot. Exactly how prologues should function!
😍 The concept and the execution of the Almosts idea. So intricate and yet so precise that I began wondering how many “Almosts” I might have had! (The only query I had was if the Almost were *born* as old as Becca, thereby growing up as Becca does and being the same current age, or were they more like ageless souls waiting mortal lifespans.)
😍 The distinct personality traits of the four Almosts, and the realistic depiction of their *sibling* connection. They had the best character development in this book.
😍 The thought-provoking questions the plot raises about why people behave the way they do, and the difference between what's right and what's fair.
😍 The highlight on mothering versus fathering, and the myriad parenting-related decisions and confusions.
😍 Becca’s dad – what an awesome character! Loved his portrayal.
😍 The role reversal in the depiction of Becca’s parents, with her father being the primary caregiver and the mother being emotionally distant. This genre rarely experiments with family structures, so seeing this inverted parenting representation was wonderful.
😍 The Beatles trivia. I'm not even a huge Beatles fan but I still loved the titbits.
😍 The ending –perfection!
😍 The author's note – wow! (I couldn’t fathom how she didn’t believe in a beforelife and an afterlife after convincing me of the idea! 😉)

Bookish Mixed Bags:
🤔 Becca. While she was a responsible character – often mature for her age and a great (potential) mother, she was still just a teen. Her random decision flip-flops frustrated me, though her age and her family circumstances explained her uncertainty to some extent. I don’t mind unlikeable protagonists but Becca was more inexplicable than unlikeable. I just didn’t get what was going on in her head, and often felt like shaking her.
🤔 Eliza’s narration feels almost omniscient at times, not in terms of knowing the future, but in terms of knowing more about things like parenting, human behaviour and education or professional dilemmas, though she has no personal experience of any of these things. At times, her maturity level seems more than that of Becca. While her narration serves well to add an external perspective to Becca’s decisions, it also feels odd coming from an unborn child who is so worldly-wise.
🤔 This is more of a personal issue, so other readers might not find this weird. But I found it super-awkward to see future potential children watching their prospective parents having sex. Granted, they were virtually connected to their mother, so they couldn’t really walk away, but ewww: close your eyes, kiddos! (The love-making scenes were closed-door - Phew!)
🤔 After some twisty revelations, you can begin making your own guesses about what might happen, so the ending isn’t tough to figure out. But this doesn't reduce the intrigue of the plot. Plus, this genre is more about the journey than about the destination, and the journey is captivating.

Bookish Nays:
😕 One of the potential dads is a jerk, and his connection with Becca felt haphazard at best. Their relationship never felt grounded. I wish his character had been written in a more balanced way, thereby allowing us some uncertainty about whom to root for. Making him such a scumbag spoiled the excitement of guessing the ultimate winner of the dad wars.
😕 As we get the story only from Eliza’s viewpoint, we never know some essential details such as the above character’s age or his professional background. We also never know why his mother, a nurse, wasn’t more active in her son’s life. Her character would have added a much-needed sensible (womanly) voice to the narrative.

All in all, I was not a fan of the decisions some of the characters made, but this didn’t stop me from being hooked on to the book. I love the way the author made the whole thing feel realistic even when it was clearly fantastical. The amazing creativity of the Beforelife concept makes this a compelling read.

Much recommended to readers of contemporary fantasy fiction. If you don’t enjoy fantasy, no issues; the writing focusses more on the characters than on the supernatural.

4 stars. (I would have gone higher had I been able to relate better to Becca. But Eliza won my heart and deserves this rating.)

My thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for a complimentary copy of 'The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine' via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The digital version of this book is currently available free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

Laura Pearson writes books aimed directly at my heart, or so it seems. On this occasion, we explore the premise of a beforelife, the cognitive but unformed state where our unborn children can observe their parents while waiting for their conception, or perhaps not. These beings are with us from birth and are there to judge each of our decisions before either joining us in pregnancy or disappearing from our lives.
Becca Valentine has four, Samuel, Lucy, Thomas and our narrator, Eliza. It didn’t take long for me to fall in with this premise and I was soon rooting for each of the would-be babies, hoping that they would all find their way into Becca’s life. Of course, with Lucy and Eliza’s conception dates being close together, I had to be realistic with my hopes.
As we met each of the babies, it was impossible not to fall for them. Each one was capable of reasoned thoughts, and after discovering that they could interact with Becca and her would-be partners, there was an opportunity to manipulate the outcome of their parent’s meetings.
This is an interesting concept, and I loved how it challenged my existing understanding of the pathway from birth to death. To think that I may have had other babies besides my beautiful daughter had me questioning the choices I had made. I emerged satisfied that those choices were right for me but mindful that there could have been others in the ether.
Once again, I can highly recommend this author and would encourage you to read all her books, but pay special attention to this one, as it is a real thought provoker

What an absolutely beautiful book! It's both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time and Laura Pearson does a sterling job of bringing out all the emotions in this complex story. You will be able to see from the blurb that the concept of The Beforelife Of Eliza Valentine is unique and a little quirky, and at first, it did take me a while to get my head around it, but I am so so glad I took the time to figure it out because it was absolutely worth it!

The Beforelife Of Eliza Valentine is narrated by the titular character. She's an Almost, a baby who hasn't been conceived yet and it's her task to ensure the circumstances are right for her to eventually come into this earth. She has three potential siblings: Samuel, Thomas and Lucy - and through the novel, we follow the life and loves of her mother, Becca Valentine through Eliza's eyes. Laura Pearson has developed all the characters brilliantly. I loved my birds’ eye view on Becca's life, whilst also learning about how Eliza and her siblings felt about Becca's decisions and the twists and turns that her life took. I warmed to both Eliza and Becca really quickly and I felt really involved in their lives. I read the whole novel in less than a day as I was so invested in what would happen to them. There are other characters who have prominent roles in Becca's life, such as her dad, and Ryan and Anthony who are well constructed too. Ryan, in particular, made my skin crawl and I love when an author can make me feel such a strong reaction about their characters!

It's difficult to talk too much about the plot of The Beforelife Of Eliza Valentine without giving away spoilers, but throughout the story, Laura Pearson writes about some really sensitive issues. This makes it quite difficult to read in places, but she approaches the issues in a respectful way, whilst not shying away from their serious nature, and I hope the messages in the novel reach the people who need to hear them.

The Beforelife Of Eliza Valentine didn't end in the way I expected, but that's the reason Laura Pearson is a writer and I'm not, because her ending was so much better! Becca and Eliza will stay in my heart for a long time.

The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine by Laura Pearson

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

There are four of us: Samuel, Lucy, Thomas, and me – Eliza.

We came into being the day Becca Valentine was born. We’ve been by her side ever since. What she doesn’t know yet, is that one day she might become our mother.

Then two men come into her life. Both seeking her heart. And then we realise: everything rests on Becca’s love story. Because one of the men is Lucy and Thomas’s father. And the other is mine and Samuel’s. And there’s simply no way we can all be born.

We all want her to make the right choice. We all want to be born. To hold her hand one day. To feel her stroke our hair. To call her our mother.

Then we discover there is something we can do. We can change Fate. But we only have a single chance each. How would you make sure you were born? And what if doing that isn’t what’s best for the person you already love the most in the world – your mother?

My Opinion

What an interesting idea! This was one of those book that has such an interesting plot that it was difficult to put down. Becca Valentine's almosts have to sit around and wait to find out if they will be conceived. Narrated by Eliza, you could really feel the emotions of the almosts, wishing to come into existence whilst also seeing the struggles of their mother. An emotional read.

Rating 4/5

The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine by Laura Pearson has a unique premise, executed so beautifully by the author that it exceeded my expectations.
Eliza is one of Becca Valentine's Almosts, along with Samuel, Thomas and Lucy. They came into existence the day that Becca was born, and represent her potential future children. They watch over her as she grows up, eagerly awaiting the day that she will meet their father, a man that they will magically recognise on sight, and look forward to being born into the world and experiencing everything that human life has to offer. The first spanner in the works happens early when it becomes apparent that not all four of the Almosts have the same father, and so the chances of all of them being born are greatly reduced. Becca finds herself torn between two very different men, and the choices she makes will determine the future of Eliza and her siblings, but they are not without a say, each has one chance to sway the outcome.
This sounds far more complicated than it actually plays out in the book as the story unfolds. I loved Becca as a character and was always rooting for her, even when I did not like some of the choices she was making. Seeing her growth over the course of the book felt really satisfying but watching some of the terrible things she struggled through made for difficult reading at times. Objectively there was no comparison between her two love interests, and it was clear from the beginning which option gave her a potentially better future, what added some much needed tension to the book was the fact that this choice was not the father of Eliza and so seeing how she struggled with what that would mean for her future, her chance to be born really captured my attention and kept me reading. In fact I loved this book so much that I read it in a single day, and I was sad to see it end, I just wanted more time with these wonderful characters.
This is a whimsical magical story with moments of pure joy and absolute heartbreak that will take the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions while telling a story unlike anything else they have read before.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

About six months ago I read my very first book by this author, The Last List of Mabel Beaumont, which I absolutely adored. So fast forward and I receive an email inviting me onto the blog tour for Laura’s latest book. I don’t even read the blurb I just reply back immediately to sign me up ! So I started reading this book with the intention of reading a few chapters but before I knew it I was several chapters in and honestly couldn’t put it down. It’s such a unique concept , a book about the ‘BeforeLife’ and it was told in such a fabulous and at times heart wrenching way. There’s not one single thing I didn’t like about this book from the actual story itself to the cast of wonderful characters who each had a great part to play in the story. I must give a special mention to Becca’s dad who I thought was marvellous. If you like emotional reads with a slight difference I can wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Such an interesting, creative and unique storyline. I adore this author and this further exemplifies why. Becca Valentine has four “almosts”. An almost is a soul, a potential person waiting to be born. Eliza is such a complex character and is trying to get through life unaware of the souls watching and waiting. It's a lovely, sweet, emotional, funny, kind, curious read. I very much enjoy her writing style.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I've read a few of Laura Pearson's stories and she has a unique way of storytelling that always draws me in. The Beforelife was no different. Well, it WAS different. A different type of magical realism. A very different story. I have read soul stories before that were considered non-fiction and the thought that a beforelife exists has been bandied about in those books. This takes on a different angle. What if you heard the story from those who are in the beforelife? Who watch over their prospective mothers while they grow up and find their meanings in life? What do they think when their mothers make decisions that could either prevent or cause their births? How can they even possibly change circumstances so that things happen the way they want? How do they "feel" and "love" while waiting to be born? The author takes us on a journey of love and of pain. There are triggering events in this story but the author dealt with them realistically and gently.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

After reading just the first few pages of this, I was drawn in. I was intrigued by Eliza as a narrator, and what she had to say. I found it a little bit mind-boggling to think about the Beforelife, and the concept of it, but it seemed amazing to contemplate.

I felt that Eliza's story was special. Eliza's narrative, and Eliza herself, seemed ambiguous and sort of magical.

I found this book romantic and quite touching, in an unusual sort of way. Reading this, I experienced a kind of nostalgia and a “what if” sort of feeling. It was thought-provoking in that way, and lovely to read. It wasn't a long read, but by the time I finished, I felt as though I'd been on a journey with Eliza and the other characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Anyone who has ever read the great writing craft guide/memoir On Writing by Stephen King will be familiar with the idea of the ‘What If’ as the starting point for a story. What if vampires invaded a small town in New England leads you to the plot for Salem’s Lot. What is a family take a job in an isolated hotel and the patriarch starts to go mad? The Shining. This book has one of the greatest ‘what if’ premises I have ever read and it’s one of those times where I wonder where the idea came from. What if all the children you potentially could have existed close to you on another plane, watching all you do, up until the time they were conceived… or not.

I have to say, I am probably someone who was always going to be particularly susceptible to this premise. I lost my first child at birth and, whilst I never got to spend any time with him whilst he was alive, he already felt like a real person to me, I already knew him before he was born. So this book touched me very deeply. However, for those of you who might be in a similar position to me and worry that the subject matter might upset them, I can assure you that the subject is handled with great sensitivity and tenderness and I was not remotely upset at all, just greatly touched and at peace.

The main reason for this is that the characters are drawn so beautifully. They leap off the page fully formed and absolutely real. You will fully believe that these children already exist, fully formed and with their own wants, fears and personalities, just waiting to come into our lives. This is how I feel to this day about my baby, who will always exist as a person and not just an idea, I think every day about what he would be like if he hadn’t been taken from me too soon (he would have been 21 next month, the same age as my two stepdaughters) and I see him clearly in my mind’s eye and in my two daughters. The idea that our possible children are close, even when they aren’t here is one I find beautiful and the author expresses this idea perfectly throughout this book.

There is so much love in this story, it will melt the stoniest of hearts and it is a book that came to me unexpectedly but at a perfect time. I was offered it and just accepted on a whim, despite the fact that I am trying to avoid taking on too many new NetGalley arcs at the moment, and I have to believe that this is one of those serendipitous times when the right book finds you as fate decrees. Sometimes literary magic happens, and this book is one of those times. I absolutely loved it and have bought a physical copy to add to my library for the future, I suggest you do yourself a favour and do the same.