Coincidentally, while reading this book my 6yo asked me where he was before I put him in my belly. It's a concept we all think about and Laura Pearson did a beautiful job imagining a beforelife. The story was told in such a way to hit on the heavy topics but not feel heavyhanded. I love that kind of writing style. I really enjoyed this book, especially the ending, and will definitely be looking for more from Laura.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

A beautiful, fearless, non-judgemental examination of a teenage girl’s venture into the world of sexual relationships, the consequences and what love means.
What makes this novel so special is the original approach the author has taken. Becca Valentine has four potential children, but before they are conceived, together they inhabit their own world, watching their ‘mother’ making all her decisions.
The conflicts and heartaches make this an emotional read – something Pearson does so well. This book deserves to be another bestseller for her.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I was very excited to be approved on NetGalley for The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine - thank you, Boldwood Books! In the last year, Laura Pearson has become one of my must-read authors. I loved The Last List of Mabel Beaumont and The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up.

The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine is about Eliza and her siblings who are Almosts - beings awaiting their own birth. They may or may not actually be born according to circumstances. I found this fascinating because as a child, I used to try really hard to remember my life before I was born. Probably shouldn't admit that as it makes me sound slightly bonkers. Of course, I never managed to!

This book was lovely. Partway through, I did guess how it would work out, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment at all. It's a beautiful, beautiful book and I highly recommend it!

The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine by Laura Pearson could be called science fiction but the characters are written like a love story.What about the babies who might have been born but weren’t-the almosts-living in the beforelife?Eliza Valentine tells the story of herself and her almost siblings Lucy,Samuel and Thomas.They came into being when their mother was born and watch over her as she makes life choices and decisions about two men-both fathers of some of her children.The book was written in an interesting way and kept me guessing .Laura Pearson does not disappoint! Happy Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to enjoy this ARC!

I really enjoyed this book, and I am so glad that I gave the author another try. I read one of her older works a few years back, and though well written, thought it was so bleak and depressing. But beginning with the Mabel Beaumont book, I have thoroughly enjoyed Pearson's newer books. Even though the story of Eliza Valentine could be said to be a little bleak, it is written in such a way that it doesn't seem so bleak after all, it is poignant. I thought the ending was just right. More like this please, Laura. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book it was so interesting and very clever. Such an unusual story which had me hooked right away. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I’m a huge fan of Laura Pearson, and this is no exception.
Incredibly unique, the story of Becca Valentine is told from the perspective of one of her ‘almost’ children, Eliza. One of four ‘almosts’, Samuel, Thomas, Eliza and Lucy are the children Becca could have. They all know their conception dates, and they all know who their father will be once he walks into their mother’s life. They just need to ensure that they are born, or else disappear. But when they discover Lucy and Thomas have a different father to Eliza and Samuel, they realise not all of them will be born.
A brilliant concept, and I read it obsessively within the day!

Becca Valentine has 4 'almosts' - possible children who are waiting in the Beforelife to see if her life pans out to include them.

We follow them and Becca as she grows up and has to navigate all the teenage and family issues of growing up. With two men in the mix, who will she end up with and will all her almosts become real-life children?

What a unique story! It definitely got me thinking and even dreaming about my own possible 'almosts' which was interesting to think about. The characters were believable and there was a good mix of love them and hate them, but Becca's Dad was definitely the star for me.

I very much enjoyed this book, I’ve read the authors previous novels and am a big fan. I therefore was delighted to see this novel on NetGalley UK and it went straight to the top of my reading list.
The first chapter grabbed me immediately. The thought of children being able to see their parents meet is enticing.
I love the concept of all our potential children being around and following us as we grow up into adulthood, meet our partners and with luck have the children that turn out to be them
This is quite a short novel , more of a novella really ,but perfectly crafted and complete in itself
Author is able to describe peoples characters perfectly and I feel like they are real people who learn and develop throughout the novel.
There is an element of magical reality in this novel, the author manages to blend magic and reality perfectly so it feels seamless and real.
The author has a beautiful flowing prose style which makes all her novels a relaxing thoroughly enjoyable read this novel is no exception to this.
I would recommend this novel for anyone who likes primarily relationship based novels I’m struggling to find another novel to compare it to perhaps Lovely bones by Alice Sebold which is narrated by someone after they have died .
I read an only copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published in the UK on the 20th of September 2024 by Boldwood books.
This will appear on Goodreads, NetGalley UK, and my book blog bionicsarahSbooks.wordpress.com. After publication it will also appear on Amazon UK.

I love Laura's books and this one is no different. The premise of this story is the first I have read - its about the children we may conceive watching and waiting to see if their conception date happens - I just love the way Laura writes and the characters that she brings alive. I also like the little bit of magic in the story - great! Thanks for the advance copy

Heart warming and heartbreaking all at the same- this book will make you think about how mysteriously the world works and wonder what if?

A very original concept which I thought was cleverly put together. It was well told and I loved reading about Becca and her off/on relationships. I didn't like her potential children watching their potential mum have sex, it gave me the ick! But park that bit and the story was entertaining. I

Another excellent and thought provoking book from Laura. Great concept for a story. A book I didn’t want to put down.

I couldn’t put this book down ! Such an original storyline !

Becca Valentine has four almosts. These are her possible future children, who have to wait around and see if they are born . Each one Samuel, Thomas, Eliza and Lucy have their own distinct personalities each waiting for their conception date and possible birth.

Teenager Eliza’s story pulled at my heartstrings! Having been a teenage mother myself I could relate to her struggles! Whilst my friends were leading a completely different life I was looking after my baby but just like her the joy he brought to me was priceless.

The support of family is also very important and I loved how Eliza’s father’s solid support was never far away.

Eliza has to navigate motherhood whilst questioning her own emotions relating to the two men in her life ! The father of her child and the one who always seemed to be around for her. Who would she end up with ? I was so rooting for a happy ending for her.

This book makes you think how events and decisions in our lives shape our future. A unique book which I really enjoyed.

This book deserves five stars for sheer originality. I’ve read – and written – books about the afterlife, but never one about the ‘beforelife’. It’s an intriguing concept. The ‘almosts’ Samuel, Thomas, Eliza and Lucy, come into being as soon as their mother, Becca Valentine, is born and are constantly with her. Their devotion to their mother and each other is uplifting, as they all hope that they will be born. They are possible children though, and their conception isn´t guaranteed. It’s a riveting read of love, hope, mistakes and sacrifice told mainly from Eliza´s POV. Absolutely captivating.

As soon as o read what this book was about I knew I had to have it. It was such an interesting concept to me. I loved reading this book and really felt like I knew all the characters in it. It made me ponder if this was to be a real concept my own almosts. I enjoyed the ending even though I did see it coming and I’m sure this will be a book I think about for a long time to come.

when Becca Valentine is born, her future children come into being. they know their conception date. it is a different kind of story, once you get into it it is very enjoyable.

Another unique and heavily emotional winner from Pearson👍

What a great story! I could not put it down!
I was totally bowled over by the concept and execution of this novel about teenager Becca, the two men in her life and her four potential children. Eliza and potential siblings observe Becca's life from the Other Side and wonder how many of them will make it to conception, birth and beyond.

The devotion and love of the four children for each other and their mother really moved me, as did the descriptions of young Becca's tender, unwavering care for her first child and her father's solid support for her choices when she finds herself pregnant while still in school. This novel is a cauldron of emotional what ifs and the difficult journey Becca negotiates between Ryan and Anthony.

I discovered Laura Pearson's work in the past year and have loved each new book she releases. Her plots are incredible and out of the box unusual. When I saw this one included the Beforelife, I knew I had to read it because Pearson can weave such a great tale and unfailingly move me with the emotional content.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

In The Before Life of Eliza Valentine, Laura Pearson has done something entirely original, elevating a simple tale of girl-meets-boy, girl-loses-boy, girl-meets-boy-again into a beautiful, multi-layered story of hope, second chances and the redemptive power of love. Just beautiful.

What if……

From the moment she was born Becca Valentine had four “Almosts” around her. An almost is her possible future children. In Becca’s case they are Samuel, Thomas, Eliza and Lucy.
Some may be born, or maybe none of them. They have to wait and hope.
How will life turn out for Becca Valentine and the men in her life?

I imagined the four almosts siblings as ethereal beings. It is strangely enough something I have thought of in a similar way in the past. Could we possibly choose our own parents? Or a certain life? It certainly gets you thinking.
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. It does have some sensitive issues.
I loved the relationship Becca had with her dad.
I really enjoy the authors writing style, and I get very excited when a new book comes along. Every book I have read from her has been so good, and I look forward to reading any future books.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.