A very different read from a very unusual perspective and a very intriguing one: Eliza isn’t yet born but she is one of the “Almosts” who are children who may or may not be born. They have the capacity to see life for their prospective parents and even to intervene a little on odd occasions. Their main aim is to be born. We also get the lives of the parents in the same mix so there was a short time of sorting who was who before I got used to the characters. Becca’s father was a joy and inspirational and I found myself thinking of my own father. A very interesting, captivating read. One to remember.

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Seventeen-year-old Becca Valentine doesn't realise that her every move is being watched. Watched by the four children she might have. Their fate, whether they are born or not, depends on the choices Becca makes.

The Beforelife Of Eliza Valentine is the third book by Laura Pearson that I've read recently. Each book features female characters who face dilemmas in their lives. Through adversity, they each realise how strong they are.

The premise of The Beforelife Of Eliza Valentine is an interesting and unusual one. We've probably all read books featuring people who have died and their spirits linger, refusing to move on to the afterlife. Author Laura Pearson has turned this completely on its head and said let's look at people before they are born, "Almosts". From the moment a female is born her possible children are present, they can see her grow but cannot interact with her. They don't know who their father will be, the only information they have is their conception date. I felt this story-line was similar to Sliding Doors, how the choices we make affect what happens.

Becca Valentine has four possible children watching her, Lucy, Thomas, Samuel and Eliza, our narrator. As almosts they are content, keenly watching their mother as she grows into a woman. A rift begins to appear when Becca meets Anthony, the man Lucy and Thomas are convinced is their father. There is dismay as it is revealed that the order of conception, according to the dates they know, is Samuel, Thomas, Eliza then Lucy.

As Becca starts to fall in love with Anthony the almosts begin to wonder if they'll ever be born, just because they "exist" doesn't guarantee they'll be conceived, and if they are conceived there are still things that could go wrong. Both Samuel and Eliza are worried as they're convinced they have the same father and it isn't Anthony.

We follow Becca through the ups and downs of young love, pregnancy as a seventeen-year-old, and having to deal with the consequences of the choices she makes. My heart went out to Becca who was looked down on by many of her peers and became isolated as friends went off to university. She desperately wants to be a good mother, particularly after the poor relationship she had with her own mother, and as a result makes the wrong decisions for the right reasons.

You can feel the anxiety of each almost as their conception date approaches and you wonder what choices Becca is going to be faced with. To the reader, it's blindingly obvious what the "right" decision should be. I felt the author did an amazing job at portraying how difficult it would be for a teenage mother to make complicated decisions, decisions that will impact on the rest of her life, and the lives of her children.

As the conclusion approached I could feel my nervousness increasing. I had my fingers, along with everything else crossed, hoping that Becca would make the right choices. The ending is bittersweet, I was close to tears as I read the final chapter and discovered the implications of the actions taken.

Pre-birth existence (Beforelife) is a fascinating concept, which immediately intrigued me - The idea of fighting for your very existence, and how people’s decisions can impact this, is a unique concept which had me hooked from page 1 and had me riveted to the end; so much so that I read it in one sitting. This heartwarming story is told from the point of view four souls (a group of potential siblings) who’s existence is on the line; and along with the emotional battle for existence, there is a love triangle, teenage pregnancy, lots of family dynamics and the suspense of finding out which of the siblings would transition from Beforelife to actual life, which had me gripped. What a phenomenal, enthralling story. This is a new to me author, and I love her writing style - I’m definitely going to read more of her books, so my thanks to to NetGallery and Boldwood Books for allowing me to get an early copy of this exceptional book, which is out on September 20, 2024, and for introducing me to this Author’s work.

I love this authors, other books, but I found that I couldn’t really get into this one. I found it really difficult to emotionally connect to the “almosts”—beings who haven’t been born yet. It would’ve been easier to connect with them and with the whole story if the opening chapters were from the point of view of Becca instead of the “Almosts.”

I did find the premise, totally unique and creative and for that I give the author lots of credit!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Before Life of Eliza Valentine' is a fascinating story set in the before life, where 'almosts'—possible babies to be born—exist. They know their conception dates and can recognize their fathers. Eliza Valentine has four almosts who are shocked to discover they don’t all have the same father. Not every almost is born, and this tale follows Eliza and what happens in her life. It’s a pretty good story that explores the idea that what’s right for one person might not be best for another and the importance of putting those you love above your own wants and needs.

I was really pleased when I got this book from one of my favourite authors but unfortunately it wasn't for me. I just couldn't get my 'head round' the storyline or get involved with the book or characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

An emotional , heartwarming and Heart rending story from the point of view of 4 souls of possible children of Becca Valentine . The concept is unique and intriguing and the author pulled off the idea well — (I was pulled in about 15% into the story ) the souls: Eliza , Lucy, Samuel and Thomas are always watching over their mother Becca and aim to succeed in their conception and life — the growth of the characters was great and the ending was nice .

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for this ARC . This is my honest review .

Eliza, Samuel, Lucy and Thomas live in the Beforelife and are 'Almosts' (i.e. children who may or may not be born depending on their mother's decisions) of Becca Valentine. When Becca is seventeen, she meets two men - one of whom is Lucy and Thomas’s father and the other is Eliza and Samuel’s.

Based on their conception dates, they know it's not possible for them all to be born. Who will make it into the real world and who will miss out?

The premise of this book was fascinating - how decisions made differently in life could impact the children you have. Many of the decisions Becca made were frustrating and I found myself constantly thinking 'not again'. It was moving how her father was a rock for her, never judging and always helping.

I loved the character transformations of the 'Almosts' - from using their limited power in the beginning to influence situations in their favour to putting Becca's interests first.

This book had a very interesting premise. Eliza is in the "beforelife" waiting to be born along with other potential siblings, not knowing if any of them will be born or exactly who their father may be. It was definitely thought-provoking and kept reminding me of that movie Look Who's Talking.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Eliza Valentine has not been born yet, and maybe she never will be. She is one of four "Almosts" in the Beforelife for Becca Valentine, a 17 year old with a loving Dad and a distant mother, who cannot decide between Ryan and Anthony, two suitors who couldn't be more different. Samuel and Eliza know their father will be Ryan, and Thomas and Lucy's father will be Anthony. They know their possible conception dates, but they seem to clash - not everyone will thus be able to be born but who will make the cut?

This new novel by Laura Pearson has an intriguing concept - if your life turned out differently, what would that mean for the children you might have had? Becca makes naive decisions but is trying her best - she wants to be a better Mum than her mother was to her, and many of the most heartwarming scenes are when Becca interacts with her child and her kind, loving Dad.

Each of the Almosts originally does everything in their limited power to influence the circumstances so they can be born, but the more we see what life is like for Becca with Ryan, the more they come to a conclusion: they have to try and do what's right for Becca, not for them.

"I’d learned that doing the right thing, the kind thing, is more important than anything else. Even if it means shooting yourself in the foot. Even if it means you will never get to live at all."

This is a very unique and compelling story that takes a good look at domestic violence, how it starts and why women stay. There is a lot of crying, and a brave, loyal Dad, never giving up on his daughter.

It's a fast read and the ending is a bit abrupt, but it's a good one for Becca. This might not be as good as The Last List of Mabel Beaumont or The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up but it can hold its own.

This is for you if you've always wondered what different choices would have meant for your life, and also if you like facts about The Beatles.

4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine was such an intriguing idea of a book that I was eager to pick it up but fearful that it might not live up to my expectations (which were admittedly heightened by the concept). I’m glad this lived up to them and more!

The book explores the idea of ‘Almosts’, potential children tied to females as soon as they are born. Each Almost knows their date of conception but not anything else - their father or if they will be conceived. They are fueled by their purpose to be born and tied to their future maybe mothers throughout their existence, but also able to interact with other Almosts, including their own potential brothers and sisters. This was interesting enough (and well explained) but in the case of the book the tension not only came from the realized of Becca Valentine’s Almosts that they don’t all have the same father, but by the realization that one of their fathers may not be the best guy.

A great story about family - found and directly biological, I kept waiting for sinister intentions somewhere amongst the Almosts but what I got instead was a shockingly realistic story that was emotional and touching and beautifully done. Maybe it’s just me but I did shed a few tears and some parts, not the least the end. If you do read this (and you absolutely should) I’d encourage you to read the Author’s Note at the end explaining where and the why the idea of the book came from. I felt heard and seen and that this idea was in the best hands, both from the writing and the exploration of what we take with us in life.

4+ stars

Possible spoilers.

Im not really one for a romance, or womens fiction book, but I make the exception for Laura Pearson.
Since I first read her 4 or more years ago, I've enjoyed her stories, snd they seem to go from strength to strength.
The idea of this one got me hooked straight away, and it didn't let go.
So many questions...
Would Eliza be born? How would things shape up? Would Samuel remember her?
Becca is just doing her best to be the mother she didn't have, and despite me not agreeing with many of her decisions, you could tell she was trying hard.
Some really heartwarming moments, a lot of which were provided by Beccas dad.
Just lovely.

The idea of beforelife has left me pondering on kids and imaginary friends too much this week!

A magical book about love and family. Two men come into Becca's life and her decision will determine who will be born....

It's a terrific story. Very thought-provoking. Love all the characters and their views. A very unique storyline and an interesting read.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Wow I honestly have no words.
This was so beautifully written so completely unique
A rollercoaster of emotions.
I read this in one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down.
It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
I loved the whole concept the adored the almosts and I find my self thinking about my own if I have them.
Becca was such an inspiration character and I loved watching her journey and her character development was amazing along side Eliza.
I felt so many emotions while reading this it’s really touched my heart and will stay with me forever

This was a really thoughtful read told from a highly unusual perspective. Eliza is one of four potential children that Becca might be the mum of, they’ve been with her since birth and each know their potential conception date but they have no idea if they will actually be born. When Becca meets Anthony two of her siblings realise he is their dad but he isn’t Eliza’s or one of her brothers and it causes tension when they realise due to their conception dates they’re all unlikely to be born.

What this actually is however is the story of Becca told through the eyes of her even present unborn child Eliza and how she meets Eliza’s dad and how their relationship transpires, this is juggled with her feelings for Anthony and the differences between the two relationships. It reflects on the impact of Becca’s difficult relationship with her mum and her wanting to do her best for her child but ultimately it causes a very big dilemma for Eliza. This was an incredibly perceptive relationship read and showed the core of a relationship from an outsiders perspective but at far closer range than would usually be possible which made it a very strong and engrossing story.