This book!!! All the feels!!! I could not put it down, the mystery, the love, the what if scenario. The idea of being able to relive a week of your past life and the possibility of changing it was really intriguing to me. This story is told in various timelines and multiple pov. We open to the days leading up to Olivia’s wedding and then we slowly learn about Kit her boyfriend that disappeared while on a hike. She’s overcome that loss and has found love again and is set to be married in a few days.

It sort of gave me P.S. I love you vibes or One True Loves. It is just so different and I Love it! So if you love either of those books you will love this one!!! I recommend going in blind so you can fully experience the story as the author wrote it.

The One Before the One is an emotionally charged and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of love, grief, and second chances. At the heart of the story is Olivia, a woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she marries James, the brother of her late boyfriend who tragically died during a hiking trip.

Emma Cooper weaves a compelling narrative that dives deep into Olivia’s emotional journey. The book masterfully balances past and present, as Olivia grapples with her memories of her lost love while building a life with James. The dynamic between the characters is rich and layered, with each relationship feeling authentic and deeply human.

What stands out most is the way the novel handles grief. It doesn’t shy away from the messy, complicated feelings that come with loss—especially when new love emerges in unexpected places. Olivia’s guilt, confusion, and eventual acceptance are portrayed with raw honesty, making her journey relatable and heartfelt.

James, as a character, is equally compelling. His quiet strength and understanding make him a worthy partner for Olivia, and their growing relationship is tender and believable. However, the shadow of the past always lingers, creating tension that keeps readers turning the pages.

While the novel is deeply moving, it does have moments where the pacing feels a bit slow, particularly in the flashbacks to Olivia’s past relationship. At times, these sections felt overdrawn and detracted from the forward momentum of her story with James.

Despite this minor flaw, The One Before the One is a beautifully written exploration of love and loss. It’s a story that asks: Can you move forward while holding on to the past? The answer unfolds in a way that is both bittersweet and satisfying.

A must-read for fans of emotional, character-driven stories, this book will leave you reflecting on the ties that bind us—and the ones that set us free.

In this emotionally charged novel, Liv grapples with the disappearance of her fiancé, Kit. In her grief, she forms a deep bond with Kit’s brother, James, and their shared sorrow eventually blossoms into genuine love. However, on the day of her wedding to James, Liv discovers a strange gift. This discovery transports her back seven years, to the week before Kit’s disappearance, allowing her to relive their final days together.

I absolutely loved this book. The author skillfully navigates between different perspectives and timelines, creating a masterfully crafted story. From the very beginning, the book captures the raw pain of loss and the haunting void left behind. Liv’s journey is an emotional exploration of grief, the struggle to move forward, and the importance of seeking help when needed. As the narrative unfolds, readers will encounter unexpected surprises as the truth is gradually revealed.

Thank you to Net Galley and This novel is perfect for readers looking for a heart-wrenching story that delves deep into the human experience of love and loss.

This. Book. Is. Awesome. I was thinking it would be more of a romance but it’s a cute mystery that really kept me guessing as I was reading. My guesses kept changing over and over and while I did guess some of it, the twist got me. Very good!

*The One Before the One* has a compelling premise of time travel and reliving a pivotal six-day period to change the future, but it falls short in execution. The book focuses too much on one character, Kit, raising questions about him and others without addressing them in the plot, leaving many unresolved issues. While the writing is lyrical and the romance light, the pacing is uneven, and the ending feels incomplete, missing the depth needed for a more satisfying conclusion.

We all have a ‘what if’ or two in our lives, and in this book, Liv is given an opportunity on her wedding day to explore hers. What if she can get closure on the tragic event that happened to her seven years before? And moreover, what if she can stop it happening in the first place, fixing the ‘then’ and potentially changing the ‘now’?
The story starts well: there’s a nice balance of bittersweet emotions as Liv approaches her wedding with the disappearance of her former partner still a large part of her life, and when the magical realism kicks in and she finds herself back in her past, she has a very realistic and confused ‘what the hell?’ reaction. However, I became properly invested at the introduction of a third timeline and second point of view, and from there the plot plays out beautifully with several twists and gradual revelations. I really liked Liv’s character, how she deals with the situation she is placed in and works out the ‘rules’, and also how steadfast she is in her beliefs even while trying to help Kit. It’s a captivating tale of loss and love in multiple forms; I absolutely inhaled it and it’ll stay in my mind for a while.

This one really tugged at my heart strings, and I had a good cry at times. I loved this story and the characters. As well as the different timelines in the story.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher of this book for giving me an ARC!*

Wow, I flew through this one. I don't usually do mysteries, because I can't put them down and I have the want (and NEED) to spoil myself. To avoid spoilers, I just fly through the book, which is exactly what happened with "The One Before the One" by Emma Cooper.

"The One Before the One" is about Liv, a 32-year-old bride-to-be whose one true love, her first boyfriend, Kit, disappeared seven years prior. Just as she's about to marry her new love, everything changes. Liv time travels, and gets a chance to save Kit or at the very least find out what happened to him.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

I was desperate to find out what happened to Kit. It was keeping me up at night. And I couldn't tell if I should root for or against the James/Liv romance, seeing as though I LOATHE the love triangle with two brothers trope. Alas, I was wrong. James and Liv were meant to be, and by the end of the book I couldn't stand Kit. My one complaint was the redemption arc Cooper attempted to give him toward the very end of the novel. I didn't think it was deserved. Look, I have complete empathy for Kit and his addiction, but faking your own death for SEVEN years? Letting everyone around you grieve and move on and then just coming back like it was basically nothing? Yeah, hard pass. I'd want nothing to do with him.

I also wish we got a little more Liv/James content, because once I was on board with them ending up together, I felt like I needed more. I guessed the plot twist right before it was revealed, and I felt like I needed a little more of James's perspective on everything that happened to him.

All in all, I really enjoyed this one. I loved the romance, the mystery, and the time travel. It was creative, enticing, and left me wanting more. I will definitely be checking out other books by Emma Cooper!

I loved this book! I've never read anything by this author before but this definitely will not be the last. Was not expecting the book to be what it was, but I loved it! I will definitely be buying the physical book as well and can't wait to read more from this office.

I really tried with this book. The premise of the book was really interesting but the execution of the writing was so boring and dragged and I didnt like that it went from her POV to his POV and it just didnt work for me. After I found out what happened I just put the book down and had no interest to finish the last 25%.

Overall I enjoyed this book. I liked the plot twist. However, the romance fell flat. I also felt like the switching between timelines felt very disjointed.

I couldn't put this book down!!! I read it in two days, but easily could've stayed up all night to finish it (pro-tip: don't start this book before you want to go to sleep!) The premise is somewhat similar to Taylor Jenkins Reid's One True Loves, but not quite... there's dual perspectives and some "time travel" too. I thought it was going to be a more cutesy romance, but it ended up being quite the mystery book. I don't mean that there still isn't romance, just not as lovey-dovey as I was expecting. There was also basically no ~spice~ which I honestly prefer- like you could comfortably read this on the plane and not be embarrassed if the person next to you read a couple pages haha. Chapter 30 really caught me off guard, and I literally went back several chapters to see if the twist was obvious (I don't think it was!) This also might be a little silly, but I’m always a bit nervous to read books from a British author because sometimes it’s almost ~too~ British for my American self and I don’t understand what they’re saying, but this was so easy to follow even from a British author haha. Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and I absolutely recommend it!

This was so incredibly good. A little slow paced to start, but once it picked up? WOW. I didn’t see the twist coming at all. I did expect the reason Kit left, but that really wasn’t the biggest thing within the story. There was so much depth to this without even trying and I loved the layers to each character. Beautifully written and I think she ended up with the right person at the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for making this book available as a "Read Now" title. This is my first ARC, and I’m thrilled to share my honest thoughts!

The One Before the One starts on the eve of Liv's wedding, but the day takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself transported back to seven years ago—the week she spent with her long-lost boyfriend, Kit, before his disappearance. This mysterious opportunity gives Liv a chance to relive their final days together, but with the knowledge that she might be able to change the past and perhaps save him.

Emma Cooper weaves an intriguing and emotional narrative that blends mystery, time travel, and self-discovery. The story kept me hooked, especially with its suspenseful twists and emotional layers.

I loved how Liv's time in the past allowed her to reflect on her present life, relationships, and what truly matters in the face of grief and love. It was a journey of self-discovery, healing, and figuring out what the future could look like—without having all the answers.

This book is a perfect mix of heart-wrenching emotions, mystery, and a sense of wonder. If you enjoy thought-provoking stories with twists that keep you guessing, The One Before the One is a must-read.

A captivating, heartfelt story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early!

The One Before the One by Emma Cooper is a heartwarming and uplifting novel that delves into themes of love, self-discovery, and second chances. The story follows protagonist Rowan as she navigates life after heartbreak, determined to rebuild her future while healing from the past.

Rowan’s journey is a mix of humorous mishaps, touching moments, and poignant realizations as she learns to embrace her true self and recognize the importance of friendships and family. The book's relatable characters and witty dialogue create a charming and engaging narrative, while its central message reminds readers that even after setbacks, happiness and love are always within reach.

Overall, it’s a feel-good story that leaves readers with a sense of hope, resilience, and the belief that the right things have a way of finding us when we least expect them.

Thank you to Boldwell Books and Netgalley for a gifted advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I don’t give 5 stars easily and I just knew it was going to be 5 stars from the beginning.

What a beautiful, hopeful yet heart-wrenching story. It was a JOURNEY and I loved the misdirections that were given to us; I gasped on multiple occasions. And hello James, you’re my new book boyfriend.

You’ll get romance, magical realism, mystery, loveable characters, and more. I can’t say much else without spoiling it. If you are triggered by addictions (message me if you’re curious the type) or missing persons, this book may not be for you.

Please, please read this book! If you are a lover of Paige Toon 🩷 and The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, this one’s for you.

Liv has the chance to change a life changing event.
After everything what will she choose?
This was a slow moving story. It flits back and forth from present to past. I found myself getting a little bored with the story. However I couldn’t make myself not read it. I had to find out what happened.

Enjoyed this one, thought the time travel aspect was dealt with very well and I really enjoyed the journey. A few twists and turns made it an entertaining read and would definitely recommend.

Spoiler below!

Knocked a point off for the title as pretty much gave the game away……….

3.5★

Synopsis:
The book follows Liv who had lost her boyfriend Kit on a hike seven years ago, yet with the support of her family and friends she was able to overcome the heartbreak and grief of losing him and finds love again...in his brother, James. But on the day of their marriage, everything turned upside down, she found herself back in time in the apartment she used to share with Kit exactly six days before he disappeared. Interesting right? So what will she do now? Will she try to stop Kit from going to that trip and find her happily ever after with him or will she spend those six days with him relishing their memories for one last time and go back to future to marry his brother? Trust me the choice is not going to be that easy. And most importantly can she really change the course of her life?? She can’t directly confront him about her journey from future and what fate has in store for him. Like imagine telling the current love of your life that he is going to vanish and you will fall for his brother in future...eh awkward can’t even cover it.

Anyways this review isn’t going to be very much descriptive. I’m trying to be vague to avoid spoiling anything in case any of you decide to read it cuz yeah the premise is definitely a standout and exciting.

What i loved:
- time travel element, the main thing which intrigued me in the first place and i am delighted to say it was flawlessly worth it, Liv’s journey through those six days filled lies, secrets, twists and revelations with gut-wrenching emotional moments of her, Kit and James kept me flipping the pages
- easy pacing, the prose was very beautifully crafted in a way which was super easy to follow along
- thought-provoking romance with a twist, the mystery element has me invested throughout the book, i was curious to know what is going on actually and what is going to happen next. It kept me second-guessing and theorizing what life-altering decision the characters are going to make and how this will affect their future. It was hard to put this book down with how balanced in both the elements of romance and mystery aspects and engaging it was.
- realistic characters, i loved how authentically Emma Cooper has painted the vivid and complicatedly-intertwined dynamics of the characters, entangled their relationships with complex threads and layers, this made me empathize with their vulnerabilities, diverse emotions and the struggles they endured more
- the ending, on very rare occasions last chapters of a book leave me satisfied and yes, this book is one of them, the revelations left me stunned and moved. The ending gave me the closure i needed and at the same time left me hanging on some aspects, which i can’t help but appreciate

What could have been better:
- the events and switch between timelines felt disjoined and uneven to me
- at times the plot was dragged without any major reason

Overall, if you are looking for a thought-provoking read of love, grief and choices holding powers to change the course of your life, mixed with perfect amount of romance, magical-realism and mystery, which you won’t help but think about, long after finishing the last chapter, this book is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers, Boldwood Books for the ARC.
#TheOneBeforetheOne #NetGalley.

“The One Before The One” by Emma Cooper is a refreshing and captivating story that takes a familiar concept—reliving the past—and spins it in a unique direction. While many books that explore this idea often focus on altering the past or chasing “what might have been,” Emma Cooper takes a different approach. She uses this theme to delve into self-discovery and uncovering the truth, making the story feel fresh and meaningful.

The plot begins with Kit, who left Liv seven years ago and let her believe he was dead. For Liv, Kit’s disappearance turned her world upside down, leaving her to rely on the one person she could trust: James, Kit’s older brother. Over time, their shared grief and search for Kit drew them closer, and they fell in love. But their relationship wasn’t without doubt. Some questioned whether Liv’s feelings for James were genuine or just a result of loneliness and heartbreak. Others speculated that James had always felt responsible for fixing Kit’s mistakes, and perhaps taking care of Liv was just another way to do so.

These complexities added layers to Liv and James’ story, making readers question the authenticity of their love. Liv, still haunted by her unresolved relationship with Kit, longed for closure. However, Kit’s sudden return on the day of her wedding to James only fueled her confusion. The storyline masterfully weaves the past and present, creating a compelling narrative about love, loss, and self-realization.

One of the highlights of the book is its use of dual POV. It added an element of mystery that kept me eagerly turning the pages. Emma Cooper really surprised me here. The way the truth unfolded was unexpected and perfectly executed. I found myself genuinely impressed by how cleverly she built the suspense and delivered the big reveal.

What I truly loved about The One Before The One was how it emphasized emotions and personal growth rather than relying on intimate scenes. The story’s strength lies in its characters and their struggles. It focused on Liv’s journey of self-discovery and coming to terms with what her heart truly wanted. The theme of redemption was also beautifully handled, showing that even flawed people can rise after falling and choose to be better.

Of course, I have to talk about James’ and Kit’s mom. Oh, how I disliked her! The way she treated James, blaming him for the past and favoring Kit, was incredibly frustrating. She became my least favorite character in the story, hands down!

The ending was deeply satisfying. Liv finally found clarity and followed her heart, making a decision that felt authentic and true to her character. James and Kit also had their arcs resolved in a way that felt just and well-deserved. It was the perfect conclusion to a heartfelt and complex story.

“The One Before The One” is a beautifully written book about love, loss, and finding your way after life’s curveballs. It’s emotional, thought-provoking, and incredibly well-executed. Emma Cooper has done a fantastic job, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes one of the standout reads of 2025. Highly recommended!