The One Before The One by @itsemmacooper is a lovely heartwarming read about love, fate and families. Perfect for those that love One Day and Time Traveller's Wife.

Kit and Liv are made for each other, their destinies decided following Liv nearly drowning and Kit rescuing her. Liv believes Kit is 'her one' and so when Kit disappears one night, Liv is heartbroken believing Kit is dead.

It takes years for Liv to rebuild her life and eventually she finds love again, but it's with Kit's brother, James. However on the morning of Liv and James wedding, Kit returns..

Liv then gets caught in a time warp, reliving the last 7 days before Kit disappears. Will Liv change her actions and change the course of fate to rescue the one she loves and will this mean there's no future for her and James.

Just wanted to say thank you to @theboldbookclub and @netgalley for this ARC, absolutely love reviewing new books and helping authors like @itsemmacooper

#netgalley #netgalleyreads #boldwoodbooks #boldwoodbloggers #TheOneBeforetheOne #bookstagram #bookworm #christmasreads #itsemmacooper

Good story, I enjoyed the twists... all the back and forth was sometimes confusing but not a huge deal.

So glad I got the ARC for this incredible story! 7 years ago Liv is blindsided by the disappearance of her boyfriend Kit. He goes missing on a hike, and for the next 3 years Liv desperately searches for him as well as answers to why he suddenly vanished. He is eventually presumed dead and Liv moves on. She begins a relationship with Kits brother James. On their wedding night she overhears a conversation between her friends that has her questioning the love James has for her. Right before she is set to wed James she finds a necklace and a note, confirming that Kit may actually be alive. I could not put this book down. It begs you to answer the question if we could change our future would we want too? Without giving anything else away I’m recommending this amazing story. I rounded up from 4.5 because 4 didn’t feel fair for how involved I became in this story. Thanks for NetGalley, the author, and Boldwood Books for the ARC. I adored this book!

Brilliant book. Loved all the twist and turns. Liv's boyfriend disappears and his brother James and her spend years looking for him. She then has the chance to go back a week to try and find him and stop him disappearing

**Book Review: *The One Before The One* by Emma Cooper**

Emma Cooper’s *The One Before The One* is an unforgettable journey through love, loss, and the mysteries that bind us. This stunning novel weaves together a poignant and captivating story that will keep you guessing.

At the heart of the novel are Liv, James, and Kit—three characters whose lives are interwoven by a shared past and a complicated love triangle. James and Kit are brothers, but the tension between them goes beyond sibling rivalry. Both are in love with Liv, and the complex dynamics of their relationships are masterfully explored by Cooper, creating an emotional depth that feels raw and real.

The story unfolds in a split-time narrative, slowly revealing clues about Kit’s mysterious disappearance. This method of storytelling is a triumph—Cooper's pacing is perfectly executed, allowing the reader to piece together the puzzle alongside the characters. Each revelation builds on the last, pulling us deeper into the mystery, while the alternating timelines make for a truly immersive reading experience. The way the past and present are intertwined is nothing short of brilliant—at times suspenseful, at other times heart-wrenching, and always intriguing.

What stands out most is the emotional connection Cooper fosters between the characters and the reader. Their actions, feelings, and decisions are so well written that they feel almost tangible. You’ll find yourself sympathizing with them, questioning their choices, and rooting for them even as the story’s twists take you in unexpected directions.

It’s rare to find a story that keeps you guessing without ever feeling contrived or predictable. Cooper achieves this with skillful storytelling and a deep understanding of her characters. The novel builds an incredible emotional resonance, making it a book you won’t easily forget.

*The One Before The One* is a true masterpiece in split-time storytelling. It’s unique, heart-wrenching, and filled with suspense, making it an unforgettable read. If this book is any indication of Emma Cooper’s talent, I will be eagerly awaiting her future works. Highly recommended for fans of emotional, character-driven stories that keep you on the edge of your seat!

This was a really fun read with the timeline jumping and mystery interwoven with the romance. There were a couple of plot points I didn't care for like why Kit disappeared. Overall, an engaging and enjoyable read.

5 stars!!

A big thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this incredible ARC!

This story was so well-written and let’s just say a wild ride. It combined romance and mystery so well and I’m very very happy with how it ended. I loved Liv and how strong she was throughout the book and both Kit and James were strong MMCs. Overall, this was a beautiful book and I plan to read more by the author.

An unusually twisty, turny and mysterious romance that kept me guessing and had me reaching for my kindle in every spare moment! Compelling, romantic and so much fun. Recommended.

📚ARC Review 📚

The One Before the One ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When Liv’s boyfriend, Kit, disappears on a hike, she thought her life was over. With the help of her family and friends, she finally moved on and found love again. Now the morning of her wedding day, seven years later, she steps through a door and has somehow gone back in time to the week before Kit disappeared. Determined to find out what really happened, Liv looks for any signs that lead up to the moment of Kit’s disappearance. But can she rewrite fate and if she can, does she really want to?

This was one of those books you don’t really know what’s going to happen next. The way it was written, threw me for a loop halfway during the story. I would consider this a romantic mystery but also dealt with lots of other heavyish topics. Liv went through so much and was able to overcome grief and find love again while also staying loyal to herself. This story and the characters were well written. Each chapter had you wanting to know more. Overall, I really enjoyed this one!

This book will publish on January 31, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced readers copied. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

Romantic Fiction isn’t my usual genre but there are a few authors that write the books in a way that doesn’t make me want to leave it aside, never to be finished , the female main characters are strong minded and independent who when the male character appears doesn’t lose herself, what made this book enjoyable was that there is a mixture of bitter sweet romantic parts with a touch of mystery and some funny moments. As I have said I have a list of go to authors when I need a break from the gritty crime genre that I usually read and Emma Cooper has been on that list since the first book that I read. A definite five stars from me.

"There are moments in your life that you try to capture; to take a snapshot of, keeping the past alive in the present."

James before Kit?
Why did Kit suddenly disappear on a hike seven years ago?
Who is Mac, and what is his relationship with Kit and James?
What is the secret hidden by James and Kit's mother?
Above all, why does Olivia suddenly travel back to the year 2016? Can she change fate?

These are some of the questions that lingered in my mind while reading this book.
The storyline is very intriguing and not confusing, as the chapters are well-organized between the current events and flashbacks. The chapters are short, and most importantly, they are engaging because the storyline is arranged beautifully.

My favorite parts of this book are the moment Olivia discovers the reason for Kit's disappearance and when Olivia confronts James at Mac's cabin.

Overall, it was really hard to put this book down because the story was amazing. There wasn't an overwhelming amount of romance, as it was perfectly balanced with mystery. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for making this ARC available in exchange for a honest review.

Oh man, my heart just did a backflip off of the vault while reading this book. It also took off upon sticking the landing and ran off in a completely opposite direction then I expected.

I loved the unpredictability of the book amd the creative nuances of the characters that the author created.

Livs about to marry the love of her life James. Her and James didn't have a east pathway to true love. Liv dated his brother Kit for many years and thought James hated her as he was cold to her. After Kit took off for a hike and never reappeared, James became her rock. They fell in love 3 and a half years after tirelessly searching for Kit. Three years later they were getting married.

Liv always wondered why Kit dissapeared and wonders if he's still alive. On the day of her wedding, she finds a necklace inscribed in a box from Kitt and a note indicating he was alive. She walks through a door and insecurity transported to 7 years prior, a week before Kitt left and finds herself wrapped in Kits arms in their shared apartment.

She becomes determined to look for any clues to Kits disappearance and tries to get past, Grumpy James to assist her.

Told in alternating povs, it's a story of delving into the past. Its a story of discovering and keeping true ❤️ love.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

What a wonderful story. So many themes, you’re lured into a sense that this will be a romance with a dash of mystery, and you end up with a huge, unforeseeable twist (which actually makes sense to the plot preceding it, unlike some books), and a slap in the face from a serious issue faced by one of the main characters.

I would have liked to get to know James a little bit more in the beginning of the book - the James that Liv was in a relationship with - to understand his character better when meeting the old James. However, Kit’s character was vivid, and the development of Liv’s feelings for both men throughout the book and her realisation about who she’s meant to be with felt real and organic. I was pleased that everything was tied up towards the end, although I wish Liv would have told her mother in law where to go in the epilogue! A captivating and original novel which I would highly recommend.

This book took me totally by surprise as I was expecting the usual romcom. However, it’s a really good mystery with elements of romance thrown in. I was hooked from page 1 and really enjoyed the various twists and turns throughout. The writing is solid and the characters all developed well. It’s definitely one that I’d recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc!

The premise of this was really compelling! The writing was pretty solid and when someone goes missing - it's difficult to capture that "grey area" of how to process this person being gone from view but not so much the mind. I thought all of the characters were developed well, and the book explores all sides. It even turns more into a mystery, which I loved.

I think the description does it a disservice, though. I honestly don't think I would have picked this book up had I known the MC falls in love with her deceased love's brother. It's just a romance trope that personally turns me off right away - but I know plenty of readers who gravitate to the idea of this. It's understandable why Liv might feel comfort with James, and I found it believable that they'd wait a few years and that some family would be divided on the relationship. I just couldn't really get invested in them from the get-go.

That being said, I think this is more of a fiction/mystery with romance *aspects* to it.

This was my first book by Emma Cooper and definitely happy to have found her. This book has so many layers to it that it keeps you wanting more you don’t want to put the book down but at the same time you don’t want to finish the book. The characters are very well developed and Emma did a wonderful job with each and every chapter all the way to the end. Definitely want to take the time to read (or re-read) this one.

This book really took me by surprise. I was instantly hooked by the premise and found it very hard to put my kindle down as I hung on every page, waiting for answers to the many questions the story posed. I loved the range of characters and the different emotional and moral journeys they faced. The theme of love was a thought-provoking one in this read and I adored how we delved into the different types of love a person can experience (and the value each may hold at different times in a person's life).

Overall, Cooper weaves a perfect blend of twisting mystery and touching romance., creating a book that urges you to question whether you can ever really know a person, especially yourself. (3.5 stars)

This was my first book by Emma Cooper! It did not disappoint. The main character was relatable and vulnerable which made you feel all the feels. It was heartwarming with a few twists. It was a little slow for me but overall enjoyable otherwise.

What a compelling and twisted five-star read. This one will wring every emotion out of you, it will have you wondering what the true story is, and who should Liv end up with? Which would you go for, the love you have now who helped you through your loss, or your first love, if you had your chance again? I can honestly say that I was up and down with who I wanted, and then it was all good in the end, I was glad the way the story went, it felt like the right way. There are twists and turns that will keep you guessing, but also a story that will suck you in, and have you wanting to go searching clifftops and wandering, or maybe that was just me as I’m between where Liv lives and where Kit went missing, so both areas are well known to me, each chapter reveals another layer of the story, it adds something extra to it, the deeper you get into the story the more you know and the more complex the story gets, I liked that it was a drip feed story, as it would have been too much to get all of the information all at once. Overall this was a great story, and one that will stay with me for a long time.

Emma Cooper delivers a beautifully written, emotional rollercoaster in The One Before the One. This heartfelt story explores love, heartbreak, and self-discovery with Cooper’s signature blend of humor and poignancy. It’s a journey that feels both raw and uplifting, resonating deeply with anyone who has experienced the complexities of moving on.

The protagonist’s story is relatable and compelling, with moments of vulnerability balanced by witty dialogue and heartfelt introspection. Cooper’s characters are multi-dimensional and brimming with life, making it impossible not to root for them as they navigate their emotional challenges.

The narrative is thoughtfully paced, allowing readers to savor the highs and weather the lows alongside the characters. Cooper’s ability to explore themes of grief, healing, and the courage to embrace new beginnings makes this book a truly memorable read.

While some plot points felt a bit predictable, the emotional depth and Cooper’s engaging prose more than compensate. The One Before the One is a story of resilience and hope—a reminder that sometimes, the road to finding yourself leads to love when you least expect it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Review for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.