A mix between a mystery and a romance, with a touch of magical realism - this was such a great read! It makes you think about relationships, why people make the decisions they do, what it means to love someone. And how much time and experiences change a person.

Omg omg omg! This book was unexpectedly good! Basically her boyfriend disappeared seven years ago and after grieving, she was able to find love again. And on the morning of her wedding day, when she was leaving her hotel room to attend her own wedding, she was brought back to the past. Exactly 6 days before her boyfriend disappeared.

I can't really say too much because the synopsis of the book itself doesn't give you anything. But trust me that this book is really good! Let's just say she was trying to find out why her boyfriend disappeared and she wanted to see if she can somehow changed the past and asked her boyfriend to stay the day of his disappearance.

The chapters are written as the characters' POV and also serves as a timeline. The book got me good though, because I thought one POV was from one character but I was completely wrong! The reveal was out of the blue and very unexpected. The main plot twist of the book, though, didn't really sit well with me. I expected something bigger but after continuing it kind of makes sense.

Overall, I'm really happy I picked up this book and read it. I'd definitely keep an eye on Emma's other books and will add them to my reading list.

This book is by far my new favorite books of all time! The description of the book describes the book so well, if you have watched 13 going on 30, freaky Friday, hot chicks, or back to the future you will love this book!!! It is a contemporary romance it doesn’t have any smut in it what so ever which is great because I absolutely hate that. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you Boldwood Book for this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review!

Olivia's boyfriend Kit went missing 7 years ago; she found the will to move on with her life and is getting married today. Suddenly she is transported back in time 7 years - a week before Kit disappeared. She has the opportunity to re-live these days with the knowledge of what is to come...can she keep Kit from leaving for that hike? Can she figure out what happened to him? Does this change what her future will now look like?

This book was an emotional story that pulled me in and would not let go until I saw it through. It is beautifully written and the cast of characters are relatable and lovable, each in their own way. As the mystery unraveled, I found myself trying to put all the pieces together before Olivia could.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who has lost someone and moved on, but still wishes you could go back and spend one more day with them.

Publication Date: January 31, 2025

We meet our main female character, Liv as she is preparing to marry James. We quickly learn that seven years ago, Liv's fiancé, Kit left their home to go for a hike and is never seen again. What a truly awful experience for anyone to have to go through but with the love and support from her friends, Liv is finally able to begin to pick up the pieces of her life - and even find love again - with Kit's brother, James.

Somehow, on her wedding day, Liv is transported back in time to 6 days before Kit disappears. Giving Liv the chance to put things right. To stop Kit from disappearing and continuing with the life that she should have had.
But what about James and the feelings that she has for him?
What is Liv to do?

I don't like posting spoilers so my feedback may be a little confusing but I didn't hate this book - it just appears that I didn't love it as much as others have - and it does take a lot for me to give books more than 3 stars.
The author is clearly talented and has no problem with descriptive writing. There were lots of twists but I didn't feel that all of the questions that I had were answered.
I also thought that the relationship between Liv and James could have been explored a little more. We had plenty of information of how wonderful Kit was and how Liv and Kit's relationship was "perfect" but almost, I felt, nothing regarding James.

If you had the chance to do your life over and save someone whom you loved, would you? This book is such a unique take on a love story. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book for an honest review.

What would you do if you were able to go back in time and potentially change the biggest most life changing event you ever experienced? Well, Liv opens a door to that very possibility on the morning of her wedding. This story is a very interesting take on time, choices, and love — first love & forever love.

I absolutely loved this book! The story and writing were engaging and I found myself not wanting to stop flipping the pages. The “twist” in the book was something I was not expecting but made it even more exciting to see how the story would end. This will definitely be a most recommended book by me in 2025!
Thank you for the advanced readers copy of this book, can’t wait to buy it for my shelf.

were there a few unshed tears. perhaps? this had me in a bind. i was constantly flitting between angst over what was happening? what i thought was happening? and then worry over what might happen in the future. i clearly had biases here for certain characters. and was so hooked in by the book, the story and our characters that i wanted certain endings. i needed certain endings!
there is a mystery woven throughout this book. and i was not expecting the twist. i didnt see it coming and half of me wanted to read the book again so i could read it now informed... but perhaps the beauty of it all was because i didnt. and that also plays into the novel itself. and how what we see isnt always the way it is, or not from other point of view. and also how young eyes arent always wise eyes. or second chances really do help us see things clealy.
Liv, James and Kits story was one that will stick by me for a very long time.
i want to say more but i fear ill end up giving too much away. or give too much away simply by trying to skirt around it.
but you all need to read this. its a beautiful book with so much more added to it. it goes deeper than romance.
its one where i think if i had a library or could afford actual book! then this would be one of them id have read and be saying "yes i need that one as a permanent on my bookshelf.

3.75 Where to even start?
First off, the cover and the description of this book absolutely intrigued me. As expected, the book immediately sucked me in and I was hooked. The plot was brilliant with the mystery and the time travel. I also really enjoyed the dual POVs. However, the mystery element was so well done, that I actually ended up expecting there to be some wild twist to the story…so I’m a bit disappointed that that wasn’t the case.
Although I was little disappointed, I still enjoyed the ending and how it all wrapped up. I do wish that there had maybe been more explanation of the time traveling element and more details around Kit in the epilogue since he was one of the main focus points.
Overall I did really enjoy the story and I’m interested to read more from Emma Cooper.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with this ARC! This is my honest review with all thoughts and opinions being my own.

Quotes:
• “Everything has potential; everything has the chance to be something magnificent.”
• “I will never leave you.”
• “You’re my forever love.”
• “I don’t think I know how not to love you.”
• “The present is such a gift. Living is such a gift. Don’t let it slip through your fingers.”

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Fantastic! More mystery than romance with a brilliant twist I did not see coming, and I'm one of those who often figures everything out before the reveal. I did guess one part of the mystery but not the twist, and let me tell you, I gasped - it was ingenious. Now I need to read her previous books. Will be recommending this to everyone. Short chapters, different timelines/POV keep this moving at a fast pace. Very satisfying ending. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time. I hope this gets as hyped as it deserves.

An engrossing, fabulous book. A touch of the unreal mixes with the real to create an intense story of love, loss, and lies.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Liv's boyfriend disappeared on a hike and, despite extensive searches, was declared dead. Seven years later she is due to marry James, Kit's brother, having struck up a relationship whilst they were searching for him. Suddenly Liv finds herself back in time six days before he disappeared and relives the events leading up to his disappearance.
An interesting take on the time travel trope, with plenty of twists and turns. It makes you wonder what you would do if you could relive part of your time again? It was initially confusing, but things became clearer as the story developed and I began to make sense of it. There was one point that made me think of the film Love Actually - you'll know it when you get to it. In summary a thought provoking story with an interesting concept.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
I really enjoyed this one! All of the tropes made it!

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC. This was my first novel by Emma Cooper. While the story was compelling, I normally don’t like reading books with multiple viewpoints. This book changed my mind. It was not as I expected. In the end, true love perseveres. Kit lied to his girlfriend, and is “dead” for 7 years. In those 7 years a lot has changed. Liv has met someone else and slowly rebuilt her life. Kit comes back and things change. Life isn’t always what it seems. I enjoyed this book immensely.

If you’re looking for a little more emotional, reflective journey with a time travel twist, this book is it.
I found the plot interesting, the main character, Ivy to be well written and the ending wrapped up ok.
The plot sometimes seemed to be stretched unnecessarily and the ending was so so in my opinion.
This book has a strong synopsis but some parts just failed to keep me interested.

BOOK REVIEW

💫The One Before The One💫 By Emma Cooper
Published By Boldwood
Publication Date 31st January 2025

Blurb
Liv is given the chance to live one life-changing week over, but can she change her future...? And does she want to?

When Liv’s boyfriend Kit disappeared on a hike, seven years earlier, she thought her life was over. But with the help of their family and friends, she’s pushed her way through the grief, and now, miraculously, she's found a way to love again.

Until the morning of her wedding, when Liv steps through a doorway, and finds herself, somehow, back at the flat she shared with Kit: seven years earlier, six days before he left. Now, Liv has a chance to live those six days over, and change everything. If she gets this right, she can find out why Kit leaves and stop him.

But can she save him? And if she does, how will she choose, between the man she loved then, and the one she loves now?


👰❤️👰❤️👰❤️👰❤️👰❤️👰❤️👰❤️👰❤️👰❤️

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy of this book, thank you Boldwood Books.

I was hooked from the first page, Emma is such a talented writer and has created a real page turner that also involves time travelling with split time story telling.

The story has so many twists & turns I must have said 'no way?!?' to myself many times whilst reading this, not seeing the next twist coming! The pace of the book is brilliant too, a book that if you have to put it down to do 'adulting stuff' you're still thinking about it & can't wait to delve back in! Just wow.
This gorgeous book is being published next Friday, definitely one for your TBR!

The One Before the One was my firsst Emma Cooper read and it will definitely not be my last! The premise of this book was really interesting to me - what would you do if your first love disappeared, you fell in love with someone else, but then you got to travel back in time to a week before the disappearance to see if you could change things. Or would you change things? Olivia is happy in the present after the devestating loss of her love, Kit. After growing closer to James after the disappearance, and finally falling in love with him, she found happiness and is just about to get married. Until she walks through a door and she is back 7 years earlier. Feelings come back for Kit, and it gives Olivia a chance to see if she can solve the mystery...
No spoilers, but this is such as great premise! It's amazing to see the past in a new light through Liv's eyes and what she remembers happening then and the new things she notices as her 7 year older self (back in her younger body). So much mystery, things to be solved. Will it work out? What will happen? If you love mystery and romance, this is a great story! Recommended!

I am not usually a fan of split time books but I was immediately drawn into this story. I loved Liv and I too would have wanted to know why Win appeared. The need for closure drives people to distraction. This is definitely one of my favorite reads this year 🌟🌟🌟🌟 I’ve never read a book by this author before, but after The One before The One I am now a fan!!

New to me author. I really enjoyed this book. It kept me reading until the very end. I will definitely be checking out more of her books in the future. I’m glad h stumbled upon this.