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The One Before The One
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 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?
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 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?
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2025
1424 people are currently reading
2440 people want to read
About the author
Emma Cooper
8 books228 followersEmma Cooper is a former teaching assistant, who lives in Shropshire, with her partner and four children. Her spare time consists of writing novels, drinking wine and watching box-sets with her partner of twenty-four years, who still makes her smile every day.
Emma has always wanted to be a writer – ever since her childhood, she’s been inventing characters (her favourite being her imaginary friend ‘Boot’) and is thrilled that she now gets to use this imagination to bring to life all of her creations.
The Songs of Us was inspired by Emma’s love of music and her ability to almost always embarrass herself, and her children, in the most mundane of situations. She was so fascinated by the idea of combining the two, that she began to write Melody’s story. Working full-time with a large family meant that Emma had to steal snippets of ‘spare’ time from her already chaotic and disorganised life; the majority of her novel was written during her lunchtime in a tiny school office. She never expected to fall so deeply in love with the King family and is overwhelmed that others feel the same.
She has three loves in life: reading, writing and her family…oh, and music, cheese, pizza, films – Maths is not one of her talents.
Emma keeps in touch with her readers and loves to hear from them on twitter @ItsEmmacooper and on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/EmmacooperAuthor/
Emma has always wanted to be a writer – ever since her childhood, she’s been inventing characters (her favourite being her imaginary friend ‘Boot’) and is thrilled that she now gets to use this imagination to bring to life all of her creations.
The Songs of Us was inspired by Emma’s love of music and her ability to almost always embarrass herself, and her children, in the most mundane of situations. She was so fascinated by the idea of combining the two, that she began to write Melody’s story. Working full-time with a large family meant that Emma had to steal snippets of ‘spare’ time from her already chaotic and disorganised life; the majority of her novel was written during her lunchtime in a tiny school office. She never expected to fall so deeply in love with the King family and is overwhelmed that others feel the same.
She has three loves in life: reading, writing and her family…oh, and music, cheese, pizza, films – Maths is not one of her talents.
Emma keeps in touch with her readers and loves to hear from them on twitter @ItsEmmacooper and on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/EmmacooperAuthor/
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March 28, 2025
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Going into this book, I'm not sure why, but I think I expected something a little more fluff? I'm not really sure why but this book is anything but that! I was so pleasantly surprised!
This book is deep and emotional; it is part mystery and incorporates time-travel which causes the reader to really invest in the characters and pay attention. The author delves into character flaws and works them out through these characters.
We follow our FMC, Liv on her wedding day. She finds a piece of jewelry from her past but the engraving receipt is dated this week. She's confused because the jewelry is from her previous boyfriend, her current fiancé's brother, that mysteriously went missing 7 years ago.
Liv puts the necklace on, steps out of a doorway and ends up in 2016, 7 years ago. She has 6 days to find the truth why her boyfriend went missing and why he's returned the day of her wedding.
Once she finds the truth, who will she choose to love in the present?
Omg! Besties! I loved this book so much! The author hooked me right from the beginning, and this story refused to let me go until I finished it! This story is part mystery, part romance, it's reflective and hopeful.
The story is told in both multiple POV's as well as alternating timelines with short and punchy chapters making this book such a breeze to binge. On top of that, the story is so damn compelling... I was doing laundry with my kindle in hand, walking the dog with my kindle in hand. I couldn't put it down!
The mystery aspect was really driving this one for me, but in the back of my mind I had this anxiety swirling about the 'triangle' that's always in the background of the whole story. Who will she choose? What's going to happened? Who is 'the good guy' 'the right one'? All of that. But I think the author did a fantastic job of taking us through everything and discovering the truth along with Lenny. I'm over the moon about the ending!
Such a deeply moving story that took me by surprise. I'll remember this one for a long time to come. Highly recommend!
P.S. I cried. Omg there's a few scenes that are just ✨SO✨ UGH Perfect! Easily one of my favorite books of the year.
💜Enemies to Lovers
💗Love at First Sight
💜Second Chance
💗Time Travel
💜Timeslip Romance
💗Mystery
💜Self-Discovery
Available Now!
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the complementary advanced digital copy - all thoughts are my own. 💐
Going into this book, I'm not sure why, but I think I expected something a little more fluff? I'm not really sure why but this book is anything but that! I was so pleasantly surprised!
This book is deep and emotional; it is part mystery and incorporates time-travel which causes the reader to really invest in the characters and pay attention. The author delves into character flaws and works them out through these characters.
We follow our FMC, Liv on her wedding day. She finds a piece of jewelry from her past but the engraving receipt is dated this week. She's confused because the jewelry is from her previous boyfriend, her current fiancé's brother, that mysteriously went missing 7 years ago.
Liv puts the necklace on, steps out of a doorway and ends up in 2016, 7 years ago. She has 6 days to find the truth why her boyfriend went missing and why he's returned the day of her wedding.
Once she finds the truth, who will she choose to love in the present?
Omg! Besties! I loved this book so much! The author hooked me right from the beginning, and this story refused to let me go until I finished it! This story is part mystery, part romance, it's reflective and hopeful.
The story is told in both multiple POV's as well as alternating timelines with short and punchy chapters making this book such a breeze to binge. On top of that, the story is so damn compelling... I was doing laundry with my kindle in hand, walking the dog with my kindle in hand. I couldn't put it down!
The mystery aspect was really driving this one for me, but in the back of my mind I had this anxiety swirling about the 'triangle' that's always in the background of the whole story. Who will she choose? What's going to happened? Who is 'the good guy' 'the right one'? All of that. But I think the author did a fantastic job of taking us through everything and discovering the truth along with Lenny. I'm over the moon about the ending!
Such a deeply moving story that took me by surprise. I'll remember this one for a long time to come. Highly recommend!
P.S. I cried. Omg there's a few scenes that are just ✨SO✨ UGH Perfect! Easily one of my favorite books of the year.
💜Enemies to Lovers
💗Love at First Sight
💜Second Chance
💗Time Travel
💜Timeslip Romance
💗Mystery
💜Self-Discovery
Available Now!
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the complementary advanced digital copy - all thoughts are my own. 💐
January 28, 2025
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog
And it’s in the people we choose to spend our time with that make the everydays special.
This is my first read by the author but it definitely won't be my last because it was such a different take on the time travel romance trope and I loved it. It was nothing like I expected in a very good way. This will be a pretty vague review so as not to spoil anything because it was just so much more than a romance. It deals with a couple of heavy issues that have to do with mental health both of which aren't in literature very often and I appreciate that. If you're looking for a heart-fluttering romance this isn't that book. The author seamlessly wove a tale from multiple points of view and numerous timelines.
I did enjoy the character of Mac and his relationship and the time he spent bonding with his visitor, the banter was charming and humorous. I just wish there was a more in-depth backstory of Liv and James' relationship as well as in the current timeline. I loved the descriptive prose of the countryside, the author knows her stuff. The twist really surprised me and that rarely happens. The short chapters had me flipping pages furiously and nonstop. This was a captivating story of romance, a bit of mystery and a lot of time travel was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Many thanks to my Goodreads friend Heather for bringing this book to my attention her review can be found HERE .
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Book Review Crew Blog
And it’s in the people we choose to spend our time with that make the everydays special.
This is my first read by the author but it definitely won't be my last because it was such a different take on the time travel romance trope and I loved it. It was nothing like I expected in a very good way. This will be a pretty vague review so as not to spoil anything because it was just so much more than a romance. It deals with a couple of heavy issues that have to do with mental health both of which aren't in literature very often and I appreciate that. If you're looking for a heart-fluttering romance this isn't that book. The author seamlessly wove a tale from multiple points of view and numerous timelines.
I did enjoy the character of Mac and his relationship and the time he spent bonding with his visitor, the banter was charming and humorous. I just wish there was a more in-depth backstory of Liv and James' relationship as well as in the current timeline. I loved the descriptive prose of the countryside, the author knows her stuff. The twist really surprised me and that rarely happens. The short chapters had me flipping pages furiously and nonstop. This was a captivating story of romance, a bit of mystery and a lot of time travel was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Many thanks to my Goodreads friend Heather for bringing this book to my attention her review can be found HERE .
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
February 16, 2025
In a Nutshell: A romantic mystery with timeslip elements. Fabulous potential, but the execution didn’t work well for me. However, to readers who enjoy emotional dramas, this book might work better. Mine is an outlier opinion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
I am not much into romances these days. However, the time travel element of this book made me curious. Unfortunately, the trope didn’t work well for me. This is a tough book to review without going into spoilers, so I will keep things mostly vague.
Bookish Yays:
😍 Rarely does a book cause me to go “Wait, What?!” with a twist. This book managed it.
😍 The title – quite clever.
😍 The descriptions of the location – beautiful.
😍 Mac. Great character. Would have loved to see more of him.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 James is Kit’s brother. (Not a spoiler as this is revealed in the very first chapter.) I usually avoid such triangles because it can get predictably awkward. The book handles it fairly well at the start, but later reactions seem unrealistic.
😐 Romance fans might be disappointed at how little romance there is in this book. It has much more emotional drama than romance. But I didn’t pick this up for the romance anyway, so not a major problem for me.
😐 Too many secrets and miscommunication. Works in some cases, annoys the rest of the time.
Bookish Nays:
😒 The time travel content: Not Groundhog Day, but Timeslip. Cause: unexplained. Purpose: Unexplained. Impact on the future: None. So I didn’t see the point of this timeslip at all.
😒 Liv’s first-person POV gets very repetitive. Loads of inner rambling on the same topics over and over. I was especially fed up of her repeated comments on her weight and body size. She's also inconsistent as a narrator, constantly contradicting her earlier words and actions. Plus, she breaks the fourth wall in the initial chapters and speaks to the readers directly, which didn’t make sense for the plot at all.
😒 This sentence: "I would drink his blood if I could…" – What the heck!? In what world is it okay to say such a thing to express the extent of your love for someone? (And no, no one was a vampire or a vampire fan in this book.)
😒 The two love interests. While I did like one much better than the other, both took such stupid decisions that it was tough to root for either.
😒 The love triangle. One half of the book is heavily tilted towards one character and then it switches to the other side. The balance is missing.
😒 The remaining secondary characters except for Mac – bare minimum detailing, though a couple of them had great potential.
😒 The use of the past timeline relies a lot on Liv’s crystal-clear memory of every day in that week from seven years ago. Who can have such incredible recollection skills that even include knowledge of what was eaten all those years ago on that specific day?
😒 The reason for Kit’s disappearance. It fell quite flat after all the build-up. Utterly dissatisfying!
😒 Everyone is a bit too forgiving after the above reveal, which is unrealistic. There should have been a lot more anger along with the relief.
😒 Many loopholes in logic, especially connected to Kit’s disappearance. One thing I simply didn’t understand was why Liv didn’t use social media to look for the people who could provide her with some answers. The past was in 2016, not the pre-Internet/SM age! It takes hardly a second to click on “View Profile” from FB Messenger once you see a message.
😒 The ending went the only way it could have, no surprises there. Plus, it had too much of an infodump.
😒 The epilogue was too perfect for such a plot.
All in all, I expected a greater emotional impact from this book, but as I couldn’t connect with any of the characters nor empathise with their quandary, I was disappointed. To me, the blurb is much stronger than the execution.
That said, the other reviews and ratings clearly prove that I am an outlier in my opinion. I’m often a Grinch when it comes to melodramatic plots as well as mysteries, so it would be better if you read other opinions and take a more educated call on this novel.
Recommended to those who enjoy emotional women’s fiction with a strong element of mystery. Not to be picked up if you want a time-travel or groundhog day story that ends with a learning experience for the characters.
2 stars.
My thanks to Boldwood Books for providing the DRC of “The One Before the One” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
The digital version of this book is currently available free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Threads || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Seven years ago, the love of Liv’s life, her boyfriend Kit, disappeared while on a hike. It took her many years to get over her grief. Now thirty-two, Liv has moved on, found love with James, and is ready to take the next step of their relationship. However, on the day of their wedding, when Liv opens the door of her hotel room, she finds herself in the old flat she shared with Kit. Worse, she has somehow travelled back in time, to six days before Kit’s mysterious disappearance. Has Liv been given an opportunity to find out what happened to Kit? Perhaps to save his life? But if she does end up successful, how will it affect her future? Should she go back to the one – James, or the one before the one, Kit?
The story comes to us in a dual first-person perspective.
I am not much into romances these days. However, the time travel element of this book made me curious. Unfortunately, the trope didn’t work well for me. This is a tough book to review without going into spoilers, so I will keep things mostly vague.
Bookish Yays:
😍 Rarely does a book cause me to go “Wait, What?!” with a twist. This book managed it.
😍 The title – quite clever.
😍 The descriptions of the location – beautiful.
😍 Mac. Great character. Would have loved to see more of him.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 James is Kit’s brother. (Not a spoiler as this is revealed in the very first chapter.) I usually avoid such triangles because it can get predictably awkward. The book handles it fairly well at the start, but later reactions seem unrealistic.
😐 Romance fans might be disappointed at how little romance there is in this book. It has much more emotional drama than romance. But I didn’t pick this up for the romance anyway, so not a major problem for me.
😐 Too many secrets and miscommunication. Works in some cases, annoys the rest of the time.
Bookish Nays:
😒 The time travel content: Not Groundhog Day, but Timeslip. Cause: unexplained. Purpose: Unexplained. Impact on the future: None. So I didn’t see the point of this timeslip at all.
😒 Liv’s first-person POV gets very repetitive. Loads of inner rambling on the same topics over and over. I was especially fed up of her repeated comments on her weight and body size. She's also inconsistent as a narrator, constantly contradicting her earlier words and actions. Plus, she breaks the fourth wall in the initial chapters and speaks to the readers directly, which didn’t make sense for the plot at all.
😒 This sentence: "I would drink his blood if I could…" – What the heck!? In what world is it okay to say such a thing to express the extent of your love for someone? (And no, no one was a vampire or a vampire fan in this book.)
😒 The two love interests. While I did like one much better than the other, both took such stupid decisions that it was tough to root for either.
😒 The love triangle. One half of the book is heavily tilted towards one character and then it switches to the other side. The balance is missing.
😒 The remaining secondary characters except for Mac – bare minimum detailing, though a couple of them had great potential.
😒 The use of the past timeline relies a lot on Liv’s crystal-clear memory of every day in that week from seven years ago. Who can have such incredible recollection skills that even include knowledge of what was eaten all those years ago on that specific day?
😒 The reason for Kit’s disappearance. It fell quite flat after all the build-up. Utterly dissatisfying!
😒 Everyone is a bit too forgiving after the above reveal, which is unrealistic. There should have been a lot more anger along with the relief.
😒 Many loopholes in logic, especially connected to Kit’s disappearance. One thing I simply didn’t understand was why Liv didn’t use social media to look for the people who could provide her with some answers. The past was in 2016, not the pre-Internet/SM age! It takes hardly a second to click on “View Profile” from FB Messenger once you see a message.
😒 The ending went the only way it could have, no surprises there. Plus, it had too much of an infodump.
😒 The epilogue was too perfect for such a plot.
All in all, I expected a greater emotional impact from this book, but as I couldn’t connect with any of the characters nor empathise with their quandary, I was disappointed. To me, the blurb is much stronger than the execution.
That said, the other reviews and ratings clearly prove that I am an outlier in my opinion. I’m often a Grinch when it comes to melodramatic plots as well as mysteries, so it would be better if you read other opinions and take a more educated call on this novel.
Recommended to those who enjoy emotional women’s fiction with a strong element of mystery. Not to be picked up if you want a time-travel or groundhog day story that ends with a learning experience for the characters.
2 stars.
My thanks to Boldwood Books for providing the DRC of “The One Before the One” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
The digital version of this book is currently available free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Threads || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
January 18, 2025
― ´arc review`.✧
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.
- 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
What could have been better:
- the events and switch between timelines felt disjoined and uneven to me
- at times the plot was draggggged without any major reason
- i wish the exploration of both relationship was done deeper, overuse of kit pissed was annoying
- the explanation of the reason behind this time-travel was non-existent
- there were many questions which were just brushed off without any proper decent conversation
Overall, if you are looking for a thought-provoking read of love, healing and choices holding powers to change the course of your life, mixed with perfect amount of romance, magical-realism and mystery, this book is for you.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers, Boldwood Books for the ARC.
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.
- 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
What could have been better:
- the events and switch between timelines felt disjoined and uneven to me
- at times the plot was draggggged without any major reason
- i wish the exploration of both relationship was done deeper, overuse of kit pissed was annoying
- the explanation of the reason behind this time-travel was non-existent
- there were many questions which were just brushed off without any proper decent conversation
Overall, if you are looking for a thought-provoking read of love, healing and choices holding powers to change the course of your life, mixed with perfect amount of romance, magical-realism and mystery, this book is for you.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers, Boldwood Books for the ARC.
January 15, 2025
3 Stars
One Liner: Got potential but ends up lukewarm
Seven years ago, Liv’s boyfriend, Kit, disappeared on a hike. With help from dear ones, she moved on in her life. On the morning of her wedding with James (Kit’s brother), Liv steps out of the doorway and goes back in time - to six days before Kit disappeared.
Liv is reliving those same six days again. She needs to get it right to save Kit. Can Liv save Kit? And if she does, whom will she choose?
The story comes from Liv and another character’s first-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
So this has a sort of time-slip/ time travel/Groundhog Day (without multiple loops) story where the FMC travels to the past to relive six days before an event that changes her future forever.
I grabbed the book despite my dislike for love triangles as I was curious to see how the time travel part was handled. There wasn’t any explanation given but I wasn’t confused when the shift happened.
The writing is quite descriptive and lyrical. While this gave us some lovely quotes, it also took up a lot of space. Some scenes stretched while others ended quickly, so essentially, we have uneven pacing.
Liv was decent and I liked her enough. Seeing the shift in her was interesting. James should have had more space. TBH, it doesn’t make much sense that we don’t get more than a couple of scenes with Liv and James but are told many times about their love. Compared to this, Kit and Liv have so many scenes!
However, my major issue with the book is the excessive limelight on Kit. Kit this, Kit that, oh gosh! I mean okay, he was put on a pedestal, but everyone and we get hints about his flaws but all those should have been used in the plot at some point. Why raise so many questions but not deal with any of them when there’s a chance for it? The same with the mother’s actions. No one even questions it after the truth is out. No comeuppance?
As much as I appreciate the intent of not taking sides, I need details sorted properly. Don’t raise those questions if you don’t want to address them. Simple as that!
Moreover, even the epilogue takes the focus away from the central plot. This is supposed to be Liv’s story. Her past and present and how she navigates through the muddle when she gets a second chance.
Ava was actually a great character. It’s a pity that she doesn’t have more meaningful conversations with Liv and help her look at things from another perspective.
There isn’t much romance as such but it is there. Since I already picked my choice, I wasn’t interested in what we got. At least, I’m glad that there is one grand gesture (feels like a consolation prize but I’ll take it).
To summarize, The One Before the One has a great premise and raises many vital points only to brush them off. With just one more chapter, all of it could have been sorted and the book would have had a more balanced and stronger ending.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheOneBeforeTheOne
One Liner: Got potential but ends up lukewarm
Seven years ago, Liv’s boyfriend, Kit, disappeared on a hike. With help from dear ones, she moved on in her life. On the morning of her wedding with James (Kit’s brother), Liv steps out of the doorway and goes back in time - to six days before Kit disappeared.
Liv is reliving those same six days again. She needs to get it right to save Kit. Can Liv save Kit? And if she does, whom will she choose?
The story comes from Liv and another character’s first-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
So this has a sort of time-slip/ time travel/Groundhog Day (without multiple loops) story where the FMC travels to the past to relive six days before an event that changes her future forever.
I grabbed the book despite my dislike for love triangles as I was curious to see how the time travel part was handled. There wasn’t any explanation given but I wasn’t confused when the shift happened.
The writing is quite descriptive and lyrical. While this gave us some lovely quotes, it also took up a lot of space. Some scenes stretched while others ended quickly, so essentially, we have uneven pacing.
Liv was decent and I liked her enough. Seeing the shift in her was interesting. James should have had more space. TBH, it doesn’t make much sense that we don’t get more than a couple of scenes with Liv and James but are told many times about their love. Compared to this, Kit and Liv have so many scenes!
However, my major issue with the book is the excessive limelight on Kit. Kit this, Kit that, oh gosh! I mean okay, he was put on a pedestal, but everyone and we get hints about his flaws but all those should have been used in the plot at some point. Why raise so many questions but not deal with any of them when there’s a chance for it? The same with the mother’s actions. No one even questions it after the truth is out. No comeuppance?
As much as I appreciate the intent of not taking sides, I need details sorted properly. Don’t raise those questions if you don’t want to address them. Simple as that!
Moreover, even the epilogue takes the focus away from the central plot. This is supposed to be Liv’s story. Her past and present and how she navigates through the muddle when she gets a second chance.
Ava was actually a great character. It’s a pity that she doesn’t have more meaningful conversations with Liv and help her look at things from another perspective.
There isn’t much romance as such but it is there. Since I already picked my choice, I wasn’t interested in what we got. At least, I’m glad that there is one grand gesture (feels like a consolation prize but I’ll take it).
To summarize, The One Before the One has a great premise and raises many vital points only to brush them off. With just one more chapter, all of it could have been sorted and the book would have had a more balanced and stronger ending.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheOneBeforeTheOne
February 22, 2025
જ⁀➴ 4.5/5 ★
꒰🧾꒱ 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎
“everything has potential; everything has the chance to be something magnificent.”
arc review 💌
release date: jan 31
꒰ 🌼꒱ 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭 - liv’s boyfriend kit disappeared 7 years ago without a trace, she’s been through grief, sorrow, and heartbreak. now it’s the morning of her wedding and she finds herself back 7 years prior - a few days before his disappearance. she has the chance to fix everything and find out why he left all those years ago. she has to choose between the man she loved then and the one she loves now.
꒰ 💔 ꒱ 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 - this book was so insane. it had magical realism, second chance (kinda), and thriller elements in this romance. i don’t want to say too much because it’ll spoil the story. there is spice in this book but it’s brief and you can skip it. this book had me speeding through the pages and anticipating what was going to be uncovered next. i’d definitely recommend this book. the last 15/20% had me STRESSING, like and i was so shocked. this book would be great to get out of a slump. it’s a romance but it felt more like a thriller/women’s fiction with mystery and magical realism.
⁀➴ this quote stood out to me and i liked the message the book gave in the end
“ask for help. live in the now. not in the past where all your mistakes are, not in the future where you
see yourself winning the big bet, but now. the present is such a gift. living is such a gift. don’t let it slip through your fingers. you’ve all been braver than i have ever been, because you’re all here.”
────୨ৎ────
🥀┆⌗ 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ✧
jan 3
4.5 ⭐️
omg
this was insane
like wth
read this in a day and sped through the pages
like everything happening was so crazy
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc!!
꒰🧾꒱ 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎
“everything has potential; everything has the chance to be something magnificent.”
arc review 💌
release date: jan 31
꒰ 🌼꒱ 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭 - liv’s boyfriend kit disappeared 7 years ago without a trace, she’s been through grief, sorrow, and heartbreak. now it’s the morning of her wedding and she finds herself back 7 years prior - a few days before his disappearance. she has the chance to fix everything and find out why he left all those years ago. she has to choose between the man she loved then and the one she loves now.
꒰ 💔 ꒱ 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 - this book was so insane. it had magical realism, second chance (kinda), and thriller elements in this romance. i don’t want to say too much because it’ll spoil the story. there is spice in this book but it’s brief and you can skip it. this book had me speeding through the pages and anticipating what was going to be uncovered next. i’d definitely recommend this book. the last 15/20% had me STRESSING, like and i was so shocked. this book would be great to get out of a slump. it’s a romance but it felt more like a thriller/women’s fiction with mystery and magical realism.
⁀➴ this quote stood out to me and i liked the message the book gave in the end
“ask for help. live in the now. not in the past where all your mistakes are, not in the future where you
see yourself winning the big bet, but now. the present is such a gift. living is such a gift. don’t let it slip through your fingers. you’ve all been braver than i have ever been, because you’re all here.”
────୨ৎ────
🥀┆⌗ 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ✧
jan 3
4.5 ⭐️
omg
this was insane
like wth
read this in a day and sped through the pages
like everything happening was so crazy
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc!!
January 14, 2025
I received a free copy of, The One Before the One, by Emma Cooper, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Liv has moved on since her boyfriend Kit disappeared seven years ago, she is getting married to James. This book was a little complicated. I did not for Kit at all.
December 30, 2024
— ( 🪶 ) arc review ⊹
seven years ago, liv’s world fell apart when her boyfriend kit disappeared during a hike. yet, with the steadfast support of her family and friends, she rose above her grief and, against all odds, found the ability to love again. that is, until her wedding day arrives, and liv unexpectedly steps through a door to find herself back in the apartment she once shared with kit, just six days prior to his vanishing. this twist of fate offers her a chance to revisit those pivotal days and possibly change their destinies. if she can uncover the mystery behind kit's vanishing, she might be able to stop it from happening. but if she's able to save kit, how will she confront her feelings for the man she once cherished in light of her love for someone else now?
this novel was truly lovely. the blend of mystery and romance was executed beautifully. the writing flowed smoothly, making the story easy to follow. i did wish for a bit more character depth, and at times it felt like it dragged on, but overall, i really enjoyed it.
⤿ enemies to lovers
⤿ time slip romance
⤿ love at first sight
⤿ second chance
⤿ magical realism
thank you netgalley and boldwood books for providing the e-arc in return for my honest review!
seven years ago, liv’s world fell apart when her boyfriend kit disappeared during a hike. yet, with the steadfast support of her family and friends, she rose above her grief and, against all odds, found the ability to love again. that is, until her wedding day arrives, and liv unexpectedly steps through a door to find herself back in the apartment she once shared with kit, just six days prior to his vanishing. this twist of fate offers her a chance to revisit those pivotal days and possibly change their destinies. if she can uncover the mystery behind kit's vanishing, she might be able to stop it from happening. but if she's able to save kit, how will she confront her feelings for the man she once cherished in light of her love for someone else now?
౨ৎ ⋮ There are moments in your life that you try to capture; to take a snapshot of, keeping the past alive in the present . You can imagine them as Polaroids carefully placed in a scrapbook, surrounded by tickets, by menus, by hastily scribbled notes on the back of napkins. These images tend to be the good days: the Friday nights, the Saturdays, the lazy Sundays – our own inner Instagram posts. Monday and Thursday photos are often discarded, the images fading and the corners curling with time.
this novel was truly lovely. the blend of mystery and romance was executed beautifully. the writing flowed smoothly, making the story easy to follow. i did wish for a bit more character depth, and at times it felt like it dragged on, but overall, i really enjoyed it.
⤿ enemies to lovers
⤿ time slip romance
⤿ love at first sight
⤿ second chance
⤿ magical realism
thank you netgalley and boldwood books for providing the e-arc in return for my honest review!
February 1, 2025
Hey Siri, play Begin Again by Taylor Swift.
From the very first page, I knew I’d thoroughly enjoy this. I got caught up in this story, in this world, and I enjoyed every moment. Romantic mysteries are truly so fun! There’s something exhilarating about a book that challenges you and keeps you guessing.
What I loved the most was the bond between Liv and Ava. Their friendship was a lovely addition to this, and I found it to be heartwarming. Ava isn’t just a side character—she’s Liv’s rock, and that’s something I deeply appreciated because as much as I love romance, the friendships matter to me the most.
I’m trying my best not to give too much away, so I won’t say a lot about the romance except that it was beautifully done. I usually steer clear of love triangles, but this? Queue The Only Exception by Paramore. This love story ended in the most perfect way, and I’m so glad I gave it a shot!
𓉞 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀/𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
Romantic mystery
Dual POV
Love triangle
Enemies to lovers
Second chance
Time travel
4.3 ★
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾!
From the very first page, I knew I’d thoroughly enjoy this. I got caught up in this story, in this world, and I enjoyed every moment. Romantic mysteries are truly so fun! There’s something exhilarating about a book that challenges you and keeps you guessing.
What I loved the most was the bond between Liv and Ava. Their friendship was a lovely addition to this, and I found it to be heartwarming. Ava isn’t just a side character—she’s Liv’s rock, and that’s something I deeply appreciated because as much as I love romance, the friendships matter to me the most.
I’m trying my best not to give too much away, so I won’t say a lot about the romance except that it was beautifully done. I usually steer clear of love triangles, but this? Queue The Only Exception by Paramore. This love story ended in the most perfect way, and I’m so glad I gave it a shot!
𓉞 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀/𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
Romantic mystery
Dual POV
Love triangle
Enemies to lovers
Second chance
Time travel
4.3 ★
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾!
January 23, 2025
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
The one before the one by Emma Cooper
Publication date: 31st January 2025
Buckle up for a rant review
I loved the storyline so much, it definitely wasn't what I expected it to be, the time travel element and book title were the main reasons I picked it up.. This was said to be an emotional read...Did I feel things? Yes . Was it a "ripped my heart out" kinda read? No..
Plot follows Liv, who lost the love of her life Kit after he never came back from his hike on a Friday morning and was presumed dead. Liv is now about to marry his brother James, she receives a necklace which has an engraving on it but the receipt date is this week which leaves her confused and suspicious .. Liv steps into a doorway which takes her to the same 6 days, can she save Kit?
Not gonna lie this love triangle wasn't my cuppa tea in a sense that I felt bad for both and at some point I agreed with what Libby said but towards the end I was sad for both sides, they're both loveable despite their messes lol
The writing style wasn't too bad but some parts were overwritten -- the plot draggedddddd in some parts it ruined the pace of the book for me personally and on the topic of being descriptive; drinking someone's blood doesn't give lovey dovey feels in the slightest... 😭 Also if I had a dime for every time the name Kit was mentioned... I get the story is about him but my days the repetitiveness lowkey got on my nerves.. Kit this, Kit that..🫣
Overall it was an enjoyable read certainly not a cliche fluffy romance
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the arc
The one before the one by Emma Cooper
Publication date: 31st January 2025
Buckle up for a rant review
I loved the storyline so much, it definitely wasn't what I expected it to be, the time travel element and book title were the main reasons I picked it up.. This was said to be an emotional read...Did I feel things? Yes . Was it a "ripped my heart out" kinda read? No..
Plot follows Liv, who lost the love of her life Kit after he never came back from his hike on a Friday morning and was presumed dead. Liv is now about to marry his brother James, she receives a necklace which has an engraving on it but the receipt date is this week which leaves her confused and suspicious .. Liv steps into a doorway which takes her to the same 6 days, can she save Kit?
Not gonna lie this love triangle wasn't my cuppa tea in a sense that I felt bad for both and at some point I agreed with what Libby said but towards the end I was sad for both sides, they're both loveable despite their messes lol
The writing style wasn't too bad but some parts were overwritten -- the plot draggedddddd in some parts it ruined the pace of the book for me personally and on the topic of being descriptive; drinking someone's blood doesn't give lovey dovey feels in the slightest... 😭 Also if I had a dime for every time the name Kit was mentioned... I get the story is about him but my days the repetitiveness lowkey got on my nerves.. Kit this, Kit that..🫣
Overall it was an enjoyable read certainly not a cliche fluffy romance
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the arc
January 28, 2025
rtc
———————————————————————————-✦ 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭:
✦ I can’t wait to start this book, it sounds so good! ✨
✦ 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.
———————————————————————————-✦ 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭:
✦ I can’t wait to start this book, it sounds so good! ✨
✦ 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.
January 8, 2025
-I thought this would be reminiscent of One True Loves, boy was I wrong.
This story follows our female lead on her wedding day as she finds out that her ex-boyfriend who went missing seven years ago is actually alive. I thought I was in for an epic romance, instead I got an epic mystery (with some romance!) This book was so well written, intriguing, and had great twists! I highly recommend it as a slow burn adventure. Check it out when it’s released this month and thank you to NetGalley for the arc.
This story follows our female lead on her wedding day as she finds out that her ex-boyfriend who went missing seven years ago is actually alive. I thought I was in for an epic romance, instead I got an epic mystery (with some romance!) This book was so well written, intriguing, and had great twists! I highly recommend it as a slow burn adventure. Check it out when it’s released this month and thank you to NetGalley for the arc.
January 21, 2025
This was quite the wild ride! Seven years ago, Liv's boyfriend went on a hike and never returned, leaving everyone to presume him dead. Fast forward to the present, Liv is madly in love with his brother, and on the morning of her wedding, she is thrust back in time to one week before the disappearance!
I loved the overarching dilemma Liv is faced with. What if she can save Kit? And if she does, who will she ultimately choose to spend her life with? It's all sorts of twisty, mysterious, and wonderful. There's one chapter I had to reread twice, just to make sure I was processing everything correctly. It was such a cleverly plotted and brilliant reveal. Wow!
After so much intensity, I did feel some aspects wrapped up a little too conveniently, but it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. I’m a complete sucker for emotional storylines with a touch of magical realism, and this one was a lot of fun!
(heat level: fade to black)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved the overarching dilemma Liv is faced with. What if she can save Kit? And if she does, who will she ultimately choose to spend her life with? It's all sorts of twisty, mysterious, and wonderful. There's one chapter I had to reread twice, just to make sure I was processing everything correctly. It was such a cleverly plotted and brilliant reveal. Wow!
After so much intensity, I did feel some aspects wrapped up a little too conveniently, but it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. I’m a complete sucker for emotional storylines with a touch of magical realism, and this one was a lot of fun!
(heat level: fade to black)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 8, 2025
I absolutely loved this! I do have a special place in my heart for time-travel romance stories but they can be tedious if not done correctly, or if the "science" behind it isn't just right. This hit the mark perfectly!
First off, the prose is fantastic. The words paint vivid images and that means a lot coming from me, since I think many books are wordy and/or overly descriptive. This book didn't waste time or words. I didn't find myself skimming past anything.
It had a little bit of everything! You get a lot of bang for your buck with this. There's time-travel, romance, angst, grief, intrigue, and to top it off, it's actually really funny. The two main characters are so quick-witted and they possess a self-awareness that fictional characters don't always have.
Liv is about to get married to the love of her life...'s brother. Her ex, Kit, vanished without a trace nearly a decade ago and since that time she's fallen for his brother, James. I know you're thinking "trauma bond" but they seem really in love.
Minutes before the wedding, Liv is catapulted into the past through forces unknown. Kit is here! But so is James, and he's her boyfriend's rude brother not her fiance. All those years they spent together don't exist yet to him. Will they ever? She has loved these two men differently but fiercely, so this is a little awkward and that gives us some good drama and tea!
What's a girl to do? She knows she has to save Kit if at all possible so she buckles into this timeline to try and solve the mystery and what the future holds romantically can be decided later.
There were so many layers to this. It's one of those books I'll be thinking about for a long time. I definitely recommend it and it would make a great book club read. Hint hint, I'm available to discuss this book.
First off, the prose is fantastic. The words paint vivid images and that means a lot coming from me, since I think many books are wordy and/or overly descriptive. This book didn't waste time or words. I didn't find myself skimming past anything.
It had a little bit of everything! You get a lot of bang for your buck with this. There's time-travel, romance, angst, grief, intrigue, and to top it off, it's actually really funny. The two main characters are so quick-witted and they possess a self-awareness that fictional characters don't always have.
Liv is about to get married to the love of her life...'s brother. Her ex, Kit, vanished without a trace nearly a decade ago and since that time she's fallen for his brother, James. I know you're thinking "trauma bond" but they seem really in love.
Minutes before the wedding, Liv is catapulted into the past through forces unknown. Kit is here! But so is James, and he's her boyfriend's rude brother not her fiance. All those years they spent together don't exist yet to him. Will they ever? She has loved these two men differently but fiercely, so this is a little awkward and that gives us some good drama and tea!
What's a girl to do? She knows she has to save Kit if at all possible so she buckles into this timeline to try and solve the mystery and what the future holds romantically can be decided later.
There were so many layers to this. It's one of those books I'll be thinking about for a long time. I definitely recommend it and it would make a great book club read. Hint hint, I'm available to discuss this book.
December 23, 2024
"There are moments in your life that you try to capture; to take a snapshot of, keeping the past alive in the present."
Romance, Mystery, and Time Travel Book
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.
January 5, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up
Going into this book, I was unsure of what to expect, going off of the blurb only. But I am so glad at past me for deciding to read this! I read it in less than 24 hours, and the plot twists and surprises kept me on the edge of my seat. Emma's writing was wonderful, and the pacing of the book fit the shock and suspense.
We start with Olivia prepping for her wedding to fiancé James, but things are amiss when she steps out of her hotel room and into seven years in the past. Back before she lost her first love, Kit. There's history between all three of these characters, and let me tell you my jaw was ON THE FLOOR when I found out what it was!
Olivia ends up outside her flat she shared with Kit, the time being a week before he went missing. It's up to her to figure out why Kit went missing, what happened to him in the years after his disappearance, and how to get back to present-day and her impending wedding with James. She collects clues and information each day, and I found myself keeping tabs on what we know and trying to guess why Kit left, and I was shocked to find the truth!
Please, please pick up a copy of this book when it comes out! It's such a gripping read!!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
One note that keeps it from 5 stars (a complete nitpick of mine) is the dialogue only uses one quotation mark 'like this' rather than doubles "like this." Again, a nitpick of mine, but it does knock it from being a full 5 stars.
Going into this book, I was unsure of what to expect, going off of the blurb only. But I am so glad at past me for deciding to read this! I read it in less than 24 hours, and the plot twists and surprises kept me on the edge of my seat. Emma's writing was wonderful, and the pacing of the book fit the shock and suspense.
We start with Olivia prepping for her wedding to fiancé James, but things are amiss when she steps out of her hotel room and into seven years in the past. Back before she lost her first love, Kit. There's history between all three of these characters, and let me tell you my jaw was ON THE FLOOR when I found out what it was!
Olivia ends up outside her flat she shared with Kit, the time being a week before he went missing. It's up to her to figure out why Kit went missing, what happened to him in the years after his disappearance, and how to get back to present-day and her impending wedding with James. She collects clues and information each day, and I found myself keeping tabs on what we know and trying to guess why Kit left, and I was shocked to find the truth!
Please, please pick up a copy of this book when it comes out! It's such a gripping read!!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
One note that keeps it from 5 stars (a complete nitpick of mine) is the dialogue only uses one quotation mark 'like this' rather than doubles "like this." Again, a nitpick of mine, but it does knock it from being a full 5 stars.
January 28, 2025
Is January too early to announce I've found a favorite of the year? Because I've found a favorite of the year.
What's inside:
✳️time travel
✳️multiple POVs
✳️mystery plot
✳️wholesome romance
I'll be honest, I went into this blind, except shortly glancing at the summary and seeing words 'time travel' and 'romance' together, because that's enough to have me intrigued.
The One Before The One is a story
about Liv, whose boyfriend Kit goes hiking one day and never returns. Seven years later she is about to marry his brother, James, while Kit's shadow still looms over their relationship what with James and Kit's mother cutting off communication with them, and their friends and relatives secretly wondering if one or both of them settled.
With this premise, I expected her journey back in time to be that of self-discovery, a better understanding of her relationships with to two loves of her life. And it is that at it its core, but it's also so much more!
I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns of this journey and the mystery that unfolds 7 years in the past. It is a solid plot that made me forego sleep and keep turning the pages. Add to it a plot twist that I didn't see coming at all, and I was looking up Emma Cooper, wondering why I've never read this author before.
The romance plot was rather refreshing as well, in that it combines two tropes—love at first sight and enemies to lovers—with a resolution that is satisfying and wholesome.
I recommend it to everyone who is looking for a well-written novel that has heartfelt romance, elements of family drama, time travel, and all of it tied up with a very intriguing mystery plot. I'll be thinking about this one for a while.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
What's inside:
✳️time travel
✳️multiple POVs
✳️mystery plot
✳️wholesome romance
I'll be honest, I went into this blind, except shortly glancing at the summary and seeing words 'time travel' and 'romance' together, because that's enough to have me intrigued.
The One Before The One is a story
about Liv, whose boyfriend Kit goes hiking one day and never returns. Seven years later she is about to marry his brother, James, while Kit's shadow still looms over their relationship what with James and Kit's mother cutting off communication with them, and their friends and relatives secretly wondering if one or both of them settled.
With this premise, I expected her journey back in time to be that of self-discovery, a better understanding of her relationships with to two loves of her life. And it is that at it its core, but it's also so much more!
I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns of this journey and the mystery that unfolds 7 years in the past. It is a solid plot that made me forego sleep and keep turning the pages. Add to it a plot twist that I didn't see coming at all, and I was looking up Emma Cooper, wondering why I've never read this author before.
The romance plot was rather refreshing as well, in that it combines two tropes—love at first sight and enemies to lovers—with a resolution that is satisfying and wholesome.
I recommend it to everyone who is looking for a well-written novel that has heartfelt romance, elements of family drama, time travel, and all of it tied up with a very intriguing mystery plot. I'll be thinking about this one for a while.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
December 19, 2024
The One Before The One is an emotive read that intrigues and makes you question what you would do in Livs position. I genuinely felt moved at times reading this and went back and forth a few times on my theories. For fans of romance and conundrums, this book will hook you from the start and keep you engaged until the very end.
January 7, 2025
I loved this one! I completely went into this expecting a cutesy romance and sweet nostalgia. But instead we got a mystery, thriller, slightly sci-fi moment and im living for it? the perspective shifts, and “now versus before”, guessing what was truly going on the entire time - SUCH a cool concept! what a fancy way of unveiling a mystery and what a lovely, tense yet heartwarming story overall!
The concept:
Ooh I LOVED how the shift back in time worked! I fear saying too much to avoid spoilers, but the way in which going back into time was handled, and how the time shifts interacted was so satisfying and exactly what I would like out of a sci-fi-y mystery. Nothing is over-complicated, and the focus stays on the plot, its characters, and the things they learn and relationships they make - no unneeded time spent on wacky technical aspects that wouldn’t rlly matter to the story anyway. I loved how once you pick up on the structure, the time shifts, the perspectives and so forth, the story is easy flowing with highs and lows in the right places. My only real complaint is that certain parts felt like they dragged, especially in the beginning where almost a bit too much was set up and I couldn't help but feel like I was getting info-dumped and ended up stalling this read a bit. BUT once it picks up, it picks up FRR and i finished everything past the first like 4 chapters in one sitting! How each day reveals smthn new is so MWAH, and the perspective shifting was also so masterfully done - I really hope to see more books like this!
The characters:
First of all, thank the LORD for an MC who does the right things, asks the right questions, and is just in her right mind period. I’ve gotten way too used to characters making dumb decisions, but this girlie is not one of them! I loved how Liv’s relationship with Kit and James are built up, as well as the extent nothing is exactly what it seems. I'm working SO HARD to not give any spoilers, but each character with their individual flaws and quirks are endearing and unique, even if not completely fleshed out considering we’re on a limited time frame here (6 days yall take it or leave it). Each piece is so authentic, and even the complexities of the relationships are unravelled so beautifully, I am in AWE. All i’m going to say is I love me some James fr, and Liv’s character gives me some hope for contemporary FMCs.
The ending:
SO SO happy with how everything wrapped up omg ALL THE CLOSURE MWAH (chefs kiss). No spoilers promise, but everyone is where they should be (eh ishh). While I was initially a bit unhappy where a certain character ended up, this is honestly just a me problem especially when this whole story talks about the beauty of moving on and taking steps forward, and thus the ending is at no fault hehe. I love how Liv got to appreciate those in her life even more and just how cutely everything came together.
tl;dr:
Aaa such a heartwarming read overall!! Please read this one for yourselves and i promise it’ll play out almost nothing like you expect in the best ways possible :)
Thank you SO SO MUCH NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Emma Cooper for an E-ARC copy of this book! <3
pre-review:
High 4.5, this was super cool!! Review to come (ASAP)
The concept:
Ooh I LOVED how the shift back in time worked! I fear saying too much to avoid spoilers, but the way in which going back into time was handled, and how the time shifts interacted was so satisfying and exactly what I would like out of a sci-fi-y mystery. Nothing is over-complicated, and the focus stays on the plot, its characters, and the things they learn and relationships they make - no unneeded time spent on wacky technical aspects that wouldn’t rlly matter to the story anyway. I loved how once you pick up on the structure, the time shifts, the perspectives and so forth, the story is easy flowing with highs and lows in the right places. My only real complaint is that certain parts felt like they dragged, especially in the beginning where almost a bit too much was set up and I couldn't help but feel like I was getting info-dumped and ended up stalling this read a bit. BUT once it picks up, it picks up FRR and i finished everything past the first like 4 chapters in one sitting! How each day reveals smthn new is so MWAH, and the perspective shifting was also so masterfully done - I really hope to see more books like this!
The characters:
First of all, thank the LORD for an MC who does the right things, asks the right questions, and is just in her right mind period. I’ve gotten way too used to characters making dumb decisions, but this girlie is not one of them! I loved how Liv’s relationship with Kit and James are built up, as well as the extent nothing is exactly what it seems. I'm working SO HARD to not give any spoilers, but each character with their individual flaws and quirks are endearing and unique, even if not completely fleshed out considering we’re on a limited time frame here (6 days yall take it or leave it). Each piece is so authentic, and even the complexities of the relationships are unravelled so beautifully, I am in AWE. All i’m going to say is I love me some James fr, and Liv’s character gives me some hope for contemporary FMCs.
The ending:
SO SO happy with how everything wrapped up omg ALL THE CLOSURE MWAH (chefs kiss). No spoilers promise, but everyone is where they should be (eh ishh). While I was initially a bit unhappy where a certain character ended up, this is honestly just a me problem especially when this whole story talks about the beauty of moving on and taking steps forward, and thus the ending is at no fault hehe. I love how Liv got to appreciate those in her life even more and just how cutely everything came together.
tl;dr:
Aaa such a heartwarming read overall!! Please read this one for yourselves and i promise it’ll play out almost nothing like you expect in the best ways possible :)
Thank you SO SO MUCH NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Emma Cooper for an E-ARC copy of this book! <3
pre-review:
High 4.5, this was super cool!! Review to come (ASAP)
November 22, 2025
Unexpectedly brilliant! Probably closer to 4.5 to be honest! Several twists really kept me guessing till the end.
December 14, 2024
⭐️ 5
no spoilers
the synopsis: 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 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?
OH.MY.GOD this book was something, it got me stunned the whole time if this is the unedited version i can’t even imagine how good this book will be when it’s released 😮💨.
This book mixed up mystery and romance so well and it got so many plot twists especially during the last 10 chapters it got me shock so many times that i had to go back to see the clues the author gave in the book.
the characters are just so well written, i seriously love the protagonist, she was such a girl boss in so many ways especially after every thing she endured, her true love (I’m not going to say who 👀), at first i was kind of septic but when you compared the first few chapters and the middle to the last one, it makes so much sense.
overall i COULDNT put down this book, i really recommend it, read it asap !!
thanks netgalley & boldwood books for this incredible arc !!
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱:
i’m really into romance these days 👀
no spoilers
the synopsis: 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 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?
OH.MY.GOD this book was something, it got me stunned the whole time if this is the unedited version i can’t even imagine how good this book will be when it’s released 😮💨.
This book mixed up mystery and romance so well and it got so many plot twists especially during the last 10 chapters it got me shock so many times that i had to go back to see the clues the author gave in the book.
the characters are just so well written, i seriously love the protagonist, she was such a girl boss in so many ways especially after every thing she endured, her true love (I’m not going to say who 👀), at first i was kind of septic but when you compared the first few chapters and the middle to the last one, it makes so much sense.
overall i COULDNT put down this book, i really recommend it, read it asap !!
thanks netgalley & boldwood books for this incredible arc !!
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱:
i’m really into romance these days 👀
February 6, 2025
GET THIS BOOK. It blends romance and mystery beautifully. It's a 5 star and shelved in my hangover book shelf.
December 23, 2025
From the 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 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?
This one's hard to describe without giving away too much. I liked the main character Liv, but her first person perspective and inner ramblings get a bit repetitive. The fact that her one and the one before are brothers made it a bit awkward in my opinion. There wasn't as much romance as I would have liked and a lot of drama. Overall, I liked the book, but it wasn't quite what I expected.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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 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?
This one's hard to describe without giving away too much. I liked the main character Liv, but her first person perspective and inner ramblings get a bit repetitive. The fact that her one and the one before are brothers made it a bit awkward in my opinion. There wasn't as much romance as I would have liked and a lot of drama. Overall, I liked the book, but it wasn't quite what I expected.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 24, 2025
3,75 ✨️
this was my first emma cooper and definitely not my last 💫
this book takes the time travel romance trope and spins it into something unexpected (at least i didn't expect it) — and i loved every second of it.
it’s tricky to talk about without spoiling (and trust me, you want to go in blind 👀), but just know this: it’s so much more than a romance. it tackles heavier themes.
i was heartbroken for Liv. she loved so intensely, so purely. i can't explain it to you, really, and it bugs the shit out of me. i was sad, i was mad, i kept shouting at my man that MEN ARE IDIOTS — you'll agree with me once you've read it too.
i only wish we’d gotten a bit more depth with Liv and James’ relationship. My god. what James must have endured... since the book has dual povs, it'd have been nice to know him better. not present James, but past James.
so yeah — if you’re expecting fluffy butterflies-in-the-stomach romance this isn’t it. but if you’re up for something layered, a little mysterious, and unexpectedly moving, this book’s got you. 🌙✨
this was my first emma cooper and definitely not my last 💫
this book takes the time travel romance trope and spins it into something unexpected (at least i didn't expect it) — and i loved every second of it.
it’s tricky to talk about without spoiling (and trust me, you want to go in blind 👀), but just know this: it’s so much more than a romance. it tackles heavier themes.
i was heartbroken for Liv. she loved so intensely, so purely. i can't explain it to you, really, and it bugs the shit out of me. i was sad, i was mad, i kept shouting at my man that MEN ARE IDIOTS — you'll agree with me once you've read it too.
i only wish we’d gotten a bit more depth with Liv and James’ relationship. My god. what James must have endured... since the book has dual povs, it'd have been nice to know him better. not present James, but past James.
so yeah — if you’re expecting fluffy butterflies-in-the-stomach romance this isn’t it. but if you’re up for something layered, a little mysterious, and unexpectedly moving, this book’s got you. 🌙✨
February 1, 2025
This was such an intriguing premise for a book. A complicated story of love, betrayal, forgiveness and happiness. I devoured it in one sitting and loved having the multiple POVs to give the reader a richer feel for the characters. Definitely recommend.
I received an arc of this book.
I received an arc of this book.
December 21, 2025
2.75⭐️
January 9, 2025
I decided to read this ARC as the summary said it was for fans of Paige Toon (of which I am the biggest fan) and I am so glad I did. This is my first book by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I will be seeking more now as I really liked this one.
I wasn’t sure about the premise of this story as it involves the main character, Liv, reliving a week of her life 7 years previously before her boyfriend at the time, Kit, goes missing. Time travel is referred to in the book. I usually don’t enjoy anything that is a bit science fictiony however I loved this so might need to check my biases! It reminded me of the film ‘About Time’ which I love.
I won’t repeat the synopsis but overall this story kept me guessing in a great way. What happened to Liv’s boyfriend all those years ago, is he still alive, what will happen with her current relationship? Plus there is quite a big twist part way through that I didn’t see coming that added to the drama overall.
My only slight downside was the story was very much focused on Liv and Kit and the story and development of her relationship with her current boyfriend was a bit lacking. However, I raced through this and thoroughly enjoyed it and I was satisfied with how it all played out.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books, Emma Cooper and NetGalley for this ARC. This is released on January 31st and would highly recommend.
Pre-review thoughts - This was a really great read, wasn’t sure what to expect but my expectations were well exceeded - proper review to come.
I wasn’t sure about the premise of this story as it involves the main character, Liv, reliving a week of her life 7 years previously before her boyfriend at the time, Kit, goes missing. Time travel is referred to in the book. I usually don’t enjoy anything that is a bit science fictiony however I loved this so might need to check my biases! It reminded me of the film ‘About Time’ which I love.
I won’t repeat the synopsis but overall this story kept me guessing in a great way. What happened to Liv’s boyfriend all those years ago, is he still alive, what will happen with her current relationship? Plus there is quite a big twist part way through that I didn’t see coming that added to the drama overall.
My only slight downside was the story was very much focused on Liv and Kit and the story and development of her relationship with her current boyfriend was a bit lacking. However, I raced through this and thoroughly enjoyed it and I was satisfied with how it all played out.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books, Emma Cooper and NetGalley for this ARC. This is released on January 31st and would highly recommend.
Pre-review thoughts - This was a really great read, wasn’t sure what to expect but my expectations were well exceeded - proper review to come.
January 29, 2025
*4 stars rounded up*
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!
When Liv wakes up on her wedding day only to find herself transported 7 years in the past, she's suddenly faced with a decision between the man she is about to marry, or the man she loved all that time ago just before he went missing.
There were so many twists in this book and I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed finishing a segment and staring at the wall for half an hour every few chapters. There were some characters I loved, and a few that possessed defining traits that felt a little superfluous. Perhaps it's just me, but I didn't see the deeper meaning in Liv's mom's disorder. Typically when something is meant to stand out like that, I see a tie to it in another character. However, in this case it felt a little odd.
I do have to say though that this writing style was not for me. Honestly, I found myself annoyed (especially the last 1/3 of the book) by all the sentence fragments. For me, personally, I would rather read more run-on sentences than necessary than have. An exorbitant amount. Of sentences. Like this. It was frustrating to read, and I felt that, had it been used more effectively, I would have been more involved in the storyline mentally than finding myself having to take a break from it so often. It felt cold to me, and yet other times throughout the book I felt transported to the scene the author was describing. I could picture the vivid greens of the fields, and the depth and dangers of the caves and cliffs. It felt a little jarring at time to then be suddenly hit with so many staccato thoughts.
Overall, I enjoyed this read! On a list of yes, no, maybe...for me it would be a maybe. For those who like romances that have an edge to them and some mystery, this is a great choice! There was no spice, so if you're also looking for a story without any, this is a great option (because I think most romances without spice seem cringey when it comes to the flirting, but this didn't lose any of my attention without it). If you're an Outlander lover who likes a little taste of Lisa Jewell on the side, this is your #1 read of 2025!
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!
When Liv wakes up on her wedding day only to find herself transported 7 years in the past, she's suddenly faced with a decision between the man she is about to marry, or the man she loved all that time ago just before he went missing.
There were so many twists in this book and I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed finishing a segment and staring at the wall for half an hour every few chapters. There were some characters I loved, and a few that possessed defining traits that felt a little superfluous. Perhaps it's just me, but I didn't see the deeper meaning in Liv's mom's disorder. Typically when something is meant to stand out like that, I see a tie to it in another character. However, in this case it felt a little odd.
I do have to say though that this writing style was not for me. Honestly, I found myself annoyed (especially the last 1/3 of the book) by all the sentence fragments. For me, personally, I would rather read more run-on sentences than necessary than have. An exorbitant amount. Of sentences. Like this. It was frustrating to read, and I felt that, had it been used more effectively, I would have been more involved in the storyline mentally than finding myself having to take a break from it so often. It felt cold to me, and yet other times throughout the book I felt transported to the scene the author was describing. I could picture the vivid greens of the fields, and the depth and dangers of the caves and cliffs. It felt a little jarring at time to then be suddenly hit with so many staccato thoughts.
Overall, I enjoyed this read! On a list of yes, no, maybe...for me it would be a maybe. For those who like romances that have an edge to them and some mystery, this is a great choice! There was no spice, so if you're also looking for a story without any, this is a great option (because I think most romances without spice seem cringey when it comes to the flirting, but this didn't lose any of my attention without it). If you're an Outlander lover who likes a little taste of Lisa Jewell on the side, this is your #1 read of 2025!
January 4, 2026
I love time travel-themed stories, so I could not resist the premise of this one: on her wedding day in 2023, Olivia enters a room and is suddenly seven years in the past, before her boyfriend, Kit, disappeared and never returned. His body was never found and he was presumed dead. Complicating things is seven years after Kit went missing, Olivia was about to marry Kit’s brother, James. Now that she is back in 2016, can she solve the mystery of what happened to Kit, and help to keep it from happening? And what does this mean for her life and future with James?
There’s a lot of good here, including a fun twist introduced in about the middle of the book - savvy readers might see it coming but I sure didn’t - and the unfolding elements of the mystery. And I always enjoy books set in Great Britain. Upon finishing the book it occurred to me how clever the title is also.
Why only three stars? Well, I did like it. But I didn’t love it, for a few reasons. The resolution ended up feeling a bit underwhelming somehow, with everyone accepting the time travel and the underlying reason for Kit’s disappearance. The author never explained the time travel. There is just a throwaway line in the last chapter, “…as time passes, she wonders if it happened at all.” I prefer it when the author has some kind of explanation for the time travel, not this coy cop-out, basically shrugging it off, implying after the whole story is told that it was all just a dream, Bobby Ewing style. Also, as interesting as the Mac character was, that side plot felt contrived. Kit and James’ parents were cardboard.
And this brings me to the content. There is language. Yes it’s my review and I get to ding the author for including f-bombs and other profanity, including taking the Lord’s name in vain. It wasn’t constant, but enough that it irritated me throughout. I know people talk like that in real life, but I don’t want to read it. There is also sexual content, closed door, with a time or two where it’s a bit more than that. So content wise, this book wasn’t bad enough that I put it down, but it did strain my limits.
Overall I enjoyed this but not enough to seek out more of Ms. Cooper’s books.
There’s a lot of good here, including a fun twist introduced in about the middle of the book - savvy readers might see it coming but I sure didn’t - and the unfolding elements of the mystery. And I always enjoy books set in Great Britain. Upon finishing the book it occurred to me how clever the title is also.
Why only three stars? Well, I did like it. But I didn’t love it, for a few reasons. The resolution ended up feeling a bit underwhelming somehow, with everyone accepting the time travel and the underlying reason for Kit’s disappearance. The author never explained the time travel. There is just a throwaway line in the last chapter, “…as time passes, she wonders if it happened at all.” I prefer it when the author has some kind of explanation for the time travel, not this coy cop-out, basically shrugging it off, implying after the whole story is told that it was all just a dream, Bobby Ewing style. Also, as interesting as the Mac character was, that side plot felt contrived. Kit and James’ parents were cardboard.
And this brings me to the content. There is language. Yes it’s my review and I get to ding the author for including f-bombs and other profanity, including taking the Lord’s name in vain. It wasn’t constant, but enough that it irritated me throughout. I know people talk like that in real life, but I don’t want to read it. There is also sexual content, closed door, with a time or two where it’s a bit more than that. So content wise, this book wasn’t bad enough that I put it down, but it did strain my limits.
Overall I enjoyed this but not enough to seek out more of Ms. Cooper’s books.
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