If you've read any of my other recent book reviews, you'll already know that I start off each one by saying that each book starts off with the full 5 stars and I'm always hopeful that they will all still be firmly in place by the time I close the back cover.

I was approved to read the eARC of this straight from the publisher and all the reviews I've read of it so far says that this is a 5 start book, so I can't wait to get stuck in!

I'm a soppy romantic at heart, so a heart-warming romance is right up my street, but I'm a tough nut to crack with humour, so if the author manages to raise a smile from me then she's an incredible author IME.

A few pages in and the humour has already started - obvious but not groan-worthy yet... if it carries on like this, it'll be 5 stars, but the star is already kinda wobbly after the author used one word of a dancing TV programme that everyone seems to know it by... the full name hasn't been used so the star is still staying there, but any more and off it comes.

Oooh! I'm enjoying the word invention... obvious and easy to remember! I'm enjoying everything I've read so far and I'm hoping I'll have been able to crack a smile by the time I head to bed at the end of this chapter.

Just finished the first chapter and thankfully it's got my humour down to a tee, so I'll hopefully crack a smile before the end of the book tomorrow which is a very rare occurrance. End of the first day's reading opinion? So far so great... a must-read that I can't wait to get stuck back into tomorrow.

Mornin' all... back for another day of reading and I'm hoping that I'll still keep enjoying the book.

Oh dear, the speech marks and inverted comma's are being used in the wrong places which should have been picked up during the editing stage... not to worry though, it's an easy mistake to make and I'm not gonna drop a star for such a small mistake!

Another brand name (deliberately?) shortened like last night again. The star is even more wobbly now but it's hanging in there by the skin of its teeth because the author has cleverly not used the full name again.

Another great chapter and read considerably quicker than last night lol I can already feel my mood lifting and my shoulders relaxing!

Another fantastic and short chapter... maybe the first chapter was so long 'cos it was introducing everything and I'll be able to get through a couple of chapters an hour today?

Ooooh! That's two potential ways to stop the wedding... which one will Audrey choose, if either of them?

Ooh, another unexpected twist already!

I'm seriously loving this book already and absolutely deserving of each of those 5 stars so far.

Nooo! Not again! The author has just used a couple of well-known places in full, so like with each of the other 5 star books I've read, it's becoming a heart-breaking 4 star book after 11%.

I'm gonna stop commenting on every chapter now 'cos this review is already getting too long lol

All this swapping and changing around of times in each chapter is refreshing and well-handled, but also, at times, confusing. It's good, but the author is asking her reader to jump backwards and forwards in time with each chapter which is frustrating me to no end unfortunately.

OMGosh! The poor reverend!

Let's see if I can get through my third hot drink of the day without it going stone cold shall we? I love it when a book is so good that it stops me from drinking hot drinks - a sign of an incredible book in my eyes!

Just finished it and it was a perfect end to an almost-perfect book. Had it not been for the use of those brand names, this would, could and should have been a very solid 5 stars.

Buy this book and set aside an entire day to devour it in... just don't expect hot drinks to stay hot as you go through it! lol

What a bloody brilliant book, I’ve literally just read it in two sittings and I adored it.

Audrey is a wonderful character, she is as lovable as she is flawed and the supporting cast were so much fun.

With feelings for two hunky men how on earth is Audrey supposed to choose? Is it dependable Josh whom she has been going out with for years and is about to marry or flirty Fred the exciting adventurer who appears back in her life the day before the wedding. I know that my choice for her changed as the book went on and the story delved into the past of both relationships. The guy I wanted for her at the beginning was not the one I eventually wanted her to be with.

I can see this story as a film with Audrey being played by Emilia Clark. There are so many ups and downs but everything is handled with sensitivity and awareness of what I and many women have been subjected to in our lives. That need to be kind and not want to offend really hit home for me as did the thought of horrible stepdads and the close relationship between mother and daughter being affected by selfish men.

Alongside the family trauma there are lots of laughs too and many laugh out loud moments. Granny Parker with her prophesy of doom was hilarious. I really liked how the dynamics of the relationships changed as Audrey pretty much grows up during the story.

Beautifully written, funny, emotive and bursting with love. I simply adored every minute of this book and will be buying the author’s previous books too

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. Ive had the pleasure of reviewing all of her books. They are such a joy to read so I always treasure them.

Full of humour and wit .

Great characters with their own voices.

Packed with romantic moments and dramas this is a perfect summer rom-com for your holidays.

We all have that one who got away or where things were left unsaid so I think we can fully relate to Audrey’s situation. However on your wedding day….

There’s definitely moments of the grass is greener and I think it’s explored really well .

Uplifting and life affirming this is a great book.

Published e book 18th August and paperback 29th September.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Cousens and Hodder & Stoughton for early access to 'Before I Do' in return for an honest review.

Before I Do follows Audrey, who is marrying a man named Josh. Josh is the love of her life, someone she's shared many inside jokes with, fancy coffees and lots of laughs. Six years before, she had met Fred. Fred was her "what if" man. Someone who is exciting and shares many interests with her and introduced her to her newfound love of photography. How will Audrey react when her "what if" man shows up at her wedding? Will it change everything, or will she go with what she knows and is comfortable with?

I love a good romance novel and this book falls into that category. The plot of the story is very interesting and I love the man who got away trope. It was very back and forth on how Audrey was feeling and who she would eventually end up with (I am very happy with her decision). I really enjoyed that the story showed both sides of how she met both men and gave a full insight to see why she would have fallen for each guy. The whole photobooth plot was so interesting and I haven't read anything like that before. I also think all of the characters are very interesting. Her mother being such a main character was nice, and seeing her experience with men. Her best friends/bridesmaids were great additions and they really added to the story. Josh was a great character and a great man, and the storyline with Fred was super cute- hard to decide which one I wanted her with in the beginning (until the wedding photobooth scene. That decided it all for me).

Overall, I can't wait for this book to be published and to be able to have this on my shelf. I absolutely loved this book. I wish I had read it a bit quicker but life gets in the way. Everything was worth the read and the short chapters were nice fillers.

Your faith in the institution of marriage is already shaky due to the number of times you mum has tied the knot but you take the leap and say yes. He is your opposite in every way but yes you can make it work.
Fast forward to your the day before the wedding and your sister in law to be brings a surprise plus one. The one who got away. Is it an omen? Should it be cancelled? Follow the story in the here and now and the reminiscences of the past romance.
Will it work out and for who?

A book about soulmates, bad omens and last-minute nerves before a wedding. It also features a love triangle! The plot moves around a lot in time to keep readers on their toes. This was an entertaining summer read with romance and intrigue.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance copy of Before I Do in exchange for an honest review.

What would you do if the one that got away turned up the night before your wedding?
Such a well crafted novel, compelling enough to pull you through and very quick read. I enjoyed it so much from the first page till the end. A good story like this needs a quiet afternoon, a sofa and a warm blanket. Moving and heartfelt! Enjoy!

Sophie Cousen+ Love Triangles+ Fated/cosmic love is possibly my new favorite thing.
Before I do is a wholesome & heartfelt read that is told between past & present chapters. I loved the concept of alternate chapters allowing the readers to know Josh & Fred.

"I have my head in the stars & you have your roots firmly anchored in the ground. I think that's why we work."

Audrey is such a realistic character. Her jolly self hides such vulnerability & sensitivity that was absolutely well portrayed.
But I must say the love interest (the one with the HEA) was my total favorite from the beginning. So as much that I couldn't imagine the story with the other person. God I loved him so much.

"Was it the trees that swung it? Was it the blisters?"
"You had me before the trees, you had me WAY before the trees".

Both the guys had a profound effect on Audrey & the story & I was blown away with the last few chapters & the message depicted. Fated lovers will always remain special for me.

Thank you Netgalley & Publisher for the arc, all opinions are my own.

I would to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Audrey and Fred spend an extraordinary day following a fated-meet-cute in what feels like the blooming of a romantic relationship in their lives. And six years, Audrey has to married Josh who is a perfect picture of a husband but what if Josh isn't the one for her?

Audrey must decide who she's meant to be with and deal with the hurdles that stand in her way as a lot of bad luck begin to emerge before the nuptials, including the unexpected sudden appearance of Fred, all but proclaiming his love, and somehow changes her true feelings.

I loved the story of Audrey and Josh meeting and subsequently falling in love; it was cute and a bit weird but it was also endearing and heartwarming. It made me fall in love with them as a duo.

And i also enjoyed her story with Fred. But what happened towards the other half of the book confused me.

None of the characters is truly likable. But i understand no characters is perfect, but i couldnt stand Vivien, Benedict, nkt even Audrey herself. It seems like she was trying to find loopholes by using her personal 'traumatic' past to suddenly changing her mind ON her wedding day.

At the end, I got the impression that Audrey was using trauma as a justification for her behaviour, which I didn't like. I also didn't like how there was no mention of any healthy healing of the said trauma, only that Audrey's partner wanted her to come clean to them them about their past and that's where the discussion of it ended.

It was confusing, annoying, and makes me really angry at times to read through Audrey's POV, and i often find myself disagreeing with her.

And need I say something about her mom? God, i couldnt stand her. Whenever i read the flashback where her mom was involved, i would just 'god, is she a mother?' yeah, so there's that.

Overall, this book is very fast-paced, so i like it a bit about that, but plot-wise... not so much. Maybe there are some people like this kind of story, but borderline cheating is not for me.

I really enjoyed this book, it's very much what about the road untaken....likeable characters that you are rooting for and an entertaining storyline, it's a perfect holiday read.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Not only am I a sucker for a good romance, and I also adore it when there is depth to the story and it makes me think. The premise deals with the past versus the present and the crisis that comes along with it. This book alternated between the storyline of the past and present. This alternating was done well, which made it an easy read. Sophie has clearly put a lot of effort into the book and you can see that clearly when you read the book. This book was cute, thoughtful and heartwarming and I can thoroughly recommend it!!

This book follows Audrey, who is about to marry Josh, the only guy she ever had that she can put her trust in. At the rehearsal dinner Miranda, Josh's sister, brings a plus-one: Fred, Audrey's "What if?" guy. Fred's appearance surely is a coincidence, but when everything with the wedding starts going wrong, Audrey has to wonder: could fate be trying to stop her from making a huge mistake?

This is the third book I’ve read by Sophie Cousens and is now my favourite!

Audrey and Josh are getting married today. The rehearsal takes place, the guests are here and everything is ready for the main event…..or is it? After a couple of things happen and give Audrey pause for thought, she is still sure that Josh is the one for her. After all, the one who got away disappeared without a word years before….or did he? When Josh’s sister Miranda shows up with a random date in tow, Audrey is shocked to her very core. Why him and why today at her WEDDING.

Told in real time as well as in timelines from Audrey’s past, this is a fantastic and relatable love story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone wanting an escapist love story.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

Sophie Cousens is quickly carving herself a name that sits alongside the queens of literature - Marian Keyes, Jane Green, Fiona Walker, and Sophie Kinsella.

In Before I Do - Audrey is preparing to marry Josh - dependable, honest and loveable Josh but Audrey has never forgotten 'the one that got away' - Fred.
Until Josh's sister arrives at the rehearsal dinner with Fred. Fred's arrival throws Audrey into a conundrum - should she marry Josh or is Fred her destiny.

This laugh-out-loud read is perfect to lose yourself in. It's incredibly well written, the characters are rich and believable and it has a lovely ending.

Audrey and Josh are total opposites, so when a man from Audrey's past turns up the day before their wedding, she begins to wonder whether she is making the right choice.

This is a really beautiful love story told as a mix of present day (the wedding) and flashbacks, in a way that builds up Audrey's personality and relationships. There was actually not a huge amount of Josh in the book - Audrey was certainly the focus! But it still was a sweet and romantic story.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Thoroughly enjoyed this one, the characters and writing made it a real page turner. Highly recommended.

This is such a fun book. It's a little bit different to the normal romance books and I'm completely here for it. I liked how the characters unraveled. I thought the the storyline was engaging and I thought that it played out well.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this romcom by Sophie Cousens. The book follows Audrey as she prepares to marry her fiancé Josh but is faced with a series of ‘bad omens’ which lead to her questioning her past and decisions.
The characters in this were lovable and entertaining. I enjoyed the jumping back to different timeframes to slowly reveal the development of relationships and events that lead up to the events of the wedding. I felt this really effectively built the plot in an intriguing way. I don’t want to give any spillers but I absolutely loved the end of the book and was massively entertained by the events leading to the ending!

Overall this was an enjoyable romcom and I look forward to reading every other book by Sophie Cousens!

Ahh Sophie Cousens does it again. I fell in love with this book from the start and the last 50% was un-put-down-able!

The start of the book draws you in straight away, leaving you needing to know what happened to Audrey and why she had just run out of her wedding.
The characters were well written and I really loved the multiple time line, as it helped me as a reader to know all of the characters and their pasts a little better. I really enjoyed the multiple "what if"s - we've all asked ourself this question at some point - the pondering of whether soul mates exist, and whether "the one" can be someone who is the complete opposite to you.
I can't lie, I was team Josh all the way. He was too nice to be dumped for someone Audrey had only known for 24 hours!

A good book. It starts near the end of the story and then flashes between the past and the near present.
When Fred turns up at Audrey's wedding it brings back memories of times gone by and a love that almost was (and one that Audrey never quite let go). Then the wedding doesn't turn out exactly as expected and it all turns Audrey's fears about this next step in her life into a really good story.

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.