Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one is sitting between and 3 and 3.5/5 for me.

Overall, the concept of the book was really interesting, but some parts fell flat for me.

Later in the book when we find out more about what happened, I was a bit disappointed in the turn that it took. I think I was expecting more/ or something different.

I did have a good time reading it and finished it relatively quickly. I do just wish it took a bit of a different direction.

Thank you NetGalley and Emma Cooper for the chance to read this ARC.

Liv’s boyfriend goes missing, presumably dead, and she finally is happy again and is about to get married when she goes back in time to 6 days before his disappearance. Liv learns about herself in these days, she learns about her then boyfriend, and she learns more about her now fiancé. She is faced with a tough choice and I am so happy with the choice she makes.

This story has romance, drama, twists, and so much more.

It started off a little slow for me, but about 60 pages in I was hooked and loved everything about this story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing the e-arc in return for my review. I really enjoyed this book.
Not a typical romance book at all. There was mystery and a sci-fi aspect to it. I didint guess the plot twist and was very happy with the ending. I liked Liv and really felt for her and all that she had been through. I didn’t like Kit at all but was invested in his story.
I will definitely read more books by this author

The cover on this book is a little misleading (for me) because it gives the vibe of a more "bubblegum" romance and this book is anything but that. 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. It is beautifully written but it is heavy at times and not-your-average-romance. 4.5 stars...this book will stick with me. Well done, Emma Cooper! *I received a complimentary copy from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

I thought The One Before the One started a little slowly, but I quickly found myself not wanting to put this book down. It's about Liv, who is about to get married, but on her wedding day, gets transported back in time to the week before her previous boyfriend disappeared seven years ago. There was a surprising twist in the middle of the book and I had to keep reading. Would definitely recommend!

Absolutely loved this book. My first Emma Cooper read and definitely will not be my last! The characters were so endearing.

Liv's wedding day is today. 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?
This book was an addicting tale from start to finish! It's emotional with unexpected twists throughout. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Highly recommend!
Enemies to lovers
Second chances
Forgiveness
Love triangle
Time travel
Dual POV
#TheOneBeforeTheOne #NetGalley

I saw time travel, and I knew I had to read this book.

Liv's boyfriend Kit goes missing after a hike. It has been seven years, and in that time, she has fallen for Kit's brother, James. It took 3 years before this happened, but she has finally found the love of her life.

James and Kit are about to get married, when she ends up back in time to just before Kit's disappearance/death. Can she change things? What will happen to her feelings for Kit and for James?

I really enjoyed this book. There was a mystery involved throughout, so there was that twist on top of the obvious romance. It was a well-paced book that kept my interest, where I actually enjoyed the characters. I do wish there was a bit more exploration into the romance of Liv & Kit, just to add a little more angst. That being said, I definitely recommend this book and hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did!

Emma Cooper’s The One Before the One is a genre-defying tale that masterfully blends romance, mystery, and an intriguing touch of time-bending elements. This unique story captures your attention from the first page and keeps you hooked until its surprising and emotional conclusion.

The novel follows a protagonist whose journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about love. The interplay of mystery and romance creates a captivating dynamic, as the narrative weaves between heartfelt connections and unexpected twists. Cooper’s skillful storytelling ensures the reader is fully immersed, eager to uncover the truth and see where the plot will lead.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its unpredictability. While many romances can feel formulaic, The One Before the One keeps you guessing. The ending, in particular, is both surprising and satisfying, offering a conclusion that feels earned and deeply resonant. Cooper’s ability to subvert expectations without losing the emotional core of the story is commendable.

The writing is both engaging and evocative, with well-drawn characters who feel real and relatable. Their struggles, triumphs, and relationships are depicted with depth and nuance, making the emotional stakes of the story all the more compelling.

For readers who enjoy a mix of heartfelt romance, intriguing mystery, and a touch of the extraordinary, The One Before the One is a standout read. Emma Cooper delivers a tale that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, leaving readers with plenty to ponder long after turning the final page.

The story starts on the day before Liv's wedding day to James. Seven years ago Kit, James brother and Liv's boyfriend, went missing. The rehearsal is at Liv's Mom's who is afraid to leave the house. On the day of her wedding, Liv finds herself back in the past, 6 days before Kit dissappears. She spends these 6 days trying to find out why Kit left and to stop him. She also learns a few things about James. She does ocassionally wonder if Kit doesn't leave then what happens to her and James, Kit and James were very different. Kit was the charismatic one who could talk people into doing things with a smile or puppy dog eyes. James is the quiet one. He needs to make a list before doing something. Liv and Kit had what appeared to be a great relationship but when Liv goes back in time, she sees things differently, Liv and James had better communication and didn't take each other for granted.

I’m not really a fan of love triangles but I loved this story. I was attracted to both the love story and the time travel. Liv ended up with the right person, the one she knew she belonged with forever. I'd like to thank NetGalley for this complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

THIS BOOK. WOW. It's been a while since I've read something this good, and I mean it.

At first, I thought this was going to give me One True Loves vibes by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but boy, oh boy, was I wrong. This story felt completely new and refreshing, with its own unique twist on love, loss, and second chances.
I can't say too much because I don’t want to spoil anything—it’s truly worth diving in blind!

Read this if you like:
- Second chances
- Time travel / time slips
- Magical realism
- A touch of mystery
- ALL the feels!

The story follows Liv, whose boyfriend, Kit, vanished without a trace seven years ago. She’s grieved, moved on, and is now waking up on the morning of her wedding... only to find herself suddenly back in the past—six days before Kit’s disappearance. With a chance to rewrite the story, Liv sets out to uncover the truth about why Kit left and whether he’s the man she thought she knew.

Let me convince you to read this book by telling you that if this book was a song, it would me loml by Taylor Swift.

This was such a heartfelt and poignant story about love, loss, and finding the courage to move forward! The novel follows Liv, a woman struggling to let go of her past. On the day of her wedding, she gets a chance to save her old love. She can time travel and change the trajectory of her life. And just as this premises promise, it is an emotional journey of loss, love and what ifs. Cooper’s writing is full of emotion, capturing the complexities of love and heartache in a way that feels authentic and deeply human.

The characters are well-developed and layered, with Liv’s internal conflict and growth being the emotional core of the book. Cooper expertly balances moments of humor and lightness with the heavier themes of grief and healing. The ending felt rushed but i still enjoyed it.

💌ARC Review💌

📖 The One Before The One
🖋️ Emma Cooper
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🗓️Release date: January 31, 2025

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

💜Enemies to lovers
🩷Love at first sight
💜Second chance
🩷Time travel
💜Time slip romance
🩷Grief
💜Dual POVs

Liv’s boyfriend Kit goes missing on a hike and is presumed dead. Seven years later, Liv, on her wedding day (to Kit’s brother, James), is transported back to the week before Kit’s disappearance. As she tries to change the outcome of the week, she’s confronted with secrets, lies, and interestingly enough, some cold hard truths about the past.

I devoured this book. The One Before the One had romance, magical-realism, suspense, heartbreak, healing, and time-traveling. As someone who can usually guess a twist, this one got me. This novel was thought-provoking, sweet, fast paced, and immersive. I enjoyed the fresh take of the time travel, and personally don’t think it needed any explanation. It deals with heavy topics and emotions, but ugh, did it tug at my heartstrings and defrost the ice that is left in my heart. This book was so sweet and I’m glad Liv ends up with who I was rooting for. Highly recommend.

A massive thanks to Emma Cooper, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own and my review contains my honest feedback.

This is a lovely story, quite unique in its plot.
We follow Liv who on her wedding day to James, the brother of her first real love Kit, finds herself taken back in time to seven years before. She is back to the sixth day before Kit disappears and Liv i able the live these days over to see if she can find out why he leaves and is never seen again and in some way try to stop him.

The romance between Liv and Kit felt very authentic, their real first love and their dreams for the future with each other but as Liv lives each of the six days back in the past she finds and sees things she did not understand first time around. We also see in the past her relationship with James who Liv knows inside out, given their romance developed over the previous seven years and she starts to learn more about him.

I loved the time travel element and the way the author took your thoughts down one path and subtly dropped in a major plot twist where I was like WHAT !!!!! It was an easy read, a well-thought-out plot, a lovely romance, and an ending which was just perfect. I did think it made me think, I was second-guessing lots of scenarios so I was invested early on and the pace and characters kept me turning the pages.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and Boldwood Books for an e-arc of this one in return for an honest review.

This book was a little out of my comfort zone (the love triangle trope always makes me nervous) but I was so pleasantly surprised by this book!

I could not put the book down once I got past my preconceived notions. One thing after another had me shocked and gasping. I just needed to know what was going to happen next!!

I really enjoyed the mystery around what happened and Liv trying to piece things together. It was so well balanced with her feelings and the romance of the story. You really see how different her relationship is with Kit vs James. I knew who I was rooting for though 👀

Thank you so much for a review copy of this book. The premise of this book is what really drew me in. Our FMC is about to get married to her deceased former lover’s brother. I can imagine being in her shoes and always wondering “what if”. The author does a great job at doing just that, putting you in our main character’s shoes. A very well-written and well rounded story.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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