*The One Before the One* has a compelling premise of time travel and reliving a pivotal six-day period to change the future, but it falls short in execution. The book focuses too much on one character, Kit, raising questions about him and others without addressing them in the plot, leaving many unresolved issues. While the writing is lyrical and the romance light, the pacing is uneven, and the ending feels incomplete, missing the depth needed for a more satisfying conclusion.

We all have a ‘what if’ or two in our lives, and in this book, Liv is given an opportunity on her wedding day to explore hers. What if she can get closure on the tragic event that happened to her seven years before? And moreover, what if she can stop it happening in the first place, fixing the ‘then’ and potentially changing the ‘now’?
The story starts well: there’s a nice balance of bittersweet emotions as Liv approaches her wedding with the disappearance of her former partner still a large part of her life, and when the magical realism kicks in and she finds herself back in her past, she has a very realistic and confused ‘what the hell?’ reaction. However, I became properly invested at the introduction of a third timeline and second point of view, and from there the plot plays out beautifully with several twists and gradual revelations. I really liked Liv’s character, how she deals with the situation she is placed in and works out the ‘rules’, and also how steadfast she is in her beliefs even while trying to help Kit. It’s a captivating tale of loss and love in multiple forms; I absolutely inhaled it and it’ll stay in my mind for a while.

This one really tugged at my heart strings, and I had a good cry at times. I loved this story and the characters. As well as the different timelines in the story.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher of this book for giving me an ARC!*

Wow, I flew through this one. I don't usually do mysteries, because I can't put them down and I have the want (and NEED) to spoil myself. To avoid spoilers, I just fly through the book, which is exactly what happened with "The One Before the One" by Emma Cooper.

"The One Before the One" is about Liv, a 32-year-old bride-to-be whose one true love, her first boyfriend, Kit, disappeared seven years prior. Just as she's about to marry her new love, everything changes. Liv time travels, and gets a chance to save Kit or at the very least find out what happened to him.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

I was desperate to find out what happened to Kit. It was keeping me up at night. And I couldn't tell if I should root for or against the James/Liv romance, seeing as though I LOATHE the love triangle with two brothers trope. Alas, I was wrong. James and Liv were meant to be, and by the end of the book I couldn't stand Kit. My one complaint was the redemption arc Cooper attempted to give him toward the very end of the novel. I didn't think it was deserved. Look, I have complete empathy for Kit and his addiction, but faking your own death for SEVEN years? Letting everyone around you grieve and move on and then just coming back like it was basically nothing? Yeah, hard pass. I'd want nothing to do with him.

I also wish we got a little more Liv/James content, because once I was on board with them ending up together, I felt like I needed more. I guessed the plot twist right before it was revealed, and I felt like I needed a little more of James's perspective on everything that happened to him.

All in all, I really enjoyed this one. I loved the romance, the mystery, and the time travel. It was creative, enticing, and left me wanting more. I will definitely be checking out other books by Emma Cooper!

I loved this book! I've never read anything by this author before but this definitely will not be the last. Was not expecting the book to be what it was, but I loved it! I will definitely be buying the physical book as well and can't wait to read more from this office.

I really tried with this book. The premise of the book was really interesting but the execution of the writing was so boring and dragged and I didnt like that it went from her POV to his POV and it just didnt work for me. After I found out what happened I just put the book down and had no interest to finish the last 25%.

Overall I enjoyed this book. I liked the plot twist. However, the romance fell flat. I also felt like the switching between timelines felt very disjointed.

I couldn't put this book down!!! I read it in two days, but easily could've stayed up all night to finish it (pro-tip: don't start this book before you want to go to sleep!) The premise is somewhat similar to Taylor Jenkins Reid's One True Loves, but not quite... there's dual perspectives and some "time travel" too. I thought it was going to be a more cutesy romance, but it ended up being quite the mystery book. I don't mean that there still isn't romance, just not as lovey-dovey as I was expecting. There was also basically no ~spice~ which I honestly prefer- like you could comfortably read this on the plane and not be embarrassed if the person next to you read a couple pages haha. Chapter 30 really caught me off guard, and I literally went back several chapters to see if the twist was obvious (I don't think it was!) This also might be a little silly, but I’m always a bit nervous to read books from a British author because sometimes it’s almost ~too~ British for my American self and I don’t understand what they’re saying, but this was so easy to follow even from a British author haha. Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and I absolutely recommend it!

This was so incredibly good. A little slow paced to start, but once it picked up? WOW. I didn’t see the twist coming at all. I did expect the reason Kit left, but that really wasn’t the biggest thing within the story. There was so much depth to this without even trying and I loved the layers to each character. Beautifully written and I think she ended up with the right person at the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for making this book available as a "Read Now" title. This is my first ARC, and I’m thrilled to share my honest thoughts!

The One Before the One starts on the eve of Liv's wedding, but the day takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself transported back to seven years ago—the week she spent with her long-lost boyfriend, Kit, before his disappearance. This mysterious opportunity gives Liv a chance to relive their final days together, but with the knowledge that she might be able to change the past and perhaps save him.

Emma Cooper weaves an intriguing and emotional narrative that blends mystery, time travel, and self-discovery. The story kept me hooked, especially with its suspenseful twists and emotional layers.

I loved how Liv's time in the past allowed her to reflect on her present life, relationships, and what truly matters in the face of grief and love. It was a journey of self-discovery, healing, and figuring out what the future could look like—without having all the answers.

This book is a perfect mix of heart-wrenching emotions, mystery, and a sense of wonder. If you enjoy thought-provoking stories with twists that keep you guessing, The One Before the One is a must-read.

A captivating, heartfelt story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early!

The One Before the One by Emma Cooper is a heartwarming and uplifting novel that delves into themes of love, self-discovery, and second chances. The story follows protagonist Rowan as she navigates life after heartbreak, determined to rebuild her future while healing from the past.

Rowan’s journey is a mix of humorous mishaps, touching moments, and poignant realizations as she learns to embrace her true self and recognize the importance of friendships and family. The book's relatable characters and witty dialogue create a charming and engaging narrative, while its central message reminds readers that even after setbacks, happiness and love are always within reach.

Overall, it’s a feel-good story that leaves readers with a sense of hope, resilience, and the belief that the right things have a way of finding us when we least expect them.

Thank you to Boldwell Books and Netgalley for a gifted advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I don’t give 5 stars easily and I just knew it was going to be 5 stars from the beginning.

What a beautiful, hopeful yet heart-wrenching story. It was a JOURNEY and I loved the misdirections that were given to us; I gasped on multiple occasions. And hello James, you’re my new book boyfriend.

You’ll get romance, magical realism, mystery, loveable characters, and more. I can’t say much else without spoiling it. If you are triggered by addictions (message me if you’re curious the type) or missing persons, this book may not be for you.

Please, please read this book! If you are a lover of Paige Toon 🩷 and The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, this one’s for you.

Liv has the chance to change a life changing event.
After everything what will she choose?
This was a slow moving story. It flits back and forth from present to past. I found myself getting a little bored with the story. However I couldn’t make myself not read it. I had to find out what happened.

Enjoyed this one, thought the time travel aspect was dealt with very well and I really enjoyed the journey. A few twists and turns made it an entertaining read and would definitely recommend.

Spoiler below!

Knocked a point off for the title as pretty much gave the game away……….

“The One Before The One” by Emma Cooper is a refreshing and captivating story that takes a familiar concept—reliving the past—and spins it in a unique direction. While many books that explore this idea often focus on altering the past or chasing “what might have been,” Emma Cooper takes a different approach. She uses this theme to delve into self-discovery and uncovering the truth, making the story feel fresh and meaningful.

The plot begins with Kit, who left Liv seven years ago and let her believe he was dead. For Liv, Kit’s disappearance turned her world upside down, leaving her to rely on the one person she could trust: James, Kit’s older brother. Over time, their shared grief and search for Kit drew them closer, and they fell in love. But their relationship wasn’t without doubt. Some questioned whether Liv’s feelings for James were genuine or just a result of loneliness and heartbreak. Others speculated that James had always felt responsible for fixing Kit’s mistakes, and perhaps taking care of Liv was just another way to do so.

These complexities added layers to Liv and James’ story, making readers question the authenticity of their love. Liv, still haunted by her unresolved relationship with Kit, longed for closure. However, Kit’s sudden return on the day of her wedding to James only fueled her confusion. The storyline masterfully weaves the past and present, creating a compelling narrative about love, loss, and self-realization.

One of the highlights of the book is its use of dual POV. It added an element of mystery that kept me eagerly turning the pages. Emma Cooper really surprised me here. The way the truth unfolded was unexpected and perfectly executed. I found myself genuinely impressed by how cleverly she built the suspense and delivered the big reveal.

What I truly loved about The One Before The One was how it emphasized emotions and personal growth rather than relying on intimate scenes. The story’s strength lies in its characters and their struggles. It focused on Liv’s journey of self-discovery and coming to terms with what her heart truly wanted. The theme of redemption was also beautifully handled, showing that even flawed people can rise after falling and choose to be better.

Of course, I have to talk about James’ and Kit’s mom. Oh, how I disliked her! The way she treated James, blaming him for the past and favoring Kit, was incredibly frustrating. She became my least favorite character in the story, hands down!

The ending was deeply satisfying. Liv finally found clarity and followed her heart, making a decision that felt authentic and true to her character. James and Kit also had their arcs resolved in a way that felt just and well-deserved. It was the perfect conclusion to a heartfelt and complex story.

“The One Before The One” is a beautifully written book about love, loss, and finding your way after life’s curveballs. It’s emotional, thought-provoking, and incredibly well-executed. Emma Cooper has done a fantastic job, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes one of the standout reads of 2025. Highly recommended!

The One Before the One is a time-travel romance about a woman who was in love with Kit, who mysteriously disappears while hiking. Seven years later, she is about to marry his brother, James, but on her wedding day she is transported to approximately 5 days before Kit goes missing.

I had a fun time reading The One Before the One and enjoyed its exploration of the idea of first love, complicated familial relationships, expectations, and how we view those we are in love with while we are in a relationship with them and out of the relationship. While I enjoyed some of these ideas, I didn't think they were explored in depth enough and I had a hard time bonding with the characters until approximately 2/3 into the book - I think that the characters felt a little flat for me. I found the premise interesting, and was surprisingly wasn't able to guess some of the twists that happened. It was definitely a slow start, but I found myself invested in finding out about where Kit went and the intrigue behind his disappearance.

(Thank you to the Publishers and Netgalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for honest feedback).

Is she with the right brother? 🤔

What a gripping novel that I just could not stop reading!

Emma Cooper's The One Before the One was equal parts mystery/suspense and romance. I thought it was cleverly done, keeping me wondering and getting me emotionally invested in Liv's romantic connection with two brothers, golden boy risk taker Kit and his brother James. Kit's disappearance tears up his family and devastates Liv who has been with him for three years at that point, and for years she mourns him and wonders what happened. James helps her through her grief and eventually they become a couple, something that Kit's and James' mother just can't accept. This excellent read had plenty of emotional content and then the magic realism of a shock that sends Liv on a trip back in time to the week before Kit vanished added an extra level of complexity.

Cooper kept me surprised and guessing. The answer revealed late in the story is not something I had even contemplated! I like a plot that can fool me.

But my main interest was the romance and how Liv would handle her new insights into Kit's actions and James' feelings for her. I thought the outcome was the right one, totally lovely, affirming and topped off really well by the epilogue.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 1/14/25 with Waterstones, Barnes & Noble, Bookbub and Goodreads. To be shared on kobo when published.

I was kindly provided with the ARC of this book by NetGalley and the editors in exchange of an honest review, thank you ✨

4.5⭐️

When I first saw the cover of the book and read the blurb I thought this was a perfect story, that mostly would make me sob, but I WAS SO WRONG!!!

This was a perfect story of romance but also suspense and mystery, oh god I was dying when I read the first 4 chapters because I needed to know was everything happening (not saying much because don’t want to spoil anything) this was a rollercoaster and all my theories were wrong except from one and honestly was the only theory I cared about 🙂‍↔️ and I was worried about the ending because if Liv didn’t end up with the man I want it, I was throwing my phone away hahaha but it was a super cute and perfect ending for this story.

Also I just couldn’t put the book down! I was obsessed!! I just needed answers and oh how I love that one character whose name I won’t tell just to not spoil anything. This books was definitely a good surprise for me and it shows me that books definitely finds you at the right time ✨

I did not realize this novel involved time travel, but the author handled it well. Liv is preparing to be married, but finds herself transported back 7 years to the time her former boyfriend went missing. She has wondered all this time what happened, with.no answers. She now has the opportunity to go back. Will she decide to stay w her first love, or return home to the man she is to marry. Recommended for all public libraries.

‘The One Before The One’ by Emma Cooper is a beautiful, tragic, meaningful and at times shocking novel about Liv, who is about to marry her fiancé James when her world turns upside down and inside out… for the second time! Liv was with his brother, Kit, until one day out of the blue Kit disappeared without a trace. After three years of desperately looking for Kit, followed by four soul-searching years of loving James, Liv thinks she’s ready to move on, but life has other ideas.

Blending light science fiction (time travel) with heavy emotions and serious themes, this book is unique and captivating. I loved Liv as a character and her motivations resonated with me. I think readers are best going into the book blind so won’t say too much, but I very much enjoyed having the rug pulled out from underneath my feet and my breath taken away about two thirds of the way through!

Highly recommend this one and want others to read it just so I have someone to talk to about it, as the tale will live in my head a long while… Giving it 4.5 stars!

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Boldwood Books via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.