This book is so beautiful it pulled me in and under and I experienced every emotion that Liv felt. The loss, the confusion, the anger, the heartbreak. The plot twist was totally unexpected! At first I thought the disappearance narrative was Kit's story, meanwhile it was James. Even the birth certificate discovery at first I thought it was Kit, then I realized it was James. Just makes me realize that things unfold as it should, no matter how painful or difficult it is at the time. But I'm so glad that not only Liv but James could have a second chance at love with each other.

This was a beautifully written book! Such a unique concept that makes you wonder… how far would you go to save someone you love?

What a journey with Liv, Kit, & James.

Emma Cooper has written a beautiful, emotional enemies-to-lovers novel that has characters overcoming major obstacles. On the day of her wedding Liv is suddenly taken back 7 years time. Will she be able to change the past? What truths will she uncover? What is Kit hiding?

I loved every second of this book, but especially the journey of Liv & James' relationship. And I can't forget to mention Mac and how he was redeemed. The villain of the story being Kit & James' mother. I do wish there was more there calling her out for the way she treated her son. Why was Kit always hailed the hero?

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 Boldwood Books 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.

4.5 stars rounded up

This was a quick read that kept me engaged from the first page to the last. I enjoyed the time-travel aspect and loved all the twists and turns the story took. The characters are well-developed, and I loved the way their faults were explored with some very relevant topics being covered.

A great beach read, or a perfect cosy read on a winter's day. I'll definitely be recommending this book to others and look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for an ARC for review. All opinions are my own and my review is left voluntarily.

I devoured this one! Loved the semi love triangle, the brothers, the time travel. This one has all the elements of an epic love story and a big ole mystery that needs solving!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review!
This book started off strong for me with so much unknown coming into the book but it gradually felt drawn out with not much to keep the reader engaged and wanting to know what happens. 75% hit and I debated DNF’ing because I lost interest in the book, I found the ending anti climatic. Unfortunately not a book I would recommend.

An early favorite of 2025!

The One Before the One is an enchanting, emotional and heart wrenching romance with a touch of magical realism and mystery.

Seven years ago, Liv thought she had found her forever love. However the life she once thought she would have was destroyed in an instant when her long-time boyfriend, Kit, disappeared without a trace on a hike. Over the past seven years, Liv had to learn to live again and even found love in an unexpected place.

On the morning of her wedding, Liv steps through a doorway and ends up in the old apartment she shared with Kit, six days before he disappeared forever. She now gets the chance to live these six days again and try to determine why Kit left, where he went and how to stop him.

Liv is left to experience the lead up to the most tragic period of her life, constantly pondering what saving him will mean. If she succeeds, how can she possibly choose between her first love and the man she loves now?

The twist and turns of Liv’s story will leave you breathless and wanting more.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Oh a time slip/magical realism/what If story!!! Yes please.

When Kit disappears on a hike girlfriend Liv and brother James search endlessly, until they find a way to love again – with each other. Then on the morning of their wedding Liv finds herself seven years in the past with a chance to find out what really happened to Kit.

I loved the mystery of this book.

Told in alternating chapters I found myself deeply invested in both sides of the story and unravelling the mystery. When the mystery was revealed I was excited to find it wasn’t what I expected.

Overall the question of can Liv save Kit and ultimately would/should she if she could kept me hooked until the end.

Liv wakes up on the morning of the day she's to marry James, and walks through a door that takes her back 7 years to before her first husband Kit disappeared. Will Liv get a second chance with Kit? Can Liv find out what happened to Kit and change her fate?

I loved the mix of time traveling with very realistic situations in this book. I read the description on this one before diving it, and I was very intrigued. This book lived up to what I was expecting! This book had it all...romance, mystery, emotion, unexpected reveals, and a touch of magic (time traveling). I was pulled in from the first page, and, right up until the reveals towards the end, I was unsure what Liv would decide. The characters were well developed, and I felt as though I knew them all. I was right there with Liv in the pages as she worked to figure out what happened to Kit and put the pieces all together. There was so much mystery in tis story, but the plot developed in a way that allowed me to feel all the emotion without being bogged down by the mystery. Such a well crafted story. This was my first read by this author, but I'm looking forward to reading more.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’m really enjoyed this book. I like the plot and the characters. It was interesting plot and like the way it played out. It what if storyline made it was compelling to read and it was so interesting and entertaining. Definitely would recommend to other to check it out ! Hope you all enjoyed it to !

The One Before the One was good! Liv and Kit's love story kept me reading and wondering what would have happened if he had not disappeared that day. It made me wonder what was going on in their lives that he could just vanish. And though the book did not concentrate on her pain of that loss, you knew he was her first love.

I definitely did not see the twist coming. Was happy for the twist in the timelines and story which bring her to her true love.

It was a good read!

I actually thought this was a rom com not some time traveling lost love sort of deal.
On the day of her wedding liv gets sent back in time to find out what happened to her then boy friend Kit.

I really liked this book. The premise was unique for me, and the author wove the story SO WELL!!!

She wrote it in such a way that you knew exactly what we happening. Imagine my surprise when I didn't really know. That knocked me for a loop, but it was a loop I enjoyed.

I would recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. It was a little hard to get into, but once I started I couldn’t put it down. A true love three sided love story without being sloppy. Perfect reading

I really enjoyed this book! It was a mystery and I liked how fast paced it was. I felt for the main character, Liv, ss she is trying to find out what happened to her bf, Kit and also comes to terms with how she is going to get married again. It was an interesting plot and I liked how it ended!

what a beautifully written book. i loved the writing because i couldn't put it down. the plot is one that i haven't read a lot yet which was refreshing. you should read this if you want a beautiful but heartbreaking love story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
I loved this book - once I started it was hard to put it down.
This book is about what happens when you find the one before the one.
Liv is given the chance to relive a week again in her life and change things, but in doing this it can alter her future.
When I read the premise of the book I was a bit sceptical- sometimes these books are more fluffy and romantically driven. However this book delivered on not much fluff - some would say just the right amount.
The only criticism is that I feel I wanted more about James in the now. He didn't get much attention in present day with Liv.

Premise: Liv's boyfriend never returned from a hike seven years ago, so she moved on (with his brother), and on the morning of her wedding, she time traveled back to one week before his disappearance.

The One Before The One is like if P.S. I Love You and One True Loves had a baby! It's reflective, it's hopeful, it's emotional, it's romantic, and it's mysterious, with a touch of magical realism. It'll keep you on your toes as you switch between alternate timelines and multiple POVs. You'll feel as conflicted as Liv as she decides who she'd choose to spend her life with. The end result is perfect!

What a great story! I enjoyed the magical realism and the thoughtful characters. Liv and James made such a great couple. I never got Kit. He came across as smug. I found the plot unique and man oh man did it pull me in during the middle section. I found it very hard to put down. I found the ending satisfying it pretty much tied everything up and gave us a look at the future. Fantastic story. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Wow. I think this is one of the best books I've ever read. I absolutely loved it, the twists to it, I had to go back and re-read as I was not expecting that! Really threw me, but in a good way! The characters were so lovable, and the plot line really resonated with me on the addiction side and seeing someone you love destroying their life, and the ones who love them.
Absolutely fantastic writing.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.