Before I do by Sophie Cousens is my favorite Sophie Cousens book yet! Audrey is about to marry her fiancé Josh when Josh’s sister shows up to their wedding with Fred, Audrey’s one that got away. Through the twists and turns leading up to the wedding and flashbacks, you learn more about Audrey and Josh’s relationship and the day Audrey met Fred. I loved the characters and the story kept me hooked.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I devoured the first 60% of this book Saturday morning while heading to NJ, and I finished it as I started my trek back to MA Monday afternoon, on the NJ to NY train portion. I previously enjoyed the author's Just Haven't Met You Yet, and her debut, This Time Next Year, is on my TBR bookshelf at home. Before I Do is a sweet and humorous romance that takes place over the course of the days/hours leading up to MC Audrey's wedding to Josh with flashbacks to some of their dating history along with her experience with her mother's many suitors and her previous perfect date with Fred, who she hadn't heard from or seen since - until he walks in as her fiance's sister's wedding date! In addition to this, there are a number of bad omens that make Audrey question her decision(s). I'm not always a fan of shifting timelines, but I felt this was done really well in Before I Do! I think if you're a romance fan and enjoy reading about wedding settings, you'll like this one. I liked it, especially the last ⅓ or so, and I'm looking forward to reading Cousens' first book in the near future. Thanks to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. It's available today, 10/11.

My first read by Sophie Cousens and I must say I enjoyed it. You know what they say, a cute rom com a day keeps the stress away. This book was just what the doctor ordered. It was charming, feisty with of course comedy and romance. A great read

4.5 stars rounded up to 5!

I loved this one. I was a little wary of the plot since I just got married 10 days ago and was afraid I wouldn't enjoy it, but I was so pleasantly surprised. This is the second book I've read by Sophie Cousens, and I'd have to say that each book gets better than the last. Audrey was such a relatable, flawed, REAL character - despite her misgivings, you rooted for her and I loved her and Josh's love story. There was also a great cast of side characters who added to the story, each in their own way. This one kept me on the edge of my seat through out and I even got a bit teary-eyed at the end. Highly recommend for any romance fans!

Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Before I Do is out TODAY, October 11!!!

How do you know that you are marrying THE ONE? That’s the question Audrey is pondering on her wedding weekend as one thing after another goes wrong. And when the man who was her “What if?” guy arrives on the scene as her sister-in-law-to-be’s date, Audrey’s questioning of whether fiancé Josh is the right guy for her kicks into high gear. Are Audrey and Josh meant to be? Does she believe in fate?

This is the third novel I have read by Sophie Cousens, and I feel like her writing just keeps getting better and better.

In Before I Do, she adeptly weaves together multiple timelines, revealing how Audrey’s past, upbringing, and family life have influenced and impacted her mental health, sense of self-worth, and current indecision. The novel is full of moments that cause your chest to constrict, sweet moments, heartwarming moments, and some heartbreaking moments, too.

Weddings, in general, can have emotions and stress levels running high, and as the novel progressed, I wasn’t sure if my blood pressure or anxiety levels could take another “bad omen” over Audrey's wedding weekend. Thankfully, I had faith that things would turn out the way they were supposed to be in the end—although, admittedly, I was itching to turn to the last page partway through the novel to make sure that was going to be the case.

This is not quite a 5 star read to me for a couple of reasons—one chapter that had some elements that I didn’t particularly enjoy, that I felt were unnecessary or like they disrupted the flow or the tone of the novel—and revealing the other would reveal a spoiler. That being said, both of the things I didn’t exactly love did add some comic levity to the novel, and I would hop on this emotional roller coaster and read it again.

If you are in a book club, make sure to check out the Before I Do Reading Group Guide included in the back of the book for thoughtful and thought-provoking discussion questions.

I received an advance copy from Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

Oh, fate. Audrey really thought she had it all with Josh. Although they were polar opposites, their relationship was safe and stable. As the wedding day approaches, she starts to wonder if Josh is truly the one she's supposed to marry. Insert Josh's sister and her date, Fred, who happens to be Audrey's "one that got away". Things start to happen that day that has Audrey wondering if perhaps fate is telling her she's making a huge mistake.

I love, love. I love fate and destined lovers. I love the idea of the stars aligning and that people are destined to be together. So when I read this book, you know this was going to be good! I really enjoyed this one. It would be the perfect romance novel around Valentine's day.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

I really found this book enjoyable! It follows the life of Audrey. Yes, you could say she a bit "shattered" in life, but I did feel a connection to her character. If I am honest with myself, I too, have NO clue what I am doing in life! That's why I liked the fictitious Audrey from the start of the novel! I liked learning about the love/hate relationship she had with her Mother. It provided great insight on why she did many of the "questionable" things that she did. To me it was more than just what "crazy" things happen to Audrey before she marry Josh. It was more about Audrey discovering her true self and accepting her flaws & all!

The writing style, in my opinion, read like a movie!?! I could envision the characters, which made me enjoy the story more. Yes, it may have been slightly "cheesy" towards the end but I enjoy the escape of "cheesiness".

I do recommend reading because you just might have more in common with Audrey than you may have originally thought?!?

OMG… this book! I laughed. I cried. I laughed again. I cried again. And I smiled - A LOT. It’s funny and heartwarming and a little heartbreaking, and overall, a wonderful story about love and paths not taken and where we end up when we chose to follow what or who we love.

Audrey is a twenty-something about to get married. We’re literally catching her as she’s walking out of the church, but we don’t know if she is or isn’t married. All we know is something happened and she’s in shock. Then we jump around in time, from seven years “before I do” to hours before. We learn about her current love Josh, the man she was about to marry, and the man she thought was her soul mate, Fred, who she hasn’t seen in six years. We learn, in bits and pieces, how she found a photo strip at a train station photo booth seven years ago of a handsome stranger who left a message- “I WILL FIND YOU”. She in turn left him a message back - “I AM HERE”. A year later, having constantly thought about him, they see each other across a train platform, and proceed to have an intense connection spending the day together. But when they make plans to spend the next day together, Fred fails to show. Audrey is disappointed, and while she eventually moves on, she keeps the photos in her wallet and still thinks about him from time to time. Over the ensuing years, she meets Josh through her roommate. At first, they don’t get along. She thinks he’s uptight and can’t remember his name, calling him “Bad Jeans Josh” and he thinks she’s a little flaky, but is secretly smitten. As they are forced to spend time together, after a while they develop a friendship based on mutual teasing, and eventually they get together.

All’s going well until the day before the wedding, when they start getting omens - a dead bar falling out of the ceiling at the church, unrelenting rain, an unfortunate lasso incident, and then worst of all - Fred shows up as Josh’s sister’s date. And he’s intent on making his presence known. He stills believes Audrey to be his soul mate and that their reunion was fated, and is unwilling to give up. This causes Audrey to develop doubts, and as we continue to jump around her memories with her, we begin to understand why, why she might not believe what she has with Josh is real or that she deserves to be happy and loved by a man as good as him. Why she’s still holding on to the idea of Fred after just one day. So who will she chose?

I read this in just one day. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. The jumps in the timeline just kept me turning the pages as the suspense built. Like the author’s previous books, this tugs on the heartstrings while making you laugh and cry. The cast of characters is well written - Hillary is my absolute fave side character - and the non-linear timeline kept the story moving along and really reveal the critical info mat the right time.

Title: Before I Do
Author: Sophie Cousens
Publisher: PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Before I Do" by Sophie Cousens

My Assessments:

'Before I Do' was quite an engaging, unexpected contemporary romance. We find Audrey contemplating which one she wants to marry...Josh or Fred? The story will leave one wondering 'who is your soulmate, and what if? The author did an excellent job of telling the story in alternating timelines that will keep one's interest throughout the read. Miss Audrey was quite a complex character being 'liable, witty, and relatable,' to say the least. After finishing up the story, one will conclude that Audrey finally came into her learning to appreciate what she had.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been in a book slump for the better part of last month. The worst part about book slumps is that you never know what kind of book will inevitably pull you out of them.
Thankfully, Before I Do by Sophie Cousens was exactly the sort of book I needed to force me out of my book hangover.

Before I Do is a mostly, lighthearted story that tells the story of Audrey’s search for love over three distinct timelines. Audrey’s search questions the validity of soul mates versus life partners. Cousens takes the reader on a journey through Audrey’s current romantic engagement and the events of her one-day romantic fling. The story ultimately leads Audrey down the path of choosing between the two. The third storyline juxtaposes these relationships with Audrey’s entanglement in her mother’s various marital affairs, and I loved how unique that angle felt from other romance stories with similar tropes.

This is my favorite of Sophie Cousens’ books and one I’ll recommend to so many. All of the timelines converged together to create a wonderfully cohesive book about the varying definitions of true love. Thank you to Netgalley, Sophie Cousens, and Penguin Group Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review and, most importantly, for pulling me out of my latest reading slump.

I read 88 pages of this before realizing I just don't care what happens to these characters. Don't get me wrong, the book isn't terrible, just not the story for me. I can see how some people are going to love it though so I recommend checking out those reviews before you make up your own mind. Sometimes you just have to know when to let something go.

Happy Pub day to Sophie Cousens for releasing another great contemporary romance! This story follows Audrey and Josh, just days before their wedding. But fate seems to interrupt their wedding plans. Let's just say a lot can go wrong in a few days including a run in with an old flame from years ago. Can Audrey and Josh survive this disaster of a start to marital bliss?

Sophie Cousens is a phenomenal writer and great at story telling. I loved the way she wove in the past and present and gave you all the emotions between her characters. There is a love triangle in here but it was well done and I was here for the ride.

My favorite thing about this book was the constant slapping of destiny in the face. All this talk of fate, coincidence, and "signs" made me wonder where Sophie was going to go with the story. The ending wrapped up so beautifully and so perfect. Way to go Audrey!

I think my only issues with this book were some of the themes. I'm not much of a fan of a love triangle so close to "I do." I understand cold feet but there were tons of doubt from the MC which I didn't like. Plus everything that happened to her felt a little "cringy" to me mainly because my own engagement was rocky. So I think my own personal experience interfered with my take on the book.

That being said, I think this is a book that people will love. And I will continue to read ALL of Sophie's books!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the early copy. All thoughts and words are my own.

First, I want to say thank you to @putnambooks and @netgalley for an ARC of this book! It was my first @sophie_cousens novel and I LOVED it 💛

The day before Audrey’s wedding, the “one that got away” shows up to the rehearsal dinner as the date of the groom’s sister. Normally in the event of a love triangle, I decide pretty firmly who I’m rooting for - but in this, I genuinely loved both men!

Audrey ponders the presence of fate (or is it merely coincidence?) and reflects on her own belief system when it comes to love. Is there one great love for everyone? Or is it just a result if many choices made that lead you to the one you end up with?

Should she stick with her responsible, safe fiancé? Or is she truly destined to be with her twin flame, the man that she’s thought about for years?

I loved the suspense of the heart, and even got a little teary at the end!

This book is a mixed bag for me. The FL wasn’t really likable but I found her somewhat sympathetic. Her main love interest was pretty bland. The writing style was good and I liked the way we learned about her through flashbacks. The story was relatable for anyone who had a “what if” relationship in their past and I liked that she realized what was important in a marriage and how she dealt with her guilt even though I didn’t feel bad for her mother. Not a bad book but not one to get excited about.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through NetGalley and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

This is a book that flips back and forth through time. It is easy to follow but leaves you gasping every time the story skips forward or backward wanting to know what happens in the next moment chronologically. Audrey and Josh are opposites, in love and on the eve of their wedding but things start to go hilariously wrong. One of those things is when future sis-in-law shows up at the rehearsal dinner with Fred. Years earlier she and Fred had a wonderful meet cute involving a photo booth. Later they have a magical day together and then he doesn’t show up for their next date. Is this an omen? Is he her soul mate instead of reliable Josh?

I loved going back and experiencing first dates and first interactions with both men. Also along the was Audrey getting off track of her goals. As much as this was a romance and the guy I wanted gets the girl, this is also a mother daughter story. At first I thought mom Vivian was going to just be a crazy actress side character. But their relationship is just as important to me as the romances. I could understand how Audrey never could see the house in the suburbs, family and stability that Josh wants because she never had that for herself. I cheered for her getting her man. But I teared up when she and her mother finally have the conversation that needed to happen. And the epilogue made me grin from ear to ear..

This is my second book from Cousens and I will look forward to what ever she writes next. I will mention the book is British based but could take place anywhere. There is general cursing and intimacy is not descriptive. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK REVIEW: Before I Do by Sophie Cousens
2022 Publication Date: October 11

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Contemporary Romance
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2022

CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
Passion is great... But love is better...

T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW:
What would you do if 'the one that got away' turned up the night before your wedding? That's the dilemma facing Audrey in Sophie Cousens' romance novel Before I Do.

Audrey is a head-in-the-stars kind of girl who is about to marry down-to-earth Josh. Opposites? Yes... Healthy, stable relationship? Also yes... Josh is just what Audrey needs. But shouldn't romance also be a bit unpredictable?

Before I Do is a charming novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned whether they are making the right decision in their relationship.

Cousens' writing is light and fun, but she also tackles some deeper issues, like what it means to truly be happy and whether or not soulmates exist.

Sophie Cousens weaves an enchanting story of love, loss, and self-discovery in her best contemporary romance book Before I Do. The reader is immediately transported into Audrey's world from the first page. Cousens' writing and character development are vivid and engaging, and it's easy to feel like you're right there alongside Audrey as she navigates her way through this emotional minefield.

The main characters are richly drawn and fully fleshed out, each with their unique motivations and backstories as each relationship develops. And as the story reaches its climax, you'll find yourself holding your breath in anticipation.

Perfect for readers who are looking for the best contemporary romance novels that explore the question often lingering in the shadows of our hearts and mind... What if?

With witty banter, occasionally laugh-out-loud funny moments and undeniable chemistry, the line between real life choices and the fantasy of first love entangles.

Will leave you feeling all the feels... You won't be disappointed... ✨😎✨

Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: The One That Got Away Romance
Time Period: Present Day
Location: London and Somerset (England)

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: You're Invited by Amanda Jayatissa ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Movie: Forces of Nature

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
You're about to get married to the perfect person, but you can't help but wonder if you're making a mistake. Can you have the perfect relationship with someone completely different from you?

Before I Do is a romantic comedy about finding your soulmate, even when it feels like everything is going against you.

Getting married is a huge decision, and it's normal to have doubts before the big day. Before I Do is the story of Audrey, a woman who is struggling with doubts about her upcoming marriage. When her "what if" guy shows up at the rehearsal dinner as the date of her fiancé’s sister, she has to decide whether or not to follow her heart... And what does her heart even want?

From page one to the very end, you will be wondering: Will Audrey make her way to the altar? And, if so, with who?

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION:
• It's normal to have doubts before getting married, and it's okay to question whether or not you're making the right decision
• How are passion, love, and stability prioritized in a relationship?
• Do soulmates exist? If so, how would you recognize your soulmate?

BOOK QUOTE:
"Screw the odds, I'm pinning my colors to the mast, bright and bold. Because if you're going to commit to anything in this life, shouldn't it be love?" — Before I Do by Sophie Cousens

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All my reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at www.thisismyeverybody.com

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the story of the wedding of Audrey and Josh. The book bounces through time to tell you where we are in relation to the "I do" (i.e. 3 months before, 5 hours after) and this allows the story to show history as well as a current timeline. Audrey once had one amazing day with a guy named Fred. He's always been her "what if.." guy. This is what happens if your "what if..." guy shows up at your wedding as the date to the groom's sister.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters, but sometimes those not named Audrey and Josh were the most fun. Their friends and family members had their own quirks that were fleshed out in the story. And there were even characters that were minor, but I still managed to hate them.

Love a cute wedding rom com!

3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Before I Do is about Audrey and the hours, years, months leading up to her I Do. Each chapter switches back and forth from six years ago to her current wedding day. Except the man she met and had an amazing day with six years ago is not the man she’s marrying. So why does that experience stay in the back of her head? And why is that man at her wedding?

This book explores so much! From what love truly is and how it’s an action and a choice, rather than a feeling to friendship and relationships with mothers and what marriage truly means.

I thought the author did a great job of shaping Audrey’s character growth throughout this book. It did feel a little long and drawn out, which is why I docked some stars, but overall it was a good read! Parts seemed u realistic but still a good romance read.

This was a quick and fun dual-romance read that I definitely enjoyed. It is told in alternating timelines of present day (the wedding day) to multiple flashbacks of pivotal moments of the main character's life. While it seemed pretty light-hearted, it still might make you think about your current and past relationships in a new light, especially if you ever felt there was that one person who "got away." What would you do if they happened to reappear in your life the day before you are supposed to marry someone else? It was fun to read and think about what you would do in this situation, then scramble to the end to see exactly what route the lead takes. Romance readers will enjoy this "what-if" novel!

Before synopsis:
What is the one that got away shows up at your wedding weekend as your future sister in laws date? What if everything that could do wrong seems to be going wrong before the wedding? Audrey finds herself questioning her soon to be husband Josh and should she trust fate.

My thoughts:
-I love reading and watch movies about wedding drama so this was perfect for me!
-This book takes you through so many emotions, not only funny parts but also serious part that make your heart ache for Audrey
- I loved how the book goes from present day at the wedding and flashes back in time through moments in Audrey’s life that shapes her and why she is questioning everything.
-Overall if you love weddings, drama, fate, and love this book is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putmans, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this eArc in exchange for my honest review!