This book had an interesting premise that pulled me right in. It was a little confusing at times with the dual timelines and felt a little repetitive at times. The characters were solid though and I did like seeing how the story played out. It was the kind of book that was enjoyable enough to read but left me wondering if it would've worked better as a movie.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I just finished The One Before the One and couldn’t put it down. It starts with Liv about to marry the man who helped her heal after her ex, Kit, went missing seven years earlier. But on her wedding morning, she somehow steps back in time—six days before Kit vanished—and gets to relive those moments with a chance to change everything. From there, it’s a beautiful mix of romance, mystery, and what-if magic as Liv navigates her past and her present. Smart, emotional, and completely gripping—definitely a must-read for anyone who loves love stories with a twist.

I absolutely loved this book. From the very beginning, I was drawn into Liv’s story and quickly fell in love with the characters, though I also fell out of love with one along the way which only made the journey more compelling. The premise felt fresh and unique, and the execution kept me hooked. This was a genuine page turner; every time I set it down, I wanted to pick it right back up.

What surprised me most was how layered the story was. I initially hesitated to read it, thinking it might be just another love story, but it turned out to be so much more. It had mystery, a touch of time travel (or at least something that felt wonderfully close to it), suspense, humor, and plenty of emotional depth. The writing struck a great balance between uplifting and thought provoking, and the twists made me constantly reflect on what I would do in Liv’s situation.

This book made me feel everything, hope, heartbreak, and joy, and it left me thinking long after I turned the final page. Unique, beautifully written, and impossible to put down.

The One Before the One is my first novel by Emma Cooper, and it was such a delight to read. The story is filled with warmth, humour, and emotional depth, exploring love, life, and the unexpected turns that shape our paths.

Emma's writing is vivid and engaging, with characters that feel authentic and instantly relatable. I found myself both laughing and feeling genuinely moved, often within the same chapter. It’s the kind of story that wraps around you and leaves you with a smile, but also something to think about.

A charming and heartfelt read from an author I’ll definitely be reading again.

Was definitely excited to read the one before the one. I am new to Emma Cooper’s books so I was excited to try out this one as my first novel. The cover is lovey and the description looked so fascinating! I was obviously hooked! However, I found myself DNF-ING this one. I think it was just a little too slow. I started skipping pages until eventually I stopped reading all together.. I do like the premise of the plot so I may return to this book as an audiobook later on! Thank you for the arc!

This was a real interesting read and I loved the plot and all the characters I was rooting for the FMC the whole way through and I loved the mystery of the whole story

Another great story, set across dual timelines, 7 years apart, Liv suddenly finds herself back in time, reliving a week which led up to a tragic event. I couldn't wait to find out the secrets along with Liv. and I wasn't disappointed.

As usual I enjoy a time travel story, where going back just helps clarify a situation but doesn’t necessarily change the outcome. I liked how Liv came to new understandings of her past and present and future, and how the story explained all the twists. Enjoyed this one.

What a beautiful book, I loved this story so much. This is the first book I have read of Emma's, I will definitely be reading more.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books the opportunity to read this eARC.

The One Before the One was a heartfelt and insightful exploration of love, loss, and second chances. Emma Cooper beautifully captures the complexities of relationships and the ways the past shapes our present. The characters felt genuine and relatable, making their emotional journeys deeply engaging. It was a moving and thoughtful read that stayed with me long after I finished.

The One Before the One is the first book I have read by author Emma Cooper, but I will certainly be picking up her others. The storyline is fresh and full of twists and turns I was not expecting and is so much more than what is previewed by the blurb. Part love story, part mystery, the book tells the story of Liv, who on the morning of her wedding day finds her self six years into the past during the week her then-boyfriend, Kit, went missing. Kit was subsequently presumed dead and has not been seen since. I could not put this book down once I started it, needing to know Liv, Kit, and Liv's now fiance's story. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for my free ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was going to be less serious than it was. It was super emotional and I was down to feel all of the feelings. Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

I liked this, but wanted more. It's more of a mystery than a romance novel, with some magical realism thrown in with the time travel. There was a lot of build-up for not a lot of payoff, so I finished this feeling a bit disappointed.

4+ stars-Liv meets Kit when he rescues her in a river accident and swims her to shore. In the background is his brother who has always been in love with her. One day Kit disappears during a hiking accident and is presumed to be dead. Liv moves on and finds love again, with another shocking twist of fate. This is one that is better to go into without too much knowledge so that the twists are true surprises. I found this to be a mystery as well as a love story, with both parts being equally well written. I will for sure read this author again! Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the arc!

Emma Cooper’s The One Before the One is a compelling blend of emotional depth and gripping mystery that keeps readers hooked from the first page to the last. When Liv is mysteriously transported back seven years to relive the days before her first love, Kit, disappeared, she’s faced with impossible questions about love, loss, and fate. Told through an engaging dual-point-of-view structure, the novel masterfully shifts between timelines and perspectives, building suspense and emotional resonance in equal measure. Cooper’s sharp, evocative writing invites readers to feel every moment of Liv’s journey—both the heartbreak and the hope. With sharp pacing and surprising twists, the story unfolds like a puzzle, offering just enough intrigue with each chapter to keep the pages turning. The ending is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving readers reflecting on the power of second chances and the choices that shape our lives.

Time travel + tangled hearts = instant emotional spiral. Emma Cooper, what have you done to me?? This book took my feelings, folded them into a paper crane, and then set them on fire!!

Liv's story is equal parts heartbreak and hope. The moment she stepped back in time, I knew I was in for an emotional rollercoaster. Watching her try to navigate the impossible choice between past love and present healing? Brutal. Beautiful. So real. I wanted to shake her, hug her, and make her a cup of tea all at the same time.

The writing is thoughtful and warm, with just enough magical realism to suspend disbelief without overexplaining. The emotional depth, the moral ambiguity, the bittersweet hope, all of it hits exactly right.

Prepare to cry, laugh, and ask yourself what you would do if you had one more week with the one who got away. This book lingers💔

I found this book a bit of a slow burn to start with but once it really got going it was fabulous. I’m not a huge time travel trope fan but the book still worked for me and I enjoyed it.

These types of books can be hit or miss for me, but I was immediately drawn to the description because it contained one of my favorite tropes - time travel. This book was quite slow to pick up but then about half way through there were some twists I didn’t see coming. From that point, I was hooked! This was a nice romance book with a twist. For those readers that need the immediate hook, this book may not have that. However, keep on pushing through because I really do think it is worth it. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks to @netgalley and for an advance read copy of this book.

I picked this book based on the title and description, expecting a light romance with a time travel twist but it turned out to be so much more! I love a good time travel plot and this one delivered a great balance between romance and mystery. While some parts dragged a little and I found myself skimming through the more descriptive sections, I still really enjoyed how everything wrapped up in the end.

I was excited by this cover and synopsis but ultimately was unable to connect with the characters. Thanks for the arc in exchange for an honest review.