💌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!

*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.