Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Oh my heart. This is one of the most heart-wrenching books I have ever read. I wish I could give our main characters all big hugs to help them get through this. Emma Cooper did an amazing job exploring the complicated themes surrounding love, grief, and mortality. Olivia is such a lovable character and I love how despite the situation, she still stays strong.

This without a doubt is a book that will stay with me for a very long time.

Just finished The One Before The One by Emma Cooper and I’m still processing everything!

Liv is about to marry her new love when, suddenly, she’s back in time, six days before her boyfriend Kit disappears—seven years ago. But here’s the twist: Kit is actually thr brother to James the man she’s with now. Liv is given the chance to rewrite history, to figure out why Kit left, and to potentially save him. But doing so means confronting a heart-wrenching dilemma: does she choose the man she once loved, or the man who’s helped her heal? 😔💔

I thought I was picking up a light read, but this book is SO much deeper than I expected. Time travel, complex love triangles, and layers of emotional depth that will have you questioning fate, love, and the choices we make. The dynamics between the brothers and Liv are messy, raw, and beautifully written.

From the first page, I was hooked by the witty banter and genuine emotion. Emma Cooper explores love in all its complexities—sometimes the person you thought you were meant to be with isn’t the one you end up with, and that’s okay. 💭

Big thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC! Highly recommend if you love a story that will tug at your heartstrings and keep you guessing until the very end. 📚💫

Olivia is getting ready to marry James, the brother of her first love, Kit, who disappeared seven years ago and is presumed dead. When she starts to suspect that maybe he isn’t dead her entire world is turned upside down. How would her life look if Kit had never left and what does that mean for her and James?

I really liked this book. There was some time travel involved, which I typically don’t enjoy. However, this was done in such a way that it fit right in with the story and I loved it.

Seven years ago, Liv’s boyfriend, Kit, disappeared on a hike. With help from family and friends, she eventually moved on with her life. On the morning of her wedding with James (Kit’s brother), Liv steps out of the doorway and goes back in time - to six days before Kit disappears.

Liv is reliving those same six days again. She needs to get it right this time. Can Liv save Kit? And if she does, will she choose him or James?

The story comes from Liv and another character’s first-person POVs. It was well written but it all seemed strangely familiar, so much so that I kept checking if I had read it before. The idea is great but was much stronger than the execution. Sadly, I didn't love it, but it was a good quick beach read.

Judging this book on the cover (because I tend to not often read blurbs) I went into this one expecting a bit of fluff, but instead what I got was an emotional and incredibly deep book! There is mystery, there is some time travel and there is just so much depth! The journey of finding and recognizing real, true love is a really beautiful one. I loved how hooked I was - right from the beginning and I was oh so sad when I finished the book half a day later... because I just wanted more!

This one is one that I will be thinking of for a long time to come, I just know that this book and these characters will stick with me which makes me so grateful.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Story with time slips and not so much romance. This was ok for me. I may not have been in the mood for it at the time and just wasn't super invested in the story. I'd read more from this author though.

This book was an absolute delight! From the very first page, I was hooked by the witty dialogue, relatable characters, and the perfect balance of humor and heartfelt moments. The story explores love, self-discovery, and the idea that sometimes the person we’re meant to be with isn’t who we expected.
If you love contemporary romance with depth, humor, and plenty of heart, this one is definitely worth picking up!

Where is the hype for this book?! I will be searching for more books by this author. This is such a unique story and it unfolded perfectly. Perfect ending! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and helping me find a wonderful new author!

Description and cover: cozy magical realism romance. Actual content: a mild speculative thriller with a touch of a love story. I'm uncertain why it’s billed as a romance, but the story is solid. I believe it would perform better if marketed accurately.

"The One Before the One" is told from multiple perspectives across various timelines. It's confusing, intriguing, and melancholic. The plot is extremely easy to spoil, so aside from not expecting a romance, I suggest diving in without any preconceived notions!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

A second-chance romance with a time-travel twist, this novel throws Liv into the ultimate pre-wedding dilemma: rewrite the past or stick with the life she’s built? Packed with heartache, hope, and a love triangle that will have you screaming at the pages, it’s a rollercoaster of ‘what ifs’ and impossible choices. Perfect for fans of tearjerkers with a side of destiny, this one will keep you flipping pages, early contender for my favourite book of the year.

What an enticing new novel from Emma Cooper!! The description of this book does not do it justice- magical realism coupled with secrets and mysteries made for a really compelling story! It’s a quick read with just the right amount of twists and turns. It took a minute for me to really get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked! I really liked the characters and the storyline, but some parts felt really rushed while others felt dragged out. I was really happy with the ending, though!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

A lovely page turner ❤️ it's more than a normal romance book.... there is a little time travelling in it but don't let that put you off!
I went into the book not knowing much about it just that I enjoyed Emma's previous books. There are some twists and turns that I didn't see coming.
Loved it .

I enjoyed the time travel and mystery of this story and it definitely had me wondering what was going on. I think I didn’t connect to any of the characters and that is what kept it from a higher rating but the premise of the story was really good.

A magical realism story where you'll never see the ending coming

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me this arc to review!

I absolutely devoured this book as I loved the plot so much. The way you feel towards certain characters in this book changes so much from beginning to end and I just really did not see it coming. It has constant twist and turns that shock you and keep you invested to see what happens at the end. I will never stop recommending this book!

An amazing premise of a novel, Liv's boyfriend disappears 7 years ago. On the morning of her wedding to James (who happens to be Kit's brother), Liv is transported back to the week before Kit disappeared, ultimately giving her the potential answer of why he disappeared.
Part of the book feels slow, others feel rushed like when Liv and James got together, I felt as a secondary character, James deserved more air time.
Throughout the novel, you're rooting for Liv, her emotions are like a rollercoaster and this is beautifully depicted by the author.
Thanks to Net galley for the advanced copy..

Rating: ★★★✩✩ (3.5/5)

The One Before the One has such an interesting premise—a mix of time travel, romance, and second chances. Liv lost her boyfriend, Kit, in a tragic hiking accident seven years ago. Just when she’s about to marry his brother, James, she wakes up in the past—six days before Kit disappears. Now, she has to decide: does she try to change fate, or does she just relive those last few days with him before returning to her future?

The book has some beautiful writing, and Liv’s emotions feel real. Her confusion, love, and heartbreak come through strongly. The time-travel aspect isn’t explained, but it still makes sense in the story. Kit and Liv’s moments together are touching, and Ava, one of the side characters, was a great addition—I only wish she had more to do!

However, the pacing is uneven. Some scenes drag on, while others (especially with James) feel too short. For someone Liv is supposed to love enough to marry, James barely gets any time in the story. On the other hand, Kit is everywhere, to the point that it almost feels like the book forgets Liv has another love interest. There are also a few unresolved plot points that left me wanting more closure.

Overall, this is an emotional read with a strong concept but could have been more balanced. If you like time-slip romances with a focus on the past, you might enjoy this one!

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Emma has an amazing ability to grab you. Each chapter ends with the perfect hook that keeps you from pulling away from reading and the story itself is so full of drama and mystery that it lends itself to a game you want to get involved in. While I enjoyed her writing, I must admit that by her second half the story started to lose me. The big revelations didn't convince me for the road we traveled and that ending left me with a bittersweet taste.
It's a book I recommend if you're in the mood for a simple story that you just want to enjoy without asking too many questions.


Emma tiene una habilidad para atraparte asombrosa. Cada capítulo termina con el gancho perfecto que te impide apartarte de la lectura y la historia en sí está tan llena de drama y misterio que se presta para un juego en el que te quieres involucrar. Aunque disfruté de su escritura, debo de admitir que para su segunda parte la historia comenzó a perderme. Las grandes revelaciones no me convencieron para el camino que recorrimos y ese final me dejó un sabor agridulce.
Es un libro que recomiendo si tienes ganas de una historia sencilla que solo quieres disfrutar sin hacer muchas preguntas.

The One Before The One by Emma Cooper is an emotional, heartwarming, and beautifully written story about love, fate, and second chances. The characters are so well developed that they feel like real people, and the mix of humor and heartbreak makes for an unforgettable read. Cooper’s writing is captivating, and the story kept me hooked from start to finish. If you love contemporary romance with depth and emotion, (and a little bit of magic) this one is a must-read!

Not sure what u was expecting, the cover had me leaning more towards a standard chic lit type book but this was an unexpected surprise. Won’t give any spoilers away, but overall i really enjoyed it and liked the different elements it had!

This story was absolutely captivating, taking me on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. It shattered my heart and then pieced it back together beautifully. I'm eagerly looking forward to diving into more works by Emma Cooper.

I highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

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