The One Before the One by Emma Cooper - Book Review

Publication Date: 31st Jan 2025

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Got potential but ends up lukewarm 

Seven years ago, Liv’s boyfriend, Kit, disappeared on a hike. With help from dear ones, she moved on in 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 disappeared. 

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

The story comes from Liv and another character’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

So this has a sort of time-slip/ time travel/Groundhog Day (without multiple loops) story where the FMC travels to the past to relive six days before an event that changes her future forever. 

I grabbed the book despite my dislike for love triangles as I was curious to see how the time travel part was handled. There wasn’t any explanation given but I wasn’t confused when the shift happened. 

The writing is quite descriptive and lyrical. While this gave us some lovely quotes, it also took up a lot of space. Some scenes stretched while others ended quickly, so essentially, we have uneven pacing. 

Liv was decent and I liked her enough. Seeing the shift in her was interesting. James should have had more space. TBH, it doesn’t make much sense that we don’t get more than a couple scenes with Liv and James but are told many times about their love. Compared to this, Kit and Liv have so many scenes! 

However, my major issue with the book is the excessive limelight on Kit. Kit this, Kit that, oh gosh! I mean okay, he was put on a pedestal, but everyone and we get hints about his flaws but all those should have been used in the plot at some point. Why raise so many questions but not deal with any of them when there’s a chance for it? The same with the mother’s actions. No one even questions it after the truth is out. No comeuppance? 

As much as I appreciate the intent of not taking sides, I need details sorted properly. Don’t raise those questions if you don’t want to address them. Simple as that! 

Moreover, even the epilogue takes the focus away from the central plot. This is supposed to be Liv’s story. Her past and present and how she navigates through the muddle when she gets a second chance. 

Ava was actually a great character. It’s a pity that she doesn’t have more meaningful conversations with Liv and help her look at things from another perspective.  

There isn’t much romance as such but it is there. Since I already picked my choice, I wasn’t interested in what we got. At least, I’m glad that there is one grand gesture (feels like a consolation prize but I’ll take it). 

To summarize, The One Before the One has a great premise and raises many vital points only to brush them off. With just one more chapter, all of it could have been sorted and the book would have had a more balanced and stronger ending. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheOneBeforeTheOne