Before I Do by Sophie Cousens Review

Title: Before I Do

Author: Sophie Cousens

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Pages:400

Release Date: 29 September 2022 (Paperback), 18 August 2022 (Ebook)

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Hello fellow book lovers, today I'm back with my review for bestselling author, Sophie Cousen’s witty and uplifting new rom-com Before I Do.

Synopsis

What would you do if the one that got away turned up the night before your wedding?

Audrey is marrying Josh; steady, dependable Josh, the love of her life. They share a flat and a bank account, and it's the only relationship that Audrey's ever had that feels like something she can put her trust in. But romance should be full of fireworks, and as the big day approaches, Audrey's found herself wondering if Josh really is 'the one'.

So, when Josh's sister Miranda arrives at their rehearsal dinner with Fred - Audrey's 'What If?' guy, the man she met six years ago and had one amazing day with but never saw again - Audrey can't help but see it as a sign.

Surely Fred's appearance the night before Audrey is due to get married can't be a coincidence. And when everything that could go wrong with the wedding starts to go wrong, Audrey has to wonder: could fate be trying to stop her from making a huge mistake?

Review

This was such a fun and utterly uplifting rom-com that I literally raced through, it was that good. The characters were full of depth and Audrey (our protagonist) was such an endearing and relatable character who really leapt off the page and into my heart. I simply ADORED her! She was a bit of an indecisive mess, but getting to explore her emotional journey (through flashbacks) really allowed us the delve into the heart of her hang ups and insecurities—and definitely helped to endear her to me.

It’s told through past flashbacks of her childhood, meeting Fred, and the start of her relationship with Josh that leads all the way up to the wedding. So, if you’re not a fan of alternating timelines or frequent flashbacks then you’ll probably not enjoy this. However, the past tense scenes were exquisitely well timed, detailed and full of nuance and emotion that really ties the (incredibly moving) plot together.

I liked the development of all of Audrey’s various relationships, I especially loved Clara (Audrey’s best friend) and Hillary (Audrey’s unconventional nanny) who seems like he’s have a lot of fun, gossipy theatre stories. I also liked the detail in Audrey’s complex and sometime fraught relationship with her mother and how her mother’s romantic relationships have shaped Audrey’s views on marriage and love and brought another level of dimension to Audrey’s decisions.

Overall, a satisfyingly uplifting and multifaceted rom-com that’s full of humour and happiness that I didn’t want to end. If you love contemporary romance or rom-coms then I definitely recommend checking this out!

Also, a huge thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the arc.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

About The Author 

Sophie Cousens writes romantic comedies. Before becoming a full time writer, she worked as a TV producer in London for more than twelve years, working on shows such as The Graham Norton Show, Russell Howard's Good News and Big Brother.  

She now lives on the island of Jersey in the UK, and balances her writing career with taking care of two small children. Sophie yearns for a time when she can add a miniature dachshund to her brood, and wishes for the ability to read books faster than she keeps buying them.

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