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The secondary characters were an absolute delight and ride or die Clara and Hillary were a highlight of the book. this book isn't just simple romance - there is plenty of depth too, and twists that will keep you guessing right up to the final chapters! She spends so much time in her head thinking about her needs without considering what is Blatantly staring her in the face…. Sophie Cousens worked as a TV producer in London for more than twelve years and now lives with her family on the island of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, located off the north coast of France. The day before she’s supposed to marry Josh, a great guy who she’s known for years, she gets hit with a blast from the past in the form of Fred, someone she spent a wonderful day with 6 years ago and then never saw again until he shows up at the rehearsal dinner as the date of Josh’s sister.
Her writing is on pitch and thoughtful, balancing serious ideas, like family trauma and the nature of love and commitment, with a light-hearted touch. I thought the formula worked well, as it keeps up guessing as to what will actually happen at the wedding, as the tension continues to build in the current day chapters, and as we watch both her relationships with Fred and Josh unfold in the past, as a reader one is left deciding who one wants her to choose.So why is she standing with a different man now, ready to begin her life with him, and is fate intervening to prevent her from making a mistake? I don't know how many authors need to hear this as well as people in general: TRAUMA and MENTAL ILLNESS IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR TREATING PEOPLE POORLY. The questions and realities that Sophie Cousens brilliantly addresses, like the ups and downs of marriage and having kids, the day to day monotony of "life's admin", whether two very different people in a relationship can make it work, felt so honest and relatable. The story does a fabulous job at highlighting the flaws in each character, making your mind spin in deciding who to root for. Some books are a bit slow, but then have a good ending that makes you forget the initial slow start.
Audrey does have decisions to make in the novel, but there isn't a "triangle" like you might be imagining and the heart of the story is about her personal growth and journey. 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.Before the wedding day timeline she seemed like someone with strong opinions, someone who would go and get what they wanted but in the wedding day timeline she felt so… different? So, I did just that and walked away from the month with 52,000 more words under my belt, and half of a new novel! There are several supporting characters, and while I was initially overwhelmed in the first chapter, as the book progressed, every single one made sense and felt authentic. But romance should be unpredictable and full of fireworks, and as the big day approaches, Audrey’s found herself wondering if Josh really is “The One.
The book actually reminded me a little of Written in the Stars by Ali Harris, which had a similar concept, albeit which I thought was done better. But as I went on reading I realized that Josh was actually the best male character I have read in a while. But romance should be full of fireworks, and as the big day approaches, Audrey’s found herself wondering if Josh really is ‘the one’. The story unfolds between two timelines, slowly inching towards the moment Audrey and Josh share their vows.Before I Do is a story about all types of love - romantic love, the love of friendship, of family, for yourself, and the love it takes for forgiveness. The writing is simple and while there are local references they don’t mess up with the experience you will have with the book. And I really enjoyed where the author went with the story (even though it was not what I was expecting at all). Minnie Cooper knows two things with certainty: that her New Year's birthday is unlucky, and that it's all because of Quinn Hamilton, a man she's never met. Hopeless romantic and lifestyle reporter Laura's business trip to the Channel Islands isn't off to a great start.
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