Before I Do - Sophie Cousens

The brand new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Just Haven't Met You Yet and This Time Next Year

'Romantic, wise and LOVELY' Marian Keyes

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?

Title: Before I Do

Author: Sophie Cousens

Published By: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date:  18th August 2022

Links:   UK:   Amazon        US:    Amazon 

Waterstones

Our Review

What a bloody brilliant book, I’ve literally just read it in two sittings and I adored it.

Audrey is a wonderful character, she is as lovable as she is flawed and the supporting cast were so much fun.

With feelings for two hunky men how on earth is Audrey supposed to choose? Is it dependable Josh whom she has been going out with for years and is about to marry or flirty Fred the exciting adventurer who appears back in her life the day before the wedding. I know that my choice for her changed as the book went on and the story delved into the past of both relationships. The guy I wanted for her at the beginning was not the one I eventually wanted her to be with.

I can see this story as a film with Audrey being played by Emilia Clark. There are so many ups and downs but everything is handled with sensitivity and awareness of what I and many women have been subjected to in our lives. That need to be kind and not want to offend really hit home for me as did the thought of horrible stepdads and the close relationship between mother and daughter being affected by selfish men.

Alongside the family trauma there are lots of laughs too and many laugh out loud moments. Granny Parker with her prophesy of doom was hilarious. I really liked how the dynamics of the relationships changed as Audrey pretty much grows up during the story.

Beautifully written, funny, emotive and bursting with love. I simply adored every minute of this book and will be buying the author’s previous books too.

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author

Sophie Cousens started her career in television, where she produced, among other things, The Graham Norton Show, Big Brother, Ant and Dec and Russell Howard’s Good News. Working in TV taught her three things;

1 - Wearing a lanyard makes you look as though you know what you are doing.

2 -The best phrase you can contribute in meetings is "let's action that!"If you say it often enough, hopefully someone else will do your work for you.

3 - If in doubt, find someone wearing a lanyard - they'll know what to do.

Sophie currently lives in Jersey where she now writes full time. She lives with her husband Tim and has two small children who keep her occupied with important questions such as 'but did Cinderella have a toothbrush?' and 'do giraffe's know they have really long necks?' She yearns for a time when she will be able to add a miniature dachshund to the party.