This was so cute! It really made me think about my own life and it was such a fast read. I loved all the characters and love how it was tied up together at the end.

This was the perfect light book for a summer beach read. Loved the inspiration it took from classic movies about switching places. I would definitely recommend to a friend

I started out thinking, "Meh, another book about a whiny twenty something protagonist," and by chapter four I'd slowed my reading. However, I remained somewhat curious and kept picking up the book to read a bit more. Somewhere along the way I realized I was hooked on the evolution of the main character and thoroughly engrossed. In truth, the author exemplified not only the reality of life but as well my experience with this: "'Life is never sorted. It's just an undulating shit storm of problems and pleasures.'" I'm way older than my forties, Lucy's age throughout much of the book, and it was both a relief and a joy to know this sentiment is not mine alone; that others live it, too.

“The Good Part” is Sophie Cousens’s latest effort.

I was first introduced to Cousens’s writing with “Just Haven’t Met You Yet,” which was a “meet cute” romance about a misplaced suitcase. While I enjoyed that book, it did not have the same heart that this enjoyable tale does.

Lucy Young, in her mid-twenties, is wondering why she ever wanted to grow up, especially as her friends’ lives seem to be racing forward while she’s stuck in a perpetual rut. After a frightful night, Lucy has a chance to make a wish and desires to skip ahead to the good parts of her life. The next morning, she finds herself in bed with a man who apparently is her husband and she soon discovers she has two children and the career the younger version of her had previously been seeking. Unfortunately, she has no memory whatsoever how any of this happened.

While I am in a different part of my life than Lucy, I do understand about the desire to get through the “bad parts.” Yet, in hindsight, those bad parts don’t seem as horrific as when you were experiencing them and tucked into those moments are memories you do not want to forget. Reading this novel reminded me of the good parts of my twenties dotted throughout such an angsty time. A novel that gets me thinking is always one that is enjoyed and appreciated. I think readers of all ages will enjoy both of concept and delivery of “The Good Part.”

Four out of five stars.

Thank you the Sophie Counsens, NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel.

Phew! I started this book this morning and finished it this evening. I am a huge fan of Sophie Cousens and was THRILLED when I got an early copy from NetGalley. I knew the premise of the book and was very intrigued. This book grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Lucy is living her life, which she's definitely struggling in, makes a wish on a machine, and wakes up 16 years later with no recollection of those years.
She wanted to "skip to the good part". She was tired of the struggle. Now she's a wife, a mother, successful in her career..but doesn't remember anything. This book took me to a place that had me questioning how I would feel. Waking up and not remembering how I fell in love with my husband, not remembering every minute of my children. It made me feel a variety of emotions, including sadness. But there was much joy, watching her with her husband. Sam was a favorite of mine, as was Felix, their son. The interactions she has with them often had me laughing and smiling. There is a choice at the end of the book that seems impossible.
That I'm sure readers will debate about and wonder what choice should be made. I don't want to spoil anything so I'll only say that I am so happy I read this book and it will stay with me for a while.

4.5 stars!

I have loved each of the authors previous books and was so excited to read her newest one. Unfortunately it fell flat for me. I wasn't enjoying it or wanting to keep reading but I did finish it. The mythical/time travel aspect just isn't my jam. Thank you to the author/publisher/netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book early.

I adored this book. Time travel has been done again and again but this is a unique storyline that was so well done. I simultaneously couldn’t put this one down and didn’t want it to end. 5 stars for this eARC!!

WOW! Sophie Cousens has done it again! 13 Going on 30 is one of my favorite feel-good rom-coms, so this story line had me from page 1. I loved Lucy and Sam, but Felix for real pulled my heartstrings!

Thanks NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read this prior to publishing! I will be recommending to all my bookish friends. :)

Down on her luck and unhappy in her current life, Lucy stumbled on a magic wishing machine. With only 1 wish, she wishes to skip to the “good part” of her life. I have no doubts that we have all at some point in our lives wanted to skip over tough periods and that is exactly what happens to Lucy in this "13 Going on 30" spin of a book. ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
Unlike her other books, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 was more thought-provoking than the hilarious, unique love story I anticipated and I love (𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜 𝗗𝗼 was 5⭐️ to me). Given the magical realism in the beginning, the ending left me expecting more.
​​​​​​​​
In true Sophie Cousen fashion, the supporting characters were amazing and full of personality, including the cutest, smartest kid I have read in a while. Felix was easily my favorite character. The husband was just too perfect. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maybe that’s a sign I read too many suspense/thrillers/mysteries.​​​​​​​​

Gifted: @netgalley @putnambooks ​​​​​​​​// Out 11/7/2023

Sometimes we're all tempted to skip to THE GOOD PART (PUB11.07)Sophie Cousen's upcoming novel follows Lucy, a disappointed, stalled 26 yr-old who suddenly finds herself 16 yrs in the future after casting a coin in an obscure wishing machine.

I found it warm hearted and a perfect pick me up. It asks you to take a look at second chances Cousen's always does such a great job of blending levity and humor with heft. This look at "what if?" is introspective, feel-good and nostalgic. The characters are endearing & authentic.  It has The Family Man and 13 Going on 30 vibes but also something entirely its own. 

I would categorize this as 'romance adjacent".  Light on the steam.

Loved this book. I thought it was going to be a fun rom-com. And it was, but also so much more. The main character wondering "why can't I just get to the good part" add a new twist to the genre. This book had it all romance, good friendships, humor and most of all it truly captured the reality of being a mom, wife, and working women. I can't wait to read more of whatever Sophie Cousens writes.

5 ⭐️ I’ve got to be honest. While I love curling up with a rom-com book, I rarely give them more than 4-4.25 stars. The Good Part is one of my first-ever 5-star rom-com reads. I loved it, I loved the characters, I loved the plot (13 Going on 30 meets The Family Man, but funny), and I love that this book managed to move me to tears by the end.
As an established fan of author Sophie Cousens, I was so excited to read this book, which plays with my favorite plot device - time travel.

Lucy is our main character. She’s 26 and stuck in a demeaning, low-paying bottom-rung job in TV production. She yearns to contribute ideas but is relegated to fetching coffee and pastries. She has no money, has a disastrous dating life and lives in a squalid flat with a few less-than-ideal roommates who give Spike from Notting Hill vibes.

After a particularly awful date (in an especially hilarious scene), she gets caught in the rain and seeks shelter in a corner store. Feeling hopeless and frustrated, she sees a wishing machine (think the movie Big) and makes a simple wish - to skip all the struggle of her 20s and skip to the good part where she’s happy.

The next morning, she wakes up in a gorgeous, spacious bedroom next to an extremely handsome man - and when she catches a glimpse in the mirror, she sees her 42-year-old reflection looking back at her.

And this is where the book starts, with Lucy coming to terms with missing 16 years of her life, and getting to know her new family.

Cousens wrote this book with so much heart and humor, that there’s not much I would change. Even I - childfree and proud of it - fell in love with her “Future Me” children. (And let’s not even start with swoonworthy Sam, the perfect Future Husband.)

Packed with nostalgia and feel-good vibes while tackling the very real heartbreak of aging and loss, The Good Part is better than good, it’s fantastic. Pick it up when it’s released on Nov. 7!

Thanks to Putnam Books and #NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

OMG. I laughed. I cried. I commiserated with the characters.
Felix was so cute and so funny. The little baby Amy was pure delight. I mean wouldn't we all love to skip ahead to the good parts in life start to come into play, if we even have any to begin with?

Cousens is very good at telling a relatable story. At the very worst point in her life(or so she thinks). Lucy is propelled by a wish into the second half of her life with a very happy marriage and two sweet kids. I especially like the part of Stanley Tucci; wouldn't it be nice to have your car molded to you?

The funniest moments in the book I thought were in the home environment. Kids always make the bleakest day bright, they can always make you laugh with the things they say and do. The romance between Sam and Lucy was very tangible too even after sixteen years.

I'm not sure I liked the ending, I'm kind of iffy about whether she should have stayed or not. But I get why she wanted to go back, to spend as many days as she could with her best friends because we never know how long we have to live and because she already missed two important people in her life dying and she wanted to be there to say goodbye to them.

I'd be delighted to read anything by Cousens again!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m already a fan of Sophie Cousens and her latest book does not disappoint! It’s a modern take on the whole “be careful what you wish for” trope combined with a fun dose of magical realism. It definitely channels movies like “13 Going on 30” and “Big”. There are plenty of deep feels and a range of emotions, with the thought provoking question, why not just skip to the “good part”?

What a great story. When it opens, Lucy is a struggling 20-something in London, barely able to pay her rent in the decrepit apartment building she shares with three roommates. Things go from bad to horrible, when in the middle of a rainstorm she stumbles into a newsstand and makes a wish on an ancient machine. It lurches her forward 15 years into the future, where she meets her future family. As she adapts to her new life, she is faced with the ultimate question of whether to remain in the future, sacrificing the years gone by, or return to her youth where she left off, not knowing what might happen.

What a skillful writer. The story reminded me of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, which I loved. Cousens transforms Lucy from a very undeveloped young person to a somewhat more mature one. She learns certain life skills, matures, and falls in love. We're never sure how the story will end. A fine story. Very much recommend.

At 26 years old, Lucy Young is tired of her life. In a tiny shop in London, she stumbles upon a time machine. Her wish was to skip to "the good part" of her life. She skips to her forties and wonders if this is really what she wants. It's the life she always wanted but does she really want to skip the sixteen years of her life in between. Lucy has to decide, if given the chance, to stay or go back to her previous life. This is such a good book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

5 Stars – The Good Part by Sophie Cousens is amazing! The author did a fantastic job at taking us on Lucy’s journey of jumping forward 16 years in her life. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the story is similar to Big, 13 going on 30, etc. Do yourself a favor and read this book! It is a quick read and very hard to put down. I am excited to read more from this author.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Cousens, Penguin Group Putnam for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the captivating pages of this book, readers are transported to a realm where second chances transcend the ordinary and delve into the depths of the human experience. The narrative skillfully weaves a tale of transformation, inviting us to explore the intricacies of a second life that goes beyond the surface.

The author's ability to evoke emotions is truly remarkable, as the reader is effortlessly drawn into a world that is simultaneously tender and profound. Through well-crafted prose, the book navigates the delicate balance between feeling lost and being immersed in a universe that feels both familiar and enigmatic.

The central theme of redemption takes center stage, guiding the characters through a journey of self-discovery and growth. The intricate layers of the story unfold with each page, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a deeply personal level.

The narrative's exploration of the concept of a "second chance" resonates powerfully, offering insights into the complexities of life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. The author's ability to capture the essence of these themes adds a layer of depth that lingers long after the final chapter is read.

In conclusion, this book is a masterpiece that beautifully captures the intricacies of life's second chances. Its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions while delving into profound concepts is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess. If you seek a read that not only engages your mind but also touches your heart, this book is an absolute must-read.

i looooooved this book! i was a little weary going into it knowing it was a 13 going on 30 vibe, but i LOVED it. lucy and sam were so cute. i'm pretty sure my favorite character was felix, i loved everything about him! such a cute, fun read <3

Ah, those days when you just want to push fast forward because you know it has to get better.... this is the story of what happens when we do that. Lucy is living in an overcrowded flat, working her way up at a TV studio, and living on a paycheck that doesn't cut it. Her love life, as the song says, is "DOA." She's fighting with her best friend. Nothing is going her way.

At a strange convenience store in an unfamiliar neighborhood there's this wish machine . . . so she gives it a go and wakes up in her forties. Career, kids, husband, house, and the pesky signs of aging - she's got it all, but she can't remember anything from the blip. So, she's got to fake it, even though she's made it.

Sophie Cousens poors on the wit, the wisdom, the tears, and the joy. There will be good days and bad days, but if you could skip to the good part, would you? Lucy's story is comfort, joy, and a reminder to live every day.