With Sophie Cousens, you know exactly what you’re going to get - something fun & romantic & lighthearted, often with some interesting theme to make you think. I like that her novels aren’t super racy, but still make your heart pound. This one covered an interesting topic on the use of AI and how far is too far. Not my favorite of hers, but still a solid and fun romance. I wish John’s character had been fleshed out a little more though, because I feel like I never really got to know him well.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


(ARC—Thank you to @putnambooks and @netgalley)

This one will be controversial but I frankly couldn’t put it down, and think it would be a great book to movie.

Chloe is a production assistant for a small studio but always dreamed of writing and acting. After going through a bad break up and living with her parents, her 30 something life is a disappointment. However, she has been invited to her Oxford college reunion where she will see her former friends Sean, now a major film director, and John, the quirky music composer of all their college productions. Afraid to go to the reunion alone she signs up for a mysterious dating service where she meets Rob, incredibly handsome and charming but otherwise nothing like he seems.

There are significant plot elements left out of the book summary that I will not include, however—I read some reviews and enjoyed the book way more than some other reviewers, knowing what I was walking into. I found this book so charming and modern, with all the sweetness of Sophie Cousins other books but also very different. I’d definitely recommend this read, but also recommend the publisher update the synopsis.

#bookstagram #bookstragrammer #romancebookstagram #romancebookaddict

Will be posted on my instagram in September

Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book! This is my first book by this author, so not sure if this is in line with most of her books, but I hope not. I think it’s a little misleading not to mention in the preview that one of the main characters is AI/robot. The book isn’t really a rom com as expected from the cover/description. It’s more about the FMC re-discovering herself and realizing that no relationship (even a bot that’s “perfect” for her) will make her happy unless she’s happy with herself - but again, not what I thought I was picking up. For the first half (at least) of the book, most of the main characters aren’t even likeable. The ending felt rushed. I almost DNF’d several times. I’ll already have other books by this author in my TBR stack, so hoping this isn’t typical.

I thought this story was very interesting. The AI aspect was done well but I wished the love triangle between Sean and John would have been worked out differently. The lack of self confidence that Chloe had made me sad but I also think that’s probably more accurate to real life. I loved how she happened up conversation on the bus with the reunion and the whole grand gesture not really working also felt more real too. It’s well written, I love Sophie Cousens writing and how the characters develop within the story.

I started reading this book and did not expect the twist but it was very interesting and not something I’ve read before. It was very nice to see Chloe’s growth as a person. She’s stuck with this idea that she should have everything figured it out so she’s ‘ashamed’ to not have achieved what she wants. She later accepts that it’s okay to take your time and that everyone achieves things at their own pace. John and Richard were my favorite characters in the story. They are such a great duo and what made me continue reading! Thank you Netgalley for the arc, I really appreciate it.

I was pretty excited for this one, but it let me down. The writing was mediocre. The story was rather boring.

Hmmm, I have some mixed feelings about this book. I like Sophie Cousens as an author and have read some of her previous books, so I was excited for this new addition. However, I feel like it is misleading. The marketing and PR behind the book is stating one thing, but really, it is another. Without great detail or spoilers, the premise goes off into something else and heavily involves AI and not a real person. This alone made me not like it, but it also requires you to suspend belief and I did not care for that, especially in an age of contemporary romances that do not require this. The twist is just not for me... but I do believe some people may like it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Cousens, and Putnam for the eARC of this book.

Chloe has a college reunion to attend and wants to take a date to cover up her insecure feelings about her current life situation. She will see some old friends she fell out with and wants the confidence boost of having a charming, good looking boyfriend. She gets introduced to an unorthodox dating service and consequently set up with someone to date and escort her for the weekend. She works to mend broken relationships and ends up also reconnecting to herself. This was a fun read that definitely had me laughing at times. The book had some thought provoking moments about dating, love and the future of AI.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnum for the chance to read the ARC!

Sophie Cousens does not disappoint with her new book, And Then There Was You. Chloe's story was light out loud funny. I would say And Then There Was You is tied with Just Haven't Met You Yet for my favorite Sophie Cousens book. Would recommend to readers of Falon Ballard.

This was my fourth Sophie Cousens book. Of the other 3, I gave two 5 stars and one 3 stars. Clearly, And Then There Was You did not live up to my expectations. Here is what didn’t work for me:

1. The biggest issue with this book is the marketing. The synopsis sounds like a normal romance. It is not. Very early on in the book, it’s revealed that the “dream man” for Chloe is an AI humanoid robot…. I would not have chosen to read this book had I known this was going to be a main plot point.

2. Ignoring the AI robot storyline, the romance was not romancing. I did not connect with Chloe, the FMC, whatsoever. I found her to be extremely wishy washy. She clearly didn’t know what she wanted. She was caught up on her old college friend, Sean, for most of the book. Then all of a sudden realizes she’s actually in love with her other college friend, John. It just wasn’t believable. In addition, John was one of the worst love interests I’ve ever read in a book.

Thank you to Putnam Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for And Then There Was You. Overall, this was a cute book. I admit that it took me a minute to get used to some of the plot lines but it grew on me quickly. Sophie is such a good, solid writer so she draws the reader in with any plot line possible. Four solid stars. Thank you for the ARC!

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam Books for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have to start by saying that I really enjoy Sophie Cousen’s books so I was very excited for the opportunity to get an early chance to read her upcoming book. It kept me engaged for sure, but I don’t know how to feel about the ‘twist’ to the story. I didn’t necessarily connect with her main character, but I was invested in her story. I didn’t really get heavy romance vibes, but that’s OK. The premise is interesting, so that is why I rounded my rating up a little.

Not my favorite by her, but I appreciate when authors take a chance and branch out a little and test the limits of their chosen genre(s). I’m sure there will be a market for a story like this.

3.5 🌟

While I could connect with Chloe individually, I couldn’t fully get on with the little twist nor the love triangle. Although it wasn’t my favorite, it was a quick and fun read overall.

— Thank you so much to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Putnam Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! This book publishes November 18.

Four Stars

What to expect in this book:

-Sweet and fun rom com
-Set in Oxford, England
-Second chance romance
-Friends to Lovers
-Unique plot points
-Singular POV and timeline

Thoughts

You can always count on Sophie Cousens to deliver and endearing and sweet romance. This is definitely her most out of the norm story so far, but I really think it hits and despite a happily ever after ending, I did not find it to be too predictable. Chloe Fairway dreamed of being an actor when she attended school at Oxford University. Now ten years later, she is barely making it as a personal assistant and living at home with her parents. Voted 'most likely to succeed,' she does not want to return for her ten-year reunion as a failure, especially in front of her past friend, Sean Adler, who is now a major Hollywood film director. Desperate to save face, Chloe takes up with a matchmaking service for the perfect match, but there is a catch.

I always highly recommend going into books blind and I recommend it with this one. This author always has such a way with making her characters relatable and for her books to feel like a cozy rom-com movie. What I loved about this one is how easy it is to read and lose track of time. I read this 350 page book in almost one sitting. There is a really unique plot point in this book that I was really impressed with that looks into an element of our reality that I have not seen any other rom-com do. I felt that the author did a fantastic job of this and cannot wait to see what other people think as well.

If you love a good happily ever after story, clean romance (only kissing!) and love when romances are not as predictable and no stressful situations or huge third act breakups, this is the perfect read! and also, so glad for a GREEN book! I find so many romances to be blue or pink. Yay Green!

I don't think I would have chosen to read this book if I read the premise but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.
Thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

Cousens is a fantastic author and I read one of her books earlier this year ("Is she really going out with him?" which I LOVED and rated 4 stars, highly recommend). I was very caught off guard by the twist and I found the blurb a bit misleading - I will still definitely pick up whatever book Cousens writes next, this one just wasn't for me personally.

Well…I’m not quite sure what I just read.

I’m thinking the synopsis needs more information because I was NOT prepared for this one. I don’t want to spoil it but…AI and romance is not for me.

I have LOVED this author’s previous books but this one was a little too out there for me and just awkward at times.

But as with all books, I’m sure this book will be loved by many! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens was not a memorable as her other books but still really good. I loved the original concept of a robot dating service. The journey that Chloe took was interesting. I also enjoyed the dynamic between John and Chloe and the progression of it. The fact that it was a very complicated relationship made it more endearing.

This was a really unique premise that we’re probably going to be seeing more of in the near future. Chloe is feeling stuck in all aspects of her life and is insecure when she is going to face all her old friends at her 10-year college reunion. She signs up for a secretive match-making service and lands “the perfect mate” to accompany her to the reunion, but there’s something really unique about this process (no spoilers here).

I appreciated the FMCs self-discovery journey as the main focus, though there is also the romance element. Growing up I was a huge fan of the movie Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion, so I enjoyed the explicit parallels. It isn’t a perfect story by any means but if you go in with an open-mind you may enjoy it. It has the characteristic feel-good vibes I have come to expect from this author. This one may appeal to women who are sick of crappy experiences on dating apps and may feel relatable to anyone who has ever felt “behind in life.”

Thanks to the publisher (Putnam Books) & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy - all opinions are my own!

I enjoyed the book and definitely wanted to keep reading to see how it would all turn out! I loved the setting (Oxford) and those details.