Sophie Cousens called this her most insane book yet and she wasn’t joking! I think you need to go into this one totally blind (I really hope some of the bigger plot details are kept under wraps!!) . You’ll also need a very open mind that you’re in for a silly and fun read that tackles a pretty timely issue in a way that only Sophie Cousens could. It wasn’t my favorite romance of all time, but it was fun and unique and had me laughing out loud more than once!

I have some pretty complex feelings about this book. I’m not the biggest fan of love triangles, and the unexpected sci-fi twist left me conflicted—I’m still not sure what to make of it. That said, I did enjoy the sections where Chloe confronts her past and present struggles: imagining how her life might have turned out if she had made different choices, not hurt certain friends, and chosen more fulfilling paths. Would she have found happiness, or just a different form of disappointment? Those reflections really hit home for me.

What worked best was the theme of a woman’s self-discovery as she attends her ten-year college reunion. Those moments of vulnerability and growth resonated much more strongly than the sci-fi additions. The heart of the story, for me, was the reminder that love isn’t about finding the “perfect man,” but about finding someone who accepts you completely, sees through to your heart, and loves you as you truly are.

Here’s a bit more about the setup: Chloe Fairway, now 31, doesn’t have the life she once dreamed of. Instead of becoming the successful screenwriter she aspired to be, she’s stuck in a soul-crushing production assistant job where her creativity goes unnoticed. She’s wasted years with her toxic ex, Peter, and is now back in her family home, helping care for her father in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, and swiping through dating apps filled with disappointing strangers.

By chance, she runs into an old colleague in a restaurant bathroom—while hiding from yet another bad date. This colleague hands her a card for a mysterious dating agency that promises to solve her relationship problems. Curious, Chloe decides to give it a shot. She’s matched with Rob, who appears to be everything she’s ever wanted—handsome, kind, successful, seemingly perfect. But when she attends her college reunion and reconnects with Sean and John, once her closest friends, Chloe begins to realize there’s another side to her past—and too many misunderstandings left unresolved. Through these encounters, she comes to see that “perfect” isn’t real, and that true love means being truly seen and accepted for who you are.

Overall, the last third of the book worked the best for me—especially once I adjusted to the sci-fi curveball. Still, the love story felt a little rushed, and some of the misunderstandings leaned on clichés. I also struggled with one major twist (which I won’t spoil for readers) that honestly unsettled me. It made me uneasy, but at the same time, I can see how it might resonate with others as a glimpse into the possible future of dating.
In the end, I’m giving this one three solid stars. I appreciated the pacing, Chloe’s journey of self-discovery, and Sophie Cousens’ creativity—which I always admire—but this just wasn’t my favorite of her works. I’m still looking forward to her next book and hoping it lands closer to the magic of her earlier novels.
🌟🌟🌟
Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam/ G.P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Sophie Cousens books usually keep me reading but this one was not my favorite. Took me a bit to get finished.

Thank you so much @sophie_cousens @netgalley for this eARC ❤️‍🔥📚 Release date November 18, 2025 “And Then There Was You is a contemporary romance novel by Sophie Cousens, set to be released on November 18, 2025. The story follows Chloe Fairway, a woman feeling stuck in her life, who uses a mysterious dating service to find a perfect match, only to find herself questioning the service and reconnecting with her past, including a former flame“ 🔥 So good

Anything Sophie Cousens writes, I read. I LOVED this book so much. I truly just flew through it. It was just such an easy, perfect beach read. I was rooting for John the entire time!!

3.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley & Putnam Books for this arc. I enjoyed Sophie Cousens writing, I hadn’t read any of her books yet. This was a cute story and I enjoyed Chloe’s growth, however, it would have been nice for and AI warning as this was a bit misleading.

4.5 stars! I love Sophie Cousens. Her writing style makes it so easy to swept up in a story. I wouldn’t have thought before reading this that I would enjoy a book that touched on the subject of AI but I truly enjoyed this book. And I loved Chloe and John and their relationship. My only complaint is that I wanted more of them!

And Then There Was You explores one of the most universally relatable struggles: someone who’s been out of college for a few years and feels like everyone else is winning at life. (I love that the author references Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, which definitely has some parallels to this novel.)

Chloe is feeling stuck after ending a toxic relationship and not realizing her acting and writing aspirations (and she’s even living at home with her parents (oh, the horror!). When her Oxford ten-year reunion comes up, she’s reluctant to attend without the typical markers of success to brag about, so she decides to use a new dating service to find a boyfriend just for the weekend.

Let’s just say Chloe’s “perfect partner” isn’t all he’s cracked up to be. He’s perfect for her in so many ways, but then when he’s put up in comparison to certain college buddies, she begins to question whether perfection is really what she wants.

As Chloe and Rob navigate the events of her college reunion weekend, she reconnects with friends and must reconcile her own memories with the ways she somewhat unintentionally hurt those friends in the past.

There’s a beautiful love story within these pages, but more than that, there’s Chloe’s story of coming to grips with who she is and who she wants to be, along with what makes a relationship true and valuable.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early review copy!

Loved this book. It was so good. I’m so happy I was able to get to read this book. I love the characters. I loved the scenery how the story sucked you in and you could see everything that was happening. I will definitely be telling everyone about this book

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC via NetGalley!

2.75 stars ⭐️ To start off, this book is absolutely nothing like anything else I’ve ever read especially for a romance novel. I was super excited for this book because I absolutely ADORED the first book I read from this author. However, this novel just fell flat for me. To say I was very shocked by the plot twist in the early part of this book would be putting it lightly. I don’t want to spoil anything for those who would wish to pick up this book but I will say that suspension of disbelief is important for this one. It is not exactly the most…. relatable on a surface level. For that, I had trouble rating this book because I truly fluctuated between really not enjoying myself to loving some of the nuggets of wisdom in the book. The last 30% was when I finally developed some connection to the characters. I will say that this book may not be for everyone, but I wouldn’t discourage anyone from trying it out for themselves.

Oh Sophie Cousens! She is THE BEST. Her books are such a treat and I squealed when I received an ARC of her latest. It is cute, laugh out loud funny, and thought provoking. The AI element was unexpected and threw me a little so it keeps this one from being my very favorite of hers…but it is still really good! Thank you for the copy! Sophie can do no wrong in my eyes!

Enjoyed this fast paced romance with a sci-fi twist - altho the idea behind it is terrifying. The Romy and Michelle references were spot on because this was exactly that - a woman most likely to succeed is embarrassed about her mediocre life before her reunion and employs technology to help her seem like less of a loser. Except the technology is an AI powered fake boyfriend - Boibot and maybe she loves him?

Some stories are about falling in love. Others are about remembering how. And Then There Was You is about both and also about dating apps, artificial intelligence, mistaken assumptions, second chances, and what happens when you stop searching for the perfect person and start noticing the imperfectly wonderful one who's been right there all along.

Like a Midsummer Night’s Dream played out on dating apps full of misdirection, confusion, unexpected pairings, and a touch of magic. Or code. Which, in this case, might be the same thing.

Chloe, our protagonist, is someone many readers will recognize instantly smart, self-deprecating, tired of swiping through disappointment. And dealing with life’s many disappointments. Enter Rob an AI “perfect partner” who isn’t quite perfect, but is surprisingly good at making her feel heard. He’s not the real love interest, but he becomes something gentler a guide of sorts, like a digital Jiminy Cricket helping her build confidence, challenge her assumptions, and finally listen to the quiet, persistent truth of her own heart.

And then there’s John and Sean. Time for a high school reunion that will help her find herself. It turns out the real fairy tale isn’t about finding someone new it’s about finally seeing the person who has always seen you. And that’s what this book does best: reminds us that love isn’t always loud or immediate. Sometimes it waits. Sometimes it hides in plain sight.

This is a romance, yes warm and funny and just the right amount of chaotic but it’s also a story about self-worth, timing, and trusting your instincts even when algorithms tell you otherwise.

Also, there's a dog. And the dog is excellent. I would give this book a 3.5!

Thank you to Sophie Cousens, Putnam Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m not a typical romance reader but with the AI factor I’m glad I read this!

This book frightened me for the future of AI and was also just so bad.

Avery is desperate to find a man. She suspects that she's the problem after a bad long term relationship breakup. So she signs up with this strange company thinking it's a dating service. Come to find out, she takes a survey to be matched to an AI man. Avery needs a date to her school reunion so she takes the robot, Rob.

Avery reconnects with her friends and finds out that Sean wasn't the Imp who sent her notes and other items in school, but her friend John. But John thinks Avery is dating Rob.

Messy long triangle later, Avery chooses the human over the robot.

This story was a mess. Too many loose ends with Avery's emotionally abusive ex, her soul sucking job, etc. The romance with John also seems to happen too quickly.

I would not recommend this one, sadly.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Thank you to Sophie and NetGalley for the ARC. As a longtime fan of Sophie, I found this book intriguing, especially with its contemporary focus on AI. I really connected with Claire, navigating her thirties while searching for her soulmate a journey that can be both challenging and frustrating.

The concept of the company assisting Claire with her dating life was fascinating, especially with Rob’s inclusion, which mirrors aspects of online dating. It’s interesting how a few questions can lead to potential matches, and the storyline explored this dynamic in an engaging way.

Initially, I believed Claire might end up with Sean, given how often she mentioned him despite not seeing him for a while. However, as the story unfolded, John's role became clear. He had always been there for her, even in their younger years. I appreciated how he held Claire accountable, addressing past grievances with honesty, and how she gracefully accepted his feedback. Their enduring connection evolved into something unexpected and wonderful sometimes the best relationships come from those who’ve known you the longest.

It was heartwarming to witness Claire and John realize their true feelings for each other.

3.75 rounded up!!! ✨ I love Sophie cousens tone of her writing. She approaches things in such a naturally funny and appealing way. I was shocked at the twist that happened at about 20%. It made me giggle and reminded me of a Disney channel movie from the early 2000’s won’t say which one, no spoilers hehe! I think it was a fun and surprising premise! I think the romance was lacking a bit and it was more so geared towards a women’s fiction. The FMC is going through a lot of changes and challenges in her personal life and is on a journey of self discovery. And it really speaks to what I think a lot of people can relate to which is the feeling you aren’t doing enough or you’re not living out the big dreams you set out for yourself. And on that pursuit you can miss out on all the wonderful things around you which leads to her finding love with an unlikely person! I liked the setting of it being at a college reunion and I think that a lot of people can embrace and empathize with the FMCs feelings during the story. Overall it was a fast read and it was entertaining.

4.5

I'm a huge fan of Sophie Cousens' books, so I was very excited to read her latest book. I am happy to say I loved it.
The idea of being able to create the perfect boyfriend is oh-so-tempting. And after seeing what some singles are going through, I would probably be open to try it too, if they were as realistic (looking) as Rob. I admit, it still kinda weirds me out - but I know the appeal is there for a lot of people. I think the way it was handled in the book was actually pretty great. It showed a lot of the good/bad sides, and brought up excellent thought between viewpoints.
Chloe broke my heart a little bit in this book. I sympathized with her feelings of big dreams in college, and then having reality kinda gets in the way and discourage you until you end up in a rut. I loved her journey, and how the people (and AI) were able to help her and support her in her career and self esteem.

John was unexpectedly wonderful and I even liked Sean. I'm a little miffed about the 10 years of silence though.

Overall I loved this book.
I adored reading the little bits about Oxford, and reminiscing about my own trip there.
However, I could do without the existential crisis I'm now facing regarding where the world of robotics is headed.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! This book definitely threw for a loop once I figured out more about Rob! I loved how this was set at a college reunion weekend too, and we also got flashbacks of her friend group from college. Chloe and Rob had a great dynamic, and I really loved how much she ended up learning from him at the end. 3.5 stars

I gave this book a 3.5 star.

First of all, I love Sophie Cousens writing. The way she acknowledges her FMCs to be tall and in their 30's, really speaks to me (being both). I liked the theatre geek representation in this book (I also was a theatre geek in school). In this particular book, my favorite parts were recognizing the relationships between a friend who is in a marriage with kids vs a friend who is not. The way Sophie summarizes that relationship, in the end, was beautiful!! It was so well done.

Now, the reason I gave this book a 3.5 star. The writing, IMO, was not there for me. This plot had so much information; it took me out of the main focus of what this book wanted to be. In particular, there was too many men mentioned (in the forefront) to have a smooth story line. That, and at some points, I had to re-read parts because we got to point C from point A but where was point B? To summarize my jumbled thoughts, too many main men and some parts were missing, making it a confusing transition of plots.

The plot twist was ok for me. But kind of icky (IYKYK).

I will recommend this book to my bookstagram.

Thank you to Putnam Books and Netgalley for the arc copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Sophie Cousens has a gift for taking familiar rom-com setups and infusing them with wit, warmth, and just enough heartache to make you ache for her characters. And Then There Was You is no exception—it’s a charming, heartfelt exploration of second chances, self-discovery, and the complicated ways we measure our own worth against the expectations of others.

The Story

At thirty-one, Chloe Fairway feels stuck. Her glamorous dreams of success in the film industry have fizzled, leaving her back at home with her parents and working a job that barely sparks joy. To make matters worse, her ten-year college reunion is looming. Facing old classmates is daunting enough, but the real gut punch? Running into Sean Adler, her former best friend—the man who chased the very career Chloe once wanted and actually made it big.

Desperate to save face, Chloe turns to a unique dating service and meets Rob, a handsome, bookish, impossibly perfect match who agrees to be her plus-one. He’s everything she should want. But as the weekend unfolds, Chloe starts to wonder if Rob’s perfection is all it seems—and whether the life she thought she wanted is truly the one that will make her happy.

What I Loved
• Chloe’s relatability: Cousens captures that restless, late-twenties/early-thirties “What am I doing with my life?” feeling with precision. Chloe’s insecurities, humor, and resilience make her a protagonist you root for, even when she stumbles.
• The nostalgia of reunions: Anyone who has ever faced an old flame or rival at a milestone event will find themselves nodding along. Cousens nails the mix of awkwardness, wistfulness, and hope that comes with revisiting the past.
• Rob and Sean: Without veering into cliché, Cousens gives us two romantic dynamics that serve as mirrors for Chloe’s personal growth. One offers safety and illusion, while the other reflects authenticity and unfinished business. Watching Chloe navigate both was immensely satisfying.
• The humor: Cousens never forgets to keep things light. Even as Chloe grapples with identity and self-worth, the witty banter and comedic set pieces keep the story breezy and fun.

What Fell Just Short

The only reason I’m docking half a star is that the “mysterious dating service” angle could have been fleshed out more. It’s an intriguing setup that feels slightly underutilized once the reunion storyline takes center stage. Still, the heart of the novel is Chloe’s emotional journey, and that delivers in spades.

Final Thoughts

And Then There Was You is more than a romantic comedy—it’s a story about confronting your past, reevaluating your dreams, and realizing that success isn’t always about flashy achievements but about finding joy in the life that truly fits you. Fans of Sophie Cousens’ previous novels, like This Time Next Year, will adore this one, and newcomers will find it a perfect introduction to her smart, heartfelt storytelling.

If you’re looking for a book that balances laugh-out-loud moments with swoon-worthy romance and an uplifting message, this one absolutely belongs on your TBR.