Unfortunately this will be a DNF for me. I tried and gave it a few chapters but I just cannot get past the premise. Sophie Cousens is typically one of my favorite contemporary authors but this one is a bit too outside the box for me.

ok this book was so confusing did i like it? i don’t even know, did i hate it? no but also like why are we mixing sci fi and romance? it also was this whole thing of a really confusing love triangle and i was just confused the whole time

thank you to sophie cousens and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

UGH!! This pains me to write this review. I looove Sophie Cousens. She is an auto buy author for me but this one, I really wanted to DNF. But I kept thinking, it's Sophie. I have to push through.

The Big twist, or the big catch, I 10000% could have done without. It was silly, and disturbing and there is a true love story without that. It could have been done so much differently. I wanted more of the love story. The last half of the book really worked for me. Fake dating, I can do! Sign me up! Love triangles, sure why not!! But this one. Nope. IYKYK.

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam Books for the advanced copy for review. I will still check out anything Sophie writes!

Sophie Cousens is on auto-read for me, and this book was another joy. I found the premise interesting, and I liked that rather than spend too much time on the minutiae of the "matchmaking service," Cousens focused the book on the human experience at the heart of the journey. Chloe wasn't my favorite protagonist, but the premise and academic setting (love a college reunion vibe) helped balance that out. Cousens writes magical realism (maybe sci-fi realism in this case?) with the lightest of touches and warmest glow. I appreciated this addition to her catalogue.

I will read anything written by Sophie Cousens. This was definitely a little different than her usual stories but I think she did a pretty good job with the sci-fi aspect. I didn’t know that’s what I was getting myself into so wasn’t necessarily loving it at the start but by the end, I enjoyed the way she wrapped up the story.

The love triangle of an AI boyfriend, a college friend, and the MC Chloe was definitely unique and not something I’ve read before. I didn’t love it, but again, I love anything Sophie writes and will stick by that.

I loved the portion of the plot of Chloe finding herself and also realizing that you don’t have to find the “perfect” partner, just someone who loves you and makes your life better. Even people we love can make mistakes, annoy us, “fall short”, but that’s what makes us human.


Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I read this in one sitting. Granted, I was waiting a the DMV for over six hours, but still. Sophie Cousens has done it again, written one of my favorite closed-door romances of the year. There are some unexpected plot twists, laugh out loud moments, an endearing setting in Oxford, unrequited love, heart pumping gestures of love, and an adorable dog. As with most books Sophie writes, I would re-read it in a heartbeat.

Thank you, NetGalley and Putnam Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Note: This review mentions elements not covered in the synopsis. I don’t consider them spoilers and think it’s helpful context, but stop reading if you’d prefer to go in blind!*

This book is Her meets The Wedding Date meets Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion. If that sounds like a lot, you’re not wrong — but it makes for a lot of fun!

This book has plenty of moments filled with Sophie’s signature charm and humor (one of the reasons I always pick up her books!), and I especially loved the Oxford setting. That said, I did feel like the story was juggling a bit too much at once. I also think the marketing is working against it by not highlighting the AI robot boyfriend element, which is actually the heart of the book and might help set expectations a little differently for readers.

I enjoyed some of the nuance and humor that came from that premise, but the love triangle and main romance didn’t quite land for me. Still, it was a creative, charming read that made me laugh, and I can’t wait to read whatever Sophie writes next!

3.75⭐️! I went into this sorta blind, although I vaguely do remember reading the blurb. What I can say without giving it away is that this one will throw you off and deliver some fun and wild plot twists!

Initially, I thought would be diving into something completely different, but I found that the plot twists here were revealed tastefully. And boy… I actually had fun with it! We are introduced to Chloe, a thirty-one year-old who is struggling with her job as a PA, while not necessarily being content with her life and goals. With an upcoming 10-year college reunion, and not wanting to run into her old colleagues as a complete failure alone, she turns to a mysterious dating service to get a partner for the weekend event. Enter Rob, a charming Irish man, who seems to be her perfect match. But the more she learns about him… the more she starts to question what she really wants.

From all the twists, turns, absurd laugh-out-loud altercations, and quirky characters, I thought this book’s concept was so fun and original. It’s definitely one that’ll stick in my mind for a while!

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

Playfully and tactfully written, leaving me curious to turn the page and move into the next chapter to see what happened next! In a world that is so quickly turning to AI, this was a side I had never considered and this book opened up that conversation as to what this would look like, and how it would change our world/society (good, bad or otherwise). Loved that it kept it light, and had a story within a personal journey.

This had so much potential but it fell flat for me. I didn't like
the robot/Al aspect of the plot. I liked the surprise of the love interest but the story and romance didn't feel fully developed.
There wasn't enough time to appreciate the actual relationship.
Thank you to NetGalley & Putnam for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!

Sophie Cousens has easily become an author I look forward to reading, so I was excited to get an ARC of her upcoming novel! While the premise was one I wasn’t sure I’d connect with, Cousens’ writing pulls you in and makes you laugh out loud along the way.

My only qualm was that it felt a little unclear who the true love interest was, and by the time it’s obvious, you’re already halfway through the book. Once you know who you’re rooting for, though, the way she writes their relationship really works.

A solid 3–3.5 star read from Sophie Cousens!

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the advanced copy!

I thoroughly enjoyed this new novel from Sophie Cousens. I liked getting to see Oxford through her eyes and what an interesting idea with the artificial intelligence woven in. I will say, that I will read anything that she writes, but for me this wasn’t my favorite of hers. I do appreciate the opportunity to read it ahead of publication, however.

Okay. Ooookaaay… this was a weird one. I tried to move past the ick factor after the twist was revealed, but honestly? It just never went away. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say it colored my entire reading experience.

Now, the writing itself? Loved it. I really enjoyed the second-chance elements, the idea of seeing someone with fresh eyes, and the journey of figuring out life and yourself in your thirties. All of that worked for me. But no matter how much I appreciated those aspects, my mind just kept circling back to that twist, and I couldn’t shake the discomfort. So while this isn’t a poorly written book by any means, I do think it’s one that will give certain readers (like me) the ick.

The setup follows Chloe, who’s in her thirties, stuck in a job that isn’t her dream, and living back with her parents. When she gets an invite to her college reunion, she’s not exactly eager to go. After a disastrous date leads to a chance bathroom encounter with an old friend, Chloe ends up with a business card for a dating service. She sees it as the perfect way to find someone to bring along—to distract from the scrutiny of where she’s “supposed” to be in life. Add in some fractured friendships she hopes to mend, and what follows is a whirlwind bus trip full of odd encounters and unexpected moments.

Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam, and Sophie Cousens for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Don’t expect a typical Sophie romance. There was just enough intrigue that kept me reading, but the last 1/4 of the story and ending was the best part. It wasn’t enough romance or tension is this story.

Sophie Cousens is one of my most favorite authors and she almost never misses for me! I admit I wasn't sold on the premise of this novel most of the way through. but then I realized I was looking for chemistry in the wrong place! Due to my confusion with the direction this book was going to take, it ended up being a 3.5 star for me, but overall worth the read!

🗓️Nov 19
Expect 👉🏼 Closed Door, Love Triangle-ish, He Falls First, It’s Always Been You, Fake Dating, AI, British, University Reunion

I absolutely did not read the blurb and was completely flabbergasted by the AI boyfriend. That’s a first for me 😆 but not to fear, this is a true Sophie cousens book and I was very happy with how it ended.

I really enjoyed the moral dilemma as well as Chloe figuring out what she really wanted out of life and out of love. And her choice between what might be easy vs what was real.

Thank you Putnam for the gifted arc

This was so unexpected! The big twist was really thought provoking.. I loved how it pushed the FMC to reevaluate her life in her early 30s. Does anyone really have it all figured out?? I think this would be a great book club book and while I wish it had a little more chemistry or spark, I thought it was intriguing.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

~Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam Books, and Sophie Cousens for an ARC of And Then There Was You~

Oh boy. The number of times I laughed out loud in this book (like truly an absolute cackle!)…I loved it! I couldn’t put it down!

The theme did scare me a little bit (I won’t say why because it will spoil the twist), and love triangles aren’t really my favorite, but I did love this story. I’m glad it ended the way it did and the epilogue was precious.

The best part of the story was that no one can make you feel whole but sometimes you need a little push to get your shit together and start doing things for YOU. If you’re stuck, CHANGE things. Don’t let your own insecurities and doubts keep you from making yourself happy. We are the only ones who can make ourselves truly happy and content.

This one pains me to write. I adore Sophie Cousen's books and always feel so thrilled and honored to receive an ARC, but this one really missed the mark for me.
This felt like it was written by someone else. It started cute, with a premise that might be a bit unconventional or even controversial. Then it became overly repetitive and somewhat boring.

Sean, John, Rob, etc. No tension. No sparks. No longing. The Imp storyline was meant to be cute and sweet and fell flat for me. Sadly this was a miss.

I usually enjoy Sophie Cousens’ books, but this one didn’t work for me the way I hoped.
The premise had so much potential, but for me it didn't click. Chloe is stuck in a dead-end job, still living with her parents, and facing her dreaded ten-year college reunion. Add in a mysterious dating service and a seemingly perfect plus-one, Rob, and it should have been the recipe for a fun, heartfelt rom-com. But somewhere along the way, the story fell flat. For me, Chloe never really came alive as a character. I wanted to root for her, but instead I found her indecisive and repetitive. Rob, while charming on the surface, felt too good to be true, and not in the intriguing way, more in the one-dimensional way. Even Sean, the old best friend turned successful director, didn’t bring the tension or emotional depth I expected.
Thanks to the publishing house and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in advance.