Very unique! During the first few chapters, I thought I knew who the main love interest would be, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was wrong. Overall, one of SC’s better novels but there wasn’t enough to flesh out John’s character and, as a result, not enough sizzle when Chloe finally gets together with John.

✅ For Fans of:
- Fake dating
- Romance
- Second chance
- College reunion
- Self-discovery
- Dual timeline / flashbacks
- Technology vs Real

✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
4.5 True Rating
Through this college reunion plot, Chloe has one person hyping her up, telling her she can and has done no wrong—which should make her feel good, right? And yet… between that and seeing old friends, she realizes maybe things weren’t what they seemed. Maybe SHE wasn’t who she thought she was because being forced to face the past means being honest. So where does that leave her? And with whom?

You can find out November 18, 2025 when And Then There Was You releases.

I love Sophie Cousens for her magical realism twists on romance but this one took a twist right away that I was not expecting! Still, in true Sophie fashion, I found myself falling in love with the characters and wondering what and who the female main character, Chloe, would become and choose in the end. By the time I got there, was tearing up because I felt like Chloe had grown so much, watched her fall in love with someone and with life, and loved her all the more for it.

If you start this book and aren’t sure, I encourage you to keep going. The ending is worth it.

This was definitely unique! The robot stuff definitely threw me off but overall it was an interesting read

Thank you for the ARC

Enjoyed the writing style but didn’t enjoy the plot. I couldn’t get past the AI humanoid robot. Nor could I believe Chloe was in love with the man that she was because there was NO CHEMISTRY or any inner monologue about him.

I am conflicted about this book. I was shocked with the AI partner. I am not a fan of flashbacks. However, I liked this book. I would have preferred the AI bot be left out as I am not a fan on sci-fi. I think the fact this wasn't disclosed in the summary was an interesting choice. I wouldn't have read this book if I had known it included a bot partner. In general I liked the plot. I thought the part about everyone admitting what was wrong in their lives was not realistic, but I liked it. Sophie is a quirky writer, so this novel was on point for her. I would read another book by her.

"And Then There Was You" is another wonderful read from Sophie Cousens. Her characters are imperfectly perfect, making them easy to connect with and deeply relatable. The pacing of the story felt just right, steady, engaging, and always keeping me invested.

What I loved most is how the book balances being a lighthearted read with a clever twist that reflects how the world is shifting in new directions. It explores both sides of the debate about the future of society, but in a way that feels accessible and entertaining rather than heavy.

A charming, thoughtful, and enjoyable story, I absolutely loved this book!

Chloe’s life hasn’t turned out how she planned, so when a dating service sends Rob—a man literally made for her—to her college reunion, I didn’t expect to adore a romance with a robot. Somehow, it works. Between Chloe’s reconnections with old friends and the spark that starts to feel way more real than any algorithm, this novel weaves in big laughs, nostalgia, and emotional growth. A few parts are admittedly quirky and require a leap of faith, but that’s part of the fun.

Eek. I feel like she really tried to do something edgy here and it didn’t land. Maybe she didn’t go far enough??? Or maybe we just aren’t ready for a potential robot love story. Aside from that, I felt nothing for our FMC and no chemistry between our leads. I just needed more… nothing specific, just MORE.

Sophie Cousens - And Then There Was You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens felt like a warm hug in the shape of a book. 🤗
I picked it up expecting a light, funny rom-com, but instead I found myself wrapped up in a story that made me smile, laugh, sigh, 😂💖 often pause to reflect. This was my very first book by Sophie Cousens, and I have to say—she truly has a gift. She weaves humor and depth together so effortlessly, and both main characters won me over right from the start with their quirks, vulnerability, and self-deprecating charm.

 The way she plays with tropes is simply brilliant. ✨

The “perfect plus-one” trope💖 had me laughing out loud more than once, because really, who hasn’t wanted to show up to a reunion looking like they have their life completely together? And then there’s the “second chance”❤️ element. Just when you think you know where the story is going and who the main relationship will center on, Cousens hits you with a twist that flips everything on its head. It’s one of those surprises that feels just like real life—unexpected, messy, but oh so right. Chapeau, Sophie!

🥂

What I loved most was that this isn’t insta-love. It’s a tender, gradual journey built from lingering glances, gestures both big and small, words spoken and written💌, shared songs🎵, and a slow-burn tension that becomes absolutely irresistible.
The romance remains sweetly closed-door—no explicit scenes—but it’s brimming with passion nonetheless. I adore when a book can make you feel all the chemistry without needing to spell it out in detail, and this one nails it.



Another trope that really resonated with me was the “finding yourself” one🫶🏻🥹. Chloe isn’t just a character falling in love—she’s a woman on a real, heartfelt journey of self-discovery. She feels stuck, like she’s failing at everything😩, but she finds the courage to look within and accept herself, choosing genuine happiness over perfect appearances.

The ending left me with such a full, satisfied heart—exactly what I hope for in a romantic comedy with the cutest marriage proposal ever!!

💍

But what made me fall head over heels for this book was the quiet tenderness of the MMC (no spoilers here!)❤️.
His love for Chloe is silent, patient, often unseen, yet it shines through every gesture, from the way he can never say no to her, to play at being the whimsical Lincoln Imp👻 just to make her smile. As the Imp in fact he does sweet acts like finding her grandmother’s lost ring 💍in the woods, bringing back her forgotten scarf, surprising her with her favorite flowers🌸, or a bottle of wine to celebrate her play’s success. And let’s not forget the little poems he writes for her 💌 the Easter egg hunt 🐣he creates just to brighten her day. It’s proof that real love doesn’t have to be shouted, it can be whispered through the simplest, kindest acts.



As a musician myself, I was especially enchanted by how music 🎶 becomes such a central thread in Chloe and the MMC’s story. And that final romantic gesture of hers, pulled off with the help of her band’s father figure? It was straight out of a movie🎬—funny, sweet, and unforgettable. I laughed and cried like at the same time.


The book is also peppered with thoughtful quotes and nuggets of wisdom 💡that don’t just guide the characters but also make you reflect as a reader—like those about self-acceptance and our everyday interactions with AI. 
🤖 Truly, a gem.
💎

And can we talk about the cover? So vibrant and charming, it perfectly captures the fun, heartwarming tone of the book. It even features Richard, the little dog🐶 who will absolutely steal your heart!

There are no heavy themes or difficult triggers here—this is a story that lifts you up, makes you laugh, and reminds you how powerful it is to know yourself, embrace who you are, and then open your heart to love.

For me, this was a solid five-star read—the kind you finish with a nostalgic smile, wishing you could linger just a little longer with the characters.



As always, Huge thanks to the author, Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with the ARC of this gorgeous book! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

⭐⭐⭐/🌶️ And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens

Chloe is over 30, single, and living with her parents after her recent breakup. Not exactly "30, flirty, and thriving." So she decides, after a slew of bad dates from a dating app, to use a professional dating service in hopes of turning her love life around, at least getting herself a date for her school reunion. Let's just say it doesn't go as planned ... 😅 I have never read anything like this!

💚Mature, 30s FMC
💛Starting over
💚Dating service
💛College reunion
💚The one that got away

This was such a charming and heartwarming read! I loved the mix of humor, romance, and those little emotional moments that sneak up on you. The characters felt relatable, and I was completely caught up in their story.

Another 5 star Sophie Cousens read!

I love Sophie’s story telling so much, from the characters to the plot and twists. This book was so unique and so interesting, especially for our time.

I loved so much about this book and need to go back and read all of her books which I haven’t yet!

The “big catch” for me in this was a big cringe, and whatever that modern technology-romance-love triangle trope was, it was not for me. But, that was kind of the point.

I agree, we all need to put our phones down more. Go outside. Touch grass. Think for ourselves and not rely so heavily on technology. I just didn’t need to read this story to get there.

That said, this was not my favorite Sophie Cousens book. It was still a quick, easy read. I did enjoy Chloe’s character development as well as her friendship with Akiko, and John.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for the eARC.

Definitely one for book clubs.

Chloe wants to go to her college reunion, but just not alone. She runs into an old colleague who has a totally new glow and vibe about her; a recommendation is made and Chloe follows up on it.

When I'm discussing a rom com book with my husband and we are having some decent conversations, it is a pretty good book. I hadn't read much about AI partners, I really didn't know how scary of a concept it was. Every year I'm happier to be part of the older generation.

There were some pretty funny scenes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons publishing for approving my request to read the advance read copy of And Then There Was You in exchange for an honest review. Approx 352 pages. Nov 18, 2025 release.

This is not your typical romance! It’s a quirky and unique science fiction romance. I have loved the author’s romcoms and couldn’t wait to see where this story would take us. The story has a theme of how the rise of AI is changing our world that I found very timely. There is also a big twist that I wasn’t sure about but it won me over by the end.

When the story opens Chloe is on another bad date. He asks what she does and when she tells him that she is a PA but wants to be a writer, he scoffs and tells her there is no future in it because it’s being taken over by AI. She begins to wonder if all men are awful when a friend suggests a private, highly elite dating service called Perfect Partners. Chloe is getting ready for her ten-year Oxford College reunion and is feeling disappointed in her life so far, after breaking up with her controlling boyfriend and moving back home with her parents. She decides Rob, from Perfect Partners, would be the perfect date to take with her to the reunion.

She is reunited with her old friends from Oxford and remembers back to the good times they had performing musicals together. There was Sean, who everyone thought she would go out with and who is now a famous Hollywood director of action films. Then there is John who was a musical scholar and their musical director. He has a loveable support dog, Richard, who goes with him everywhere. Chloe feels like she’s in the middle of a love story, only to realize it’s a love triangle between Rob, who seems perfect in every way, John the romantic and Sean the successful director. I was almost half way through the story before I knew who Chloe’s love interest was. I was wishing I knew a little sooner so I could root for them.

There is a big twist in the story and it’s funny when the perfect Rob has some mishaps. It’s romantic when the group goes boating and Chloe is rescued after she gets dumped into the river. Seeing her old friends has her reflecting on her life and she realizes she hasn’t always been a good friend and sets out to change that. The author took a risk with this story and I admire her for it. I enjoyed the romance (once I figured out who Chloe’s perfect partner was). This was 4 and ½ stars for me. Thank you to the author, G.P. Putnam’s and NetGalley for the ARC. My full review will be All About Romance closer to the release date, 11/18.

Self-discovery after heartbreak? Yes please!! The story was unique and I enjoyed my time while reading. The love story in this did feel rushed but it was overall so good!!!

The plot of this book was not at all what I expected! Without giving away the twist, Rob's unique quality was a very original idea. I really loved the way his personality changed depending on his... energy level. I loved the message in the end, and also the slow chemistry between Chloe and her eventual love interest. My only disappointment was the results of Chloe's "grand gesture". Maybe the romantic in me expected the typical "ah-ha!" moment! But I can see how it related to the overall plot line of not needing the "perfect" love story. I would definitely recommend this book.

*A sincere thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing the advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.*

Thank you for the advanced copy. I love all of Sophie Cousens' books because they are quirky, but have depth. This was so much fun. I can't wait to recommend it for book club!

I really liked the start to this book and then for me, it wasn't my cup of tea. It was predictable in parts and then didn't make sense to me in others. I did lol from time to time, but wasn't really into the theme of the book.

I will be the first to admit that I almost didn’t read this book after reading a few reviews. The mentions of future and AI turned me off as I am sure they will to many. BUT I really enjoyed the Good Part so I decided to give it a fair chance and I am glad I did!
This is a romantic comedy and it made me laugh out loud at parts but still kept me reading much later than it should have. If you need a good laugh and a closed door romance, this is a great book. Don’t skip it based on the bad reviews. She had time travel in the Good Part and we all loved it. This is fiction, and in my opinion, really fun fiction.
Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy and Sophie Cousins, keep up the great work and let your imagination do its thing!