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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
3 stars
Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens just wasn’t quite my cup of tea. The story leans more into sci-fi and futurism than I expected, with a noticeable AI element that didn’t really resonate with me personally. I tend to prefer more grounded romantic comedies, so this blend of tech and romance felt a little off for my taste. That said, I think it will definitely appeal to readers who enjoy a speculative twist with their love stories. If you’re into romcoms with a futuristic flair, this one might be right up your alley.
Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens just wasn’t quite my cup of tea. The story leans more into sci-fi and futurism than I expected, with a noticeable AI element that didn’t really resonate with me personally. I tend to prefer more grounded romantic comedies, so this blend of tech and romance felt a little off for my taste. That said, I think it will definitely appeal to readers who enjoy a speculative twist with their love stories. If you’re into romcoms with a futuristic flair, this one might be right up your alley.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Drawn in from the beginning and couldn’t put it down! I really enjoyed And Then There Was You, and it felt much more Sophie Cousens than her last book did.
Chloe is 31 and feels unsuccessful in life - the career she imagined didn’t pan out, she is single and doesn’t want to be, and she lost touch with two of her four college best friends. And their 10 year reunion is approaching, though Sophie feels she has nothing to show for herself. But then she starts dating Rob and brings him to the reunion….
I don’t want to say too much because I recommend going in blind but if you like futuristic/things that can’t fully be explained happenings then this is for you. Or if you enjoy lighthearted humor and a fun story this is also for you. Or if you enjoyed Sophie Cousens in the past this is for you.
The characters were well developed, and I loved Chloe’s parents. I laughed out loud a few times. I also really appreciated the author’s note at the end. Highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Chloe is 31 and feels unsuccessful in life - the career she imagined didn’t pan out, she is single and doesn’t want to be, and she lost touch with two of her four college best friends. And their 10 year reunion is approaching, though Sophie feels she has nothing to show for herself. But then she starts dating Rob and brings him to the reunion….
I don’t want to say too much because I recommend going in blind but if you like futuristic/things that can’t fully be explained happenings then this is for you. Or if you enjoy lighthearted humor and a fun story this is also for you. Or if you enjoyed Sophie Cousens in the past this is for you.
The characters were well developed, and I loved Chloe’s parents. I laughed out loud a few times. I also really appreciated the author’s note at the end. Highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The fake dating trope is generally a winner for me, but unfortunately this one wasn’t. I don’t want to say much to avoid spoilers, but I just couldn’t get on board with the (fake) boyfriend character. I think the premise will ultimately be a hit or a miss with readers and I just happened to fall in the latter category. If you’ve enjoyed Sophie Cousens’ books in the past, you’ll find similarly hopeful, light and funny writing - it’s just a question of whether you can connect with one of the main characters.
Thanks to @netgalley and @putnam for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Releases November 18, 2025.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have read several Sophie Cousens’ books and was excited to get this one as an ARC! Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the chance to read and review.
This was a book about the pull of nostalgia and the feelings of inadequacy when we don’t meet the milestones we (or society) think we should be meeting. Chloe feels that she lost herself after university and is anxious to attend her 10 year reunion without some accomplishment to show off. Enter Rob, a match from an exclusive dating service. He is everything she would dream of in a man and is the perfect date for the reunion. When Chloe reconnects with some of her old friends, however, she realizes that maybe Rob isn’t the perfect one for her.
I’ll admit, I was a little confused about who Chloe’s love interest would be for this book. The interactions with John on the bus were stilted and awkward. Then Sean was standoffish. So, was it going to be Rob? Things eventually became clear, but it was difficult for me to root for her relationship when I wasn’t sure who the MMC would be. I do think this confusion is intentional because Chloe doesn’t know who or what she wants either. She has to do some soul-searching to put her on the right path.
I appreciated the author’s note, and part of me wishes that she had continued with her first version. It would have been a huge departure from her light, funny romances, but I think I would have really liked that story!
My biggest dislike of this book is that I wish Richard didn’t have the label of an “emotional support animal.” I don’t appreciate that John sneaks him around pretending to be a service animal. People with dedicated service animals already face enough difficulties having their animals so we don’t need this storyline for Richard. I hope some changes are made to the final story to make this a London where people can just bring their animals along. Having John lie about this feels insensitive.
All in all, this was a really fun read that I zipped through in an afternoon. Definitely one to add to the TBR!
Favorite Quotes
But that kiss … had been something else entirely. It wasn’t a dance, it was a match struck, dropped on dry kindling. Wild and unscripted... dangerously intoxicating. That was the kind of kiss people burned the world down for.
Real people were messy and imperfect; they could hurt you, break you, disappoint you. They came with no guarantees.
Did I just make out with a member of the Granny Smiths?
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lovely and light summer read! I like that the author weaves in a topical social issue but it doesn’t feel too heavy-handed.
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?
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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 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 to Netgalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
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 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 to Netgalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
📖 ARC REVIEW 📖
Chloe’s present day life isn’t what her past life expected it to be: working as a PA for a film company while harboring aspirations of being a screenwriter. When the invitation to her college reunion arrives, Chloe feels ashamed of her professional life and embarrassed to be single. After a run-in with an old acquaintance affiliated with “Perfect Partners”, Chloe decides to take a chance on matchmaking...with a twist. After all, if she can’t change her professional life, the least she can do is show up to the reunion with a date.
Between present day and flashbacks of the past, it’s obvious that Chloe cherished her time at Oxford. Through her journey to the reunion with her “perfect partner” in tow, Chloe is forced into deep soul-searching, painting an alternate picture of what her university experience was truly like.
“And Then There Was You” quickly took a turn I truly wasn’t expecting. Despite some uncomfortable moments due to the nature of her perfect partner, I felt connected to Chloe’s experience. In the end, Chloe learns that love can be found in unexpected places. If you’re looking for a quick read about reminiscing on college years and dating in the 21st century, this one is you!
Chloe’s present day life isn’t what her past life expected it to be: working as a PA for a film company while harboring aspirations of being a screenwriter. When the invitation to her college reunion arrives, Chloe feels ashamed of her professional life and embarrassed to be single. After a run-in with an old acquaintance affiliated with “Perfect Partners”, Chloe decides to take a chance on matchmaking...with a twist. After all, if she can’t change her professional life, the least she can do is show up to the reunion with a date.
Between present day and flashbacks of the past, it’s obvious that Chloe cherished her time at Oxford. Through her journey to the reunion with her “perfect partner” in tow, Chloe is forced into deep soul-searching, painting an alternate picture of what her university experience was truly like.
“And Then There Was You” quickly took a turn I truly wasn’t expecting. Despite some uncomfortable moments due to the nature of her perfect partner, I felt connected to Chloe’s experience. In the end, Chloe learns that love can be found in unexpected places. If you’re looking for a quick read about reminiscing on college years and dating in the 21st century, this one is you!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This one was interesting, concept wise. It started off a little slow for me, but did pick up a little further in. Because most of the story happens over a reunion weekend, it was harder to be invested in the romance piece. I didn’t feel like there was enough interaction to move things along so quickly. I did enjoy the punting scene and Richard the dog. All in all, I always do enjoy Sophie Cousens’ books and I did enjoy this one. I just wanted a little more out of it. But it reads well and very quickly.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes