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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
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
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were parts of this story that I really enjoyed. As with other Sophie Cousens’ books I’ve read, there is an underlying message of not needing to have your life together by the time you are 30 and that the right guy for you isn’t necessarily the person who checks all the imaginary boxes. I also appreciated that this book is so timely, with the focus on impacts of AI on society - though done in a lighthearted, romcom way.
Unfortunately, I also had a few issues with the book. First, the story generally just made me sad which seems inherently at odds with a romcom. But I find all the ‘mean girls’ and ‘jock boys’ from college not having matured sad - I like to believe most people grow up and out of those unhealthy behaviors. I find the idea of dating a robot/AI depressing - for all the reasons Chloe eventually comes to. And I find the idea that Chloe has to have a boyfriend to make her feel validated (both generally and specifically for the reunion) heartbreaking.
Secondly, I found Chloe to be immature and self centered (e.g., when she runs into an old friend immediately asking about her crush instead of catching up with him, asking if his service dog is fake), and while she realized that in some ways, it was in the last 10% of the book so I didn’t really see her personal growth which I would have appreciated.
Thank you to Sophie Cousens, Putnam, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
It's time for Chloe's ten-year college reunion. She's dreading it because she's not where she wants to be, especially because she was predicted to be successful via her superlative. She thinks having a dreamy guy by her side will show she's made it. So, she finds a match. There are some unique features of said match that I won't share because part of the fun is the development of all of that. At the reunion, Chloe is also connected with friends from her past, and there are layers of those stories, too. This one was such a unique read, and I loved the way Chloe's story built. Yes, it was about love, but really it was about her finding where she fit into all of this - both in the present and revisiting some things from back when! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a look at this November 2025 release!
In college, Chloe Fairway was a writer, an actress, a friend. She wrote plays with her best friend Sean Adler, with music written by their friend John, and their friend Akiko tagging along however they needed her to. But when Chloe turns down Sean's advances, the friend group breaks in two. Ten years later, it's time for a college reunion. Chloe is a glorified personal assistant at a very small production company, whose main job seems to be pastry wrangling for her boss who never listens to her. Meanwhile, Sean is now a successful writer and director in LA. So, when the opportunity to bring a perfect date to the reunion comes up, Chloe hardly thinks twice and brings Rob, who she met through a matchmaking service. But when the reunion takes an unexpected turn for Chloe when feelings are stirred up with an old friend, what will happen?
I recommend this to people who love unrequited love, don't like AI, and love dogs.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
I recommend this to people who love unrequited love, don't like AI, and love dogs.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for an advanced copy of And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens.
Another great book by S.C. I have read all of her books, Is She Really Going Out With Him, is my fave!
I went into reading this blind and I recommend you do the same. I'm not going to give any specifics here. What an interesting and refreshing read. I wouldn't have thought this plot line would pull me in so much. Loved the characters. We get a little dual timeline, friends to lovers, soul searching and a possible look into the future.
Can't wait to read Sophie's next book!
4⭐️
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Some artists strike a chord with you. So pardon me while a gush a bit on Sophie Cousens and And Then There Was You.
I know these are romance books in genre, but I have come to think of Cousens as writing Romance+. There’s always an extra layer of something—life, reflection, magic—that take her stories to that next level. Then There Was had several chances to settle into standard romance fare, but Cousens, as she does, always does something extra with it to make it so much better. So much thinkier. She’s event entertainment.
The only thing I could say even remotely negative about this one would be that I didn’t always buy the motivations or the way the action unfolded as being completely on target (admittedly some of that was not getting the literary references the story used). She has, as much as I enjoyed this, written even better stories (which is baffling to contemplate). But the emotional context was there, and it was captivating from very early on.
Then There Was yet again showed Cousens taking the framework of a very familiar story you think you may have read or seen before and doing something with it that surprises you and delights you.
Here’s what it is. She writes exactly the kinds of books I want to read. And she does it without me even being able to define what that is most of the time.
To use an analogy from this very book, if I ever met the author in person (and let’s hope I don’t because I’d most likely embarrass myself by stumbling with effusive praise), I would tell Cousens that she is the Rob of my endorphin-seeking mind. It’s like she knows exactly which levers to pull to keep this reader happy.
Recommended for all romance readers, and seekers of high-concept, high-quality storytelling. She is one of the few authors I can not recommend highly enough.
Thank you to Putnam Books for providing an uncorrected ARC via NetGalley.