I really enjoyed this book and the concept of jumping ahead. The conflict was well developed and the resolution satisfying.

This author is becoming more and more popular as talent grows! This nerdy book was great for those who are into the geeks.

I’ve always been a big fan of Sophie Cousen books, and while I enjoyed this one, it wasn’t a top favorite! The FMC wasn’t enjoyable for the first half and was rather… whiney? Once I got past the first 50% I actually ended up really enjoying it, I loved the growth her character had, and I had a really big soft spot for Felix and Sam. This would be a fun movie!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for my ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

Can we skip to the good part?

26 year-old Lucy, who is struggling to make ends meet and down on her luck, stumble upon a magic wishing machine. She wishes to "skip to the good part" of her life. Lucy wakes up the next morning 14 years later, in a different life, one full of kids, a husband, and her own company.

Definitely read this novel is if you like:
- magical realism
- british romcoms
- hilarious moments
- fun characters

4 stars!

Thank you NetGalley, Putnam Books, and Sophie Cousens for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Lucy's journey of skipping to the 'good part' of her life and inevitably missing out on some of her 20s & her 30s along with major life events... was such an interesting, unique, and emotional thing to read about. I love reading romance/women's fiction books with a deeper meaning/moral of the story because it is always so special and thought-provoking! This one was no different, especially as someone who has just graduated college and is truly entering *adulthood* it was so lovely to read a book that reinforces the fact that you should enjoy the little moments in life and there is a 'good part' but to get there you experience a multitude of changes that allow you to grow as an individual! I just adored it!!!!
Also, every single character was so lovable and truly jumped off the page because they were written so well. I loved all of the dynamics and how Sam + Lucy's relationship was portrayed!! This book will stick with me for a while.

If you could magically skip ahead to the good part of your life, would you? Would you bypass the messiness we all have to go through to get there. I honestly don't know after seeing the chaos that happened in this book and the. missing memories lol. This was a cute book overall with a lot of funny moments but also heartfelt moments. This is the first book that I have read by this author and will not be my last.

This is the first time that I've read this author and definitely not the last. I just adored this story. It was an interesting concept and I just love how the author handled it. I admit that I got a little teary eyed at the ending, knowing what all was to come for her. So good!

Easy five stars! Engaging and entertaining. Loved the time travel/alternative reality storyline - be careful what you wish for!

Late to the party but I really enjoyed this one! Sophie Cousens always nails it and this book was no different.

Thank you to @netgalley @putnambooks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sophie Cousens has once again crafted a delightful and engaging story with "The Good Part." Lucy's journey into her future, where she grapples with the unknown years that led her there, is both entertaining and emotionally compelling.

Cousens's writing is effortlessly readable, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The characters are well-developed, with Lucy's relatable struggles and Sam's endearing nature making them easy to root for. The family dynamics and friendships are portrayed with genuine affection, adding layers of richness to the narrative.

While the story's resolution may feel somewhat predictable, the emotional impact and the message about appreciating the present moments are undeniably powerful. "The Good Part" is a testament to Cousens's ability to create feel-good stories with substance.

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #putnambooks #thegoodpart #sophiecousens

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Good Part by Sophie Cousens in exchange for my honest review and opinion. This was giving Freaky Friday vibes and I was here for it. This romance kept me hooked, which I've found hard recently with most of the ones I've picked up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Good Part by Sophie Cousens in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I love anything Sophie writes so I was beyond elated to be approved to read this book prior to publication! This was absolutely a fantastic read that I found myself fully engrossed in and forgetting the world around me! I loved every single page of this book and was incredibly sad to finish it so fast! Now I have to wait for her next release! Do yourself a big favor and read this the first chance you get!

The older I get, the harder it is for me to enjoy romance and women-coming-into-their-own novels. But "The Good Part" is good stuff.

You know how it is – I’m late-ish 40s, jaded and mellowed out by age, and I often don’t find much to relate to in most of what’s published in the genre. There are exceptions, though, what with more and more stories being written featuring middle-aged protagonists. (Yay!) But for the most part, what does a 48 year-old woman have in common with a 26 year-old singleton? Not much. And what we do have in common is now housed away in my memories.

Lucky for me, Lucy is only 26 years old for part of the novel. Kinda sorta, at least. She’s 26 at the start of the story, but then she makes a wish on a wishing machine and wakes up the next day to find herself a married mom in her 40s. So while I didn’t have much in common with the first Lucy, I did like the second version of Lucy a bit more, the one stuck in an older body with more responsibilities. She’s more like me.

Sophie Cousens writes with warmth and wit, keeping the story light enough to not require much brain power yet emotional enough to give the story weight and substance. The ending is especially poignant and delivers a wallop to the gut.

There’s a lot to like here, and I’ll be reading Cousens again.


My sincerest appreciation to Sophie Cousens, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.

A unique story. Interesting to see how the character reacted and related to her change of life. Really enjoyed this one.

I thought this good was really good! I always enjoy a story that gives freaky Friday vibes, and this one didn’t disappoint. The character development was interesting as well.

What a charming and emotional story! I found this book so engaging, fun, and thought-provoking. At times, it was hard for me to read, because the situation felt so unfair for all parties involved, and as a wife and mother, my heart panged at the pain the characters experienced at certain times. However, overall the story was original and thoughtful, and the plot fantastically unpredictable in a way that kept me reading and needing to know how it would end. A gem!

Sophie Cousens writing feels like a hug from an old friend. Endlessly cozy and inviting, I love to slip into the worlds she creates. This story was beautiful and delivered the emotional punch I was hoping for.

*The Good Part* by Sophie Cousens offers a sweet, reflective story about love, relationships, and finding happiness in unexpected places. The writing is warm and engaging, with relatable characters who are easy to root for. The central themes of self-discovery and embracing life’s imperfections resonate throughout the book, and Cousens does a good job balancing lighthearted moments with more thoughtful reflections.

However, while the story is enjoyable, it often feels a bit predictable. The romantic arc, though charming, lacks the depth or surprises to make it truly stand out in the crowded contemporary romance genre. Some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, and certain plot points feel rushed or overly convenient. Overall, *The Good Part* is a pleasant read with moments of depth, but it doesn’t quite live up to its potential in terms of emotional impact or originality. It’s a solid, easy read for fans of feel-good romance, but it might not be a story that stays with you long after finishing.

[REVIEW: The Good Part by Sophie Cousens]

Thank you to @NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

Sophie’s books are a such a warm hug/hot cup of tea/cozy bubble bath/fuzzy socks for the soul. And this one was no different!

While I’m not the biggest fantasy/magic realism reader, I was able to suspend disbelief and buy into our main character Lucy’s story. After running herself ragged as an errand girl for the TV producers at her dead end job, she stumbles upon a wishing machine in a convenient shop. She closes her eyes and as you guessed it…wishes to skip to the good part of her life.

When she wakes up the next morning as a 40-something, married mum of two she grapples with the weight of said wish. Can she lean into this life? Can she go back if she even wants to? Can she accept perfectly imperfect or will she try rolling the dice to change her life’s trajectory?

The ending didn’t *exactly* leave me swooning, but I appreciated that it wasn’t cookie cutter or predictable and will still highly recommend to the rom com lovers in my bookclub. All the strong lead female vibes! ✨

This book has been on my Netgalley for a bit and I haven’t picked it up. I haven’t been into romance in a minute, so I’m not the right person to review it anymore.