This was a fun book, and I really appreciated the opportunity to read it! I will recommend this book.

I really enjoyed The Good Part by Sophie Cousens. Like other Sophie Cousens books, I love her unique spin on stories that have been done before. I struggled a little bit in the beginning of Lucy's story but overall I could see how it was necessary to the plot of the book. Once I pushed through and got to the meat of the story I thoroughly enjoyed it. I lived how the story ended with Lucy's decision and the conclusion (don't want to give too much away!).

“Be careful what you wish for, life is never quite sorted whatever stage you’re at.”

- Make a Wish
- Closed Door Romance
- 13 Going on 30 Vibes
- Self Discovery

Rating: 4⭐️

While I didn't take this book mainly for the romance part, I appreciated the story development and the reminder that the good parts of life are what you make of them. Every stage of life is a lesson and although we may struggle with certain parts, it is the evolution of those stages that shape the person we are.

Loved the touch of magic in this story and how the FMC gets transported into the future. The 13 going on 30 vibes are reflected in the story and I enjoyed the overall execution of the story. It had lovable moments, especially with the kids and future hubby.

If you could skip to the good part of your life, would you?

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC.

Sophie Cousens' upcoming novel, The Good Part, reads so much like the movie Big that I had to check the acknowledgements before writing this review. And there it is, a thank you to Big and a stack of other warm-hug 80's, 90's and early 2000's films that carry a touch of magical realism.

When Lucy experiences an avalanche of a typical 26 year-old's problems all in one day - a leaky ceiling, annoying roommates, unappreciative bosses, a fight with a best friend, a terrible date and money woes - she's had enough. The poor man's Zoltar machine that she encounters while waiting out the rain in a bodega seems like an oasis. Naturally, our heroine eagerly wishes to get to the good part of her life, where everything is "sorted."

Apparently, that part is 16 years into the future. Lucy wakes up in her early 40's, a married executive who runs her own TV station and has 2 beautiful children. She's enamored with her husband and impressed by her own success, especially since she's now able to buy croissants and fancy suits. The children...that part is a bit trickier. She is not fond of changing her toddler's diaper and her 7 year old, Felix, is on to her.

The relationship between Felix and Lucy quickly becomes one of the best parts of the whole book. They form a bond as they go on adventures to discover the portal that would bring him back his mom, and would take Lucy back to the present. For as much as she loves parts of this life, she doesn't want to miss her 20's - and 30's - and all the people in them.

While she's in the future, Lucy learns all about the wins and terrifying losses that made her who she is. When she finally discovers her portal, she's told there's no guarantee that she will find the same path again. What if she doesn't find her way back to the good part? What is she willing to risk?

5 stars for this read, where the entire book is the good part.

The Good Part by Sophie Cousens is a surprise and delight for the reader. This time travel/alternate life story makes one contemplate being thankful for one’s life in this moment. It makes the reader think if you could skip to the good part of your life, would you? And what would you miss along the way. Overall, this was a great read and made me feel like I was watching a movie the whole time.

The Good Part is a delightful and thought-provoking tale that explores the complexities of life’s journey. Sophie Cousens masterfully weaves humor, heart, and a touch of magic into this captivating story. Lucy’s adventure is both relatable and fantastical, making readers reflect on their own desires and the true meaning of happiness. This book is a perfect blend of laughter, tears, and life lessons, and it’s sure to leave a lasting impression. Highly recommended!

This was a fantastic book. It’s a great object lesson in wanting to skip past the rough times in life and get to the “good part”, but then you’ve missed what actually makes you think it’s the good part. I love the dual timeline in this, and, the main character trying to sort everything out and fake it till you make it.

4.5 stars. 26-year-old Londoner Lucy makes a wish to “skip to the good part” and wakes up 16 years in the future with a husband, two children, and an important job. But she can’t remember anything in between.

I love a good time travel story, and this book borrows in fun ways from classics like Big and 13 Going On 30. I’m not sure if I agree with the ending, but it was a good read that I couldn’t put down.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Lucy's life seems to be going nowhere. Her best friend is moving out of her apartment, her job isn't fulfilling and her love life is almost non-existent. She makes a wish on a 'game' machine, asking to skip to the good part. And, that is exactly what happens. She wakes up to 2 children, one who questions whether she is an alien, and a handsome and loving husband. Add that to a successful career and she has everything she could want. Or so it seems. But, she learns things along the way that make her wonder what the last 16 years really could have meant. And, when faced with the decision, will she go back and hope things stay the same, or give up 16 years of her life for the family and career she currently has?
I did enjoy this book, even if I thought it was a little cliche at times. The author writes well and it was very easy to read.

Perfectly sweet and cute. Excellent happy beach read. Not my favorite by Cousens, but I didn’t hate it.

"The Good Part" by Sophie Cousens is an absolute delight from start to finish. Cousens' knack for blending humor, heart, and relatable life moments is on full display in this charming novel. The story follows Lucy, a character whose journey of self-discovery and unexpected twists make for an engaging and heartwarming read.

What sets this book apart is its seamless mix of women's fiction and fantasy elements. Cousens masterfully intertwines these genres to create a narrative that is both grounded in real-life emotions and sprinkled with magical realism. This combination adds an extra layer of enchantment to an already captivating story.

Cousens' writing is witty and engaging, drawing readers into Lucy's world with ease. The characters are well-developed, and their relationships feel authentic and meaningful. The plot is filled with moments of laughter, tears, and everything in between, making it a rollercoaster of emotions in the best possible way.

Overall, "The Good Part" is a feel-good novel that beautifully captures the complexities of life, love, and personal growth, all while adding a touch of fantasy that make

Lucy Young is having a tough day and makes wish on a wishing machine to skip to the good part of her life. Unbeknownst to her, this wish would come true and she would wake up years into the future with no memory of what happened in the intervening years. Not only did I really love Lucy, but I loved all of the supporting characters and felt like they played such an integral part in the story. The writing was great and I didn’t want to put this book down. I would love to read more of Lucy’s story and those missing years as the bits and pieces we did learn seemed very interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sophie Cousins is one of my favorite authors and I was so excited to get a chance to read and review this story! I really enjoyed the set up and was pleasantly surprised with how everything came together at the end. Thank you for the opportunity to read this!

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book. My reviews can be read on my GoodReads account here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1335387-kelly

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After finishing this book I would give it 3.5 stars. I loved how the whole story ended up finishing, but when I went into the story I was expecting a romance and the romance in this book is more subtle. I honestly wanted to skip the parts when she is trying to remember how to do her job and that is a big chunk of the book. It gave me so much anxiety! But I loved reading about Lucy and her family...Felix and Sam were absolute perfection. I think this would be a great book to have for a book club as you could have so many conversations about the choices Lucy made.

This was a really fun story that makes you appreciate the here and now. I loved seeing how Lucy would handle all the situations, and how the story would end and it was satisfying.

So, for a mom of 3 in my 40s, this book hit the spot. What an incredible perspective for those of us in the middle of "the good part". I truly enjoyed this one...I laughed, nearly cried, and my heart ached throughout this story. Well done!

This was such an interesting idea for a story! She makes a wish to be transported into the "good part" of her life. I loved how she entered in and fell in love with the life she was put in to. I don't know how I feel about the ending but overall I loved the book. So many funny parts and I loved the audio with the London accent.

It is thought provoking thinking about what "the good part" of our life is because in reality, each year of our life has good parts and bad parts. The goal is to enjoy each day as if it was our last. Very creative story!

Ok this made me feel ALL the feels!!! I’m very much in my magical realism era right now, and The Good Part lived up to every hope I had for this story!!! Definitely worth a read