Lucy is a woman in her mid-20s struggling financially, romantically, and professionally. She’s ready to skip to the good part, where life’s good and all of her troubles are sorted. One day, her wish comes true, and she’s catapulted twelve years in to the future. But is future Lucy’s life all she’s ever wanted?

This novel — and Sophie Cousens acknowledges — is derivative of movies like 13 Going on 30 & Freaky Friday.

What I liked:
⏰ Felix — I loved his child-like wonder, and how he wanted to help his “alien” mom get back to where she came from

⏰ Overall theme — The grass is always greener…until it isn’t. It’s easy to wish away the “bad” parts of life, but there’s something to be said about the lessons we learn along the way.

⏰ The epilogue.

What I didn’t like:
⏰ The ending…without spoilers, it’s not what I was wanting (or expecting). It fell a little flat.

⏰ Slow to start — Lucy annoyed me from the start, and I considered “skipping to the good part” myself. By about 50% of the way through, I started to tolerate her more.

⏰ Not enough Sam — I would’ve loved to know more (or even is POV), as I instantly took his side.

⏰ Déjà vu — I did like that it was reminiscent of the aforementioned early 2000’s movies, but it lacked something for me…

Overall, Cousens delivers a familiar tale with warmth and humor sprinkled throughout. Her writing is easy to devour, as I finished rather quickly. This is the second book I’ve read of hers (This Time Next Year being the first).

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin / Putnam for the advanced copy. The Good Part is available November 7.

Loved this book! To me it was like Big and 13 going on 30 mixed together but an adult making the wish lol books like these I wish they would turn into movies. Loved Felix he made me smile quite a bit in the book. Loved the characters and the story line. Would definitely recommend

Thank you netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for allowing me to read this book!
Wow this book surprised me in a good way!
I really enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would! It was fun and would make a great movie! I think the way Lucy reacted to the time traveling and her whole life being completely different one morning was so realistic. The Romance between Sam and Lucy was so sweet! I enjoyed the characters especially Felix! I liked the deeper parts of this book also and how you honestly don’t know what path she will choose at the end. I liked the ending of the book but would have liked it if the author had taken the ending a little further. Definitely recommend!

So, it took me a long time to get into unfortunately. I just don’t think this was the book for me. The writing was fine, but for me is kind of dragged and I couldn’t get myself to pick it up for enjoyment.

Do you ever wish you could skip to the good part of your life? Well, that’s what Lucy does. Except doing that leads to all sorts of problems and dilemmas that you might not even think of.
I had a lot of fun conversations with my family and friends while reading this book asking them would you rather questions based on the scenarios in this book.
No spoilers, but I would have made different choices than what Lucy made. I think it’s fun to hear a different perspective than your own though. The story was well told and I kept trying to guess what had happened and how it was going to end.

3.5 stars. This was an interesting read. I’ve loved Sophie’s books. The premise of this was fascinating, gave major 13 Going on 30 vibes of course, as you watch Lucy navigate jumping 16 years into the future.
Weirdly, the parts I struggled most with were the ethics of the time travel? Like, even though it is you in the future, 26 year old you is taking her place and what does that all mean for her kids and husband. There were times when I genuinely felt uncomfortable and wasn’t sure how Sophie would bring it all together.
Ultimately, things do start to fall in place to leave a satisfying story, but I do still have some lingering questions. The author mentions in her acknowledgments some of the challenges of writing a story like this, and while I think this is good, it ultimately leaves a somewhat unfinished feeling behind.
I did find the idea of life always being messy, and that the messy parts are some of the good parts really relatable. Can you appreciate the “good” without some of the bad? I’d still recommend the book!

I loved this book, it was such a fun fluffy read. I ended up reading this book in one sitting. I loved reading Lucy’s journey and watching her grow in the process. Even the side characters were great, I loved her husband and son, and group of friends.

This book gave me 13 Going on 30 vibes, and I loved it so much! Such a fun premise for a book and it had me smiling and laughing a lot. Lucy is so relatable and I was cheering her on the whole time. It was so fun and entertaining following along with her as she skips forward in time. Having an instant family is a major adjustment for her and she has to quickly step into the role of wife and mother all while trying to navigate her career too. There are so many heartwarming and emotional moments. I loved seeing her relationship with Sam develop and all the romantic moments they share are so sweet! This book really makes you think about how all the choices you make, big and small impact your life. It also makes you realize that you really need to cherish what you do have and take nothing for granted.

Thank you so much NetGalley & G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted copy!

This was fun! I love 13 going on 30 and this definitely has similar vibes. Wasn’t really heavy on the romance but I don’t think that’s a negative.
Overall rating: 3 stars

Lucy is twenty-six, single, hating her job, and stuck. She’s tired of her monotonous life with four roommates while trying to make ends meet. She dreams of producing tv shows of her own instead of getting coffee for her tv producer boss. After a terrible date, she ends up in a shop with an old wishing machine. She puts a coin in and wishes to skip to the good part of her life. She wakes up to gorgeous house, man in bed with her, and children screaming. When she looks in the mirror, she’s aged and has….wrinkles! About 16 years has passed.

Is it all a dream or a reality? Does Lucy like her new life and the things she always wanted? Or does she wish she were twenty-six again, and appreciating what she has?

13 Going on Thirty vibes for this one! I love a good Sophie Cousens book!

Thanks Net Galley and G.P. Putnam’s Son for the ARC!

I have been a fan of Sophie Cousens since her debut novel (This Time Next Year). I can confidently say that The Good Part is her best book yet. As a 26-year-old woman, Lucy's journey in this book resonated with me. I related entirely to yearning for all the messy parts of life to be sorted out, and this book was a welcomed reminder to appreciate this present phase of life. Reading this book felt like watching my favorite 90's rom-com. I have already started recommending this to my friends!
Thank you so much to Sophie Cousens, Penguin Group Putnam, and NetGalley for giving me access to an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group/G.P. Putnam’s Sons for this Advanced Reader Copy, in exchange for my honest review.

Lucy Young is in her mid-20’s and feels like her life should be so much more than it currently is. Not progressing in her chosen career, a terrible shared apartment and a negative bank account. After a night with too much alcohol, and an agreement with her best friend, Lucy stumbles upon a newsagent store where an eccentric shopkeeper points her to a Wishing Machine.

Lucy wakes up 16 years in her future with no knowledge of anything since the night of the wish. Lucy is now married to a handsome man and has two children. And she is on top of her career.

The question is should she continue searching for a way to get back or learn to fall into her life.

This was a charming, light-hearted book. It was a good reminder that we should relish the time of our lives that we are in and stop waiting for “the good part.” It is your standard “Be careful what you wish for” trope. I found it reminiscent of a lot of those fun 90’s rom-com movies. It was not overly unique but very enjoyable nonetheless.

I genuinely liked the characters and found myself looking forward to being able to read more.
I recommend this very sweet book.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for granting me access to this book in exchange for my honest review!

I think this book is probably one of my favorite books of 2023. I read it in about a day and a half. Full disclosure that I love the movies that inspired this book such as the family man, 13 going on 30, and freaky Friday. So it’s no surprise I enjoyed this novel. I’m happy because I only gave before I do 3 stars, but I did enjoy same time next year by Sophie cousens. I don’t want to give away too much detail so I will just say that if you love romcoms you will love this book!

The Good Part

I am a big fan of Sophie Cousens books. This one was no different. It did take a bit to get into the story but once I did it was a smooth read. I feel we can all relate with Lucy! We all wish for things in life! It offers great life lessons for anyone reading! Sophie Cousens knows how to grab her readers attention with her books!
Lucy daydreams what life would be like in the 'good part" of life.
Grab The Good Part and enjoy daydreaming right along with Lucy!

This book is so relatable and amazing. It makes me think about how growing up we are all in situations we dont want to be in. I loved it! It was light and airy and 4 stars overall!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was such a lovely combination of thirteen going on thirty and other lovely memories, but it really carried a huge emotional punch. I loved the thought put into each scenario, the growth of the main character. Even though the premise gives mega anxiety, it was a total delight ☺️

I always enjoy Sophie’s books. They’re always unique, thought provoking, and refreshing. The Good Part is no different. Such a great story and my favorite of hers so far. Definitely recommend.

This book. 😭

We have all been in a situation where we thought “why can’t I already be where I want to be in life?”
But after reading this book, I now know that I will 100% continue to embrace life one day at a time and stop wishing to jump ahead.


It shattered and healed my heart simultaneously, I fell in love with every single character, and I wasn’t ready for it to end.

Sophie Cousens continues to be amazing.

Thank you to the publishers, author, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Let me start by saying a binged this book in the span of a view hours. I always love me a good Sophie Cousens Romance book. Secondly, SHE DID NOT DISAPPOINT. I was hesitant about the time traveling piece being too inauthentic but it did not all. Lucy time traveling from her chaotic 20's into her "stable" 30's makes me so reminiscent of all the 90's and 00's movies we watched as a kid. (BRB while I go rewatch Freaky Friday). 4.5 stars for The Good Part, as it was such a Good Book.

Lucy, is in her mid 20's working at the lowest rungs of a company, while barely having enough money to get by. After an awful day and even worse night (date), she just wishes she could skip to the good part. Little does she know there is power in her words and she very well wake up to the world she asked for. Queue Sam and their two kids. The only thing bad about the situation is that Lucy is now 42 years old with no recollection of the last 16 years of her life or the journey she took to get to the good part of her life. Was it really worth it?

I loved this book! It was fun, yet had some really good life lessons. I really enjoyed Lucy's journey, and watching her grow in the process. There was such a great group of characters. I really liked her group of friends, but especially liked her husband and son.

I definitely recommend this book, and will be looking for more by the author.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC. All opinions are my own.