Cousens's writing style is an exceptional blend of relatability, impact and humour. I find her stories entertaining and well worth picking up.

Although this is not a truly original concept, her ability to make you feel as if you have lived through it is nothing short of remarkable. The incorporation of life lessons adds further depth and value to the narrative. The family mischief is bound to have you laughing, but it is the emotional side of the story that will tug at your heartstrings. If you are looking for a story that focuses on self-discovery, this engaging and impactful read is for you!

As always, I'm absolutely OBSESSED with anything Sophie writes! I was literally up until three in the morning finishing this, I literally couldn't put it down and haven't stopped blabbering on about it since finishing. I sooo wish I could read it again for the first time. I just loved it so much!

This book is going to stay with me for quite a while, this turned out to be one of my most favourite books of the year and i'll definitely be re-reading it!
It reminded me of Remember me by Sophie Kinsella which is another book I adore.

This is the story of Lucy who is in her 20's living with room mates and she's seeing all her friends moving on and getting married getting good jobs etc while she is stuck in a job she hates and doesn't see where her life is going.

After a particularly bad evening she comes across a wishing machine and just makes the wish that she would like to skip to the good part of her life.

When she wakes up she finds herself married with two children. The problem is she has no memories of this life and has quite literally been thrown into the future! The story continues with Lucy trying to untangle her life and wonders if she was a hasty in wishing her life away.

So so wonderful!!!

I literally can't put into words how much I absolutely loved this book! Being 26 years old myself, it was definitely an experience to also get a glimpse into my life if I just wished for "the good part" and it was an eye-opener. Whilst this book was light-hearted and humorous, there still contained depth explaining that there's no perfect moment in life, no matter what age you skip to. There's still heartache and loss and life lessons that you unfortunately can't skip, therefore you have to go through all the in-betweens to become the person future you needs. Sophie seriously put some magic in this one because I just could not stop reading. I finished this all in less than 24 hours and was filled with so much emotion by the end, emotions that had slightly healed me. I've always wanted to skip to the good part myself and that's just not going to happen, so why not make now the good part? I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could, perfection! Hands down a favourite of this year!

I don't have too much to say about The Good Part. When I first read the description, it sounded like the perfect light-hearted read to whisk me away into a world of enchantment. However, I was somewhat surprised by the reviews, not because it wasn't a good book, but because it simply left me with a feeling of "nice" rather than excited, adrenaline filled, lovey dovey etc.

In essence, this is a book that meanders along like a gentle stream. It's the literary equivalent of a cozy blanket on a chilly evening, comfortable and familiar. The narrative plods along much like the movie "13 Going on 30," where Lucy stumbles upon a mysterious wishing machine in a quaint newsagent's shop. She makes a wish to fast-forward to the 'good part' of her life, and lo and behold, she wakes up 16 years later, but with no memory of the events leading up to this stage.

While the premise holds promise, I couldn't help but feel that nothing specific truly happened in the story. It's a nice book that for me, lacks the kind of moments that make your heart race. Whilst there were some emotional moments between the characters, it didn't make my emotions soar. The tale gently unfolds, much like a leisurely stroll through a park, with Lucy's life unfolding before her like a series of snapshots, yet it fails to evoke the kind of excitement or emotional depth that one might expect from such a magical premise.

Ultimately, this is a story that embraces the notion of 'nice' without delving into the extraordinary. It offers a comfortable reading experience but lacks the memorable moments that make a book truly stand out. If you're seeking a light and undemanding read, this book might fit the bill, but don't expect it to leave an indelible mark on your literary journey.

Thank you Net Galley for access to this book in return for an honest review. I would give 3.5 out of 5.

This was a contemplative yet sweet read. It followed Lucy as she came to the realisation, with a little help from time travel, that you NEED to go through the not so great parts of life before you can get to the good part. Each new stage brings its own sorrows and joys, and through that you get to deepen your relationships and gain hard-earned wisdom.

This novel didn’t take the humorous, wacky approach. As soon as Lucy started telling people of her large lapse in memory, the pace dipped a bit to accommodate her grief over the years she had lost. In this way, the novel toed a weird line between magical realism and real life as Lucy herself grappled with the idea that she could just be suffering from memory loss. Despite this, her future son Felix never gave up on the idea that she really had been transported through time. His character was adorable and he ended up being the MVP.

While this book was marketed as a romance, it felt less like a love story and more like Lucy’s own personal journey. I liked the rare occasions Lucy and her future husband Sam spent getting to know each other but their storyline never felt like anything more than a subplot.

OVERALL: This was a sweet, lighthearted, yet reflective read which followed its relatable heroine on her journey to realise that the not so great parts of life are necessary to get to the good parts.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder Books for the ARC of The Good Part by Sophie Cousens in return for my honest review.
This is a really well written heart warming romantic story that will have you laughing and crying. The characters are all so likeable, I especially liked the relationship between Lucy and Felix it is so adorable. This is a perfect weekend read.

I’ve been a big fan of Sophie Cousens’ books since her first one, and this one has quickly become one of my favourites!

Lucy’s unhappy. She’s had bad luck with relationships and is not being taken seriously at work. The only positive aspect of her life is her friends, but even they seem to be moving forward while she feels left behind. So, when she stumbles upon a "wishing machine" after a terrible date, she takes the opportunity to make a wish and fast-forward to the "good part" of her life.

Lucy wakes up then next day, next to an incredibly attractive man and realises her wish was granted. She has to come to terms with the fact that she’s lost sixteen years of her life, along with the signs of ageing, a c section scar, and most importantly all the new and old relationships she has no recollection of. She has a wonderful husband, two children and a great job, but at what cost?

We’ve all experienced those years of our lives that we wish we could skip. The ones where we hate our jobs, or where our love lives are miserable (or non existent). For me, the best memories of those years are the ones with my friends and how much an important part they played in getting me through it! This was portrayed so well in The Good Part. It wasn’t just a love story between a man and woman or a mother and her children, but also a love story between friends.

There were some really funny parts (Lucy’s relationship with Felix was especially sweet), but also some really sad and poignant parts. This is a really beautiful and heartfelt story that truly resonates.

Thanks Net Galley for providing me with a digital arc!

I have enjoyed Sophie cousens work before and I couldn’t wait to read this book. This was an easy quick read but so enjoyable . I loved reading about Lucy’s chaotic life including some of her barmy flat mates and her best friends.

When Lucy seems to get the life she Wants through jumping through in time. She is thrown in the deep in with work and with family life. Not everything is what it seems and makes her wonder does she want to go back to her chaotic life where she can’t afford to eat. This is honestly such a good read and would recommend to anyone.

I've said before that once I read This Time Next Year, Sophie Cousens had become a favourite author of mine and I stand by it. I loved The Good Part. Such a clever plot, filled with Sophie's usual humour, unforgettable characters amd twists (my heart broke so many times during this book). I laughed, I cried and I feel a book hangover coming on. Im calling it now, I can see this being a film. I cannot wait for the next book this talented lady will write.

The sweetest, feel good rom-com that plays with time!

Thanks Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC!

Synopsis –

Lucy Young is done with her crappy existence. She just wants to skip to the “the good part” where her life is all sorted. When she is stranded on the street with no shoes & money to go home after a disastrous date, she stumbles upon a shop that houses a “wishing machine”. On a whim, she pushes a coin into the machine making her wish. The next morning she wakes next to a handsome man, a ring on her finger, a high flying career, a picture perfect house & family, while she looks like a 40 something woman. Will Lucy embrace this life she craved for or does she want to go back?

Review -

Lucy was such a relatable character with a great sense of humour and a gift of being able to laugh at herself. At 26, while she struggles to make ends meet as a runner in her TV production job and sees no hope even after her promotion, I loved that her passion for her job never wavered, neither her kindness, willingness to do good and help others.

Enter the wishing machine, Lucy’s life becomes recognizable as she fast forwards 16 years into the future. Oh, how this glimpse into her future was not only “the good part” but simply the best possible future she could ever imagine.

I was in awe at how Lucy handles such an impossible situation - as she finds herself living her future life with no context whatsoever of the previous 16 years. I totally swooned for the kind of love, chemistry and camaraderie she shared with her husband, Sam, a wonderful man, simply too good to be true. Do men like him even exist?

And of course the kids! I became a fan of Felix, their 7 year old son. What a delightful, geeky and endearing little boy he is! Even little Amy, managed to steal my heart with her shenanigans. I loved how the author portrays Lucy’s relationship with Felix – full of witty banter, laugh out loud and heart-warming moments.

After a shaky start with both her family and work, Lucy manages to slowly assimilate into her new life. Juggling between both, she has to overcome challenges with extremely high stakes and I totally cheered and rooted for her as she emerges on the other side.

The ending was perfectly done as Lucy has to make the toughest choice between “remembering” and “truly living” the past 16 years of her life. It’s just not the same, is it?

Time-travel or elements of magical realism usually are a hit or miss for me, but what a joy this book brought me with its brilliant characterization, a beautiful love story, fantastic entertainment and some lovely messages for life.

Highly recommend!

Reading the burb for this book, it sounded a little confusing. However, it turned out to be an well written and engrossing book. Thank you for the ARC.

This was such a fun book all round, well written, great pacing and fun characters. Nothing more that I could want. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review..

I don’t even know where to begin to explain how much I loved this! Every single book by Sophie Cousens that I’ve read has been five stars, and this one was no exception. It was beautifully written from start to finish, and as a woman in my twenties I found it really relatable.

I particularly empathised with the pressure that Lucy feels when it comes to being ‘sorted’ of all aspects of her life by a certain timeline, and the challenges of navigating all the hardships life throws our way, no matter how old we are or what stage we’re at. It’s hard to come across books that I don’t want to end, but this was definitely one of them.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I was so lucky to get a digital copy of this book via Netgalley and I devoured it in less than a day.

Remember the Tom Hanks film Big? Well this is 26 year old Lucy’s version, complete with creepy arcade wishing machine.

When Lucy stumbles on an old wishing machine, she longs for her life to just get to the ‘good part’ but when she wakes up a strangers bed the next day, she wonders if the previous night was all just a dream and if not, how on earth can she get back to her normal life….

I loved this so much, the characters were loveable and believable, the story had just a little touch of magic and there were so many laugh out loud moments. There was a perfect mix of humour, romance, friendship and magical realism and I completely lost myself in this book. I was so sad when it ended - for more than one reason.

I will be buying myself a physical copy of this brilliant book on its release date on 5th October and I suggest you do too! 😃

Thanks so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this advanced copy.

4.5/5

This is such a feel good book, I finished it and felt like I’d had a warm hug from a bestie, and they are the best kinds of books!

Lucy is a runner at a TV show, determined to be promoted and have her ideas heard. She lives in a flat in London with her lovable, but difficult to live with, flatmates where the roof often leaks onto her bed. She’s skint, goes on terrible dates and just wants to skip to the good part of her life! But when she comes across an old wishing machine and it actually happens she’s unsure if that’s the best thing after all.

A bit of magical realism, life lessons, romance and humour, I couldn’t put this down! I loved the characters, Felix, is my favourite but her friends are brilliant too. I felt all the emotions with this one and Sophie Cousens is fast becoming a new favourite author for me!

Thank you so much @netgalley @sophie_cousens and @hodderstoughton for this review copy 💛

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sophie Cousens is one of my favorite romance novelists, because her books are always surprising. Her newest release, The Good Part, is even more special because it has time travel elements to it, and a major “what if” question mark. So good!

Wow! This book has all the feels: fantasy and magic; comedy; an exquisite love story that made me a little jealous; and emotional moments that brought a tear to my eye. This has to be one of the best books I read this year. Imagine if Big and 13 Going on 30 had a love child in the form of a book. The Good Part would be that book. It’s a romantic comedy with elements of magic and fantasy.

Sophie Cousens’s writing is spot on and I found myself laughing out loud to Lucy’s narrative. The relationship between Lucy and Sam was wonderful. He’s definitely a book husband that I wish I could have. I found myself falling in love with his character as I progressed through the story. Their romance was something that I thought about away from the book, and I think that’s a marker of a good romance if you’re thinking about the characters away from the story. While I didn’t want the book to end, the ending was perfect.

The Good Part is a reminder that to get to the great sections of life, we have to live in the moment, regardless of how nasty or awful, or even messy it might be.

Who hasn't wished to travel to a point in their lives when things could be easier? I know that the older I get the more I wish I could go back and change things...

Lucy Young is 26 and feels as though she is stuck in a rut that she can't get out of. She lives in a flatshare with her best friend Zoya and a few people who don't seem to care about the other residents (bones in the bath because they're making bone broth?). And her upstairs neighbour is continually flooding his bathroom, which then drips into her room. And as for her career in TV? Well, she got a promotion but that doesn't mean she's not still the tea girl.

After a particularly bad night during which she argues with Zoya, gets a little too drunk and then finds herself on a disaster date with a very odd man...she comes across a wishing machine and wishes to be in a place where everything is sorted out, she's happy and settled and she's reached 'The Good Part'.

Be careful what you wish for, that's all I can say. When she wakes the next morning she is in bed with a man she doesn't know has two children and a sparkling career...but remembers none of it...and all good things come with a few hidden horrors, as she soon discovers.

This book made me sad and happy in equal parts. Through her experience, Lucy realises that skipping to the good part comes with many disadvantages, one of which is that she doesn't remember how she got there. And that's half the fun. Meeting and falling in love with her husband, Sam. Growing closer to her friends, spending time with her parents...and as for her children, she builds a bond, but it doesn't feel the same.

In a way, this is a tale that drums home (not too loudly) that experiences are earned, and along the way you learn a lot.

I really enjoyed this story, though as someone who has never been that keen on time travel as a concept used in novels, I was a bit dubious at first.

I read through this at a relative rate of knots and enjoyed every moment. A great book for those who enjoyed Groundhog Day, and Sliding Doors (there is something about her realisations as she looks at what she missed out on that made me think of this 'two path' story.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book.

Lucy is 26, but not enjoying the job she’s doing or her life.

In a newsagents she finds a wishing machine, and so she makes a wish, for her life to go to the 'the good part' where everything is so much better than it is now.

When she wakes up in the morning, her life has gone forward 16 years, but she’s not sure what’s happened or how.

Now, it’s her decision, stay where she is, now aged 40 with things how she wanted them to be or, go back, to when she was 26 and live that life.

I recommend this book.