Sophie Cousens has built a devoted following with her signature blend of heartfelt romance and razor-sharp wit, and her latest offering demonstrates precisely why readers keep returning to her work. And Then There Was You arrives with a premise that feels both delightfully absurd and surprisingly timely, asking questions about love, technology, and what it truly means to find your perfect partner in an age where algorithms promise to do the hard work for us.
The story introduces us to Chloe Fairway, a thirty-one-year-old production assistant whose life has taken several detours from the trajectory she once imagined. Living with her parents in Richmond after a painful breakup, working for a difficult boss who treats her like his personal errand girl, and watching her dreams of becoming a screenwriter gather dust, Chloe finds herself facing an unwelcome milestone: her ten-year Oxford reunion.
The prospect of confronting former classmates who were once voted alongside her as “most likely to succeed” fills Chloe with dread. Chief among her concerns is Sean Adler, her former best friend turned Hollywood film director, whose meteoric rise stands in stark contrast to her own stalled aspirations. When a chance encounter leads her to a mysterious dating service called Perfect Partners, Chloe believes she’s found the solution to her plus-one problem. What she discovers instead upends everything she thought she knew about dating, technology, and herself.
The Delicate Balance of Sci-Fi Romance
Cousens treads fascinating territory by weaving science fiction elements into what is fundamentally a character-driven romance. The reveal that comes early in the novel could easily have tipped the story into outlandish territory, but the author handles it with remarkable skill, using the fantastical premise to explore entirely relatable themes about self-worth, nostalgia, and the gap between who we are and who we wish we could be.
The writing captures Chloe’s internal world with warmth and precision. Her voice rings authentic, full of self-deprecating humor and pop culture references that never feel forced. When Chloe compares her wardrobe choices to font types or references Black Mirror episodes as cautionary tales, these moments feel organic rather than performative, building a protagonist who is genuinely likeable despite her flaws.
Character Development That Resonates
Where this novel truly shines is in its treatment of Chloe’s journey toward self-acceptance. Rather than positioning romance as the solution to her problems, Cousens allows her protagonist to grapple with questions that extend far beyond her love life:
- Why has she abandoned her creative ambitions?
- What prevents her from demanding more from her career?
- How much of her discontent stems from comparing herself to others rather than pursuing her own definition of success?
The supporting cast enriches this exploration beautifully. Chloe’s parents provide a gentle, grounding presence, complete with their morning anagram puzzles and quirky concerns about newfangled technology. Her best friend Akiko offers both support and gentle accountability from Edinburgh, serving as a reminder that friendships require nurturing even when life gets complicated.
The Oxford Setting: Nostalgia Done Right
The reunion setting allows Cousens to play with themes of nostalgia without wallowing in them. The Oxford backdrop sparkles with atmospheric detail, from candlelit formal dinners in ancient halls to impromptu conversations on cobblestone streets. Yet the author is careful to interrogate the seductive pull of the past rather than simply celebrating it.
College flashbacks are woven throughout the narrative, illuminating how Chloe’s present-day insecurities took root and revealing the complicated history between characters. These moments serve a purpose beyond mere backstory; they demonstrate how memory can both comfort and deceive us, how the versions of ourselves we remember might not align with who we actually were.
Where the Story Occasionally Stumbles
For all its strengths, the novel does encounter some pacing issues in its middle section. The balance between the speculative elements and the emotional core sometimes feels uneven, with certain revelations arriving before the reader has had time to fully absorb previous developments.
Additionally, while the central premise is inventive, some readers may find that the mechanics of the technology raise more questions than the plot chooses to address. Cousens wisely focuses on the emotional implications rather than technical explanations, but those seeking a more grounded approach to the science fiction elements might feel slightly unsatisfied.
The character dynamics, particularly in the romantic entanglements, occasionally veer toward predictable territory. Seasoned romance readers may anticipate certain turns well before they arrive, though Cousens’s execution remains engaging enough to sustain interest regardless.
Thematic Depth Beneath the Charm
What elevates this novel beyond typical romantic comedy is its thoughtful engagement with contemporary anxieties. The questions it raises about artificial intelligence, authenticity, and human connection feel remarkably relevant without becoming heavy-handed. Cousens poses intriguing possibilities:
- What happens when technology promises to deliver exactly what we think we want?
- Can perfection ever truly satisfy when it lacks the friction and surprise of genuine human interaction?
- How do we distinguish between healthy self-improvement and performing versions of ourselves for others?
The novel also offers a nuanced exploration of creative ambition and the courage required to pursue artistic dreams. Chloe’s struggles with her abandoned screenwriting aspirations will resonate with anyone who has ever let fear of failure prevent them from trying, and her gradual reconnection with her creative voice provides one of the story’s most satisfying arcs.
Sophie Cousens’s Growing Legacy
Readers familiar with Cousens’s previous work will recognize her distinctive voice here, though And Then There Was You represents perhaps her boldest conceptual swing to date. Following novels like This Time Next Year, Just Haven’t Met You Yet, Before I Do, The Good Part, and Is She Really Going Out with Him?, this latest effort demonstrates an author willing to push boundaries while maintaining the warmth and wit that defines her brand.
The book sits comfortably within the contemporary romance genre while borrowing elements from speculative fiction, creating something that feels both familiar and fresh. Cousens has noted that this was her most challenging novel to write, requiring multiple rewrites to achieve the right tonal balance, and that effort shows in the final product’s careful construction.
The Verdict: A Charming Read with Genuine Heart
And Then There Was You succeeds as both entertaining escapism and a meaningful meditation on what we truly need versus what we think we want. Cousens has crafted a protagonist worth rooting for, placed her in circumstances that are both fantastical and emotionally authentic, and delivered a story that lingers after the final page.
The novel works best for readers who appreciate romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering genuine emotional payoffs. Those seeking pure escapism will find plenty to enjoy, while readers looking for something slightly more substantial will appreciate the thematic depth woven throughout.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
If And Then There Was You appeals to you, consider exploring these complementary reads:
- The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood: Another romance with speculative elements and a delightfully quirky premise
- A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston: Features literary references and questions about fiction’s influence on our romantic expectations
- Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler: Combines road trip romance with unconventional circumstances
- Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan: Explores creative ambition and second chances at love
- The Rewind by Allison Winn Scotch: Blends time-bending concepts with romantic comedy
- Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer: British setting with sharp humor and emotional depth
- Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan: Examines reunions and unfinished romantic business
Sophie Cousens delivers a novel that entertains while asking questions worth considering long after you’ve finished reading. And Then There Was You may not revolutionize the genre, but it offers something increasingly valuable: a genuinely enjoyable reading experience with enough substance to make it memorable.
