[Asis’ Review] The Good Part by Sophie Cousens

The Good Part
by Sophie Cousens
Pages: 384
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance, NA, Paranormal, Romance
Source: Publisher
Format Read: ARC, eBook
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By the New York Times bestselling author of Just Haven't Met You Yet, a downtrodden twenty-six-year-old wakes up to the life she’s always wanted, but is it really a dream come true?

At twenty-six, Lucy Young is tired. Tired of fetching coffees for senior TV producers, tired of going on disastrous dates, and definitely tired of living in a damp flat share with flatmates who never buy toilet roll. She could quit her job for a better living, but she’s not ready to give up on her dreams. Not just yet. After another diabolical date lands her in a sudden storm and no money for bus fare, Lucy finds herself seeking shelter in a tiny shop, where she stumbles upon a curious wishing machine. Pushing her last coin into the slot, Lucy closes her eyes and wishes with everything she’s got: Please, let me skip to the good part of my life.

When she wakes the next morning to a handsome man, a ring on her finger, a high-powered job, and storybook perfect little boy and baby girl, Lucy can’t believe this is real—especially when she looks in the mirror, and staring back is her own forty-something face. Has she really skipped ahead to the future she’s always wanted, or has she simply forgotten a huge chunk of her life? And as Lucy begins to embrace this new life and new relationships, she’ll have to ask herself: Can she go back, and if so, does she want to?

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I do not have the words to explain how much and how deeply I connected to this book. I cried a couple of times and that is truly rarer than you’d think for me.

The premise in and of itself is what made me want to read it, and if you’ve read the synopsis, that is exactly what this story is. I’ve seen similar concepts in the movies referenced here, of course, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a book even slightly similar to this, and so I was very giddy and excited about the prospect of this read.
And well… it was everything I wanted, everything I needed, and even more.

I adored the main character so much. She was so human, so real and relatable. I mean, everything was relatable in this story, but her journey and conflicts in particular are so easy to connect with. Her friends, her life, her frustrations and dreams… it hit home for me.

Then we get to the future, to the “good part”. And I was actually very surprised here, because I thought this would be one of those situations where it all seems perfect on the surface but it’s really bad deep down. The husband would be hot but boring or nasty, for example. And…. no. No, no. It really was so good, so nice, so beautiful. He was one of my absolute favorite heroes I’ve ever read and I am not exaggerating. I truly couldn’t get enough of him, and I need so much more.
The children were adorable and her relationship with them was so sweet and cute. I loved this family so much.

Seeing her learning to become a mom and a wife and make peace with her older self while feeling like her younger self was a total delight.

Not everything was that good, of course. By gaining things, we also lose things.
And in this future we get loss, sadness, hardships, change… just a different kind of issues in a different stage of life. But overall… there’s a lot of happiness, accomplishments and improvements, as well.

Lucy’s journey included some really hard decisions that made me think and reflect a lot, and to be honest, I am not sure what my own choices would be if I was in her place, nor am I sure they would be the same as hers.

I do have to say, the ending was way too much of an open-ending for my taste, which makes me conflicted on my overall opinion of the story. I was left very unsatisfied, and I understand the reason for it, but that is the one thing I hate in stories.

Still, it was such a good read that I absolutely recommend to everyone. I am so thankful for this book.