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The Couple

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The Couple

By: Helly Acton
Narrated by: Laura Aikman
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About this listen

The author of The Radio 2 Book Club Pick The Shelf returns with a new hilarious, thought-provoking and funny novel.

Millie is a perfectionist. She's happy, she's successful and, with a great support network of friends and family (and a very grumpy cat), she's never lonely. She loves working at a big tech firm and is on track be promoted to her dream role. The last thing she needs is romance messing up her perfectly organised world.

Besides, normal people just don't have romantic relationships. Everyone knows that being in a couple is a bit . . . well, odd. You know, like having a pet snake or referring to yourself in the third person. Why rely on another person for your own happiness? Why risk the humiliation of unrequited love or the agony of a break-up? No, Millie is more than happy with her conventional single life.

So, when Millie lands a new project at work, launching a pill that prevents you falling in love, it seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. That is, until she starts working with Ben. He's charming and funny, and Millie feels an instant connection to him.

Will Millie sacrifice everything she believes in for love?

©2020 Helly Acton (P)2020 Bonnier Books UK Contemporary Funny Witty Feel-Good

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Critic reviews

"Genius, funny and thought-provoking. 5 stars." (Carrie Hope Fletcher)

"So clever. I loved it." (Sophie Cousens)

"Funny and clever. I loved every single line." (Lucy Vine)

All stars
Most relevant  
Millie is driven and has a plan when she 16 that depicts where she wants to be career wise and she is happily single and working for a company who promotes being in a couple is so last year and casual sex is the thing. They go much further and want to develop a pill that prevents broken hearts and it all seems to make sense to Millie until new recruit Ben arrives on the scene.

Millie does not think she has time for relationships but she hits it off with Ben. The company would not like the idea because it goes against what they believe.

Now Millie who loves routine finds herself conflicted. Is she really free with her choices? Does she still believe relationships are not for her?

There are quite a few laughs and enlightening moments and will Millie take a leap of faith.

Fight or Flight

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Helly Acton did it again. She keeps on writing interesting and surprising books.

I read "The Shelf" before and "The couple" is even better.

It is a real "page turner" and I went through it in 2 days.

A must read, especially if you have been sad or bitter about being single.

It will make you laugh and may give you a new outlook on life.

Witty, inspiring and funny

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A book you don't want to end. Characters that feel like a favourite old cardy.

Feel good, happy read

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It really put things in perspective when the roles are reversed, sometimes I would think 'that's ridiculously' or 'that's unfair' and then remembered it actually happens today but in reverse. Great book.

Such an interesting perspective!

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I enjoyed Helly's 1st book The Shelf but this book was really fab. Such an interesting storyline and lovable Characters, I only wish it had been longer as it was over too soon. It really makes you think about society and the way we treat single people too, I have definitely learnt from listening to this book.

Great book!

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I really enjoyed the topic and it made a nice change to have everything turned on its head for a new perspective on romance! Although very predictable & unsurprising, it was an enjoyable & easy rom-com listen.

Thought provoking but lovely

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This was a lot of fun listening to, once you got into the swing of the reverse reality.
My only objection is that no one ever “says” anything, everyone “cries” whatever they’re saying.

Fun!

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I really enjoyed this book. I'm not normally one for romantic fiction but I'd listened to The Shelf and loved the unusual story so wanted to try something else by Helly Acton. The take on singledom being the norm and romanric relationships being 'weird' was really original and made you look again at what our society holds as normal. The narration was great too, I can definitely recommend.

Relationships but not as you know them.

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Although at the beginning of the book I thought not for me, I kept going and was glad I did.

Different

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I actually really enjoyed the concept of this book. I liked the way things were flipped 180. It's really important that in today's society, we understand that being single is fine and that it's actually preferable to many people. This book definitely made me laugh and also that I should be more independent at times. Great story.

Very Entertaining

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