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The Couple - Helly Acton

 

The Couple follows the story of ambitious Milly in her journey to become the CCO of the company she works at called Slide, which is an app where people have casual, meaningless sex. This is considered the norm but being in a couple is perceived as abnormal and odd. Why would anyone want to be in a couple when people function better on their own? Besides, being in a couple takes time away from your friends, family, and career. Who would want that? So, when Millie is trusted with the campaign to develop a drug, called Oxytocin, which prevents people from falling in love she’s very excited to organise the campaign. But then she meets Ben. Funny, charming, and spontaneous; her exact opposite. And yet, Millie can’t help but feel drawn to Ben. Will Millie risk everything for Ben?

 

The concept of this book is amazing, clever, and witty. It is also a stark reminder of how a lot of people perceive being single. That it won’t last forever, that eventually everyone finds someone to fall in love with, but not everyone wants or needs that. Helly perfectly captures the hostility towards those who go against the norm, whether it be people who don’t try to conceal their distaste towards couples or the microaggressions within Millie’s friendship circle. The characters were enjoyable and believable, and Ben and Millie’s relationship is both heart-warming and heart-breaking. Watching them both yearn for each other but feeling as though they can’t do anything about it due to the opinions of others sheds light on similar situations that happen in reality. The very concept of Oxytocin is unnerving, prescribing an antidote to falling in love and taking away people’s choice to even try was daunting. This book is amazing and feels almost like a dystopian love story that teaches the reader to always trust your own feelings more than other people’s opinions. 

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