It Was You All Along

by Elle Cook

What if you met your soulmate one minute too late?

Ten years ago, four strangers were thrown together in the same flat at university. This chance arrangement will change their lives forever.

For Aurora, the first in her family to go to uni, it opens whole new worlds. For Ollie, arriving mere minutes after the others, it means years of pining for the one woman he can never have. Or risk losing the best friends he’s ever had.

Through love, tragedy, and everything in between, the friends’ paths seem set. But when soulmates are kept apart, fate might just give a little helping hand…

397 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2026

About the author

Elle Cook worked as a journalist and in PR before becoming a full time novelist. The Man I Never Met is her first contemporary novel and The Last Train Home is her second. She is also the author of six historical novels under her real name, Lorna Cook.

Reviews

[Jenny Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OKAY. It was okay enough for me to keep going and not DNF. Not my fave by this author, though. 😕 I genuinely struggled with liking some of these characters (Liv especially). It also just felt like a lot didn’t happen in this book, overall.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten years ago four strangers were thrown together in a flat at university. This arrangement changes their lives for ever. Through love, tragedy and everything in between, their paths seem set. But when soulmates are kept apart, fate may intervene.

I have read all of Elle Cook’s books, ever since reading The Last Train Home and loving it - ever book been a five star one since. This one was no different and another that gets all the stars. This wasn’t a rom com as such, more of a deep, emotional tale of friendship dynamics and how they change and develop over time. I enjoyed that the story was told as a journey over the years, where we learn more about the characters and their friendship, watching the twists and turns of their lives, while they grow.

The romance element was explored well and did not feel forced, although at times it could feel a bit repetitive, it felt natural in the development and I was desperate for a happy ending. What the author does so well is create characters that you really care about and feel like you know on a personal level. They all felt authentic, with their flaws and idiosyncrasies. I will miss following them and seeing where they end up next. This was another beautiful, uplifting story overall and Elle Cook remains one of my favourites in this genre. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story, of four students thrown together in university accommodation and the relationships they forge, felt very realistic in many ways. The whole idea of university being a bubble where strong friendships (and more) develop on an equal footing regardless of social background and character differences, and then what happens once that bubble bursts, is depicted really well and drew me in. I was a little less enamoured of all the events that occur as Aurora and her friends hurtle through their twenties: on the one hand, I definitely recognised the kind of slightly overblown drama that seems oh-so-important at that age, but on the other it did feel like there was a little too much of it. The main characters themselves are an interesting mix, with Aurora being by far the most complex and multi-dimensional; in comparison Ollie comes across as likeable but a little flat, and Ben looms large in the plot but I would have liked more background to explain or justify his behaviour. Ultimately though, it's a fine portrayal of friendship, with all its highs and lows, at a pivotal time of life, and that is by far the most satisfying aspect of the book.

[Angie F · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this book I thought it was going to be more comedy than romance, a kind of 90210 crossed with Friends. I couldn't have been more wrong. For most of the book I had a tissue in my hand. There was so much emotion with the different struggles each of the four characters had to contend with when outwardly they had the world at their feet. While there is the enduring but impossible love between two of the characters the main theme of the book is friendship. Of putting aside your own happiness for the sake of another's wellbeing and that if a friendship is real it will outlast any problems. I thought it was a really beautifully written story that really tugged on my heartstrings. While this was my first Elle Cook read it certainly won't be my last.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

[ssloves books - Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story following 4 friends who meet on the first day of university and discover love and so much more. I liked all the main characters, each very different but they all clicked together and they find themselves in two couples Ben and Aurora and Ollie and Liv.

We follow them through the years and each one of them has so much going on and decisions to make. There are some difficult themes in this one, especially around alcohol and the events that take place result in both couples growing apart and separating.

We find that they sporadically meet up over the years as their lives take on new journeys but Ollie remains living with Ben although the main story focuses around Aurora. It was a lovely read, the friendship, forgiveness and acceptance of the characters made this an enjoyable read.

[Kate (bookishkenyannerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten years ago, four strangers were thrown together in the same flat at university. This chance arrangement will change their lives forever. For Aurora, the first in her family to go to uni, it opens whole new worlds. For Ollie, arriving mere minutes after the others, it means years of pining for the one woman he can never have. Or risk losing the best friends he’s ever had.

This was a messy one. One of the main issues it dealt with was alcoholism and the effects it can have on loved ones. Relationships started and ended, hearts were broken and mended, and everything in between.

I loved it when the main characters finally got together. It was a long time coming. Could've happened sooner though, in my opinion. But they got there anyway 😂

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4⭐
Steam level: 2.5🌶️ One moderate scene

[Lee Bellingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do love this author, especially her historical novels, but I read another book recently with a similar storyline so that may be why I didn’t love this book.
I struggled to believe in the group as a ‘tight knit family’ as a central premise to the book. Most of the descriptions of what went on showed them being at odds, which made the depiction of them as great friends a bit … lacking. I couldn’t see why they saw themselves in that way.
I couldn’t see why anyone would accept that one person could dictate the lives and decisions of everyone else in the group.
The character of Liv was one dimensional and could have been developed more.
I enjoyed this, but didn’t feel compelled to keep reading.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and am looking forward to reading more of their books. This story explores the relationship and friendship dynamics of four people who are brought together by sharing the same university accommodation and charts how their friendships unfolded along with the highs and lows and pitfalls they faced over the years and how you can’t put a price on friendship. .

The story takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster as it covers a lot of heavy and emotional topics which are dealt with in a very sensitive way.

Perfect for fans of Emma Robinson and Jo Bartlett

[Emma Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my fourth book by Elle Cook and although it wasn't my favourite, I still really enjoyed it!
Its a lovely, heart warming, witty story about friendships and romance, and follows Aurora, Ollie, Ben and Liv from their first day at university and through the next ten years. They had highs and lows and it was a pleasure to follow them through them all. I really liked all the characters especially Ollie who has a heart of gold.
As usual from Elle Cook there were some surprising twists especially one near the end that I didn't see coming (no spoilers so can't say too much) but suffice to say it was a good one and closed one particular character's story beautifully.

[Emily West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Elle/Lorna Cook and eagerly await every book that she writes. I did really enjoy this book but found that I struggled to connect with the characters as in her other books. The story started off strong and took me back to those first few days of starting university and I was looking forward to where the story was heading. Just a warning that there are some really heavy topics dealt with throughout the story but they are done in such a way that it doesn’t feel like too much. A good book and I can’t wait for the next one.

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Lorna Cook’s historical novels but so far, haven’t been as keen on those written as Elle Cook. Sadly, I felt the same with this one & I struggled to get behind any of the main characters (except maybe Ollie who had a heart of gold). It’s a really clever concept following three friends, who meet as uni freshers, over a ten year period. Although I struggled to believe many of the incidents which happened along the way it was engaging enough to keep me turning the pages. The book was delivered with the author’s usual aplomb, this one just wasn’t for me.

[Lauras Fiction Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm yet to read a book by this author that I don't love!

This book follows the story of four uni freshers, thrown together on their first day and sharing a flat together. We follow their relationships through the years, full of love, sadness and tragedy along with pivotal moments that shape their futures.
It was quite obvious from the beginning what would happen at the end of the story, however that didn't make the journey through the book any less enjoyable.
Thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for an ARC in return for my review.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well.....this book nearly ruined me! I was a wreck reading it, I always want people to be happy and have their happy ever after and I always feel that when it goes years and years of wanting and yearning that it just leaves me a tad emotional lol.

In saying that, I devoured this book and was very satisfied with its conclusion....I may just need a minute to recuperate though lol

highly recommend

[Charlotte Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Elle's books and this did not disappoint. A curl up read about the true value of friendship and how far would you go to protect it. I can't say I agreed with every decision made, but had me hooked from start to end.

[Saffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Elle Cook’s first two novels and It Was You All Along was an equally enjoyable read. It begins 10 years ago when students Aurora, Liv, Ollie and Ben meet in their halls of residence. Over the years the reader is drawn into their relationships and the ‘will they/ won’t they ‘ romance.
This was an easy read with likeable characters that I became invested in, even though I am 30 years older than the characters I still found that their stories resonated.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

Aurora, Ollie, Ben and Liv meet on the first day of University - assigned to share accommodation they soon become found family. Aurora comes from a working class family, her father left when she was young and her mother has worked minimum wage jobs to feed and clothe them. Aurora will be the first person in her family to go to university and has to get a job to subsidise her living expenses. Liv and Ben clearly come from affluent families, Ben's parents have a swimming pool in the garden and neither of them has to worry about getting a job. Ollie is a bit of an enigma.

Despite sharing accommodation throughout university, 'something' happened that lead to them barely keeping in touch, and the book starts with Aurora planning a house-warming party where she intends to invite the other three and 'fix' what went wrong. Thereafter the reader goes back in time to see what transpired between them and how they fell out.

I was enjoying this initially, but it started to drag about halfway through. I think its obvious to the reader who/what is meant by the title and then it is just increasingly irritating as one thing after another comes in the way. Also I didn't really 'get' the different personalities and why they liked each other. I don't understand why anyone liked Liv or Ben - they seemed self-obsessed and each thought the world revolved around them. Ollie was a bit meh, and Aurora suddenly became a model despite no prior indications that she was anything special to look at (other than being tall).

This gave off similar vibes as a previous book by this author that I have read (The Last Train Home) - if you liked that then I'm sure you'll like this.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Bumped for release.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the right book just comes along at the right time! I really enjoyed this tangled tale of friendship and relationships. Seeing Aury, Liv, Ollie and Ben grow up over 10 years, how their lives changed, how they made decisions and how they looked out for each other. Predictable to a point but I’m sad it’s finished, really enjoyed it!