4⭐️ This book is all things intelligent, sexy, and hilarious!

Anna is a recently divorced mom of 2, who is fighting to keep her column in her local paper. She has to team up against her work rival to write a new concept - a dating column.

There are so many things I loved in this book, especially the self re-discovery by the FMC post divorce. I loved reading about a 38 year old love story. It may be a me - but I really wanted more of the romance. I wanted more backstory and more at the end!

This was an advanced read copy I received through Netgalley so it’s not going to be officially published until November 19, 2024! But this is my honest review!

Add this book to your to read list, I promise you won’t regret it! & then let me know what you thought!

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Anna is just out of a heartbreaking marriage and trying her best to raise a rambunctious little boy and a sullen teenage daughter. She works as a journalist and is trying to save her dating column with a new spin on dating after divorce. Her rival at work is trying to ruin her chances at every turn. Anna needs to figure out what she really wants and if it's possible to get it.

Sophie Cousens is the queen of the rom-com. I laughed out loud then swooned the next minute, repeat. I loved the cast of characters throughout this whole book. Anna is such a relatable character who is trying to figure out who she is now and what her next chapter looks like. Definitely a rom-com I will recommend to others!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this book.

Is She Really Going Out with Him? is a great read for anyone who loved How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Anna and Will work at a magazine in Bath that needs to liven things up, leading to Anna and Will working on complementary dating columns in which Anna goes on dates based on her kids' recommendation and Will finds dates online. Naturally, they end up falling for each other.

I liked both Anna and Will, but didn't necessarily buy into their romance. I adored the setting - I visited Bath last month and had such a fun time being back there mentally.

I have been so lucky to read so many five star reads this month and Is She Really Going Out with Him? is no exception. Sophie Cousens gives the BEST book buzz. I am just giddy after finishing the last page. Something I’ve come to love about her writing is how clever and funny she is while also writing the most swoon-worthy moments.

I think ISRGOWH? resonated with me because Anna’s character exemplifies so much of what being a middle-aged mom is like. It’s chaotic, funny, unpredictable, heartbreaking, and really tough, but so worth it for the smaller people in your life. Anna is a journalist who is encouraged to really “go for it” and leave nothing on the table with her writing as she pens a dating column, and that is exactly what Cousens has done. She’s given the good, bad, and ugly parts of life after marriage (or as Loretta would say, “PM”) and gives Anna a second chance at finding love again at thirty seven. This book is all about the feelings. I laughed so much—Cousens’ voice is extremely witty and self-deprecating. The dates Anna goes on for the sake of her column are like the “best of” bad online matches, and yet even though many are not a good match for her, a few end of becoming close friends.

And then there’s Will. He shot straight up to the top of my book boyfriends. I mean, has a better man that speaks to the desires of every middle-aged woman be written? I loved the slow burn of workplace rivals to lovers with of course a nod to Elena Armas’ The Spanish Love Deception—even Anna loves that book. Cousens pays homage to the there’s only one bed trope as well and so smartly caters to all the fun build ups that romance readers want. I found myself really worried towards the end because the HEA seemed so unlikely, and there were definitely a few tears, but don’t fear because Anna gets her happily for now.

If you enjoy the wit and humor of Annabel Monaghan, want all the longing and pining and swoonworthy moments, and are fine with off page intimate scenes because the book is so well written, then you will love Is She Really Going Out with Him. Sophie Cousens has proved time and again that she’s an autobuy author for me. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Rating: an easy 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭 all closed door except for light making out
Laughs: 🤡🤡🤡
Swoons: 🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️
Times I had to blink back tears: 🥹🥹🥹

Sophie Cousens books are usually a slam-dunk for me at the end of the year, so much so that her last year's The Good Part was one of my favorite books of the entire year, but Is She Really Going Out with Him? just missed the mark for me. I enjoyed the older, single mother heroine but this story just didn't pull at the heart strings like I would expect. This one wasn't my favorite, but I still look forward to what the author will write next!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for gifting me with an ARC to review! All opinions are my own.

A fun contemporary romance from Sophie Cousens, Is She Really Going Out with Him is sure to be a hit. When divorced mom Anna’s job is on the line, she agrees to start writing a dating column to prove her worth to the magazine. The twist is - she will let her children pick her dates while her rival journalist, Will, will write only about online dating experiences.

Will and Anna’s rivalry is full of adorable chemistry, misconceptions and misunderstandings. The real life challenges facing Anna as she grows into her identity beyond motherhood and post divorce add depth and real life relatablilty. The humor and charm of her dating mishaps and the touching relationship with her children add to the heartwarming feel-good story. This enemies to lovers, second chance romance is perfect for fans of Emily Henry’s Funny Story or Annabel Monagan’s Nora Goes Off Script.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advanced reader’s copy.

What a fun and different plot line for a romcom! I loved the dynamic between the FMC and her children, they were hilarious! I loved how unique the basis of this story is. It felt very realistic while still remaining funny! I would definitely recommend this to a friend. I had a great time reading it!

Anna is a journalist at a magazine that's in trouble. She gets paired up with her work nemesis to write a series of articles about dates they each go on. Anna's kids eventually take responsibility for who she asks out.
As they work together, Anna discovers more about Will as a person, and her interest grows. But he's a younger man, and she's still dealing with the aftermath of her divorce.
For the most part, the book was light. Anna is relatable as a mom struggling to juggle kids, home, and work, and to find herself again after having been focused on marriage and motherhood. I especially enjoyed the awkwardness and sometimes humor of the dates she went on, but more than that how each of them helped her get closer to being back to herself.

Sophie Cousens is a favorite author of mine, and her books truly never disappoint. I loved all of the mini tropes in this book, and the absolutely delectable banter. The premise that these coworkers need to go on random dates was so much more entertaining than I expected and the slow burn was a delight.

I absolutely loved this adorable story of a journalist divorcee who agrees to let her kids set her up on dates. This leads her to write dating articles about it at the magazine, she works for, “Bath Living.” Her coworker, Will, writes about his dating experiences, too (like a “he said, she said” situation). Well, of course, this work rivalry leads to flirtation… The banter is A+ and it was just so much fun to read. I had a smile on my face for so much of this book. Sophie Cousens is so great at writing secondary characters that leap off the page, and that makes the story even that much richer. It was just a really fun, heartwarming, romantic story. I loved it!

Absolutely five stars! Between the character depth and emotional growth, I couldn't have loved this book more. It felt like all of the characters were so real and the plot was genius. I was recommended this book after reading one of my now favorites and I must say that this book has even topped that one. The chemistry between the two main characters and the turns along the way that I didn't expect just add on to the joy. And not only that but the dates? Those were so fun to read about and with each one I felt as if I was learning a lesson from them too. The writing was easy to read and just over all so enjoyable. I will definitely be reading other books from this author.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ok just bear with me because this review is likely to be unhinged. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK, and it’s hands down my favorite book of 2024 that I have read. The desire to both simultaneously want to devour anything Sophie Cousens writes and savor it at the same time is just exactly what happened to me while reading Is She Really Going Out with Him? I’d find myself reading so fast, and then slamming the book down so that it could last forever. No notes! Absolutely perfect and just what I needed to read. I have read everything Sophie writes since I devoured This Time Next Year as my very first Book of the Month and I haven’t looked back.

This book was absolutely delightful, and just to watch the growth, self-worth, and self-love that Anna discovered on her journey post-divorce was just again well done 👏. The way I laughed out loud on so many of her dates, and how this wasn’t about finding love again but finding yourself and all the friends she made along the way. Shout out to Jess and Ethan for adding so much to this story, and I haven’t even gushed about Will yet. He’s perfect and just uggghhhhh perfect for Anna 🫠 😍 and obviously has been added to the list of book boyfriends that I shall claim for myself.

Lottie and Loretta – that’s all I have to say…just the perfect sister and new found friend for Anna.

Ok so if you can’t tell I LOVED this book, and I recommend that you go read it immediately and then once you’re done pick up Sophie’s backlog of books because they’re all just as wonderful! I’d literally read her to-do list, because I hate having to wait for what she publishes next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Sophie Cousens and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC of Is She Really Going Out with Him?

I can't think of a single thing I would change or critique about this book. I LOVED it so much! Anna is cute. Will is cute. Anna's sister is cute. Anna's kids are cute. I could tell from very early on in the book that I was absolutely going to love everything about it. It has all the things; rivals to lovers, a one bed situation, fake dating, but not in the traditional sense, a co-parenting relationship, and tons of self-growth. Is She Really Going Out with Him? demonstrates an easy to read book, but with very complex concepts and feelings. It's sometimes not easy for an author to accurately portray a journey of self-discovery and growth in roughly 350 pages, but Cousens made it seem effortless. Every scene was interesting and relevant. The storyline was realistic and fresh. And the characters were the most loveable and down-to-Earth. If you're a romance lover, do yourself a favor and grab it as fast as you can!

I absolutely LOVED this book.
Sophie Cousens brilliantly weaves together the heartbreak of life turning out differently than you originally planned + witty humor + finding happiness, love and friendship.
This characters in this story were all so delightful and it’s definitely going to be a comfort re-read for me when I need to smile.

This was the cutest book EVER. I have never read a book by this author but let me tell you, I am now going down her backlist. This was phenomenal. The storyline was so fun and funny. Will was perfection throughout. I loved the humor, depth, and relatability of the characters. I cannot wait to read more from Sophie because this quickly became one of my favorite romances of the year.

This was really charming and brought a smile to my face. I appreciated a main character in her late 30s, and the way she finds herself (and love) in the aftermath of divorce, and finding identity outside of being a parent. I loved it.

Sophie Cousens has another hit on her hands. Cousens so easily invites readers into such an honest depiction of the main character’s life that the MC feels like a close friend with all their attendant quirks. Is She Really Going Out With Him is full of warmth, real life and enough depth that kept me interested and invested in the outcome. I definitely recommend this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

I always love Sophie Cousens stories. she writes such lovely in depth characters that always leave me with the fullest heart and tear ducts.

Anna and Will are adorable workplace rivals. I love how they overcome some misunderstandings and misconceptions to realize they have a true, long lasting, devoted love together. I adored the angle that Anna’s kids pick her dates, adding such an hilarious, touching, emotional touch to the story. I also love how Will so seamlessly works in Anna’s life, all parts of it, especially as Anna realizes it herself.

overall this is a truly touching, tender, thoughtful story, full of real-life challenges and emotions and how they lead to the most beautiful love stories, romantically, friendly, and paternally. thank you for the arc!!!

I absolutely adored this story. The concept was so fresh and naturally entertaining. The humor was extra generous. Enemies to lovers and in the end, the characters end up warming our hearts. It was also summed up very nicely. The Last sentence was my favorite moment. But there was a lot to enjoy about the story I would absolutely buy a physical copy and recommend to a friend!

While I love Sophie Cousen’s books and this one was still great it wasn’t as amazing to me as her previous ones. The Good Part will just always hold a special place in my heart.

3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Anna is a single mom, in her late 30s, whose job is on the line. She’s a journalist whose magazine is going under and she must start writing about dating to prove how valuable she is. Only problem is that since her divorce she has no interest in a love life. The column she decides to write is that her kids will chose her dates and her rival at work will write an opposing column about online dating.

Like Cousen’s other books we get a lot of women’s fiction, and women learning about themselves. Anna’s growth in this book is amazing to read. Coming into herself after divorce was awesome. Her kids were also funny and had issues of their own she had to deal with.

I think what turned me off while reading was the romance. The dates were great, and while Will was amazing as is. I just didn’t see them working out long term. But maybe that was the point. They both grew for the other person and had to adjust their lives. So maybe it’s more realistic than I thought. But it just didn’t resonate with me.

Overall, I would still highly recommend the book and would love to hear others thoughts!