Don’t you just love when you find a book that you can recommend to absolutely everyone? IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM? Is a swoony single-parent/workplace romance that follows Anna’s languishing love life after her divorce. Anna has agreed to allow her children to choose seven dates to salvage her column and preserve her job.

This story delighted me! I’ve found that I prefer my romance books to have characters that are firmly in adulthood. They know who they are, what they want, and the angst and immaturity is noticeably absent. While there are some classic romance elements (I'm looking at you “one bed” trope), I loved the fresh take featuring mature characters finding love.

READ THIS IF YOU:
-cringe when you think of a terrible first date experience
-prefer fade to black/closed-door spice level
-have ever sung along to Fleetwood Mac

RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: November 19, 2024

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love and will read anything Sophie Cousens writes! This book is just another success to her catalog. This book helps you believe that you can do anything wonderful at any age, that age is truly just a number. Anna is such a relatable character and you will find yourself rooting so hard for her to have the life she so deserves!!
Anna, a newly single mom and writer fresh out of a messy divorce, is determined to keep life steady and find contentment on her own—for her kids and her career. But when Will enters the picture, he throws her plans off balance. Frustratingly charming and equally ambitious, he’s a fellow writer with his eyes set on her coveted column.
Desperate to keep her position, Anna decides to let her kids play matchmaker, agreeing to go on ten dates with people from “real life” to write a column on offline dating. The catch? She’ll be sharing the series, for better or worse, with none other than Will himself.
The relationship between Will and Anna is so relatable and heartwarming. This book truly shows you how to love yourself and move forward.
I dare you to read this book and not find something you can relate to! It is a lovely and fun read!
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My Grade: B + ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an absolutely wonderful read! The FMC Anna was a delight, and her growth during the story was a joy to read. The banter and chemistry between Anna and Will was off the charts good and the slow burn was perfection.

I did have a slight problem with the last lines of dialog in the epilogue. It left me confused a bit and kind of brought down the ending for me. I did love the little touching moment though. TW/CW: There is moment with the loss of a pet that was very triggering and I wish that there was a forewarning about this. I also felt that this death wasn't necessary for the story.

With an interesting group of side characters, a plot that pulled me in, and a MMC that is truly book husband material, I can't begin to recommend this read enough.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ For a closed door romance, this book was absolutely sexy! Kudos to the author for bringing such an intense smolder between Anna and Will. Loved it!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for a copy of this ebook to review. All opinions are my own.

Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens is out November 19 and is totally worth the wait.

This is a book that brought me out of a reading slump in a big way. I loved Anna and very much enjoyed following along her dating journey after her divorce. Especially because it's her kids who get to pick her dates.

Perfectly romantic and easy to read, I give this title 4.5 stars, which I've rounded up to 5 stars here.

This book was so cute.

I really love the idea of Anna being set up on dates by her kids - it was funny how they would pick the dates and somewhat unhinged and I thought it was so well executed. I also loved that in between all that we see Anna learning how to be her self again.

I also really enjoyed Wills character - I always love a misunderstood bachelor and his character was well done. Their banter was amazing and I found my self laughing out loud a lot throughout the book.

The tension and slow burn was also good, and I appreciate how they felt like real adults.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend if you’re looking for a rom com that’ll make you laugh and giggle and just feel for the characters

The premise of this one was so fun - dates picked by your kids!? - and Sophie Cousens delivered with all the laughs and feels. As with her other books, the romance is a major plot point, but the heart of the story is Anna's personal journey.

Things to look forward to (possible spoilers):
- workplace rivals
- single parent
- forced proximity
- found family
- only one bed
- epistolary
- tattoos and head scarves
- age gap

I enjoyed Anna's romantic journey (though she frustrated me at times with the miscommunication and assumptions), but what really shined for me was her relationship with herself.

"There is a whole new chapter waiting for you, all you need to do is keep turning the pages."

Her divorce essentially pushed the reset button on her life and her struggles and fears were so relatable. Her kids will always be a top priority for her, but it was wonderful to see her re-prioritize her needs and evolve. The ending was a bit rushed, but I loved the message that happiness and happy endings can take many forms.

Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4 stars

Kerry Gilbert's narration was fantastic and I really enjoyed all the different voices and accents she used for each character. I had no issues determining who was speaking and definitely recommend this one on audio.

CW: death of parent (past), grief, lice, divorce, MMC's brother was involved in a car accident and is a paraplegic, sexual assault, death of pet cat (death not on page), bullying at school

*I voluntarily read and listened to an advance review copy of this book*

I've really come to enjoy Cousens' books that focus on older FMCs. The Good Part was among last year's favorites, with an emotional ending that landed perfectly with me. While Is She Really Going Out With Him? probably won't land quite as high on this year's list, I still really liked the book.

Anna is dealing with the aftermath of a tough divorce. Her ex-husband has moved on, and in a way, so has she. She's happy alone, raising her kids, and working for a local magazine in Bath. When her annoying colleague Will makes a play for her column, she has to find an angle that will draw in readers. The reluctant Anna begins to date the old-fashioned way, with men she knows in real life, picked almost exclusively by her kids.

Not to be outdone, Will pairs his own column with Anna's, this time focusing on online dating. However, it becomes clear, quickly, that he really has eyes for Anna. As the two become closer, Anna realizes that there is more to Will than his annoyingly pedantic views on grammar. And, she learns that, while she's happy alone, a group of eclectic friends, including many found in her quest to land dates, makes her life richer and more enjoyable.

While I did fly through this book, I found the ending to be rushed. I think this is Cousens' style, we tend to have just a few pages to get to a satisfying conclusion. In this case, and without going into spoilers, the wrap-up feels incomplete, mostly because a lot of pieces need to come together. It doesn't necessarily negate my enjoyment of the rest of the book, but definitely changes my overall perception of the story in totality.

* Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! *

I haven’t felt this giddy about a romance in so long! I was misty eyed, laughing and smiling the whole way through. I think I am going to have to travel down Sophie’s backlist because I’m obsessed. Also reminded me how much I really do prefer closed door romance.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Sophie Cousens books are always a guaranteed good time! This was no exception- this was a very cute read that was pretty easy to breeze through.

There was a lot going on in this one though- the plot was very busy between Anna's many dates for her column, navigating her relationship with her ex-husband and his new girlfriend, and her flirtation with her co-worker, Will. The concept of going on 7 dates that her kids picked out was a fun idea, but this plotline really lost steam as Anna's relationship with Will picked up. Which, in some ways makes sense, but the plotlines felt like they were handled in a little bit of an unbalanced way, so I would have preferred for that one to have been wrapped up more cleanly.

Still a fun time- I always enjoy reading Cousens's books!

This was even better than I expected it to be! It was hilarious and entertaining. I loved all the crazy dates Anna went on with various strangers, and how she learned more about herself and grew with each of them. The romance was central, but so was the focus on Anna finding herself again, and the personal growth was great!

The main love interest was great - sweet, but not too perfect. The banter was fantastic, and there was definitely some steam, despite being mostly closed door! I also really loved how each title started with some Google searches Anna makes - they definitely made me laugh!

I could not put this one down. If you want a romcom that will actually make you laugh and that has some great chemistry between the main characters, you definitely have to pick this up!

4.5 stars rounded up.

just finished Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens, and it was such a pleasant surprise! I’d listened to one of her romances before and loved how genuine her characters felt, and she nailed it again with this one. Following Anna’s journey as she navigates family and work struggles as a late-30-something was a delight—she felt real, relatable, and her story just pulled me in.

Romances sometimes make me cringe, but this one had me hooked. The humor, the banter, and the way the relationships unfolded all felt so natural. The only thing keeping me from giving it a full 5 stars? I really wanted to read the articles Anna and Will were writing for their column! I think it would have added an extra layer to both of their characters and the story. All in all, I highly recommend this one—it’s heartfelt, funny, and leaves you with such a feel-good vibe.

Anna was a recently divorced journalist who was sick of online dating. She decided to take her dating column in a different direction — instead of continuously failed online dates, she would let her children suggest men for her to go on dates with. From the next-door neighbor to the father of a classmate to a (very) young waiter, Anna covered all grounds. She learned a lot about herself and learned that sometimes love is found in the least expected places.

What Anna didn’t account for was falling for her handsome (and younger!) coworker during all the dating. For work purposes, they were together quite often and after a steamy weekend trip with only-one-bed, the rest was history. The only problem? Will was moving to Paris. A relationship between the two was nearly impossible - not to mention she was a mother with two kids that needed her constant attention.

This was such an unexpectedly fun read! I absolutely loved the characters and enjoyed the banter between Anna and her children and their insights into her dating life.

Cousen's has yet to let me down. This book definitely met a theme/trope people have been asking for. The FMC is mid 30's and trying to navigate the dating world again. She has a chaotic life with kids and a full time job and it's portrayed for what it truly is. None of the fake ultra glam Instagram mom here. The MMC is a gem who shows ups without being asked to show up, and I don't mean just physically showing up places. There's so many cute scenes between them and a couple frustrating ones. Throughout the whole story the characters are pretty lovely (except for like two but they contribute to the storyline) and you will truly like them all. Honestly reading this felt like a breath of fresh air.

this was really cute and fun! i was entertained throughout and particularly enjoyed the resolution. would love to see this made into a limited tv series!

thank you to netgalley and penguin group putnam for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love Sophie Cousens. I have read everything she’s written and highly anticipate every new release, and Is She Really Going Out with Him? was no exception. And it delivered!

Anna is a newly divorced mother of two whose is in danger of losing her job if she doesn’t come up with a fresh idea. So she pitches a new column - one where she allows her two children to choose her dates for her, offline without the help of dating apps. Oh, and her handsome colleague will be running with his own dating column, where he dates people solely found on dating apps. The two columns are meant to complement one another, but they also create a not-so-friendly competition between their writers.

I loved the characters and the story, and I’d highly recommend to anyone looking for an uplifting and fun book to read!

4.5 wonderful ⭐️

I so enjoyed this work rivals to lovers story; honestly, so much more than I had anticipated. Anna and Will were exceptional MC. Anna’s POV as a divorcée, agreeing to go on dates chosen by her children for the column at the magazine she works for was such a great story line. And I was smitten with the banter between her and Will.
And it was just the MCs that won me over in this book. I loved the families and friendships formed by the saying antics. Such a great read. Sophie Cousens does it again.
Thank you NetGalley for the early read.

Another amazing book from Sophie Cousens! Thank you so much to NetGalley, Edelweiss and PRH Audio for allowing me access to the early digital and audio copies of this book!

Sophie Cousens has quickly become a must read for me because I just love everything she writes! Yes, this is a romance. But it is so much more than that. It’s a woman finding herself, her self worth, her purpose. Relearning her motherhood role in a blended family. Looking for love without even wanting to look for love. Finding what she loved about her job. Finding friends. It’s about life—in every level.

I laughed out loud and chuckled a few times. I clutched my heart. I choked up. It’s truly perfect and I beyond highly recommend!

Eeeek this book was too freaking cute! I loved Will and Anna so much, their chemistry was off the charts from the very beginning! I honestly finished this in less than 24 hours because I could not stop reading!

ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM? [thank you to Putnam and @netgalley for my #gifted copy!]

Title: Is She Really Going Out With Him?
Author: Sophie Cousens
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Format: Digital
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
After a rough divorce, columnist Anna Appleby has sworn off dating—who needs the hassle when she has two kids, a loyal cat, and full control of her Netflix queue? But when her job is threatened by a competing columnist, Anna comes up with a desperate pitch: she’ll let her kids pick seven dates for her, all offline. From awkward meet-ups to charming surprises, Anna dives into the dating world with cautious optimism. Yet as sparks fly with an unexpected connection, she’ll have to decide if she’s ready to trust in love again.

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
This one hurts to me write, but I didn’t love this as much as I wanted to. I love the premise and I love Cousens snark and British humor, but the romance here just didn’t work for me.

I think that if I’d gone into this one thinking that it was women’s fiction rather than romance, I might have liked it more! But when you call something a “romance,” you expect some head-over-heels declarations of love and feelings, and this one kind of just felt like a flirtation that jumped off the deep end.

I found myself more invested in Anna’s dates with the other men, that she then found herself friends with or learned something about herself in the process.

I also, weirdly, was super invested in her divorce and her relationship with her ex-husband. I always find it interesting in books to watch people grow from hurt and vindictive in a broken relationship to seeing that - hey it actually wasn’t working for me either, ya know?

This book is still a fun read! And if you enjoyed Cousens other books, I think you’d like it! But for me, it didn’t top The Good Part.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Before I Do
British Humor
Adults Dating
Blind Dates
Adorable Meddling Children
Life After Divorce

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 4.32 ⭐️
# of Pages: 368
Pub Date: November 19, 2024

This is my second Sophie Cousens novel and I’m happy to read another. Of the two I’ve read, this one is my favorite. This had a lot of details and side stories going on, but I felt they all were addressed and given enough “closure” that I wasn’t left wondering, “but what about ?”
I liked that the main character was in her late 30s, and while I am happily married, that felt more relatable for me as far as stage of career and life.
4/5

Favorite supporting character: tough one! Loretta or Noah

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity.