4.5 stars rounded up

This is a romcom done right! It was laugh out loud funny while still having sweet, tender moments. There is so much to love about this one - the bookish references, the Google searches at the start of each chapter, the cast of side characters, the variety of tropes, the “older” main characters, and the concept in general. Anna and Will are a new favorite couple of mine.

I will definitely be buying a physical copy for my shelf when it’s released on November 19th.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the e-arc.

4.0

Anna is kind of a mess, which isn’t a surprise given everything that she’s gone through and how much she’s juggling. It’s a good thing she’s apparently drop dead gorgeous. That makes things a little easier.

This is a sweet story that gets frustrating sometimes, but you really feel for her and it’s nice to have characters that can be a little out of it like the rest of us. If you don’t know what’s happening by the end of the publisher summary, you’ve never read a romance. Still, it’s fun with the banter and an easy read. I wouldn’t have put up with her ex or his new woman, but I like Ethan and Jess.

Thank you to Sophie Cousens, NetGalley, and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book for my unbiased review.

4.25 🌟

I'm so glad I'm still not in the dating world!

The premise of this book was so good - could you imagine having to go on dates with people your kids picked out for you?! I loved that the main characters in this book were a bit older and it was as much about finding yourself post divorce as it was about finding love again.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

If Sophie Cousens writes it, I will read it. This is my 4th Sophie Cousens and book and hopefully far from my last! This was giving How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and I would recommend this to any romance reader. We see Anna, a now single mother thanks to divorce, raising her two kids and about to lose her column space to a "fresh" writer. I absolutely loved the aspect of her kids setting her up and had such a fun time reading it. It was really refreshing to read a romance novel with two main characters that were well established in their adulthood which feels like its harder and harder to find these days.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/🌶️ Our FMC, Anna, is mid thirties, two kids, divorced, and quick with the whit and banter. She's a journalist who's column is ready to be replaced by a younger, sexier column -- written by her work rival, Will --, but she is ready to go to the mattresses for her livelihood!
I can totally relate to Anna's position with having to start over after a divorce, remembering who she is, and figuring out how to navigate single parenthood and her ex's new partner. Between Anna and the Google searches at the top of each chapter, I was literally laughing out loud. Sexy, funny, and unputdownable!

I think this is my favorite Sophie Cousens book yet!🤩🩷✨ This was such an adorable romance, and I just ate it up. The beginning reminded me a lot of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and I think readers who enjoy Annabel Monaghan and Abby Jimenez will love this book. I think the premise was super fun, and I loved the workplace rivals to lovers vibes so much. There is an age gap (FMC is ~8 years older), and while I’m not typically a fan of age gaps, the chemistry between Anna and Will was so good that I didn’t mind it. And speaking of Will, he is FANTASTIC - a very funny and cheeky guy while also being super sweet. I truly just adored this story and I’m definitely going to be pre-ordering a physical copy!

This is a closed door/fade to black romance, so while there are a few steamy moments, there is no intimacy described on the page. There is some foul language throughout, yet I didn’t feel like it was too much to ruin the story. There is also some drinking/drug use.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for sending me an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.

Thank you to the publisher, author & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I was excited to read “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” after reading (and loving) The Good Part. This is a feel good rom com that reminded me of How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days. It was also great to follow main characters in their thirties (and above), which is hard to find with many rom coms skewing younger.

The family/friends/community in this book are very sweet. The only drawback for me is that I wish Anna would’ve stood up for herself with her ex husband and his new girlfriend more, but other than that, this book was great. Highly recommend!

“True love does not cower in the shadows; it roars, loud and proud, until it has given it’s all”

Thank you Putnam Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

I loved every minute that I spent reading this sweet story! Sophie Cousens books are absolutely must reads for me. Without fail, they always make me smile and I can never help but fall hopelessly in love with her characters. The way that she weaves her stories together never disappoints!

In Is She Really Going Out With Him we meet Anna, a single mom desperately trying to hold on to her job and her column while a rival journalist, Will, tries to snatch it right out from under her. In a last ditch effort to impress her editor, Anna agrees to let her children play matchmaker and set her up on seven dates. Their picks include everyone from a random waiter to the postman and even a celebrity crush but it is the feelings that Anna is developing for an unexpected foe that throws her for the biggest loop of all.

I read this book in one setting because it was just so good that I didn’t want to put it down! The banter was phenomenal and the slow burn was perfection. I love a good enemies to lovers story and this one lived up to all my expectations. Let me start by saying that Anna’s ex is the most dreadful human being so it’s no wonder that she starts off firmly in the “I am better off on my own” camp but I loved her journey from cynic to someone open to new love and friendship. The messy awkward silliness of Anna’s dating experiences were both hilarious and heartwarming. To grow you must be vulnerable and Anna leans into this even idea even when it's scary and hard. Slowly but surely she lets Will in too and thank goodness for that because the two of them are absolutely meant to be.

This one is on my must read list and I think that you will absolutely love it too especially if you are a fan of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days or The Hating Game!

This is the first Sophie Cousens book I’ve read but this has me hooked and I will definitely be going back to read her others! The main characters are so lovable and the plot was captivating! The female main character who recently went through a divorce and is raising her 2 kids is finally starting to put herself out there. Her character is relatable as a mom who always puts her kids first and herself last. As a mom of 3 i can relate to that side of her story. The male main character is mischaracterized by the female mc but easily wins over my heart. The romance is closed door but still gives you the butterflies. I knocked off 1 star because the ending felt like it dragged on a little bit and was very predictable (which I don’t hate). The book gave “never been kissed” vibes with the ending and I love that because it’s one of my favorite movies. Would highly recommend!

I look forward to new releases from Sophie Cousens, ever since discovering "Just Haven't Met You Yet" two years ago. Her books are my comfort read, ones I turn to when I find myself in a reading slump, so of course I had to get my hands on her latest release, "Is She Really Going Out With Him?". I should mention that age gap romances aren't really my thing, as many of them feature a main character that is barely entering adulthood (thus feeling a bit on the cringey side to me), however the youngest MC here is 30 and it doesn't feel like their stage of life is all that different (FMC is 38). This story is more than that of two people falling in love. It is the story of a mother trying to find her footing in life after divorce.

We follow Anna, post divorce from her college sweetheart. Her early romance with her ex-husband is briefly touched on, adding another layer of heartache to her situation. Their story could have been its own love story, yet life and circumstances derailed their HEA. Cousens does a fantastic job of not letting the ex become the villain of the story, despite the FMC's frustrations with him. Don't get me wrong, I found myself annoyed and irritated with him as well, but my feelings toward him evolved along with Anna's (except I stayed annoyed with his new girlfriend. She was insufferable and I side-eyed his relationship with her). In addition, we see Anna navigate this new 'normal' with her children, who are fleshed out characters in their own right. On top of all of this, her situation at work becomes precarious and she finds herself vying to keep her magazine column against her work nemesis, an up and up hotshot named Will (our MMC). Anna is tasked with an assignment to put herself back out into the dating field and to chronicle these dates along the way. The catch? Her kids get to pick the men she dates. In working alongside Will, who's writing his own dating column, she finds herself drawn to him, and in learning more about him, she begins to understand what makes him tick. I won't give away anymore of the story, but I love how Cousens gives life to her characters, regardless of the role they play in the story. My only complaint is that I feel that the ending was more of a HFN, rather than a HEA, but regardless, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. If anything, it highlights how relationships require effort from both partners and in doing so, I tell myself that Anna and Will have the tools and self awareness to go the distance together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher, author & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Is She Really Going Out With Him by Sophie Cousens was an absolute delight. I laughed out loud so many times. I loved that the characters all seemed realistic and relatable. I enjoyed the scenes with Annie and her children. Annie also had a lot of growth and self reflection that was nice to see. I adored Will. I would have liked to see them further in the future, I’m not sure how long you can maintain a relationship like theirs.
Overall I really enjoyed this book!

Very cute read.

It was great to see Anna come into her own after her divorce. I would have loved to see her get a smidge petty with her ex because of how he was talking to her.
The chemistry between her and Will was so well written. I actually laughed out loud a couple times. The plot was original too which I really liked!

Definitely glad I read this book.

I enjoyed this book way more than I was expecting for multiple reasons. The author wrote all of the characters well, in a way that felt realistic. The main character had a believable life and relationships, but her interactions with her ex-husband and children felt like the added to the story and not at all like filler. I loved the relationship between Will and Anna and her journey to find love. This book didn’t blow me away, but I enjoyed reading every page.
Arc provided by netgalley.

I’ve always enjoyed Sophie Cousens and her new release I couldn’t put down. Her writing is always witty and she’s not afraid to talk about messy real life things.

This story follows Anna after going through a divorce. She’s a journalist and starts a column with her office rival Will after she feels her job is in jeopardy. She sets out on going on dates picked by her children and writes about the encounters.

I loved her take on life after divorce, co-parenting and navigating the dating world. This book covers all (siblings, friendship, dating , parenting and love) but especially loved the chemistry between Will and Anna, hard to not fall in love and root for them. Definitely recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Out November 19th!

Thanks @netgalley and @sophie_cousens @penguinbooks for the ARC.

This was my first book by this author and so cute! I loved the "how to lose a guy in 10 days" aspect as a millennial. I will definitely pick up more of this author's work!

Thanks @netgalley @putnambooks and @sophie_cousens for the chance to read an early copy of Sophie's latest, Is She Really Going out with Him? It releases in the US on November 19, 2024.

The last thing on journalist Anna's mind is love after a painful divorce. She's busy caring for her two kids and cat and writing her column for a local lifestyle magazine. When it's sold and the new owner demands a revamp of her writing--or else she could get a pink slip--she agrees to an unorthodox solution to spice up her writing: her children will choose seven dates, all found offline. The dates themselves are full of shenanigans and some unexpected connections, and slowly but surely Anna's walls begin to tumble...and waiting there to catch her is a man who's been pining for her for years.

Sophie writes with incredible heart and realism about the challenges of navigating life with kids after divorce. I loved this thoughtful, funny story about Anna figuring out how to have more balance in her life.

Steam: 🔥 (closed door)
Tropes: rivals-to-lovers, single mom, 7 dates, only one bed, age gap

Anna Appleby is very relatable. This book is such a fun, workplace romantic comedy. This book speaks to everyone mothers, and divorcees.

This is my first Sophie Cousens book I have read. I really requested this book for the cover and name. I am glad I requested it because this was a wonderful book. I can’t wait to read more by this author. Seem like Cousens might be an insta-buy author for me now.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

My first Sophie Cousens book and certainly won’t be the last! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Is She Really Going Out With Him?

Anna, a divorced, 38-year old woman, agrees to go out on dates with guys picked by her kids (🤣) for the dating column she writes. Think of the neighbor, the mailman… Most of the dates are a little awkward but some are surprisingly sweet! Anna’s column is in competition with the column written by her rival at work, Will.

I truly felt giddy while reading this. My heart was singing. The romance was fun and the chemistry was on point! Something about the hotel window scene just hit different. Very sweet. Not spicy. I knew this was a five ⭐️ for me pretty early on!

Although, I did feel called out for having not yet read a book by Jane Austen… 🤣

Check this out if you like these tropes:
💖 rivals to lovers
💖 workplace romance
💖 characters in their 30’s
💖 reverse age gap

Is She Really Going Out With Him
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“I suppose I want to laugh again, I want some of the lightness back. I want my life not to be over when I’m barely halfway through. I want to not feel like I’m a failure because I got divorced.” I LOVED this book! I loved that Anna wasn’t this mess of a person I feel sometimes divorced women or women in their 30s are written. She was just a woman who thought she was happily married and things changed and she just had to find herself and find a new way through life. Anna was relatable, funny, she was very open on her feelings about dating, divorce, her jobs aspirations, and life goals (thought it may have taken her a minute to talk about those truthfully…again, relatable). She was forced to look outside herself as a mom and find her identity again which I know so many moms can relate to. I mean come on, justice for Caleb, I loved him 😂🥹 Especially when he asked what she wanted out of life she spoke a lot about what she wanted for her kids, he listened, but wanted to know what she wanted for herself. Will took a minute to grow on me, not a long minute, but a minute lol “Maybe you are worth a little indulgence.” This is how you write a single, closed door book people will love. I didn’t necessarily miss Will’s perspective or open door scenes, but I think it would have add even more depth to the story! Anna really pissed me off at end, precisely at 89%, but I was happy how it ended lol We didn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel here, but Sophie’s writing was refreshing, witty, and captivating. I’m pretty sure this is a first by this author and I’m definitely looking forward to more! It kind of reminded me of The Ex Talk if I’m thinking of the right book! Either way, this is a must read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank @sophie_cousens @netgalley for this e-arc. Is She Really Going Out With Him hits the shelves on November 19th!
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Ps. You know I love titled chapter and while this book did not have titled chapters the google searches before each chapter were hilarious!

Anna has just gone through a painful divorce. This is a funny love story about Anna, who in an attempt to keep her job as a magazine columnist, agrees to do a series of articles about going on dates with men found offline, by her children. Once an unexpected connection happens will she be able to give love another chance? This book was a fun read. Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed it.