Anna Appleby is a 38 year old, divorced mother of 2 who has been hardened by life and has convinced herself she’s better off alone. She allows her ex-husband to talk down to her, leans heavily on her little sister, has settled into a rut at work, and has no interest in the online dating world after reluctantly giving it a try. When her annoyingly pretentious (and distractingly attractive) office rival begins vying for her column at Bath Living magazine, Anna finds herself pitching a unique angle about the dating scene in Bath of desperation to keep her job: 7 dates, all met offline, chosen by her children. The results are full of laughter and surprises, new friendships, and the beauty that grows when you’re willing to put yourself back out there after loss.

Who doesn’t love a good rom-com? This one gave me everything I want to find in a romance novel - consistently well-paced, witty banter, likable main characters, limited-to-no cheesiness, perfect amount of spice, complex character development, and a balance of heartwarming moments with humor and relatable hardships/lows. Sophie, YGG! The Google search headers for each chapter were funny and a great addition. I was rooting for Anna from the start and grew to love many of the secondary characters (we can all agree we need Sophie to write a book centered on the grumpy neighbor, right??). This one isn’t just a story of finding romantic love, but finding oneself again after a loss of identity/self-worth and all the growth that comes with it.

If you love Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry, 90s-early aughts rom-coms (gives How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes), enemies to lovers and only one bed tropes, you HAVE to add this to your TBR for November!

A special thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and especially to Sophie Cousens for the honor of reading this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest, thoughtful review 🤍

This was cute :)

I appreciated that the third act break up was for an actual realistic adult reason! Both parties were adults and communicative instead of letting miscommunications and assumptions rule their actions! For anyone who knows me that’s high praise!

Anna’s emotional journey felt authentic and transforming. I truly rooted for her the entire time to find herself (and not in a live laugh love way) but in a way where she can feel secure in her life after drastic changes. I think the author does well writing about vulnerable topics and conveys the complexity of relationships.

Anna’s dates were fun to read about and watch her genuinely connect with people in different capacities. Also Loretta needs more story time! I want her to be my friend too!

The ending for me felt a little too wrapped up especially with the last date. The dedication to the date felt perfunctory and only served as a purpose to the end of the column which I guess that was the point? But it also felt like it was added as an aside.

And solid grand gesture at the end!

This one was an amazing surprise for me! I’ve had a few of Cousens’ books on my TBR shelf for the last year and had a feeling I’d love her writing style.

The concept of Anna being strong-armed into dating again after her divorce for a work column and then agreeing to let her children choose her suitors kept me laughing the whole time. Anna just wants to be left alone! But she’s not about to let her work nemesis Will best her with his competing column.

Throughout the book, you get to watch Anna rediscover herself as more than a single mother and explore the capability of being loved again.

Our enemy, Will, continues to insert himself into Anna’s shenanigans until we start to realize that perhaps this rivalry is more one-sided than we anticipated.

I really loved this book and admired the character of Will - someone who’s willing to wait on the sidelines and ready at a moment's notice, but also has enough pride in himself to still pursue his ambitions.

This story was full of lovely tender moments, and even with it being a closed door romance, I still felt all of my emotions tenfold.

This charming story about finding yourself and finding love in unexpected places was so sweet! I swooned over Will, but honestly spent most of the book enjoying Anna, Jess, and Ethan’s relationships. Their moments together made this book the joy that it was.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for this eARC!

Google searches:
🔍 Cringey Dates
🔍 One Bed
🔍 Enemies to Lovers
Oh my goodness! This book was an emotional ride. I felt so many different emotions and I loved every minute of it. Once I made it halfway through the book, I couldn’t put it down. I needed to know if she would end up with him!

You need this one on your TBR!

I love Sophie Cousens' books and this one was no exception! This story follows Anna, a tired, worn-out divorced mom whose children pick who she should go out on dates with. She, of course, learns some valuable lessons about herself, life, and motherhood along the way. Loved it!

What a delightful book! I laughed my way through this charming story about a harried, divorced mom whose children decide on who she should ask out for a date. I love all of Sophie’s books, and this one ranks up there with my favorites. I highly recommend it for those who love romance involving older protagonists with real life issues. It will be one of my top books of the year!

Sophie Cousens can do no wrong.

I don't know what it is about a divorced woman in crisis, but I eat it up every time. Anna was the perfect grump, and I loved how she learned to embrace herself beyond her roles as mom, ex-wife, and journalist. Throw in some wonderful kids, a 10/10 premise, some amazing banter, a HORRIBLE new partner to the ex-husband, and a swoony male lead? Sold.

This is a shorter review from me, but that's because I have no notes. It's just good. I'm so glad Sophie Cousens is a mainstay in this genre.

Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam, and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @netgalley and @putnambooks for my advanced copy of this book!

Ugh, how do I even accurately review this book?! I knew from like 15% in that this would be a 5 star read for me—and that kind of awareness NEVER happens when I read books. This book was just everything 🥹

First of all, it is absolutely HILARIOUS. I was literally cracking up laughing at multiple points in the story. The writing is witty and clever, and @sophie_cousens you have a new fan for life! Am I allowed to say she’s one of my favorite authors after reading only one of her books? Because man, I’m already obsessed.

I thought the premise of this book was so fresh. First off, if we see a book about a divorced, single parent, it’s a single dad the vast majority of the time because that’s sexy, I get it. But single moms do not have the same appeal (apparently) and I loved reading a book about a struggling divorced mom simply trying to move on with life. And her kids choosing the dates? So cute!

Throughout the book, the FMC develops relationships with all kinds of people. It’s a romance, yes, and I couldn’t have loved that workplace, rivals to lovers tension more—but I also loved how Anna mends and creates bonds with almost everyone around her simply because of ✨communication✨ and kindness.

This is quite possibly the easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given. I loved everything about it, no exaggerations!

A cute, quirky, funny book about a strong woman finding her footing in life after a divorce. I so love a story about a person who finds a new lease on life and a new community after going through a big change. This woman was trying to keep up at her job in a changing market, support and love her kids through their own problems and maybe find a little bit of love on the way. It was sweet and funny and an enjoyable read. Quick, easy, lighthearted but heartwarming at the same time. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Sophie Cousens is absolutely an auto read for me. Her stories are light but have depth. They are funny but also heartwarming. They are romantic without being over the top. This story SEEMS like it's been done. But she handles this "how to find a guy after divorce" trope with a refreshing view. She creates a world that I want to be in and I fall in love with all of the characters that I meet.

I love the personal growth, the romance and the people. It was just so good.

Read if you like:
He falls first
enemies to lovers
divorced parent
great side characters

IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM - SOPHIE COUSENS

4.5⭐

PLOT
Columnist Anna Appleby is not looking for love after her painful divorce..she is happy with her kids and her life until her job is on the line when another columnist is buying for her column and in order to save her job.
Anna finds herself pitching a unique angle seven date all offline found by her kids.
Anna puts herself in front of all these strangers but is she brave to take a chance at live when a romantic connection appears when she least expects it.

MY THOUGHTS
Sophie Cousens has done it again. It was such a different love story for a 30+ woman... to put herself out there while balancing her kids work etc. there are so many heartfelt moments and her kids were truly adorable.
I binge read it in less than a day as I was totally invested with Anna's life.
Loved it. Highly recommend it.

Is She Really Going Out With Him was a cozy and enjoyable read, with a fun, Bridget Jones-inspired vibe. The humor and relatable characters kept me hooked, but the third-act breakup felt unnecessary and kept it from being a higher rating. Overall, it’s a light, funny story that’s perfect for a relaxed weekend.

At first I found Anna a bit immature, But it had a great character development for her. I loved the banter between Anna and will. He's the perfect flirt! The amount of times I kicked up my heels and giggled. It was so cute. I could feel Anna's frustration and sadness as she was coming to accept her ex had moved on and is doing better than her, but we see through out the book how she grows as a person and slowly begin to let others in. I also appreciated the age difference. We usually see the guy being older but this was definitely different and I enjoyed this book immensely ! GIVING THIS A 4 OUT OF 5!

Sophie Cousens is an immensely talented writer. Her stories are a little slow to set up in the beginning, but she'll hook your interest in the middle & you just can't put it down until you've read til the end. Is She Really Going Out With Him follows this same layout. The story is funny with characters who are well written, hilarious dialogs, some emotional drama, a little passion, & plenty of romantic swoon.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book on #NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own, but please add this story & pretty much any other of Sophie Cousens' novels to your TBR list, especially if you enjoy reading romances with a strong female lead who you want to become your new bestie.

Is She Really Going Out With Him is a workplace enemies-to-lovers romance with heart. Anna, a journalist and divorced mother of two, is forced into writing a dating column with Will, her office nemesis. The twist? Will will choose his dates online while Anna’s dates will be chosen by her children.

I enjoyed Anna’s dates. Each one brought her further out of her self-imposed isolation after her divorce, teaching her more about herself and broadening her friendship circle. The romance with Will was almost secondary to Anna’s growth but the story came together in a really satisfying way.

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an eARC. Opinions are my own.

Is She Really Going Out with Him? is hands down my favorite Sophie Cousens book yet—and I've read and loved them all! This laugh-out-loud funny story hooked me from the first page, and I flew through it in just two days. Anna, a disillusioned divorcée and mom in her late thirties, agrees to let her kids play matchmaker in a desperate attempt to save her career. With rivals-to-lovers tension and the delightful "only one bed" trope, the banter between Anna and her rival is perfection, and the slow burn had me rooting for them all the way.

Anna's dating adventures—from awkward run-ins with her mailman to celebrity crushes—had me cracking up, but the heart of the story lies in her bravery to open up to love again. The relatable struggles of juggling motherhood, career, and dating make Anna such a lovable lead. Cousens nails the humor, romance, and charm in this hilarious and heartwarming story. A five-star must-read!

Is She Really Going Out With Him is a sweet story about a woman who is recovering from a divorce. She doesn’t go out much, but when her column may be eradicated after a takeover at her company, she proposes a bold new idea - a dating column where her kids pick her dates. In the meantime, her sexy younger colleague is going to go on mirroring dates and write about his experiences. As their columns and lives tangle together, will she embrace stepping out of her comfort zone and trying something new?

I loved this book! I thought Anna was really well written, and the story kept my attention throughout. I loved the dates that her children picked for her and how she grew throughout the story. While the romance was fun, my favorite part was her growth and reclamation of her life after divorce. I would definitely recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

4/5 Stars

This book was a delightful surprise! While the premise sets it up as a romance, it’s more about personal growth and finding the courage to embrace life’s uncertainties. Anna Appleby, the funny, homebody, disillusioned divorcée at the center, reluctantly lets her kids play matchmaker, and her journey of dating offline is full of awkward and fun moments that had me laughing out loud.

This book wasn’t just about romance—it was about stepping out of your comfort zone and realizing that life can still surprise you, even after hard times. Anna's banter with the MMC felt real and cute, giving the story a heartwarming touch. It was refreshing to see the focus on fun and new experiences while still providing space for those moments of vulnerability and growth.

That said, while the story builds up to Anna admitting her feelings, the "slow burn" romance didn’t quite have the intensity I expected. I would’ve loved to see more about the relationship once it actually begins, as the ending felt a bit rushed in that regard.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!

Sophie Cousens has done it again with this absolute gem of a book! From the laugh-out-loud prologue to the heartwarming final chapter, I was hooked. Anna, our fierce, lovable single mom, juggles kids, work, and navigating post-divorce life, all while tackling the dating scene—with hilarious results! 😆 Every date is an adventure, and the banter with her colleague Will is chef’s kiss. If you love workplace romances, rivals-to-lovers, or age-gap romances, you’re in for a treat! 💕

The side characters (even the kids!) bring so much charm to the story, and Anna’s journey of rediscovering herself after divorce is both relatable and inspiring. The witty Google searches at the start of each chapter had me grinning because, let’s face it, we’ve all been there! 😅

Sophie Cousens masterfully blends humor, heart, and personal growth in this book. If you’re over 35 and wondering if life after marriage can still be fun and adventurous—spoiler alert: it can! 🌟

Huge thanks to @NetGalley and @PenguinRandomHouse for the ARC. If you loved This Time Next Year, this one’s a must-read!