4.5⭐

Thank you for the e-ARC of this funny and very relatable story, Putnam!

Anna is a journalist and divorced mom of two kids in her late 30's. As part of a recent revamp of the column she writes for, she has to begin dating again but with a fun twist on how her dates are selected. I found this book to be so funny mostly because I could relate to the humor of someone my age attempting to reenter the dating scene present day. Dating is a very different story and this book captures it all. I was transported to so many different movie rom-coms that I love. Elements of How to Lose a Guy, Never Been Kissed, Hitch, and even the boss in 13 Going on 30.

Pick this one up if you love rom-com movies, stories about friendship and starting over, and enemies to lovers tropes.

A great new addition to Sophie Cousens repertoire. Fresh new twist to a classic plot and will appeal to a non-young adult audience. It's not often you find a late30s divorcee character when in reality this represents a chunk of romance readership! This was fun and heart warming and had her classic print.

*Is She Really Going Out With Him?* by Sophie Cousens is a witty, heartwarming romance that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The characters are relatable and endearing, with sharp dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments throughout. Cousens explores love, timing, and self-discovery in a fresh and charming way. The twists in the plot add depth, and the emotional moments are beautifully balanced with humor. It's a perfect feel-good read, leaving you smiling and satisfied. Five stars!

Just finished Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens and it may be in my top favorites for this year!
This book is charming, funny, sexy, but also tender and wholesome. I love the story and the romance, but also the message that women can have their own unique and personal identity WHILE also being single, divorced, married, the guardian, the boss, or employee. Wherever we stand in life, we get to value ourselves just as much as we value the relationships we have. It's beautiful.

I was so pleasantly surprised with this one. Age gap is not usually my thing, especially when the woman has so much life experience (kids, divorce, etc) and is older than the MMc, because it typically feels unrealistic that a woman like that would choose young and immature. However, the MMc in this book unfolds like a flower and you realize it is unrealistic for her not to like him. Just loved it. The relationships, the depth, the cuteness. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed. Another great book by this author!

I love single mom romances and I feel like theyre so rare. this was so beautiful and I love sophie's writing. ever since the good part shes been on my radar.

Loved this book! It was such a fun read that made me feel giddy and laugh out loud. I loved the entire cast of characters and I was rooting for the main characters so hard. Such a great enemies to lovers romance! I highly recommend this joyful book!

Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.—Nora Ephors

Hands down one of the best @sophie_cousens book I’ve read. I truly loved this one. It had all the best tropes but they felt new and fresh- enemies to lovers, newspaper column about dating in your thirties, divorcees sharing custody, finding yourself and joy again as a mom.

Anna is 38, a mom to Jess (12) and Ethan (8), the sister of Lottie, divorced from Dan (who is newly buff and in a relationship with Sylvie), and a columnist at a magazine. She is voluntold to write a column about dating but the dates must be chosen by her kids. Her work nemesis, Will, writes a comparable column from the male point of view. The dates are funny and touching.

Cousens does an amazing job detailing that lonely mountaintop of motherhood some may find themselves on. The one where you find yourself doing all the things, saying no to other things for no reason other than pajamas sound like a better idea, wondering where the time has gone, wondering where your own spark has gone, worrying about your kids when they’re not with you… all with a healthy topping of mom guilt. She also beautifully weaves into this story how that all can change. Letting go (in all the ways) can lead to acceptance and sometimes seeing things with new eyes. Saying yes, and putting off the pajamas for a couple hours, brings people into your life that change it for the better. Making time for the things you love means there is more to share with those you love. And most of all- sometimes the things you thought mattered in love aren’t the best parts of being in love.

This felt a lot like 10 Ways to Lose A Guy meets The Hating Game with a touch of Crazy, Stupid, Love. This cast of characters- from the main characters to the supporting characters- were my favorite she’s written. I didn’t want the story to end!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thanks to @netgalley and @penguinukbooks for this #advancedreaderscopy - pub date is 11/13/24

#isshereallygoingoutwithhim
#netgalley

New divorcee Anna is quickly disillusioned by the dating scene. After all, she'd been in a relationship for decades. But after realizing her journalism job may be on the line, she pitches the idea of letting her children pick her dates for her. What follows is a series of awkward and sometimes awful encounters. Oh, and Will. Younger, sexy, and sweet co-worker Will. While he's giving her a run for her money, she soon realizes there's more to him than just trying to best her at her job.

As a Sophie Cousens fangirl, I was so excited to read this! And it truly did not disappoint. This was more than just a romance, we watched Anna grow and really come into her own. Yes, her dates started out awkward and self conscious, she begins to come into her own. Learning who and what she's interested in and not taking things she doesn't deserve. While obviously not every date works out, she does befriend quite a few of her dates. And no, her children didn't always pick a winner, and sometimes their reasons for picking them only made sense to them, she does become closer to them in the process.

This book is another win for Sophie Cousens! Part love story part story of finding yourself again, this one was perfection! I loved reading about a mom who found love again and propelled her career to the next level, all while dealing with a spandex wearing runner ex-husband with a 20 something new partner. Trust me, this one is all around perfect!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Cousens, and Penguin Group Putnam. ❤️

I enjoyed this romance novel. A divorced woman with 2 children takes on a project work to go out on blind dates.
She lets her kids pick her dates. She is a journalist working on this project with her handsome co-worker Will. As they work together sparks fly! It was fun to see who she would end up with. One of her mystery dates? Or Will.

Thanks Netgalley for this eArc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️From Penguin Group Publishing: Columnist Anna Appleby has left her love life behind after a painful divorce. Who needs a man when she has two kids, a cat, and uncontested control of the TV remote? Besides, she’d rather be single than subject herself to the hell of online dating. But her office rival is vying for her column, and no column means no stable source of income. In a desperate attempt to keep her job, Anna finds herself pitching a unique angle: seven dates, all found offline, chosen by her children.

From awkward encounters to unexpected connections, Anna gamely begins to put herself out there, asking out waiters, the mailman, and even her celebrity crush. But when a romantic connection appears where she least expected it, will she be brave enough to take another chance on love?
********************
My review: I loved the last book I read by this author so it was a no brainer to request this one. The novel started with my cringing at Anna's awkwardness, lack of confidence, and insecurity. But the crazy dating-for-journalism angle brings out the humor and fun in Anna and the story. Will is smart and handsome and doesn't talk about feeling, just work. You know where this is going of course, but the trip to get there is fun. I liked Anna's truce with her exhusband...he started off awful and moved to middle ground as Anna also grew and changed. Worth a read and some genuine funny parts.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Publishing for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.

So I have some mixed emotions when it comes to this book. I love it but I also hate it.

In this novel we follow recently divorced, single mother Anna. She works at a magazine that is looking to mix things up and wants Anna to get with the times. Her idea is to create articles about the men her children set her up with (her kids are 12 and 7). Meanwhile, her coworker Will keeps popping up and budding heads with her (but in a flirty way). From fishing trips gone wrong, to romantic evenings in the woods, Anna may have bitten off more than she can chew.

I disliked the first 70ish percent of this novel. I liked Anna but she lacked a backbone and kept crying. (I know she’s sad but I just didn’t like reading about it). Will was a cocky jerk (yes, I said it). I did not like him at all until the end. Dan and his super young girlfriend were over the top annoying. I wanted to reach through the book and smack them.

I did enjoy the last 25% of the book, and yes I did cry at the 90% mark. I do feel, however, the ending was a bit rushed. I can see how things are going to work out between Anna and her love interest, but I hope things do.

Anna and Will do grow up a bit by the end, as does Dan. Sylvie is still annoying but oh well.

This is why am I conflicted. I disliked the beginning, but I almost feel like the ending made up for it… so we will stick with 3-3.5 stars for this one.

This book is for you if perhaps you are a single mother and can relate or are already a fan of this author.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

Coming November 2024! Is She Really Going Out With Him? is a fun “adventures in dating” story. It was really sweet to watch Anna’s growth post-divorce by taking on a series of dates chosen by her two kids. I’d recommend for a fun, light, adult-intended romance! Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!

I knew I could count on Sophie Cousens to deliver a 5 star read, and she didn’t disappoint! As one of my favorite authors, she always blends humor and heart, and Is She Really Going Out With Him? was no exception. Anna’s offline dating adventures were both hilarious and heartfelt, especially with her kids calling the shots. Watching her rediscover love after a painful divorce is relatable to anyone who has had to deal with dating in the new world of tech. Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review. A solid 5-star read!

Okay, I laughed so hard while reading this book that I nearly woke up my napping baby. This was such a fun rom-com!

‘Is She Really Going Out With Him?’ follows a newly-divorced mom named Anna. When her job writing at a local magazine is in jeopardy, she just needs a fresh idea to get rid of the competition (consisting of her attractive office enemy Will).

That’s how Anna finds herself in charge of writing a dating column, where her kids get to choose who she goes out with. It’s apparently a unique angle that the magazine is looking for — but now Will is in charge of writing a corresponding dating column. Will their two columns clash, or will there suddenly be a spark that Anna never saw coming?

This was my introduction to author Sophie Cousens, and it will definitely not be my last read of hers. This was hysterical! I loved every one of the dates that her kids send her on. As a mother, it’s so refreshing to see things from your child’s point of view, and this book truly delivered on that feel-good factor.

There was also so much depth to Anna’s story, explaining her fear of falling in love again, the strength it takes to put herself out there, her commitment to her kids, and what it’s like to be a woman in the workplace.

I never wanted this story to end! This was a 5-star read for me!

CONTENT WARNING: Be aware that there are references to being a caretaker for a family member, losing a parent, and the death of a pet. There is also a character who is in cancer remission.

Really enjoyed this post-divorce romance story. The characters were well-developed and enchanting, making you want to follow along as they look for their second chance at happily ever after.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Anna Appleby is a 38 year old divorcee who has no interest in dating again. However, when a rival journalist tries to steal her column, she agrees to write a dating column. After a bad experience with online dating, she convinces her boss to let her try meeting people in person, but she ends up agreeing to let her twelve and six year old children pick her dates.

As Anna asks out a variety of men, including a college age waiter, a Jane Austen-obsessed mailman, and her celebrity crush, we see her become more comfortable putting herself out there. I really enjoyed watching her relationships with the people in her life grow. At the start of the book, Anna’s entire world revolved around her children and her work, but as the book goes on, she begins to realize that it’s okay to chase what will make her happy too. I was proud of her as she began to stand up for herself more towards the end of the book.

This is the first Sophie Cousens book I’ve read, but it definitely won’t be the last.

Sophie Cousens has a niche of writing a story where you feel like it could be happening to you, or someone you know. The story envelopes you, and you find yourself rooting for the main character to figure out their live, while also realizing that it will play to the "blueprint", and will, most likely, work out for them in the end. In "Is She Really Going Out with Him?", this is no exception. When the reader meets Anna, you are rooting for her to get it together and see what is right in front of her nose. All of the characters within the story are well developed and approachable. Great storyline, and perfect ending!

“Is She Really Going Out with Him” is such a fun, workplace romantic comedy. I love Sophie comings books!!!!!
This story starts out introducing you to our fmc, Anna. She is 38, divorced, with two of the cutest kids. She has become quite cynical, and believes she is "completely and totally happy on her own", and has no interest in dating. That is until her career is about to take a turn for the worst if she doesn't start writing more vulnerable and relatable column pieces. The magazine company she works for is tanking, and they need a new and fresh take to gain a younger audience, and that's where the idea of going on dates her children pick for her begins.
Thank you netgalley and Putnam books for this e-arc!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first time reading Cousens, and gosh I really enjoyed it! It's such a fun take/loose re-telling of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, which I LOVE. This book manages to give it a head-nod and then take the concept in a totally different and fun direction!

This book was closed door... but that hotel scene was still wildly steamy. ;)

(read it and thank me later)

I loved the way we get to know Anna and her kids, I loved the emotional depth and how real and messy these characters were, I loved every side character we met. Overall this was SUCH a fun romcom, and I wish I could watch it on the big screen! I am definitely a Sophie Cousens fan now. :)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.