've enjoyed all the Sophie Cousens books I've read previously, but this was the weakest one so far. I think she was attempting an enemies-to-lovers romance, but she didn't quite succeed. I couldn't really figure out where she was going and I didn't like the character of Will. I did like that Anna was late 30's and divorced with kids. Love the older representation!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This story was just so good. It was exactly what I look for in a rom-com. Anna was so funny and I loved that she was in her late 30s, which made her more relatable. Hearing her talk about her divorce and her life as a mom was just comical. All of the dates she went on were ridiculous and had me cracking up. And Will was just sexy. I thought he was annoying for all of 30 seconds and then I was hooked. I really enjoyed his and Anna’s story arc. So glad I was able to read this one.

I absolutely LOVED this book! I couldn’t handle the tension between the male and female MCs. It was so good but also not too good! I’m glad that Anna found her love and also stayed true to her career as well, it was a good balance. Will was also so sexy but also incredibly real the more we learned about him. The story arc was chefs kiss and I fell in love with Anna and Will when they were on their mountain getaway!

I really wanted to love this book! I thought the premise was so fun and whimsical.

Honestly, I just found it really hard to connect to Anna. From the beginning I felt a LOT of second hand embarrassment and it got to the point where I wanted to DNF the story.

Maybe readers in a similar point in their life (divorced with children) could relate and enjoy more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely devoured this book! Will is the ultimate book boyfriend—one of those swoon-worthy characters we all can’t help but fall for. The enemies-to-lovers trope was done to perfection, blending depth with laugh-out-loud moments that kept me hooked from start to finish. Watching Anna’s character blossom with strength and confidence was so satisfying. And the cherry on top? Just the right amount of spice—enough to keep things interesting without overpowering the story. I wouldn’t say it’s closed door but maybe a “door cracked” book. Ha I’m definitely adding this author to my must-read list!

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Easy 4.5 stars! This book was a GEM. The characters, their story arcs, the 90s rom-com vibes, the wit — it all just WORKED. It had heart, it had humor, it had me invested and engaged until the very (fulfilling) end.

The Good Part was my first Sophie Cousins book, and I absolutely loved it. This one did not disappoint. Thank you for the opportunity to ready this early copy!

Is She Really Going Out with Him? By Sophie Cousins is a stand-alone adult romantic comedy.
Anna is a newly divorced 38-year-old woman struggling with some mid-life depression as her jerk of an ex got in shape and moved in with his much younger new girlfriend. As part of spicing up a dying magazine, the editors give Anna and her competition Will a dating column where her kids choose her dates and he tries to match her theme.
This story reminded me of a more grown-up How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days. I was afraid that the story would be too depressing with Anna being an older character, but I was pleased at the lightheartedness of this story. Anna certainly starts understandably bitter but finds herself again through some terrible and funny dates and some well-timed banter with Will. Will is the perfect romantic lead I loved the way he teased Anna and was head over heels for her way before she fell for him. This book was fun to read and perfect to relax too.
Thank you to Net Galley for this Arc. All views and opinions are my own.

This was such a great read! I found the antics of the main characters hilarious. The premise was super cute and the writing had me laughing out loud.

This one was super cute!! I had a hard time getting into the book in the beginning because the main character is a little older and divorced, which are two things I can't really relate to. As the story developed , I fell more in love with the characters, especially Will. This was a really easy read that you could knock out in an afternoon. It's a good summer romance.

This was an almost perfect romance story (because nothing is perfect.) It had: laugh out loud humor, self-deprecating humor, warm fuzzies, incredulous situations that worked, snappy dialogue, and true affection. A woman: who had it all together; lost it; good job but then bought out; committed to trying anything to keep her job, even it meant writing a dating column and dating whomever her children suggested. She also learned compassion, finding out other peoples' stories, and how to find her own story. I highly recommend reading this book.

I love a good enemies to lovers story. It’s hard starting over and I think this book does a good job at showing all the ups and downs and finding yourself again. I enjoyed the characters and the relationships they created.

This was my first book by Sophie Cousens, it was cute, I enjoyed it.

In this book, we have Anna who’s a column writer, divorcee, single mom of two children. Unfortunately her job is in jeopardy, her column needs to be geared towards a younger audience. With someone threatening to take her job, she decides to go on dates and write about them in her column. She also decides to let her children be the ones who pick her dates, as she realizes online dating isn’t her cup of tea. She may find love where she least expects it…

I loved Anna, her character growth through this story was wonderful. I also loved her kids, they were so sweet and funny, really gave an extra layer to the story. I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam, for the ARC!

All the stars! I loved every minute of this book!
If you like romcoms, especially 90s classic rom coms like me, you will love this!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

I really enjoyed this breezy, unique romance novel. Anna is a writer at a magazine that is facing a takeover and cutback. To gain readership, she lets her two children play matchmaker and then she writes about her dates. There is an impressive cast of characters, and of course there is a main love interest that starts out as an enemy. The plot was so much fun and I would highly recommend to any contemporary fiction or romance fans. I look forward to reading more by this author!

This charming and witty novel follows Anna Appleby, a columnist who, after a painful divorce, has sworn off dating. But when her job is on the line, she pitches a daring idea: let her kids pick seven offline dates for her. What follows is a delightful mix of awkward encounters, unexpected sparks, and a heartwarming journey of self-discovery.

Cousens' writing is both funny and relatable, capturing the chaos of modern dating and the courage it takes to open your heart again. Anna's journey is full of humor, love, and the importance of taking chances, even when it's scary. Is She Really Going Out with Him? is a feel-good read that reminds us that love can find us in the most surprising places.

thank you to netgalley and putnam for the arc.

this is my second sophie cousens book and i am a big fan. i love the realness she writes about, it helps me to feel connected to the characters. i appreciate the romance and closed door aspect. sometimes it’s nice to have a break from smut. this book had me giggling at the banter between the FMC and MMC. all around a really fun read.

recommend? yes.

I really enjoyed this rom-com. The characters are funny and interesting. Anna is recently divorced single mom attempting to keep her journalism job by making a new dating column with her office rival Will. Will is likable and thoughtful MMC. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and side characters. The banter is great. Anna finding herself after divorce is heartwarming and you want to root for her. Some of the “dates” for the column get a bit much, but it is a rom-com and fits with the theme and overall vibe of the book. I would recommend this book.

*Divorced single mom
*office rivals
*small town
*online dating
*dating after divorce

Thank you NetGalley, Sophie Cousens, and Penguin Group Putnum for an advanced digital copy of this book.

It was a humorous and fast-paced read. I particularly liked how the characters developed throughout the story.

Is She Really Going Out With Him? By Sophie Cousens
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Anna is still reeling from her recent divorce as her ex is quick to move on and move in with his new girlfriend while she's still trying to figure out who she is outside of her marriage and motherhood. Life gets more complicated as her coworker, Will, seems to be vying her for column, causing Anna to pitch a series chronically her dating life... as chosen by her children. She quickly finds herself being more outgoing, trying new things, and figuring out what she enjoys.

I loved the many facets of this story. While primarily a romance, it also explores grief, personal growth, self-acceptance, and working towards your goals. Anna's character arc was so relatable and realistic. She stumbled, and she backtracked and tried to figure out what would make her happy and how to ask for it. My only qualm about the entire book was the way the way it ended. I wanted more vengeance for Anna with her ex... which says more about me than the book.

5⭐️ Oh my gosh, I loved this book! It completely surprised me. I was not expecting to fall in love with so many characters - least of all Will. The way the story develops was PERFECT. Character development - BEAUTIFUL. The ending was predictable but this sappy romance reader loved every second. Oh, and the last paragraph made me burst into tears in the best way possible. Now I need to go back and read Sophie’s other books!