this was a cute one. will is the definition of perfect. him and anna work so well together. towards 60% i felt a tiny bit bored but still enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

This book centers around Anna who is a mother of 2 kids. She is also divorced from a lengthy marriage and unable and unwilling to put herself out there. So within this she throws herself into her kids and work while not really believing in herself. The paper she works for is also on the brink of going under so to secure her job she decides to give in and do a dating column piece that brings her out of her comfort zone.

Anna is pretty strong. I loved her character. What I loved even more was her character development. The transformation from Anna at the beginning to Anna at the end was honestly awe inspiring, even as a fictional character. I think what made her development hit me so hard was the small changes she made were realistic and that its not one big shift needed but tiny things that make up a larger picture of change. As she went on these dates her perception of herself and the people around her changed. She didn't keep her world so narrow. It was honestly beautiful.

The side characters each had their own charm. I loved her kids. They were funny and full of spirit. Even Noah, her neighbor. Once you find out his background its hard not to fall for him. Even the less consistent characters had charm and personality. Not gonna lie though, at the beginning I sincerely wanted to punch her ex in the face but even he grew on me.

The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was for its predictability. Not too long into the story you already get a feel of who the love interest is and how it will play out. But, even with that I enjoyed the ride so much I was basically kicking my feet with joy.

Highly recommend this book. It's got serious Emily Henry vibes.

UMM WHERE DO I BEGIN?
This has got to be THE best rom com I have read in a long time. I found myself cooking dinner while staring down at my phone to read because I just couldn’t put it down. Is She Really Going Out With Him is a rivals to lovers workplace romance following a single mom working for a newspaper. For her column, her children get to pick who she goes out with. This assignment sparks a journey of self discovery, found family, and Love. I found myself laughing aloud at the google searches, a unique and funny addition to head the chapters(and they were all too relatable at that). I love love LOVE Will’s character. He has so much personality and such depth to him that I was giggling and kicking my feet at all of his charming remarks. Anna’s story is such a beautiful one as well. Seeing her grow into who she wants to be, as well as her character development was incredibly heartwarming. If you’re a fan of the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days then this book is perfect for you! Suddenly I’m wishing I was a journalist with a rivaling coworker.

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. This was a cute story, I really enjoyed the journey and how everything came together at the end.

I looooved this book. Sophie Cousens is a must-read for me, every time. Her books are so relatable and have really good life lessons. Def 10/10

Another winner from Sophie Cousens! Is She Really Going Out With Him will most definitely be a hit for romance readers once it is published. I adored the female main character! I found her to be a delight, and her character was so well written. The family relationships and interactions were also enjoyable to read about. What I mostly liked about this book was I had no idea how it would end. I was at one point predicting the ending, but then things changed and I was uncertain. I always love a book that keeps me on my toes, which this one certainly did-in the best way! I highly recommend other readers pick this up once it publishes.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this novel.

From the get-go, I was giggling. Messy lives can be hysterical, especially when it's fictional, but so many (like SO many) parts of this related to my life. I'm even 37, turning 38 this year, single moming and keeping myself busy with kid and work. Even the bike accident (mine as a kid was a mailbox, not a wall), but it was crazy to see the similarities. I "don't need anyone to be happy" is my motto, and I loved that she took the leap even if it was nudged by her work. I loved that the dates were all different, and each one got her outside her comfortable box in different ways. But boy, was I NOT expecting the twist and the steamy bits from the MMC. Absolutely zero complaints, though. I loved this through and through. I now need to take a leap of faith and get back into the dating world, I'll stick to her model of "willing to try new things." Loved everything about this, especially the ending.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam and to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

4.5⭐️ 1🫑|

This was such a cute story! I loved the watching the FMC navigate life & love after divorce and adored the dates chosen by her kids! The banter and the tension between the FMC and MMC was palpable from the start!

What I loved…
- Top tier banter
- work rivals to lovers
- I was legitimately kicking my feet and giggling
- Read in one sitting
- unique story
- wonderful relationships (family & friendships)

What I didn’t love…
- I’m convinced these two are going to eventually break up

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This is another delightful read by Sophie Cousens featuring Anna, a divorced mother of two struggling to reset after a painful season, and Will, her handsome, intriguing colleague who also has a complicated family situation. As they team up to co-write a dating column, they start to realize that they may actually be looking for love in all the wrong places. But will they be able to get past the obstacles still in their way? Only time and a few more dates will tell!

Sophie Cousens treats readers to another fun, quirky rom com! I always enjoy finding out what new spin she will put on the traditional romance novel formula to keep it fun and fresh, and "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" did not disappoint! While it is clear from the first pages who Anna is supposed to end up with, it was still a fun ride to watch her fulfill the requirements of her column – from the fun, lighthearted dates to downright horrifying. This was a light hearted adventure filled with good banter and a quirky cast of characters!

I love Sophie Cousens. I really do, and this book was a beautiful tale of an age-gap workplace romance that I DEVOURED!!!!

I can't wait for this book to be officially out in the wild on November 19 for any and all to read!!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Audio for the ALC of this book!

This was my first Sophie Cousens book and it was absolutely delightful! I'm officially a fan. Is She Really Going Out With Him is a deep dive into the life of a divorcee (Anna) who is honestly just trying to cope with the everyday life of a single mom with two kids and a full-time job. We ALL know how difficult that is. Anna gets my utmost respect for juggling all that she does, for dealing with her slightly obnoxious ex maturely and then being willing to start dating again for the sake of her job (she's a journalist and is assigned a piece on dating...with a twist). The dates she goes on become adventures that lead to new friendships, eye-opening epiphanies and yes ... true love. This is the perfect book for someone who's looking for a heartwarming story that will leave you cheering for love, for friends, for family and for new beginnings.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

this was pretty good. i liked the writing style but there was something about the plot and characters that fell a bit short for me

I mean is she really going out with him? DUH SHE IS! Anna is an inspiration to a lot of moms! I think in general because she grows so much as a person! And will the moment he spent his time with her kids game over for me! I love him

Anna has given up on dating after her divorce, but she is forced to fight for her job by throwing out a unique column idea. She will date new men suggested by her two children and write about it. The only problem is that her obnoxious and good looking coworker, Will, also is writing a column alongside hers, and they are forced to collaborate.

I have previously really enjoyed Sophie Cousens’s books, but this one is my new favorite! I’d describe it as a cross between The Hating Game and How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, but with a single mom. I loved it so much, I read it in a day because I didn’t want to put it down. The idea of Anna’s children picking her dates was unique and fun, and they always had funny results. It was clear from the beginning that Anna and Will had the banter and enemies to lovers chemistry that would make the story great later on, and then forced proximity and only one bed took it to the next level. I loved everything about this book, and highly recommend it to my fellow rom com lovers.

Thank you to Sophie Cousens and Putnam books for the arc and opportunity to be an early reader and reviewer.

this book absolutely sparkles. Sophie Cousens has a talent for writing stories that quietly sneak up on you; I always find myself pulled in and unable to put her novels down. this one in particular feels like you've been transported into an older romcom, not because the plot follows those of classic movies, but the general vibe feels like that kind of story. I was rooting for Anna so hard and found myself laughing out loud at the mishaps Anna found herself in (particularly when she meets Loretta). Anna's kids and her growth post-divorce as well as Will's own backstory also made for poignant plot lines. I was so in love not just with her relationship but with her whole family and life. the third act conflict just made sense and the grand gesture bringing them back together honestly made me tear up. I already can't wait to get a physical copy and reread!

Rounding up because an ARC. Always enjoy reading Sophie’s books 🥰

This book follows a newly divorced mom as she rediscovers herself. About to lose her journalist job at a local newspaper, she pitches a dating column where her kids get to pick her dates so she doesn’t have to get on the apps. Her “rival” at the newspaper does a side by side story doing the opposite of what her date was. Shocking no one - the tensions get high and the romance gets higher.

There were so many laughs in these dates. Between the fish hook in the face, the 22 year old with the drugs, and the Jane Austen tea party. I couldn’t stop laughing.

I loved Will, and his hopeless romantic tendencies. I loved how raw and open this book was about the scary feelings of restarting your life, moving on, and making changes.

Just an all around great time. I def recommend this for the romance girls.

No spice.


Some favorite quotes:
“The baggage we carry isn’t a bad thing; it is our substance, our history, the experiences that make us who we are. All the reasons not to be together might be surmountable, because love is rare, and if you’re lucky enough to feel it, you shouldn’t let it pass you by.”

“For me, falling in love feels like gazing up at a dark sky. First, there is nothing but blackness, then gradually your eyes adjust, a few stars come into view, then suddenly, you see everything—thousands of stars, an infinite spectrum of light. It’s mind-blowing. Falling out of love feels the same but in reverse. One by one the stars recede, gray clouds sweep in. Then one day you realize you are alone in the dark, there’s nothing out there.”

Starting off, I have to admit I am a huge Sophie Cousens fan and she is an auto-buy author for me, yet I have to say that I first I couldn’t get into this book. As much as I was enjoying the writing, I could not connect with the story nor characters thinking that maybe it was not written for an audience my age. At around 40% mark I decided to give the book a little break, not knowing if I would come back to it. But one day I got the inspiration to go back to reading it and I have to say it sucked me right back in. The concept of family, love, divorce and finding yourself after huge changes in life is so well fleshed out in this story I actually started to see myself in some of these characters. I believe a lot of older romance readers would absolutely love this book and appreciate the messages it brings.

To finish it off Is She Really Going Out with Him solidifies my love for Sophie Cousens stories and writing and I cannot wait to see what else she graces us with.

Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this! I loved it, and it was a unique take on dating and grabbed your heartstrings by the middle of the book.

Oh my heart! This book might be my new favorite by Cousens. Anna is a divorce who is adjusting to single life and is content to maintain her single status. While trying to keep up with her work rival, she agrees to a series of dates, chosen by her children. What ensues is a hilarious and poignant look at putting yourself out there while parenting and working. The characters were well written, from the ex to the precocious children and the dates. I found myself laughing out loud and crying ad different points throughout this book. Highly recommend this delightful read.