After a blow out with her difficult colleague Will, journalists Anna and Will start a dating column together which leads them both learning what they want in life and love and whether they can get along better than they first thought.


This book really grew on me. As the narrative developed I became nicely invested in Anna and Will’s relationship. I liked how gently it developed and that it wasn’t conforming to romantic literally stereotypes. It was very sweet and tender and Anna’s bond with her children and sister is really beautiful.

I felt it got a bit lost along the way and the narrative wasn’t as tight as it could have been. I loved the concept of her children selecting her dates for her but that seemed to fade as the storyline with Will enhanced. A few of the dates end quite abruptly and aren’t referenced back to. It’s a shame that wasn’t used as a more succinct drive to the whole story as I think it could have helped tie up loose ends.

I did enjoy this though as a cute easy read.

Is She Really Going Out With Him? has an interesting premise, with the potential to explore complex issues surrounding relationships and self-worth. However, the story ultimately fell short in terms of emotional depth and character development, leaving me with mixed feelings.

The main character, Mia, is a high school student caught in a toxic relationship, and while this could be a powerful narrative, I struggled to connect with her. Her decisions often felt frustrating, especially in the context of her romantic relationship, which seemed to lack the nuance I was hoping for. I found it hard to empathize with her struggles, as some of her choices felt repetitive and didn’t always serve the deeper themes the book aimed to address.

The pacing of the book also felt uneven. At times, the plot seemed to drag, with certain scenes feeling overly repetitive or drawn-out. In other moments, the story rushed through important emotional beats, which made it difficult for me to truly engage with Mia’s journey. I would have liked to see a more balanced pacing, with more time spent on character development and emotional moments.

That said, I do appreciate the themes the book tackles—self-worth, peer pressure, and the complexities of relationships. These are topics that will resonate with many readers, especially younger ones who may find Mia’s experience relatable. The book also shines a light on how toxic relationships can impact one’s sense of self, and while I felt it could have delved deeper into this aspect, it’s an important message.

In terms of writing, Jess Valance has a good grasp of creating relatable situations and dialogue, though I wish the emotional depth had been more consistent throughout the book. There were moments where I could see the potential for a powerful story, but it didn’t always land as strongly as I’d hoped.

Overall, while Is She Really Going Out With Him? wasn’t a standout for me, I think it could still be enjoyable for readers who are looking for a quick read about relationships and self-discovery. It’s a solid entry in the genre, but it could have benefited from a bit more character depth and emotional nuance.

Who needs a man when she has two kids, a cat, and uncontested control of the TV remote?

Anna is a disillusioned divorcée who agrees to let her children play matchmaker to keep her journal column. Thing is, she is competing with her office rival - charming, popular, younger, and into the dating scene.

I loved the funny voice of Ana. She is a busy, stressed mother who is dealing with an awkward divorce situation, her children growing up, and a job that is tightening the budget.

There are some bizarre dates - Regency attire, sucky celebrities, weird kinks. Yet, Ana never lets anything affect her relationship with her kids or friends.
Her characters definitely stand out.

I loved the additions of the search history recaps at the end of each chapter. It really tells you a lot about a person and it made me snort multiple times.

I definitely preferred the first 30%. After that, I think it got repetitive and obvious. Of course, it’s a romance book so the latter is to be expected, but it wasn’t pulled off in a unique way for me. I might be burnt out because the last couple of romance books I’ve read have followed similar arcs to this.

Not to mention, I feel like this disappoints as a romance book in what it actually delivers. Like the resolution happens, I swear to you , in the last 2%. What about the kids? The future? Planning? Maybe it is showing that there is never a happy ever after, a final answer.

It was fun when I was listening to it, but I didn’t feel drawn to listen to it and struggled to stay invested.

Arc gifted by Hodder & Stoughton Audio.

I love Sophie Cousens' novels and 'Is She Really Going Out With Him' is no exception: it's great fun! Anna, our main character, is engaging and relatable - recovering from a divorce, raising her two children and navigating work/co-parenting stresses all at once, while trying to make space for herself. Her kids are well-rounded characters, and the love interest is a fun and attractive enemies-to-lovers arc. There's lots of fun scenarios and settings, and a smattering of comedy. Highly recommended!

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

Is She Really Going Out With Him?
Sophie Cousens

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I'm actually ashamed to say that although I have plenty of this authors' books on my tbr shelf - this was my very first Sophie Cousens read!
And wow! What a great one it was too!

Journalist Anna needs to perk up her lifestyle column - with jobs on the line and rival Will taking all the praise, she'll really need to come up with something great.
After the news that her recently divorced ex-husband is moving on nicely, Anna swears she doesn't need a man - but her need to keep her job spurs her to try dating again - just for the column of course.....or is it!?

I instantly connected with Anna. Being a mum myself, it was so easy to relate to the struggles of motherhood, holding down a job and navigating the post divorce issues.
However, these were dealt with in a way that had me feeling sorry for Anna, empathising too but also sniggering through some of the scenes.

I loved the idea that Anna find her dates for the column through old fashioned means - ditching the online dating after only a couple of terrible tries.
I honestly couldn't bear to do the online dating thing so this was a refreshing adventure, finding dates through people you already know - despite there being no real attraction.

When her kids get involved with picking Anna's men, we see some disastrous, some hilarious and some heartwarming interactions.
I won't give any spoilers but you will love the results!

I loved our main characters so much, but also loved the side characters just as much - with all of them adding something special to the storyline.

This was the perfect romcom and although an obviously 'done before' theme, this had some unique elements along the way - and who could really ever get fed up with the joy and fun they bring, every single time!

Beautifully written with characters you won't forget - I just couldn't stop reading this!



💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

I'm captivated by Sophie Cousens' books; in my view, she is flawless. Her narratives brim with warmth and sentiment, yet the defining feature for me is the humor she weaves into her novels. Her most recent work is side-splitting, featuring the protagonist Anna conducting internet searches at the beginning of each chapter—a touch I found delightful. It echoes other books that employ this technique, providing a comedic interlude to the story.

I enjoyed reading this book, and found it fun, if however a little predictable. I liked the characters, particularly the humour that the children brought and thought some of the realities of dating shown were hilarious.

This book has quickly become one of my top reads this year, especially in the "friends to lovers" genre. The story delves into the complexities of dating, where the characters face obstacles not entirely of their making. This challenge adds a layer of authenticity and depth to their journey, making their transition from friends to lovers all the more compelling.

The narrative's exploration of second chances is masterful. It vividly portrays how closing one chapter can lead to unexpected new beginnings, and this theme resonates deeply. The characters' struggles and triumphs are depicted with emotional richness, offering a profound reflection on the nature of timing and opportunity.

Each character is intricately developed, and their growth throughout the story feels genuine and heartfelt. The romance unfolds with a combination of humor and poignancy, creating a connection that is both realistic and touching. This book not only explores love and personal growth but also captures the beauty of embracing new possibilities despite life's uncertainties.

A sweet, hilarious, relatable romcom that is wonderfully narrated. Five stars. I love Anna and Will.
Huge thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this.

A rivals-to-lovers age gap workplace romance plays out between Anna, divorced mum of two, and Will, a serial dater as they compete for a column at their magazine and end up spending more time together than anticipated. It was interesting to see Anna's dating experiences, with some fun moments thrown in there as well as some ones that made me cringe in sympathy. There;s also more to Will than Anna thought and we get to know him through Anna, over different meetings and some forced proximity. While there were parts of the story I enjoyed, it overall fell flat for me. I didn't feel any spark or chemistry between Will and Anna and so it was a little lacklustre and though there were moments where we see them connecting, they didn't feel to me like a good fit overall and I felt more as though we were being convinced of a non-existent romance which was such a shame. However, I'm sure this is something other people won't find in this book so don't take my word for it. A side note to say the audiobook is well-narrated so a great option for audiobook lovers.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

This was a cute, fun easy listen and the narrator did a really good job as I found it easy to listen to and I wanted to know what happened next in their story. It was a bit hallmark at times but sometimes that isn't a bad thing and could definitely see this being made into a movie. This also made me laugh out loud in parts and I really overall enjoyed listening to this and will definitely be checking out more by the author in the future. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this audio arc.

Anna is a 38-year old magazine journalist trying to navigate life with two children being recently divorced from Dan, who is now living with his 25-year old Swedish girlfriend.

When her struggling magazine company has a takeover she finds herself competing with her colleague, Will, to prove her worth to her new bosses. In an attempt to offer something modern and different she ends up agreeing to do a feature on dating with the twist being that she will go on seven dates chosen by her children - twelve–year-old daughter Jess and seven-year-old son Ethan. What could possibly go wrong?!

The seven dates introduce us to a host of different characters all with their back stories bringing both depth and humour to the offerings. Alongside the dates Anna's competitive and intriguing relationship with Will continues culminating in them having to attend an eco retreat together. Perhaps Will isn't the person Anna thought he was after all!

Humorous, light and very entertaining. Rom-coms aren't my usual genre but this has a bit more maturity about it giving it that something extra that made it a compelling read.

The banter between Anna and Will was communicated well through the excellent narration and I thoroughly recommend this audiobook.

I am grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for an advanced listener copy of this book and will certainly read more of this authors work in the future.

I wasn’t 100% sure I was going to enjoy this one but the premise intrigued me so much that I had to request it because I had hope that it would be a lot of fun - and it was! The pacing was a little off because at points I kind of thought ‘oh it should probably end here’ but then it carried on which did make it feel like it was dragging just a bit, BUT the fact it was so heart-warming and the scenes towards the end were so sweet made up for the pacing problems.

The narration was great and so easy to listen to. I also loved that it was set in the UK because it felt so cosy and familiar. Overall, it was a lovely, easy read and I actually think it would make a pretty fun movie.

I would recommend it if you like a book that feels like a fun rom com film, heart-warming moments or a swoony but closed door romance.

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton Audio for providing me with an advance copy of this audiobook.

This was my first audiobook experience, and it didn’t disappoint! The narrator’s voice was so pleasant, making the story easy to follow and even more enjoyable.

Anna is divorced. And tired. Tired of everyone treating her divorce like it defines her entire personality. She knows there’s more to her than just being single; she just needs a little push and some time to figure out what that is. What does she like? What (and who!) does she want? Who is Anna?

One of my favorite things about this book is how Anna challenges the idea that being coupled up is the ultimate source of happiness. It’s refreshing to see a character who understands that relationships can sometimes make you lose sight of who you are and what you love in the name of compromise. Yes, love and being loved are both wonderful, but this story reminds us that life has so much more to offer.

Enter Will: intelligent, tall, handsome and completely annoying. He’s the bane of Anna’s existence, but their chemistry is undeniable from the very first interaction. I must admit that workplace romance is not usually my thing, but this rivals-to-lovers dynamic had some excellent banter that had me laughing out loud. Will is effortlessly charismatic, and (let’s be honest here) we all know it’s only a matter of time before Anna realises she’s more than ready to hop on board the Will train. But the best part is the unwilling journey to get there, isn't it?!

Will’s trying to take over Anna’s column, and in a desperate effort to keep her spot, she pitches a fresh, bold idea: offline dating, with men selected by her children. Leaving your romantic and, in this case, by extension, professional life in the hands of a preteen and an eight-year-old might not be the wisest idea, but I absolutely loved it! The kids’ unbiased and sometimes hilariously naïve approach made for such an entertaining read. It also gave us a deeper glimpse into their lives, something we might not have gotten otherwise.

I often find that children in books aren’t written very well. They’re either overly cute, unrealistically smart, irritatingly pedantic, or just there to make someone a single parent. But here, the younger characters were a delight. They felt real and relatable, not at all bothersome. I especially loved Jess. So much of what she says, does, and experiences reminded me of my younger self.

In conclusion, this was such an enjoyable romance! Anna and Will had me laughing and completely hooked on their love story. But this book is so much more than that. Is She Really Going Out With Him? is Anna’s journey of peeling off labels and discovering herself. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming, and at times bittersweet, romance with just the right amount of sexy.

‘Is She Really Going Out With Him?’ by Sophie Cousens, narrated in audiobook form by Kerry Gilbert, is a wonderful workplace romance about moving on after divorce, finding yourself and learning that love is worth fighting for. Anna and Will are rival journalists for Bath Living magazine, and a change of ownership leads to them reluctantly collaborating on a column about finding love… the twist: while Will is exploring the powers of online dating, Anna is bypassing the apps and courting men chosen in real life by her kids.

I absolutely adored Anna, whose drive to succeed at work and motherhood while being happy on her own was admirable. Her openness to trying new things, punctuated with moments of trepidation, was inspiring! Viewing the world through Anna’s eyes, I didn’t warm to Will immediately, but as his layers peeled back, I became obsessed with my new book boyfriend! The chemistry between the two leads was sizzling, and there were heartwarmingly sweet moments as Will interacted with her children and opened up about his motivations. I liked that their life situation, rather than just miscommunications, drove the third act, which felt realistic.

The series of dates were a mixture of hilarious, squirm-inducing and beautiful, and I loved that the novel was as much about Anna rediscovering her passions and growing her circle of friends as it was about the central romance. Loretta especially was a fantastic character, bringing light and joy to every page she appeared on. Also, Anna’s google searches, marking the end of each chapter, had me laughing so much.

This was a five star book, and the narration really brought it to life for me, conveying deep emotion well while remaining light and listenable! I’d wholeheartedly recommend this novel, in any format, to those who loved ‘The Hating Game’, ‘The Spanish Love Deception’ or Sophie’s own ‘The Good Part’.

I received an Advance Listening Copy of this book from the publisher Hodder & Stoughton Audio via NetGalley. Opinions my own.

I adore Sophie Cousens' books. She can do no wrong in my eyes.
Her stories are full of warmth and emotion, but for me, her unique selling point is the humour she punctuates through her novels. This latest book is hilarious, with the character Anna doing internet searches at the start of each chapter, which I loved. Reminded me of other books that do this, and it helps break up the story with a laugh.
I also had the audiobook narrated by Kerry Gilbert, and she was superb. She had a really easy speaking voice and I couldn't stop listening. I'll happily add her to my narrators to watch list!
I adored this, and it may just be my new favourite book from this author.

4.25⭐️. Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the e-audiobook of Is She Really Going Out With Him? I had so much fun with this audiobook and binged it in more or less a day.

The story follows Anna, a newly divorced journalist in her 30s who is managing life as a single mum after being in a relationship for all of her adult life. It’s set in Bath, in the UK and the magazine Anna works is facing hard times, having just been bought out by a new owner who wants to set a new direction. With her younger, ambitious colleague Will keen to branch out into Anna’s area of lifestyle reporting, she finds herself pitching the idea of a column in which she dates people she meets in the old fashioned way (I.e., in person), who are chosen by her two kids. While Will writes a comparison article of his online dating experience.

The dating set up led to some really funny moments - the fishing date made me cringe (the hook/cheek situation 🙈) but also laugh out loud! I also liked the little google searches at the end of each chapter, which often made me chuckle but also give you a little insight into Anna’s mind.

Both main characters are well fleshed out and there’s a really good build up to their relationship. Will was gorgeous - he’s a little bit sarcastic, funny and he notices all the little things. It’s so sweet seeing him seek Anna’s approval, despite her initial cynicism towards him. And also to see how she slowly warms to him and the positive changes he ultimately helps her embrace.

There’s a fairly typical third act conflict towards the end, but it makes sense in relation to the characters’ back stories. The audiobook narrator was also great, and I’d highly recommend consuming it in this format if you enjoy audiobooks.

Tropes:
- workplace enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- One bed

No spice.

Is She Really Going Out With Him is the first novel I’ve read by Sophie Cousens - I need to rectify that.

First off, I like a good rom com as much as the next person but they’re normally a bit of filler or a light distraction for a while. So I went into this expecting exactly that, what I got was so much more!

The comedy value is excellent. I was laughing within the first few minutes, but I was laughing at things I truly related to.

The romance was the perfect amount of romance for me it wasn’t eye rollingly cheesy it was just right.

I instantly connected with Annie, I’ve rarely rooted for a fictional character so much. What begins as a need to find a way to freshen up her career and save her job, where she agrees to allowing her kids to choose her dates then write about them for her magazine, turns into a life changing experience and I loved every single minute of it.

Every single side character brought something special to the story.

A lid for every pot springs to mind! Full of Hope ❤️

I can genuinely see Bridget Jones style success for this one. Look out for it in spring.

Kerry Gilbert has made the audio a joy to listen to.

So guess what?

All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends

My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC

Anna Appleby is a hot, divorced, and chronically single mum who has her kids play matchmaker to help save her newspaper column, and maybe even help her find love. The narrator perfectly captures the humour and heart of Anna's quirky dating adventures, from cringe-worthy setups to unexpected sparks with her workplace rival Will.

Anna's Google searches are funny and relatable and those priceless text messages (that window scene!) make Anna relatable. I especially loved how Sophie brought authenticity to the more mature themes of navigating divorce, career challenges, and finding love again in your 30s. I don't feel like this is a true enemies-to-lovers, more of a rivals-to-lovers story, and it was excellently done.

The narrator was an excellent choice for the role and the book. She is great at doing variations of voices, you can tell character voices apart. This is the perfect listen for fans of witty workplace romance with depth.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing a review copy.