Thank you net galley

This was Cush a cute easy read, this was so easy to listen too! I loved the romance in this!

I look forward to reading more from this author

Absolutely adored this rom-com audiobook. This is the first I've had the pleasure of listening to a book by Sophie Cousens and now has led me to look at other books written by her.

This was so well narrated all the characters were easily disnguishable and brought to life from Anna and Will to the delivery driver and celeb crush and the children, were amazingly depicted throughout bringing much humour and warmth to the storyline.

As Anna is a journalist and recently divorced her 2 wonderful children think up the idea of her dating "normal" men ie meeting men from all walks of life in various places and asking them on dates purely for work of course because she is perfectly happy being single and she definitely doesn't do Internet dating.

We find ourselves meeting various characters along the way with Anna but someone she doesn't show interest in is Will who she works with, then comes along a few little curve balls that make her think differently and suddenly this work project becomes all too real... Will Anna find a happy ever after, does she even want to invest herself in another person, or is she solely focused on her children and career..?!?!?

This just gives so many feel good warm cozy funny light hearted vibes it's one definitely not to be missed!

Many thanks to Netgalley & Hodder & Soughton Audio for this ELC in return for an open, honest review. Best wishes for publication in April. I'm sure this will do well! 📚🎧❤️

Fantastic story showing how to grow once you’ve given up. It was really cute with the relationships and dates and how each one taught her something different!

I laughed and I was sad so emotions felt right! Thank you NetGalley for letting me listen and review.

I really enjoyed this and loved thr narrator. I didn't want to stop listening. I found it cute and fun to listen to.

Sophie Cousens can always be relied upon to deliver a great love story. With a charming setting and lovable characters settle in for a fun frolic.

3.5 ⭐️

The Google searches are top tier.

This enemies to lovers is great. It's wity and funny and the audio is done really well. Some parts of the story felt a bit unnecessary for me which took away from all the amazing parts in the plot. I wanted to see more with her and her children as that was a key part in her development. Her ex's new partner infuriated me to no end ☹️ third act breakup seen a mile away.

🤍

"There's a whole new chapter waiting for.you. All you need to do is keep turning the pages."

'I am not a phoenix, i am a dazed pigeon looking for crumbs.'

'I guess some things in life you don't get to choose. You can't choose the plot but you can choose the soundtrack.'

A really entertaining read, which made me laugh outloud a couple of times. With Anna back at work at a local publication, following her divorce from her cheating husband, she clashes with colleague Will, and is horrified when they are out together to write a column of their dating adventures. Her children get to choose her dates, and some hilarious adventures begin.
It has a feel of Bridget Jones, and I thoroughly enjoyed her growing love/hate relationship with Will, along with her battles with her grumpy neighbour Noah.
I feel good read, with lots of ups and downs.

This was fun! I appreciate the detail to the characters and the plot, and it seemed like the author went the extra mile to make this a fleshed out story that had many facets and not didn't just focus on one thing. However, the ending could've been shorter and from the 75% mark the story started to feel a little drawn out.

The narrator had a lovely voice , fit the character really well, and truly crafted a immersive world.

The type of book that you want to start again after finishing it!
Super fun and romantic. It's awkward but silly and just overall a super enjoyable listen.

This was ace. An audio book that I loved, and the dog has never been walked so much as I was so desperate to keep listening, the audio book is really well read and hits just the right tone.
This is a love story for today, divorce, children, younger boyfriends and girlfriends and a good bit of sibling love. This book kept me hooked as relationships were built and took steps forward and backwards, as ever there are misunderstandings and the ending is a corker that hit just the right note.

Is she really going out with him? By Sophie Cousens 📕

Anna, recently divorced, takes on a column at work that requires her to go on dates with guys her children have chosen for her. She soon finds an unexpected connection .

My review 📖:
Absolutely loved this!
Giggled throughout and thought all the characters were great to listen to!

Was not expecting the age-gap romance from the blurb or the close-proximity trope - both a great surprise.

I think the book explores the darker and lighter sides of divorce really well from the perspective of the divorced couple and their children also.

I did shout at Anna a few times because of how much of a pushover I felt she was being with her ex-husband and this irritated me at times. The sudden change in his personality near the end was a little jarring.

Loved the angst between the two main protagonists and feel this was written very well. Nice slow burn.

I thought the narrator was suitable for the MFC and I enjoyed the way she read the story to me and the way she brought the characters to life.

Highly recommend!

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and netgalley for the ARC Audio Book.

My rating: 4.5 ⭐️

A charming and witty rom-com about a divorcee navigating the chaos of modern dating.

I was excited to listen to this after loving Sophie Cousen’s The Good Part. While I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as her other novel, it was still a light, fun read with likeable characters.

The story blends humor with deeper themes while maintaining a playful tone. The Google search moments at the end of each chapter were a particularly entertaining touch.

The narrator did a fantastic job, adding personality and warmth to the characters, making the listening experience even more enjoyable.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really like this book and I am not much into romances but here it was fun and the characters so relatable, it was refreshing
The narrator was really good, she was clear and not too slow which made it very enjoyable

Sophie Cousens is one of my favourite authors and I love a good audio book as well!

The story is so interesting, funny and captivating. Plus the narrator is really good. She’s interesting and nice to listen to.

IsSheReallyGoingOutWithHim? by SophieCousens is a strong 3 ⭐️ read. Out On the 10th April 2025

I’ve had to come back to write this review a few times. Each time a little lost in processing my feeling.

So…. This is what I will say… this story is heartbreaking, hopeful, and a little funny too. I cried my eyes out at times seeing how hurt Anna felt. Then as we walked the path of her journey of healing hope bloomed its heart.

This is a second chance to life book. Giving a realistic perspective of what we have to offer ourselves when our lives change leaving us feeling hopeless.

Spicy Level - 🌶️

Note: Please read and review all trigger warnings before reading any recommended book. We love to read for our pleasure, so keep your mind, and emotions safe!

Audio Book Available
Publisher: hodderbooks
Imprint: HodderStoughtonAudio
Narrator: Kerry Gilbert
Publication date: 10th April 2025

What a wonderful book. The audiobook has the best narrator, who did such an excellent job of getting the emotion across and made me feel like I was watching a movie. The story was also brilliant, with no dips or quiet section of the book. The mini plot lines kept me so engaged. Loved it!

Thank you Net Galley, Hodder & Stoughton & Sophie Cousins for allowing me to read the arc for this book ☺️ I’ve finished this book with many thoughts on one side I really liked the concept of enemies to lovers / workplace romance and how they both work on a dating article over a period of time which ends up with them both falling in love it’s just how it was executed. We follow the main lead Anna who is recently divorced single mum of 2 children and her path into the modern dating scene and then the main male lead Will who is considered single and a playboy with a little attitude. I really loved the banter between the 2 leads at times Anna is kind of to whiny and made me think how could this be in a mature womans pov but I don’t know if its down to how it was in the audiobook or how the author wrote because at times it felt very cringy.

The little cute moments between Anna and Will especially at the retreat really felt sweet but then straight after it did a 180 and it was like nothing ever happened?? I felt the writing was a little chopping and things would suddenly jump between chapters a little confusing.

I did really love the rom-com side in this book like that one moment Anna went on the fishing trip and the hook hit the date 😂 love the clumsy side to our main lead

Overall this felt like a 3 star to me and I’m open to reading more of Sophie Cousins books because I am sure there will be a 5 star book somewhere for me 💗

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stougthon Audio for the ARC

This was such a delightful book. It was funny, heartfelt and lovely. I adored our FMC and her kids. It was an enemies to lovers romance with a columnist who after a divorce tried to date different guys and write about it. Our MMC was a really great guy and I loved how he cared for our FMC. The jealousy scenes were also cute. It was a fantastic feelgood story I highly recommend

I absolutely adored this one! It was cute, sweet, and filled with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Causens follows Anna, a magazine columnist who, after a recent divorce and with two little kids, would rather stay single than endure the chaos of online dating. But when her office rival starts vying for her job, Anna, desperate to secure her position, pitches a bold new idea to her boss—a unique dating experiment: seven dates, all found offline and chosen by her children. Sounds fun, right? What could possibly go wrong?

Anna is one of the most relatable characters I’ve come across in a long time! Rivals to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and it was done beautifully here. The banter was hilarious, and from the very beginning, I was wholeheartedly rooting for Anna and Will!

Kerry Gilbert did a splendid job bringing the characters to life! The audiobook was excellently recorded, with clear, well-paced narration that made it even more enjoyable to listen to. Her voice was expressive and engaging, making each character distinct without being distracting.

4,5 ⭐️

(Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!)

Rating: 4 stars

'Is She Really Going Out With Him?' is an utterly fun and heartwarming rom-com about a divorcee rediscovering herself amidst the ups and downs of dating. 

Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I picked up this book expecting a light, cute listen, and it delivered just that, along with hilarious and touching moments that kept the story engaging throughout. Despite exploring some serious themes, the story maintained a light tone, making it an easy read that I could envision as a modern rom-com movie. The use of pop culture references added to the story's charm, and I loved the nods to popular movies, TV shows and other books. I also loved the whimsical Google searches in each chapter, as these injected humour into Anna's daily escapades. What's more, Kerry Gilbert's narration impressively brought the characters to life, conveying their emotions and distinct personalities with remarkable vocal nuances.

"you don’t have to be good at something to find joy in it."

We first meet Anna Appleby right before a breakdown, and her raw, complex emotions immediately made her character realistic and relatable. While her journey may not be groundbreaking, her struggles with co-parenting, relationships and her career as a recent divorcee in her late thirties made for a compelling narrative. Her character also shows both vulnerability and strength, making her easy to like and root for, even when she makes mistakes.

"True love does not cower in the shadows; it roars, loud and proud, until it has given it's all"

The secondary characters are equally vibrant, bringing unique quirks and dynamics that add depth to Anna's journey. In particular,  I loved how the male lead encouraged Anna to pursue her desires, and this made their enemies-to-lovers relationship a standout element. Although their miscommunications were slightly frustrating, I enjoyed the adorable development of their connection as they spent time together. Their banter and petty teasing also constantly made me smile and kick my legs in delight - it was just too cute! Only readers looking for a steamy romance will be disappointed by the fade-to-black sex scenes, but these suited me just fine.