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.

Absolutely loved this! It was sweet, romantic and genuinely laugh-out-loud funny in places. With a lot more depth than many books in this genre it tells the story of journalist Anna who, after a painful divorce, embarks on an off-line dating experience to help her write a column. Many hilarious. uncomfortable and heartfelt dates ensue, whilst in the background is her handsome colleague Will,. This was a great book., well written, interesting characters, a lovely humorous touch and lots and lots of heart. I will definitely be reading more of this author.

The narrator of this book was brilliant, lovely voice and beautiful read. She had a great way of differentiating the characters without it being too distracting. I will absolutely be checking out what else this narrator has recorded.

I love romantic books and especially anything by Sophie Cousens. I’m not usually an audiobook person but this is too good to pass up! I love the narrator and it was so fun listening to a story told by one of my favorite authors! Highly recommend

3.5 Stars. As a mother I really connected with Anna and her journey of finding herself throughout this book. It was a funny and light hearted read which I have come to expect from Sophie.

I loved this book so much, I loved the characters and the storyline and how it all came together! Gripping, heartwarming and hilarious!

I found this really enjoyable and relatable in parts. The audio was very engaging. Loved the banter and all the dates. Some really hilarious moments and also so touching sweet ones. Couldn't put it down.

Firstly, I want to thank the author Sophie Cousens and @netgalley for allowing me to listen to an arc of this book.

This is a beautifully written, laugh out loud romantic comedy about 2 colleagues Anna and Will. Will is young, single and carefree, whereas Anna is a recently divorced mother of two who navigates her life via Google searches.

They begin the story as arch rivals, since it appears that Will is trying to steal Anna's column space. Unbeknown to Anna, Bath Living Magazine has been taken over and the new owner wants to change the target audience of their readers. How will it work out when the two of them are tasked to write a column together?

As with many romcoms, this story ends with a wedding but thankfully, not the one you expect. This was such a pleasant surprise.

I listened to this as an audiobook and personally I feel that the narrator chosen was perfect. Her voice has a note of Bridget Jones about it, which fits perfectly with the stories narrative.

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.