About the Book
AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER
A LibraryReads Pick
A hilarious love story about a disillusioned divorcée who agrees to let her children play matchmaker.
Columnist Anna Appleby has left her love life behind after a painful divorce. Who needs a man when she has two kids, a cat, and uncontested control of the TV remote? Besides, she’d rather be single than subject herself to the hell of online dating. But her office rival is vying for her column, and no column means no stable source of income. In a desperate attempt to keep her job, Anna finds herself pitching a unique angle: seven dates, all found offline, chosen by her children.
From awkward encounters to unexpected connections, Anna gamely begins to put herself out there, asking out waiters, the mailman, and even her celebrity crush. But when a romantic connection appears where she least expected it, will she be brave enough to take another chance on love?
About the Author :
Sophie Cousens worked as a TV producer in London for twelve years. She is now a full-time novelist and screenwriter who lives with her family on the island of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year, Just Haven’t Met You Yet, Before I Do, and The Good Part. Her work has been translated into twenty-one languages and her adaptation of This Time Next Year has been produced into a film.
Review :
A Hall of Fame LibraryReads Pick
A Reader’s Digest Book Club Pick
One of Bustle’s Best New Books of Fall 2024
One of BookBub’s Best Books of Fall 2024
One of Nerd Daily’s Most Anticipated Books of 2024
One of SheReads’ Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2024
One of LitHub’s Ultimate Fall 2024 Reading List
One of theSkimm's Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2024
One of People's Best Books of November 2024
One of Swooon's 10 Best Romance Books of November 2024
"A heck of a clever concept, situationally funny and with zippy dialogue. A light delight of a book that is much deeper than I expected." —Denver Post
"I’m a sucker for a good British rom-com . . . Anna’s hilariously bad dates and chemistry with Will kept me engaged." —FIRST For Women
"Heartwarming and hilarious, Is She Really Going Out With Him? is Sophie Cousens at her best...Cousens delivers a laugh-out-loud romance that celebrates second chances and self-discovery. With a relatable heroine, colorful side characters, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments, this story seamlessly blends humor and heart. Anna’s journey back to hope and love is messy, refreshing, and satisfying." —Washington Independent Review of Books
"[A] laugh-out-loud love story." —Woman's World
"[A] hilariously heartwarming jaunt about finding love later in life with characters that feel like friends." —People
"Every season is rom com season. . . . This How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days-esque one is going to be all over BookTok when it comes out. . . . This is the time to read up on the rest of Sophie Cousens’ backlist while you’re at it." —theSkimm
"Fresh and funny . . . For some of us, figuring our who we are outside of our roles and responsibilities can be tricky. Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens offers ample wit and wisdom on the subject." —Real Simple
"Over the course of four novels, Sophie Cousens has quietly but reliably become one of my most anticipated authors of romantic comedies . . . A lovely exploration of a woman embarking on rebuilding her life and reimagining her future. While the romance aspect is genuine, enticing and central to the plot, Anna's story of learning to reprioritize herself and revive her friendship networks in the wake of divorce is almost as important. Although there are heart-tugging moments here, there is also plenty of humor (relinquishing oneself to a series of blind dates is an inherently funny plot setup, after all). This is the perfect book to give to a good friend this holiday season, or to cherish for yourself when you need a beautifully written, heartwarming hug of a novel." —Book Reporter
"[A] lovely story of second chances in Is She Really Going Out with Him?, a novel perfect for fans of Annabel Monaghan or Sophie Kinsella. . . . Smart and poignant, Is She Really Going Out with Him? is a little bit about love and a lot about fresh starts. Readers who have questioned where life has brought them are sure to relate to Anna's joys and sorrows as she navigates circumstances she never saw coming (fishing hook stuck in a date's face, anyone?). Occasionally laugh-out-loud funny and often introspective, Is She Really Going Out with Him? is a delight." —Shelf Awareness
"If you love workplace rivalry with layered emotional stakes, this one lands. . . . Sharp, funny, and grounded in adult reality." —Camille Styles
"Cousens' setup is sweet, her observations keen, and her characters entertaining. . . . This is rom com at its best." —NWTheatre
"[A] playful, breezy read." —AV Club
"An upbeat, page-turning good time that explores themes of love, family, and self-acceptance. Cousens’ witty writing style (banter is her strong suit) and relatable characters elevate the book from the expected . . . If, headed into the holiday season, a reader is in need of a heartwarming hug in book form, wrapped in a witty, romantic comedy package, this is your book. You’ll be cheering on Anna and rooting for her to find happiness . . . [A] timeless romantic comedy." —Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Light-hearted, fun and exactly what a reader looking for an easy read needs." —Arkansas Traveler
"Another bright and gratifying love story from Cousens. . . . She tackles the enemies-to-lovers trope with characteristic humor and thoughtfulness, while injecting it with complex characters and realistic situations." —Library Journal (starred review)
"Memorable scenes, lovable characters and a bit of magic meld in this time-hopping saga." —Woman’s World
"[Cousens] delivers another refreshing novel that takes readers on an unexpected journey…Through a series of chaotic, charming, and surprising rendezvous, Anna begins to find herself again. . . . Complete with a cast of well-developed and memorable characters, Cousens expertly weaves together themes of self-discovery, romance, motherhood, and friendship, resulting in a rich story that is engrossing to the end with high appeal to women's lit readers." —Booklist (starred)
"Cousens has a well-earned reputation for writing delightful love stories, and this one more than delivers. The enemies-to-lovers chemistry between Anna and Will is both believable and steamy, and Cousens deftly plays with rom-com tropes while crafting a journey of self-discovery in the wake of divorce. It’s also refreshing to read a slightly older heroine—Anna is in her late 30s, an age that often seems nonexistent in romances—with an established life, career, and children. A supremely satisfying love story with all the charm readers have come to expect from Cousens." —Kirkus Reviews (starred)
"This is a charmer." —Publishers Weekly
"Three words: rivals-to-lovers, and I’m obsessed! Is She Really Going Out with Him? is a love letter to us messy readers who obsess over gossip columns and all the piping hot tea. It’s How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days meets He's Just Not That Into You with all the sizzling chemistry of an Emily Henry novel, and Sophie Cousens does it best!” —Ashley Poston, New York Times bestselling author of A Novel Love Story, The Dead Romantics, and The Seven Year Slip
"Clever, thought-provoking, and oh-so-funny, Sophie Cousens’s latest novel will make anyone consider all their potential mates—and the best and worst dates. Original and witty, this novel is a true delight, one that had me reading non-stop to find out what happened and making me miss the characters once it ended. Who says parents can’t have fun?!" —Zibby Owens, bestselling author of Blank, host of Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books
"Is She Really Going Out with Him has all the ingredients to become your next favorite read: a protagonist you can root for, a mysterious love interest you’ll (eventually) swoon over, iconic dating scenes that will leave you in stitches, and a path to love that’s sweet, fun, and uplifting. Cousens is a master at writing enchanting, laugh-out-loud stories that tug at your heartstrings. You will be charmed!" —Mia Sosa, USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man
"Zippy dialogue, a great cast, and a delicious enemies to lovers plot made me want to turn my phone off and read in one sitting. . . . Charming, with so much heart and Cousens’ trademark wit—a fab read." —Cesca Major, author of Maybe Next Time
"Sophie Cousens has been one of my favorite writers for years now, and with Is She Really Going Out With Him? proves that she is only getting better and better with each book. This book has it all: heart, humor, and buckets of charm. Anna's journey was completely captivating and yet entirely relatable, while Will is a deliciously swoony hero. Cousens has done it again!" —Falon Ballard, author of Right on Cue
"Brimming with Cousens’ trademark wit, charm, and richly drawn characters, Is She Really Going Out With Him is a page-turning romance that spotlights parenthood, community, and knowing your worth. I'll read anything Sophie Cousens writes!" —Ellie Palmer, author of Four Weekends and a Funeral
"Sophie Cousens masterfully slips another gorgeous life lesson between page after page of pitch perfect jokes and a romance that builds just right. This one might be her most touching yet - that the path back to ourselves is always through the eyes of the people that love us most." —Jessie Rosen, author of The Heirloom
