Marianne’s Pick of the Week: Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens

Would you let your children pick your next date? In Is She Really Going Out with Him? (I must confess to humming the old Joe Jackson song every time I say the title) by Sophie Cousens that is exactly what our narrator agrees to. 

Anna Appleby is a busy, newly divorced mother of two children and a senior cat (of course I would pick a book with a cat). When the magazine where she writes is purchased by a conglomerate, she is forced to “liven up” her column to attract a younger demographic and keep her job. She must also compete with her arch nemesis, Will Havers, a young, hip good-looking colleague. Anna proposes having her children set her up with seven different dates while Will finds his dates via on-line forums (i.e., Tinder). The two will then pen complementary columns for the magazine.  

What ensues are some truly hilarious encounters. Anna fishes with a fellow school parent (do not ask about fishhooks); dates a celebrity (tons of eww factor here); and walks about on a Regency-era inspired engagement (in period duds no less). At the same time Will is attempting to mirror these date themes with his dates.  

As Will and Anna work together, Anna learns about Will’s background and gets the chance to meet his family. She understands why Will stayed in Bath when he seems destined for the “big city.”  The two eventually recognize their mutual attraction although Anna is wary of taking the next step (because of Will’s dating past and their age difference). In a delightful twist Anna is older than Will.  

This is a lovely, very funny enemies to lovers yarn. We really believe that Will and Anna do not like each other, but the chemistry between them is undeniable. We get the expected misunderstandings and silly situations and of course the expected happy ending.  

This is a delightful, easy read, perfect for a curl up on the couch on a rainy afternoon. Pick up a copy if you enjoyed Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan or Book Lovers by Emily Henry