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A review by okiecozyreader
Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
This is my third book by Sophie Cousens and I think she might be my favorite romance writer. I love her storytelling and she does just the right amount of romance for me that isn’t so spicy but it still gives me all the feels. I really loved her last book and this one was another fun read.
I especially love that the main character of this book is in mid-life. Anna Appleby is a writer for a Bath, England lifestyle magazine. She has been divorced for a while and her children are older. Her husband has moved on, but she continues to repeat that she is content being a mother, and she hasn’t fully allowed herself to move on. At work, there is a younger man who critiques her articles and drives her crazy. When the magazine gets bought out, he pitches an idea that they write the column together, suggesting they go on dates to write about for the column. Her kids get to pick who she goes out with, once she realizes the online world isn’t for her. She is so awkward in many situations, I appreciated scenes like this “Is he flirting with her, or me, or both of us? Why am I so bad at reading this stuff?” P215
I am a fan of Emily in Paris, and I love how Will calls her Appleby, in the same way that Alfie calls her Cooper. (And there is a reference to Emily in Paris… so maybe inspiration?)
“…then embrace being PM (post married). This is your
rock era."…
"Fleetwood Mac." … "They thought they were a blues band, then they lost Peter Green and were forced to reinvent themselves. When Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined, they found their rock era and became one of the greatest bands in history. That could be you, you just need to find your Stevie Nicks." P179
“I guess some things in life you don't get to choose; you can't choose the plot, but you can choose the soundtrack.” P189
Her description of falling out of love was so poetic…
“…it was more a gradual slipping away. We met when we were twenty-one, we were different people back then." I sigh. "For me, falling in love feels like gazing up at a dark sky. First, there is nothing but blackness, then gradually your eyes adjust, a few stars come into view, then suddenly, you see everything— thousands of stars, an infinite spectrum of light. It's mind-blowing. Falling out of love feels the same but in reverse. One by one the stars recede, gray clouds sweep in. Then one day you realize you are alone in the dark, there's nothing out there." P229-230
“…I will buy myself a ladder and all the DIY tools I might need, because if I'm going to keep telling people that I am fine on my own, then I want it to actually be true.” P265
I especially love that the main character of this book is in mid-life. Anna Appleby is a writer for a Bath, England lifestyle magazine. She has been divorced for a while and her children are older. Her husband has moved on, but she continues to repeat that she is content being a mother, and she hasn’t fully allowed herself to move on. At work, there is a younger man who critiques her articles and drives her crazy. When the magazine gets bought out, he pitches an idea that they write the column together, suggesting they go on dates to write about for the column. Her kids get to pick who she goes out with, once she realizes the online world isn’t for her. She is so awkward in many situations, I appreciated scenes like this “Is he flirting with her, or me, or both of us? Why am I so bad at reading this stuff?” P215
I am a fan of Emily in Paris, and I love how Will calls her Appleby, in the same way that Alfie calls her Cooper. (And there is a reference to Emily in Paris… so maybe inspiration?)
“…then embrace being PM (post married). This is your
rock era."…
"Fleetwood Mac." … "They thought they were a blues band, then they lost Peter Green and were forced to reinvent themselves. When Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined, they found their rock era and became one of the greatest bands in history. That could be you, you just need to find your Stevie Nicks." P179
“I guess some things in life you don't get to choose; you can't choose the plot, but you can choose the soundtrack.” P189
Her description of falling out of love was so poetic…
“…it was more a gradual slipping away. We met when we were twenty-one, we were different people back then." I sigh. "For me, falling in love feels like gazing up at a dark sky. First, there is nothing but blackness, then gradually your eyes adjust, a few stars come into view, then suddenly, you see everything— thousands of stars, an infinite spectrum of light. It's mind-blowing. Falling out of love feels the same but in reverse. One by one the stars recede, gray clouds sweep in. Then one day you realize you are alone in the dark, there's nothing out there." P229-230
“…I will buy myself a ladder and all the DIY tools I might need, because if I'm going to keep telling people that I am fine on my own, then I want it to actually be true.” P265