Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 24/02/2025
Published by: Hodder & Stoughton Audio
ISBN: 9781399732994
Publication date: 10 April 2025 (Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!)
‘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.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
I would choose the Jane Austen-themed date. While I’m not obsessed with Jane Austen, wandering the streets in Regency clothes seems like a fun, whimsical date that would certainly be memorable.
Q: What did you think of Will?
Even though he didn’t make the best first impression due to Anna’s initial view of him, I quickly warmed up to Will. His ambition, openness, and caring nature won me over, and it was heartwarming to see how these traits positively influenced Anna.
Q: Are you a fan of online dating?
Not really. I tried an app once but deleted it after a few days. I’ve always preferred the charm of meeting someone in person and allowing the connection to develop naturally.
Q: Can you recommend similar reads for those who enjoyed this book?
I recommend Book Lovers by Emily Henry for another story that blends heartwarming moments and humour with an enemies-to-lovers romance. For a similar Young Adult read, I recommend Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney.
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
To read other book related posts, click here or check out the tag cloud for more options.