Funny, warm, and filled with the stickiness of life in the thick of child-rearing, Is She Really Going Out with Him perfectly captures life in your mid-30s. 

Anna Appleby isn’t really sure how to approach dating, so when her children start suggesting options, she decides to run with it. Their selections are hilarious, and the outcome of the dates is even funnier. Cousens is a gifted storyteller and the details she includes help illustrate all the ridiculous moments Anna finds herself in!

Waiting where she least expects it is Will, the office heartthrob now turned rival columnist – Will who is eight years younger, yet he comes to her in a time of need—Will who remembers her favorite flower. 

I had high expectations going into this one and was not disappointed. From the opening lines, Cousens infused her writing with a dry humor that made me laugh out loud. Her perspective on divorce, blended families, and female friendship was refreshing. I loved that Anna befriended an older woman! She brought Anna, her main character, to life through a series of ridiculous dates countered by some profound parenting moments, career struggles, and insecurity over her looks. 

This book leaned heavily into women’s fiction in a way that felt like the romance took the backseat to Anna’s personal growth. It worked well here, but I was expecting more moments when Anna and Will were together. 

The humor here is top-notch. From the absurdity of Anna’s dates to her conversations with her children, I laughed frequently while listening to this. Kerry Gilbert’s narration is perfect. Her diction was clear, and she hit all the jokes with perfect timing. 

If you are seeking romance with substance, an older MC, and a look into finding the pieces of yourself you lost along the way, you should really pick this one up!