Book ~ "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" (2024) Sophie Cousens

From Goodreads ~ 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?

Anna is 38, divorced with two kids. She works as a columnist at an online publication which is struggling. In an effort to keep it alive, the owner brings in an investor who wants it rejuvenated. Though a good writer, Anna needs to kick it up a notch if she wants to keep her column (and her income) especially since Will, another columnist, seems to have his eye on her space.

So Anna embarks on a journey to date men who her children choose for her and this will be the content for her columns ... she goes out with a younger waiter, her mailman and even tries speed dating. It's decided that Will will write a similar column but about his online dating experiences. When the book starts, Anna doesn't like Will and finds him arrogant but as they start working together, she gets to know him better and finds that he's not the jerk she thought he was.

I thought this story was okay ... it was light and predictable. It's written in first person perspective in Anna's voice. Not a big surprise that Anna does fall for someone ... it happens very quickly, though, and there's a happy ending for all. As a head's up, there is swearing and adult activity.