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Welcome to my bookish little corner of the internet!

I am a Litertarian, a term I invented for a (hopefully) catchy blog title. What does it mean? Well, similar to the way vegetarians consume vegetables and carnivores consume carne (that’s meat in Spanish), a litertarian consumes literature. Books. Stories. Legends. Because like Thomas Jefferson once said:

I cannot live without books.

I read a lot. More than most, probably. I used to keep casual book blogs years ago where I would post reviews, and I realized recently that I missed it. I love having something to look back on when I read a book I really enjoyed. It’s like a journal, you know? Looking back on the reviews bring me joy, and can remind me of what was going on in my life at the time I read them. It’s special.

I also love helping people connect with books they love. When someone asks me for a book recommendation, I take it seriously. When I recommend something someone truly enjoys, the satisfaction is immense. There is nothing better than a good book, and everyone deserves to have that feeling as often as possible. No one can read them all, and there’s nothing wrong with being selective.

So here I am, embracing the responsibility that is book blogging. I’m ready to have a place to record my reading in a more personal way again. I’m ready to have a place to rant and word-vomit about book nerdy topics that only other people who are as obsessed with books as I am will care about. I’m ready to commit myself to something I love, that also isn’t all that demanding. All I have to do is read books and jot down some thoughts after, right? That’s pretty much my favorite thing to do anyway.

So let’s do this, folks! Let’s grab a book from the top of our TBRs and dive into the pages! If you’ve read a book that pops up on my review list, I’d love to know your thoughts about them in the comments. Books are pretty much my favorite thing to talk about, so don’t be shy! Feel free to bookmark my site and check back periodically old-school blog style. Or, you can sign up for emails every time I post in the sidebar signup. Or, if you’d rather follow along on via social media, click the ‘Socials’ tab above to connect with me on Goodreads, Threads, or Instagram. And of course, if you know of a book I should read, just shout!

I want to help you find a new book you’ll love.

Happy reading, everyone.

-e.

Emergency Contact | Lauren Layne & Anthony LeDonne

Listen up people, I’ve found some essential holiday romance reading here for you. Emergency Contact is a hilarious holiday rom-com second chance romance with a planes-trains-and-automobiles style plot you won’t want to miss.

Katherine is thisclose to having everything she’s been working for since her father died on Christmas ten years ago – making partner at her law firm. She’s sacrificed everything for it: friendships, vacations, even her marriage. The call should be coming any minute now…when she gets into a car crash in a cab outside of her office. Unfortunately, she never updated her emergency contact information, so who do they call but Tom, the ex-husband, who happens to be on his way to the airport to spend Christmas with his family in Chicago – and to pop the question on Christmas Eve to his perky new girlfriend. Katie has no one else to help her change her bandages and make sure she’s following concussion protocol (interrupt her sleep, etc.) for the following 48 hours, so despite their ill feelings for one another, he decides to drag her along to family Christmas in Chicago. Their trip is doomed, however, and they have one problem after another on their race to get there before midnight on Christmas Eve. Through every setback, as annoying and just typical as they each are to each other, they start to unpack the issues that drove them apart and leave them both wondering if the new path they’re on is the one they really want.

Oh my gosh, this is the perfect holiday romance. Katherine is a self-described grinch, while Tom enjoys the holidays, usually with his big family in their idyllic house in Chicago every year. They’re largely opposites, but they can’t hide that innate attraction. They split up because Katherine was far too obsessed with work, trying to make partner in order to accomplish the dream her father had for her. Tom felt invisible, even though he understood that she was chasing so hard for the father she lost to cancer before they ever met. He had a life plan. He wanted kids, the house in the suburbs…he had a spreadsheet, and Katie was no longer on it. But when he sees her there in the hospital bed, with no one to call and acting like her usual aggravating self, he can’t just walk away.

These two bicker with the best of them. They’re snarky and rude, and they each give as good as they get. And despite their outward hostilities, there are little moments where they are able to really communicate, and several signs from the universe that maybe the future they’re supposed to have is right in front of them.

Obviously this one got me right in the feels. I loved it. I can’t remember ever enjoying a holiday romance as much as I did this one. It was both a romance and a non-stop adventure (what could possibly happen next?!). The rapport the characters had with one another was loaded from the beginning, and believe me, they didn’t just fall together immediately. Every inch was earned.

The whole story was done well. Were parts of it a little cheesy? Of course, but that’s part of its charm. Also there’s no sex, which makes it inclusive for just about every reader.

If you need a little more holiday spirit in your TBR, add Emergency Contact. It’ll leave a smile on your face others might just mistake for holiday cheer.

Cheers!

Book Review:: A Five Letter Word for Love | Amy James

Let’s get this out of the way up front. This book was rated entirely on *vibes*. Is it perfect? No (and it has more faults than most of my five star reads). But should you read it? Absolutely, yes.

A Five Letter Word for Love by Amy James Book Cover. Cute world word puzzle with the could embracing to the side

Emily is having a quarter life crisis. She’s finished college in a degree she regrets, and is working in a small town on Prince Edward Island because the rent is cheap and she found a job in an auto shop that pays her just enough to make some progress on those pesky student loans. But she’s not passionate about anything. She wants to find passion. She wants to find her dream job.

The thing is, she’s entirely insufferable. Her attitude is perpetually under-satisfied, always looking for the greener grass, no matter what is in front of her. She sees her college friend group thriving on their individual paths, but she’s floundering and has no direction, and she doesn’t even like those friends that much anymore.

BUT — starting from a place of discontentedness leaves lots of room for growth, and the more room for growth, the more powerful an impact for the ending. Even though some of the threads of this story got kind of muddled from the 50-75% point (ish), the resolution made up for every other complaint I was holding onto as I read. The opening was also awesome, you just have to have a little faith that things will pay off by the time all is said and done.

It may also help that John is essentially my husband. Car guy, mechanic, racer, (yes those are all different), not a big talker, hunky, sweet when it counts, confident, steadfast, funny. I loved their relationship, but it’s a little hard to see his side of it with how misaligned they appear to be.

The most sand-chewing part for me is that she’s creating this life she actually really really loves in PEI, with or without John, but she’s still just got it lodged in her head that she needs something better, that there’s always something better. It may be the plight of Gen Z, at least a little bit. The idealistic social media generation. Y’all. Take a big breath and say it with me *gratitude*.

Like I said, in the end this book was absolutely worth it, with valuable themes I think many will embrace or relate to. I was sure this was going to be three stars, but then it just blew me away in the end. I cried several well-earned tears. Sleeper hit! Surprise gem! Diamond in the rough! Five stars from me!

This was a netgalley arc read. I was provided a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Details

Title:: A Five Letter Word for Love
Author:: Amy James
Genre:: Romance
Publisher:: Avon
Length:: 368 pages
Audio Length:: 9h 33m
Audiobook Narrator:: Kate Koster
Audiobook Publisher:: Harper Audio
Published:: December 3rd, 2024
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars
Spice Rating:: 1

Linky Links!!

Goodreads
Author Website
Amazon Affiliate Links
[Paperback] [eBook] [Audible]

If you liked this book, check out…

Let’s Call A Truce | Amy Buchanan
Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour | Nore Nguyen
Summertime Punchline | Betty Corrello

Book Review:: Toto | A.J. Hackwith

You think you know what the yellow brick road will bring. You have no idea. When you live life through the eyes of a bad dog, it’s a whole new world.

The Wizard of Oz is an American classic. Toto is a hilarious take on what is objectively a bat-shit crazy tale. I guess this takes my original assumption that the events in Oz were just a dream Dorothy has and tosses it out the window, but hey, at least it’s done well.

This book is funny. I know I already said that, but it’s really funny. Toto is sarcastic and spunky and vein and thinks of Dorothy as the one he’s training to be a good human and not the other way around. Toto’s internal dialogue is *chef’s kiss*.

I found it to be a much wider tale than the film. There is far more depth to it, and the scope is wider. There are wars, and rebellions, and pestilence. There are also some interesting character quirks that might give you an idea of the kind of shenanigans you might encounter in this tale. The wicked witch of the west, for example, is an avid crocheter.

I found it to be a nice escape, but I didn’t find it very emotionally interesting. I didn’t care overmuch about anything happening, and it took me awhile to get through. That being said, it is an excellent book. I laughed a great deal and was so impressed by the cleverness throughout. Well done, Hackwith!

Note: I received this from the publisher & netgalley in exchange for review.

Details

Title:: Toto
Author:: A.J. Hackwith
Genre:: Humor, Fantasy, Retelling
Publisher:: Berkley/Ace
Length:: 352 pages
Audio Length:: 10h 45m
Audiobook Narrator:: Andrew Santana
Audiobook Publisher:: Penguin Audio
Published:: November 12th, 2024
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

Linky Links!!

Goodreads
Author Website
Amazon Affiliate Links
[Paperback] [eBook] [Audible]

If you liked this book, check out…

Libby Lost and Found | Stephanie Booth
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife | Anna Johnston

Book Review:: Christmas is All Around | Martha Waters

One of the common ingredients in a holiday romance is a character who doesn’t like Christmas. Well Charlotte takes that to the extreme. As a young child she starred in a holiday romance film that continues to haunt her as an adult. This year, with talks of a reboot, she flies off to the UK to spend the holiday season with her sister.

Christmas is All Around Martha Waters Book Cover

Graham doesn’t care much about Christmas one way or the other, he is only focused on keeping his ancestral home running, and the holidays are a big part of that. It’s an old English estate, and every dollar since his father died has been a struggle. They meet when Charlotte and her sister visit an event at the place, Eden Priory, and Charlotte realizes it is the place her formative movie was filmed. Rom-Com magic happens and Graham is giving Charlotte a ride home. Now an artist, they strike a deal that she will paint a few landscapes for their giftshop.

I feel like the summary of this book doesn’t really do it justice. I’ve been trying to come up with ways to spruce it up for ten minutes, but the plot just is what it is. It’s a vehicle for these two awesome characters to fall in love. That’s not to say it’s a throw away plot, just that it’s hard to summarize concisely.

The best part of this book is the easy banter. Oh goodness, I found myself smiling so much during this book. Charlotte is unapologetic in her disgruntled holiday persona, and Graham is happy to oblige her. The romance that builds between them is so satisfying and natural. Perfect rom-com material!

The story goes deeper than that though. Both of them have old wounds to heal, Graham’s about his father and his responsibility/hero complex, Charlotte about her holiday past and even past relationships. Nothing feels forced (except maybe the inciting incident), it’s just really good storytelling.

This is absolutely a holiday romance you can get lost in this season. There is something special about the genre of holiday romance, and I really recommend this one! My other favorites are linked below! I hope you find something so yummy to escape into this holiday season!

Details

Title:: Christmas is All Around
Author:: Martha Waters
Genre:: Holiday Romance
Publisher:: Atria Books
Length:: 304 pages
Audio Length:: 8h 56m
Audiobook Narrator:: Nikki Massoud
Audiobook Publisher:: Simon & Schuster Audio
Published:: October 22nd, 2024
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

Linky Links!!

Goodreads
Author Website
Amazon Affiliate Links
[Paperback] [eBook] [Audible]

If you liked this book, check out…

Emergency Contact | Lauren Layne & Anthony LeDonne
The Christmas Inn | Pamela Kelley

Book Review:: Under Loch and Key | Lana Ferguson

Under Loch and Key is a new Berkley paranormal romance release that will have you wrapped up in so many elements that are intrinsically interesting: family secrets, Celtic mythology, cryptids, curses, a generations-old family feud… Then you add in some really well executed romance ‘ingredients’, and you’ve got yourself a damn good book.

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson Book Cover

Keyanna MacKay travels to her father’s homeland of Scotland to spread his ashes and to meet her family on his side for the first time. A falling-out occurred when he moved to America before Key was born, so she isn’t sure what to expect. What she finds is a grumpy farmhand who calls her stupid two-seconds after meeting her (when he saves her from falling into the loch) and an unwelcoming grandmother. Key is all but ready to give up on her hope of connecting with her family when she does fall in the loch, and discovers an ancient, impossible secret about both herself, and the hunky farmhand, Lachlan. After that, she can’t leave until she gets to the bottom of the generations-old mystery.

First of all, bravo to the title. What a play on words while directly including the names of the two main characters. Color me impressed. There’s something special about a good title, and this one has it.

Let’s start with the romance.

Keyanna and Lachlan don’t get off to the best start (see above). And with their constant run-ins and a harmless prank, it gets close to EtL (enemies to lovers) territory. And ladies and gentlemen, these two have chemistry! Steamy, sexy chemistry. The force pulling them together is kinetic and so satisfying. Be forewarned that it does creep a little over the line into monster porn (lol) in two of the scenes, but the rest of them are everything, so I can forgive 😉

what about the plot?

Behind the romance is a mystery. We know Lachlan is hiding something early on through his POV chapters, but we don’t find out what it is until Keyanna does. Layers unfold just enough at a time to keep us readers tantalized with new facets to the story. There are secrets being kept on all sides, and Key is…you guessed it, the key to fitting all the pieces together (see what I mean about word play?). This is so much more than a romance, it’s a family saga, a mystery, and a literal legend.

If you’re looking for a new romance to escape into, this one is well worth your time!

Note:: I received an arc copy of this title from the publisher & netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Details

Title:: Under Loch and Key
Author:: Lana Ferguson
Genre:: Paranormal Romance
Publisher:: Berkley
Length:: 416 pages
Audio Length:: 13h
Audiobook Narrator:: Samantha Summers & Flint Park
Audiobook Publisher:: Penguin Audio
Published:: December 3rd, 2024
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
Spice Rating:: 3

Linky Links!!

Goodreads
Author Website
Amazon Affiliate Links
[Paperback] [eBook] [Audible]

If you liked this book, check out…

Burn for Me | Ilona Andrews
Haunted Ever After | Jen DeLuca
Wish I Were Here | Mellisa Wiesner

Book Review:: Mistletoe & Mr. Right | Sarah Morgenthaler

Moose Springs is a magical place of hearty hometown comfort, constant hilarious (and sometimes nefarious) antics, and the kind of romance that will melt your heart into a puddle and snow-pack it back into working order with a little more tenderness than you had before. Gosh dang Sarah Morgenthaler, you’ve done it again.

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler Book Cover

Lana Montgomery is trying to fiddle her way out of the huge mess she’s made of Moose Springs. She’s bought up the whole town in hopes to save them from bankruptcy and ruin, but her family’s ultra-international-real-estate-conglomerate thinks it’s nothing but a waste of time and one of them is trying to use it as leverage to steal some of the prodigal light away from Lana for himself. Also, the town hates her for it. She’s catching heat from all sides, but she’s a Montgomery, and Montgomery’s don’t show weakness. Or stress. Or anything at all. And she’s good at hiding it, she really is, but for her hands shaking so badly she can’t apply her own makeup most days.

Rick? Rick is a simple man trying to keep his bar afloat in the locals-only culture of Moose Springs. He’s mostly a shell of a man after his wife left him years ago with her nephew Diego to raise and the bar that’s essentially falling apart at this point. He’s got a grumpy cat, a mean cereal habit, and an adorable hedgehog for company. He’s got so much love to share, and his eye is on Ms. Montgomery, though he’s far too reserved to act on it.

Fortunately, Lana isn’t.

After a misconstrued ‘hey baby’ and an accidental fly-by moose darting, the start of their (official) romance is when Lana finally asks him on an official date. You don’t want to know where they end up, but you do want to know not to try their house sausage.

Okay, the santa moose was a little obnoxious, but that’s part of the beauty of the Moose Springs we know and love. Our ultimate favs from The Tourist Attraction, Graham and Zoey, feature prominently in this book, satisfying an itch I didn’t realize needed scratching. And the dynamic of our two new love birds is everything. Rick has whatever the opposite of Graham’s outgoing personality is. Lana is far more confident and driven than our wandering doe-eyed Zoey. And the town of Moose Springs hangs in the balance.

This book is good, but the series…the series is must-read material. If you haven’t read The Tourist Attraction yet, seriously, you need to. Then you can read this gem of a book. And yes, I recommend reading them in order, though technically you don’t have to.

Get yourself the gift of Moose Springs this holiday season. The worst you’ll get is a giant smile on your face the entire time and the memories of the laugh-out-loud humor and heart-warming moments haunting you for the rest of time. In a good way though 🙂

(Also, the narrator, Elise Arsenault, is a genius. If you enjoy audiobooks, I recommend these!)

Details

Title:: Mistletoe and Mr. Right (Moose Springs, Alaska #2)
Author:: Sarah Morgenthaler
Genre:: Romantic Comedy
Publisher:: SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca
Length:: 400 pages
Audio Length:: 12h 5m
Audiobook Narrator:: Elise Arsenault
Audiobook Publisher:: Tantor Audio
Published:: October 6th, 2020
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
Spice Rating:: 2

Linky Links!!

Goodreads
Author Website
Amazon Affiliate Links
[Paperback] [eBook] [Audible]

If you liked this book, check out…

The Tourist Attraction | Sarah Morgenthaler
The Paradise Problem | Christina Lauren
Work in Progress | Kat Mackenzie

Book Review:: Work in Progress | Kat Mackenzie

A gaggle of (mostly) old ladies traveling around all the hot tourist spots in the UK with a hunky Scottish tour guide: comedy gold with the promise of many shenanigans, or the perfect place for a young American woman to come heal her heart? Turns out, both! Work in Progress is a debut romance by Kat Mackenzie, and it lived up to all my expectations.

Work In Progress by Kat Mackenzie Book Cover

Alice Cooper is in a bit of a rut. She’s lost the job that gave her purpose and her boyfriend is suddenly engaged to someone else. After six months of wallowing, she gets fed up and books a spunky looking women’s tour in Scotland, refusing to put her dreams on hold any longer. Unfortunately the trip is a disaster from the get. Her bag is lost (and completely destroyed by the time she gets it back), she’s nearly so late she misses the bus, and the tour guide turns out to be the man she just cussed out at the airport for not waiting his turn. And did I mention the old ladies? Here Alice was expecting to bond with a bunch of twenty-somethings on the top of scenic mountain vistas and wind-blown moors, and instead there are a bunch of arthritic mother hens ready to talk your ear off. This was not the rejuvenating getaway she’d imagined.

But it turns out it was the one she needed. Funny how that works.

The banter in this book is top tier, and it starts immediately. No time is wasted as we’re thrust into this book of constant misfortunes and comedic relief. Alice and Robbie are both little sparklers and they love poking dangerously at one another, seeing just how far they can push it. But it turns out Alice is really good at getting herself into unfortunate situations, and Robbie not only has a hero’s heart, he’s also legally responsible for her as the tour guide, so that makes for some fun moments 🙂

It’s a romantic comedy, but this book is mostly about self-discovery and healing the soul. Why is it so easy for us to be blinded by the relationships right in front of us? When they’re gone they leave us with gaping holes that we humbly must realize we’ve created ourselves. Alice went to Scottland to heal hers, and though it is a bumpy road to get there, it works.

I loved this book. It’s everything you want in a romantic comedy, and as a UK vacation novel, it has a really interesting backdrop (…if you don’t already live there?). Though there are some steamy scenes, it never gets full explicit open-door. Full of heart and banter and swoon-worthy romance, this early 2025 release should not be missed!

Details

Title:: Work in Progress
Author:: Kat Mackenzie
Genre:: Romantic Comedy
Publisher:: Avon
Length:: 384 pages
Audio Length:: 9h 15m
Audiobook Narrator:: Angela Dawe
Audiobook Publisher:: Harper Audio
Published:: January 14th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars
Spice Rating:: 2

Linky Links!!

Goodreads
Author Website
Amazon Affiliate Links
[Paperback] [eBook] [Audible]

If you liked this book, check out…

PS I Hate You | Lauren Connolly
The Last Love Note | Emma Grey
The Unhoneymooners | Christina Lauren

Book Review:: The Villa | Rachel Hawkins

Rachel Hawkins is my favorite kind of suspense writer. A modern Gothic master. Her stories are somber and interesting and layered. If you enjoy historical mysteries, The Villa is the one you’ll want to pick up.

Emily (a suspense writer), and her best friend since grade school Chess (the world’s latest most popular self-help guru) decide to get away for the summer and rent a little Italian Villa with a dark and storied history. Emily is in the middle of a messy divorce, coming out of some unknown health issues, and has a stubborn case of writer’s block. She also doesn’t know how much she actually likes her best friend anymore. The place they’ve rented is where the world’s most popular horror novel, Lilith Rising, was penned, and one of the most popular albums of all time, Aestis (forgive me for any misspellings, I listened on audio, which I recommend!) was inspired by. Unfortunately that long lost summer, a man was also killed. Emily feels immediately inspired by their new setting and gets to work researching what happened at the Villa all those years ago. But life imitates art, and history tends to repeat itself. One thing is certain, this summer at the Villa will change everything.

I really loved the slow peeling back of historical layers, and how it merged with the modern timeline. Emily and Chess have a complicated friendship that has strayed into rival territory. They are both writers, and planned to write a book together one day. When Chess sees how invested Emily is in this new story, she wants to jump on board. But it was Emily’s idea, and she wants to keep it. The tone is fraught with tension, and the mystery of the past only elevates it.

While this is not my favorite Rachel Hawkins novel, it is certainly worth a read if you’re in the mood for gothic suspense!

Details

Title:: The Villa
Author:: Rachel Hawkins
Genre:: Suspense
Publisher:: St. Martin’s Press
Length:: 279 pages
Audio Length:: 7h 57m
Audiobook Narrator:: Julia Whelan, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Shiromi Arserio
Audiobook Publisher:: Macmillan Audio
Published:: January 3rd, 2023
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

Linky Links!!

Goodreads
Author Website
Amazon Affiliate Links
[Hardcover] [Paperback] [eBook] [Audible]

If you liked this book, check out…

The Heiress | Rachel Hawkins
The Wife Upstairs | Rachel Hawkins
The Midnight Feast | Lucy Foley

Book Review:: The Wife Upstairs | Rachel Hawkins

One of my top books of all time is Jane Eyre, so do I think you should read this modern, exaggerated, twisted novel that heavily draws upon it for inspiration?

Hell yes.

The Wife Upstairs Rachel Hawkins Book Cover

Jane has run away from her old life in Arizona and has taken a job as a dog walker in the ultra-chic suburban neighborhood of Thornfield Heights (already getting good, amiright?). One day she runs into a new man, Eddie Rochester. When she finds out he’s a widower and at least intrigued by her, she decides to wiggle herself into his life, which she convinces herself she deserves. His wife, B(ertha), and her BFF Blanch Ingram, disappeared from a boat on a trip to the lake several months back (hello nod to Rebecca). The investigation is ongoing, but Jane doesn’t let that stop her. Eddie gets a new dog (Adele) and hires Jane to walk her. Before long, their affair is hot and heavy and the neighbors are talking. She’s moved out of her dingy apartment she shared with her foster brother John Rivers and has installed herself into Eddie’s house. But that’s not enough. The other women in the neighborhood won’t accept her as one of them until she has a ring on her finger…

I forgot just how many Jane Eyre references there are in this book until I recently reread it. Each one is like a little Easter Egg, but the kind that’s just thrown on the lawn for the youngsters to find instead of actually hidden. This book is loud and proud about what it is. If you have any familiarity at all with the classic gothic romance, you’ll catch on pretty quickly. And we all know the twist from that book…

The Jane in The Wife Upstairs is the exact opposite of Our Lady Jane. She is a kleptomaniac and obsessed with how others perceive her. She manipulates and gaslights and convinces herself when all is said and done, she will be happy. And she gets what she wants…somehow, things come a little too easily to her.

Rachel Hawkins is so good at mastering a tone of something-just-isn’t-right-here. The investigation of the two women’s disappearances put off Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca vibes both in the suspicions and manor of…what happened. If you haven’t read Rebecca – come on. That is gothic lit Required Reading (But be forewarned, you won’t get that first read back, so savor it the first time!). Being in a relationship with B’s husband, she begins to wonder what actually happened to her out there. Was it Blanche’s husband? Was it her own?

I am a big fan of Rachel Hawkins, and it all started with this gem of a book right here. The balance of suspense and intrigue and mystery and f***ed up s***…it’s delicious. Feast yourself.

Details

Title:: The Wife Upstairs
Author:: Rachel Hawkins
Genre:: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher:: St. Martin’s Press
Length:: 290 pages
Audio Length:: 8h 57m
Audiobook Narrator:: Emily Shaffer, Kirby Heyborne, Lauren Fortgang
Audiobook Publisher:: Macmillan Audio
Published:: January 5th, 2021
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

Linky Links!!

Goodreads
Author Website
Amazon Affiliate Links
[Hardcover] [Paperback] [eBook] [Audible]

If you liked this book, check these out…

The Heiress | Rachel Hawkins
Wrong Place Wrong Time | Gillian McAllister

Book Review:: Is She Really Going Out With Him? | Sophie Cousens

Despite personal grievances against the title of this contemporary romance novel, Is She Really Going Out With Him cannot be further faulted. This is my third Sophie Cousens read and the first that has pushed itself into five-star territory (for me). She seems to have a penchant for high concepts, and the same is true here, but this time the romance of it really outshined the cheesiness.

Is She Really Going Out With Him by Sophie Cousens Book Cover

Anna is a thirty-eight year old divorcee with two children and a job as a columnist at a failing magazine. In a desperate attempt to bring some much needed readership into the audience, the team comes up with the idea for her to go on a series of dates her children choose for her and writing about them. Will, a colleague who seems to be gunning for her column, is tasked with writing a complementary piece for each column that will help theme the issue. Anna is still struggling to adjust to her life as a single mom and having to work with Will is the last thing she needs. What she does need, though, is a friend, and when she needs one, he always seems to be there. Most of the dates turn into quite a fiasco, but they each teach Anna a little something more about herself.

This is a feel-good book. A girl power book. An utterly romantic book. Anna is the every woman with problems and insecurities and doubts, but the way she doesn’t shy away from any of it is inspiring. I really enjoyed the personal growth elements, and there were a few.

The romance, though, is what shines. For me the balance between the two was done very well. There were no long breaks from the romance plotline for her to go off and work on herself, the learning was integrated in to everything else and that’s why it worked so well for me.

Will is a winner. He’s everything you could want in your leading man. He’s a cinnamon roll. A golden retriever. An emotional, sensitive, tall, strong, thoughtful, and romantic man. We love to love him.

The story also doesn’t end in quite the way you might expect, which I can appreciate.

Sophie Cousens is going on my list of authors to watch! I have a few backlist books of hers to get through – does anyone have any suggestions for what I should read next?
(the others I’ve read are This Time Next Year and Just Haven’t Met You Yet)

Details

Title:: Is She Really Going Out With Him?
Author:: Sophie Cousens
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Length:: 368 pages
Audio Length:: 11h 42m
Audiobook Narrator:: Kerry Gilbert
Audiobook Publisher:: Penguin Audio
Published:: November 19th, 2024
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars
Spice Rating:: 2