A hilarious love story about a disillusioned divorcée who agrees to let her children play matchmaker.

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?

I read my first Sophie Cousens book last year and became an immediate fan. When I saw that her newest was a selection in this month’s Book of the Month box, I had to order it, and I wasn’t disappointed.

This time around, we spend our time with the lovable and relatable protagonist, Anna Appleby. As a divorced mother of two, Anna is done with the dating scene. Even though her ex-husband is moving on, Anna would rather poke her eye out with a fork than put herself back out there. But then, one day, Anna gets some bad news at work. The higher-ups are looking to cut costs, and Anna’s column (she’s a writer) isn’t hitting the demographic they’re looking to bring in. Naturally, she fears she may be at risk of soon being unemployed. To top things off, Wll, her smarmy work enemy, is closing in and seems more than happy to help Anna pack her box so he can move in and take her column.

In a hasty move, Anna pitches an idea that would see her going on dates and writing about what it’s like to be a 30-something divorcee trying to date in the modern world. Her boss then gets the idea that there needs to be a twist to it and that Anna should let her kids determine who she should go out with. And so it begins. From giving her number to the very young but hot waiter at her favorite restaurant to asking out her mailman, her celebrity crush, and her cranky next-door neighbor with whom she’s had an ongoing battle over the shrub along their property line, Anna’s journey to find love is anything but boring.

What I loved most about Cousen’s books is her innate ability to infuse humor and heart into every page. Anna’s dry wit and self-deprecating humor make her a character that readers can’t help but adore. I loved the relationship she had with her kids – and that they always came first. I also loved the different flavors of men they pushed her to go out with. Every character jumps off the page – and many of them will surprise you in the end. Her competition with Will also ended up being a highlight. I was afraid it would feel too familiar, but in the end, it held a few surprises (though only a few), and it worked for the story.

The pacing is perfect, and the story itself is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Anna has a great character arc, and even though the book contains familiar tropes and expected outcomes, the journey Anna takes and the lessons she learns along the way make it feel fresh and fun.

Overall, this book is filled with humor and heart. It’s a story about second chances, self-discovery, and letting yourself embrace the possibility of a second chance at love. Even though it was obvious who she would end up with within the first few chapters, it’s still a fun read, perfect for rom-com lovers looking for their next fix.

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