Sadie is trying to discover herself while Mal keeps running away from relationships. They meet when Sadie fills in for her sister Vi on the Camino trek in Portugal. The plot is good and the character development fantastic. Sadie does not realize it is a gay tour and Mal tries to stay from her because she thinks Sadie straight. I recommend this story for romance readers.

This book might have ruined all other books for me. It hit that hard.

It seriously felt written just for me—me, who came out to herself in her 30s, then separated from her husband and immediately got seven piercings and an undercut. So to say I felt seen by this story is honestly an understatement. I’m in very real danger of dropping everything to walk the Camino now.

My 5 stars were locked in from pretty much the start: a queer awakening, found family, atmospheric and travel that isn’t just a backdrop but a full character in the story, forced proximity, practice dating, an ensemble cast I would literally walk across a country with.

I’m always a sucker for a good historical accuracy note, but in this one, the author tied some of the “not too late” queer journey to her journey of motherhood in a way that broke me in the best way.

Usually I dislike cultural references—and they may eventually date this story—but right now, they hit absolutely perfect and authentic for a 30-something queer. A very rare feat.

I wish I’d had this book earlier in my life, but in the spirit of the message, I am grateful it found me at the exact right moment.

I enjoyed the pacing of this book. Insta love doesn’t always work for me, but this time it pretty much did. I think because the characters were older and I learned about their experience along the way, it didn’t feel surface level and unbelievable. Also, Alison Cochrun is one of my favorite authors - I have enjoyed every single one of her books. Another hit!

This book felt like a coming-of-age story with the main character(s) struggling with figuring out who they are. Sadie is trying to figure out her sexuality after many bad first dates with men. She takes her sister's place on a trip that happens to be a queer tour group and her adventure begins in trying to find out who she really is. I really enjoyed the storyline and thought the writing was great. I was bummed with the way the book went at the end though. I wanted more and I didn't get it. It left me wanting to know what actually ended up happening?

This sapphic romcom follows Sadie, a 35 year old woman just starting to explore her queerness, and Mal, navigating her fraught history with her family in the wake of her father's death, as they both participate in a 2-week trek through Portugal and Spain.

This is a minor gripe, but I do think the first half of the book is a bit weighed down by its excessive pop culture references.

Sadie's personal arc was my favorite part of this story. Her exploration of her sexuality and what it means to discover herself as a grown adult was satisfying and sweet. We really get to see her come into her own over the course of this book, not just in her relationship with Mal, but with their entire group and as an individual.

Mal's personal arc was a bit more frustrating to me. We are introduced to both her struggles and her coping mechanisms very early on, but there isn't significant movement in her evolution until the last 20% of the book. From there, things move pretty quickly, and dealing with them on such a short timeline means that there are some moments that feel a bit cheesy and rushed.

Despite my frustration with Mal's individual development, I did generally enjoy Sadie and Mal's relationship. There was a slight gesture toward a "we're just doing this 'practice'" trope, but this was ultimately pretty superficial and played a minor role in the story. Instead, we get to see Sadie and Mal learn to be vulnerable with each other in ways they haven't let themselves be before. The ending gave enough breathing room to really get to see both Mal and Sadie settle into themselves and their changing lives in a way that makes the romantic ending feel more stable and comfortable.

This wasn't a perfect read, but ultimately I still had a good time with it

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria & Alison for an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to love this more. But I think this is my least favorite of Alison's. Unfortunately. I just don't think outdoor travel stories work for me. I just felt a little bored with all of the descriptions of outside. It just doesn't help that I'm not the greatest at imagining this all without having been there myself. Even just Europe in general. Because films usually just stick to the same areas.

Also, I wasn't really digging Sadie. I found her a little annoying at times. Mal seemed like a more thought out character. And the "practicing" queer adolescent thing was weird. I don't know, maybe it's because I didn't come out later in life. I get having anxiety about having firsts with women (and sex in general). But I wouldn't ask someone to practice with.

The group of queer people harassing a presumably "straight" person, wasn't it for me. I get wanting to feel protected in your group. But if they are queer, you're asking them to out themselves before they want to?

I did like the Camino group when they weren't doing what I mentioned above. They were really fun.

I will thank Alison though. She has let me know to never do a Camino. You can get me to walk a couple of miles. But there's absolutely no way I can do as many miles as a Camino is. I'm not cut out for that.

A love letter to the people still figuring themselves out. Alison Cochrun writes unconditional love so beautifully. No matter what the characters are dealing with internally, sexuality, grief, mental health, the other person loves them through all of it. I loved seeing Sadie and Mal not only fall in love with each other but also themselves.

"Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must but take the step".

For both Mal and Sadie, their journey on the Camino de Santiago, isn't confined to a physical trek but a deeply contemplative, emotional event. This dual POV begins with Mal eluding the competing emotions over her father's death and for Sadie, the dissatisfaction over her love life and career dictated by circumstances. As the read progresses alongside the trek, the reader witnesses Sadie's transformation resulting from both the physical hardships of the walk itself and through the support of a lively group of travelers each with their distinctive stories. As for Mal, her dual sounding boards of Inez and Michelle, along the reader to see her unpack what she is truly seeking.

If you are a reader looking for a transformative read of the physical and emotional journeys individuals undergo, pick this up.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Atria Books, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5! I love Alison Cochrun’s words so much. This book is a beautiful journey in all different ways. There was so much I loved about it - from the plus sized representation, the characters arc’s, the beautifully described scenery and the quirky side characters. Both of our narrators have great chemistry and lots of layers to them, and I loved following their stories.

A couple of reasons it didn’t get a 5: the excessive use of the term “fairy god-dyke” (cringe), abrupt ending + no epilogue, sometimes I felt like there were things between chapters I would’ve liked to have experienced with the characters rather than read about it after (does that make sense? My wife describes this to her students as “showing, not telling”)

Overall Alison Cochrun hit the ball out of the park again!

Thanks to NetGalley & Atria for the ARC! :)

This was my second book by Alison Cochrun and I'll be honest, Kiss Her Once for Me was good and enjoyable, but it didn't really feel that memorable to me. This book though? I can promise you that I will be thinking about this book for a long time. The book mentions other stories like Wild and Under the Tuscan Sun and how those stories were transformative and that's exactly how I feel about this book. It was absolutely fantastic. This was the queer Eat, Pray, Love that I didn't even know I needed. I felt everything in this book. Sadie and Mal were both on completely different journeys, but they were both exactly what they needed. Alison Cochrun put so much depth into these characters, even the side characters! I was rooting for them all, their little Camino family. This book dealt with fear, grief, trauma, first love, heartache, queer awakening, making mistakes, the whole human experience. And the scenery! I felt like I was on the journey right alongside them! The author's own experience lent such a great amount of authenticity to the descriptions of the journey and the hardships along the way and I just loved it. I honestly don't think I can say enough good things about this book. It was just the perfect read for me right now going into summer. 5 stars, no notes!

**This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Part love letter to the Camino de Santiago, part late-blooming love story about coming of age in your thirties! I really appreciate books about queer people figuring themselves out later in life, and this really delivers. Alison Cochrun excels at writing sapphic couples who seem like an odd match but somehow entirely work. I also really loved the found family aspect of the travel group, and the fact that the hiking story didn't shy away from the difficulties as well as the joys of the walk.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

Before I get into my review of “Every Step She Takes”, I’d like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC!

Who knew romance books could be so educational? I’ve learned from this book that if I ever want a girlfriend I’m going to scream “I’m a lesbian!” in the middle of the flight to get the attention of the woman next to me!

Seriously though, this book was absolutely incredible! All the conflicting emotions can almost make you feel like you’re watching your best friend fall in love in live action.

I have two (2) of Alison’s books on my physical TBR that I cannot wait to read since finishing this one!

Another gem by Alison Cochrun! I love that this book was just as much about a journey as a romance. The book features Sadie, a 35-year-old woman who ends up on an unexpected trip on the Camino with a group of queer people. Coincidentally, she began to admit to herself her sexuality right before the trip. On the plane over, in a moment of panic, she comes out to her seat-mate. Once again, coincidence abound and the seat-mate, a woman named Mal, is part of her queer tour group.

I had never heard of the Camino, but the way Alison Cochrun describes the places creates a magical feeling that I found myself longing to experience. The romance between Sadie and Mal was sweet and real. I loved how relatable Sadie was to queer people who come out after adolescence. The feeling of missing out is real and she was never infantilized or seen as less of a queer person for her lack of experience. In fact, the opposite was presented, it was shown as exciting for her to be able to experience her true self at an age where she could genuinely appreciate it.

I enjoyed this sweet romance and story of finding yourself, and highly recommend! Especially to queer women who came out later in life or women who don’t fit the exact image that we think society expects of us.

The only criticism I have is the trope of having a relationship under the guise of “lessons.” I’ve seen this in a few romance books and have never enjoyed the setup because that itself doesn’t feel like it would often happen in real life, and requires a huge lack of communication. Regardless, the story and the book are very enjoyable!

I love Alison Cochrun's books and this was no exception - I read this in about a day and loved the characters. It didn't beat Here We Go Again for me but it was still a very good book!

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I want to start this off by saying that I have read quite a few sapphic “coming out” novels, but never one that spoke to my sole the way this book did. I am too a late in life queer, and I am constantly feeling like I’m behind. I appreciate reading books where I can see myself reflected in the pages, and never have I been so represented.

I loved the representation of different bodies, sexualities, and gender identities throughout the tour group. Even if your not currently struggling with identity or comphet, this book is fun and will make you want to book your own Camino.

Didn’t love didn’t hate just kind of there. There was a sort of insta love feel that I didn’t love and wanted more development of the characters and their love.

This is my second book by Alison Cochrun and I enjoyed it! I am excited to read more of her books from her backlog!

This book, quite simply, hit. I laughed, I cried, I felt seen.

Sadie is questioning her sexuality and who she is as a person. Mal is running away from another breakup and her dad's impending funeral. Both are heading to the Camino for a break from reality and a change of pace. When the two meet on an airplane and later learn they will be roommates on this guided trek, they are thrust together into this forced proximity romance.

I think we can all relate to feeling lost or stuck in our lives, but also feeling like it us too late to change anything. Or in some cases, constantly running from our life in an effort to only feel the good. I know I do. So when these two characters meet and are opposite sides of the same coin, it is bound to make you feel. Finding someone who will stay through the mess and hold you through the panic is a rare and wonderful thing.

Personally, I relate to both Mal and Sadie.
Like Sadie, I figured out my sexuality later in life and I didn't "figure this shit out in college like every other self respecting millennial". The realization and recontexualizing of younger memories was all too familiar. I too have fallen into the life rut of doing what is needed or expected and trying not to let anyone down.
Like Mal, I used changing locations, jobs, lovers, to escape the feelings of not being enough. I fell in love on trains and in coffee shops, and out of love by dinner. I couldn't let myself sit still or just be. I was running from feeling.

Beyond the entirely relatable characters, this book was hilarious. With the setting of hiking the 200 mile costal Camino, there are hiker antics, queer antics, and hilarious quips. I loved seeing other people 'embrace the suck' and find more strength within themselves than they knew was there. The full paragraph of Sadie's destroyed feet was all too relatable (hiking boots on pavement blow).

Alison Cochrun is quickly becoming one of my auto-read authors.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

As a fan of Alison Cochrun’s works, I was excited to read her fourth novel, “Every Step She Takes”. Like her previous novels, it is witty, heartfelt, and emotional. She has a remarkable ability to create introspective characters who reflect our world and illuminate underrepresented themes such as asexuality, fat positivity, and mental health.

The story is told from two perspectives: Sadie and Mal, who embark on a walking pilgrimage through Portugal and Spain. Although these strangers have different reasons for their journey, they hope to find clarity and a sense of self through this adventure.

What unfolds is a mix of the opposites-attract and fake-dating tropes, but it delves deeper than that. While the book is very humorous and romantic—it is also very vulnerable. Cochrun explores identity and the barriers that society, as well as we ourselves, impose.

I loved it and highly recommend this book and intend to purchase the audiobook version once it becomes available, as I own her other works. They serve as sincere, comfort reads for those still discovering themselves, free from judgment. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

New Alison Cochrun! I don't know how I got so lucky to be chosen for an e-ARC of this but I downloaded and read it immediately. (Like, less than 12 hours.) This is one of those books that hooks you right from the dedication. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. This story had me googling the route, looking up the sights and living vicariously as our leads take part in the Camino de Santiago which I'd never heard of before this book but sounds so cool (and exhausting.) There's a TON of (very needed) character growth in here and the writing is so descriptive you can practically smell the pasteis.

I'm only going to leave one quote here. "How boring would life be if we didn't have anything left to discover about ourselves?"

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-ARC of this book!