I was delighted to get an offer from the publisher to download this book early from Netgalley. I absolutely love all of Alison Cochrun's books and this one didn't disappoint. Highly recommend for fans of Alison Cochrun, fans of queer romance, and of contemporary romance in general!
Also, cute lil crossover from Kiss Her Once For Me, which I appreciated!

5 enthusiastic stars!

I loved this book! The characters are fantastic, the pace was very engaging and it was great following along on their journey of walking the Camino trail. The references towards the queer language and the different cultural experiences on their journey was accurate to the real thing and I am grateful I got the opportunity to read this book. I didn’t want this book to end. Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc.

I loved Kiss Her Once For Me, and I go into every other Alison Cochrun looking to reignite that same magic. Unfortunately, this one fell really flat for me.

For me, the biggest issue was that both FMCs read very immature given that they're both in the mid-30s. I have a lot more patience and grace for 20 somethings making juvenile decisions and being naively selfish; I find it very aggravating and draining when our lead characters should know better. I also felt like the romance was very quick but also very shallow. I didn't feel like these two were falling for each other in any significant way, so it made the whole arc of the romance very difficult for me to buy into.

Overall its not a bad book; many readers will quite enjoy it, and I think there are some messages that are really profound. But I was put off by the immaturity of the leads, the lack of any sort of healthy boundaries from one MCs family, and the way the people on the trip could be incredibly judgmental in what was meant to be an inclusive and open space.

3 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Sadie could use a shakeup in her life—and that comes in the form of a surprise trip to complete a pilgrimage across Portugal and Spain and in the process help out her sister. Meanwhile, Mal has been shaking up her own life over and over again since coming out to her father backfired...and now, with his funeral looming, she's taking a break to walk one of the Portuguese routes of the Camino de Santiago. What they don't anticipate when airplane turbulence inspires Sadie to shriek out all her secrets and insecurities: they're on the same tour. What they also don't anticipate: chemistry. But whether either of them is ready for a relationship, well...

What worked well for me:
- There isn't enough Camino fiction out there, and a lesbian romance? Yes please.

- This takes place on the Portuguese route, too; the Camino Francés (which runs across northern Spain) is the most popular route by far, with the Camino Portugues (which runs north through Portugal and Spain) a distant second, and the Francés is much much more common in both fiction and memoir. (I walked both, back to back, but—if it's not confusing enough already—a different variant of the Portugues route.)

- Sadie is unapologetically fat, and although she has some related insecurities, for the purposes of the Camino her weight is treated as a nonevent.

- I liked the tour group more than I expected to (Stefano is a little over the top, but Rebecca is an unexpected gem).

- I liked Sadie's doom-spiral on the plane (as someone without flight anxiety but *with* travel anxiety...relatable).

- There's room left at the end for a possible sequel (perhaps on a different route?), which I'd be all in favor of.

- This shouldn't be relevant by the time the book is published, but I read an ARC that hadn't been through proofreading yet, and some of the small errors (which are, again, normal for this point in the process) were *choice*. We have an aircraft maker named "Boing" and a tibia located in a character's forearm—I'm here for it. (Yes, this point is in the correct list. One of the oddities of my nerdery is that I have favorite typos.)

What didn't work so well for me:
- Too many brand names (often 10+ per chapter) and cultural references. I get why authors include them (especially for more recognizable brands, they convey info quickly and add some detail), but too many brand names always reads to me as...well, kind of lazy, and something that will quickly date the book.

- Neither Sadie nor Mal really did it for me as a heroine, and together I wasn't convinced of their chemistry. Their introduction (though not the reader's introduction to Sadie) involves Sadie drunk and crying and yelling on a plane, and even if Mal finds that cute, the cringe feeling followed me for the rest of the book. This might just be me—"messy" heroines have never really been my thing. Mal could be a balancing point, but the deeper we get into the book the more Mal's veneer of having-it-togetherness cracks and the messier she gets too. That has its positives, of course (keeps her more complicated), but it also made me wonder about the stability of a relationship between two people who are individually on such unsteady ground. (And—not to be shallow—but it killed the cool-girl appeal! Fine in real life, but sometimes in romance you just want your unapproachable cool girl to be approachable after all...but still mysteriously cool.)

- I would have preferred a setup other than faking dating. Other than being a bit trope-y, the way Sadie and Mal eventually end up in bed together sat badly with me. That should have been a point for one of them to say "whoa, we're getting in too deep" or "hey, this is getting too complicated for me", not to demur for three seconds and then go ahead.

So where does that leave me? I came out of this with some significant reservations but am still pretty thrilled that it exists. I probably won't return to this one, but if there is a follow-up book set on the Camino or another path in the future, I'll happily read it.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

I was so excited when I received this ARC, I loved Cochrun’s Kiss Her Once for Me and couldn’t wait to read the next release. I thought the split POV here between Mal and Sadie worked perfectly and I loved watching them explore their own identities while also getting to know each other. I’ve never once considered walking the Camino, but by the end of the book Cochrun had done such a great job with storytelling that I was just about ready to consider it! This was a sweet, heartwarming read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I actually had to delete the Kindle app from my phone halfway from reading it because I couldn’t get anything done I was so into the book.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0

I found this late-coming of age (and coming out!) story very endearing. The theme of letting go and finding yourself along the Camino was great and I enjoyed reading about how all the characters were doing just that.

I thought the influencer/blogging mentions felt super dated and not like how we use the internet today, which made them less enjoyable to read about. I also found some of the character themes/development to be a bit repetitive. That said, overall this was a very cute book.

OKAY. 3.75.

So here's the deal. Alison Cochrun could hit me over the head with bat and I would still swoon. I think this book is suffering from some poor marketing, because I went in expecting a romance and I have to say that this one is the least romantic of Cochrun's collection. Not that there isn't any, it's just - very clearly - not the main point and I fear that skewed a lot of my perceptions, as a romance it missed the mark. As a coming of age ( yes, even 30 somethings get a coming of age story!!) and a contemporary novel, it's great.

I have a hard time with coming out stories because I find it all very tiring but I think this one slots incredibly nicely into a series of books I'd happily throw at anyone doing some thinking on themselves.

I loved her writing as always and the characters sent me into the void accordingly - but if it was intended to be a romance story, it was distinctly lacking some romance or at least, the build up to it. A change in the way it's being promoted would probably do this book some good in the long run.

4.25 stars! This was a lovely read. I will say I enjoyed the beginning a bit more than the end but overall this was very fun and sweet to me! Sadie's queer awakening and struggle with her identity was very compelling and I loved the way Mal was simultaneously the spark for those feelings in Sadie and also the person that encouraged and helped her discover more about that side of herself. Mal was real and iconic. I am just like Sadie because I too have a giant crush on that woman! I also loved the journey the characters go on on The Camino throughout the book, plus all the side characters that made this such a fun and heartwarming story.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC of Every Step She Takes.

Every Step She Takes was a delight to read. The chemistry between Sadie and Mal was evident from the beginning when they were fatefully seated next to each other on a plane and Sadie’s anxiety about flying takes over leading her to reveal some deep truths about herself.

I’ve read other travel romance novels and haven’t always enjoyed them, but Cochrun has a way of making this setting fit these characters, and I found myself traveling along with them as an engaged member of their travel group. The supporting characters offered unique perspectives and were clearly on team Sadie and Mal. I was invested in this group of queer characters.

Sadie’s newfound confidence in herself grows throughout the book and I rooted for her throughout. Mal, who was seemingly unbothered by most things, wasn’t as unbothered as she let on, and I found myself getting wrapped up in her backstory as well. Overall, I was hooked into this story from the start and was rooting for everyone in this travel group. A really wonderful book.

This story hit me completely in the feels! Every Step She Takes was a beautiful depiction of falling in love with yourself and your truest identity. The love story between Sadie and Mal is amazing as well, but I loved how much of their journeys were about personal self discovery on a path (literally and metaphorically!) to finding happiness.

There’s something so genuine about Sadie. Her growth and self discovery truly feels so real and relatable. I laughed out loud at moments and felt deep in my heart the ones where she admits her truest feelings. I feel a deep sense of pride for Sadie embracing her attraction to women and owning her life by the final page. I love how Mal helps Sadie through this journey, but Sadie really and truly puts that work in.

I really enjoyed this love story! Every Step She Takes also really made me want to go to Portugal and hike the Camino de Santiago myself. Both Mal and Sadie go through so much transformation throughout their time on the Camino. This book was gorgeous and inspiring and tender. I loved every moment!

Thank you to Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc.

Simply put this book was everything. Sadie and Mal were everything. Their personal journey and actual physical journey were very such a delight to read. Alison Cochrun has a way of writing characters that feel so real and make you see things in yourself you might not have known.

Sadie's personal journey especially was amazing to read. So often stories in which main characters are questioning/trying to understand their sexuality, they are teens or barely there adults. It was so refreshing to read a character in her 30's not have it figured out and to be messy and real in figuring it out. It was also just great to read a book centered around characters of all ages still figuring it out and highlighting how okay and real that is.

I absolutely loved this story! I didn't know much about this book going into it but this was the Euro summer book that I didn't know I needed! I loved seeing Sadie's character change and grow into a person she never thought she could become. I think one of the highlights for me were all of the side characters. The camino group was so much fun and they all really made the story for me with their fun and vibrant personalities :)

I'm a huge Alison Cochrun fan, and while this isn’t my favorite of her books (Here I Go Again and The Charm Offensive still hold that title), I really enjoyed it!

I remember when Alison walked the Camino herself and shared her journey on Instagram; it definitely shows in this story. I always get a little nervous when American authors write about Europe, and I’m not always a fan. But Alison did a great job capturing the atmosphere (though I did find Stefano a bit of an Italian stereotype).

The Camino is such a great setting for a love story—two weeks of walking with the same group of people, bonding over blisters, laughter, and long conversations. The writing was so vivid, I felt like I was right there in Portugal (and later Spain) with them. I especially loved Sadie’s journey of self-discovery, and Mal quickly became my favorite: strong, extroverted, and guarded when it came to feelings. She was such a compelling character!

Oh, and one thing Alison, I’m sorry, but I do think stroopwafels are better than nata!

Now, I can’t wait for what Alison has in store for us next!

4.5 stars! I am so shocked with how much I liked this book, I was not a fan of Here We Go Again at all. The characters in this book were all so lovable, the problems they faced were so real and made me feel normal. Loved the later in life coming out and the horniness in this book. HOLY COW, the tension was to die for. Absolutely unputdownable! A great sapphic read.

Thanks NetGalley

This book has me seriously considering doing a Camino trek of my own. The setting was so beautifully described and the experience sounded so powerful. I honestly loved the coming out story and how Mal guided both herself and Sadie into their growth. I loved the progression of their relationship, especially the end. I will always read Alison's new books, but I love when they keep me as engaged as this one did.

Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun

Sapphic romance releases September 2nd

After her travel influencer sister Vi breaks her big toe Sadie offers to go on her already booked 2 week tour of Portugal’s Camino de Santiago. Unbeknownst to Sadie the tour is an all queer tour.

Antique store owner and HGTV obsessed Sadie has never felt a spark when she goes out on dates with men. On her 35th birthday on a plane to Portugal during turbulence, she shouts “I think I might be a lesbian.” to her seat mate Mal. Mal just got out of a relationship after a really bad breakup and also her father recently passed away so to deal with her heartbreak and grief she decides to go on another Camino tour.

What follows is a dual POV story of self discovery, sexual awakening, and friendship.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked all the characters especially the comic relief that was Stefano.

Highly recommend

Honestly, after crying my way through the final chapters of Alison Cochrun's Here We Go Again, I jumped at the chance to snag an ARC of her latest work (Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity!).

Sadie and Mal are both running from something when they embark on their Camino de Santiago, and at times their journey of self-reflection was so intensely relatable, I was getting secondhand embarrassment and butterflies in my stomach all the same. We follow along as Sadie gets the chance to lean into the self she's always been too afraid to be and as Mal works to heal deep cut wounds. It has all the sweetness of a sapphic romance with the necessary twinges of conflict to keep the plot rolling. Every so often, I found myself frustrated with the characters (Sadie especially, sorry, girl, I know you all too well), but that relate-ability is what made the narrative as compelling as it was.

Every Step She Takes reminds us all that there's no such thing as perfect timing, simply time and what we choose to do with it. While it's not a book I crushed in a sugar-fueled reading-binge weekend, it's tender and soft and honestly kind of made me text my best friend about doing a Camino of my own...

(4.5 stars). Alison Cochrun has done it again- another excellently crafted book following two very well developed characters as they find their way in life. In this book, we follow Sadie and Mal, both of whom are lost in life. Both decide short notice to go on a guided tour of the Camino, through Beatrix Tours, an LGBTQIA+ tour company. Along the way we are brought into the life changes of everyone on the tour, and Cochrun does not fall short on character development for any of them. The entire group becomes close knit through their journey on the Camino and face many emotional challenges together. The best part of this book is that it is not centered on our two love interests. Yes, a good portion of the plot is dedicated to their relationship and growth, but we also spend so much time with personal development for each character and with every other character. Every part of this book is so well-crafted and you can truly connect with any of the characters with how deeply thought out they all are. This book is also inspirational- the main underlying message I got was that it is never too late to find who you are and never too late to rewrite your future.

Alison Cochran does it again. She is the queen of queer cozy reads. I enjoy them every time and want to shout from the rooftops about how great this book is. Go read it!

So I loved this book! I didn’t know how I’d feel about it since it’s not much like my normal romcoms but this book was so sweet and special. As someone who’s part of the lgbtq+ community reading these books makes my heart happy. The coming out when YOURE ready is the most important thing in my opinion. You can’t rush how you feel you need to let it come to you and this book does just that! I loved Sadie and making they are sweethearts. I hope they stay together forever. The slow burn of this was so top tier I couldn’t get enough! I loved all the other characters too the found family. I just give this book a 10/10 because it’s amazing and made me happy!