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!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sadie feels lost, living her grandmother’s dream instead of her own and going on a string of first dates with men she feels nothing for. The perfect escape from her life comes when her travel blogger sister can’t go on a walking tour along Portugal’s Camino de Santiago like originally planned. Sadie takes her place on the trip and on the plane ride there, turbulence convinces Sadie she’s about to die. Tearfully, she confesses to her seatmate Mal that she thinks she’s a lesbian. Mal just so happens to be an out lesbian on the same tour as Sadie. The trip changes the two women’s lives forever as they fall in love and discover more about themselves and their true desires.

Even though I haven’t enjoyed all her books equally, I always know I’ll enjoy at least some part of an Alison Cochrun book and Every Step She Takes is no exception. This is a fun, sweet romance that tackles compulsive heterosexuality and heteronormativity and how, no matter how accepting people around you may be, these issues can still affect you. It also explores the idea of a second adolescence for queer people who didn’t get to be their true selves as teenagers. It was so fun to follow Sadie and Mal as they tried to recreate Sadie’s teen years through a queer lens. I also really liked Mal as a character and I loved the casual diversity in the story, with its completely queer cast of characters.

I didn’t love the build-up to Sadie and Mal’s first time together. Sadie pressures Mal a lot to have sex with her and even though Mal eventually says yes and we get her perspective about how much she wants to have sex, it left me feeling uncomfortable. It’s almost hard to believe Mal wants to after how she first responds to Sadie’s advances. I’m curious to see if other readers end up feeling the same.

Overall, this book is an entertaining romance - it was just missing some of the magic of Cochrun’s other books The Charm Offensive and Here We Go Again. The Charm Offensive, especially, is a book that I often think about and I doubt Every Step She Takes will have the same staying power with me. I do still recommend it though as a solid sapphic romcom!

Every Step She Takes
Rating: 4/5 stars
Ebook

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

What I Loved:

- Characters: Cochrun excels at creating complex, emotionally rich characters. Sadie and Mal both feel real, flawed, and relatable.
- Queer Representation: Like in her previous work, Alison Cochrun provides meaningful LGBTQ+ representation with care and nuance.
- Emotional Depth: The story dives into trauma, mental health, and reconciliation without losing its romantic core.
- Writing Style: The writing is warm, introspective and often poetic, especially in emotional or reflective scenes. Her descriptions of the different locations they were walking through made me want to book a plane ticket and join them!
- Side Characters: Although super over the top and maybe not as realistic, the side characters really brought this story together and had me laughing throughout my reading experience.

What Fell Short:

- Pacing: Some parts—especially the beginning—felt a bit slow for me.
- Plot Predictability: The story followed the familiar very confident lesbian helps shy, closeted FMC to discover who she is and how to accept herself. Although this isn’t necessarily a negative, as it was very heartwarming and well written, it made a few developments feel less impactful.

Final Thoughts: Alison Cochrun delivers another emotionally resonant, queer-centered romance that balances heartfelt character development with a satisfying romantic journey. While not perfect in pacing, the emotional payoff and character work more than make up for it.

4.5/5 stars for Alison Cochrun’s newest queer romance. I adore her stories. They are such page turners but they don’t lack at all in heart and real plot. I’ll read anything Allison writes!!

Alison Cochrun has become one of my absolute favorite authors so I was so excited to receive an ARC of her new book Every Step She Takes and it did not disappoint! You can tell that Cochrun has been to Portugal and done the Camino before as the descriptions of that trek and the surroundings jump off the page. But the real standout is the characters and the journeys they go on throughout the book. Cochrun has this special spark that not only lets the main characters stand out but the side characters as well making the book that much more enjoyable and you really feel like you know them by the time the book draws to a close!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A woman named Sadie is tired of the life she's been living for the last several years between dating men and never finding a connection and running her grandma's old furniture restoration shop. So when her sister Vi gets injured and she can take a Camino trip in her place, she jumps at the opportunity. While there she meets a woman named Mal who changes her perspective on everything.

During quite literally most of this book the events were lining up exactly to the actual days I was living and so I found that to be a really unique and fun experience. I was going through a lot and so it felt like a more serious reprieve.

But to get to what actually happened during the book, I enjoyed that it was a more unique experience of a woman with so much life behind her in her mid 30s that was discovering herself and pointing to the fact that it's never too late to figure out who you are.

Everyone on that trip was discovering more about themselves no matter what age they were and I thought that was a beautiful thing. I also liked the dynamic and friendships between everyone for the most part. I also thought the relationship between Mal and Sadie felt well done and not overly rushed.

As for what I didn't like, the group was acting really gross in my opinion to Sadie when they thought she was straight even though she hadn't even done anything to anyone to show she was homophobic and before she had a chance to speak for herself. She was talked over. I also didn't like that Sadie had to convince Mal so hard to have sex with her for the first time. No is no. That's it. Coercion isn't okay. Just those two things made me feel kinda gross but I enjoyed the book otherwise.