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paiges_on_pages's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My, my, Alison Cochrun. How can I resist you and your devastatingly beautiful stories?
Read if you đŠˇ:
â¤ď¸âđĽ Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers
𧲠Opposites Attract
âď¸ Keeping up with your Favorite Teacher
đ Last Minute Bucket List Road Trips
Logan and Rosemary, former childhood friends turned bitter enemies, find themselves stuck in their small-town lives as teachers. Both women are grappling with their identities and past relationships, with Logan embracing her chaotic nature and Rosemary clinging to stability. When their dying mentor's final request leads them on a cross-country road trip in a fabulously gay van, they're forced to confront their shared history, navigate their complex feelings, and maybe, just maybe, find love and self-acceptance along the way.
This hilariously heartbreaking novel makes one wonder: should the reader be laughing or sobbing at Logan, Rosemary, and Joeâs adventure? The answer is most definitely both; that old man wouldnât want it any other way.
Yes, there is a steamy moment in this enemies-to-lovers romance, but the plot kept me there for all 368 pages. Cochrunâs detailed and well thought-out writing style spoils every other romance novel. It is so realistic and raw in a way that one would think theyâre watching a film. Sheâs not afraid to be poignant with her prose describing the American landscape while still sneaking in a pun-filled jab during an argument.
It can be difficult to convince someone to pick up a novel where they know the most ultimate ending will eventually occur, but Cochrun has discovered the secret formula. âHere We Go Againâ doesnât break your heart with a story of death; it fills your soul with a journey through grief, second chances, and soulmates.
Thank you so much to Atria Books for the complimentary copy of âHere We Go Againâ in exchange for an honest review.
Read if you đŠˇ:
â¤ď¸âđĽ Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers
𧲠Opposites Attract
âď¸ Keeping up with your Favorite Teacher
đ Last Minute Bucket List Road Trips
Logan and Rosemary, former childhood friends turned bitter enemies, find themselves stuck in their small-town lives as teachers. Both women are grappling with their identities and past relationships, with Logan embracing her chaotic nature and Rosemary clinging to stability. When their dying mentor's final request leads them on a cross-country road trip in a fabulously gay van, they're forced to confront their shared history, navigate their complex feelings, and maybe, just maybe, find love and self-acceptance along the way.
This hilariously heartbreaking novel makes one wonder: should the reader be laughing or sobbing at Logan, Rosemary, and Joeâs adventure? The answer is most definitely both; that old man wouldnât want it any other way.
Yes, there is a steamy moment in this enemies-to-lovers romance, but the plot kept me there for all 368 pages. Cochrunâs detailed and well thought-out writing style spoils every other romance novel. It is so realistic and raw in a way that one would think theyâre watching a film. Sheâs not afraid to be poignant with her prose describing the American landscape while still sneaking in a pun-filled jab during an argument.
It can be difficult to convince someone to pick up a novel where they know the most ultimate ending will eventually occur, but Cochrun has discovered the secret formula. âHere We Go Againâ doesnât break your heart with a story of death; it fills your soul with a journey through grief, second chances, and soulmates.
Thank you so much to Atria Books for the complimentary copy of âHere We Go Againâ in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death
Moderate: Sexual content
getlitwithamy_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Alison Cochran has managed to craft what I believe is one of the best road trip stories I have ever read! I loved the pacing, the characters, the scene building, the HUMOR!! There is so much I can say about this book.
Let's start with the happy stuff. Besides the fact that the book is hilarious, I loved how Cochrun uses the story to show travel through the southern states of America through a queer lens. Readers can expect to find themselves surprised by the love in the queer communities in different states during the journey.
Another happy-ish thing I liked was the characters. They were all so well-rounded and felt so REAL where I felt connected in a way. Like in Cochrunâs previous book, KISS HER ONCE FOR ME, HERE WE GO AGAIN has really great anxiety and ADHD representation. I also loved having a main character on the ace spectrum.
Now for the sad part.The main premise of the story and reason for the road trip is to get a man dying of cancer to his desired dying location across the country. The experience of witnessing someone deteriorate and eventually die from cancer is a major occurrence throughout the book, so keep this in mind while reading and take care of yourself.
I'm obsessed with this book! I knew it was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it definitely lived up to the hype!!
Let's start with the happy stuff. Besides the fact that the book is hilarious, I loved how Cochrun uses the story to show travel through the southern states of America through a queer lens. Readers can expect to find themselves surprised by the love in the queer communities in different states during the journey.
Another happy-ish thing I liked was the characters. They were all so well-rounded and felt so REAL where I felt connected in a way. Like in Cochrunâs previous book, KISS HER ONCE FOR ME, HERE WE GO AGAIN has really great anxiety and ADHD representation. I also loved having a main character on the ace spectrum.
Now for the sad part.The main premise of the story and reason for the road trip is to get a man dying of cancer to his desired dying location across the country. The experience of witnessing someone deteriorate and eventually die from cancer is a major occurrence throughout the book, so keep this in mind while reading and take care of yourself.
I'm obsessed with this book! I knew it was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it definitely lived up to the hype!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Excrement, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Homophobia and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
bookcasey's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Outing, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Excrement, Lesbophobia, and Classism
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I donât really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was a really tender romance about estranged childhood besties, Rosemary Hale & Logan Melantis, who have always been different (opposites attract), had a huge misunderstanding and bout of miscommunication in high school, and are reunited for a cross-country road trip in the loudest, most vibrant van (text on the side of the van says "Queer Cuddler") in service of their high school English teacher, Joe Delgado. They experience unplanned excursions, road bumps, and more, as they grapple with Joe's terminal illness (cancer) and their grief in saying goodbye to him.
Logan is a self-appointed "fuckboy," who recognizes that all women see in her are her long legs and huge tits (her words, not mine). She has ADHD, so when she feels, she feels incredibly deeply. So what's the healthy adult thing to do? Not feel anything or care about anything at all, of course! (read: sarcasm). Logan is so fervently committed to her lifestyle, and wears her tough exterior to self-sabotage and protect herself, as she believes people will always leave (reminiscent of: angtsy, angry Peyton from season 1 of One Tree Hill), so she leaves first!
Rosemary also has ADHD, but presents very differently from Logan, and is therefore committed to her schedules, itineraries, and struggles with deviations from agreed-upon plans. Rosemary (or "Hale" as Logan calls her) was not out to Logan yet, so Logan is wildly dismissive and erases Rosemary's sexuality in the beginning of the book. However, Rosemary eventually clarifies she is queer, and so begins the queer longing!
The overarching messages of what Joe tried to teach the women was admirable, and could probably feel universally relatable. I really do want to read more stories about folks at the end of life, because I'm fascinated by our mortality, and it's interesting to me that so many dying folks share similar sentiments of: "Don't let fear get in the way of your joy," "Follow your heart," "Be yourself," etc etc etc. Joe confronted his own past shames in leaving Remy behind, how the AIDs pandemic traumatized him, and how he wanted to spend his final days. Joe was brave in finally doing things he wanted as he made his way home to Bar Harbor, Maine. I'd love a book or movie about Joe's life. Books like these generally help me examine if I'm living a fulfilling life, and I do think we all need reminders of our mortality so we can act accordingly and bravely.
I really do wish Joe was not a Latine man whose terminal illness and death was the plot device that furthered two white women's personal development. It's hard to me to not notice that.
This was a really tender romance about estranged childhood besties, Rosemary Hale & Logan Melantis, who have always been different (opposites attract), had a huge misunderstanding and bout of miscommunication in high school, and are reunited for a cross-country road trip in the loudest, most vibrant van (text on the side of the van says "Queer Cuddler") in service of their high school English teacher, Joe Delgado. They experience unplanned excursions, road bumps, and more, as they grapple with Joe's terminal illness (cancer) and their grief in saying goodbye to him.
Logan is a self-appointed "fuckboy," who recognizes that all women see in her are her long legs and huge tits (her words, not mine). She has ADHD, so when she feels, she feels incredibly deeply. So what's the healthy adult thing to do? Not feel anything or care about anything at all, of course! (read: sarcasm). Logan is so fervently committed to her lifestyle, and wears her tough exterior to self-sabotage and protect herself, as she believes people will always leave (reminiscent of: angtsy, angry Peyton from season 1 of One Tree Hill), so she leaves first!
Rosemary also has ADHD, but presents very differently from Logan, and is therefore committed to her schedules, itineraries, and struggles with deviations from agreed-upon plans. Rosemary (or "Hale" as Logan calls her) was not out to Logan yet, so Logan is wildly dismissive and erases Rosemary's sexuality in the beginning of the book. However, Rosemary eventually clarifies she is queer, and so begins the queer longing!
The overarching messages of what Joe tried to teach the women was admirable, and could probably feel universally relatable. I really do want to read more stories about folks at the end of life, because I'm fascinated by our mortality, and it's interesting to me that so many dying folks share similar sentiments of: "Don't let fear get in the way of your joy," "Follow your heart," "Be yourself," etc etc etc. Joe confronted his own past shames in leaving Remy behind, how the AIDs pandemic traumatized him, and how he wanted to spend his final days. Joe was brave in finally doing things he wanted as he made his way home to Bar Harbor, Maine. I'd love a book or movie about Joe's life. Books like these generally help me examine if I'm living a fulfilling life, and I do think we all need reminders of our mortality so we can act accordingly and bravely.
I really do wish Joe was not a Latine man whose terminal illness and death was the plot device that furthered two white women's personal development. It's hard to me to not notice that.
steam rating: 2.5 out of 5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
cassielaj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
This is simply the sweetest, most beautiful, rip your heart to shreds and stitch it back up three sizes bigger book that Iâve ever read. I laughed constantly. I held back tears a few times and then cried so hard I couldnât see the words anymore. The way this book approaches and opens up grief, death, mental health, love, joy, life, and so much more spoke to me in such a special way. I wanted to wrap every character in the biggest hug and never let go. I donât even know how best to say how perfect it was, but I can tell you already this is a top book of 2024. And probably of ever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Homophobia and Excrement
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
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? Yes
4.75
Thanks to Atria Books for the free copy of this book.
- OMG, this book đđâ¤ď¸ I very NEARLY cried reading this book, which is high praise because books never make me cry.
- You wouldnât think this book, which you know is going to end in a death, would be so hilarious, but it is. I loved the road trip shenanigans and the bickering and the joy and beauty found in the bleakest of times.
- Then, of course, this book is also filled with thorny questions of how to live your life and what are the most important things in that life. Just a treat, all around.
- I also loved how Loganâs ADHD and Rosemaryâs anxiety are not problems to be fixed, but integral parts of who they are. (Not that I expected anything less from Cochrun!)
- OMG, this book đđâ¤ď¸ I very NEARLY cried reading this book, which is high praise because books never make me cry.
- You wouldnât think this book, which you know is going to end in a death, would be so hilarious, but it is. I loved the road trip shenanigans and the bickering and the joy and beauty found in the bleakest of times.
- Then, of course, this book is also filled with thorny questions of how to live your life and what are the most important things in that life. Just a treat, all around.
- I also loved how Loganâs ADHD and Rosemaryâs anxiety are not problems to be fixed, but integral parts of who they are. (Not that I expected anything less from Cochrun!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Alcohol
theoceanrose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: Cancer
booksandcoffeewithlexi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Excrement, and Vomit
abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is my favourite book Iâve read so far this year.
I loved Alison Cochrunâs debut The Charm Offensive, and I read it all pretty much in one sitting, but this bookâŚ. This book was different. It was special. I think it had so many more elements of things that I love in a way that it was written more for me than TCO could ever be: cross country road trips, sapphic love, friends to enemies to tentative allies to lovers, English teachers, girls with ADHD, a big dog, and of course, ABBA. An ode to grief and a treatise on love.
Sure, itâs âa romcom about deathâ as Alison pitched it, but itâs hard to capture how much it is both a) a romcom, that has swoony romantic moments and laugh-out-loud funny jokes, and b) still very much entirely centred around death and loss.
I cried, I laughed, and I laugh-cried. This book was so beautiful and real and heartbreaking and joyous. A eulogy that truly was a celebration of life and all of the beauty and the pain that comes with it. Delightfully and fully queer through generations.
Although you always know whatâs coming at the end, thatâs not the point of the storyâ itâs the way that you get there thatâs really important, with all the detours and roadblocks that come with. Itâs about the ways in which we crack ourselves open and who we allow to see our brokenness on the way.
I canât wait for this book to come out so that the rest of the world can read it. đŠˇđđ§Ą
I loved Alison Cochrunâs debut The Charm Offensive, and I read it all pretty much in one sitting, but this bookâŚ. This book was different. It was special. I think it had so many more elements of things that I love in a way that it was written more for me than TCO could ever be: cross country road trips, sapphic love, friends to enemies to tentative allies to lovers, English teachers, girls with ADHD, a big dog, and of course, ABBA. An ode to grief and a treatise on love.
Sure, itâs âa romcom about deathâ as Alison pitched it, but itâs hard to capture how much it is both a) a romcom, that has swoony romantic moments and laugh-out-loud funny jokes, and b) still very much entirely centred around death and loss.
I cried, I laughed, and I laugh-cried. This book was so beautiful and real and heartbreaking and joyous. A eulogy that truly was a celebration of life and all of the beauty and the pain that comes with it. Delightfully and fully queer through generations.
Although you always know whatâs coming at the end, thatâs not the point of the storyâ itâs the way that you get there thatâs really important, with all the detours and roadblocks that come with. Itâs about the ways in which we crack ourselves open and who we allow to see our brokenness on the way.
I canât wait for this book to come out so that the rest of the world can read it. đŠˇđđ§Ą
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Excrement, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Abandonment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Outing
ashleymsilverstein's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a rollercoaster. Its a road trip sapphic rom-com, with a lot of neurodivergent people and a hint (or a lot) of death. The death road trip had its ups and downs, its highs and lows. There was strong character development. It brings a blend of chosen family and blood family together to demonstrate how people impact each other lives.
This book was a rollercoaster. Its a road trip sapphic rom-com, with a lot of neurodivergent people and a hint (or a lot) of death. The death road trip had its ups and downs, its highs and lows. There was strong character development. It brings a blend of chosen family and blood family together to demonstrate how people impact each other lives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism