This is going to be a very bad review, I’ve tried writing it multiple times and I just can’t get across how much I love this book. It’s all jumbled together.
Here We Go Again is an enemies to lovers romcom about death. Yes you heard that right, a romcom about death. Going in I just knew this book was going to break my heart, and it sure did. Into a million little pieces.
Rosemary and Logan are ex friends turned enemies who must unite to drive their old, dying English teacher (who was a father figure to both of them) across the country to his cottage upon his dying request.
This book is an emphasis on how much love hurts. How raw and painful it is to let someone in knowing they have the potential to hurt you, but doing it anyways because you love them. It’s about the beauty of life, and not having regrets. It’s about queer community and the beauty of queer love in all its forms. I loved the parallel between how lesbians took care of queer men during the AIDS crisis and Rosemary and Logan, two lesbians taking care of a queer man who survived AIDS but is dying of cancer. Beautiful parallel.
The spice in this book was so good. Like insane levels of hot, and that’s all I’m gonna say about that👀
When I tell you I cried so hard I almost threw up, I’m not kidding. From about 70% onwards I was trying to read through a haze of tears and snot. This book is truly a masterpiece in every way shape and form. 5/5 stars. A million stars. Alison Cochrun, I’ll be sending you a bill for my therapy.

It’s been too long since I’ve written proper book review but I actually finished this ARC before the publication date and REALLY enjoyed this book so here it goes.

I read most of this while on a train going down to Portland which was an excellent vibe, but honestly, the more I think about this book, the more I love it.

On the surface, Here We Go Again is a story about two women, Rosemary and Logan, who are asked to go on a road trip with their beloved former teacher who is dying of cancer. The twist is, they also happen to be childhood best friends turned rivals. And also there is Dyke Drama.

It’s a campy-sounding synopsis, but what stands out to me most about this book is how real it all feels. The way Cochrun portrays these characters, their interactions, and the way they see the world, it just feel so raw and real in a way I haven’t seen in a book in a very long time.

Right from the beginning, I cared about these characters and the author does a wonderful job with developing them throughout the book in a way that kept me invested and made it feel like I was really getting to know them as people. I felt so much for these characters. I felt their joy, their confusion, their grief, and all the ups and downs in between. The relationships between the characters was also a strength of this book. Logan and Rosemary’s past and how that affects their current nuanced relationship was very well fleshed out. The way their relationship is impacted by ADHD (another highlight of this book: seeing the two very different portrayals of ADHD in the main characters) also felt very believable. I especially loved the dynamic with Joe as the elder-queer-mentor and found it very special to see Joe also develop as a character throughout the book, which I feel like is rare to see with mentor type characters. I honestly didn’t care that much about the romance between Rosemary and Logan that develops throughout the book, which may be a downfall for some, but I didn't mind at all. Perhaps its because the characters and their relationship development felt so real and personal that it didn't have the magical swoony vibes of most fictional romances. And I think that's kind of beaitiful.

The subtle ways queer ?culture? was shown in this book was another thing I really enjoyed. Just little moments strewn throughout the book: when they run into the hotel owner in Idaho who has a trans daughter and there is a moment of connection, the butch mechanic and the underground drag bar in Mississippi, when Logan doesn’t get why Joe’s brother can’t help him and Joe comments how glad he is that Logan is from a time when the reason isn’t obvious. Just little moments that felt so special. And also just the portrayal of old queer people was so lovely and something I want to read more of.

Anyway, that’s about it, I don’t know how to end this. This book was really good! And it made me want to go out into the world and see cool shit!

I have been a fan of Alison Cochrun since I read her debut novel, The Charm Offensive. While I really enjoyed her sophomore book, Kiss Her Once for Me, it did not quite live up to her debut. So when I saw that she was publishing her third novel, I jumped on the chance to read it, hoping for another story to cherish. However, I only read the one sentence blurb about the book and skipped the synopsis. And that turned out to be a big mistake.

My spouse has been battling leukemia since last summer. They will finally be receiving a transplant in a couple weeks that will hopefully cure them. As a result, I have been under a lot of stress, and consequently, opting for books on the lighter side. I picked up Here We Go Again thinking it would be the light, fluff, and heartwarming story I needed, only to find a very sad novel about a father figure dying of cancer. Because this was so divergent from my expectations and hit too close to home, I will not be giving Here We Go Again a rating since I do not think I can provide a fair, impartial one.

In Here We Go Again, two former childhood best friends – Rosemary and Logan – set out on a cross country road trip to fulfill their mentor’s wish. Joe was Rosemary and Logan’s high school English teacher whom provide solstice, understanding, and a safe place for the two queer teens, Now, Joe is dying of cancer and asks his former students/surrogate daughters to drive him to his Maine cabin to die. The only problem is Rosemary and Logan now hate each other and cannot imagine spending days trapped in a car with each other.

Although Here We Go Again is labeled as a romance novel, I would argue it is more contemporary fiction with a dash of romance. The focus of the story is really the road trip and their relationship with Joe. The romance just happens along the way in chunks. I also say this because it felt like there was not a lot of build up of feelings and the like before Rosemary and Logan get together. Essentially, I was left swoonless and a bit bored in the love department.

It definitely did not help that Rosemary was an annoying, inflexible character, supposedly due to her anxiety. However, her inability to adjust to change and reactions just made me want to ring her throat. There was not much to adore. It is also worth mentioning that Logan has ADHD, which I thought was much better portrayed.

I think if I had picked up Here We Go Again at a different time when I could appreciate the storyline, rather than be filled with dread and anxiety, I would have liked it. I recommend it if you are looking for a heartwarming, yet heartbreaking novel about the impact an adult can make when they truly see and accept kids for who they are.

WELL, I’M WRECKED. Alison Cochrun can do no wrong and this was a perfect book and I have no notes and I need to go cry for a week now. This was the best story about friendship and chosen family and second chances and living on your own terms and it was devastatingly sad but also so so sweet and endearing and oh, man. Joe. JOE. The best teacher and the best man. And Rosemary and Logan are so perfect for each other and I just. Ten out of ten.

The charming queer romance novel was generally enjoyable to me; however, there were moments throughout the book where the pacing or character development felt inconsistent or not fully fleshed out, leaving some aspects feeling unbalanced.

Alison Cochrun is one of those authors who I’m so glad I gave another chance after a less than stellar experience with a first novel, because with each book of hers I read, it just gets better and better. Here We Go Again shines in every aspect: main characters you want to root for, a believable and compelling queer childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance, and an extremely heartfelt and poignant storyline that balances a developing relationship with realistic real life concerns.

Main characters Logan and Rosemary were inseparable in their childhood until the events of a single night drove them apart. Now, they’re both teachers in the same small town, both struggling with the direction their life has taken. They crash back into each other’s lives—literally, in a restaurant parking lot. Soon after, they find out that their former English teacher and lifelong mentor is dying and has a last wish: for the two of them to take him on a road trip together.

I loved Rosemary and Logan individually and together. There’s something so satisfying about two characters being on very different pages and finding their way to the same one. I’m very picky about the way miscommunication is used as a source of conflict, but the conversations and dynamic between the two of them felt so realistic, the friction believable given their circumstances. You can see why each of them acts the way they act and the life experiences that have brought them to that point. Forced proximity via road trip works incredibly well in this context.

My literal only character critique was Logan’s propensity for ‘[Famous Person First Name] Fucking [Famous Person Last Name]’ swearing every other paragraph in the novel. It would have been cute as a bit a few times, but it got distracting quickly.

Otherwise, in addition to being unapologetically queer, there’s multiple affirming sources of ADHD rep in this novel as well. There’s a diverse cast of side characters and fulfilling subplots as well, which is something all my favourite romance books and authors tend to utilize.

Speaking of things my favourite romance novels do, Here We Go Again expertly balances the scales between beauty, tragedy, and the way life can’t have one without the other. One of the reasons I bounce off of a lot of contemporary romance novels is that it feels too unrealistic. Conventions of the genre often mean the focus is narrowed on the leads, with little to no outside conflict or trauma impacting their arc. While that’s a valid form of escapism, for it to truly be romantic to me, characters have to choose to love one another in the worst of times as well as the best of times. Here We Go Again achieves this balance with aplomb. I cried, I laughed, I clutched at my chest, and I gave a wistful yet contented sigh by the end.

I’ll be in line for whatever Alison Cochrun writes next. She’s become one of my favourite romance authors and I wholeheartedly recommend Here We Go Again along with the rest of her body of work.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

*Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I didn't cry, but you might. This book is a chance to say goodbye, to leave your life with no regrets. That's just so immensely powerful and Alison Cochrun treats it with such care. Logan and Rosemary are at odds from the get-go in a delightful friends-to-enemies-to-lovers second chance plot. I really enjoyed Rosemary's journey, as I'm more of a type-A, bring a 3 ring binder on a trip, uptight kind of gal, but Logan also goes through her own transformation. You know going into this that Joe is going to die, but they really give him a worthy farewell. This book left me wanting to live life and chase my dreams, and I think that's ultimately what she wanted.

This simultaneously one of the funniest and saddest books I’ve read in awhile. I was cackling with laughter at the banter, the words of wisdom, and the funny shenanigans. But, this was ultimately a story about death and grief so there were lots of tears too. This is by far, this authors best book and the writing was smart, witty, poignant, and charming.

On the surface, this is a romance book but it is so much more. The growth and introspection of both Logan and Rosemary was relatable, messy, and made for a beautiful story. I highly recommend this one if you are looking for a fun, sad, inspiring, relatable, and deep story about love and death.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: April 2, 2024

A steamy, open door, second chance sapphic romcom. Logan and Rosemary are childhood besties who kiss as teens and then are estranged for the next 20 years, until they’re requested to accompany Joe (former teacher and mentor) on a cross-country road trip as his dying wish.

Gratuitously queer and filled with all your favorite romance tropes, this is also wildly sad in dealing with grief over a profound loss. It is SO joyful, but it also made me cry like a baby.

I enjoyed this read the most part. Although I get what the author was trying to do by having Logan call the other character by her first name or her last name, it made her very confusing start to the book and derailed my ability to relax and enjoy the story..

I looooove Alison Cochrun’s books! They are so good, I enjoyed this one a lot, perfect for a summer read!

Jumping into this one, I had no idea the ride I was about to embark on. I absolutely loved the childhood friends to enemies to lovers trope throughout this book, as well as the elements of the opposites attract trope.

I found both of these characters really endearing, I particularly had such a soft spot for Rosemary. I absolutely loved following them and their former English teacher/mentor/queer role model on this last hurrah kind of road trip. The character of Joe had me laughing out loud while simultaneously wanting to give the man a hug. Joe and the girls relationships added so much depth to this novel. I loved especially when Joe got his happy ending as well. I was so not ready for that ending, even though we all knew it was coming, lets just say tears were shed!!!!!

I really enjoyed watching both of the women come into themselves and transform one another throughout this adventure. There was some great mental health rep throughout this, especially ADHD, which I loved and appreciated. Plus I love love loveeeed the road trip aspect overall! It always kept things fresh and exciting, I was never bored!

Alison Cochrun's best book to date! A triumph of bittersweetness. Joe, Logan, and Rose will capture readers' hearts with their raw vulnerability and determination to live life while they can. This one has compelling pacing, so many notable and quotable lines, and will have readers hanging onto their seats for a finale that gently sets them down with the promise of 'as long as we both shall live.' You'll leave determined to live and love to the fullest---Brava!

This book effing destroyed me. It is so gd beautiful. There aren't many authors I'd trust to take me on a journey of grief in a romance but Alison is definitely one of them. This book hurt in the best way but is also balanced with lighter moments. Highly recommend but if you get weepy, don't plan to read the last half of this in public.

**Received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

OMG you did it again! This book kept giving me the chills. Lol
There were two romances going at the same time and from your prologue I knew which Abba song you were talking about. It made me want to cry.
I love the second chance romance but so late in life, you are never too old for love.
There were two second chances since Rosemary and Logan used to be besties but had a falling out and their favorite teacher wanted to get them back on track. If they got together that was only a bonus.
But omg Joe ! 😭
There was so much love in this book! So much fear of being rejected but surprising acceptance everywhere. Ack my heart is mush.
(I literally had to take a break because it brought up so many memories of my last moments with my Dad, which led me to watch the memorial video of his life my husband and I made. Which reminded me of all the great times and it was so cathartic and although you captured the raw grief that is death and this crazy feeling when you love has nowhere left to go and it feels like your heart is broken. What Logan said to Rosemary about not being able to go around you have to go through omg isn't that the truth?)

I am so unhappy I could not get on board with this book! I have loved this author's previous writing and maybe it was just the mood I was in but I was bored a lot of the time. I might pick it back up later on and try again.

In the words of Joe, "this isn't some Tuesday's with Morrie sh*t!"

This was my second Alison Cochrun book and this is my new favorite from her! Speaking from my lived experience as a Latina, having teacher's who looked like me was so important. I can only imagine the impact of having openly queer teachers who feel like a safe space to queer students. Their teacher turned lifelong friend, Joe (a first gen, queen, Mexican former teacher), is that person to Logan and Rosemary -- who are now teachers themselves! His impact on them can be felt through the page and is evident in how long they've kept in touch. Such a sweet basis to start their adventure.

This enemies to lovers is so well done. They dislike each other over an event in the past, but their dislike doesn't go so far that we believe they can never love each other. The contrast between self proclaimed "f*ckboy" Logan and reserved Rosemary is perfect. They both deal with their trauma so opposite of each other. A true "opposites attract" type of scenario.

Despite the sadness that can be present in their "death trip", this book has some great comedic relief to keep things from getting too heavy. That in combination with the romance, makes this a perfect read. From lines like "they burst through the shower like the Koolaid man" to "don't leave me with the mean one", this book kept me smiling.

There are cliff hanger chapters in this book that keep you wanting to turn the page. There's no need to guess who is talking in this dual POV narration. The characters names are right at the start of the chapter / section when it switches point of view. It's so nice and takes all the guessing work out. The characters, aside from the main two, are such gems and I appreciate that there's more to the story than just romance, even though just romance is great too!

Without giving any spoilers, just know that I cried while reading this book!

Just a little part to be critical on, and this isn't just an Alison Cochrun thing. I promise you we can have a childhood friends to lovers WITHOUT saying "and suddenly I'm 14 (or insert any childhood age) again" when they kiss or are intimate for the first time. I've never had a childhood crush turned lover, but I don't think it's necessary to incorporate any part of their youthful past to "this is finally happening!" for anything that happens physically. The "yay, finally" is implied without making references to minors. I think it only happened twice for kissing, but still not my fave.

Such a good road trip based read. :) Thank you NetGalley for this ARC of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Content warning, alcoholism, loss of family/friend., and probably more -- check them out.

Alison Cochrun has done it again! Here We Go Again is equal parts poignant, funny, romantic, and adventurous. This book is full of heart and a new romance favorite that fans of Steven Rowley, Anita Kelly, and, of course, Alison Cochrun will absolutely love.

Rosemary Hale and Logan Maletis might both be teachers in their tiny hometown’s high school, but they couldn’t be more different. Rosemary is an uptight perfectionist who loves an organized binder and her personal uniform of pencil skirts and heels. Logan is a human trainwreck, still living with her dad at 32 and leaving a string of broken hearts in her wake. What they have in common is their fraught history as middle school best friends turned high school enemies, and their abiding love and loyalty to their high school English teacher Joe.

When Joe gets the news that he is officially dying after a four year bout with cancer, he enlists his two favorite former students to drive him cross country to die at his old cottage in Bar Harbor, ME. The two women agree to put their differences aside to fulfill Joe’s dying wish, and they set off on a road trip that forces them all to face their regrets and open themselves up for love.

This is a truly beautiful book that leans into death, grief, queer belonging, and family trauma. None of the characters are perfect—but they are all deeply lovable. Watching them grow and evolve over the course of this book is a true joy.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the eARC!

God damn this was so good but so heavy. I teared up so often all throughout and it really made the book a heartwarming read. I enjoyed the moments of bonding during Joe's trip, but I did get a bit sick of Logan's immaturity and the pop culture references. I get using comedic relief but I just wasn't laughing along with it after some very tender moments with Joe. Idk I still love Alison Cochrun this just wasn't my favorite of hers.

4.5 stars is my initial impression. This book is sweet and touching and sometimes sad-and it will make you cry. It is full of adventure and humor and will make you laugh out loud. It has a lot of substance wrapped up in a rom-com and will make you appreciate your loved ones, quirks and all. When Logan and Rosemary get roped into driving their former teacher, Joe, from the west coast to the east coast on his "death trip," as he calls it, none of them have any clue what heart-expanding, life-changing things will happen along the way. It is affirming in every sense of the word, and I loved my time reading it.