Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed Alison Cochrun's other sapphic novel, Kiss Her Once for Me, so I had high expectations going into this book. I liked that Kiss Her Once for Me was a hilarious and sweet rom-com that actually spent time touching on some deeper themes, as well. Here We Go Again absolutely exceeded my expectations - similarly, it balanced romance and serious topics, but it was like five times more intense (in the best way). It made me laugh, cry, and genuinely connect with each of the three main characters. I loved it so much!

The author refers to this book as a rom-com about death, and that's a fantastic description. The story follows Logan and Rosemary, who used to be best friends in middle school, but turned into enemies after an awkward incident when they were fourteen. Now 32 years-old, both women teach English at their old high school and still can't stand one another. The one thing they seem to have in common is Joe, their former teacher who has cemented himself as a gay father figure in both of their lives. When Joe is given only a few months to live, his dying wish is that Logan and Rosemary bury their feud and drive him (and his dog) from their town in Washington across the country to Bar Harbor, Maine. What starts out as a seemingly straightforward trip turns into a long adventure as they take detours, meet new people, and slowly repair their broken relationship along the way.

This is a beautiful book! Alison Cochrun finds a perfect balance between the romance, all of the comedic moments, and the grief of Joe's impending death. This is definitely not a light romance; it has some graphic depictions of Joe's struggle with pancreatic cancer. So, I strongly urge folks to only pick this up if they're prepared to read a heavy story. However, I also really appreciated that it never felt overly melancholy - grief and death are portrayed authentically (and, don't get me wrong, I was crying pretty much straight through the last 20% of the book), but there is also so much joy, celebration of life and queer communities, and love that is just as present in the story as the sad moments. Here We Go Again is, at its heart, about the beauty and pain of loving other people. It does a wonderful job of showcasing both of those things.

I also appreciated that there was never much time spent on other trauma. Logan, Rosemary, and Joe all went through trauma in their lives before the road trip. Their backstories are explained, but the trauma is never the focus of the story. They don't encounter much homophobia on their road trip; the first half of the book almost feels cozy at times, because there are so many sweet moments throughout their journey. In my experience, a lot of books (particularly LGBTQ+ stories) spend time having the characters emotionally overcome all of their past hardships, and there can sometimes be too many dark topics for one book to tackle, so then each individual issue doesn't get the attention it deserves. That doesn't happen here. The author doesn't shy away from the struggles that shaped her characters, but she also does not make those topics a focal point. As a result, the plot feels very balanced between light and heavy moments, and it is easier to read about Joe's illness, because it is given the necessary amount of attention.

I loved Alison Cochrun's writing in this book. It's descriptive, but not overly detailed. She gave me just enough information that I felt like I truly understood each character. There are so many gorgeous little moments. The dialogue is great, too. There were many lines that the characters said that stopped me in my tracks and made me reflect on my own life. However, the dialogue also feels real. The characters and their actions and words are so genuine. The author wrote the characters in such a believable way - with all of the heart, humanity, and imperfections of actual people.

Speaking of the characters, I loved all of them! Typically, when reading books where the point of view shifts between two people, I usually have a preferred perspective. But I liked Logan and Rosemary equally. I could see small pieces of myself in both of them. I sympathized with both of their struggles, and I loved getting to see them grow throughout the story. It was interesting to read about how they both had ADHD that manifested very differently. I appreciated the honest and caring way that neurodivergence was portrayed (there's a moment where Logan tells Rosemary that her brain is an asset, rather than a liability, that just made me tear up instantly). Joe is such a fun addition to the group; he shines the brightest out of all of the characters. I also liked the side characters - Remy, Odie, and even Logan's dad are all so sweet.

I don't have much to critique with this one. It looks like some reviewers were annoyed by Logan's constant use of celebrity names in curse words, but that didn't bother me (pop culture references can be hit or miss for me, but I thought the random name drops of queer icons were kind of comical). The only critical comment I might make is that the romance built up a lot in the first half, but then kind of took a back seat in the second half of the story. That certainly made sense near the end, given everything going on with Joe as the story progressed. However, there was a time (around the 60-70% mark) when they all were happy and living in kind of a fever dream, and I wish the romance had the same momentum then as it did during the initial buildup... That is super minor, though, because I still feel the romance was well done throughout the story.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes romance books! Even if romance isn't your typical genre, you might enjoy this if you're looking for a novel that will make you feel something. It's probably one of the top ten books that have made me cry the most in all my years reading. But I also chuckled out loud and grinned and got goose bumps and so much more! Here We Go Again is just so good. Plus, there's a cute dog and a road trip. What's not to love?

5 out of 5 stars.

OOF! This one dished up a whole lot more emotions than I was expecting!

Logan and Rosemary were childhood best friends until a kiss in junior high changed everything. They both teach now at the high school they went to, and seem to be enemies. However, they both have a deep love for Joe, their gay high school teacher who showed them both acceptance and helped them deal with all that life threw at them.

Joe is dying and has one last request. He wants a road trip to a home he has in Maine and wants to be able to live his last days there. And he wants both Logan and Rosemary to join him.

Logan is a love 'em and leave 'em gal. She picks up women, hooks up and goes on. No attachments. She is very close with her dad, but her mom left when she was a child and never looked back, which explains her attachment issues. Rosemary is superteacher, but has her own anxiety that she hides from the word by perfection.

They agree, reluctantly, to join him and off they go in an interesting van with Joe and his dog. Rosemary has the trip mapped out to the detail. But things don't work out quite to her plans. Remy was another wonderful character.

This book just touched my heart. Emotional, sad, sweet, romantic, found family. It just had it all!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun
Release Date: 4/2/24
Format: ebook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“This is love. Love is seeing perfection in every flaw. Seeing every flaw as a miracle because it belongs to the person you care about most. Love is saying, yes, still. Even after all these years.”

Alison Cochrun ripped me apart and put me back together with this beautiful story of grief and vulnerability disguised as a sapphic romance. It is a sapphic romance, but it is so much more.

This book is about chosen family, about self acceptance, about being flawed and messy and imperfect but wanting to be better for the people you love. It’s about accepting love even if you’re not sure you deserve it.

It is also fucking hilarious. I knew this book would wreck me when I realized what it was about (seriously I ugly cried most of the last 25%) but I almost forgot how witty and fun Cochrun’s writing is. David fucking Bowie, I just loved it!!

This book is out in just a few short days and you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t pick it up immediately. This is one of the best books I’ve read in so long and I’m incredibly grateful for the advanced copy from @netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Forever an Alison Cochrun hype girlie, but this one just blew me away!

This book had me full on sobbing on a plane. I adore Cochrun’s world building. Her characters are so well-developed, the way she builds her romance will melt your heart, and she has no problem tackling real world, deep issues. The writing is so heartfelt and sincere, with a lot of fun built in. And this story will blow you away.

I’ve loved her other two books, but this one is by far my favorite. I grew deeply attached to everyone in this book and they are going to stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for this ARC. Here We Go Again is out this Tuesday, 4/2!

Finally! It took me three weeks to get through this book. After a glacially slow start, once I got to the 50% mark the story really took off! I’m not sure that its slow start is entirely the book’s fault; I had just finished a REALLY intense book that hijacked my brain for awhile after I finished it, so that book hangover may have affected my attention span. I absolutely loved the second half of this book, it even tried to make me cry there at the end, and almost succeeded- I got teary eyed for sure. It was a beautiful story about found family, dignity in death, forgiveness and being true to oneself. The LGBT+ and mental health representation was really lovely to see in this book. I saw it called a death rom-com somewhere and that really sums it up well. Whowouldathunk that that was a genre that could work.

Logan and Rosemary were best friends as tweens, enemies as teens, didn’t see each other for a decade, and now enemy co-workers teaching at the same high school they attended. They’re also complete opposites in personality and demeanor and are constantly antagonizing each other. They’re also both completely dedicated to their former teacher and mentor Joe who is dying of cancer. When Joe wants both girls to drive him across the country so that he can die in his remote cottage, they think it’s a terrible idea, but then give in because they both want to honor Joe’s wishes. And it’s pretty much an awful road trip, with arguing and detours and dodgy accommodations. But through this trip, everyone gets to deal with all of their past regrets and inner demons and actually communicate with each other. And while the death trip is sad and full of grief, we do get to see Logan and Rosemary reconcile and begin to understand each other better. Funny, heartbreaking, and so very delightful to read.

Here We Go Again is an emotional tale of two former friends turned enemies who reunite for a road trip with their mentor. The characters are messy but likable, and oh so relatable. The concept is good and relatively realistic, and the characters have good growth throughout the book. However, the pacing dragged a bit in the middle and the syntax can be off sometimes - one of the main characters has such an odd way of swearing that took me out of the story more than once. There are also way too many pop culture references.

This book was great but painful for me in some parts. The grief and the miscommunication.

I think the beauty in this book was how the two women were friends, went to the same school, had two different experiences and now get to heal. They assumed things about the other person and finally in this trip they get to talk about their issues and the things that separated them.

I thought this book was great, made me want to cry.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a very cute story that definitely has its ups and downs but ultimately ends on a great note. Some of the runnings gags got old and the back and forth emotions of the characters were frustrating at times, but overall this is an enjoyable read.

I loved Kiss her Once for me and enjoyed this one just as much! It was funny, sweet, heartwarming, spicy, and sad all at once. Definitely recommend!

How dare this book pull me in with its cute concept and have me violently sobbing by the end.

I came for the sapphic romance, stayed for the queer found family and philosophical heartwarming/heartbreaking narrative about making the most of your life while you’ve got it.

To be honest, I wasn’t obsessed with the romance between the main characters. I loved all of the characters individually, but I don’t see this couple standing the test of time. But for the glimpse we get at their story, I loved it. I also loved how there were queer characters in all these little random small towns across America - community can really be found anywhere!

Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.

Okay for real this time, TOP READ OF THE YEAR. Mamma Mia? CHECK. Enemies to lovers? CHECK. Only one bed. DOUBLE CHECK!!!! This book made me laugh and cry. As a queer teacher I hope I can make Joe’s impact for my students one day. AND THE ODYSSEY REFERENCE, IM GOOPED AND GAGGEDThis book is the physical manifestation of queer joy and solidarity. Every character goes on their own beautiful journey. While going on the most chaotic roadtrip through the USA.

Read This Book If…you were a little obsessed with your high school English teacher.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Here We Go Again by Alison Cochran

Please note: this was an ARC provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: queer romance
Spice Level: 3/5🌶, 1-2 explicit scenes
Setting: across USA
POV: dual, 3rd person, present tense
Tropes: childhood friends to enemies to lovers, small town, road trip, opposites attract, hurt/comfort, one bed, virgin

My Thoughts: Warning - emotional damage ahead!!! This is no light summer romcom, but I loved it all the same. I thought the anxiety and ADHD rep were well-done and I loved learning more about the love interests past. The romance does take a bit of a backseat in this read, but their relationship with their teacher and the adventures they had across the country were amazing!

Memorable Quote: “My heart still loved you on instinct. Loving you was like breathing. My body just knew what to do.”

Alison Cochran has done it again! I didn’t think I would be able to love her books more but this might be my favorite yet! I laughed. I cried. I felt so deeply. Here We Go Again is perfect.

From the enemies-to-lovers arc to the Mamma Mia inspiration to the incredible descriptions of settings and place (and GI smells), I loved every detail. The love - and different types of love - depicted all felt so real.

If this book were a song: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰

Rosemary and Logan were best friends. Inseparable. From ages 11 to 14, they spent their days tromping through the woods, singing ABBA songs, and helping each other through the rough parts of growing up.

But that was then. This is now.

Today they are 32 year old women teaching English at their Alma mater. Logan never left, Rosemary recently returned.

Rosemary remains uptight, her OCD and anxiety manifesting itself in lists and label makers and holding everything too close. Logan, wild and chaotic, is something of a self proclaimed “f*ckboy” who doesn’t let anyone close so she won’t get hurt when it ends.

And the two women are no longer friends, haven’t been in almost 20 years. There’s a story there but both are afraid to touch it — maybe they were in love as teenagers, maybe they could be again.

Enter Joe, the only person who could bring them together. Their former English teacher and de facto father is dying, and he wants them to drive him across the country from Portland, Washington to Bar Harbor, Maine before he dies.

Reluctantly the two agree and what happens next is nothing you could have predicted.

The book started slow for me, and initially Rosemary and Logan were both difficult to like. It’s Joe, though, who is the heart of the story. Joe, a dying gay man who survived the AIDS crisis in the 80s, who was once a drag queen, who was the town’s most beloved teacher.

The trip is cathartic and lovely, ugly and difficult. It’s perfect.

Having recently lost my own father, having held his hand as he died, this book touched so authentically on dying, grief, and love. Beautiful — so beautiful I sobbed through the last fourth of the book in the best way.

Thanks to NetGalley and Artria for the ARC to read and review. Available this week, April 2, 2024.

A bucket list road trip and second chance romance combine in this funny and spirited novel about Logan, Rosemary, and Joe, the teacher who inspired and cared for both of them. Joe is dying and he's determined to have his final moments in Bar Harbor so he ropes Logan and Rosemary into driving him (and his dog) there. This is a road trip for the ages. Logan and Rosemary have a back story and they both have issues that have stymied their romantic lives. About the only thing they agree on is Joe- but that will change as they drive. You know how things will eventually work out for the two of them (or do you?) if you're a fan of this genre but this is about the journey and about Joe. If only we all had a teacher like Joe in our lives. He's got a big back story too. No spoilers from me. I liked this for the funny moments, the music, the books, the poignant moments, and the positive spirit. Thanks to the publisher for the arc. It's a good read that became a page turner for me.

this book was so achingly beautiful. it hurt. a lot. a lot more than i was expecting it to which is my own fault because i went in almost completely blind because i love alison’s writing and sapphic roadtrip sounded fun and mamma mia title!!!!! couldn’t ask for anything else!!
but here we go again was so much more than that!! such a tender, real exploration of grief and grieving someone who hasn’t even passed yet with such great caretaking representation. i don’t think I have ever read a book with this kind of representation and it was so unique and filled the story with so much more depth and emotion. joe is such an entertaining character full of so much heart and wisdom and watching him interact with Rosemary and Logan, and also just watching his own storyline unfold was so special. when I wasn’t literally sobbing my eyes out I had the biggest smile on my face watching Joe interact with his girls, and read them for filth constantly.
and those girls!! god!! i loved them with my whole heart. When starting the book I was very confidently on “team Logan” I felt so bad for someone who was so clearly scarred and misunderstood and even though she was flawed and came off a little cold sometimes (I mean don’t we all????) I just wanted everyone to hug her and be nice to her and tell her it’s going to be okay. but of course!!!! not even a quarter of the way in I was so won over by rosemary too. I loved seeing them interact and pretend they didn’t both care so deeply about each other and didn’t miss each other’s friendship more than anything. and I also loved seeing their friendship transform into so much more, while also doing all sorts of personal growth and development.
this was truly just such a heart warming read. It will hurt, I stayed up until 3am to finish this and did in fact wake up with absurdly puffy eyes, but every single second will be so worth it.

**thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!**

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 2 chilis
Pub date: 4/2

All the stars for Alison Cochrun’s newest release! When I picked this up I was not expecting to ugly cry my way through it. This book packs an emotional punch, while also being lighthearted and swoony. I’m not sure how Cochrun managed to write such a romantic story about death, but here we are!

This delightful queer rom-com takes you on a journey packed with humor and heart. Logan and Rosemary, once childhood best friends turned bitter rivals, are thrown together for a cross-country road trip with their former teacher, Joe, who wants to see some of the country before he dies. What ensues is a rollercoaster of emotions, mishaps, and self-discovery that will tug at your heartstrings.

The dynamic between Logan and Rosemary is electric, with Logan's free-spirited nature clashing beautifully against Rosemary's structured world. Their banter is as witty as it is endearing, keeping you hooked from start to finish. And let's not forget about Joe, their wise gay mentor whose presence adds emotional depth and wisdom to the narrative. As much as I cried my way through this one, I laughed just as hard. The ridiculous situations they find themselves in along with the hilarious banter had me laughing out loud more than once.

While the premise may seem light-hearted, "Here We Go Again" delves into heavier themes of grief and identity with grace and sensitivity. The exploration of death and its impact on relationships is particularly poignant, lending the story a layer of emotional depth that will linger with you long after you've turned the final page.

Overall, this is a charming blend of romance, comedy, and profound introspection. If you're craving an emotional read that will also make you laugh and swoon, look no further. This road trip of a lifetime is one you won't want to miss!

Thank you so much to Atria for my advanced copy. Read if you like:
*sapphic romance
*road trips
*second chance romance
*enemies-to-lovers
*emotional reads
*opposites attract

God this book made me cry. A good road trip romance is always my weakness but combined with elements of grief. I enjoyed this and found it to be so heartfelt. i love alison as an author and will continue to check out her books.

I absolutely love (childhood) best friends to lovers and I absolutely love Alison Cochrun.
I also really love a good road trip story and I think (like any of her books) this would make for an excellent movie!!!
I really liked the overall story of these two bonding again while driving their old favourite teacher across the country, and I really liked the ADHD and demi rep. Joe was a sweet and funny guy and I loved his great lovestory. But the two MCs were just often so annoying I just couldn’t really get into it.
Sadly this book drove me real crazy with the two MCs being in their 30s, but mostly acting like teenagers. I’m also in my thirties and if I’d ever see another person my age stomp their foot on the ground like a toddler with a tantrum I’d laugh my ass off.
The “cussing with celebrity names” thing was so annoying! For me the pacing was off, with some things dragging on for too long, which would have worked in a movie, but not in a book.
I didn’t love it in the end, but it was also not bad, just sadly not a new favourite of mine like her others books were.