TW: grief, cancer, loss

This is the story of Logan and Rosemary, former friends, who now teach at the same high school in Washington. They set off on an adventure as their mutual friend and English teacher Joe, is dying of Pancreatic Cancer and needs help to fulfill his dream to end his life in Maine by the sea.

While Logan and Rosemary appear polar opposites their chemistry is undeniable and it comes to life as they are trapped in a van together and they make their cross country trek. While this rom-con does have many laughs, what stuck me the most was story of Joe and his relationships with the two women as he prepared them for his death. Personally I felt her writing was excellent as she explored the themes of grief and loss and doesn’t shy away from how complicated this pain may be.

** thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC and chance to read and review **

BOOK REVIEW

First of all…….. LOGAN *fing* MALETIS & ROSEMARY *fing* HALE
5/5 Stars (I wish I could give this book more stars, phenomenal)

This is basically a sapphic rom com about death. I know it sounds morbid but it is actually really beautiful and amazing. I will preface PLEASE read the trigger warnings before reading there is on and off page death.

This book was everything I have never wept so much reading a book. Happy tears, sad tears, angry tears, tears of how much I love love. Rosemary and Logan’s story will be one I will never stop thinking about. I could feel how personal and raw Alison’s words were. This story was so relatable for me and this just made me cry harder. I will be telling everyone I know to read it. I cannot wait to have a physical copy in my hands. I felt like I was right there with Logan and Rosemary on their road trip. Cochran knocked this one out of the park, it is absolute perfection. The way Logan watches Rosemary sing in drag had me in a PUDDLE. I melted again and again reading this book. I think I have truly found my new favorite sapphic rom-com.

This book represents queer teachers as icons you look up to, to the art of drag and how in some states this is still done in basements away from the eye of the public because of political views. The art of drag is so important in the world and drag is close to my heart. I grew up watching drag shows and it is important for the world to see it and know it.

I am SO incredibly grateful to have received an ARC of this book. I will be promoting the Alison *fing* Cochrun out of this book. I can not say enough incredible things about this book. Thank you so much for this incredible story Alison.

Thank you to Atria Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I know it's early, but I'm going to go ahead and mark this as one of my top books of the year. I love Alison Cochrun and her complex queer characters, but Logan and Rosemary are my favorite by far. Not to mention how absolutely in love you fall with Joe and Remy. This book broke my heart and it also made me swoon and laugh out loud. This book is phenomenal and I think literally everyone should read it. I would rather die than go on a road trip, but god I loved reading about this one.

Lesbian rom coms forever!!! :)

I want to start by saying that 3 stars, for me, is a perfectly respectible book.
I can't quite put my finger on why this book took me so long to get through. I generally liked the characters, and the best friends to enemies to lovers troupe was predictable in a good way. I ADORED Cochran's The Charm Offensive, so maybe my expectations were really high?
In the story, childhood best friends Rosemary and Logan have a misunderstanding that has them hating each other through high school and into adulthood. However, they both had a very special father-figure relationship with their high school English teacher, Joe. When Joe's cancer turns terminal, he asks the two women to travel with him back to his old home in Maine to die. An antic-filled road trip ensues, bringing Logan and Rosemary closer together and making them both confront the past.
As with her other books, there's neurodiverse rep (both MCs have ADHD, which manifests differently in each). I liked the matter-of-fact, natural way this was included in the story.
I think part of what made it hard to read was knowing grief was coming. Joe is dying. And while I love tragic love stories, loss and grief over the death of a parental figure hit close to home. My heart was properly wrenched.
Here We Go Again was an overall good read.

I received this ARC from @netgalley and publisher @simonbooks in exchange for an honest review.

Here We Go Again will be released April 2, 2024.

Once inseparable childhood friends, Logan Maletis and Rosemary Hale's bond shattered in high school, turning them into bitter foes for a decade. Fast forward to their thirties when they're trapped in mundane lives as teachers in their small town, far from the adventurous futures they once dreamed of. Rosemary's life revolves around order and stability, while Logan, a chaotic free spirit, shields herself with a nonchalant attitude.

Despite their efforts to avoid each other, fate keeps pushing them together - or rather crashing together, when Logan hits Rosemary’s car. The unexpected twist in their lives comes when their beloved former English teacher reveals he has only a few weeks left to live. To honor his last wish, they embark on a cross-country road trip. What starts as a trip to say goodbye to the most influential person in both their lives might just end with a reunion of kindred spirits.

A testament to the teachers who shaped us and made us feel safe? A road trip to grant someone their last dying wish that also confronts you with the woman that is sorta, kinda the one that got away AND there’s a dog thrown into the mix? Childhood friends to enemies to lovers?
In theory, Here We Go Again should have been a homerun for me.
In reality, I had a hard time getting through it.

And that was in great part down to the fact that I just couldn’t connect to the characters. Logan was a thorn in my side from the very first time she insisted that Rosemary is straight and it didn’t really get better when she learned that Rosemary wasn’t, in fact straight. Logan is a deeply flawed character (and I absolutely adore how the author portrays flawed characters, huge points for that) and goes through a lot of growth in this, but the repetitive regressing to what is called the “fuckboy” vibes throughout the book made me want to tear my hair out. Again, this is a testament to the author’s writing talent because I did feel a lot of emotions for this book, I just wish there was a point where I actually liked or rooted for the couple.
It really comes down to personal preference though. While I’m sure that, for example, no one else is going to cringe the way I did every time Logan would swear by using famous women (e.g. “Janelle fucking Monet”), it just constantly reminded me that I was reading a story that wasn’t real and thus made me miss that escapist quality I usually adore about Cochrun’s writing.
Similarly, while everyone is probably going to say that Rosemary is whiny, I just felt incredibly sad for her. Throughout huge parts of the story, I kept flinching with the way everyone treated her unfairly, even after they were “kinder” towards her because of her anxiety. Yes, Rosemary also has flaws and secrets she keeps and is by no means infallible, but in the end, I just think that she deserved a whole lot better than she got in this book.
Even with Joe’s story, I felt so detached throughout it all. I guess in a way, what I was missing with this book was the heart of it all.

All that being said, Cochrun’s prose is still unparalleled and invites you to keep on turning the pages. And I’m sure that readers will feel just as heartbroken about Joe’s diagnosis and his last dying wish as I did. This really is a love letter to the teachers who shape us and become a huge part of who we want to grow up to be and for that, I applaud this story. Not to mention that the descriptions of the scenery and the reminiscing of old highlights in Joe’s lives absolutely draws you in on a regular basis. There are some shenanigans, some moments that will make you chuckle and a dramatic moment in the rain that will have you blasting Taylor Swift for the remainder of the day (you know which song I’m talking about).
So while this may have not been a new favorite for me, I still wholeheartedly believe that Cochrun’s writing is some of the best out there and am excited for what’s yet to come.

Buckle up and join two childhood-friends-turned-enemies-turned-reluctant-allies in Here We Go Again, a road trip adventure that honors the impact teachers can have on your whole life’s trajectory.

Here We Go Again follows two women, Logan and Rosemary, who were friends that became enemies and now have to go on a cross-country road trip together for their dying former teacher, Joe. I loved this! As someone who had a special attachment to a teacher in high school that made me want to become a teacher, I deeply felt the love between Joe and the girls. Their story is heart-wrenching but also carries such a beautiful outlook on death and life that honestly made me more optimistic about my own life. I did feel there was a roughly fifty-page segment that dragged a little, but the story came back together to give a satisfying and lovely ending. You will definitely cry at this one!

This story was gorgeous! I don’t think anything will beat my love of The Charm offensive but this is definitely close! I love the friends to strangers to lovers trope and the road trip was the best setting for this!

This story made my heart ache in the best way possible! When pancreatic cancer was mentioned (not spoiler as disclosed early on) I knew this would be an emotionally tough read since it's also ripped away a beloved person from my life far too quickly, and so brought back a lot of difficult memories. This was written so beautifully and tenderly - who knew a romcom about a loved one slowly dying could be so heartwarming? As always, Alison Cochrun's characters remain so delightful in their growth and humour, even when tackling such a difficult and sensitive subject. Yet another undisputed 5-star read from one of the top queer romance authors.

Thank you so much Atria and NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Rosemary and Logan were childhood best friends but at 14 they turn enemies and end up strangers into adulthood. When their English teacher turned close friend requests a final road-trip as he reaches the end of his battle with cancer they can’t refuse his request. With a complicated past how will they survive this road-trip and will the forced proximity lead to something more?

I think this book is a perfect example of using a romance book to have difficult conversations. Going into the book we know Joe is at the end of his life and Rosemary and Logan have that thought in the back of their mind the entire time. We see the characters thinking about the grief they will experience and learn how to love and learn to trust and forgive. I loved the way all of the characters grew during their trip.

This book is a love letter to teachers showing how being present and open to your students can make such an impact. I loved the character of Joe he was so funny and wise and it made me wish I had him as a teacher. To see that even all these years later he made such an impact on students was so beautiful to see.

The whole time I read this book I thought it would make a perfect movie. The descriptions were so exceptional I could picture everything. This book is a new favorite!

I absolutely loved this book. I did not think that I would like this too much after learning that Joe would be on the road trip as well, but my mind was very quickly changed. I loved the dynamic between Joe and the girls, and the dynamic between the girls themselves. This was a great book of self-discovery, self-reflection, love, grief, discovering hope, and so much more. I could not recommend this book more.

This book should come with a warning (it did), because I wasn’t prepared (even though I did indeed read the warning).

Joe, a retired high school teacher, asks two former students and former best friends to drive him across the country to die. He specifically wants to make it to a cottage he lived in 30 years ago that holds bittersweet memories.

Rosemary and Logan were childhood friends turned enemies. They haven’t been close in 18 years despite working in the same school for the past four. They both, however, have maintained a special relationship with Joe. He asks them both to accompany him on this trip, while not so subtly pushing them to reconcile. Joe’s relationship with both Rosemary and Logan is so special that they ultimately agree.

Rosemary is an uptight dictator at the start of their journey, whereas Logan and Joe conspire to make detours, eat greasy food, and throw out the meticulously planned schedule. They wind up veering off course pretty quickly visiting parks, roadside attractions, chasing down ghosts from Joe’s past, and even having a sweet reunion with a very special person from his younger years.

Rosemary and Logan each go on a deeply personal emotional journey as well, but for the most part the romance pales in comparison to the deep love and connection they’ve forged with Joe.

There were a lot of pop culture references that didn’t really land, and it made me a bit nauseous that Logan was constantly described as having food on her face, but there was just something special about this one. 4.5⭐️

"Here We Go Again" by Alison Cochrun is a gorgeously rendered romantic comedy and romantic tragedy - the motif of the "prickly pear" is reoccurring throughout this novel, and it's apt: while "Here We Go Again" will be shelved next to fun, vivacious love stories, its action on-screen is decidedly bittersweet. When bitter enemies Rosemary and Logan agree to drive their dying English teacher to Bar Harbor, they figure it'll be an uncomfortable five days in the car. When plans go awry, sparks fly - but their love story is against the backdrop of the slow, unfair death of a loved one. This book had me laughing, crying, and grateful for every moment spent with loved ones. It's sweet, snarky, and utterly sincere. Every character in this book was interesting and layered. I've enjoyed Cochrun's other works, but "Here We Go Again" is a cut above - recommended not just to romance fans, but fans of sweet, sad stories in general.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this eArc of <i>Here We Go Again</i>. All opinions are my own.

Whoo boy, oh boy, has Allison Cochrun done it again. Her third book baby, <i>Here We Go Again</i>, has what we can expect from a Cochrun novel at this point—lovable but very flawed characters, fantastic queer representation, and a storyline that will likely tug on your heartstrings.

So does this book have all of those key ingredients? Yes, and high quality ones at that. But BOY, oh boy, does Cochrun turn up the flavor of them in this book. When I say that I was bawling—BAWLING—at many points during the book, I mean no exaggeration.

The books centers around dhe grumpy/sunshine pair, Rosemary and Logan, who find themselves thrown together to give their beloved high school English teacher (the nod to Cochrun's former profession there was a nice touch) Joe the road trip of his life...because he's dying. So yes, we already knew this book has a dying man in it. But the way that this books brings all of the characters together, apart, together again, and what they truly learn about living along the way is just chef's kiss perfection.

I will say that if you are heartless, don't bother reading this book, because the joy in reading it was honestly the pain I felt, too. This book was everything I needed at the time I read it: a vehicle for a good cry, a book about English teachers (of which I am also one), and the everlasting connections that teachers make with their students.

A best friends to enemies to lovers sapphic road trip romance? Sign me up! This definitely has a lot of hijinks, swoony moments, and explorations of queer identity. However, it’s super important to know that the main driving force of the plot is Rosemary and Logan’s former English teacher and mentor asking them to drive him across the country so that he can die in his old house. So it’s way heavier than the cover and much of the synopsis implies.

I really enjoyed getting to know the main characters, their history, and seeing what they want from the future. The dynamic of Logan being more carefree and wild while Rosemary wants to have everything scheduled down to the minute made for a lot of compelling scenes. Joe, their former teacher, was also an amazing character. I loved how he was an elder gay mentor for them and getting to hear his stories of living through the 80s added a lot to the overall story.

The ending of the book definitely made me emotional. The explorations of death and grief and how different people react in those situations were handled really well within the story. It was rewarding to see where Logan and Rosemary end up at the close of the story and to see how the road trip forced them to reexamine parts of their lives that they wanted to change.

Definitely check this one out if you’re in the market for a book that’s a mix of a sapphic romcom and a story of found family and grief.

A sweet, second chance sapphic romance featuring former best friends who have to team up to fulfill their dying beloved English teacher’s last wish—a cross-country road trip. With a giant dog. In an extremely gay van. And lots of detours.

This book packs an emotional punch, for sure. I cried a lot. But it’s also got some charming lighter moments.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

If I had to pick one word to describe this book, it’d be… devastating.

Devastating as in: I was absolutely wrecked by the romance. Devastating as in: I was SOBBING while reading the last few chapters of the book (and really, on and off throughout the entire thing). Devastating as in: I think I busted a rib from laughing so hard at points because yes, this book is the perfect mix of deep emotions and romcom hilarity.

This romance follows Logan and Rosemary, two women with a complicated past. At one point best friends, they had a falling out that led to resentment and dislike throughout their high school years. Now, they have both found themselves back at the same high school they grew up in, but this time as teachers. And again, they find themselves at odds. When their mentor and old English teacher, Joe, tells the two women that his dying wish is a road trip to Maine with them, Rosemary and Logan must confront their difficult emotions for each other as they drive across the country.

So. I’m three for three on absolutely loving Alison Cochrun’s books. She just understands the assignment, ya know? And a big part of my love for this book is, of course, our main characters. Rosemary – uptight and in need of control – was pretty relatable to me. Logan, seemingly confident but not-to-secretly terrified of dealing with Real Emotions was endlessly compelling. And Joe – oh man. I want Joe to be <i>my</i> gay uncle figure.

And the romances…! (Yes, plural!) Beautiful, heartbreaking, sexy, and so, so funny. My heart was swelling and I was crying at how much I loved these characters and their relationships.

In conclusion… pick up this book if you like reading about any of the following: Longing. Repression of feelings. Complex dynamics. Learning how to face your mental health. Mamma Mia. Epic, decades-spanning romances. Journeys and odysseys. Asexuality. And yes, frequent references to Jane Austen’s most underrated work, Persuasion, which just works way too well with this story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review

5⭐️

*TW: Death of a parental figure*

Logan Maletis and Rosemary Hale used to be best friends in school. But after a night of spin the bottle goes wrong, they finish their high school career as bitter rivals before not talking for ten years. Outside of their current jobs as teachers at the local high school, there's only one thing that could bring them back together after so many years. Joe, their former English teacher that was a parental figure for both of them.

Joe has been fighting cancer for the past few years and is entering hospice. But before he does, he has one last request or Logan and Rosemary. He asks them to take him on a road trip across the country so he can die at his East Coast beach house where he last saw his long lost love. That's how Logan and Rosemary find themselves in the Queer Cuddler, the gayest van ever with a dying man and his emotional support dog driving cross country for one last trip. And what better time to address the issues between each other when there's no place else to go?

I loved everything about this. This has two queer, neurodivergent characters that display both their queerness and their neurodivergance in completely different ways. Logan is pure chaos, always going with the flow while Rosemary had their itinerary mapped out down to the minute. At any given time I feel like a combination of Rosemary and Logan combined and I loved watching them find someone who can accept them at their worst and truly understands them.

I absolutely adored Joe. He was this kind, patient, mentoring figure in both girls life and the love he had for them really came off the page. Watching him throughout this road trip trying to make the best of the time he had left and him eventually getting his second chance with the love of his life was so heartwarming. His dry wit played well with Logan and his understanding really helped Rosemary thrive. I have never cried so hard over a fictional character than I did for Joe.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for providing this ARC to me!

For the amount that I cried at the end, this was a delightful read. There is a trigger warning at the beginning so I knew I'd be crying. I really liked all the characters and the idea. Not to get too heavy but I think as society, we often try to avoid death when it's a part of everyone's life at some point. Even, maybe, when you're falling in love. Really, this was a great read.

Alison Cochrun never fails to nail a deeply emotional, moving, and heartfelt romance. Here We Go Again punches straight in the feels, but also brings the laugh and charm. Still forever an auto-buy author for me!

What a delight! Funny, heartwarming, and sexy, this is a must read for any reader searching for a feel good romance.

The two main characters are childhood best friends turned enemies who reluctantly reunite to take their beloved dying English teacher on a cross country trip to hospice.

This book had a good combination of armchair travel, fast pace, funny situations and an adorable female-female romance. This reminded me of Guncle, if Guncle had an aging, terminally ill senior instead of children who had just lost their mother.

If you are looking for something spicy, this may not be for you. Really more of a closed door romance. But I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for other readers to discover it!