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!

a book i never thought i needed until now. this second chance roadtrip changes the character’s lives forever. this book will make you laugh, hope, and most definitely cry. logan’s character development was really beautiful and i love how the roadtrip was such a formative adventure that she needed without knowing. alison cochrun never disappoints. her 5 star streak continues.

This was just so funny and sweet and ABSOLUTELY HEARTBREAKING. God, everything about Logan and Rosemary was just so good in terms of how you can love someone and just not know how to talk to them. And Joe! Joe was so great and absolutely stole the show in a way I wasn’t expecting, I started crying when he passed away even though I KNEW that’s what was coming.

But also, Allison, can we please have the Joe and Remy prequel book at some point? I need to see these darlings alive and in love and living their best lives!

(This is an honest review given in exchange for an advance review copy of this book.)

though i love reading the occasional romance i tend to give most of them middle of the road ratings. so when i tell you that this was a 5 star read, please know that's coming from someone with incredibly lofty standards because it was just that good.

yes, this was a romance, but it felt like less of a romance and more of a book about people and the fragility of life, the limited time we have available to us, and seizing all of our opportunities before it was too late. in a way, it reminded me of one of my favorite films, Elizabethtown, because while the romance exists and is prevalent, the characters were so rich with desire and heartbreak and pain that the romance really came secondary to each character's growth.

so, what's it about? logan and rosemary used to be friends when they were young. after a confusing, misunderstood kiss, they cut ties with each other until years later they find themselves teaching at the same school. logan is unserious and afraid to commit to anything. rosemary is neurotic and prim, hiding behind lists and schedules and meticulously crafted plans. so when their beloved former teacher joe requests that they take him on a death trip (a roadtrip cross country to the little beach cottage where he plans to die), they both have misgivings and don't see a way either of them can get through it without killing each other.

this was such a deeply explored story about grief and regret. logan and rosemary each had their own stuff to work out - parents gone either via absence or death - and this book explored each of their pasts and how those things impacted them personally, how those things instilled fear in them and impacted who they are in the future.

joe, though. joe has terminal cancer, an imminent death, and a will to see some of the country before his last day. joe is such a special character. funny in the face of demise, human in his regret, but still so full of love. i loved seeing his story play out. (no really, i'm crying about it as i type this.)

my only quibble was there was a TON of weird references in place of swearing, ie. "phoebe fucking bridgers" and so many of them were randomly about shay mitchell that she probably should file a restraining order. so, a 4.5, but a 5 if that bit hadn't been thoroughly overdone three times over.

Wow, I absolutely loved this! I’m not really sure what I was expecting, but this story ended up being so different than what I imagined in the best way. I adored Logan and Rosemary and Joe and Remy and Odie and all the folks they met along the way, so much.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Best friends to Enemies to Lovers, throw in a cross-country roadtrip with a dying role-model. All the emotions on this one.

before i give a review, i'd like to thank the publisher atria books for sending me an early copy in exchange for a review.
never have i ever thought i would ever read a queer story that's on a road trip about death but i enjoyed everything else that wasn't including what happened to joe (that and the tension between logan and rosemary got repetitive for a while for me personally). joe really seemed like a really nice person and i'm glad he was there for someone like rosemary, i’ve been there. i loved his relationship with her and logan. i also gave this 4 stars because i also grew wary of the queer musician or queer adjacent musician icons references, starting with elton john then branching to tegan and sara, ect. but i will still recommend this. i'm otherwise glad i made this the first book i read from allison cochrun

I loved elements of this romcom, though the premise with the dying mentor was a little dark for me to truly love this as a 'comedy' and not just a romance. For me, some of the mannerisms of one of the MCs read as a bit overly twee and grating, particularly as the book went on, but I loved watching the central relationship evolve (resume?), and the summer road trip vibes were such a fun idea for an adult romance!