HERE WE GO AGAIN, Alison Cochrun’s latest, ended up winning (thank you @atriabooks for my copy!). I devoured it last night + woke up early to finish it — the true sign of a good book! Although I mentioned I was looking for a fluffy romance, this novel is admittedly not that.

Logan and Rosemary are childhood best friends turned enemies, a relationship made even more fraught by the fact that they teach at the same school. As the school year draws to a close, they’re both summoned by Joe, their beloved former teacher who has been battling cancer with a plea: he wants the two of them to team up to drive him across the country to Maine, where he wants to live out his final days. Although the idea seems ridiculous, they eventually agree to it. Tightly-wound Rosemary preps a detailed itinerary and packs her collection of heels, while impulsive Logan teams up with Joe to convince Rosemary to take detours that threaten her perfectly laid plans. As the trio journey the country, Rosemary and Logan unexpectedly find themselves falling for one another.

In case you couldn’t tell by the fact that I finished this in less than 24 hours, I really enjoyed this! It’s definitely not the lighthearted romance I was envisioning, it was a deeply felt look at grief, love, and forgiveness. While the themes are heavy, the book never feels sad, largely because the road trip set-up leads to some fun gags. And while this is a romance (and a sweet one at that!), the standout storyline of the novel is Joe. He’s far and away the most likable character and without spoiling anything, his entire character arc forms the true emotional core of the book.

I don’t think this one will top THE CHARM OFFENSIVE for me (what can I say? I love a Bachelor moment), but it’s a close second. The pop culture references verged on excessive and some of the conflict between the leads felt repetitive, but otherwise, a true standout. Put on some Van Morrison while reading (promise it’ll make sense!).

This was fine! I appreciate how Cochrun showcased how queerness and ADHD can look different depending on the person. I resented the hate Santa Fe got. I didn't feel a ton of chemistry between the main characters and overall I was more invested in the mystery relationship between two old dudes. Still cried.

i found parts of this to be really frustrating to read- the way the two main characters swear was irritating and brought me out of the story a lot. liked the characters and plot but the swearing was annoying

Alison Cochrun’s newest, Here We Go Again, is perfect for fans of The Guncle and Count Your Lucky Stars. The novel follows ex-childhood best friends, Rosemary Hale, and Logan Maletis, as they take their beloved former English teacher to Maine as his dying wish. Here We Go Again is full of humor, heart, Queer joy and coming to terms with changes and loss. As Joe’s condition worsens, and the road trip progresses, Logan and Rosemary are forced to lean on each other and revisit their past.

“Because life is a prickly pear,” she tries. “It’s always going to be beautiful and painful.”

As much as I enjoyed the romance between Rosemary and Logan, the part that I will remember most is the love Joe feels for them. Such a special bond 🥹😭 He doesn’t have children of his own and treats them like daughters. Joe uses his signature humor and sass during the road trip to teach them lessons about love, pursuing their dreams and acceptance of each other and themselves. I loved him so much.

Going back through my kindle highlights to write this review reminded me of all the witty banter and one liners ⬇️

“You girls want some Tuesdays with Morrie advice?” Joe says when they’re all back in the car. “Here it is. Take more nudes while you’re young.”

“Is this hell?” he eventually asks. “No, this is Connecticut.”

But also this:
“Watching the two of you grow up was the coolest shit I witnessed in this life.” 😭🥹

I’ve read and enjoyed all of Alison Cochrun’s books but this is by far my favorite. Here We Go Again is simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking, full of humor and loss, endings, and new beginnings. It made me cry but it also made me smile; a truly memorable book.

What to expect:
✍️Beautiful writing
🌈second chance, Sapphic romance
🧲Opposites attract
🚌An emotional road trip
🧠ADHD rep X2
❤️lessons on love & loss

Thank you so much for Atria Books for allowing me to read this book ahead of its release.

Here We Go Again is an emotional road trip novel as well as a layered friends-to-lovers/second chance romance. I would argue that it's more of a novel of grief, learning to be an adult, and other heavy elements than a romance. Although it is tinged with hilarity throughout, Here We Go Again didn't read as a "rom-com" to me.

I found this book very difficult to read because I was prepared for a romantic comedy with emotional elements, not the other way around. Alison Cochrun's writing is full of sharp insights into the humanity of her characters and the style is highly readable. The characters read as real people, not cardboard cut outs or cliches, and are imperfect as all real people are. I appreciated the ADHD representation and how Maletis's ADHD is at first blush the thing that makes her a mess, but is in fact the thing that makes her interesting, sensitive, and creative.

I think this book would appeal to many, but I was unable to pull myself out of the sadness of the heart-wrenching moments to enjoy the sweeter romantic scenes.

I wanted to like this book SO much but it just didn't hit. I've read some of Cochrun's previous works and though haven't shouted from the roof about them, have enjoyed my time reading them. That was not the case with this one sadly. I felt that neither of the main characters were mature enough to feature in a plot embroiled with so much death and grief (please Heed trigger warnings!). The whole "enemies" arc was also not handled well enough imo. It felt like they were enemies for the sake of it than anything else. Overall, not the best romance out there but also not the worst, so some wins there.

Loved this book so much! The characters were so well developed and the story felt original. No notes, just enjoyed the entire read!

This book was overwhelmingly sad and that was really hard to get past. I found a lot of the characters to be very selfish and immature and no one really liked each other. I felt little chemistry between Rosemary and Logan.

Thank you @simon.audio for my gifted ALC.

Alison Cochrun has done it again! Here We Go Again did not disappoint. This is a love story, but also a story about grief and healing. The characters embark on a road trip with their beloved high school English teacher as his dying wish, so be prepared to shed a few tears along the way. It has great ADHD representation, just a dash of spice, and a lot of heart.

In a sense, it's not at all surprising that I loved Here We Go Again. I've loved every one of Alison Cochrun's books so far. If you haven't read The Charm Offensive or Kiss Her Once For Me, do yourself a favor: read them. Everything Cochrun writes is pure cinnamon bun magic and I am so grateful that they exist. The relationships at the heart of these novels live in my soul.

What is, perhaps, surprising, is that Here We Go Again topped the other two and became my favorite Alison Cochrun. It has all the humor and magic of the previous novels with the addition of a heartfelt message about life, death, and meaning? Did I cry? Oh yes. I had an ugly cry. Would I do it all over again? Absolutely.

Logan Maletis and Rosemary Hale used to be childhood best friends. But now, as rivals in their thirties, their dying mentor requests them to drive cross country to his house in Maine. It’s a cross-country road trip that will change all their lives.

Alison Cochrun!!! What did you write?!! I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I swooned, I sobbed, and I sobbed! What an emotional ride. And one I would happily take again.

I loved Logan for all her snark! I loved Rosemary for all her structuredness. Together, their witty banter and sexy chemistry make you want cheer for these friends to enemies to lovers. And Joe (sigh), the dying mentor who brings these two together for the adventure of a lifetime. The bonds that develop during the “death trip” are beautiful and heartbreaking as we witness the coming together of this found family. I'm jealous of anyone who gets to read this book for the first time.

Natalie Naudus and Jeremy Carlisle Parker perfectly embody Logan and Rosemary, delivering on the angst, humor, chemistry, and grief. As someone who just lost a friend to cancer, listening to Natalie and Jeremy tell Logan and Rosemary’s story was both heart-wrenching and cathartic. All the stars for this audiobook! ❤️

I liked this more than Cochran's previous book, but not as much as The Charm Offensive. This book was about multiple things -- it was not just a romance, but also a story about life and helping a beloved teacher end his life the way he wants to. It is of course about the romance between the two main characters, too -- two women who are very different than each other and have known each other since they were young, but who were at odds with each other until recently. I thought The Charm Offensive was very deep and pitch perfect, and this one didn't make me feel as much as that one. But it was enjoyable (and sad, too!)

I absolutely loved "Here We Go Again" by Alison Cochrun. I especially enjoyed the nostalgia, humor, and heartfelt moments that this book contains.

In my opinion, what truly sets this novel apart is its vibrant characters, Logan and Rosemary, who feel like people I actually know. Logan, chaotic and impulsive, is a breath of fresh air, while Rosemary, uptight and focused on stability, is equally endearing in her own right. Watching their dynamic change and shift as they embark on a cross-country road trip, alongside their beloved former teacher, is a journey filled with laughter, tears, and ultimately, self-discovery. I would highly recommend this book!

This book was so beautiful and cracked my heart right open. I sobbed at multiple points throughout this book. This book is such a wonderful story of chosen family, facing your fears and living with no regrets. I can’t even really fathom how much I loved this breathtaking book. Also the descriptions of landscapes and different food just added to how well done this truly was.

This is my first Alison Cochrun novel and definitely will not be my last! Here We Go Again is a fun friends-to-enemies-to-lovers novel that is both hilarious and heartbreaking. The novel focuses on a "death" roadtrip Logan and Rosemary go on with their former teacher, Joe, who is dying from cancer. I loved the storyline, the banter, and the characters. I definitely recommend reading it! 4 stars!

Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Former high school best friends, turned enemies, turned coworkers, turned lovers. Yeah, they had a bumpy ride to get to their HEA.

What I disliked:
-Logan was incredibly emotionally immature throughout most of the book (also, we get it you were a 'F boy' but no need to remind us every other chapter)
-The constant random celebrity name dropping was overdone

What I liked:
-ADHD representation and how wide of a spectrum it can be for different people
-Joe and Remy
-How difficult being a caregiver for a dying loved one is
-The evolving characters that actually realized they needed to improve and tried

Overall, I'd give this one a 3.5/5

A heartfelt journey of rediscovery and reconnection, "Here We Go Again" by Alison Cochrun is a delightful sapphic road trip romance that tugs at your heartstrings from the very first page.

Meet Logan Maletis and Rosemary Hale. They once shared a spin-the-bottle kiss in grade school. Little did they know that their feelings leaned toward liking girls, and the innocent moment would harm their friendship, leaving them estranged when Logan moved away.

Fast forward to adulthood: Logan returns to their small town and both she and Rosemary find themselves teaching at their old alma mater. The ruined friendship still lingers, but fate has other plans. When their beloved former English teacher and lifelong mentor reveals he has only a few months to live, Logan and Rosemary are forced together once and for all. Their mission? To fulfill his last wish of a cross-country road trip.

Stuffed into the gayest van west of the Mississippi, the three embark on a life-changing summer journey. From Washington state to the Grand Canyon, from the Gulf Coast to coastal Maine, they traverse landscapes both external and internal. As they drive, they confront their past, their regrets, and their unspoken feelings. The tension between Logan and Rosemary crackles like summer lightning, and their chemistry is palpable.

Cochrun's writing is exquisite. She captures the essence of longing, vulnerability, and the bittersweet ache of missed opportunities. Logan and Rosemary's banter is sharp, their emotional walls slowly crumbling as they rediscover each other. The pacing is perfect, allowing us to savour every moment from the laughter and tears, to the stolen glances.

The characters are beautifully flawed. Uptight Rosemary, with her label maker and penchant for stability, contrasts sharply with chaotic and impulsive Logan, whose list of misguided ex-lovers is longer than the road ahead. Their interactions are both heartwarming and hilarious, and you'll find yourself rooting for them to find their way back to each other.

"Here We Go Again" is more than a romance; it's a celebration of second chances, forgiveness, and the power of shared memories. Cochrun's portrayal of the LGBTQ+ experience is authentic and heartfelt. She captures the nuances of queer identity, the struggle for acceptance, and the joy of finding love in unexpected places.

In summary, Cochrun has crafted a gem of a novel. It's a story that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the magic of serendipity. So buckle up, grab your favourite road trip snacks, and join Logan and Rosemary on their unforgettable journey. You won't regret it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Alison Cochrun's "Here We Go Again" is a sapphic friends turned enemies turned lovers rom-com. Perfect for anyone that loves a found family trope and accurate depictions of neurodivergence.

The characters and well-developed and complex. The relationships believable complicated.

Deals with death and dying.

Losing someone important is never easy, even if you know they're going to die and you are asked to get him to Maine with a Death Road trip along with your nemesis. And said nemesis is your crush and you actually like each other a lot but you're both annoying and whining but in the end the person dying is the priority.
I have never been to an actual road trip. I have gone places far by car but it wasn't a road trip because we didn't stop to sightsee or take a detour to see more things. It sounds so much fun!
The book is at times fast and at times slow, it's not hard to follow but at times you really want to put those two women in a locked room and just talk until their throat hurt. They were being unnecessarily obtuse.
It was also a sad book dealing with a lot of themes and I did cry a tear or two in the end.

This sapphic romcom had me laughing a little and crying a lot. This is not the fun road trip book it portrays on the cover, but it really got me.

I would say if you are wanting a light romcom with a little bit of depth, this is maybe not for you. While I did laugh quite a few times, the journey Logan and Rosemary were going on as individuals and the process of losing their friend and mentor, Joe, took center stage to the romance in my opinion. I went in expecting a romcom and got something different and it absolutely worked for me, but you need to be ready to experience some grief.