Here We Go Again by Allison Cochrun
The author of Kiss Her Once for Me returns with a new queer rom-com following once childhood best friends forced together to drive their former teacher across the country.
A long time ago, Logan Maletis and Rosemary Hale used to be friends. They spent their childhood summers running through the woods, rebelling against their conservative small town, and dreaming of escaping. But then an incident the summer before high school turned them into bitter rivals. After graduation, they went ten years without speaking.
Now in their thirties, Logan and Rosemary find they aren’t quite living the lives of adventure they imagined for themselves. Still in their small town and working as teachers at their alma mater, they’re both stuck in old patterns. Uptight Rosemary chooses security and stability over all else, working constantly, and her most stable relationship is with her label maker. Chaotic and impulsive Logan has a long list of misguided ex-lovers and an apathetic shrug she uses to protect herself from anything real. And as hard as they try to avoid each other—and their complicated past—they keep crashing into each other. Including with their cars.
But when their beloved former English teacher and lifelong mentor tells them he has only a few months to live, they’re forced together once and for all to fulfill his last a cross-country road trip. Stuffed into the gayest van west of the Mississippi, the three embark on a life-changing summer trip—from Washington state to the Grand Canyon, from the Gulf Coast to coastal Maine—that will chart a new future and perhaps lead them back to one another.
Review:
I read Alison Cochrun’s “Kiss Her Once For Me” over the holidays and really enjoyed it, so when I saw she had a new book out this spring, I immediately preordered it. I absolutely loved it! This is a heartwarming and hilarious tale of friendship, forgiveness, grief, and self-discovery.
The book kicks off in a small Washington town just outside of Portland, where everyone knows everyone’s business. Logan Maletis and Rosemary Hale – former childhood best friends – both teach at their childhood high school. After a falling out when they were teenagers, there is now no love lost between them. When Joe, their favorite high school teacher (who just so happens to be out and proud and shaped both their lives), tells them his cancer has spread and he’s dying, the two rush to his side immediately. Joe tells the women that he has a house on the coast of Maine, and he wants to die there. He requests that Logan and Rosemary drive him across the country from Washington to Maine to make this wish come true. Despite their differences, the women agree, and what follows is a hilarious and touching road trip that I won’t soon forget.
Once again, Cochrun has crafted a poignant and uplifting story, exploring themes of friendship, forgiveness, and redemption with sensitivity, grace, and a whole lot of humor. I laughed out loud several times during this one. I loved the connection between the two women and especially the lengths they were willing to go for Joe. His impending death brings the three of them together on a cross-country road trip that not only takes them to beautiful and diverse locations across the country but also forces them to confront their fears, insecurities, and unresolved feelings for each other. There’s also a very sweet “side quest” for Joe that was really touching.
While the relationship with Joe is at the center of the novel, the complex but relatable relationship between Rosemary and Logan is what keeps things moving. Cochrun expertly weaves the past and present together to create a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences, giving us a vivid picture of what went wrong between them and how they can fix it. Logan, the free-spirited and impulsive one, constantly pushes Rosemary out of her comfort zone, while Rosemary, the uptight and cautious one, struggles to let go of her need for control. Their banter is witty and sharp, adding a layer of humor to the story that keeps the reader deeply entertained.
Cochrun’s writing is vibrant and engaging, with vivid descriptions that bring the settings and characters to life. The author’s attention to detail and ability to create a sense of place make the road trip feel like an epic adventure that we are a part of. I seriously felt like I was in the van with them and didn’t want it to end.
Once again, Alison Cochrun has created a captivating and memorable story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. I absolutely loved this book. I found it to be a delightful and engaging read that made me laugh and cry. I rooted for Logan and Rosemary as they navigated the complicated ups and downs of a former friendship that had the potential to be so much more. You should definitely add this to your summer TBR. You won’t regret it!
