Cause it's all in the desire: EVERY STEP SHE TAKES.

Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I couldn't go wrong with Alison Cochrun's newest as my third read for Pride Month!

Sadie's adventurous travel blogger baby sister gets injured and Sadie impetuously offers to go on her trip--walking Portugal’s Camino de Santiago--for her. This is unlike anything Sadie, an anxious and quiet person, has ever done. She's spent her life devoted to her sister and her Nana's antique store, which she's run since her Nana's death. Sadie has gone on many dates (set up by her sister) but has never clicked with a single man.

So imagine her surprise when, during some very bad airplane turbulence, she dramatically comes out as lesbian to her seat-mate, Mal.

It perhaps rivals Sadie's surprise when she realizes that Mal--attractive, queer Mal--is also on Sadie's tour to Camino. We soon learn that Mal is dealing with her own issues, grappling with her father's death: the same dad who disowned her when she was 18. Mel's a serial monogamist who seeks comfort in women--until they get too close. She promises her friend, Inez, who is leading the tour, that she will not get involved with Sadie.

But Sadie is just so hard to resist. These two are drawn to each other from the beginning, as Mal works to help our sweet little baby gay who is coming out in her 30s. As always, Cochrun gives us a tender story featuring realistic characters with trauma, flaws, normal body types, and relatable problems. Randomly assigned as roommates, they get to know each other in just a few weeks. Mal offers to help Sadie learn to be gay, but of course, the two can't help but grow deeper feelings for one another.

Cochrun never makes these feelings feel trite or contrived, though. She treats Sadie's later in life coming out with the deep respect it deserves and takes the same honest and direct approach to sex and sexuality. Sadie and Mal's sexual encounters are frank and funny but also honest and straightforward.

This is such a lovely story, equal parts funny, sensual, and vulnerable. It lags a teeny bit in the middle as it harps a bit too much on Mal's inability to commit, but overall it's such an emotional and well-written look at a woman coming into their identity late in life and another person struggling with grief and growing up later in life. It masterfully highlights the power of the queer family and the quirky cast of characters walking the Camino is wonderful. Also the lesbian inside jokes are laugh out funny. (Please note that Mal is described as a mix of Kristen's Stewart's face, first season's Shane's hair, and Tig Notatro's body.) I am still laughing. I love Alison Cochrun's writing! 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for EVERY STEP SHE TAKES on 09/02/2025!

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