By: Laura Moreno
“Every Step She Takes” by Alison Cochrun is a highly engaging Sapphic rom-com that invites readers to experience the transformative power of travel. In addition to being a romance, “Every Step She Takes” is also travel fiction and is considered a coming-of-age novel, even though the protagonist is quite a bit older than most.
The novel features Sadie Wells, a 35-year-old virgin from Seattle who is fed up with her entire life, particularly her nosey sister and mom who over-enthusiastically try to push potential husband material on her. Now she must question why the carefully selected prospects never light her fire.
When her bisexual sister can’t make a trip for her travel writing job, Sadie offers to go in her place. The assignment: join a lesbian tour group making the historic Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage over two weeks. They take the less-traveled route up the Portuguese coast (rather than the longer route from France) into Northwestern Spain.
On the turbulent flight to Portugal, Sadie meets the intriguing out and proud indigo-haired passenger seated next to her, Mal, not realizing Mal is on the same tour. Sadie has an inkling this chance encounter will be life-altering.
Author Alison Cochrun is a former high school English teacher. Her romantic fiction series has gained a devoted following. Previous works include “The Charm Offensive“ and “Kiss Her Once for Me,“ which won the Lambda Literary Award for best LBGT Romance in 2023.
Journey of the heart
Alison Cochrun’s depiction of hiking the Camino de Santiago is immersive storytelling at its best. She gives a real sense of the full experience, including conveying the serene beauty of the Iberian countryside and the easy interactions and camaraderie among the disparate fellow travelers from all over the world.
Established in 9th century, the Camino de Santiago began when the bones of St. James (Santiago) the Apostle who first preached the gospel in Spain were brought by the king from Jerusalem to Compostela and a cathedral was built in their honor. It almost certainly was an endeavor to ramp up Christian devotion against Muslim rule, and indeed the town of Compostela and its first cathedral were completely sacked by Muslim armies in 997 A.D. The current “new” cathedral was built in 1112 A.D. But from age to age the pilgrimage remains popular, attracting half a million pilgrims per year.
No doubt, “Every Step She Takes” possesses a meditative, introspective quality that suits the subject matter. Cochrun delves into the spiritual and symbolic significance of the Camino, exploring how it serves as a metaphor for life’s journey. Sadie learns how to keep going despite difficulties like blisters and fatigue, be truly grateful, stop being afraid of self-discovery, and really reflect on her life and the paths she has chosen.
Without intending to be religious, quiet moments on the Camino allow Sadie to sense an awareness of feeling supported by the universe, which inspires her to take the power to be more intentional about her life.
Late bloomer
Another strength of the novel lies in its characters, who are gloriously true to life and relatable. Sadie, a late-bloomer lesbian, is full of questions and uncertainty, while Mal’s charm conceals a sensitivity and wise tenderness. Their chemistry is electric, and their relationship, whatever it turns out to be, is playful and real.
The narrative shifts in perspective between them, providing greater emotional depth and creating an addictive story as readers are drawn into Sadie’s world and her quest for healing.
But occasional lengthy digressions featuring minor characters at times feel cumbersome, breaking the momentum of the engrossing relationship forming between the central characters.
Nonetheless, Cochrun is very good at using moments of uncertainty to showcase the transformative power of stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
“Every Step She Takes” is comparable to Casey McQuiston’s “Red, White & Royal Blue.” Both authors deliver truly interesting LGBT romantic comedy adventures in international settings.
This page turner is a must-read for late-bloomer lesbians, and anyone navigating the messy process of self-discovery. In fact, the next book in the series, “Learning Curves,” is also being released this week. It also features Sadie and Mal, but its plot is firmly under wraps. As the title implies, it is likely about how to live and love authentically while being true to oneself.
Excerpt:
The Camino has taught me that the most beautiful things are the ones you can’t control or plan for, like…
1. The sunrise over Viana do Castelo (absolutely worth the 4 a.m. wake up and the 700 stairs).
2. Jacaranda trees in bloom, the purple flowers drooping like amethyst.
3. A long, unbroken path in front of you.
4. An old Portuguese man on his morning walk, tipping his hat at every pilgrim that passes.
5. A cheap blue hat with an embroidered oyster shell to protect you from the sun.
6. A cone of pistachio gelato shared with a new friend.
7. The sounds of your tour group as you walk both together and at your own pace.
8. The Minho River from a rickety speed boat while a dozen nurses sing in harmony.
9. My bruised feet after a 19-mile day.
10. The place where the grass turns to rock, and the place where the rock turns to ocean, and the place where the ocean meets the sky.
11. A yellow scallop shell over a blue background on a mile-marker that notes your progress.
12. A yellow arrow that encourages you to keep going.
13. A basket of free bread and a full water bottle.
14. A tiny, twin bed with starched sheets when you’re exhausted.
15. A hostel with an elevator.
16. And a bathtub.
17. The sound of waves crashing on Roman ruins outside of A Guarda.
18. My clean socks and underwear on laundry day.
19. Waking up while the rest of the world is still asleep.
20. A quiet day in the rain.
“Every Step She Takes” by Alison Cochrun, Atria Books, $19
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Every-Step-She-Takes/Alison-Cochrun/9781668021255