Loved it! A Story told in two perspectives by Two People trekking the Camino Way, which I had never even heard of, but now I want to do, and their personal journeys along the way. They both start fairly broken and directionless, but the adventures and People they meet, including each other, along the way repair old wounds and give them back the direction they both needed. Told with humour and sensitivity, it brings in the history of the Camino Way and how it is still relevent today.

An enjoyable book, the descriptions of the Camino were interesting to read as I am walking the Portuguese one in a couple of weeks but I felt frustrated by the continual fallings out and running away of the main characters. Maybe I'm just not good at reading love stories, and the walk may work its magic and I will want to re-read the tale!

This isn’t my usual genre of book but I loved every minute of it! Such a fabulous story of love, friendship and helping others along the way. I actually felt I was with them all as they walked into Santiago. I’ve already recommended it to several friends. Will be posting my review on Amazon as soon as the book is released.

Arresting characterisation and an absorbing theme of self-redemption and self-discovery, mixed with humour and evocative descriptive prose. Most enjoyable and a treat to learn so much about the Camino: the physical fortitude required, the camaraderie of the pilgrims and the beauty of the landscape, all so vividly conveyed.

Martin, an Englishman, and Zoe, a Californian happen on each other while walking the Santiago de Compostela pilgrims walk. It does not get off to a good start. There is an element of mature relationship story here but the main stage is the walk itself, the people's stories, and the vagaries of life. I loved the journey. In fact, it made me think I would love to take on the challenge!

What a wonderful book. It piqued my interest because I had read Graeme Simsion's "The Rosie Project" and "The Rosie Effect" with much joy. This is a very different story, however it is just an enjoyable.

I have never read a co-written book before, but I loved the dynamic of it. With each author writing the perspective of a different character you get a truly unique voice for each..

This is a story about personal journey, and it truly intrigued me. There are a great set of characters, all of whom are completely believable and likable. I didn't relate with any one particular character. but their life experiences were very different to mine. I still cared greatly for the characters though.

Well worth a read, if you want something heart-warming, interesting and with beautiful descriptions.

I read this book because I loved ‘The Rosie Project ‘ by Graeme Simsion and was keen to read more by this author.  It is quite different from that series of books, however I really enjoyed it. It is a combination of midlife romance and travel book.
It took me a little while to get used to the alternating viewpoints and I found Zoe, the female character a bit irritating. I’m not sure if it was just me or if I was meant to feel like that but she did grow on me. I found Martin much more believable but maybe I just identified with him more.
I loved the description of El Camino -so much so I’m thinking of making the pilgrimage myself! It was no surprise to find that the authors had walked it twice - they really made it come alive. 
I have already started to recommend the book to friends.

A very enjoyable read, the descriptions on the Camino were interesting and gave a flavour of what to expect. The stories of Martin and Zoe were well told and both were believable and rounded characters. The story was never entirely predictable and kept me interested all the way to Santiago.

The premise is simple, two strangers walking the Camino, their lives thrown together through little more than fate.  In some respects the finished product is simple, a fast paced, easy-read novel that leads the reader on a voyeuristic journey.  That’s where the simplicity ends though.

This work is clearly well-researched by husband and wife authors, Simsion and Buist, and the detail used adds to the credibility of the tale.  Like “The Rosie Project” by Simison, this is a book that will make you think and I found myself exhibiting empathy with the characters and situations resulting in my own “journey” through the text.  

The minor characters are used to add colour, and counsel, to the tale and whilst stereotyping abounds it seems not to interfere with the authenticity of story rather it enables the reader to be drawn in.

The short, interwoven chapters, told in turn by the two main characters, lend themselves to an ideal beach or bedtime read where one can lose oneself in the Camino and, perhaps, find a few answers along the way.  You, the reader, are left free to chose what you keep, what you discard, and what you take up – just as characters Zoe and Martin do – perhaps discovering what is really important.

This is a new novel by the creator of Rosie's Project. I was pleasantly surprised, since Simsion's last book fell very short of the standard raised by Rosie's Project, and even Rosie's Effect was nowhere near as good. This is a book about two middle aged people who start their walk of the Camino in Cluny for ostensibly different reasons, but who discover that the luggage they carry (the proverbial, at least) is not as different as they assume. It is the story of two journeys on geographically the same trail, but very individual to each character, and the journey is bent on bringing them together, even though they would rather rather not having to deal with each other - or more importantly the parts of themselves that are stirred by the presence of the other. It is a book about relationships, grief, new beginnings and letting go, and the fact that our lives do not have to effectively end at middle age.

I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and while I knew only very little about the Camino previously, I feel that I have made this journey with the characters, and maybe one day will do it myself. But probably not with the buggy.

Two steps forward

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Funny and charming, I loved following Martin and Zoe’s way to forgiveness and self-discovery while they met an array of delightful and quirky characters on their way to Santiago. Very well written, alternating chapters with both points of view, this novel will make you want to walk El Camino yourself.

Although it took a while to get into this book, I raced through it to find out whether the two walkers (and those they met along the way) would finish their Camino walks.  Moving between the two characters took a little getting used to but that was more a question of pacing as I had just got into the character’s story when they switched. This is an enjoyable book charting the physical and emotional challenges of the long walk, peppered with small details (both trials and triumphs) doubtless learned when the authors undertook their own pilgrimage.  Thanks NetGalley!

I love the title of this book, it is just perfect and encapsulates the essence of the book in both its literal and metaphorical sense. 
For both Martin and Zoe life has taken an unexpected change for the worse and they have taken to the Camino walk to try and re-find themselves and embark ,with tentative steps, on their new way of life. There is humour in the book but it is also about who we are and who we mould ourselves to be. There is an interesting range of supporting characters who are also each doing the walk for very personal reasons.The principal characters follow their own routes but also come together at some points, sometimes in harmony and sometimes more in adversity. A lovely book that takes you on a journey with its characters.

Two Steps Forward by Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist. 

Enjoyable fictional account about a man and a woman’s trek on the Camino, starting in France and on into Spain. Told from each of their points of view, you’ll find this part travelogue and part romance. Some hikers are on a spiritual journey and some are avoiding their spiritual journeys whilst others learn what love really is. Truly inspiring change, resolution and growth for many of the characters while sharing a realistic view of traversing the Camino de Santiago. 

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ebook for review.

This book is not only a story woman who left behind everything she loved/knew and had for self-discovery but also personally a wanderlust destination for a future holiday. The story is set on the trail of St. James from France to Spain where you meet individuals walking the trek for their own personal reasons. Whether it is self enlightenment, job opportunities or remembrance - this journey will affect each person differently. 

I enjoyed how Graeme Simsion and Anna Buist was able to incorporate so many characters personal journeys and how they were able to overlap one another. Obviously being a trail you'll encounter the same people throughout and how unlikely friendships can occur. This book had a sense of community - helping each other out and motivating each other at their lowest and the result wasn't a "buy a souvenir" but more of building memories to last a lifetime.

I have to say I approached this book with caution.
I am not usually a romance reader but as I enjoyed Graeme Simsion's "Rosie" books I thought I would give it a go
Theere are many books writ
I really enjoyed it and the novelty of the two authors (husband and wife) writing alternate chapters from the view points of the two protagonists fascinating.
To say too much would give the plot away but needless to say by the end of the book I felt that I knew the characters well and really connected with them.
A great read for someone looking for something a little different.

Having lived and travelled in France over many years, this book was a joy to read.. The descriptions of the mountainous regions took me back to a visit where we straddled the border of Spain and France, watching golden eagles above us.
The Pilgrim walk is one that is followed for so many reasons. It is said that one finds the truth of oneself en route. We certainly felt the different emotions emerging in the journeys of Zoe and Martin, both of whom were travelling for different reasons. 
Meeting their fellow travellers, imagining the humble accommodations, walking foot by foot with them....it was an experience.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

I really loved The Rosie Project and wondered how Graeme Simsion’s latest book would compare.  Two Steps Forward was written with his partner, Anne Buist, and told the story of a man and a woman who meet while undertaking the pilgrims walk from France to Spain. The chapters alternates and the story flows between the two main characters Zoe and Martin. It is unusual but delightful. I loved the potential for romance between an older couple, and the cast of supporting characters they meet along the way we’re entertaining and surprising. I couldn’t recommend this book more - I absolutely loved it.

This book has almost inspired me to walk the Camino, and I certainly feel like doing a long walk for a week or so.  The book tells the story of two characters, in alternating chapters.  Both are likeable and realistic, though I could not imagine going so long without seeing my own adult children.  The descriptions of the daily walks, hostels, bars etc get a bit predictable, almost routine, but the plot picks up in the last quarter or so of the book.  The ending is more moving than I expected , and it would make a good film.  I would have liked more about the background stories of Martin and Zoe.

This book was a really enjoyable read.
Ultimately a love story, but also a story of loss, dealing with grief, betrayal and personal growth set in a beautiful landscape.
It was an easy read, despite a slightly slow start and once the characters met, the story seemed to pick up and was certainly more engaging.
I loved the format of the writing, the back and forth between Zoe and Martins stories was done very well and even with the retelling of certain parts from the different perspective, the story moved on perfectly. 
The extra characters were also great additions, whilst not detracting from the main story of the two main characters.
I would definitely recommend this book.