A moving story in both senses of the word. This is beautifully written in alternate chapters by a husband and wife team and it works well seeing the challenges of the Camino and the relationships of people on the walk from the different perspectives of the two main characters.  They are trying to navigate their way on the Camino to make sure they reach their destinations on time, but also find answers to problems they have each encountered in their lives. Funny, sad at times and a perceptive look at relationships and insecurities. I would thoroughly recommend this book and can imagine it may even inspire a few readers to try the Camino for themselves.

Zoe and Martin have very different reasons for beginning the walk to Santiago de Compostela, but their paths might just overlap.

I'm not usually overly fond of narratives structures that alternate from one protagonist to another but I thoroughly enjoyed Two Steps Forward. It was everything I hoped it would be from Graeme Simsion and his wife, Anne Buist. The structure is perfect as the two 'steps' or threads of the story reflect the rhythm of putting one foot in front of the other to walk the Camino. I love the fact that the story has arisen out of the authors' own experiences walking the same route as Martin because there is a realism and a vividness to the writing that places the reader on the route too. The landscapes, villages, hostels and bars come to life with wonderful accuracy so that I could picture exactly what I read. In fact, reading Two Steps Forward has made me want to head off and complete the walk myself.

However, Two Steps Forward is so much more than a rather good travelogue. It is a beautifully written and cleverly constructed love story that embodies all the emotions that a reader would want. I was, at times, completely frustrated by Zoe and Martin's fluctuating relationship and I think this is exactly as it should be. It means I experienced the same emotions they did and made for a very personal reading experience. I ended the story feeling quite in love with both of them myself. I really enjoyed meeting all the various characters as they wove in and out of the story, creating their own tapestry that the reader is privileged to enjoy.

But for me, the wonderful element of Two Steps Forward is its ability to make the reader consider their own values and lives. There are so many levels to this narrative. Partly it is a highly entertaining and frequently humorous story, especially through the wickedly droll depiction of the different nationalities, but also Two Steps Forward reveals the way in which we hurt ourselves as well as others, how we need to be kind to, and honest with, ourselves and how spirituality and contentment are not found in buildings or places, but within ourselves. The metaphors of jettisoning baggage both literally and emotionally are sensitively handled so that Two Steps Forward (and its implied one step back) never feels priggish, but rather is refreshing, human and captivating. 

Two Steps Forward is a delightful book. It affords the reader an insight deep into the souls of two very human characters, Zoe and Martin, and allows them to share a very personal and, actually, very moving story. I highly recommend it.

Two Steps Forward is a novel written by a husband and wife duo.  Although the story itself is fictional it is clear that Simsion and Buist were inspired by their own experience of walking the Camino.  In parts in almost reads like an autobiography or travel book - I could clearly picture the journey and how the weary travellers were feeling.

At the centre of the story are Zoe and Martin, two strangers who decide to take on the Camino for totally different reasons.  Zoe is escaping her life in LA, a life that has suddenly fallen apart after the unexpected death of her husband.  Martin has already escaped his mess, back in the UK, by taking a job teaching engineering in France.  When his contract comes to an end he decides to walk the Camino in order to test run a new invention of his. Along the way they meet each other and a whole host of colourful characters, all walking for their own reasons.

What I loved
•	 The shift between character perspective – chapters flit back and forth between Zoe’s point of view and Martin’s.  Simsion and Buist did this very well – I never once had to flick back to who’s POV I was reading, it was clear as the characters and their thought processes were so different.  I suspect that’s one of the benefits of two authors.
•	The setting – I had never heard of the Camino but I found myself desperately wanting to walk it.  In fact I’m already working on convincing my partner that we should do at least a small stretch.
•	Character back stories – these were well thought out.  You got a real sense of the people and why they were their journey.
•	The ending – I won’t say too much but I was glad it wasn’t cliché. 

What I wasn’t so keen on
•	 The dialogue – I couldn’t always work out who had said what and often had to re-read whole sections of dialogue.  I think it was made worse as the formatting of the copy I was sent from Netgalley wasn’t great.
•	The slow start – I almost gave up when I was 20% through the book.  When I got to 40% the lead characters had finally met and by 60% of the way through I was glad I’d persevered. 
•	Difficulty relating to the characters – now this is not Simsion and Buist’s fault.  Zoe, in her late forties is a mother of two adult daughters and Martin, in his early fifties is father to a teenage daughter.  I, on the other hand, am in my early thirties and have no children.  It is definitely a novel more suited to those in midlife who may have had some of the same experiences as Zoe and Martin.

Despite it’s slow start and occasionally confusing dialogue, I would still 100% recommend this book.  It is an enjoyable read and although it does deal with some deep issues it was light-hearted and even funny at times. I’d especially recommend it to those who are thinking of walking the Camino, or those who just love travelling in general.

As soon as I saw that this book was about the Camino de Santiago I was immediately interested.  I loved the film The Way and have cycled part of the Camino myself.  It is a charming story about two middle aged people, both with problems in their lives who walk the Camino and meet each other along the way.  The chapters alternate between their two view points and they meet a lot of amusing characters along the way.  

As you might guess there's a growing relationship between them with the life baggage they both have getting in the way a little.  A charming and enjoyable read.

This was such a charming book, full of interesting characters, beautifully written with vivid descriptions of the countryside.  The story of Martin and Zoe knitted it all together and it was difficult to  put the book down.  Highly recommended.

It took me a while to get into the story, but enjoyed it once I did. I had never heard of the Camino de Santiago, so it was informative as well as being a lovely story. Touches of humour lightened which may have otherwise been a slightly dull tale, especially the Brazillians. Overall a very enjoyable story, perhaps best enjoyed on a balcony in France with a glass of rose.

It really is me. I keep hoping for the Rosie Project rather than going into Simsion's next book without expectations. That said, dispite a slow burn romance and a rather plodding start, this was a quirky, clever and charming story about a walking pilgrimage and two people who just keep misding each other. I ended up really enjoying it and recommend everyone who likes a bitter sweet and funny story to give it a try.

It's always a risk when a book is advertised as 'by the author of .....' since there may be an expectation that the new book will have a similar feel or style to the first novel. This may be unfair to the author who may be keen to develop in a different direction, which is what has happened in this case. Certainly, anyone hoping for a Rosie Project Mark 2 is likely to be disappointed. Two Steps Forward explores the relationship between a divorced man and a widowed woman, and the stories of their interactions with other travellers, who are following the pilgrims' route to Santiago de Compestela and have a series of encounters en route. The book uses two voices to provide the separate perspectives of the man and the woman, which is an effective approach to the evolving relationship. However, some readers may be disappointed with a narrative that seems to lack clarity in terms of story development and outcome. The three star judgement reflects a personal opinion - I'm sure others will find it more to their taste.

I fell in love with Graeme Simsion's writing when I first came across his novel 'The Rosie Project', so I was very keen to read more of his work.

The story focuses on "The Way", a pilgrim's walk throughout France and Spain.
Two central characters Zoe (American) and Martin (English) and their very different reasons for finding themselves at the same starting point in the route (Cluny in France).  

I loved the tentative start for both these characters. Zoe is completely unprepared for the walk and is inspired to take on the challenge after stumbling across a scallop charm in the local Cluny antique shop. Martin is teaching in the local area and has invented a cart with his students for pilgrims walking the route. He wants to sell the cart to investors but they want a test drive before he brings it to a Parisian trade fair.

I loved the sliding door moments of the story, with the underlying tone that no matter the path or how long you take, you always end up exactly where and when you are supposed to.  Yes it's billed as a mature love story, but I think it's so much more than that. Its about facing a challenge, emotional or physical and reflection of knowing that nothing can stop you, apart from yourself.

A very inspiring story, with crafted, deep characters, interspersed with moments of comic timed brevity and wonderful setting. Highly recommended this especially to those who enjoyed books like "Wild"

This review is also posted on Goodreads

I personally really struggled with this book. There was a lot of head-hopping and with there being so many similar  characters especially in the opening of the book made it quite confusing and tricky to keep up with the characters and the plot. That being said, I do think it has a lot more potential so would be more than willing to give it another go soon.

Two steps forwards. Destination Santiago for the many pilgrims who walk the Camino, each with a different reason for doing the walk and each has their own spiritual and physical paths.  Loved the journey with the characters and finding out who they would meet up with at the next stop, and what had brought them to the pilgrimage, and if they could slay their demons before journey's end.  A truly positive read, one you need to reach the end but don't want the journey to finish.  I have already recommended it to friends.

The three stars are for the writing and how cleverly the alternate chapters were merged. The romance was believable and so was the description of the travelling done by the main characters and the supporting cast.  For me there was too much detail concerning the famous trail, it made the story boring unless you were really interested in the history of the pilgrim's trail, and if you were actually intending to have a go the book would be invaluable reading.  Too much of a travel log but very well written.

Definitely a book you need to invest some time into. Trying to read it in 10 minute chunks makes it quite frustrating as you can't get into the story however a nice quiet hour does the trick.

Not one to set the world alight but enjoyable nonetheless!

Two steps forward by Graeme Simsion and & Annie Buist a four-star read that make you walk. This is a story of renewal and second chances, and I’m sure some people will find it life changing and will be captivated by the story, that wasn’t me, but I could apricate the talent that this married couple have brought to the table, the writing was smooth and flawless and once you got into the story it was very good, but the start was a trouble for me it took too long to get into the characters, there was too much fluff and scene setting, but the writing saved the day, if they hadn’t been as talented then I wouldn’t have read past the first couple of chapters, Zoe and Martin as characters were great, you could imagine walking beside them in France breathing the same air and following in those same footsteps.

I really enjoyed reading this book and loved the whole way it was presented.  I had to keep reminding myself that it was not a true story as it written in an almost autobiographical way alternating between the two main character's experiences with a humourous twist which have obviously been written by two individuals.  It would make a wonderful uplifting film so I hope it gets made.  The wonderful array of characters exude warmth and companionship and, despite being written by two authors, flows well and intertwines and brings all these random people to life.  The descriptions of the countryside of the French part of the route from Cluny to the Spanish border at Hendaye via St Jean Pied de Port I recognise, despite not actually walking the Chemin, I am familiar with several places on the route and have met some pilgrims undertaking the journey at various campsites along the way.  The book totally draws you in and is quite emotional in parts, especially towards the end after all the blood, sweat and tears involved.

I am going to recommend this to my local book groups as a read as I think it will provoke a lot of discussion as people view the story from different angles as it covers a lots of problems we all encounter throughout life.

I cannot praise this book enough.  The story of a walk of 2000 km, and the characters that Zoe meets along the way does not describe the rich, emotional, and totally absorbing nature of this book. Utterly and completely brilliant.  The characters are varied and warm, the terrain rich yet barren, and the history interesting. This book has it all, I couldn't but it down.

A charming meander through northern Europe on a spiritual journey of the heart. Zoe and Martin are well-written characters both on their individual paths and seeking something specific from the Camino - and both of them are in pain. Their paths cross and intertwine. 

It's a slow read with a gentle pace, with a well written narrative that flows seamlessly despite the two separate authors. 

It's not a must-read for fans of The Rosie Project, though - it's totally different.

They were just two people who had a lot to think about and a need to find themselves. They found a way to do just that by walking the Camino Trail. 
I confess I found it hard to make a connection with both characters as their stories were written individually but I loved the characters they encountered  and the fact that love always finds a way.

Forget Don and Rosie - there's not too many laughs in this one. Lots of tears in fact. Totally different, but still a compelling, enjoyable and hugely entertaining read. Walking the Camino is on many people's Bucket list, certainly those in the older age group for whom this story will have great appeal. Warm, touching and totally engrossing as the story develops.  The perfect book-group read as I'm sure everyone will respond in a very personal way to the multi-layered characters and storyline.

Two Steps Forward
by Graeme Simsion; Anne Buist

Zoe and Martin’s stories wander and interweave between Cluny in France and Santiago de Compostela in Spain following the Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail. As they discover, this journey, like life, is not a well-defined path but a complex series of diversions, side routes, and chances missed or taken. Both characters are rebuilding broken lives and sensibly the authors suggest that while repair is possible the results may not always be some idealised perfection, much like Martin’s junk-shop buggy. 
Clichés collide and coincidences conspire to patch up plot-holes in the book’s overlapping narrative where the authorial couple presumably write as a tag-team but there is enough charm and novelty in the delivery to engage the reader in the couple’s elaborate trails. Martin’s suppressed emotion and tendency to undermine any potential happiness is particularly convincing, especially in his relationship with his daughter. 
While the book is not a travelogue there is abundant detail and advice to inform and attract future pilgrims and a wide cast of supporting characters to illustrate the strains of humanity they might encounter. However warm, the fragile and ultimately temporary camaraderie of the road is never over romanticised.  There is also a striking reality in the moments of solitary travel where the characters, free to ponder their problems, discover that the practicalities of the journey, the tired legs, blisters, heavy packs and hunger become more important than any psychological baggage.