From the TBR Pile: Blog Tour: Two Steps Forward by Graeme Simsion & Anne Buist

Author: Graeme Simsion & Anne Buist

Publisher: William Morrow

Date of publication: MAy 2018

“The Chemin will change you. It changes everyone…”

The Chemin, also known as the Camino de Santiago, is a centuries-old pilgrim route that ends in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. Every year, thousands of walkers—some devout, many not—follow the route that wends through quaint small villages and along busy highways alike, a journey unlike any other.

Zoe, an artist from California who’s still reeling from her husband’s sudden death, has impulsively decided to walk the Camino, hoping to find solace and direction. Martin, an engineer from England, is road-testing a cart of his own design…and recovering from a messy divorce. They begin in the same French town, each uncertain of what the future holds. Zoe has anticipated the physical difficulties of her trek, but she is less prepared for other challenges, as strangers and circumstances force her to confront not just recent loss, but long-held beliefs. For Martin, the pilgrimage is a test of his skills and endurance but also, as he and Zoe grow closer, of his willingness to trust others—and himself—again.

I have followed a few people on YouTube as they do thru-hikes of the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Their journeys and self discovery have always intrigued me. So, I was looking forward to reading Two Steps Forward. It's about two people who set out on the Camino de Santiago, an old pilgrim route, to discover something about themselves.

I really wanted to love this book, but in the end it didn't live up to my expectations. I didn't really care for either Zoe or Martin. They seemed like an odd pairing to me and the romance was rushed given the short amount of time this walk took place after Zoe's husband's death. The story was long and really lagged at times. I found myself putting the book down in favor of other things. It took a while for me to finish.

The story is told through duel perspectives. If I had to pick a favorite, I liked Zoe's journey much better. I did like the end and was encouraged that Zoe and Martin ultimately learned something. I just wasn't blown away with what they took away from their walk. I haven't read The Rosie Project, so I have nothing to compare it too. I think fans will enjoy the book and I encourage you to try it for yourself. It just wasn't ultimately for me.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the author:

Photo by Rebecca Rocks

GRAEME SIMSION is the author of the #1 bestseller The Rosie Project, which has been optioned for film by Sony Pictures, was a Globe and Mail Best Book of the Year and won the Australian Book Industry Association Book of the Year. The Rosie Effectwas also a #1 Globe and Mail bestseller, an instant New York Times bestseller and a People magazine Pick of the Week. Simsion’s most recent novel, The Best of Adam Sharp, has also been optioned for film. This is his first novel co-written with his wife, Anne Buist. Follow him on Twitter @GraemeSimsion.

Review Tour

Tuesday, May 1st: Instagram: @worldswithinpages

Wednesday, May 2nd: Instagram: @the_need_to_read

Thursday, May 3rd: Instagram: @Novelmombooks

Friday, May 4th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, May 7th: Jathan & Heather

Tuesday, May 8th: Reading Reality

Wednesday, May 9th: BookNAround