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.

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.

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

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.

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.