The Recommended Reading Journey
Alison Cochrun writes deeply emotional, witty, and character-driven contemporary queer romances. While most of her books are standalone novels, they exist in a shared universe of emotional authenticity, mental health representation, and romantic joy. If you want the absolute best experience, we recommend starting with her breakout debut and moving chronologically through her releases.
1. Start with the Breakthrough Hit: The Charm Offensive (2021)
There is no better entry point into Cochrun's bibliography than her Lambda Literary Award-winning debut. The Charm Offensive reimagines the heteronormative tropes of reality dating shows like The Bachelor. It follows Dev, a producer who believes in true love, and Charlie, a socially awkward tech genius cast as the show's star. As Dev helps Charlie navigate the show's high-pressure environment, the two realize their real connection is with each other. It is the perfect showcase for Cochrun's blend of sharp banter, deep empathy, and mental health representation.
2. The Cozy Interlude: A Charmed Christmas (2022)
Before moving on to the next novel, readers should immediately pick up this holiday-themed short story. Serving as a direct sequel (Volume 1.5) to The Charm Offensive, A Charmed Christmas catches up with Charlie and Dev six weeks after their season finale as they host their first Christmas Eve party. It is a warm, 33-page look at the realities of life after the happily-ever-after.
3. The Festive Fake-Dating Favorite: Kiss Her Once for Me (2022)
Next up is a cozy, winter-themed sapphic rom-com inspired by the classic movie While You Were Sleeping. Kiss Her Once for Me features a bisexual artist who agrees to a fake marriage of convenience with her landlord, only to realize his sister is the woman she had a magical, unforgettable one-night stand with the previous Christmas. It works beautifully as a standalone read but builds perfectly on Cochrun's knack for blending humor with emotional vulnerability.
4. The Road-Trip Reunion: Here We Go Again (2024)
Continue your reading journey with this heartfelt sapphic enemies-to-lovers story. Here We Go Again follows two former best friends, Logan and Rosemary, who must reunite for a cross-country road trip to fulfill the final wishes of their beloved dying high school mentor. It tackles grief, reconciliation, and second-chance romance with Cochrun's signature emotional depth.
5. The Camino Journey: Every Step She Takes (2025)
Conclude your reading list with Cochrun's 2025 release (originally announced under the working title Learning Curves). Every Step She Takes is an empowering sapphic romance focusing on late-in-life queer awakening. It follows 35-year-old Sadie Wells as she walks the Camino de Santiago in Portugal on a tour for queer women, finding unexpected love and discovering the parts of herself she never got to explore in her youth.
Alison Cochrun Books in Publication Order
For readers who prefer to track books strictly by release date, here is the complete list of Alison Cochrun's published works:
- The Charm Offensive (September 2021)
- A Charmed Christmas (November 2022) — Short Story / Novella
- Kiss Her Once for Me (November 2022)
- Here We Go Again (April 2024)
- Every Step She Takes (September 2025) — Published under the working title "Learning Curves"
What to Know Before You Start
Alison Cochrun's books are highly celebrated for their representation of LGBTQ+ relationships, neurodivergence, and mental health struggles (such as anxiety, depression, and OCD). While the romances are joyful and ending in guaranteed happily-ever-afters, they also explore real-world emotional struggles. Standalone stories like Kiss Her Once for Me and Every Step She Takes can be read in any order, but starting with The Charm Offensive gives you the best feel for her signature style.