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Steps #2
Two Steps Forward
Four stepsiblings from two opposite sides of the world are sharing a summer together in one strange city: Los Angeles.
NYC fashionista girl Annabel is determined to hate LA, where her dad and his family have relocated. But just when Annabel thinks her summer is beyond ruined, she gets a surprise from Down Under . . . and let's just say he's a good kisser.
Lucy misses her home country, Australia, but thinks LA isn't so bad after all. If she could only get her stepsister Annabel on board to loving LA too -- and get that weird Wheaties boy to stop staring at her!
Wheaties, boy-genius, doesn't mind where he's spending the summer, so long as lovable Lucy is nearby. He's trying not to worry about how his dad and stepmother's marriage problems will affect his living situation. And he'd really like to know the secret of that Ben dude's swoony appeal to the girls.
Ben, the Aussie athlete god, would rather be spending his school break playing footy with his mates back in Melbourne. He'd also really rather not have his dad's loud girlfriend sharing their American vacation. And he'd definitely like to know how he got interested in the pretty Annabel girl all over again.
Told from the alternating points of view of Annabel, Lucy, Wheaties, and Ben, Two Steps Forward is funny and genuine -- and shows how love can create all kinds of families.
NYC fashionista girl Annabel is determined to hate LA, where her dad and his family have relocated. But just when Annabel thinks her summer is beyond ruined, she gets a surprise from Down Under . . . and let's just say he's a good kisser.
Lucy misses her home country, Australia, but thinks LA isn't so bad after all. If she could only get her stepsister Annabel on board to loving LA too -- and get that weird Wheaties boy to stop staring at her!
Wheaties, boy-genius, doesn't mind where he's spending the summer, so long as lovable Lucy is nearby. He's trying not to worry about how his dad and stepmother's marriage problems will affect his living situation. And he'd really like to know the secret of that Ben dude's swoony appeal to the girls.
Ben, the Aussie athlete god, would rather be spending his school break playing footy with his mates back in Melbourne. He'd also really rather not have his dad's loud girlfriend sharing their American vacation. And he'd definitely like to know how he got interested in the pretty Annabel girl all over again.
Told from the alternating points of view of Annabel, Lucy, Wheaties, and Ben, Two Steps Forward is funny and genuine -- and shows how love can create all kinds of families.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2006
11 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Cohn
36 books2,280 followersRachel grew up in the D.C. area and graduated from Barnard College with a B.A. in Political Science. She has written many YA novels, including three that she cowrote with her friend and colleague David Levithan. She lives and writes (when she's not reading other people's books, organizing her music library or looking for the best cappuccino) in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 30, 2017
I chose to read this book because I was looking for a good fun read, and the librarian told me this was a great, girly book that I would enjoy.
In this book, we got to meet two sisters named Annabel and Lucy who live in different states from each other. When Annabel finds out she has to spend her summer with her dad and Lucy in California, she was not happy. Little did she know, she was going to run into her first kiss, Ben. They all spend their summer together, along with Wheatie who has a secret crush on Lucy and create lots of fun stories, such as trips to the beach, and family barbecues. As the sisters go through their ups and downs, they create an unbreakable bond and memories.
I really enjoyed the book and I loved how it was told from four different characters. It really helped give me an insight to how each person was feeling. At times it got a little confusing because the characters would be in different problems, so when it switched perspectives it was a little confusing. But in general, I really enjoyed the read!
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a heartwarming, fun, and girly read. This is a great book where you see connections and relationships being rekindled. Someone who is looking for a more action-packed book would probably not enjoy this read.
In this book, we got to meet two sisters named Annabel and Lucy who live in different states from each other. When Annabel finds out she has to spend her summer with her dad and Lucy in California, she was not happy. Little did she know, she was going to run into her first kiss, Ben. They all spend their summer together, along with Wheatie who has a secret crush on Lucy and create lots of fun stories, such as trips to the beach, and family barbecues. As the sisters go through their ups and downs, they create an unbreakable bond and memories.
I really enjoyed the book and I loved how it was told from four different characters. It really helped give me an insight to how each person was feeling. At times it got a little confusing because the characters would be in different problems, so when it switched perspectives it was a little confusing. But in general, I really enjoyed the read!
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a heartwarming, fun, and girly read. This is a great book where you see connections and relationships being rekindled. Someone who is looking for a more action-packed book would probably not enjoy this read.
January 18, 2021
I love Rachel Cohn. I’ve been binging her books during this time that’s been hard for me and her characters are like my best witty friends.
June 4, 2009
You will be hard-pressed to find a truer tween voice than that of Rachel Cohn, who wrote THE STEPS, the prequel to this novel. Cohn brings back the very bizarre, intertwined family tree of which Annabel is the center, but this time three more voices join the picture: Lucy’s, Wheaties’, and Ben’s.
Instead of spending her summer in Sydney like she wants to, Annabel is forced to go with her mom, Angelina, to Los Angeles, where her father has just relocated with his new family that includes Annabel’s stepsister and best friend, Lucy. The moody Annabel is determined to hate LA, but she finds it harder and harder to when she learns the good news—the Aussie “footy” god, Ben, Lucy’s ex-stepbrother and Annabel’s first kiss, is coming to California too! In addition to that, Annabel’s current stepbrother Wheaties (real name Al) is also arriving in LA to spend summer with his workaholic mom. It should be one great summer.
However, all four steps must grow and accept. Wheaties is in love with Lucy and must deal with her not reciprocating, as she doesn’t want to be involved with guys at the moment. Annabel and Ben need to work out something for the feelings that start to redevelop between them upon Ben’s arrival. And Lucy and Annabel have to accept that, as sisters and friends, they will inevitably fight in order to learn to live with their differences.
While I felt that the story was slow to start and too abrupt in its ending, TWO STEPS FORWARD is definitely an enjoyable read. Readers will identify with the four main characters—and if they don’t identify, they’ll at least find each character’s thoughts highly amusing!
Instead of spending her summer in Sydney like she wants to, Annabel is forced to go with her mom, Angelina, to Los Angeles, where her father has just relocated with his new family that includes Annabel’s stepsister and best friend, Lucy. The moody Annabel is determined to hate LA, but she finds it harder and harder to when she learns the good news—the Aussie “footy” god, Ben, Lucy’s ex-stepbrother and Annabel’s first kiss, is coming to California too! In addition to that, Annabel’s current stepbrother Wheaties (real name Al) is also arriving in LA to spend summer with his workaholic mom. It should be one great summer.
However, all four steps must grow and accept. Wheaties is in love with Lucy and must deal with her not reciprocating, as she doesn’t want to be involved with guys at the moment. Annabel and Ben need to work out something for the feelings that start to redevelop between them upon Ben’s arrival. And Lucy and Annabel have to accept that, as sisters and friends, they will inevitably fight in order to learn to live with their differences.
While I felt that the story was slow to start and too abrupt in its ending, TWO STEPS FORWARD is definitely an enjoyable read. Readers will identify with the four main characters—and if they don’t identify, they’ll at least find each character’s thoughts highly amusing!
August 27, 2013
This book follows a complicated family and their summer together in L.A. It rotates from Annabel, a fashionable New Yorker, to Lucy, her sweet stepsister, to her persistent stepbrother "Wheaties" A.K.A Alan, and the athlete Ben. The book records the summer these four and their mothers, fathers, and nanny have together. It's a wild, crazy two months, from star maps and Australian accents to Leonardo DiCaprio and a very eventful camping trip. The story is told from different perspectives, and sometimes leaves you wondering, "How would the other character have recorded this event?"
I thought this book was okay. The entire family situation was a little difficult to understand, since it was not explained very well. The plot was a little slow also. However, I did pick up some Australian slang, like "footy" (soccer.) In conclusion, this book is an alright quick read.
I thought this book was okay. The entire family situation was a little difficult to understand, since it was not explained very well. The plot was a little slow also. However, I did pick up some Australian slang, like "footy" (soccer.) In conclusion, this book is an alright quick read.
December 22, 2010
Two Steps Forward is the sequal to The Steps. Lucy and her family moved from Australia to L.A, and Annabel is coming to visit, but this time with her mom and her step brother nickname Wheaties. Also Ben, Annabels long lost love, is coming to visit to and she can't wait. Lucy and Annable seem more like step sisters in this book, but Lucy and Annabel get in this big fight because Annabel would always change herself to be what Ben wants. In the end Lucy and Annabel have forgiving each other, but Ben is leaving without saying goodbye to Annabel. In the end Ben gives her a big kiss in front of everyone. People should read this book if they have read the first one, because it is very good and goes well with the first one.
June 12, 2011
Two Steps Forward by Rachel Cohn was one of the books that I eventually got bored of. It was alright in the beginning but when it got toward the middle, it started getting a little boring. Annabel's love adventure was pretty interesting. I'm pretty sure that she have been through a lot with her family, and her love life. She wants a perfect love life, unlike the one her family has. I haven't read the first book, The Steps. So I was sort of confused of what's going on when I first picked up this book. I've decided to give up on this book towards the end of the book, cause it didn't catch my interest after a while.
April 16, 2008
This book was just what I needed: a fun, silly, fluffy teen girl book. In terms of sophistication, it wasn't great, but then again, the target audience is girls aged 9-13. I liked the aspect of the crazy family with remarried parents and stepsiblings creating their own family, especially how close Lucy and Annabel are. I probably won't read the prequel or rave about this novel to my friends, but it was certainly an enjoyable read.
September 3, 2011
I couldn't get through "Two Steps Forward". I found it pretty confusing because there are a lot of different families and stepbrothers and sisters, etc. It was the kind of book I thought really needed something like a family tree! Maybe I was confused because, as I just realized, it is the second book of the series. But, the main reason I didn't finish it (and barely started it) was because I found it boring. I just wasn't interested and the beginning didn't grab me.
October 18, 2012
A good, quick read. I found it very enjoyable, even though it was written for a younger group of people. It is about love, friendship, summer, crushes, youth, and family. It goes over how even if a relationship ends, sometimes the family ties still remain. It also goes into how too much time with someone, can be a bad thing and sometimes people just need space. I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a good read.
July 15, 2007
The sequel to The Steps, Two Steps Forward finds everyone in LA for the summer where it turns out that maybe we didn't learn all the necessary lessons last time around. This one's different because every chapter is told from a different point of view, instead of Annabel's not-always-reliable vantage point. I think I liked this one better than the first one.
August 20, 2012
Coz no matter how totally unrelated yet close everyone are, i still find the relationships kinda icky and i bit hard to swallow. I think the only way that steps can make relationships cute and adorable is when Cher and Josh fell for each other in the movie Clueless.
Interesting story though, the book i mean. :)
Interesting story though, the book i mean. :)
November 1, 2016
Tow Steps Forward is a book that some people might like. I really didn't like it. It is intresting in some parts of the book but most of it I really didn't like. sometimes it would get intresting like when she was moving and she fought with her sister. Her and her sister would get along usualy but that day they didn't really get along.
July 1, 2008
I enjoyed reading this book. It probably would have made more sense had I read the first book but just the same, I thought it was good. I thought that this was a good look into how crazy life can become if your parents get divorced and re-married and your family just continues to grow.
July 18, 2009
This book made me do something I very, rarely do: quit reading.
Rachel Cohn has such a good voice. I wish she would use it for more than writing hot girls with unbelievably complicated families who get called by their first names, no matter if they're your parents or not.
Rachel Cohn has such a good voice. I wish she would use it for more than writing hot girls with unbelievably complicated families who get called by their first names, no matter if they're your parents or not.
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February 17, 2013Rachel Cohn is another very good author. I read the first book the steps in one day. I have steps of my own so it inspired me to read it. I like that this book changes perspectives during the book other than the first book but based on quality i would prefer the first book more.
July 28, 2013
Honestly, I found this book utterly boring and confusing. Maybe it's because I didn't read the first book, but none the less this story was really puzzling. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is a lover of adventure and nonstop entertainment. Not this one, sorry.
May 3, 2007
Yes...I love sequels...and as I recall, I enjoyed this one!
August 31, 2007
This sequel to The Steps was even better than the original. Funny, moving and told from 4 points of view, it was a great look at a blended international family and the issues they face.
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August 2, 2008It was also a really good book! This is the sequel to The Steps so read this book second!
August 18, 2008
This was a fantastical book...
September 14, 2008
a cute love story, really sonfusing, not unless ur smart! jKjkjk! its an awesum book!
September 20, 2008
Great Book.
December 13, 2008
Yes....It can be true that the second books are even better than the first.
November 22, 2009
Definitely more for girls, & early-teen girls at that. I thought categorizing it as "juvenile" was stretching it, as it's very mature in parts. Good characters, though.
Currently reading
January 23, 2010my friend says this boof is great!
February 27, 2010
amazing
November 9, 2010
This is a great fun read about romance, and families!
July 3, 2012
This was a wierd and bizzare book that started out okay, but just kept going downhill.
April 8, 2016
This was a pretty good book. I really enjoyed reading it. This is a great sequel to "The Steps". I love all the characters and the plot. It's great to know that some step families get along.
July 30, 2013
cute quick read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews