Jessica Strawser really knows how to tug on all the heartstrings! Thanks so much for this arc. I loved A Million Reasons Why so I was thrilled to receive this.

Nova is an end of life doula. What a concept! What an amazing asset for propel to have. It seems to be a controversial profession but I think if you know your time is ending- why not have some guidance and help. She takes on a young client (which she usually does not.) He, Mason, turns out to be a rock star of sort. He won’t tell her what his prognosis is. She finds herself so intrigued by him. Their relationship develops into much more than professional. As a reader you feel like this is such a win for them.

But it turns out when Mason passes it’s by suicide. Maybe he was never terminal at all. Questions arise from his mother and local authorities that could end Nova’s career. Shouldn’t she have known?

This book was heavy!! It left me feeling sad and melancholy at some parts but hopeful and wistful at others. I have a grandparent that is living out his last years so some parts of this story really hit me differently. I actually love the idea of a death doula. It really made you think and reevaluate some things.

As the story unfolds we go back and forth to present and past. This story was magically unveiled this way. We learn a lot more about Nova and Mason which makes the readers feelings change from chapter to chapter. Strawser did an excellent job telling this tale on such a heavy topic.

The Next Thing You Know is a powerful, emotional roller coaster of a book. Nova is an end-of-life doula and Mason, although a young man, becomes her client. The relationship between Nova and Mason is multi-faceted and compelling, tinged with sadness, with genuine moments between them despite the secrets they keep from each other. There are many layers to this story, as well as twists and turns, and complicated relationships between all the characters—all of which kept me turning pages, eager to find out how it would all turn out in the end.

My Thoughts
Nova Huston has a different kind of job from anything I have encountered before.

She is an end-of-life doula, a person who helps terminally ill people make peace with their impending death.

Mason Shaylor becomes her newest client, however there is more about him than Nova is aware of and soon he becomes someone she finds to be more than just another person to help ease their way through the last phase of life.

This couple is one that has faced major life changes that changed them in unexpected ways.

Their story is also another major life change for both of them and it is also unexpected.

Tough to face our mortality with dignity or grace, in this story characters show how to do both things.

Heartwarming and yet heartbreaking at the same time for me.

[EArc from Netgalley]


On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

The Next Thing You Know is a raw and emotional read that will pull at your heartstrings. Nova, an end of life doula helps terminally ill people make peace with their impending death. When musician Mason Shaylor shows up, he is not your typical client as the "typical client" is usually elderly.

Mason is a peace that he is at the end of his life, but he doesn't know how to say good bye. Through Nova, she will guide him through the process with lists and questions. However, Nova finds they have a lot in common and can't believe that soon Mason will be gone.

The story is told in multiple POV through Kelly, the owner of business, Nova and Mason. The story fluctuates between the past and present and will focus on the struggles that each character faces throughout.

I absolutely loved A Million Reasons Why and this was a fantastic book to follow up with. I cannon wait to see with the author has in store for her readers next.

Thank you Netgalley and SMP for the advanced copy of this book.

I'm rating this 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.

Jessica Strawser writes another very good novel, this time about end-of-life doulas, death with dignity, reconciliation of our dreams and reality, and finding your way to happiness again when you'd thought the possibility had been lost to you.

Nova Huston works with her partner Kelly at "Parting Your Way". They provide an assortment of services to those at the end of their lives who want guidance in getting their life in order, help in reconciling with family members, basically, anything that might help clients feel more at peace with dying and make their last days as comfortable as possible.

Mason Shaylor doesn't fit their typical clientele. He's much younger than most; an indie musician renowned and revered by many, but unknown to Nova and Kelly. Kelly assigns him to Nova who is closer to his age, and a bit of a free spirit herself. Nova finds it difficult to determine exactly what Mason would like help with. He's not very forthcoming about anything, and balks at filling out any of the many forms commonly used in their work. They begin to spend time together - taking rides, hikes etc., just getting to know one another.

To tell you any more would spoil the read for you which would be so unfair! Be assured that the author has an interesting story for you with flawed and complex characters, and she will use her skills to pluck at your heartstrings as if she's giving a concert!

Many thanks to the author and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this novel via NetGalley prior to its publication date of 3/22/22. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

This is a unique and heartfelt tale of romance, life, death and second chances. The characters and their actions are well-drawn and honest. The alternate time periods create suspense and there is an unexpected twist at the ending. This is not something I would typically read, but it was definitely worthwhile.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
"The Next Thing You Know" by Jessica Strawser was a fascinating, thought provoking, emotional & unique story that was beautifully written.
I enjoyed Ms. Strawser's writing
style, how she used multiple pov's & told the story by using the "then & now" format.
This is my 1st book by Ms. Strawser & I can't wait to see what she decides to write next.

The Next Thing You Know by Jessica Strawser is a fascinating and unique novel that focuses on death but it's message is about living. Kelly and Nova are end of life doulas practicing in Cincinnati. They are normally hired by families to lend assistance that is not provided by hospice. As doulas they can help with whatever is asked of them whether it's companionship for the patient or help navigating paperwork. When Mason, an accomplished musician, seeks out doula services for himself, Kelly recommends Nova. Mason is much younger than their usual client. Initially Mason is not forthcoming about his illness but Nova proceeds with a treatment plan as if he is terminal. Mason is resistant to Nova's help but eventually he warms to Nova's suggestions and benefits from them. Eventually Mason and Nova forge a strong bond that is abruptly shattered. Strawser deftly creates an extremely thought provoking novel wrapped up in a mystery. The Next Thing You Know can be heart wrenching and then suddenly it's heart warming.

The Next Thing You Know by Jessica Strawser is an incredible story of compassion and love. It will take you on an unforgettable journey.

What a heart-wrenching story that truly makes you think and appreciate life. I was drawn to the unique premise of the book and loved the inspiring message behind it.

A woman dedicated to helping in the most singular time of life, dying faces a challenge to her core she did not envision. Kelley and Nova are business partners who help people facing the end of life a way to navigate all the possible moments leading to life’s end. They try to comfort, encourage, and face the moment we all know is coming and somehow are left to face alone. Mason is a musician who determines his life is not worth pursuing after a surgery takes a drastic turn. The life he held with such joy and energy is gone and he sees the service these two offer his only avenue. Nova is assigned to his care and the bond in ways that will transcend his time on earth. This is a delicate and moving story, one that forces these two women to look deeper into the man and not just the musician.

I was attracted to this story because I find that I love stories about grief. The grief in this book was different than what I expected though. It was more about the grieving that occurs when the person you have known yourself to be is no longer possible. So the grief is about losing yourself.

Such an interesting topic - a death doula who assists those who are facing death with helping to come to terms with their prognosis as well as helping them to get their affairs in order. I haven't read anything regarding this topic before, so I was intrigued. Mason is a musical performer on the brink of stardom when he is dealt a devastating blow. The hands that have driven him closer to his dream with his guitar, are now rebelling against him. Without his music, without his life on the road, without the roar of the crowd, he wonders who he is. He consults with a death doula, Nova, who fills a void in his life by listening and not assuming what he is thinking. Nova has her own ghosts to deal with. She is fulfilling a passion - finding a job where she feels purpose and contentment. The two find a comradery and a shared attraction. A devastating car accident is woven through the story so that the timeframes and chapters are labeled "before" and "after".

This book took me longer than expected to connect with and enjoy the story. I looked down to see that I was at 76% completed when I finally really felt vested in this story. The way that the chapters jumped around in point of view and timeframe did not feel smooth. In fact, it was jarring to me. There were a few chapters that seemed a little thrown in. I also never quite understood the strained relationships with the main characters' mothers.

All that to say that just because I didn't connect with this one does not mean I think no one else will. I have seen good reviews on this book, so I feel like this one just didn't hit me in the intended way. I did not consider this a bad read, rather just an okay read for me. I didn't feel as connected to the characters as I wanted to. It almost felt like there was a glass partition between us. Toward the last third of the story I definitely felt that glass move out of the way, but by then it felt a little too late.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC to read and review. Pub date: 3.22.22.

What a beautiful story The Next Thing you Know is! I mostly read thrillers and mysteries and wanted something a little different and I'm so glad I picked this up! Nora is an end of life doula who helps prepare terminally ill patients with getting their affairs in order before their end. Mason is a musician who becomes one of her clients. Their connection is very strong and soon the two become inseparable. The story is wonderful and heartbreaking all at the same time. The ending is perfectly beautiful and poetic. Highly recommend!

3.5 Stars
I wanted to love this, and I wanted to bawl my eyes out and rail at the cruelties of life...but I just never got there. I think what I was missing was the connection between Nova and Mason. I didn't feel sad for them, and I should have. For me this was more a study of the death doula practice than the interactions between Nova and Mason, and while I enjoyed the story itself, I just didn't get the punch I was hoping for.

Wow what an emotional book that should come with a few boxes of tissues! Nova is an end of life doula. Mason has a condition that makes playing his guitar impossible so his life is over. The book is told in past and present and from different pov's which I love as you get much more of the story. This was an emotional book and is definitely character driven. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

We've heard of doulas who help women in labor and childbirth, but the idea of a death doula was foreign to me, though it does make sense.
Kelly and Nova are partners where Kelly takes mainly older folks who are dying and Nova takes them all, young or old. Mason is a different story right from the start. Too young for Kelly, she sends him to Nova and they really hit it off. He comes from what sounds like a dysfunctional family and so does she. He does not give answers the way she'd like, but he is a musician losing his career due to physical issues that are not fixable.
A huge scene arises when **spoiler alert** Mason dies and it appears to be suicide, making life hell for Nova and Kelly and opening the door to lawsuits and the end of their business.
I could not understand why Kelly was so angry with Nova and feel it was Nova's business to reveal or not her past. That was when I started to not like it as much as I had. I still can't see her point and don't know if it is the way I am looking at it or if it made no sense to others. The writing style was not comfortable for me and I had to reread several areas to try to figure out what was being said or implied and that never happens to me.
3 stars for a different story line, but I don't know if I'd read anything else by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader in exchange for an honest opinion.

Trigger warnings for death, suicide, and other related issues.

Nova and Kelly share a death doula practice, and seem to be incredible passionate caregivers to members of their community dealing with terminal illnesses. Mason comes to them looking for help, as an unusually young person coming to grips with his mortality and becomes closely involved with Nova. I don't want to give anything away, but you basically find out what happens in the beginning of the book, and then spend the rest of the book understanding how and why it happened. While this subject matter was tough sometimes, the characters were likable and relatable and it was well written. The middle got a little slow, but it really came together in the end. I did hope there was more to come about Kelly's backstory - maybe that could be the next book?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. This book started slowly for me, but picked up probably about halfway through. I enjoyed learning more about death doulas and thought Strawser created two interesting main characters in Nova and Mason. I think a slight downfall was that the reader already knows Mason is dead almost right away. I think it may have been a stronger, more compelling story if I didn’t have that information so early in the book. I know that is a plot device used often in books like this, but it just didn’t work as well in this one for me. It took some of the sadness away from the ending and in a book like this, I want more of that emotional impact at the end. Overall, I enjoyed the book and Strawser’s writing, but just didn’t have the more emotional connection I would have expected given the synopsis.

It was difficult reading this book because within a span of one month, our family has lost four wonderful friends. This book tugs at your heartstrings and there are times you'll be sobbing so hard you'll have to stop reading. A wonderful book about life and death and going on this journey with the ones you love.

This book was so emotional from start to finish, OMG!!!! I think I went through at least 6 boxes of kleenex reading this because it made me cry and feel every emotion possible. A nice break from the thrillers I have been reading. If Jessica Strawser keeps writing books like this, I will read every single one.

Definitely recommended!

Thanks to Netgalley, Jessica Strawser and St Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 3/22/22