Have the tissues close! As a death doula, there is going to be heartbreak and loss. But truly at the end of it all, Strawser has written a story of hope. It reminded me that we only have this one precious life and to live it to the fullest. This is my first foray into her writing and I’m wracking my brain as to why I haven’t read any of her previous novels. The words on the pages proved she did her research all while crafting characters that you won’t soon forget. If you choose to read it, don’t miss the acknowledgment section.

Well, this one certainly hit me with all the feels. I'm not one to cry at books, but let me just tell you, this one had me in tears. It's a perfect story of love and loss and of two people who didn't even realize they were saving each other, I found myself so immersed in the story that I couldn't put it down. It was heart-wrenching, powerful, and incredibly beautiful all at the same time. There isn't much to say without really giving away the whole story, but this is certainly one to add to your list.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with the digital ARC of this beautiful story so I could provide my honest opinions.

4.5/5 stars.

Nova loves her job as an end of life doula. While her partner tends to stick to a more regimented system, Nova works with younger folks as well, and works more around what they need while they face the end of their life head on. When she meets Mason, she meets one of her hardest clients yet. She knows little of his diagnosis, and must work to help him say goodbye with very little information.

Ok the first half of this book went way too slow for me. I almost DNF’d but I read some reviews and saw over 4 stars total on goodreads so I decided to keep going. While I am glad I finished, this book was just not as amazing as I expected it to be. I absolutely love Jessica Strawser’s other novels so I was a bit disappointed to not love this one as much as I expected. It had all the makings of a Me Before You type book, bur it just didn’t pull me in the same. All said, I still enjoyed the book, it just didn’t hit the same love that Jessica normally does.

This was a tough subject to get through! The subject matter was hard and I never quite bonded with the characters.

Another win for Jessica Strawser! She has a way of developing characters so you feel like you've known them your entire life! ❤️

I have heard of a birth doula who assists an expectant mother and her partner to navigate their pregnancy and delivery, but a death doula was not a concept I had heard of before. This story focuses on one death doula, named Nova. Nova crosses the line of her profession by becoming very personally involved with a client. The story was a bit slow to start but I became more interested as I read on. I also found it difficult relate to any of the characters, especially Nova. The ending seemed a bit unrealistic to me also. For me, this book was just ok.

I loved this book ... three-quarters of the way through the book I was thinking okay already get to the point. It did drag a bit at that time. And then it all turned ... I could see why there was so much buildup and informatoin. This books deals with death in a very positive way, this doesnt take away the sadness, its does make the life lived more meaningful. The characters are very well developed, even Dex who is only in the book for a short time. I can picture everyone of them. I highly reccomend reading The Next Thing You Know.

Aside from the ending, this story had potential. I couldn’t help throughout feeling like I wished Jodi Picoult, the master of the multiple narrative legal/ethical drama, had tackled it, though. I felt there was a lot to be desired in really understanding the alternate perspectives presented here; I especially disliked the random one-off chapters from characters we didn’t need to hear from. The truth behind the accident felt way too clean for my liking, too.

I’ve been wishy washy with Strawser’s last few books so I’m not sure I’ll give it another try but we’ll see. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m familiar with the concept of doulas. My step-daughter was a postpartum doula for years. But this is the first I’ve heard of an end-of-life doula. But that’s what Nova Houston is. And unlike Kelly, her partner, who only accepts elderly clients, Nova will work with anyone. Her client, Mason is a 36 year old indie songwriter and performer. He’s also not one to share much information, despite Nova’s best efforts. When he dies in a car accident, his mother is looking for someone to blame, which ends up being Nova.
The book is told in present and past tense, from the POVs of Nova, Kelly, Mason and other secondary characters. The characters at times came across as cliches - the emotional doula, the by-the-book doula, the client unable to accept all life could still offer. The ending was also unoriginal and I could see it coming from early on. I’m usually an emotional reader, but I was dry eyed and unimpressed.
The story came across as a little too “woo-woo” for me. It was like Strawser was trying to see how much emotional drama she could fit in one story. But she raises some interesting questions about our responsibility to others, assisted suicide, our personal rights over our bodies. She also gets it right about how gray and blurred the doula position can be when it comes to providing comfort and friendship.
I do think the book could make for an interesting book club selection, given the topic.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

I didn't know there were end of life doulas. The doulas help terminally ill patients ease the burden for them and their families.
The story goes back and forth in time as we watch the relationship between Nova and Mason evolve. Two opposites that find love in unusual circumstances.
Nova is a death doula, she meditates and goes by her feelings when with clients, instead of totally by the book.
Mason is a singer/songwriter trying to deal with a devastating diagnosis.
A powerful, memorable and bittersweet story that I just keep thinking about. Emotional and uplifting.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Oh my goodness, my heart!

Usually I think comparisons with other books are misleading but in this case, describing it as “A Star is Born” meets “Me Before You” is a perfect comparison. The very brief synopsis is that singer/songwriter Mason hires end-of-life doula Nova after hardship threatens his passion with music and their relationship has significant effects on their perspectives of life.

This book is one of those rare books that manages to blend sadness and hope. The sadness is very heavy and for much of the book, I almost felt like it was just manipulating me emotionally. But ugh, it just sucked me in. Having death be a central focus could be awful but in this case, it worked so beautifully. I also really appreciated how much the plot and characters made me think about how we think about death and how scared we are to talk about it. I think reading the synopsis may give the impression that this book is pro-physician assisted suicide and it is emphatically not. What it is, though, is a book that compassionately broaches the subject of why we fear death, how we can come alongside those facing it with empathy and how we can/should live life to the fullest.

I will say, though, that some trigger warnings are needed: discussion of death, cancer, suicide, chronic pain.

The idea of a Doula for end-of-life was a new concept for me. But this is the second story I have read involving one, and I am enthralled with the concept. And this one is so well-written, I could not put the story down until the very last words!

Absolutely phenomenal look at love, loss, life in a small town.....all the things that make my heart break and heal and break and heal again. Nova is the kind of character that is perfect to read about....she's a mess, but you love her and you want her to succeed. Mason is an enigma. Death is uncomfortable, scary, anger inducing.....Strawser does such a wonderful job of tapping into all of the emotion surrounding love, death, loss, grieving. 5 stars!

I enjoyed this story. I appreciated Mason and Nova’s relationship, and understood how they found a connection. However, I did like the second half of the book more than the first half. I found the first half a bit repetitive. I loved the last two chapters - everything wrapped up quickly, but in a hopeful way.

New to me author but definitely won't be last. Thoroughly enjoyed this story. Thanks Netgalley and to the publisher for letting me read this advance copy.

4.5 stars

This book covered a subject I've never heard of, although after reading this book, it makes me appreciate the work that these "death doulas" do. Like many "alternative-practitioners" death doulas are not legally regulated, nor are they covered by insurance, but that does not mean they don't play an important role. This story was a slow burn and it went back and forth in time, as well as switched POV, and reading it was like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. But as the bigger picture started to form, pieces of the story started clicking in place and my heart broke for Nova. By the time I got to the end, I was shedding tears, but it was not without hope for her. This story was absolutely heartbreaking, but it left you with feelings of hope and an understanding of the power of love. I loved Nova and Mason's stories, and their stories helped to forge a powerful connection between them. However, besides Nova and Mason's story, what I appreciated about this book were the stories of other clients that were helped by Nova and Kelly's work. I especially loved Glenna. I've never smoked a joint in my life, but I bet it would be a real trip to smoke one with Glenna! This book was my introduction to this author, and after reading this, I will definitely be looking for more of her books.

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The book will be published on March 22.

I wasn't in the right headspace for this! Too much real life death during the pandemic to be reading about a "death doula" for a famous person.

I love Jessica Strawser's previous novels, but I find myself struggling to finish The Next Thing You Know and may end up giving up on it, unfortunately. I don't find myself picking it up, and often choose something else to read instead. I feel like it could be great, but something doesn't spark for me.

I LOVED this book. Super riveting, great characters, moral dilemmas, romance, family drama….it has it all. I’m very thankful to St Martin’s press and to Jessica Strawser for the opportunity to read this book.

I’m definitely recommending to my friends once it publishes.

Nova joined Kelly’s practice a year ago. They are death doulas, which means they help people in the last days or weeks of their life with a variety of issues. They are not licensed medical professionals, although both completed a certification program. Single mother Kelly does everything by the book, something Nova decidedly does not. She goes even more off track when she gets an unusual client. Mason is only 36-years-old, although terminal diagnoses can come at any age.

Mason is a talented musician well known to those people who understand music, although not with the population at large, which is why Nova doesn’t recognize him. His arms are in constant pain from overuse and botched surgeries, and Mason doesn’t know how to live without playing the guitar all the time. Nova tries to get him to see the things he can still do, but this just draws him further from her.

His angry mother wants to blame Nova and, by extension, Kelly, for his death, and a reporter who cares more about success than the human lives she screws up, could mean catastrophe for Kelly’s business. The instinct to blame is understandable, though it still pisses me off. I liked the way Nova’s backstory unfolds, as well as her time with Mason.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES MARCH 22, 2022.