I struggled a little with the pacing and storyline of this book but ultimately really enjoyed it. The characters were unlikeable at times but this just made them more human to me, which helped me get more infested in the story. I felt a huge range of emotions throughout the whole book. This is a different type of story than Jessica Strawser’s past books I’ve read but I really enjoyed it.

This is another great book by a very talented author. Not having known anything about death doulas I clearly had a lot to learn. They can be very valuable in coming to terms with a devastating diagnosis and making the most of your final days. The author writes two main characters who come to life and totally relate to one another. A bittersweet love story develops as they discover the true value of their lives becoming more involved with each other. Well written and not soon to be forgotten! #TheNextThingYouKnow #JessicaStrawser #NetGalley

This was an interesting story of a end of life doula and her client. I did not know anything about end of life doulas. I found this story very tedious at times and wanted the story to move along faster. At times I had trouble following the story line as it goes back and forth between numerous people. It took me a long time to get through this book.

I loved this! Me Before You meets a Jessica Strawser book—her best book yet. Set in a unique setting of a death doula and her young client as they connect and fall in love. But can this doomed relationship work?

3.25 – 3.5 STARS

After reading the unique and intriguing premise of Jessica Strawser’s latest novel, “The Next Thing You Know,” I was excited to delve between the pages of Nova and Mason’s ill-fated story. I wanted so much to love this novel, but, alas, it just didn’t resonate with me as much as it clearly did with many other readers. The predictability and slow pace were huge issues for me, but I also found the lackluster characters to be off putting, often exuding annoying and self-centered behavior.

The subject of death can be unnerving at the very least, and the whole concept of an end-of-life doula is still new and even a bit controversial. I applaud Jessica Strawser for her attempt in tackling such a sensitive subject matter, and while this book isn’t without its literary merits, it just failed to hit the right emotional chords with me. Clearly, I am in the minority, so please take my opinion with a grain of salt. In the light of so many glowing reviews, perhaps it’s best for interested readers to pick up this book and judge it for themselves.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I didn’t know that a thing such as death doula existed, because wow. That must be HARD. Kelly and Nova are death doulas in Ohio. The book alteranates points of view, which was very refreshing to read. I tend to enjoy books with dual/multi pov more than single pov books because it’s easier to connect with the characters.

The story was beautiful and hard to read, but very rewarding. I’m not really a WF reader, I read mostly romance, but the synopsis gave me the kind of vibes I enjoy from books once in a while, and I am very glad I requested it. There were some parts I struggled with, especially the beginning since it took me a while to get truly hooked on, but I don’t regret a minute of it.

Thanks to St. Martin's press for my ARC. I will be posting my review on social media closer to release date.

A different take on Death Doulas, The Next Thing You Know is a gripping, moving and absolutely wonderful story. Kelly and Nova are partners in an Ohio Death Doula practice. Kelly takes on the older, more traditional cases, while Nova treats the young or more unusual ones. Don't be fooled. It is Nov, not Kelly who is the primary persona in this book.

Alternating chapters and narrators, the story develops rapidly and in lovely prose. Nova begins treating Mason, a brilliant singer-songwriter who she originally believes has received a death sentence. And he has, but it is a sentence that spells the end of his career.

Other characters include Mason's mother and brother and Kelly's pre-teen daughter. All are realistically three-dimensional. The untold secrets determine how everyone behaves. The novel will leave you thoughtful about end of life issues you may not have given time to think about. It will also pull you in with it's beauty and depth of feeling.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this uncorrected proof in exchange for my honest review.

Nova is an end-of-life doula, and helps terminally ill clients and their families prepare for death. It's a hard career, but Nova has flourished in providing that help and comfort when needed. One day a new client named Mason appears at the office . He's young and doesn't share a lot about himself or his condition. However, Nova knows that his music career is over because of a deteriorating condition, but that's all she know. Nova and Mason connect and process events and form a unique connection that is both a blessing but very hard.

Exceptional. I loved every moment with Mason and Nova-their story will move you to the depths of your soul. A Star is Born-but it's not Bradley Cooper, it's Jessica Strawser

Nova is a death doula. She helps people with terminal diagnoses walk those last few miles, providing companionship, counseling, doing chores, and helping them navigate the myriad services and agencies associated with the last days. She is like a birth doula, only on the other end. Nova works for Kelly, who started the service. She and her teen daughter live in a big old house where Nova rents a small apartment and where they have their offices. They either see clients there or at the client’s home. One day, a musician, famous in some circles but unknown to Nova, comes to the home (the smartly-named “Parting Your Way”) to sign up for their services. Kelly is rattled because Mason is so young. She dumps him off on Nova. Mason and Nova connect immediately, but there’s a big, grievous, horrific problem on the horizon, and it’s going to upend the lives of all three of the women, and their families, as well as the town and Mason’s fan base.

I wanted to like this story more, because it deals so sensitively with a lot of big issues! I was intrigued by the premise, but the story developed too slowly for my taste. Also, I wasn’t riveted by the main characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

Well, she did it again. Jessica Strawser knows how to write a book that tugs at your heart and makes you feel all the things. This novel explores the role of "death doulas" in end of life care. Nova Huston takes on a new client, Mason Shaylor, who is a guitarist that states his life as he knows it is over. She is trying to help him say goodbye but as they grow closer he becomes a challenge and they have more in common than they realize. I love how the author develops the stories of each character and the writing feels effortless. I found myself constantly putting the book down because I didn't want it to end but I was continuously pulled back into the story. I loved how the stories came together right up to the sucker punch of an ending. I found myself staring at the pages trying to figure out how I felt. I both loved and hated it and felt sorry for everyone in the book. I cannot recommend this novel enough. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A few months ago I read and reviewed my first Jessica Strawser novel, A Million Reasons Why. I enjoyed that book immensely. As I said then, that book “had me hooked from beginning to end.” Recently I finished reading Ms. Strawser’s latest work of fiction, The Next Thing You Know, to be published March, 2022. I received an advanced digital copy from the publisher, St. Martins Press, and from Net Galley, to both of which I am grateful.

I wasn’t “hooked” from the beginning of this book as I was with the previous novel, but I sure was intrigued. It starts with an interesting scenario: a young man’s visit to a “death doula,” as he, Mason, puts it, or, as the sign reads, “end-of-life” doula. From there, the chapters are told from various character’s viewpoints, albeit written in the third, not first, person. There are chapters from Mason’s perspective, his doula’s, her partner’s, and the partner’s daughter.
There are also chapters from the point of view of Mason's mother and brother, as well as from a reporter and police officer.

The story introduces many different narrative strands, with several twists and turns along the way, until it ends by weaving them together in a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed getting to know each character little by little, learning more about each throughout the course of the novel. I was surprised by more than one revelation and especially by the ending. I will not say whether the ending is a happy one or not, only that I think it’s worthwhile finding out for yourself.

I loved this sweet sweet story of Nova and Kelly, both "death doulas", rock star, Mason, and Willa, Kelly's daughter. Nova takes on Mason to help him in his "final days" and is shocked when he passes away in a horrific car accident. Trouble ensues as Mason's mom accuses Nova of forcing him "over the edge". The story progresses with each chapter narrated by a different character, so the reader can get into the minds of each one.

This story is quite well written, and was compelling to read. The ending really surprised me, and I would have given the book 4 stars, but the last few chapters bumped it up to 5 - quite wonderful and satisfying!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book!

Nova is an end of life doula and is assigned to work with Mason, who is a former musician.

Okay, I was really intrigued by the idea of this book. An end of life doula sounded quite interesting, and I wanted to know more! However, I spent the whole book in an anxious state over a possible lawsuit for Nova and her supervisor that I could not relax enough to sink into the story as it unfolded. With that, I was so glad when it was over. It's a good story, but the two conflicting feelings the author attempts does not work.


Thanks NetGalley and St Martin's Press.

THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW
BY JESSICA STRAWSER

I have read all of Jessica Strawser's previous novels and loved them all. This one was exceptionally different in that it touches on a subject not often discussed or explored. Perhaps none of us is comfortable thinking about death and no matter if a loved one is dying and we know it is coming it can still catch us off guard. I had first come to know the definition of a death doula was about a year and a half ago when I read Jodi Picoult's fantastic novel called, "The Book of Two Ways." That book had scratched the surface of the realities of being a practicing death doula and what it entails because it was the lesser role of the main character's focus. In this heartbreaking novel I got to really feel by reading, "The Next Thing You Know," what the roles are for both the death doula, Nova and her main client a young musician named Mason up close and personal. The character's were much more intimately developed and to say that this hits home base emotionally is an understatement.

I think that for me to just learn that people do exist for hire to ease their client whose dying or for a family member to deal with death on so many aspects is a huge comfort. To help transition into a more peaceful passing is in some ways a luxury that few people-at least that I know of even discuss. I wish that I had known that these people offered this service when both my parents were dying because maybe I would have considered hiring one. Not that either parent burdened me with how they felt about dying because they both seemed at peace with dying. Or maybe as a parent they felt their job was to be brave as I would also do to ease the suffering of my adult children. Still, I think that it would have been a gift to myself to know that I did all that I could for them. Of course, I would have let the final choice be their's alone in deciding if that was something they wanted or not. The sad thing is that grieving is something we are usually not taught how to do it and it can be easy to get stuck in. Often, it is left for us to glean what we can about the stages of grief from a self help book which doesn't always help. I hope someday that insurance covers the costs of end-of-life death doula's and perhaps with more books like this one published it will be more of a main streamed topic that brings more public awareness that shines a light on it's positive benefits.

This novel informed me and it deeply saddened me even though I could predict the final outcome I guess you could say I was hoping for a different one. I am immensely grateful to Jessica Strawser for writing about a theme that most of us shy away from thinking about. It is a novel that I know that I will never forget and one that I am grateful that I have read.

Publication Date: March 22, 2022

Thank you to Net Galley, Jessica Strawser and St. Martin's for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheNextThingYouKnow #JessicaStrawser #StMartin's #NetGalley

Great story told from several points of view. It was so seamless in switching points of view, just when I started wondering why a certain thing was relevant, it was answered in the next POV. The characters were believable. I enjoyed the book right up to the last pages when the final questions were anwered.

I received an avanced reader's copy from St Marina Press through NetGalley. All opinions are entirely my own..
#The Next Thing You Know #NetGalley

I ended up loving this book but it was a struggle at first to get into it. An end-of-life doula takes on a young client which is tragic enough, but when you delve into their lives the emotional tole is tough, beautiful but tough.

36 year old Mason Shaylor lives to write music and to perform it on his guitar. When he loses the use of his right hand after multiple surgeries on his arm made things worse, he seeks help from Parting Your Way. Cincinnati end-of-life doulas Kelly Monroe and Nova Huston offer different services to their clients reflecting their personal life styles. The emotional situations for all involved made for an engaging story and the tension kept building as each told their own experiences with life and death. It left me in tears at times. It still plays on my mind which is the impact a good story should have.

End-of-0life doula is a new career in the health field and a service that is well needed in the face of all of the medical advances we face.

The Next Thing You Know
A Novel
by Jessica Strawser
As an end-of-life doula, Nova Huston’s job—her calling, her purpose, her life—is to help terminally ill people make peace with their impending death. Unlike her business partner, who swears by her system of checklists, free-spirited Nova doesn’t shy away from difficult clients: the ones who are heartbreakingly young, or prickly, or desperate for a caregiver or companion.

When Mason Shaylor shows up at her door, Nova doesn’t recognize him as the indie-favorite singer-songwriter who recently vanished from the public eye. She knows only what he’s told her: That life as he knows it is over. His deteriorating condition makes playing his guitar physically impossible—as far as Mason is concerned, he might as well be dead already.

Except he doesn’t know how to say goodbye. In the end, so many people are left wondering, but wow, Mason was more than any person. I felt this so deeply.
I was in tears. This is a very touching, caring book.

*insert the scene from Lilo & Stitch where Lilo is laying despondently on the floor and staring at the ceiling while listening to her record player*

This book was beautiful and clever and tragic and it ruined my day in the best way possible. You know how it’s going to end just from the synopsis, but it’s so easy to become entirely invested in the story and the characters (and their relationship) that you find yourself hoping for the impossible…and then you’re completely wrecked when it turns out that the impossible is still impossible.