Powerful story of how people cope with knowing they are dying and how they may seek help in dealing with various aspects. Nova is a death doula, Her task is to assist those who are dying with whatever non- medical help she can give. When her partner, who doesn’t want to deal with someone dying young, refers Mason to her, Nova finds him resistant to her tried and trues processes. She is stymied - after all, Mason sought her out, not the other way around. Can Nova help him, or will everything be lost by Masons actions?

OMG, the tears!!! This story was emotionally draining in the very best way. I've enjoyed each of Jessica Strawser's books and The Next Thing You Know was no different. If you are looking for a layered, heartfelt, and ultimately redemptive novel—this is one to pick up!!

I finished this book with tears in my eyes. It was such a beautiful story. Nova and Mason had such a strong connection it drew you in. The secondary characters are well written and developed. I longed to be a part of the story so I could comfort or even just enjoy the company of these people.

I have read a few other of Jessica Strawser's books but this one is my favorite. I feel like each story is better than the last, but this one will be hard to top.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I am an emotional mess. This was one intense look at life, love and decisions, outcomes and just has me questioning… am I living my best life. End of life doulas … never knew that existed, but I totally understand why they do what they do .
Another fantastic book as only Jessica Strawser can write.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. It will definitely stay with me for a long time.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!! I am fascinated by the career path of a death doula and I very much enjoy reading about it. Death is so often feared and rarely prepared for and I think death doulas are there to help ease the burdens and bring peace to the dying and their families. The book had a great flow and I always enjoy the changing perspectives of the characters to build a full story. The chapters moved quickly and held my interest until the very end. I highlighted many quotes and felt like it provoked me to be more thoughtful and mindful in the present. This book inspired me to research death doulas in my area and the process to become one.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The promising career of indie musician Mason has come crashing down around him due to a botched surgery and no one has seen him since. Until he resurfaces in his hometown seeking the services of end of life doula, Nova. Her business partner Kelly has assigned Mason's case to Nova because of her free spirited approach to the services they offer, and boy does she have her work carved out for her. Mason is not exactly a conversationalist and has only divulged that life as he knows it, is over. Nova sets out to encourage the right conversations for Mason to decide the next steps in his life, not knowing they may have more in common than she thinks.
I had high hopes for this story given the positive reviews, but it didn't grab me. I felt at times it was slow moving and predictable, reaching for drama when there really wasn't a need for it given the sensitive scenes of impending death and talk of suicide.

Book was sent to me
I have read all Jessica's books, I enjoy her books, I was eager to read ARC

How do you say goodbye?
"Parting Your Way' can help
Rotating between doulas, clients, characters you feel each side of the challenge/story.
I became so into the story I read it in a day. I had to know what happened.

This book will definitely give you something to think and to reflect on!

This was a rather contemplative, melancholy read, but I enjoyed it.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this novel!

I really loved these characters. Nova was someone I felt I could easily be friends with. The blurb stated this story was “Me Before You meets a Star is Born” and I totally agree. Nova is a death doula (who knew that was a thing?!) and her newest client is Mason shaylor, a musician who has lost his ability to play music. They’re relationship develops slow and felt super realistic. Mason is found dead early on from an apparent suicide or possible accident. The novel jumps from present day (post mason’s death) to the past (when nova meets Mason). I was worried we wouldn’t get closure as to what actually happened the night Mason died, but we do in the final chapter and it was more devastating than I could have imagined. I really enjoyed this one and could totally picture it as a movie or limited series.

I’m turning on the spoilers button because I’m not sure if Mason’s death is a spoiler. But it is mentioned within the first 2-3 chapters.

A poignant insightful book that pushes the reader to look within herself, her life, her relationships and her future. Highly recommended.

I'm so grateful to all the advance readers & reviewers for their early support for this story. Writing this book during the isolation of the pandemic took on a whole new layer of meaning, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to introduce these characters at last. They've been keeping me good company for the past 18 months, and I hope they'll prove memorable for you, too.

Just WOW! This book kept me up late at night. First to keep on reading, now I can’t quit thinking about the story and what it means to our every day lives. Such an incredible tale of the ‘death doula’ and her journey through life and death. Empowering view into our every day psyche and how we choose to live every single day.
Seamlessly woven story that starts with a bang and literally never lets go. I did not want it to end.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Huge 5 stars from me.

Dear Ms. Strawser, you didn’t just pull out the emotional cords of mine by writing this extremely heart wrenching story, you just tore apart those cords! I know what I’m signed for as soon as I read the blurb: “A star is born” meets “me before you” definition gives enough clue the hero’s fate at the end! But before reaching the end, I already started uncontrollably sobbing because I got invested into both characters and a little piece of me still kept hopes up for least devastating conclusion! But… it didn’t happen!

I’m a trainwreck with my stained mascara, blotchy face and red eyes! I procrastinated to read this book for three weeks because I know the author is brilliant and her book will be the ruin of me! It’s like knowing not to put your hand on the hot stove but you do it anyway even though you have to suffer from consequences!

Let me give you more details about the plot and characters while I’m dabbing my eyes and sniffing more.

The book opens with Mason Shaylor’s appointment with Kelly Monroe. Then we get informed Kelly is the director “Parting you way” which is specialized doula program to help you assist throughout your dying process. But Mason is only 38 and Kelly’s entire program focused on elderly people but she knows someone who can provide the service Mason needs!

Then we’re introduced to Nova, biker, free spirited, at the same age with Mason. I have to admit: I don’t like her at first. She’s not quirky, kind hearted Louisa Clark! I had hard time to connect with her. But Mason gives the entire Will Traynor vibes from the beginning. (he’s not quadriplegic and he’s not an adrenaline junkie like Will but common thing about them is Mason’s degenerative condition in his right arm which affect his career as musician. Losing his musician self means losing entire identity ! )

The story moves between past and present with dual POVs give enough clues to understand the characters’ lives and things they’ve been through make them who they are right now!

I kept questioned what happened to Mason in the past? Did an accident seal his fate or did he do this to himself?

I have to warn you about the ending: some of you will hate it because it hurts you more than you expected with some heart shattering revelations! If you recently lost your loved one or if you still try to deal with your grief, this book is not great fit for you.

If you are tough enough to rip the Band aid off at one time, just go blind, keep your napkins, boxes of absorbent paper products close and don’t hold your tears, you’re gonna shed gallons of them!

Ms. Strawser broke my heart into millions of pieces but I loved her creative and sentimental writing style. Even though this book was one of my heaviest and hardest reads with the ultra depressing subject choice, I still enjoyed her meaningful words and genuine characterization. I’m looking forward to read more works of her.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

The Next Thing You Know by J. Strawser, published by St. Martin's Press is a stnad-alone. A raw and gritty read, complex and very touching. I connected with the characters from the first page and I read the book, cover to cover, in one sitting. I literally couldn't put it down.
An outstanding book that gave me all the feels that stays with me long after reading the last page.

I usually read mysteries & thrillers but wanted a break to read something dramatic. I am so glad I did, because The Next Thing You Know is fantastic! I’ve read Jessica Strawser before so I had high hopes, and it exceeded every expectation and then some! The plot is warm, yet heartbreaking, and the characters are so lovely. The ending was perfect in every way. This book deserves to be on all the best sellers lists!!!

I adored her last book.. not the title change.. but the novel. I started reading this one as soon as you offered it. I rarely stop reading a book I start but the subject matter of this one is too disturbing in these difficult times to continue. The author is very accomplished and I am sure end of life scenarios can be depicted honestly and openly. However, for me, this genre is too painful in light of Covid, quarantines, and vaccination requirements pending so soon. I apologize but some reading cannot be forced.

Interesting novel with many perspectives and a then and now relating. From these vantage points the story tells of the past and present perspectives of the characters involved in the last short months of a young song writer.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I know this book has gotten a lot of great early reviews, but for me, it was just ok. I had a hard time really connecting with and relating to Nova, a death doula, and Mason, her client. I’ve enjoyed Jessica Strawser’s books in the past so I was sad that this one just didn’t do it for me.

This was a beautiful story, but it's one of those ones that hurt too. Without giving too much away, I appreciated that the author was very up front about what happens with one of the characters (though admittedly I held out hope for a different ending for far too long). The ending wrapped up pretty quickly.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jessica Strawser is a brave author that has decided to address the mysterious and powerful subject of death. Yet she softens it with a love story. It's well researched with pointers that the reader may want to jot down.

It's about a 36-year-old singer-songwriter, Mason, who walks inside a cozy house in Cincinnati to ask questions with Kelly, the owner of "Parting Your Way." She is an end-of-life doula along with her partner, Nova. Kelly described her role as a non-medical caretaker who helps with one's peace of mind when the end of life is near. She specializes with the elderly and her partner, 33-year-old Nova, takes the younger clients.

I would suspect that if someone asked people on the street what a death doula is, they wouldn't have a clue. Kelly notes that American culture avoids this topic as much as possible.

In the book, Mason signs up for the service with a packet of forms to complete. The chapters move from "now" to "then" with an historical glance. In the past, Mason suffered from a surgery leaving him with a burning sensation in his right arm and hand causing an inability to play his beloved guitar for his fans. This was emotionally devastating. However, he didn't reveal to Nova the full extent of a medical condition which would end his life in the near future. Was he actually going to die? Nova wasn't going to ask.

Overall, this is a book that has a strong message, it's well written and one that leaves the reader with heavy thoughts regarding death. Kelly said, "people should talk more openly about death." The book was written during the pandemic with headline news posting high Covid numbers. Yet, I think it may take awhile before people are comfortable with an open discussion on death with so many opinions on what happens at the end. However, those bookclubs looking for a big discussion should pick this one.

My thanks to Jessica Strawser, St. Martin's Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read this copy with the expected release date of March 22, 2022.