I have been reading Jessica Strawser’s novels since she released her first one, and she just keeps getting better and better. With THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, Strawser has taken her craft to a whole new level.
She gives us Nova and Mason’s story through dual timelines (Now and Then) and multiple points of view: not just Mason and Nova, but also her business partner, Kelly’s and that of Kelly’s daughter, Willow. Juggling all this could have been confusing for the reader, but each change and character is so distinct, moving between them is seamless. Not only that, but each part fits into the story.
Mason makes an appointment with Kelly, a death doula. What is a death doula? I hadn’t heard of one before this novel, but now I seem to see it everywhere – a death doula helps those facing death do so with dignity and with preparation: financial, emotional, whatever they need for closure. Kelly specializes in older clients, so she introduces her to Nova. Nova has finally found her calling, much to her family’s dismay. Unlike Kelly, she takes the hard clients and gives them her all. When Mason becomes her client, she can’t help getting close to him. They see each other, and she knows she can help him, and they find themselves sharing everything, or almost everything.
THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW has been on many most anticipated lists and for good reason. This novel will take your heart, rip it out, run it through the wringer, and hand it back to you with the characters taking up permanent residence. This one will make you cry, but that isn’t a bad thing. There will be happy tears and laughter mixed in with the sad tears, hope and love. So much hope and love. It isn’t just Nova and Mason that grow, it is everyone in their circle. I loved this novel so much for so many reasons I am not sure anything I write will do it justice. All I can say: Get this book, read it, and enjoy it.
Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the book. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#TheNextThingYouKnow #JessicaStrawser #StMartinsPress #TallPoppyWriter #TallPoppyWriters #BloomReads

I have mixed feelings about this thought-provoking and emotional read about death doulas which is a new concept for me and I just couldn't connect with the characters and the mixed timelines. I guess I am just too old and set in my ways for anything that's out of my comfort zone. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Nova Huston is an end-of-life doula who helps terminally ill people make peace with the impending death. She is a free spirit who will take on any client. When Mason Shaylor shows up, she does not recognize him. He is a singer-songwriter who recently disappeared from the public eye. He tells her that his life is over, that his deteriorating has made playing his guitar extremely difficult. Helping Mason say goodbye is what she does, but why is it so hard? It’s a quiet and heartfelt story with memorable characters, an emotional plot, and an unpredictable story arc.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ecopy for my Kindle.
This is my favorite book by the author, and I've read all of them. It's a heart wrenching story. The only negative aspect was the profanity- "gd" wo

3.5 stars - rounding up to 4. This was a touching and emotional story of a death doula, Nova Huston and her client, Mason Shaylor. It was a little slow at the start but I liked it more as it went on. There was a lot of jumping around in the timeline but it was pretty clear when each chapter was taking place. This would be a good book club selection that would generate a lot of questions and conversations. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

I found it difficult to engage with the characters in this book, although I did appreciate their story. I can understand that a death doula could be a great help to people who are dying, especially if there is no family member to ease the way.

Nova is a death doula. Sounds creepy and morbid. Think of it more as a midwife but in reverse. She is anything but morbid or creepy. She helps her clients meet death their way and is willing to be with them all the way. The day Mason Shaylor walks in changes her life and his. Death doulas, rockstars and The Wizard of Oz, seems like an odd combination. It is one that will have you laughing and sobbing. One of the best books I have read in quite awhile.

Nova Huston is an end-of-life doula. What that means is that she helps people who are dying in many ways…offering a sympathetic shoulder, helping with funeral arrangements, acting as a mediator between the family and the terminally ill person, being a companion. She works for her friend, Kelly’s, business.

Mason Shaylor is an up and coming indie singer-songwriter. He already has quite the following, and was up until recently about to break into the mainstream. Nova has never heard of him until now, when he comes to her for her doula services. He has a deteriorating condition that doesn’t allow him to play guitar anymore, and he tells her he’s dying.

Nova is not sure how to work with Mason and provide the support he needs to find peace before it’s his time to go, but she goes out of her way to try.

The next thing you know…they start to bond, and neither of them realize how hard it may be to say goodbye.

What a pleasant surprise this book was. I was honestly dreading the thought of reading it after perusing some trusted reviews, but I ended up really enjoying it. It’s a quiet and heartfelt story with memorable characters, an emotional plot, and an unpredictable story arc.

I was able to connect with the characters, which I wasn’t expecting, and really wanted things to somehow work out the way they would in a happier story. All in all, everyone’s reading experience is different…and that’s what keeps book chatter interesting. This was a win for me.

Kudos to the author for her diligent research on end-of-life doulas. It was very eye-opening to read about what they do…and don’t do.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Now available.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

I found this topic very interesting as an end of life doula is a new concept for me. This was a very thought provoking and emotional story.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book left me in great gulping sobs. Actually it pretty much had me weeping all the way through. About end of life wishes and two women who help. They don't help you die but help you prepare for death. Help you and the ones you love. End of life doulas is what they are called. I had never heard this term before. What they do is really wonderful for the most part. I personally could not do it but that is because I would get way too attached. Way too involved. I'd be way to emotional and totally useless to the clients.

Nova Huston takes on Mason Shaylor as a client. Mason is a thirty six year old guitar player who comes to these women for information. From there the story takes off and you follow each through a journey that is so emotional. So realistic. Just so beautifully sad that you will not soon forget it. The chemistry between Nova and Mason is terrific. Very endearing.

This is truly a very emotional story so be warned that you will shed lots of tears. It alternates between several of the characters but mainly between Nova and Kelly. The two women who won the company. Also from Mason, Kelly's daughter Willow and a few others. The main two are my favorites though; Nova and Mason. What happens. Where the story takes you. The feelings that are so real and so deep. You feel it all right along with them.

Jessica Strawser did such a great job with this story. Made it so realistic. So emotional. The research she did was fantastic. I'm so glad I read this even if it did tear my heart out. It's so good.

Thank you #NetGalley, #JessicaStrawser, #StMartinsPress for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

5/5 huge stars and a very high recommendation. A big tissue worthy, tearjerker story.

The Next Thing You Know is a thought provoking page turner. Nova is a fascinating character. I loved her heart, honesty, and commitment to her work. Mason took a bit to warm up to. Strawser’s strong writing and impeccable pace left me in the dark about what was really going on until I was fully invested.



Christa Lewis is a new to me narrator. I enjoyed her voice, especially the tones she uses. I would definitely recommend listening to this emotional story.

This was ok, very emotional and deep, maybe just not the right time for me to read it...Willow was my favorite character but my heart also ached for Nova in the end. Heavy read for sure

This was a nice change from my thriller books. It did give off some me before you vibes but it made me love it so much more. I also liked it went back and forth from then and now.

Having never heard of a death doula I was intrigued by the concept of this book. I have to admit it took me quite a while to acclimate to the back and forth time line and multiple points of view. I was able to connect with Mason and my heart broke for him. I really enjoyed his backstory. I had a more difficult time connecting with Nova, but understood her better after I heard more of her backstory. What an intriguing concept - but I have to admit it would certainly be challenging to keep it professional at all times. Loved, loved, loved Willow’s report at the end. Mason’s song, The Next Thing You Know, brought me to tears…such emotional lyrics. I really enjoyed his process of writing music. Three and a half stars for this read. Many thanks to Jessica Strawser, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this just recently published book.

The Next Thing You Know by Jessica Strawser is a unique story about end of life choices and how Death Doulas provide mental, spiritual and practical comfort and assistance to the terminally ill.
The story focuses on Nova, a death doula. She breaks the rules of her profession by becoming personally involved with a client.
The story was slow paced throughout with an exceptional ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Let me preface this review by saying that I haven't seen both Me Before You and A Star is Born. I requested this since I was intrigued by the premise of an end-of-life doula as I've only known of birth ones; intrigued that these pertain to both beginnings and endings, though this book centers on the latter.

I would have DNFed this book had I not gotten this through NetGalley for me to review. It took me to get through around 70% to really hold my interest. I usually love books narrated from different POVs but in this one I think I was kept at bay and never really connected with any of the characters, not until I read about their relationships which I wish have been the focus.

Still, I appreciated the insights about nearing death and the changes this kind of new reality can bring to people. I got a bit emotional towards the end and the ending broke my heart.

It's rather unfortunate that I did not really love this book the way I want to, but this book may be for anyone who wants to have a good cry.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and the author for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Just reading the title, I got teary-eyed. Just know going into this that you might shed a tear. The Next Thing You Know by Jessica Strawser introduces an interesting job- end of life doula. I thought this was fictional but its a real thing! Here’s the description:

Who are end-of-life doulas? End-of-life doulas provide non-medical, holistic support and comfort to the dying person and their family, which may include education and guidance as well as emotional, spiritual or practical care, from as early as initial diagnosis through bereavement.

Sounds life a tough job! In this book, Nova is an end-of-life doula, helping people get ready for their death by various means of supporting them. Enter a cute new client named Mason who isn’t quite forthcoming with his diagnosis. Regardless, its Nova’s job to assist him. Of course, things aren’t that black and white…

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.

Helping him is Nova’s biggest challenge yet. She knows she should keep clients at arm’s length. But she and Mason have more in common than anyone could guess… and meeting him might turn out to be the hardest, best thing that’s ever happened to them both.

Out now!

Nova Huston is a death doula – someone who assists someone with a terminal illness plan out their remaining days. Kelly, the owner of Parting Your Way, is more conventional, taking only older clients, and following the guidelines in a more traditional fashion. Nova, on the other hand, will accept the clients that are more challenging, and she has an understanding of what it means to face the end of life as you know it. When Mason Shaylor, a popular singer/songwriter, comes to Parting Your Way for a consultation, Kelly assigns him to Nova, who develops a strong relationship with him. The news of his death in a single-car accident devastates Nova, and added to that stress was Mason’s mother Bonnie, who has decided that Nova and Parting Your Way has contributed to her son’s death. She files a lawsuit, which brings Asha, a reporter that Nova used to work with, to the door of Parting Your Way hoping for a big story.

I loved Nova! Her unconventional style, her strength and courage and caring spirit, and her personal history all contribute to her unique touch with her clients. Mason is mourning the loss of his ability to play, and realizing that life as he knew it was now over, he was looking for help in adjusting to his new normal. In The Next Thing You Know, Jessica Strawser has written a story that introduces a different concept for dealing with end of life issues in a sensitive and caring way.

I just adore Jessica Strawser's writing and world building. I had not heard of an end of life doula before reading this novel. It would definitely take a special person to be able to do this job. Nova Huston is just that woman. She, with her partner, Kelly Monroe, run Parting Your Way, a holistic practice specializing in assisting terminal ill patients tie up loose ends prior to death. Nova is free spirited and deals with the non-traditional cases, while Kelly sticks to checklists and elderly clients. Ran out of Kelly's home she shares with her daughter, Willow, the three are like a little family. When Mason Shaylor walks in looking for assistance Kelly refers him to Nova.

Mason's journey is unlike any either Nova or Kelly have ever dealt with in their time as doulas. Mason struggles with telling Nova what he is going through or really anything. Though he wants her help he does not articulate what he is going through. But the two grow closer than a patient and doula should. It complicates and already complicated situation.

Strawser does an excellent job of creating real people and events. Her books are immersive to me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Such a great read! I couldn't put it down! The author does an excellent job moving through POVs and between the current day and the past, while raising meaningful questions about love, truth, forgiveness, friendship, and death.