The audiobook version of The Next Thing You Know captured my attention from the start and never let it go. That said, I think it is a book that might be easier read in print format. Many times I found myself wanting to flip back to something I had "read" earlier, although at the same time, I desperately longed for a musical track to HEAR some of Mason's songs. Even without the musical accompaniment, the author did a fabulous job of conveying the exquisite nature of Mason's music.

The concept of death doulas will doubtless be new to many readers/listeners, and the author conveyed the nuances of the practice and its practitioners beautifully. My one criticism surrounds the central conflict in the second half of the book; I found it difficult to believe that a legal threat would ever have been as menacing as it was made out to be. I also think the comparisons to Me Before You are misleading -- something readers/listeners cannot fully grasp until they finish the story. That book brought forth visceral reactions from some readers that this one should successfully avoid. Like the best of books, the story and the characters from The Next Thing You Know will remain a part of my consciousness for a while, and I've found myself thinking about them often in the days since I finished listening.

This is a beautiful book, and I'm very grateful to have had the chance to listen to an advance copy of the audiobook.

The Next Thing You Know by Jessica Strawser is a powerful and emotional listen! The author wrote this heart-wrenching story from the past and present tense. I loved the imagery in the book! The characters of Mason, Nova, Willow, Kelly, Dex and Beau all added so much to the book. The concept of a death doula was new to me and eye opening. Adding the lessons from The Wizard of Oz really was good too. Learn as you go, the forgiveness deal and who to blame, all stood out for me. Christa Lewis was fantastic at performing this book. She added all of the right feels and emotions to her voice. Thank you #NetGalley, #St.Martin's Press, and #Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this book. The phrase "Parting Your Way" has new meaning.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book! 3.5 stars.
I have really mixed feelings on this book, but the novelty of it definitely bumped it up for me. I have never read book about a death doula and I think the concept was really interesting. In this book, man named Mason comes looking for someone to help him as he is dying. He is assigned to Nova, a young lady who works with people of all ages wanting help transitioning from life to death. The 2 form a friendship through in person interactions and exchanged emojis. I thought their relationship was really interesting, but I wanted to feel it little more than I did. There is a huge part of this story that isn't in the blurb so I don't feel like I can really talk about it without being spoilery, but I had a hard time buying into how much of the plot it took over. A lot of energy was spent investigating something that I don't know if it would've actually been done in real life. Mason was a famous musician so his story bred some attention above what would be normal, but it still felt excessive. However, I loved this story's conversation around life and what it means to be alive. I loved the innocence of the relationship between Nova and Mason. I also felt this story was pretty entertaining, though it did have points that really dragged and felt repetitive. The ending was a little abrupt and easy, but overall, I'd recommend this book for an interesting book that will pull at your heartstrings and make you reminisce on Me Before You.

SPOILERS:
Mason wasn't really dying. He had an issue with his arm that didn't allow him to play music anymore so he was planning on committing suicide. However he met Nova and fell in love and decided to live. However, through this whole story there is an investigation going on because Mason died anyway. He was in a car wreck that looked like suicide and the cops are trying to accuse Nova of negligence because she didn't stop him. She never knew he didn't actually have a terminal illness, but in the very end it all comes out in some songs he wrote for her. He didn't commit suicide, but there were some kids in the street (Nova's boss' kid's friends) and he swerved to not hit them and his arm went dead and he couldn't swerve back so he drove off a bridge. Nova is excused and there is some closure in knowing he didn't want to die, but sadness in knowing he decided to live and died anyway.

Life, death, making most of the time you have left, second chances, finding new dreams. This book is about all of that.

The chapters are told alternately through time and POV. Basically you have now, earlier, and even earlier for a brief time. It alternates through Nova, Mason, Kelly, Kelly's daughter, Nova's mom, Mason's manager, etc... They give you a piece of the puzzle until it all makes sense. You could think all the changes would be confusing, but it is not. It works.

The audiobook is 12 hours long and I listened to this nearly in one sitting. (I did speed it up slightly at 1.25). Christa Lewis narrates the book and it is easy to listen to.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Listened to the audiobook.

I received a free Advanced Reading Copy via NetGalley in exchange for a complete and honest review.

I was surprised by how much I liked this book! Romance and contemporary aren’t really genres that I pick up. The plot of a death doula was fascinating to me. While reading, it was clear that the author did a lot of research on a death doula to help flush out the characters. Speaking of the characters, they were very well written, I felt like I was watching a movie because of how much I could imagine the characters as real people.

Jessica Strawser is a superlative storyteller. This novel pulls you in and just won't let you go. It is one that you will think about long after you close the cover. I loved the title - it fits the story. I loved all the characters - Strawser had exceptional character development - you get to know each and every character - good traits and even their not so good ones - it makes them all so human. I love the inclusion and information about the end of life doulas as well as the singer/song writer/musician - it all fits the story perfectly. The story is emotional, thought-provoking, inspiring, and heart-wrenching - tissues are a must! Jessica Strawser is definitely an author I will be following! Loved the audio version - narrator does and excellent job with different voices for the different characters!

3.5 ⭐️. Describing this book as “Me Before You” mixed with “A Star is Born” is certainly fair. However, I really wasn’t invested in the characters or storyline until about 75% of the way through. The nonlinear timeline and shifting POVs made the story feel disjointed and made it hard for the reader/listener to become attached to these characters. By the end, I felt some connection, but I’d call this book “just ok.”

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.

I enjoyed the audiobook as it really helped me “hear” the emotions in the characters. The narrator did an excellent job.

Thanks to the publisher for and advanced Audiobook copy of The Next Thing You Know by Jessica Strawser.

Once again, I went into a book thinking it was a mystery since the first book I knew of by this author was Not That I Could Tell, which was definitely a suspense. Its funny how I can't shake first impressions since the last book I read by Jessica Strawser was ALSO not a suspense novel, A Million Reasons Why. However, once I got past my unreasonable surprise at the genre, I really enjoyed the book.

The Next Thing You Know is definitely what I would call a melodrama. It had a lot more existential angst than I usually prefer, yet because of the nature of what the characters were going through, I had more patience for their melodrama and angst. Nova is a death doula, someone who helps her clients prepare mentally and logistically for their imminent death. Mason is a famous musician who is much too young to die, but who nonetheless finds himself needing a death doula. The story unfolds and the only mystery is whether Mason really is dying or if he plans to commit suicide rather than live with a condition that impedes his ability to play music live.

I don't want to give more away than the blurb on the back of the book would, so I will limit myself to saying death doulas are in a precarious position of being by someone's side at one of their most vulnerable moments in life, if not THE most. The book shows not only the risks associated with that, but also the heartache, the joy in meaning of that, as well as the reasons that might draw someone to that profession.

The Next Thing You Know was definitely a book that covered a subject I had not read about in a fiction book before. It satisfied all the genre preferences one would like in contemporary fiction. I would recommend to most fiction lovers.

This is a unique and heartfelt tale of romance, life, death and second chances. The narrator is articulate and her words had a great cadence. It has a nice flow and is easy to follow on audio. 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.

About the Book
Nova is an end-of-life doula and helps those that need it to come to terms with their upcoming deaths. She and her business partner (her friend) have different approaches when working with patients and who they agree to take on. In walks Mason, Nova’s new client whose entire world has been uprooted because he can no longer play the guitar and be the indie singer/songwriter he’s been for so long. Playing is next to impossible. But what’s truly wrong with him, Nova doesn’t know and he isn’t telling. Nova agrees to help him anyway and finds more of herself in him than she thought possible. And then something happens that no one saw coming.

My Thoughts:
4.5 Hearts
WOW! All the emotion. All the feelings bound up in this one book. It felt real and hardcore. The emotional roller coaster kept going until the very last page. This book was beautifully written with a story that many people can identify with, whether because of meeting someone you identify with or because of realizing the beauty in what is right there in front of you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

I listened to this without stopping! The description is incredibly accurate: "Me Before You" meets "A Star is Born." The characters were great, the story was beautiful, and I really enjoyed my time in this world, and I am happy to report that THIS DID make me shed a tear! (which hardly happens!)