I am a big fan of anything by this author. I find that she has such an interesting way of telling her stories. This book did not disappoint as it follows the story of Heather who was kidnapped as a 10 year old. The story of Heather was told in the past and in the present it is in the voice of her friend, Faith, and her mom, Dora. I really got behind the characters of Paul and Dora and how much the disappearance of their daughter affected their lives.



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own!

I liked the story being told from different points of view. I felt the author portrayed Heather, Faith and Nathan older than ten year olds. Quite early in the story it was apparent who was involved in Heather's disappearance but not clear as to why. I enjoyed the process Faith used to create her podcast. Grief and healing was an important part of the story.

What Happens Next
by Christina Suzann Nelson
Pub Date: January 17, 02023
Bethany House
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Popular podcaster and ex-reporter Faith Byrne has made a name for herself telling stories of greatness after tragedy--but her real life does not mirror the stories she tells. When she's asked to spotlight her childhood best friend's missing-person case on her podcast, she uncovers desperate secrets and must face the truth before she can move forward.
This book was a little slow going for me. Worth a read, but not one I will purchase for our library.
3 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this story a podcaster searching for the truth of the disappearance of her childhood friend. It had elements of mystery, as well as a little romance. I thought the ending was a little rushed, but still an engaging story.

This was the first book I've read by Christina Suzann Nelson, but it won't be my last! I really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to find out what really happened to Heather! This book centers around Faith, who has a podcast, and the disappearance of her childhood best friend, Heather. Heather's disappearance was never solved, so it became a cold case. Faith goes back to the town and tries to find out what really happened. There was a big twist at the end. I never thought it would have turned out the way it did! I highly recommend this book!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions express are mine.

"What Happens Next" is a Christian general fiction with a mystery set in two times. There were several point-of-view characters: The missing girl's viewpoint set in 1987 mostly showed how life was changing for a ten-year-old and the people around her. It's not until the end that the reader can pick up clues about what happened to her and then learn exactly what happened. In the present day, Faith dealt with her life changing in painful and unexpected ways while looking into a summer that ended so badly for her family. In helping to find answers to what happened to her friend, she also found answers to things that were going on with her family at the time. We also got Dora's viewpoint, the grieving mother who can't move on from the pain. She finally moved toward healing as Faith searched for answers.

It's not until the second half of the story that the general fiction feel turned a bit more into a mystery as clues were found and the truth finally unearthed. Despite the hard topic, the story didn't have a depressing feel. Even Dora still had hope, and the others had found some healing. The main characters were well-developed, complex people that acted in realistic ways. There was a Christian element woven into the story, like the 10-year-old girls being surprised that the boy didn't know how to pray before eating and one of the girls repeating a dinnertime prayer said at her home. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this meaningful story about healing from the many types of grief encountered throughout life.

Such a heartfelt story about childhood memories, friendship and tragedy mixed into one book. The main character, Faith is a famous podcaster who had a childhood friend go missing. She’s investigating the disappearance as she sorts through her childhood pain and grief. It’s a plot that will
pull at the heart strings and cause the curiosity to soar.

This book is suitable for teenage readers. I was given a copy in exchange for this review.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT by CHRISTINA SUZANN NELSON is the heartwrenching story of a friendship between two ten year olds, Faith Ferdon and Heather Crane that was cut short when Heather disappeared in 1987.
When Faith and her mother left Deep Valley she was never told what had happened to her friend and felt rejection when her letters went unanswered.
Faith is now a mother of two girls and she remembers the love showered on her by Heather’s parents, which made a huge difference in her life and in the way she treats her girls - her own parents never showing any affection towards her or one another.
Brooke Crane begs Faith to investigate Heather’s disappeaance and do a podcast on her show “What Happens Next” to try and find out what happened to Heather in order to bring peace to her mother and closure to the family. …..
There are secrets, there is a handsome detective who used to hang out with the two girls, there is suspicion and suspense…..
Will this deeply personal story about Heather bring about redemption and hope or will it come to nothing?
What Happens Next is about family dynamics, the fear and insecutity that comes with rejection, dealing with grief, courage and resilience. I really enjoy the way the author takes us right into the characters ‘ emotions and I love the strnng Christian message of hope and redemption.
I highly recommend this enjoyable and inspirational read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson is about a podcaster, called in to spotlight her missing childhood friend. A mother who could never give up hope that her little girl would come home. Even after 36 years. And all the complications and heartache shared between them.

Christina has a way of crafting her stories that leave you guessing until the end. I have read her other books and she spells her magic in the telling of tales. Although the story was somewhat sad, it was compelling and kept me reading to the end.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a little bit slow-moving for me; I was expecting more domestic suspense than relationship fiction, and I enjoyed some POVs more than others.

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

Let me start off by saying that this book will definitely make you feel involved and interested all the way through with a surprise ending! Oh my! I think in my opinion it made my mouth drop open! I was never expecting that!
Ms. Nelson will keep you guessing. This was a hard one! I love those kind! She did a fantabulous job! Well done!
The only thing I find is that there are too many point of views. In other words, too many main characters telling their side of the story. That's too confusing.
You have Faith starting out then Heather then Dora then back to Faith and Heather.