Synopsis:

A musician facing the untimely end of his career. An end-of-life doula with everything, and nothing, to lose. A Star Is Born meets Me Before You in this powerful novel by the author of A Million Reasons Why.

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.

The Next Thing You Know is an emotional, resonant story about the power of human connection, love when you least expect it, hope against the odds, and what it really takes to live life with no regrets.

My Thoughts:

This was a moving novel unlike any other book I’ve read before. I loved the overall premise, the mixed timelines and multiple narrators. I also always enjoy medical dramas and the fact that this featured death doulas, which was a new concept to me, had me extra intrigued.

My gripe with this one was the pacing. It felt a little slow and I didn’t have much problem setting it down. It’s also one of those books I could never remember the title although the title makes sense toward the end of the novel.

The end really turned around and became incredibly emotional and moving for me, making this a solid 3.5 stars but I had to round down because I just don’t think it’s a book that will really stick with me.

Strawser is an auto read author for me and I love how every novel of hers is so different. This book was incredibly well researched, so unique, and written really well. If you’re looking for a different read and can handle a slower pace, this is one you can’t miss.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy of this novel.