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.
"Unflinching and unforgettable, this one will crack your heart open and slowly stitch it back together.” —Christina McDonald, bestselling author of The Night Olivia Fell
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.
Jessica Strawser's 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 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.
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