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

A People Magazine “Best New Novels” Pick!

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.

“Strawser spins a magical tale of love and loss in her wildly unpredictable latest. … This smart and tender story gives a nice payoff.” —Publishers Weekly

NOW AVAILABLE from St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan!

Add The Next Thing You Know to your Goodreads shelf.

Get your copy now in hardcover, ebook or audiobook: Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-a-Million • Bookshop • Indiebound • Joseph-Beth Booksellers • Penguin Bookshop

Listen to Macmillan Audio’s exclusive excerpt of the audiobook here.

“Jessica Strawser does it again—first-rate storytelling, a fresh, unique premise, and a didn’t-see-that-coming twist, resulting in a book that’s unputdownable! Strawser spins a wise, thought-provoking story that crackles with tension and intrigue. Perfect for book clubs, The Next Thing You Know will have you pondering end-of-life issues, and guessing the final, shocking twist.” —Lori Nelson Spielman, internationally bestselling author of The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

“A breathtaking, emotional, and compelling novel, The Next Thing You Know is a poignant look at love and hope, and the importance of living every moment with no regrets. 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

“The Next Thing You Know has all the things I love about Jessica Strawser’s novels—intriguing characters that I love getting to know, stellar writing, fascinating conflicts. … This was an emotional, powerful, and page-turning read, with characters that are sure to stay with me for a long time.” —Megan Collins, author of The Family Plot

“Grab the tissues!” —People Magazine

“Uplifting, hopeful, and full of wisdom about surviving loss, embracing life, and offering and accepting forgiveness.”   —Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son

“Heartbreaking from page one, suffused with tension… A natural read-alike for Jodi Picoult’s The Book of Two Ways and Jennifer Smith’s The Unsinkable Greta James.” —Booklist

“Engaging and meticulously plotted, The Next Thing You Know is a character study, a call for compassion and empathy, and a hopeful read.” —BookTrib

“The perfect book club read… Strawser will rise to the top of your go-to authors.” —Tif Marcelo, USA Today Bestselling Author of In a Book Club Far Away