"What Next?" by Shari Low is a heartwarming and emotionally charged novel that earns a solid four-star rating. The story revolves around Val Murray, who, after losing her best friend Josie, embarks on a Thelma and Louise-inspired bucket list holiday. The narrative unfolds as Val, joined by her nieces Carly and Carole, along with their friend Jess, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and unraveling secrets.

The novel expertly weaves together elements of friendship, family dynamics, and the impact of life-altering decisions. The premise of a bucket list-style trip serves as a backdrop for the characters to confront their own turning points, secrets, lies, and betrayals. The journey takes them through iconic locations such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York, providing a vibrant and dynamic setting for the unfolding drama.

Shari Low crafts well-defined characters, each navigating personal crossroads and facing pivotal decisions. Val, Carly, Carole, and Jess are relatable and engaging, and their individual story arcs add depth to the overall narrative. The author skillfully explores the complexities of their relationships and the healing power of shared experiences.

The pacing of the story is well-balanced, allowing readers to become fully immersed in the characters' emotional journeys. The blend of humor and poignant moments keeps the narrative engaging, and the exploration of Josie's last wishes serves as a driving force for the characters' personal growth.

The novel excels in capturing the essence of the Thelma and Louise-inspired adventure, creating a sense of camaraderie and empowerment among the characters. The themes of resilience, friendship, and the possibility of new beginnings resonate throughout the story.

While the novel is highly enjoyable, there are moments when the plot feels somewhat predictable. Some readers may anticipate certain twists in the characters' journeys. Additionally, a few secondary characters could have been further developed to enhance the overall depth of the story.

In conclusion, "What Next?" is a touching and uplifting novel that explores the transformative power of friendship and the pursuit of new adventures. Shari Low delivers a compelling narrative with well-drawn characters and a vibrant backdrop, making it a highly recommended read for those who appreciate heartwarming stories of self-discovery and the enduring bonds of friendship.

Fab catching up with the girls and their stories.
Brilliantly written. Loved every minute. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion

Loved this. I adore this author. Love the Scottish banter & amazing characters that I’ve grown to love. Highly recommend this book.

I've read the two previous novels in this series - and loved them! But this third one couldn't really live up to my expectations, although the premise sounded really good!
The 'girls' are ticking off a bucket list Val once made with her best pal Josie, who did in the last book.
All of the items on the list are inspired by a movie - and I'm all into that. But sadly most of the things then were executed in a rather silly manner. The nice clerk on Rodeo drive who had to pretend to be snobby to Val, the kiss at the Empire State Building, and worst of all the ice skating adventure at the Rink at Rockefeller Center.

On top of that I couldn't really relate to the problems of the girls this time, with the exception being Carly. Vals problem is constantly hinted at throughout the book, over and over again without giving any more clues - and this became a bit annoying over time. And the final explanation for Jess' problem was complete nonsense, in my opinion...

While I still love Carly and her gang of friends, this adventure simply wasn't as good as the previous ones.

A good read but too many people for me to have to concentrate on! Found myself having to re-read parts to get who everyone was. A nice easy storyline though with a few giggles along the way.

Thank you Netgalley.

This is the third story about a group of friends,
Who upon each other they can depend.
However, their lives have changed over the years
Now each of them has their own secrets and fears.

Aunt Val lost her best friend quite recently and now
Hopes to complete their joint bucket list holiday trip somehow.
She's enlisting the help of her niece and the best friends once more
So it is off to America they travel to explore!

Get ready to travel on an unforgettable journey,
One filled with friendship and support, you'll see.
But be prepared for surprises and so much more
As the friends support the 'Aunt' they all adore.

There is a thorough mix of anxiety, fears, laughter and fun
With them supporting each other when all is done.
Virtually visit iconic locations with these fantastic friends
And be ready for secrets and surprises before the story ends!

It is such a change to follow characters over the years
A great opportunity to share their happiness and tears.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
A lovely read and this is my honest review.

What Next? Follows the story of Val who has made a bucket list with her best friend Josie. However as Josie is no longer here, she is determined to complete the bucket list with the help of the leading ladies around her.

This book was such a pleasant read. I enjoyed reading the adventures and challenges each character had embarked on. It's very obvious Shari Low had spent time developing her characters into those people we meet each day. Each character was facing their own trials and tribulations and it was fantastic from start to finish.

In comparing the three books, I might like this book even more than the first. I am rating them all the same stars, but there was something about the changes here that made a lot more sense, even though I do not really agree with some of the conclusions ( I think they were a little too one-sided!)
I would not recommend stepping into this book without having read at least the previous one because the dynamics make no sense otherwise. We have multiple voices here, each with their own issues and insecurities, making it a more rounded approach to this conclusion.
If you have read the previous two books, you know the chaos to expect. If you don't and are just curious about getting a review on this one, I will try to explain.
There are a group of friends who grew up together. They grew up, got jobs, and went their way, always coming back to each other at some point. This time, we see them almost immediately after the events of the previous one. The women are all keeping secrets from each other. They end up congregating (minus one) in the USA to go through a list of things that was someone else's bucket list. The story begins with all the women behind bars and pans out to lead us back there. Whether they stay there or not is something that the reader will have to find out.
There are personal problems(and secrets, as previously mentioned) that prevent complete disclosures or the time to force another to speak their mind. Thankfully, as readers, we are provided all the missing information. Otherwise, this would have been a hard book to read!
I think this was more fun for me since I read each knowing it was part of a larger narrative. I might not have been as enamoured if these had come to me as single books. I recommend this to fans of this genre.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I enjoyed this book of the series far more than the last one, but still don’t think it was as brilliant as the original story. I liked it being set in America and the adventures that the women experience, but still wanted that energy and entertainment that felt absent in this narrative.

It is Val that drives this story forwards. She is such a charming character and I loved everything she does. It is clear that the other women are not as happy as they portray to their friends and Val provides a welcome comic relief to the atmosphere. I could not help but chuckle over her wild antics and loved her more and more as the story progressed.

This is where I think the novel lost its charm that I was hoping for: there is a lot of underlying anxiety and sadness that runs throughout. Each character is known to be going through a private trauma and readers understand what these are when the chapters focus on their perspective. I liked getting a glimpse into their inner feelings but did feel this lessened the overall fun of the story. I did predict some of the resolutions for the characters, which didn’t ruin my reading of the book, but I think I craved more light-heartedness. Indeed, the scene in the prison cell was quite heavy and confessional, although it did mark a change in the atmosphere and show all of the characters in the healing process.

I love the idea of completing a bucket list and the things that Val wants to do are all based on films that her late best friend enjoyed watching with her. They are outlandish and full of giggles; I particularly loved imagining that swimming costume scene and could not help but laugh over Carly’s choices. I could not foresee how they would achieve some of the bucket list and laughed over Val’s ingenuity of pleasing Josie and ensuring that everything they did, they did it to the fullest. It’s a lovely lesson on how to live life.

Carly’s character did not dominate the story as much and I enjoyed seeing how all of the characters have grown over time. For sure, reading this trilogy from the beginning will make much more sense because of the connections between the different personalities are quite intricate. However, I enjoyed how Low gives little summaries throughout the novel about what has happened since we were last with this group, making me feel that I had never stepped away.

This series is all about how we accept aging and the things we do to ensure our happiness. I liked how the characters were all in their ‘happy place’ at the end of the novel and wonder if there is enough scope to write a further book about these women. For me, I don’t think another story would have quite the same charm and, in this instance, I think it is Val who made this story the most enjoyable. Without her, the novel would have read very differently and with far less energy.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am so looking forward to reviewing this book, but my main reasons are two-fold:
I love Shari Lowe’s books and in particular I loved the prequels to this book.
i enjoy books about strong women and this book is full of them, with arguably the strongest character participating from beyond the grave.
Having started the book, I am happy that it feels that the characters are as tenacious as ever – as if they have never been away. However, in the interest of those who haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, I am starting anew. The start of the book is in fact pretty startling, with Carly depicted locked up in a Los Angeles jail. It’s bad enough being locked up at all, but the thought of being in a foreign jail (albeit in a fully 3rd party one) is pretty terrifying. The big question on my lips is whether or not Carly’s ‘new’ (can an 18- month Husband possibly be considered new in LA?) Husband Sam will stand by her not?

Carly had recently left her 2 teenage Sons in London with their Father for a year and one of the items on their emergency list was ‘what to do if one of them got arrested! What to do if Carly got arrested came nowhere on the tongue in cheek list!

I loved the concept of this book – a group of 4 old friends, completing a bucket list of items in honour of a late friend. Having read the previous books in the series further concreted the idea if a really strong friendship in my mind, able to overcome anything, even being arrested!

I enjoyed the book from start to finish, my only regret being that I didn’t take the time to reread the previous books in the series first.

Will the women complete their bucket list of tasks?
Will they get out of jail without charge?
Will their friendship withstand everything they go through to complete that bucket list.

Great book, I’ve read her others and enjoyed them, and this didn’t disappoint either.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and although it was the 3rd in a trilogy having not read the first two I could follow this one.
I think it felt like it was part of a bigger story though so i will be going back and reading the first ones.

My first exposure to Shari Low. I got this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I didn't realize this was book 3 in a series - so I bought books 1 & 2.

This turned out to be a super cute series. Worth reading.

Can't wait to check.out what else Shari Low has to offer.

What Next I bother sure fire hit for Shari Low. This is a perfect holiday read which will have you literally exploding with laughter.
Her characters are incredibly likeable and real and the text is written with such warmth that you begin to really root for them.
It's the third book in the 'What If?' series where Carly has now married Sam, Josie is no longer with Val and Carly, Carole and Jess are persuaded to join Val an own international adventure which she should have taken with Josie.

The book is a lovely read, its relatable, each persons problems are reflected in real life issues that many will ave with their family or partners.

Another great read
A real book of all the emotions you have
This is a book in a series
Just like the other two this one is great
Thanks NetGalley

I love a good friendship/road-trip story and this was pure perfection

Val Murray and her best friend, Josie had been planning a ‘Thelma and Louise’ bucket list style holiday.
Now Josie is gone, and Val needs to make the trip before it’s too late.
But Val doesn’t want to do it alone, so she enlists the help of her nieces, Carly and Carole, and their best pal, Jess, who jump at the chance to join Val on a trip of a lifetime.
What Val doesn’t realise is that Carly, Carole and Jess are all at turning points in their own lives, nursing crushing secrets, lies and betrayals.
Somewhere between Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York they all hit a crossroads and have to decide if they want to return to the lives they left behind or let Josie’s last wishes take them on a brand new adventure.

BOOK REVIEW: What Next? by Shari Low
2022 Publication Date: April 13

⭐️⭐️⭐️️

CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
When you are overwhelmed, just write down each thing you want to do... And begin one task at a time...

T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW: Although Shari Low does not categorize this book as a part of a series, it definitely has a connection with her first book, What If?, as well as a later book, What Now?... At the heart of all three books is the enduring value of a circle of lifelong gal pals... And as I turned the last page, my thoughts were... "What? Again, please!"... ✨😎✨

Pages: 315
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Sub-Genre: Women's Friendship
Time Period: Present Day
Location: Multiple (Road Trip) | US

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Before We Grow Old by Clare Swatman
Movie: The Bucket List

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All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Rating; 4.5 Stars

Emotional, insightful and addictive, What Next? is the compelling new page-turner from Shari Low.

Val Murray and her best friend Josie had been planning a ‘Thelma and Louise’ bucket-list style holiday for years. It was going to be the trip of a lifetime that the two friends would always remember, but unfortunately fate had other ideas. Josie is no longer here and with the clock ticking and time racing by at the speed of light, Val realises that if she wants to go on this trip, then she needs to stop procrastinating, grab the bull by its horns and head over to America. Not wanting to do this trip by herself, Val enlists her nieces Carly and Carole who bring best mate Jess along. However, what Val doesn’t realise is that the three other woman have got challenges of their own to contend with…

Carly, Carole and Jess are all at a crossroads. Life recently has been anything but easy and this trip will hopefully help to clear away the cobwebs, regroup and figure out what they are going to be doing next. But with old secrets, persistent ghosts and crushing doubts and insecurities to battle, can Carly, Carole and Jess navigate their way towards happiness and fulfillment? Or are they always going to be trapped by their pasts?

Will this hair raising adventure provide these four women with the answers they seek? Or is it all going to end in tears?

You can always rely on Shari Low to deliver the goods and she outdoes herself yet again with What Next? A master at exploring women’s lives with humour, flair, style and sensitivity, What Next? is a brilliant read about friendship, new beginnings and taking chances that is laugh-out loud funny, poignant, dramatic and so deliciously readable I couldn’t bear to put it down.

An enjoyable, life-affirming and engrossing read, What Next? is another surefire hit for the fabulous Shari Low.

This third book in a series focuses on the gregarious Aunt Val. She is still heartbroken at the loss of her best friend Josie who sadly passed away but with the help of Carly, Carole and Jess she wants to complete as much of their bucket list as she can. Many of the ideas on the list are from the romantic comedy movies Val and Josie enjoyed watching together over the years.

Each chapter gives us an insight into the thoughts and feelings of all the women who even at this time in their lives still have some difficult decisions to make.

Val’s letters to Josie updating her on their latest escapades throughout their trip are so emotional and filled with such laughter and love.

The wonderful friendships they all share allow the women to finally be honest with each other and most importantly themselves about where life is taking them and their relationships after this new adventure is over.

It is always special to be able to pop back into these characters lives and see where the years have taken them. .

I have been a fan of Shari’s work for a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but that is something I hope to rectify fairly shortly. I just love the way in which she writes such warm and fun stories. I read the synopsis for ‘What Next?’ and it certainly sounded like another cracker of a read from Shari Low. I couldn’t wait to dive in and so without further ado I grabbed a cup of tea, grabbed my Kindle and settled down for an interesting evening of reading. Oh boy, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘What Next?’ but more about that in a bit.
As with all of Shari’s books, I was drawn into ‘What Next?’ from the synopsis alone and the story within the book’s covers sealed the deal as it were. As soon as I started reading, I instantly knew that I was going to seriously love the book and that it would be possible to put the book down at all. I started reading and I couldn’t stop. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I needed to know how the story panned out and whether or not it developed in the way in which I suspected it would. I warmed to the characters from the start and it didn’t take me long to feel as though they had become friends of mine and I had become one of the gang as it were. I started laughing from pretty early on in the story and I can honestly say that that I didn’t stop throughout the book. In fact I ended up laughing that much that my Mam, who was in the same room as me, asked what on earth I was reading. I explained about some of the story items that made me chuckle and before long she joined in too. All too quickly I reached the end of the book and I had to say a reluctant goodbye to the characters. I found ‘What Next?’ to be a light hearted, warm and funny story and I enjoyed every minute of it.
‘What Next?’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Shari Low. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me, the story hit the ground running. Shari clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. They are characters that you can’t help but become attached to and relate to. I love the way in which Shari makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt at any rate.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘What Next?’ and I wholeheartedly recommend it to other readers. For me, this was Shari’s best book to date and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.