I was unsure about reading this third instalment in the series. I absolutely loved ‘What If?’ and it ended with the perfect happy ever after. So, when I read ‘What Now?’ and it blew that ending up into smithereens, I was left very disappointed and wished I’d just left it with the first book. However, going into this ‘What Next?’ instalment, I went in with the expectation that everything wouldn’t be perfect, rosy and shiny. The characters have their problems, making it easier to come to terms with everything that has changed over the last 20 or so years that these books have been set.
So we last left Jess living happily in LA and Carly having married Sam. The other characters were plodding on with their super lovely lives too. However, below the surface, everything wasn’t as it seemed, and they all had their own personal problems that they were dealing with.
I liked their adventures as part of Val and Josie’s bucket list. However, even though I have liked Val in the past, I found her to be a bit too much in this book. She was overbearing and wasn’t really considering anyone else’s situation. She had to do this, and it had to be now. I understood her reasoning, but it wasn’t right for Carly’s marriage, and it annoyed me that she just thought she could breeze in and take over.
I had no idea what was going on with Carol; I couldn’t quite place what medical reason she could have to make her feel that way. When it was revealed, I was blown away as I have been feeling some of those things like not wanting to do anything or see anyone, and I’m at the right age! It certainly made some things slot into place in my world. I’m grateful to the author for highlighting a different aspect and potential symptoms of something we all think we know about.
So, overall this had the usual laugh out loud moments you would expect from Low, but it also had some hard-hitting moments. The ending was slightly rushed, and there were a few loose ends I would have liked answering, such as what was Sam going to do about his job now?
After reading this instalment, I’m hoping this isn’t the end for this bunch of characters. I now feel invested in their lives, and I want more, please! A solid four-star read from me.

Firstly, thank you to the publishers and author for the arc copy of this book.

This is the story of 4 friends (well 3 friends and an old
Auntie!) who travel across America completing a ‘bucket list’ of the auntie’s recently deceased friend.

I went into this book not realising that it wasn’t a stand alone story, and that it was actually the third in a series. The description says ‘from the best selling author of…’ and so didn’t necessarily confirm it was part of an ongoing story. As such I wasn’t entirely onboard with the characters from the get go, and felt like I was highlighting a lot of quotes to keep things straight in my head.

The book has multiple POVs from each friend, but it felt to an extent that the characters were mostly very similar, so I was having to turn back to the start of the chapter to check who was speaking before I continued reading. Again this may just be because by book 3 you should be more familiar with characters, which is my error.

Another thing that may have been explained previously was the song titles at the beginning of each chapter that were never referenced. Some hinted at the content of the chapter eg Malibu - Miley Cyrus, the chapter was in Malibu, but others seemed obscure and none were referenced in the book. I wonder why since this clearly took a lot of time to produce.

The story was lighthearted and fun, and it was an easy read. Think summer holiday, take it to the beach, read on a plane or sat in your garden when it’s sunny kind of book. It was really funny, and also incredibly heartwarming, particularly with auntie Val’s letters to her deceased friend.

3/5 - but I am considering picking up the first two, and giving it another shot.

Wow Just wow. Its like meeting up with a group of friends and catching up.. Loving that we start off where we left off and move forward. Covering friendship,, loyalty love and hormones. What more could you ask. I know when I see Shari Low on the cover I am in for a wonderful story that I can't put down and this book does not disappoint

The note from Shari before the story started as a gift. I have read both of the books before this one (let's call this a trilogy because as of right now it is) and have forgotten what it was all about. This little note reminded me of all the characters within a minute. Do you have to read the first two books to understand this one? Absolutely not, but you must read it because you will get to know each character in her element and those books are a joy to read.

A lifetime of friendship full of laughter and tears can be found in this group of women. As in the other books, this is more focused on Val. Although, each woman does have their own time to shine throughout the story. Val is such a fun character, with her c'est la vie outlook on life that is combined with her wisdom that makes the reader loves her. It was a very quick read that left me yearning for more.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is book #3 in this series of books. Each read can be read on its own, but I would recommend reading them in order for better understanding of the characters and their stories. We catch back up again with Carly, Carol and Jess from the previous books. Carly is now married to Sam, a big time Hollywood producer, Carol is still married to Carly’s brother, but she isn’t really feeling the love for her long term marriage and Jess is about to leave her partner, Arnie after catching him cheating with an ex. They, along with Carly’s Aunt Val, head to the USA for to complete a bucket list in memory of Val’s best friend Josie, and in turn find themselves having to deal with the secrets that they’re all hiding.

I’ve read the two previous books in the series and really enjoyed them. It has been a while though, and even with a list of characters at the beginning of the book, I have to admit to struggling to remember who was who, especially as each chapter is told from the perspective of a different friend! However, I eventually got into the swing of things and settled down into the story. Each woman has their own problems, which you get to find out more about as the book moves on. I loved Carly’s character in the previous books, so I have to admit to her still being my favourite, but Aunt Val is certainly catching up her fast! All of the women’s storylines are heart-warming and endearing and I found myself relating to all of them.

The storyline flowed well and had me intrigued at the beginning as to why the story starts with them being arrested. I found myself laughing and crying alongside the friends as their stories continued and I loved the relationship between each of them. The author has done a great job of capturing their friendships and lives in such a true to life way, and you honestly feel like you’re meeting up with old friends. This was a lovely story, which I assume will finish of their stories once and for all… or will we be treated to another ‘What…?’ in the future? Either way, this was a great series, with likeable characters that you can really connect with! Would recommend!

Apparently this is the the third book about this group of four women who have been friends since primary school. I haven't read either of the other books and while this can be read as a standalone it definitely feels like a What Happened Next kind of book.

The book opens with all the main characters in police lock up.

Carly has recently married her boyfriend from when she was in her 20s. he's now a Hollywood film producer and all round big-shot. She's about to leave her semi-detached house in London, her sons from her first marriage, her friends and family and love to LA.

Carol is married to Carly's brother. She seems to have a perfect life, a former model turned Instagram influencer, she is beautiful, has a loving husband and children, great business, and over a million followers.

Jess has her own PR/damage limitation business, able to work wherever she has fallen in love with Carly's husband's stunt double, a man 10 years older than her with two ex-wives and two adult children.

Kate lives next door to Carly and doesn't really feature.

Carly is ready to leave London for LA when her Aunt Val descends from Glasgow. A force to be reckoned with, Val has featured heavily in all their lives so when she announces that she is coming to LA to fulfil a bucket list she drew up with her deceased best friend the girls are all-in - although it soon becomes clear that this may be just to escape their own troubles.

Flitting between LA, Vegas and New York these friends discover that there is always something new to discover about each other, that things aren't always what they seem, and of course that friendship lasts forever.

I enjoyed this but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the two previous books.

A fun, light-hearted read about four women and a bucket list trip of the US. Perfect if you are looking for a book about friendship with whit and charm.
#NetGalley #WhatThen

I love Shari Low's books. I have read both The Story of Our Secrets and One Summer Sunrise and they were five star reads for me. Ms. Low has done it yet again with What Next? She always manages to make me feel all the feels with her writing and I love that. I did not know that some characters from the What If? Series were in this and that maybe this is a third book? BUT have no fear, it can be read as a stand alone. Needless to say I will be reading the other books tout de suite.

I really liked how this story was both humourous and heartfelt. I really enjoyed the female friendship angle and I loved that these ladies were older. The characters felt real and true to life and they were all people I'd like to be friends with. Their lives aren't perfect but who's life is? As always, with Ms. Low's books, this was a joy to read. I have to take a moment to say I love the colourful covers of her books as well. They are always so beautiful and fit what it is written inside.

I really liked this book, it was well written with a good plotline and really well developed characters that were relatable simply because they were real, they were flawed and raw and I loved them for it. I would definitely recommend reading this.

The story
Friends forever…. Carly is married to Sam, a Hollywood producer, and is now moving to be with him in LA, leaving behind her family and friends. Carol, her SIL is an influencer, stuck in a sad place she doesn’t want to admit to. Jess is a PR whizz and fiancé of Arnie who works with Sam, except she has caught him cheating with his ex-wife. Joined by Carly’s Scottish aunt Val, the four ladies team up for a bucket list trip of the US. And each has a secret they are hiding that will eventually come to light.

My thoughts
Shari Low’s characters are very real, not at all perfect and glossy. They have dealt with life and loss and the wobbly bits that abound when you are over 40. The gorgeous characters in this new book are no different. It’s wonderful how she infuses her stories with this special female essence. I loved the banter between the close friends and how they stand up for each other time and again. It’s a goodie!

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I have read other books by this author but I haven't read the previous two books that feature the same characters as this one, that being said it did not stop my enjoyment of this book, rather it made me want to read the first two.

I love Shari Low’s books, the characters are people that you can really root for and I like the way although a lot are stand alone they still have characters that overlap, that said whilst you can read this as an introduction to Shari’s writing you will miss out on Carly’s life events if you don’t read the two that come before first as there are clearly spoilers, whatever you decide to do enjoy!