The Next Chapter is a beautiful and entertaining novel about second chances and facing the past. Lily Brown is a fantastic protagonist: funny, smart, and genuine, she is a fan of to-do lists, making plans, and eating super healthy. She is on numerous Whatsapp groups, she is looking for a stable and boring relationship and no surprises. However, her life is about to be full of surprises, when she finds a letter from her late adoptive father asking her to go and meet her birth mother, Lola Starr, a former rock star who disappeared from the music scene thirty years ago, around the time she was born. Convincing herself that she just wants to persuade Lola to let her write her memoir (which will also save her company), Lily and her best friend Seb travel to the Isle of Skye where Lola runs a hotel. Here, Lily not only will have the chance to connect with the woman she spent her entire life wondering about, but also it’s her opportunity to discover more about herself.

At times hilarious, at times emotional and heartwarming, I really enjoyed The Next Chapter. There is romance and comedy, found family and friendship, and also a new one for me, fake siblings, all framed in the beautiful setting of Scotland. The cast of characters is wonderful and authentic. On the Isle of Skye, Lola is not the only person that Lily will have to face. There is also Noah, the handsome and adventurous travel writer who convinces Lily to go on a motorbike and hike mountains even though Lily doesn’t have an adventurous bone in her body, so this creates some quite hilarious scenes, and Harper, the troubled teenager on holiday with her foster parents. The Next Chapter is a witty, immersive, and charming read that kept me immersed from the first to the last page!

This is a gorgeous warm story with Lily, such a relatable woman. I sympathised with Lily from the start, wanting that control and steering away from risks, she was so reluctant to take that jump.
Skye and the hotel setting sounded wonderful and I laughed and cried with Lily as she and Seb threw themselves into the activities on offer.
The chemistry between Noah and Lily was always evident but I really liked how their friendship developed. His caring nature and approach was just what both Lola and Lily needed.
Lola was the mystery - how had she ended up on Skye and what was her story ? Was Lily prepared to open up and find out the truth even if it would be the most difficult thing to do. A beautiful story of found family and taking that leap of faith.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. The story moves along at a nice pace and Lily's narration is hilarious, although she could definitely do with some anti-anxiety medication. The other characters in the story are super-likable, including Harper, a foster child also staying in Skye. Harper and Lily's relationship was one of my favourite parts of the story.

rounded up from 4.5⭐️

This had a really intriguing storyline. I loved the ghostwriting memoir business!! And the mystery of who Lola was. There was such a great contrast between the glamorous superstar Lily pictured Lola to be and the down to earth, slightly withdrawn person she actually is.

I'm a huge fan of Becs' writing and this was no exception. It made me laugh so many times and warmed my heart. And it was also really poignant, reflecting on complicated feelings of grief, acceptance and forgiveness. The setting of Skye was also beautifully described.

I also loved the found family aspect. Lily and Seb's friendship was maybe my favourite - it just felt so natural and fun. I loved how her circle gradually grew to include the people at the hotel, Noah, Lola and even her next door neighbour. Lola definitely felt more of the found family, not replacing the bond Lily had with her adoptive parents which I loved.

I couldn't really get into the romance with Noah or fully connect to his character. I didn't really feel the chemistry with Lily. That being said, it was still a really great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I am becoming a real fan, another book by this author I have loved! Laughter, friendship and romance are the keys to a good book in my opinion and this book has them in spades. A feel good heartfelt story, I loved it.

Such a fun, sunshine book, the over dramatic and traumatised Lily has to come to terms with the fact that her adoptive dad has passed on and the memoir writing company she works for is struggling. But she could help, her birth mum is none other than a 90s music sensation who’d gone into hiding and has a definite story to tell and Lily could write it and find out who the woman is, who gave her up so easily.
Her dad leaves her a list of to do’s, one of them is a letter on how to find Lola, a year on she finally decides it’s time to save the day and open the letter.
Pretty soon after her best friend and boss Seb and her are on their way for a weekend on the Isle of Sky. Incognito you understand.
What a fun and laugh out loud read. Especially when you throw grouchy Harper and handsome Noah into the mix.
How will Lily cope when her weekend turns into 6 weeks and is left to her own devices when Seb heads back to work?
A great read, with the right amount of angst, comedy, romance and life. Fun characters and a wonderful setting. A recommended read.

Uplifting, heartfelt, and full of hope 📖✨. The Next Chapter is a beautifully written story about life’s unexpected turns, second chances, and embracing new beginnings. Rebecca Ryan’s characters are relatable and full of heart, and I adored the emotional depth woven throughout the narrative. Perfect for fans of inspiring, feel-good fiction about love, loss, and starting over.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading. Lily was a great character, going through some challenging situations and finds herself becoming more spontaneous. A thoughtful and uplifting read.

The Next Chapter by Rebecca Ryan is a heartwarming and emotionally resonant novel that beautifully explores themes of identity, family, and self-discovery.

The story follows Lily Brown, a woman who has always valued order and predictability in her life. However, when her adoptive father encourages her to reconnect with her birth mother, Lola Starr—a once-famous pop punk singer who has retreated from the limelight—Lily’s world is turned upside down. Accompanied by her best friend Seb, Lily embarks on a journey to the picturesque Isle of Skye in Scotland to find Lola. There, she not only uncovers the truth about her origins but also meets Noah, a charming travel writer who challenges her perceptions and opens her heart to new possibilities.

Rebecca Ryan masterfully crafts characters that are both relatable and endearing. Lily’s evolution from a control-oriented individual to someone open to life’s unpredictabilities is portrayed with depth and authenticity. The dynamics between Lily, Lola, and Noah are rich and layered, offering readers a nuanced look at the complexities of relationships and personal growth.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Isle of Skye, the novel immerses readers in a setting that is as enchanting as the story itself. The narrative is both easy to follow and deeply engaging, making it a perfect read for those seeking a blend of emotional depth and lighthearted moments.

In summary, The Next Chapter is a delightful and touching read that will resonate with anyone who has ever grappled with questions of identity and the courage it takes to embrace change. It’s a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to rewrite your story and embark on a new adventure.

I love Rebecca Ryan's writing. Her characterisations are always spot on - laugh out loud, pathos, back stories. It's the perfect blend of self discovery, pacy narrative, rom com and humour. Highly recommend.

A lovely story of finding out about your past. You might need some Pringles to read it , you will get it once you read it !!!!!Set in a beautiful part of Scotland . A moving story but you get romance and a stroppy cat and an ace friend . I really enjoyed it. Fame is a strange thing. Good ending. Loved the main character . Read it.

Professional memoir ghost-writer Lily Brown has always known that she was adopted by her beloved mum and dad. She’s also always known who her birth mother is – the once-famed pop punk singer Lola Starr, who disappeared from the public eye years ago and hasn’t been seen since. Lily used to write letters to her birth mother but they always went unanswered. Years later she’s now sanguine (kind of but not really) about her past. But when her father dies and asks her to reconnect with Lola at the same time that the secretive singer hints that she’s ready to sell her story, it seems as if Lily might actually get a chance to ask all the questions she’s always wanted answered. Even if that takes her far, far outside her comfort zone.

I’ve loved all of Ryan’s books so far – her characters are refreshingly relatable and her stories always pack a beautifully emotional punch laced with laugh-out-loud humour. Lily Brown is particularly endearing in her entirely understandable neuroses, which after losing both of her adopted parents centres around a desire to keep everyone around her alive, healthy and happy. I really love the idea of her career of helping people to write their own histories in a way that will live on. The Skye setting, Lily’s relationship with her best mate Seb and a budding romance makes The Next Chapter an engrossing and uplifting read. Plus this cover will look gorgeous on your shelf. Hooray!

I loved the Next Chapter I highly enjoyed the search to find her mother and I love a good rock star esque family story. It was so fun and interesting learning about her mother’s backstory and also finding love herself along the way!

This was a lovely story of self discovery, all wrapped up in sarcasm, families and digging into the past. Lola is a great heroine, real, with problems, issues and a lot of baggage. It helps that she is self aware, funny with it and surrounded by good friends to support her. The books opens with a death which didn’t bode well however it is a book about hope and joy and some very funny moments alongside the hard stuff that life throws. An excellent pick me up book.

I felt comfortably immersed in a 'Rebecca Ryan' book the minute I started reading The Next Chapter. I love her writing style - witty, laugh out loud funny that's cleverly balanced with a more serious storyline. Lily's journey to meet her birth mum takes her out of her comfort zone and is emotionally chaotic. There's also a gorgeous love interest along the way! A rom-com that dives deeper than most, Emily Henry fans will love it!

The Next Chapter is a charming, funny, and emotional new story from the very talented Rebecca Ryan. This story will have you laughing and crying within the same five minutes!

The story is told by Lily, a nervous wreck of a woman with deep abandonment issues who was adopted as a baby. Lily's birth mother is Lola, an ultra-famous pop-punk star from the 90s who mysteriously disappeared from public life shortly after having Lily. After her adopted father's passing, Lily heads off to the Isle of Skye to find her birth mother and just maybe save her best friend's memoir-writing business at the same time. Oh and there also happens to be Noah, a super sexy travel writer staying on Skye at the same time...

I thoroughly enjoyed this. The story moves along at a nice pace and Lily's narration is hilarious, although she could definitely do with some anti-anxiety medication. The other characters in the story are super-likable, including Harper, a foster child also staying in Skye. Harper and Lily's relationship was one of my favourite parts of the story.

There are some delicate topics tackled here such as what it means to be a mother, grief, loss and legacy and they are handled with great care. It has real depth and heart and shows the many different ways we can love and feel part of a family.

5 stars from me.

Rebecca Ryan’s third book, The Next Chapter, is a delight. The perfect book to read outside whilst the sun shines and the flowers bloom.

Ryan is a must-read author for any fans of Beth O’Leary and Emily Henry, as well as Helen Fielding. The charm and humour that oozes out of these books is so reminiscent of the Bridget Jones books in the best way. The prose was gorgeous, and I loved how the balance between pretty serious topics (which was handled with such care) and the humour / romance was perfectly done.

I had the pleasure of seeing Rebecca Ryan at two events over the last few years, and she is just as funny and as charming as her characters. I got her to dedicate her last book, The Philosophy of Love, to me and my mum who came to the event with me. We are both big fans of hers and I even rang her to tell her I was approved for the ARC of The Next Chapter, and we squealed together. To read this book, which at its core is about a mother-daughter relationship, was really special, and it will always have a place in my heart,

Do yourself a favour and pre-order this book. You won’t regret it.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for providing me with the eARC. All opinions are my own.

I really love Ryan's writing and I was very much looking forward to this.

It's funny and touching in equal measure with a delightful setting in the Isle of Skye.

Lily is a protagonist who maybe needs to talk to someone about her brain - being in her head was exhausting in places (my brain does not work like that) but very convincing. She and her colleague Seb have the chance of getting long-vanished nineties pop star Lola Starr to choose them to write her memoirs. This would be financially helpful for their memoir-writing business. Less helpful is the fact that Lola is Lily's birth mother, and they've had no contact since Lily was given up for adoption as a baby. Throw in a handsome travel writer and a troubled teen and there's all kinds of opportunities for shananigans. Can Lily relax slightly for five minutes?

PS I was really, really horrified when Lily went on a motobike while wearing shorts. Please, don't ever do that.

I really enjoyed this - Lily finding herself in the wake of heartbreak and loss was always going to be right up my street. I’m a sucker for found family, as much as a cute summer romance, as well as there being some deeper themes.
I did think the Harper-going-missing bit was slightly rushed and deserved a bit more time and build up, particularly as Lily seemed to forget about Harper when she went “home” to Manchester. There were also a couple of bits of Lily’s personality that were a bit clunky (the Swiftie nods, the frenzied cleaning), they could have been a little bit more subtle.

Really really enjoyed the story and Rebecca’s writing though, as always.

A beautiful feel good novel! I loved the characters in this story. It wasn’t overloaded so you really get to know them well.
An easy read to follow along with whilst also being really pulled into the story.
Another fab novel from Rebecca!