What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson is a complexly structured novel that explores what happened after a child goes missing. Even with two timelines and three POVs (Heather, Dora, and Faith), I never felt lost within this story. Did I have questions that demanded answers just as the main characters did? Oh, yes! Podcaster Faith spends her summer back in the small town where her childhood took a turn. Faith’s best friend went missing and there are no answers to the mystery until Faith starts asking questions. Dora believes her daughter is still out there somewhere and lives her life waiting for her return. Life has gone on around her, but she is stuck in the past. Both of these characters do not forget the pivotal event that changed their lives. The story shifts between the present day and the summer when Faith went missing. Faith, the missing friend and daughter, tells her story in a first person voice. I loved that. Faith becomes real, not a long gone character that others tell about. Perspectives from adults and children are important to understand just went on that summer. This truly is a story of what comes next after tragedy and loss, even when no answers are to be found.

What Happens Next is an excellent book. Perfect for a book club discussion, you will want to talk about this book!

Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

A podcaster investigated theinvestigated the Disappearance of a childhood friend. She has been visiting her grandmother and makes a best friend. Later the girl disappears. Trays later she is doing a true crime podcast and asked to investigate the friends disappearance. She finds herself much more involved than expected. ( )

What Happens Next follows podcaster Faith Byrne, as she's contacted to find out what happened to her childhood best friend as she went missing after that initial summer they spent together.

The alternating points of view and timelines, and cast of characters make this book really enjoyable. It is also a story of grief, and how it can shape your life. You really get to know the characters and want to know where their stories continue. Luckily the story does wrap up and it doesn't leave you hanging, but you still want more from the storyline.

This was my first book to ready by this author and I found it really well written and wanting to read more. ( )

I don’t think I have read a book by this author but now I will be looking for more from her. This story is emotional and filled with tragedy that pierce’s the soul. What would you do if your child disappeared? There is no trace of them and after awhile the case isn’t important to the police. As a mother Dora has never give up hope. She knows her daughter is out there somewhere.
Her family wants Dora to go to grief counseling when years have passed and she still has a big birthday dinner for her missing daughter. I have been to grief counseling and found it to be very comforting. The process of grief is different for everyone and I liked how the author illustrated how each one handles it.

I liked the way the author gave us points of view from three people as we follow them in the story. Faith has never understood why her parents never told her that her best friend disappeared. All these years she thought Heather had rejected her and didn’t want to be her friend anymore, what a burden for a child to carry into adulthood. Now she has decided to investigate her friend’s disappearance and hopefully find closure fir her and Heather’s family.

Lastly we get to know Heather better as the author shares her story as a child. She was full of life and loved playing with her friends. We get to see Heather enjoying bike riding and other things that kids love to do. I loved. getting to know Heather but I will say it was hard to read.

The story does shine a light on faith and hope as we watch grief take hold and bring characters to a place where they need to address grief in order to heal and let go. A must read for those who love stories that center around healing emotionally.

I received a copy of this book from Early Readers Program from Librarything. the review is my own opinion. ( )

As someone whose Jr high/high school years were in the 80s, I enjoyed the nostalgia in Christina Suzann Nelson’s What Happens Next. But this book had so much more to it.

This book is an examination of some of the different ways people handle grief though a missing persons case more than 30 years old. Nelson gives readers memorable characters. I wanted to hug Dora, cheer Faith and her investigation on, and just sit with Heather throughout this story.

The mystery is unfolded so well, I just had to keep reading to find out what happened and who was involved. And despite some tough discoveries, there is much hope woven into the threads of these people’s lives. I can’t believe this is the first book by this author I’ve read, but I guarantee it won’t be the last.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own. ( )