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It's What You Do Next: The Fall and Rise of Nashville's First Female Mayor

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At some point, all of us will be at our worst, and while some of us will be remembered for it, none of us should be defined by it.

In 2015, after a historic run-off election, Megan Barry became the first female mayor of Nashville, Tennessee. Quickly becoming one of the most popular progressive politicians in the Bible Belt, Barry was a beloved leader with a sky-high approval rating and an unshakable hope for a new, forward-thinking, modern South. For her first few years in office, she was one of the most important voices at the table. 

Until she became the most notorious.  

Barry loved three things the most in the world—her son, Max, her husband, Bruce, and her job as the mayor of Nashville . . . until she lost two of them. Her monumental lapse in judgment led to a painful public reckoning and the fall of her rising political career. A battle with substance-use disorder robbed her of her only child. Grief, pride, shame, longing, and resentment nearly destroyed her marriage. Barry has to start again, the right way, with humility, hope, and a wicked sense of humor.

It’s What You Do Next is a deeply honest book about womanhood at home, in politics, and in the spaces between. It’s about moving forward after we’ve fallen short, finding the grace to love, and to love oneself again. It’s about the aching world of grief and the light beyond it.

Warm, funny, and uncompromisingly honest, Barry speaks to women as their close friend, not their fearless leader, her true self, not always her best self. She gives readers permission to come as they are and leave knowing that what matters most, is what happens next.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2024

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Megan Barry

2 books2 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
22 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2024
Could not put this one down

I stayed up all night reading this one. I am a native Nashvillian and lived in Davidson County for the first 66 years of my life. I was proud to vote for Megan Barry for mayor and thought she did a spectacular job. I gave up what I mistakenly thought were friendships when many women from my former church were condemning her for the affair. For heavens sake we ALL lived through Bill Boner and at the state level, Ray Blanton but they wanted to crucify her? I am SO tired of all the “bidness” deals in Nashville and the men who refer to their wives when planning outings saying, “talk to my “secaterry.” Megan was so refreshing and even came to community meetings when we lived in the armpit of Nashville (Madison.). We had our shining Camelot when Megan was in office. I don’t think I will live long enough to see it return but I am grateful to Megan for that one brief shining moment.
Profile Image for Shannon M.
2 reviews
November 15, 2024
What a wild story! This wonderfully paced memoir covers everything from gender dynamics, politics, power, motherhood, grief, shame, and forgiveness. Barry’s honesty and accountability were so refreshing, especially from a politician. She doesn’t pull any punches but doesn’t make excuses either.
A very (VERY!) topical read post-election!
Profile Image for Mollie.
62 reviews7 followers
December 17, 2024
One of the best reads of the year. Candid and brave; A true memoir
10 reviews
April 11, 2025
This was a little too Reynold’s Pamphlet for me. I appreciate Megan’s (purported) honesty, but overall I felt like she dragged too many people through the mud, and in a little too much detail, with this retelling of her downfall in what seems to be an attempt to salvage her political career. As a native Nashvillian, I have always appreciated her goals and views, and I am glad she seems to have found some inner peace, but this just didn’t quite do it for me.
Profile Image for Jessica Johnston.
82 reviews2 followers
November 19, 2025
Megan Barry's memoir, It's What You Do Next, was truly a joy to read! I wasn't living in Tennessee at the time when she was mayor of Nashville and had to resign in disgrace. I came to know her during her congressional run in 2024. She showed up frequently in Montgomery County and was always so kind and warm towards me--even going out of her way to say hi to me in a crowd at the Southern Festival of Books.

Barry's writing is eloquent and descriptive in a way I haven't seen in memoirs before. She tenderly knits together her memories of becoming mayor, her son's substance addiction (that eventually led to his death), and her affair with the head of her security detail that unraveled not only her life but the public's trust in her as a political figure. Barry doesn't shy away from the brutal moments, both her son's tragedy and the grave mistake of her infidelity. She shows there's a way forward, even after you've blown up your life. I highly recommend picking this one up.
Profile Image for Melody.
12 reviews
January 23, 2025
It's hard to get me to finish a book in two days, but Megan had me hooked. So, 4 stars for excellent storytelling. Unfortunately this one goes in the pile of "books deals that came too soon," because she clearly thought she was ending this one with a fresh congressional win.
Profile Image for Wendy Haddix.
19 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Megan Barry was Nashville's first woman mayor. She was caught in a scandal and her career went down the drain. Her son died of an overdose. She is brutally honest, funny and down to earth. I could actually imagine having a drink with her.

One reason I was so interested is because I live in Nashville. She spoke of different crimes and other things that happened during her 2+ years as mayor. I remembered when those things actually happened. She is different than I pictured in my head. Maybe a little rough around the edges. Sometimes has bad language, but don't we all?? I could care less if she cusses or not.

I thought she was a great mayor. I was hoping she would get back into politics, but unfortunately that did not go well. I am thankful that Megan shared her life with us. I truly enjoyed getting to know her.
Profile Image for Pamela Larson.
202 reviews3 followers
March 19, 2025
I bought Megan Barry's book half-expecting to find it a little cheesy. It was not. In fact, I couldn't put it down.

Barry was elected mayor of Nashville in 2015 following eight years of service on the Metropolitan Council. She was progressive, and many of us Nashvillians were proud to have her as our first elected female mayor. She had energy, substance, a cute sense of humor and she got things done.

In this book, she outlines how she fell from grace. It began with a distancing from her husband, her long and arduous work hours, her son's drug addiction and her falling prey to the attention of her attractive police escort. Then, one early morning, she and her husband, Bruce, get a knock on their door from the police with a message that no parent wants to hear: their son, who recently graduated from college, has died of an overdose.

Having given this book a glowing review, I can't speak for how accurate it is. After all, she was the perpetrator, and this is her version of the story.

Barry outlines her fall from grace without mincing any words. She admits her wrongs, and she accepts blame. She apologizes to her constituents, and the wife of the man she had an affair with.

She and her husband eventually come together again, and she begins her life all over by speaking out, and helping those who have friends or family members suffering from drug addiction.

Is it factual? It's hard to say. After all, Barry was the perpetrator, and she's writing her side of the story.


Profile Image for Julie A. Friedman.
2 reviews
June 28, 2025
I believe this is the very first book that I’ve read that qualifies as a memoir and I must say that after being an avid reader of fiction for most of my life, I’m wondering why I haven’t delved into this genre before. I love heartfelt stories about humans, real stories… and this is one of them. After reading Megan’s book, I’m smitten… with her realness… with the way she confronts the real life challenges of being human, of being married, of being a mother, of being a public figure. She does it in a way that is not only witty (and her turn of phrase made me chuckle to myself throughout) but super deep and introspective, taking accountability. She considers thinking her past, seeing how her issues & upbringing contributed to her struggles and I can’t help but respect that. You can feel her grief in the pages. I wonder why she had to pay the price when so many others in her position or even higher positions have not? Yet, she doesn’t seem bitter at all. It seems that she’s that kind of person, a humble person who didn’t deserve all of that. She deserved to make a difference like she wanted to, like she could have. Her upbeat title is the revelation. It is what you do next. It’s the choices that you make every day. She weathered it all with grace. You can feel it in her words and I’m grateful to have read them.
Profile Image for Lorena.
852 reviews23 followers
December 3, 2024
I enjoyed listening to this fascinating memoir narrated by the author, Nashville’s first female mayor, Megan Barry. It’s only her side of the story, but it felt very honest. She shares a little bit about her early attempts running for office, her campaign for mayor, and some of the efforts she focused on as mayor. Mostly though, this was about her personal journey as a woman in politics and how it affected her family. She discusses in heartbreaking detail drifting apart from her family, losing her son to substance abuse, an affair she had with an employee that imploded and destroyed her career in politics, and very nearly losing her marriage. And as the title says, the emphasis is on what she does next. Despite all of these challenges, it sounds as though Barry has found her path to a life with more authenticity and balance.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys memoirs or is curious about Megan Barry’s life and political career or just enjoys a good story of resilience. The audiobook production was excellent, and I loved Barry’s narration. It was so powerful to hear her tell her story in her own distinctive voice. She knows how to tell a compelling story, so I particularly recommend the audiobook.
1 review
November 30, 2024
“I try every day to be a little less ambitious, a little less important, and a little more good.”

Sure. Is this book about a very public Nashvillian sharing intimate details and thoughts of the rise and fall of their life?
YES. But, it’s so much more than that. In a society of never ending mind-numbing news cycles and controversial tweets (or whatever the hell they are called now), we’re all bracing for the next “thing” to fight for what is right, be pissed off about, or just want to hide from. It takes real grit to stand up when you’ve been down (whether you’ve been shoved, fell down, or tripped) and to not just face the music, but to walk towards it.
I respect the hell out of that. And, while we may all share the same life experiences, challenges, and choices as Megan Barry… We have all had our share of the three with varying degrees of error, grief, and raw emotion that the author shares freely in this book. What may surprise many is how relatable the book, the author, the Mayor, the “scandal”, and the human really is. No spoilers here. Purchase the book. I read it all in one night. Couldn’t put it down.
Profile Image for Regyn Rothney.
54 reviews1 follower
December 2, 2024
I really enjoyed this memoir by Megan Barry. It’s a great opportunity to be a fly on the wall during a political scandal. The author herself tells the story and I think hearing it in her own voice, helps humanize her. It’s a quick and to the point; no deep dives into irrelevant childhood tales or unnecessary stories that I’ve read in so many other memoir’s.

She doesn’t sugarcoat anything that happened. Her raw retelling of her life during this time is poignant and brutally honest. You have to respect someone who makes a mistake and fully owns her actions. Especially in a time where it seems all politicians have affairs or some sort of sex scandal. It shines a light on how normal the public reacts to these scenarios, until it’s a woman who is caught…then heads will roll.

Thank you to #netgalley and #meganbarry for sharing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a review of the audiobook.
Profile Image for Emily Shore.
50 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2025
As a Nashville resident, I was excited for this one. Maybe I missed something as I was reading, but I anticipated a much better book based off the reviews others have left. I teach middle school Literature, and I think my students have writing skills equal to Barry’s. The writing was sub-par, which just made it tough to read for me.

If I lived in Nashville at that time, I have no doubt that I would have voted for her. I don’t have an issue with her policies and opinions. I agree that men and women in politics are held to radically different standards and expectations (look at the 2024 presidential election). However, she had an affair. She had an affair with her body guard while holding a public office, which in turn impacts and pulls from tax dollars. It bothered me that she spoke so much of the fact that the relationship fully consensual, but then at the same time blamed him for everything? He was a sleazy jerk, but she isn’t sinless either.

Wouldn’t recommend it.
Profile Image for Jessica Piper.
56 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2024
As a Metro employee, I was a huge Megan Barry fan. For me and many of my colleagues, it was exciting to finally have a mayor with that human touch. She knew how to talk to little kids! She closed Metro offices when a tornado was bearing down on us. She gave us Veterans Day off and got us paid family leave. She seemed like that cool older sister who could listen and give great advice. We cried for her when she lost her son and again when she had to step down.

I found this such a compelling read. The writing is great and she doesn't go easy on anyone, least of all herself. I always thought that it was weird that she pled guilty to theft when she wasn't the one who was paid overtime--I've always argued that she wasn't the one signing off on his timecards.

I would love to see more writing from Megan--maybe a fiction series about a female mayor?!
Profile Image for Christy.
Author 1 book6 followers
July 7, 2025
Megan Barry's new memoir (well, not brand new, but new enough) is really good and very much worth reading. It's a book that will stay with me - and is, thus far, the book I'm most glad to have read this year.

The hardest part of recovery for me is often living with the regret of the poor choices, the people I hurt, and the bridges that were burned to the ground in the fires of my addiction. The things we cannot change... And still, it has been so important for me to be able to learn to hold it all, including myself, with compassion at the same time that I am recognizing my own accountability.

Megan's story is honest, vulnerable, at times even a little rebellious - and, I think, really courageous. It takes a lot to get back up off the ground and say "Yeah, I did that. And I am so sorry. But I still have things to offer to the world." I very much recommend this book!
Profile Image for Happy Booker.
474 reviews
December 1, 2024
Five stars for Megan Barry's brutally honest accounts as a mayor in Nashville, Tennessee, a wife, and a mother. After she is elected mayor in the middle of the bible belt, Barry was a modern thinking leader with a strong approval rating that she seems to be been fixated on since middle grade. Not living in her state I was not aware of her or the mountainous challenges she made for herself. I was riveted and blindsided for the disastrous conclusions to Ms. Barry, her family, and the people who supported her for their future in Nashville. A reader can determine for themselves as she navigates the waters with devastating consequences that no one deserves.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ms. Barry, and Penguin Random House for the advance reader copy in exchange for this honest review.
1 review
November 17, 2025
I read this book in two days. Excellent storytelling and it took a lot of courage for someone so public to share something so deeply personal. In such a "politically correct" world these days, I was delighted to see Barry not shy away from talking about the very things that make her and all of us human. Every one of us has made bad decisions and has experienced trauma at some level but it's "what we do next" that matters. Watching Barry take back her narrative - instead of letting the world tell us what the story is - was truly inspiring. As mayor, she did great things for Nashville and now as an author, she has an even bigger platform to do good in the world. Kudos to a brave new literary voice. Can't wait to see what she does next.
Profile Image for Charlsie Graves.
37 reviews2 followers
November 29, 2024
Not usually a fan of audiobooks, but really enjoyed listening to this one directly from Megan Barry. I expected to listen in casually during long drives over the holiday season, but surprised myself in that I did not want to stop listening once I started it. I laughed. I cried. I empathized. I lived in Nashville during her mayoral election and remember the excitement shared during that time. I also lived near her neighborhood, so this book brought back my own sense of conflicted memories about people and places. The vulnerability she shares here is told in well constructed snippets, and the end made me cry like a baby. Thanks to NetGalley and Matt Holt Books for access to this book.
1 review1 follower
January 13, 2025
Megan Barry!!! Wow. You were vulnerable and real, raw and honest. Life is full of sorrow and hope, disappointments and joy. I’m proud you were our mayor! I can be both inspired by your story and enraged at the many men who seem to go through the same things without any negative impact on their career. Actually, it seems sometimes they are propelled because of it! Kudos to you for your service to our city and our people. I started the book this morning and finished this evening-pausing to reflect on how men and women are held to different standards. Kudos to you, your leadership and your courage in throwing it all out there.
351 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2025
I really appreciated her honesty and her writing style. It was also very interesting to read about why she pled guilty to the felony she pled guilty to. I wonder if that was one of the main reasons she wrote this book.

I can't even imagine the heartbreak of losing your only child and Megan's candor about that loss and her openness to describing her emotions made me want to befriend her if I could. And she just lives down the street from me - so maybe one day it will be possible!

I hope people experience grace when reading her story and get transformed by the power of love, endurance and friendship in marriage.
1 review
November 14, 2025

First of all, I listened to the audiobook read by the author and it was perfect. Megan tells her story in a natural, honest, raw, and redeeming way. She offers hope to a world who needs it - even the ones who pretend not to. Read this book and you’ll find hope, bravery, and the oh-so-rare person in politics who is brave enough not to hide. Read the book!!!! There are many layers to it, I’ll probably read it again.

This quote sums it up for me.

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it" — Maya Angelou
Profile Image for Leah.
Author 7 books2 followers
January 11, 2025
I was not a resident of Nashville when Megan Barry was in office and learned about the transition out of office third, fourth and fifth hand. I can't speak to the accuracy of the story as she recounts it, but I can say that the emotion behind her writing about the loss of Max was simply gut-wrenching and had me in tears. Regardless of one's politics, the loss of a child on the cusp of adulthood to emotional turmoil and drug use/overdose is a traumatic experience and reading first hand how this affected the family was what kept me up completing this book in a single day.
18 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2024
As a Nashville resident I have been a big fan of Megan Barry and was so excited to see her elected Mayor. She was doing great things for Nashville when she was targeted by the misogynist factor that exists here. I couldn’t put the book down and read it in one night. Such a well written memoir that reminds us there are always two sides to a story. Thank you Mayor Barry for representing strong resilient women.
2 reviews
November 28, 2024
Raw, honest, revealing

In her usual honest and mildly sarcastic tone, Megan Barry reveals her worst days. This is an excellent book written with great courage. It would have been much easier to assume the fetal position and lick her wounds. Instead she has found a purpose for her pain and exposed her most tender heart to help others save their children from a devastating path. It is indeed about what you do next.
1 review1 follower
January 12, 2025
This book is amazing! I stayed up late reading after starting it and found the story candid and compelling!
I had the pleasure of meeting Megan while running for the TN House of Representatives and found her to be kind, smart, positive and highly motivated! I have the utmost respect that she chose to put herself back into the public service arena after all she went through ! A true leader and wonderful woman!
Profile Image for Susan Meador.
33 reviews2 followers
November 28, 2024
An honest, heartbreaking and heartfelt account of a true life story and a compelling read with an uplifting message of triumph over tragedy and a fall from grace lived out in the public eye. A true redemption story. Thank you, Megan, for your honest account. Gives us all hope for our own fall and rise moments.
Author 1 book3 followers
December 1, 2024
This is an honest and forthright look back at the failures, successes, and false steps that cost a high-profile politician her office. But more than that, it's a very relatable human story of trying -- and sometimes failing -- to do right by oneself and one's loved ones. An engaging read that I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Kristy Robinson.
1 review
December 3, 2024
Highly recommend this memoir, it covers events that took place in Megan Barrys life over the period of just a few years, starting when she became Nashville's first woman mayor, bringing a vibrant new energy to the city..... but its not a memoir about politics, its a story about being in the middle of life, the joys, losses, letting go of what doesn't really matter, and then deciding what to keep.
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,033 reviews17 followers
January 12, 2025
I was so disappointed in Megan Barry when she resigned as mayor of Nashville under a cloud of scandal. Now I understand why it happened. As I read her memoir, I couldn’t help thinking it could have been my story (except for the mayor part). Her book is so well written and so compelling. I’m glad she decided to tell it. Even if you don’t live in Nashville, this is a good read.
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