What Next?

What If? #3

by Shari Low

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.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Humor, Rom Com

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2022

About the author

*No1 Best Selling Author*

In January 2001, Shari Low's Low's first novel, What If? was published. Since then, Shari has published over 35 books, and sold three million copies around the globe, hitting the best seller charts in many countries including UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Australia. In 2023, she had three consecutive #1 best sellers - One Day With You, One Moment in Time and One Christmas Eve. Her first release of 2024, One Year After You, also hit the #1 spot.

In late 2020, her first novel, What If?, was updated and re-published, followed by the sequels What Now? and What Next?. All three novels became international best sellers.

Shari has also co-written three Hollywood thrillers, The Rise, The Catch and The Fall, with LA-based TV presenter and actor Ross King.

In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and thirty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with the one they said would never last. Their children have now grown and scattered across the world, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls and aeroplanes.

For all the latest news, visit her on Facebook, twitter, instagram or at www.sharilow.com

Reviews

[Jennifer (Jaye) (I was on a roll, now struggling to add comments - why???) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Decisions*

This instalment focuses on Val who made a bucket list with her best friend Josie years ago and have been planning and saving for the trip. Sadly with her best friend now gone In order to do so she asks her nieces Carly, Carole and their best friend Jess to tag along to fulfil the bucket list. For Val, time is of the essence as she is carrying a secret. Little does she know all the girls are too.

They get up to some silly and hilarious antics as one by one the secrets are revealed.

A great girly themed storyline, easy to read but there are also some life dilemmas & touching moments included

[Federica · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I found out that Shari Low was going to come out with What Next? I started to read What If? and What Now? (the first two books of the trilogy) that were already on my TBR pile. So this has been a full immersion/binge reading of the series and I have to say that I loved it immensely and I think I'm now addicted.
Shari Low has this magical power to make you laugh and cry almost in the same sentence. Reading her books is a roller-coster of emotions. You just never want them to finish, because you know you will miss the characters greatly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Denise Wilbanks | This Is My Everybody · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

--------------------

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

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

// COME ON OVER & SAY HELLO!...
Website: https://thisismyeverybody.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThisIsMyEve...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thisismyeve...
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thisismyeve...
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/thisismyever...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/t_everybody

And let's be friends here on Goodreads too!... ✨😎✨

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fab story

Shari Low seems to know exactly what her readers want. There are laugh out loud moments in this book and then there are quiet contemplating moments.

The book is based around the same characters starting in What If and What Now and the challenges in their lives now. The wonderful Auntie Val is almost the main character in this one as the ladies work their way through her and, the sadly now deceased, Josie's bucket list.

The girls are now in their 40's and going through everything being 40 throws at you.
The book while set in the US this time still has the wonderful Glaswegian humour and laughs.

Definitely give it a go.

[Tash Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed this one aswell, was great to read more about the characters

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 move 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.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Bumped for release and to acknowledge that this was an ARC (oops).

[Grace J Reviewerlady]

How I love these women!!

Carrying on from What Now?, we are right back into the lives of these women who, let’s face it, are all joined at the hip! Val reveals that she and Josie had a bucket list which, now Josie is no longer with them, she intends to fulfil before it’s too late and she wants – well, demands – the company of her girls on that particular journey. Val, nieces Carly and Carol along with their best pal Jess all set off for the States but what Val doesn’t realise is that her three travelling companions are all at their own crossroads but, this time round, it seems that they’re not sharing.

Having laughed and cried my way through the first two books in this series, it didn’t take very long for me to be grinning like an idiot once again; in fact, I didn’t get past the introductory chapter, catching the reader up with all the characters and their lives over the years. We should ALL have an Auntie Val in our lives – she is a scream! With their own children almost all grown up, you would think that the wild days of these women were behind them – but not a bit of it. Beautifully written, as always, in turns hysterically funny and with moments of ponderous wonder, I could barely put this aside from beginning to end. Enthralling, entertaining and an absolute gigglefest, this one easily earns all five sparkling stars and my very highest recommendation.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carly really should be looking forward to moving to LA and finally being with her gorgeous Hollywood megastar husband Sam – but, much as she loves him, she’s rather fond of her life in London surrounded by her chaotic mix of friends and family. So when her larger-than-life Auntie Val turns up from Glasgow, asking if she can come along for the ride and take the opportunity to complete the bucket list of “experiences” she drew up with her much missed friend Josie, she jumps at it – and is even more delighted when close friend Carol, currently having a few problems of her own despite the perfect life she displays on her highly successful social media channels, decides she’d like to join them. When they arrive, they’re joined by long-time friend Jess – in fact, their arrival stops her fleeing her life in LA and her high-powered crisis management business, her private life that seemed so perfect having recently fallen apart.

The road trip that follows is simply wonderful. Val, her age no obstacle (in fact, she has considerably more stamina than her younger companions), intends to squeeze every drop of enjoyment she can possibly experience out of her trip – and following their adventures as the travel from LA to Las Vegas and on to New York, it’s a quite wonderful trip for the reader to share too. Val herself is a superb character – over-the-top and brimming over with energy, often inappropriate and gloriously uninhibited, although she does have her moments of introspection as she writes about her special moments in her diary to share them with Josie.

And, despite all the high octane fun and laughs, we find that the three friends have considerable issues that they need to tackle too – Carly must make some decisions about where her future lies, Jess has a relationship that she needs to either sort out or leave, and Carol needs to understand why she seems to have fallen out of love with her husband and is currently finding life so very difficult to cope with. Although she doesn’t let them hold her back for her instant, Val has her own significant secret worries too – and then there’s someone out there working hard to make Carly’s transition to her new life as difficult as possible, with photos of every riotous moment on their trip shared in a celebrity magazine.

I will admit that I did struggle a little with this book at the start – despite the helpful summary of the vast cast and their relationships at the beginning, I worried that I just couldn’t get a handle on who was related to who, or some of the key characters’ earlier relationships and life experiences, and I didn’t know whether that was going to be important. It’s never the best idea to join a series on the third book, and I did worry that I might have made a bit of a mistake reading it as a standalone. But everything most definitely came good – the story is told through the strong and distinct voices of the four women who join the trip, and I thoroughly enjoyed the way that allowed me into their heads and hearts, to understand their very real problems, and to slowly become exceptionally attached to every one of them.

This book really is tremendous fun – so much laughing, moments that fill you with sheer joy, always with the wonderful Val at their centre. But the author has a very sure touch with the emotional content too – the supportive female friendships, the ins and outs of the women’s relationships with their partners, and all the sensitively handled and more serious issues that emerge. I also really enjoyed the world she created – Carol’s social media activity was simply fascinating (and exhausting!), and Jess’ reputation management activity (who knew?) equally so, and who could fail to enjoy the inside track on the lives of the Hollywood rich and famous. This was a really lovely read – and one I’d definitely recommend to others.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

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*.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve followed the lives of Carly and her crew since the first in this series, and though I’ve enjoyed each of the books, I’d say this is definitely my favourite!

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a light-hearted fun romp across America taken by Carly, Carol, Jess and the inimitable Aunty Val. Shari Low has definitely stepped things up a notch with this one. The ‘girls’ are now quite a few years older than in the previous books. In fact, they’re what would be termed ‘middle-aged’ And with that come a few hard-hitting realizations.

Carly has reached the point where she has finally promised to join her divine hubby Sam, living in LA, but truthfully … she’s petrified! Carol (married to Carly’s brother Callum), living an enviable, golden life, emblazoned across social media for all to see, suddenly just isn’t ‘feeling it’ any more, and has no idea why. Tough go-getter Jess has just discovered that the love of her life, Arnie, is not who she thought he was, and has decided to make a break for it! And just when they think they each think they’ve decided what their next steps will be, Aunty Val arrives with a huge announcement that surprises them all and changes their plans completely.

I loved reading about the journey they all embark on together, even though it’s all really bittersweet. Each one of these ladies is so real (although I think I’m a little bit scared of Jess!) and their strong bond is really enviable. Shari Low does a fabulous job getting to the heart of female friendship. She knows exactly how it feels to see that something’s ‘not quite right’ with the people closest to you, but then not to know how to approach it. And she also knows what makes a great ‘bucket list’!

I found some parts of the story really heartbreaking – mostly Val’s perspective. As loud and overbearing as she comes across, it’s so hard for her to be putting on a brave face all the time without her bestie Josie, not to mention the fact that she knows the coming months will be a huge challenge for her. She’s just so likeable and the way the author has written her character allows you to gain a deep empathy for those in similar situations and an understanding of how it feels to age, when you still have so much living to do!

Each chapter is narrated by a different character, and once I’d figured out who was who each time, I got into the rhythm of the book. Some tough issues are dealt with sensitively and without drama or too much explanation and back-and-forth. I’d definitely suggest reading the first 2 books before reading this one, for context. This is a really great 4 star read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What If? And What Now? are previous novels written by Shari Low and this one catches up with the characters from those books, but can be read as a standalone too. The books follow a group of five friends over the years – Carly, Carol, Kate, Jess and Sarah.
What Next? begins at the end of 2021 with Carly in a Los Angeles jail cell!
Carly Morton is a writer, mum to Mac (19) and Benny (17) by ex-husband Mark Barwick, and she is now married to Sam (actor turned film producer).
Kate Smith is Carly’s friend and neighbour, she is married to architect Bruce, with three kids in their twenties (Tallulah, Cameron and Zoe).
Carol is married to Carly’s brother Callum Cooper and is also her long-time friend. Carol and Callum have twin daughters Charlotte and Antonia (20).
Jess Latham is Carly’s friend, lives with her boyfriend Arnie, and has a son at Uni (Josh).
The other major character in the book is the brilliant Val Murray. She is Carly’s aunt, in her sixties and married to Don.
The chapters are written in the first person from the viewpoints of Carly, Val, Carol and Jess. These are very well written characters and each one has a distinctive voice, so the reader can easily follow who is talking.
The main body of the story is based in the United States. Val, Carly and Carol fly there – Carly to see her husband, Val to try to complete her Bucket List. This is a lovely idea and I really enjoyed following her antics.
There are themes of friendship and family in the book. Alongside a great deal of humour, there are many serious issues explored too including loss, illness, ageing, infidelity and controlling partners.
It is written in an informal, chatty style, and there are so many clever and laugh-out-loud funny bits, which I especially enjoyed. I also loved the strong female characters, especially as the main friends are all around my age (in their fifties) with grown up kids, so I could relate to some of the things they had to deal with. The book is very well written and I love Val, she’s one of my favourite fictional characters I have discovered in a long time, she’s hilarious, so straight-talking!
This is the first of Shari Low’s books I have read, but I’ll be reading more in the future!
9 out of 10

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, in 2 days or so, I managed all 3 in the series on audiable, and wow just loved them.

The story and characters are all brought to life amazingly well as always, by Helen McAlpine fantastic narration.

I think many of us can relate to having some form of bucketlist whether we have began writing it, living it or have ticked it it all off this story just lights up your heart from all different directions.

The final chapter in this series showing how these characters all came through so much varying tragedy, grief, sorrow with love, unity, humour, friendship, companionship and most of all loyalty to each other always having one another's backs in any situation.

#Allthestars
#Highlyreccomended
#ShariLow
#HelenMcAlpine

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is pure joy in book form. I loved the previous reads from Shari Low in this series and being back with Carly, Carol, Jess and Kate again is just brilliant. I’d love to be part of their gang - the support and friendship they share with eachother is wonderful. The story this time centres on Val and her bucket list of things to tick off with the girls - all sorts of emotions filled me as we follow them on their travels - laughing out loud at some of the antics whilst sobbing for some of the emotions each of the women is experiencing, Shari Low takes us on a rollercoaster of an adventure and I loved it.

[Chloe Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in the land of Carly Cooper! I’ve absolutely loved this series, it’s brought me so much joy. I only wish I was part of Carly’s tribe! I loved how this book was written from different character’s perspectives, it was great to read from their point of view. I just love the friendship that they have. I loved reading about their bucket list adventures, they are just the most hilarious bunch, especially Aunt Val!! It was nice to see their more vulnerable sides in this book too. I have truly loved this series, it has been an absolute delight.
A book about Zoe, Tallulah, Charlotte, Toni and Hannah next??? The next generation

[Tingting C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still can’t believe the first and second books were written 20 years apart! I picked up What If pretty randomly, but it turned out to be such a fun and entertaining read. If you’re a Sex and the City fan, this series is definitely for you.

It might look like a classic romcom on the surface, but it’s really about female friendship, personal adventure, and self-exploration. I absolutely love the chemistry among the four main characters—Carly totally feels like a copy of Kelly from SATC! The plot is definitely surreal—like, it goes way beyond anything a regular person would experience—but that’s exactly what makes it so entertaining.

And the best part? Carly lives in Chiswick… exactly where I am. Love that little detail!

[Rhiannon Dorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

rollercoaster of emotions

This book had me crying and laughing throughout, great book about the high and lows of life with the support of life long friends

[Tammy Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story with a lot of fun action and a great message.

[Samantha Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect ending to the What If series! I loved how this book was told from the POV of everyone. You really got the opportunity to get to know each character so much more.

[Karen Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m gutted iv finished the trilogy, I’m going to miss everyone, especially Val 🥰🥰 well done for more fabulous writing #sharilow

[Amy Fessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read. Love these girls friendship!

[Dawn King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I have read by this author very enjoyable if you like romance novels.

[gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love,love Shari Low💕

Every novel and writes is full of laughter, tears, and, compassion. Her characters are so real you feel as if you know them. Ms. Low is such a gifted author and I intend to read every novel and writes - I love her world💕

[Marjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Begin wat rommelig en vond t lastig om er echt in te komen
Maar na een hoofdstuk of 3 -4 kreeg ik toch de smaak te pakken en heb ik ook wel weer hardop zitten lachen om Val
Uiteindelijk was ook dit weer een leuke Shari Low

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you want from a story about friendship.

[Kerry https://likeherdingcatsblog.wordpress.com Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Shari’s books and I really enjoyed the previous two books in this series: What if? And What Now? So I was over the moon to find out there was a third coming. These books do work better if read in order as it helps you get a real sense of the characters’ backgrounds and how strong they are as a group of friends however, this also works as a stand alone quite well as enough is explained to make the book really enjoyable. But, why wouldn’t you want to devour this whole, wonderful series?
So Carly is finally moving to LA to live with her husband Sam when Aunt Val decides to tag along to complete her bucket list that she wrote with her late friend. Best friend and sister-in-law Carol tags along too and Jessie already lives over there so it’s shenanigans galore. But, something is off with all 4 women. Can they help each other to figure out what is wrong and overcome it?
I adore these women. I want to be part of their group. I love each and every one of them and they steal my heart every single time I come across them. I could read about them all day long and never tire of their antics, heartaches and adventures. I love how the women each tell their own stories though multi-narration and that we really get a feel for their thoughts as well as their actions but also see how it looks to the other girls.
Val is an absolute national treasure. She has such a heart of gold and is very spirited but her chapters are heart-breaking and show a different side to her. She is hilarious on Rodeo Drive and I loved her in Vegas. I wanted to give her such a high five.
Carly is still as crazy as ever and so down to Earth. She is such a witty character and I love her relationship with Sam. I cannot stop giggling at rainbow pants. But. Will she settle into her new life in LA?
Jessie is broken hearted and not her usual feisty self. I couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of this one and find out what was actually going on.
Carol was the one I felt most sorry for. Everyone else was having a rough time too however they knew why. Carol didn’t, and couldn’t, understand her feelings or where they were coming from and as she had them, she also then experienced so much guilt around them.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster and will take you on such a journey of friendship, love, laughter and tears. It’s sad in places but also uplifting and celebrates so much about life. It’s full of awesome, relatable characters.
I cannot recommend this enough.

[Helen Leecy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Lynn McCrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I probably write this in every review I do of a Shari Low book but I absolutely adore this woman’s books!! I don’t know if it’s the Scottish slant in them or not but to coin a phrase they are ‘pure dead brilliant’! Honestly I don’t think I have ever laughed out loud as much as I do when reading her books and I cannot recommend all of her books enough.

This is the third book in the series with Carly and her friends although some of the characters do feature in other books written by the author. In this instalment of their lives,

Carly is happily married to her beau Sam Morton whom she first met in her twenties while living abroad. He is now a Hollywood actor turned producer who is based in USA and now Carly is leaving her home, her friends and her two teenage boys to move to his mansion in the sunshine, a move that anyone would be happy to make so why isn’t she? When her Aunt Val and her sister-in-law announce that they are coming with her for the first few weeks of her stay it eases her into the move a little. However, that is before she hears a bit about just what Aunt Val has planned for their trip. It transpires that her dearly departed best friend (whom I adored in earlier books) and her made a bucket list of things they wanted to do in America based on movies they had watched. This makes for a very funny and sometimes emotional storyline - there are definitely lots of proper laugh out loud moments!

I absolutely adore Carly and her friends and have loved see them ‘grow up’ over the course of the books - they are all such a good fit for one another (I know that they aren’t real but I like to think that somewhere there is a group of friends just like them). And everyone in Scotland (and perhaps further afield) has an Aunt or knows someone just like Aunt Val. What a character - you can’t help but love her despite her getting into the most terrible situations and having no filter!

I honestly cannot recommend this book (or any other by Shari Low) highly enough. I am insanely jealous of people who have never read her books and now get to do so for the very first time. You will not be disappointed.

I cannot wait to read the next book that Shari Low writes!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read a few of this author's books now, I have to say this one is one of my favourites - well, so far!

It starts with a bucket list that Val and her friend Josie had thought up. Now that Josie has passed on, Val decides it's time to get something done about this list. You soon get to realise that Val is incorrigible and so she sort of organises and hi-jacks her nieces and they all go off to America to tick off the items.

The three nieces, Carly, Carol and Jess are, well sort of stuck in their lives or have something going on with them. It gives the 4 women a chance to not only kick back and have some fun but to assess.

This is a fabulous book and I have to say Val is such an amazing character. She is one of those characters who is the cornerstone of the story. While she is loud, bright and a real hoot, she also has another softer and hugely caring side. She is also a dangerous woman to go out anywhere with as she will definitely lead you astray, this makes for some hilarious and raucous moments in the story.

Each of the women has something they need to deal with, none of them is upfront about it. They need a trigger for the secret to be released. So while this trip is for the purpose of fulfilling a friend's wish, it is also about discovering what needs to change for each of them.

The author has got the balance spot on with this story mixing humour with worries about life, health and family. There are changes and challenges and some wonderful moments that just make you feel that you are not alone in the world. Life for the women has been portrayed very differently for each one, and this was a great way of seeing different perspectives on life and how success is seen or happiness is measured.

This is a fabulous read, it is heartwarming and yeah there was a couple of moments when I had a lump in my throat. Ideal for readers of contemporary fiction, life, family and friendship. A gorgeous read and one I would definitely recommend.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.