The beginning of this book was just so tragic. My heart hurt reading the event Katie and her students went through. The journey of healing and moving forward was so profound. I love Sam and his inherent goodness. The writing of this book is unbelievably fabulous. I could not put this book down. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Unfortunately this story could be taken from today’s headlines. Katie is a first grade teacher, who is wounded in a school shooting while saving the lives of two of her students. She is honored for her bravery, but is unable to face going back to school. Suffering from PTSD , she decides to make a change and move away and find a teaching job in a new place. She finds a new job in Borden’s Gap, TN, where she will teach first grade. She moves in across the street from Sam, the police chief, a widower with six year old twin daughters. She develops a relationship with the townspeople; but they don’t know what happened to make her come to Borden’s Gap. After she saves one of her students from being kidnapped by his abusive father, her background comes out. She is again hailed as a hero. Her relationship with Sam and his daughters grows as they form a new family.

First, I must mention the built-in humor that just makes Sharon Sala one of my favorite authors when I am looking for a good strong story filled with warmth. I am always charmed by books penned by this amazing author. And THE NEXT BEST DAY is an example of why that is. Sharon Sala includes a few items my children call Easter eggs, when spotted it’s guaranteed to make you smile.

THE NEXT BEST DAY leading character Katie moves from Albuquerque to a very small town in Tennessee. Katie needs a restart to her life. Something she has done several times. As a child in the foster system, moving was quite usual. Once she aged out Katie learned to manage her own life quite successfully landing a teaching job that she loved and excelled at. Until that fateful day.

Here’s where Sharon Sala brings heart rendering current events into THE NEXT BEST DAY and the life of Katie. As a first-grade teacher Katie faced one of the tragically repeated threats, an armed intruder in her school. She survived. Several other folks did not. But no one came away unscathed. Now Katie must figure out how to manage her new normal which is challenging. Perhaps living in a smaller town life will be calmer, more serene, less threatening. Then Katie can once again find her laughter.

The supporting cast in THE NEXT BEST DAY is quintessential Sharon Sala and amazing. Every scene in THE NEXT BEST DAY is well thought out and important. Sharon Sala doesn’t suffer fools. If it’s part of the story it is valuable. Learning to live in a small town, meeting all sorts of characters and finally winding up once again as a first-grade teacher is part of Katie’s personal challenge. Learning to trust is still another bump in the road.

THE NEXT BEST DAY is a story about looking to the future and Sharon Sala provides some of the best dialog that paves the way to a heartwarming, inciteful and caring tale.

As always, my review is purposely vague when it comes to the plot. That’s the joy of discovery that is left to the reader and their imagination. Suffice it to say THE NEXT BEST DAY could just be my favorite Sharon Sala story. Her books always leave an impression and it’s hard not to enjoy your brief visit with some fabulous characters.

I wasn't expecting this to be the tear-jerker it was! I love Blessings, GA, but Borden's Gap, TN might be the next place I call home! I loved everything about this title. The subject was difficult, especially with what we are facing today. As a former educator, I loved how the story developed and the rapport Katie had with her students. It was a sweet story and I look forward to seeing more characters from Borden's Gap soon!

I love Sharon Sala books and this was no exception. A few tear jerkers but a beautiful story of Katie McGrath and how she gets a fresh start. I loved the descriptions of all the first graders, their pranks, tears and honest truths, it was a refreshing positive story.

I have loved this author for so long. She writes these stories from the heart and you as the reader are pulled into an amazing world filled with a fabulous story. I just highly recommend this book.

I received an ARC of, The Next Best Day, by Sharon Sala. Teacher. Katie, has moved from New Mexico to Tennessee, to start over. Miss Katie found out you cannot always run from your problems.

I actually really enjoyed this story. It was good. Very good and I got through it quickly due to me being sick right now but I give this book a 5 star review.

The Next Best Day by Sharon Sala 5 stars

This was a harrowing, tear jerker, uplifting, HEA book – a Sharon Sala book in spades – I loved it. Be warned that there is violence near the beginning of the book and some upsetting incidents throughout. Ultimately, it is a story of Katie McGrath and how she lives her life after a traumatic event.

After the last Blessings, Georgia book earlier this year I thought that it would be the last book for a while. But when this book showed up, I asked for it immediately. I was not disappointed; this was a book that I could not put down. I hope that she will write more about the people in Borden’s Gap, Tennessee.

Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for this ARC.

I can't finish this. I've read so many books by this author buy this is so sickly sweet I'm going to get diabetes.

The first two chapters are huge events but both crammed into short chapters with little tension or development. I feel like one plot was sufficient as the catalyst and more time given to that one.

Just really not for me.

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. There were parts that were pretty dark, but also parts that were warm and comforting and I thought it was a really good balance. The story kept me interested and I really cared about what happened to the characters. I liked watching the main character grow as she went through her journey. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC.

Katie thinks her lifetime of being alone and chosen last has finally ended until a last minute call derails it all, but she’s got to catch a break soon right? Fast forward a bit and she’s stuck in a nightmare not of her making, one of the most devastating events that one can face( especially with so many similar events occurring in the news right now). She finally recovers and decides she needs a fresh start, moving to Borden’s Gap, Tennessee. Right from the start she finds a connection with her new neighbor Sam , a busy single dad. His adorable twin daughters will keep you smiling throughout this book. Now fans of this author will know her stories are more about the journey of life and the characters one meets along the way than anything else, so grab your tissues, but the blend between drama, mystery, humor and love will keep you super satisfied. This is a soft romance for sure. There are a lot of characters to meet in this book besides Sam and Katie, which hopefully means that this is a great start to a new series (a la Blessings, Georgia ). Be aware though that there are a few heavy and somewhat dark topics that are covered in the story, which definitely hurt my heart, but it’s so beautifully written that you really just want to keep finding out more. 5 stars, must read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an arc copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

When I started this book I thought it was very disturbing and I didn’t know if I was going to like it. But I should never have doubted Sharon Sala because she is one of my favorite authors and I love all her books. As I continued reading I ended up loving it. A book filled with second chances and new beginnings.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Katie loves being a first grade teacher until their was a shooting at her school. She was shot and was a survivor. She wanted to continue teaching but in a smaller town. She moves to Tennessee where she meets her neighbor who is a cop. I enjoyed the chemistry that developed between Katie and Sam. This book was well written and I cant wait to read her next one.

The Next Best Day by Sharon Sala is a new, beautiful contemporary romance that is filled with warmth, love, second chances, new beginnings, and a charming small town you won't want to leave.
Gosh this was a heartwarming story. Full of smiles, warm hugs and a town I honestly didn't want to leave.
This was a totally fun small town romance with authentic, imperfect characters and so much humor and heart.
So well written, I feel in love with this town and these characters.. I didn't want to do anything but read!
I really liked both of the main characters. Katie and Sam they truly hit all the right notes for me.
The characters are vibrant, believable and completely developed.
The scenery is vividly depicted. The plot is engaging and suitably complex.
A warm and uplifting small-town community romance that warmed my heart in so many ways!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Sourcebooks Casablanca,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This book follows Katie McGrath, a first grade teacher. Life keeps kicking Katie, but she doesn’t stay down. Through heartache and heartbreak she perseveres, which is exactly what I think we all need right now. I loved this book and how all the characters came to life. I could also see the little town of Bordens Gap perfectly. Sharon Sala is one of my all time favorite authors, and I was very happy to see that she was writing this book, which I’m hoping is the start to a new series. I cannot recommend this book enough.

I liked this book. This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the electronic copy. A teacher endures much...a teacher loves her job...her students...saves lives...although there are many themes in this book, at the heart of the story is the love of this one teacher who is a heroine. She moves...she falls in love...the details of her career...teaching first grade...make this book come alive. This is a character driven book, and it is a cannot put down story written by a gifted and talented author. This is not a cozy mystery...this is a book that has much to teach us...things are not always like they seem...small town living...small town caring. I really liked this book. Do not miss it.