Katie thought her life couldn’t get much worse after getting jilted at the altar. Having to face her friends and fellow co-workers and put on a good face is about all she can manage. She loves being a first grade teacher and the kids she has in her class give her joy, pulling her through this tough time. When an active shooter enters the building she hustles her class to safety and goes back for two little boys left behind in the hall, saving their lives and getting her shot. She survives the school shooting but has PTSD and can’t face teaching in that school again. Wanting a clean start she applies to a small school in Tennessee and is excited to get the job. She finds a cute cottage to live in and is pleased that it’s across the street from the local Sheriff and his two small daughters. The Next Best Day is aptly titled as Katie is given that chance for a restart to her life.

It has been a good long while since I’ve read a Sharon Sala novel. I loved her in my 20’s and this synopsis struck a chord. I’ll admit that I got a little bit more than I bargained for as school shootings aren’t my favorite topic but the author gave enough details and insights into Katie’s thoughts without delivering too much blood and gore. I became invested in Katie and wanted to see her succeed and thrive after all of her life’s struggles. What took a little bit of getting used to and I’ll admit, I didn’t love, was the perspective changes. I didn’t care for her ex-fiance’s story line. He was a schmuck and I didn’t need to see where his life’s choices led him. I can’t remember if this is a constant trait of Sharon Sala’s but be warned. If you’re like me and want one perspective, you’ll be reading through the eyes of a few characters in this novel. I didn’t mind so much when it was only Katie and Sam as they are the two main characters.

Despite that change in perspectives, I enjoyed this novel. I found it to be easy to read and as I said above I was invested in Katie finding her happiness. The language was a little old-fashioned and the pacing methodical but once I got used to those quirks I found it charming. Sam’s two six year old girls Evie and Beth were the highlights for me in this book. They were just adorable and their quirky way of speaking added to their uniqueness as twins. If you love small town romances you may want to pick up The Next Best Day. Redemption and happiness are sweet when the road leading to them is so rocky. Katie’s journey was hard but in the end she found her happily-ever-after! ❤️❤️❤️❣️

Triggers: PTSD, school shooting, murder, incest, physical and emotional violence.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

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