What to Say Next

By: Julie Buxbaum

Narrated by: Abigail Revasch, Kirby Heyborne

"What to Say Next reminds readers that hope can be found in unexpected places." –Bustle

From the New York Times bestselling author of Tell Me Three Things comes a story about two struggling teenagers who find an unexpected connection just when they need it most. Nicola Yoon, the bestselling author of Everything, Everything, calls it "charming, funny, and deeply affecting."

Sometimes a new perspective is all that is needed to make sense of the world.

KIT: I don’t know why I decide not to sit with Annie and Violet at lunch. It feels like no one here gets what I’m going through. How could they? I don’t even understand.

DAVID: In the 622 days I’ve attended Mapleview High, Kit Lowell is the first person to sit at my lunch table. I mean, I’ve never once sat with someone until now. “So your dad is dead,” I say to Kit, because this is a fact I’ve recently learned about her.

When an unlikely friendship is sparked between relatively popular Kit Lowell and socially isolated David Drucker, everyone is surprised, most of all Kit and David. Kit appreciates David’s blunt honesty—in fact, she finds it bizarrely refreshing. David welcomes Kit’s attention and her inquisitive nature. When she asks for his help figuring out the how and why of her dad’s tragic car accident, David is all in. But neither of them can predict what they’ll find. Can their friendship survive the truth?

Named a Best Young Adult Novel of the Year by POPSUGAR

“Charming, funny, and deeply affecting all at the same time.” –Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also a Star

“Heartfelt, charming, deep, and real. I love it with all my heart.” –Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places

Critic reviews

"Buxbaum uses split first-person narration to give readers striking insight into both teens. . . . Readers will easily see David as a complex, brilliant individual. Discussion of Kit's family and heritage bring additional complexity and depth to his portrait of grief and recovery."--PW

". . . a story of friendship and finding one's tribe. Teens who enjoy sweet, character-driven relationship stories will find their tribe with Kit and David." –VOYA

“Charming, funny, and deeply affecting all at the same time.” –Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also a Star

“Heartfelt, charming, deep, and real. I love it with all my heart.” –Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places

"Told in the alternating voices of a girl whose world has been shattered and a boy who is the only person in her life who sees her clearly, WHAT TO SAY NEXT is about the power of connection and the beauty of compassion. With sensitivity, wisdom, and heart, Julie Buxbaum weaves a story in which loss and grieving are balanced by humor and insight. This novel is so compulsively readable that you’ll be surprised how deeply your emotions are stirred."—Christina Baker Kline, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Orphan Train

"Julie Buxbaum has written my perfect love story--two brave, flawed characters ditching the idea of 'normal,' falling in love, and finding the unanswerable answers to life in each other. I adored it."—Cath Crowley, author of Graffiti Moon and Words in Deep Blue

"Among many other YA characters who find love despite their differences, Kit and David stand out." —The Horn Book

Do You Ever Wonder What to Say Next???

Loved these characters; their conversations; the ups and downs of their relationships; the realistic portrayal of high school life, family tragedy, and David.

Darling

I loved this book. I loved the unpredictability of it and the pace of the plot progression. The characters were relatable, and I enjoyed hearing the story from different perspectives. The performance was great and I really appreciated the difference voice actors for both Kit and David. They were full of emotion and personality and really helped the story come to life.

Sweet and Perfect

I loved the story and the characters they feel so real.
The narration was perfect all the way and do not want to change a thing.

Good book,well read, well played.

Real life struggles, realistic life paths. includes everything. Self doubt, young love, family dynamics overcome.

Great story!

Having a son with Aspergers, this story was especially touching and special to me. I hope there will be another book with this characters. I want to know where they go!

great listen

cool millennial love story. great subplot about bullying and being socially different in today's society

Engaging characters and memorable plot

Julie Buxbaum's What to Say Next features characters who are unique--and their wit, humor, heart, and honesty will stick with the reader. I loved the unlikely friendship and watching it deepen and be tested. I tend to lean toward fantasy books, but this realistic contemporary is a standout for all the feeling and understanding it conveys. Highly recommended!

A rewarding interesting story

Julie Buxbaum can describe so clearly that you feel like your participating. I listened to this during a long ride then sat in my car and continued to listen once i got home.
I found myself laughing at some of her phrases. Great story, super authoring skills.
I would like to see this as a movie.

I LOVED it

Of all the books I've listened to this summer, this book topped everything. As a fellow aspie myself, all I can say to the author is God bless you. I don't think I've related to a literary character more than David Drucker, and I don't think I've seen a more accurate neurodivergent perspective in a novel. I absolutely adored the whole story from beginning to end. I just couldn't stop listening.

The best

I loved this book, couldn’t stop listening! I will look for more from this author.