Jet Mason has one week left to live. On Halloween she suffers a brutal head injury that leaves her with limited time left. Now, she has to attempt solving her own murder before her time is up.

To say that I loved this book would be an understatement. Holly Jackson has done it again. Not Quite Dead Yet was another incredible thriller with great characters and a plot twist that will leave you in shock.

I was given an eARc copy of this book by NetGalley and Random House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited about Holly Jackson's first adult novel, especially after loving her A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, but Not Quite Dead Yet didn't quite hit the mark for me. The premise is intriguing: a woman has a week to solve her own impending murder. Unfortunately, the execution felt like a less-compelling version of a young adult thriller, just with more swearing.
The main character, Jet, is hard to root for. Her personality seems to be entirely based on her privilege and a vague sense of listlessness. It's difficult to care about her fate when she's so passive, and her sudden determination to solve her own murder feels unearned and a bit rushed. The side characters are similarly one-dimensional, and the supposed "twists" were pretty predictable.
The plot itself struggles with pacing. The seven-day countdown creates a sense of urgency, but the story gets bogged down in repetitive dialogue and a lack of real action. By the time the final reveal happens, it feels more like a relief that the book is over than a satisfying conclusion. Overall, it's a disappointing read that doesn't live up to the author's previous work.

4.5🌟
Oh Holly Jackson...I don't think I've ever sobbed so hard reading a thriller before.

I've always been a fan of Holly Jackson's writing and just go ahead and add this one to the list of one of my favs by her. There were some little twists I had guessed along the way but I was truly on the edge of my seat the whole time. This was definitely not like any other thriller I've read before!

"i think this has been the worst week of my life, because i’m going to lose you, and i don’t want to lose you. but, it’s also been the best week of my life, because i got to spend it with you.”

Thanks Net Galley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the author and the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest review.
I will believe that the other did a good job of completing the story with no loose ends. It was a compelling enough plot that I read it all the way through, wanting to find out the ending.
However, the main character was a complete jerk. Yes, she was dying, but that still didn’t excuse her behavior toward others, even before she was dying. That made it difficult for me to support her throughout the whole book. Also, this book read more like a YA than an adult book.

Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley! I am a big fan of Holly Jackson and was very excited to have the opportunity to read this. I found it read a bit YA but it was an enjoyable story. A bit of a slow burn but our MC Jet is determined to solve her own mystery after being attacked. Dashing against a brain injury which could take her life, Jet and her friend Billy are determined to solve this case. My favorite part was the relationship between Billy and Jet. The build up lasts the whole book!

⭐️ 4.8 ⭐️

Thank you so much Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for sending me this arc to read!

I loved the “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” series so much and was so excited to hear that Holly Jackson was going to be publishing an adult novel! This definitely was an adult novel in the more graphic and detailed way and was really fun to read.

Jet (our main character) was such a fun character and reminded me of Pip a little. They are both trying to solve a murder while dealing with the world falling apart around them or the killer is attacking them back.

I won’t mention too much but Jet is trying to solve her own attempted murder with her childhood best friend Billy after ending up in the hospital on Halloween. Jet was super successful, getting into a prestigious college and then going into law school before deciding to drop out and move back in with her family out of the blue. She’s now been almost killed and left with an injury that will kill her in the next week.

Jet and Billy were childhood friends who grew distant after going to high school and going their separate ways. After finding Jet, Billy is determined to help her solve her own murder just like Ravi would I’m AGGGTM! I really loved these characters and seeing how the past resulted in the attack on Pip.

This definitely was a book where you can solve the mystery before it ends and gets revealed if you notice the details! It also had me sobbing just like in “As Good As Dead” with its ending!

Thank you to Netgalley for the digital ARC of Not Quite Dead Yet!

Holly Jackson 🤝 an unqualified woman solving crime: we love to read it.
I was in a horrid reading slump and as usual Holly Jackson pulled me out of it with an absolute page turner.
Loved the premise of a main character solving their own murder with a week long “deadline”, before they actually kick the bucket.
The ending was very anti-every thriller I’ve read recently so I loved it! Four stars!

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the E-ARC.

Do you ever have a book that isn't bad, but not great, and you can't exactly pinpoint the reason that you're not fully connecting with it? This was me while reading this. I was excited for Holly Jackson's adult debut because I don't read much YA but I've heard good things.

From the beginning, I found I didn't love Holly Jackson's writing style. At times it felt too wordy and there was something about it that made me feel disconnected from the characters. As far as the twists go, I guessed the big one and that's always a bit of a letdown. Few characters were likable and while if that's the intent, I can enjoy it, I don't think we were supposed to dislike so many characters. Billy was the most enjoyable part of this story.

Overall the concept was interesting enough, but the execution was just a bit meh.

Such an interesting premise that was carried out so well! The romance subplot was perfectly intertwined into the book's overall mission, and I always love a small-ish town mystery like this one. Interesting characters, compelling stakes, humorous narrator--an excellent read!

4.75 🌟 and in typical Holly Jackson fashion, I am unwell after that ❤️‍🩹 but in the best possible way! This book was incredibly gripping and I never wanted to put it down! The sense of urgency and impending sense of doom had me locked in after only 20 pages. Jet was such a unique FMC that was extremely dry humored, adopting a nonchalant attitude to cover up how much she actually cared and I loved her for it. Also, poor, sweet Billy 😭 your honor, I love him!!! I loved Holly’s writing in this - it was so blunt and concise which somehow made the storytelling more hard hitting. The ending was extremely intense (heart rate is still elevated) and satisfying. ALSO, the setting being in Woodstock at Halloween?! Immaculate. Lastly, if you made it out of this book without shedding a tear, I don’t believe you. I don’t think I could say enough good things about this book and will be recommending it to everyone for the foreseeable future!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: She does it again. I have loved every Holly Jackson book I've read and that remains true here. You're going to want some tissues for this one and a day off work to read it in one sitting. Some things I loved: witty, dark humor, solid banter throughout, excellent pacing that keeps you on your toes, character focused and driven while also crafting a strong murder mystery at it's core, a humbling experience about living life slowly, intentionally and hugging those you love. The ending was satisfying and I felt like it wrapped up the mystery well. My only, very minor complaint, is the last chapter just rushes all the questions and sums things up very quickly. I wish there had been more time to do that, but also that aspect fits well into the narrative as your MC is running out of time to live. I do want to warn people that there is a lot of medical discussion about wounds, dying, difficulty remembering words, etc. I didn't expect it to carry the medical stuff throughout but I was glad it did because so many books often drop important aspects to favor another part of the book (mystery, romance, etc.). This was such a wonderful read, read it with someone so your heart doesn't completely break. Highly recommend.

Okay, so I loved A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series. Jackson's foray into adult fiction was a miss for me. Jet was so unlikeable. I kept forgetting that the characters were in their late 20s and early 30s because it read like YA. and the medical knowledge that I have had to be suspended to believe that anything described could actually happen (you can't use a sledgehammer to bust up concrete when you have an aneurysm about to pop).

This book is wild. Imagine waking up in a morgue after being declared dead—and then realizing you have to fake your way back into life while everyone else thinks you’re gone. It’s twisty, darkly funny, and honestly kind of addictive. The characters are messy in the best way, and the mystery just keeps getting deeper. Total page-turner. If you like your thrillers with a side of emotional chaos and a little snark, this one’s for you. It gave Gone Girl meets Dead to Me vibes—but with more heart.

First I'd like to give a thanks for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!

I liked it. It's actually the first Holly Jackson book that I've read. I'm not super huge into YA so when I heard she was releasing an adult thriller, I jumped at the opportunity; I'm glad that I did.

You have to suspend disbelief quite a bit, but that's not a problem for me. It's fiction after all. I loved the concept. There's plenty of twists to keep it interesting. I did, however, feel like a lot of detail could have been made shorter. But that wasn't a huge complaint. It's very action packed and I also loved that aspect.

All in all, it was a good read and I'd like to check out more of this author's work.

I’ll be honest. I’ve never read a Holly Jackson book. I just haven’t got around to it yet. After reading Not Quite Dead Yet, I’m really upset with myself. Jackson’s first foray into an adult suspense novel is absolutely superb. Right from the first chapter I was hooked. Jet is an amazingly written character that you can relate to. I was emotionally invested in her and what she was going through right off the bat. Like Jet, I wanted to dig more into this mystery, and I felt like I was Billy, just next to her trying to figure this whole thing out. The puzzle of what happened unraveled for me just the way it did him. I mourned the ending even though I knew it was coming. Like Billy, I’m not sure anyone will be able to touch me like Jet. That’s just how good this book and the characters that Holly has created here. Definitely the best book I read this month and maybe the whole year.

Not Quite Dead Yet is another thrilling, smartly written story from Holly Jackson that kept me hooked from the very first page. Known for her sharp dialogue, unexpected twists, and strong teen voices, Jackson delivers again, this time with a fresh concept that blends dark humor, suspense, and mystery in a unique way.

The pacing is spot-on, with just the right amount of tension and reveals to keep the momentum going. The main character is relatable and determined, navigating a high-stakes situation that becomes more intense (and more layered) with each chapter.

Jackson has a talent for writing thrillers that feel both fun and dangerous, and this one is no exception. While not my absolute favorite of hers, it’s still a strong, well-executed story that fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder will definitely enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

From the very first page, Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson had me hooked. Jackson’s signature style—fast-paced, twisty, and utterly addictive—is on full display in this latest thriller. I loved every minute of it!

The protagonist, Jet, is a standout. Unlike many female main characters, Jet is refreshingly different—complex, flawed, and fiercely compelling. Her voice and perspective brought a unique edge to the story, making it impossible to put down.

The plot is a rollercoaster of suspense. Just when I thought I had things figured out, Jackson threw in jaw dropping twists that left me speechless. The tension never lets up, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end.

If you’re looking for a quick, unputdownable read with great writing and unforgettable characters, pick up Not Quite Dead Yet immediately. Holly Jackson has done it again!

Holly Jackson is back with another addictive, twist-filled thriller — and Not Quite Dead Yet delivers exactly what fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder have been craving.

This one kicks off with a bang — literally — and doesn’t let up. It’s a story about a girl who wakes up after she’s been “murdered” and has to now figure out her own case. This story is compelling, I felt as maybe it would be childish but it wasn’t cringy, it kept a me guessing who it was for me to get it wrong at the end. As a thriller this is a MUST read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random house publishing group for the eArc, these are my opinions and honest review!

Holly Jackson did it again, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was completely hooked from the first chapter. The twists and turns are just like Jackson, and if you liked the writing style she has brought in the last like in A Good Girls Guide to Murder, you will definitely like this book. There was a few moments that I guessed correctly the ultimate villain but I definitely had my doubts as different twists came in. The only thing that makes me curious is that this book is advertised as adult and not young adult and I am not sure the reasoning.

Not Quite Dead Yet is the newest thriller by Holly Jackson which will be published later this month. As a Vermonter, I enjoyed the Vermont setting, and found the twists and turns to be entertaining and fast moving. However, the amount that I needed to suspend my disbelief at some of the storylines...well, it definitely took away from my enjoyment of the story. The main character, Jet, gets her head bashed in and has only a few days to live, but is running around trying to solve her murder before she dies, but some of the things she does wouldn't be possible right after her extreme head injuries. It also drove me a bit crazy that she kept referring to it as "her murder," even though she was still alive. And, honestly, Jet wasn't a super likeable character, nor did I think any of the characters were developed as much as I would have liked.