Oh okay the Dear Reggie letter had me crying, Holly Jackson, your range extends far beyond YA. Not Quite Dead Yet features Jet (Margaret), a 27 year old woman who lives at home, who is brutally attacked on Halloween. She lives. But it's complicated. Jet decides that regardless of what may happen, she's going to find out who killed her, with help from Billy, a childhood friend/neighbor, and Billy's dad, who is on the police force. This was a surprisingly emotional read, and I could see myself re-reading it, and certainly recommending it.

Holly Jackson, queen of the twisty teen thriller, just made her adult debut, and Not Quite Dead Yet is every bit as addictive as you’d expect! Jet Mason is coasting through life until one Halloween night, when she’s brutally attacked. With just seven days to live, she tried to solve her own murder before it actually happens. Every chapter drops a new reveal or suspicious behavior, and I was second guessing everyone the entire time. It was so creepy and clever!

This was an incredibly addictive read just like every other Holly Jackson works. If you’ve read her books you’d know that most of what she has written are young adult mysteries. Until Not Quite Dead yet, Jackson’s adult thriller. In my honest opinion, Holly has outdone herself in more ways than one. Her ya mysteries are incredible and fast paced with wonderful characters you fall in love with along the way, filled with twists and turns you don’t see coming. But in this, rather than a teenager, you follow twenty-seven year old Jet, well aware that she is going to die. But Jet isn’t quite happy with that ending. So she’s determined to find out who killed her, well, before she’s dead. I ended up loving this, hence why it’s a 5 star read. Just like every other novel she has written, this story is filled with the charm and wit and passion that we love in Holly’s other books. The sarcastic humour and characters made this story, but I loved the murder mystery just as much as I’ve loved it in her other novels. I can’t wait for the world to discover this story.

What a unique mystery! Jet is attacked in her home, and she is thankfully found and rushed to the hospital. Her wounds are taken care of but a small broken bone in her skull will cause a fatal aneurysm in seven days. Jet wants to spend her last few days solving her murder. Even though she doesn't have much time left, Jet isn't drowning in pity and sadness, she puts everything into finding her murderer. She doesn't mind meddling in the police's investigation, questioning suspects, breaking into buildings, and uncovering evidence of her murder. She reconnects with her childhood friend Billy who also helps with her investigation.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Not Quite Dead Yet. I'm a fan of Holly Jackson's YA work, so I was excited to see where her adult novel would go. That premise was amazing, and it completely makes sense to me why it had to be adult as opposed to YA. Despite that, she was able to keep the pacing quick, and the style felt like a nice transition as readers leave YA to make the switch to more adult novels.

With that being said, there were some things about the story that made me have to suspend my disbelief a little more than I wanted to. Jet's belief that she had a week as a deadline was fine, but there were several times, especially after her pupil dilates, that I really thought her time would come right then because an aneurysm can only take so much pressure. She was in some high-pressure situations that probably would have ended her in reality. The week was an estimate from a doctor -- it could have been much more or much less time in reality.

Outside of that, I was all-in on this one. I hope that the interest level will be something like grades 11-adult because I really think my older students who are already fans of Holly Jackson will like it.

Holly Jackson's first adult fiction book has me reeling. It will take you on an emotional roller-coaster where the FMC is attacked in her home. She "survives" the attack, but finds out that she only has a week to live due to a bone fragment in her brain which will cause a brain aneurism.

She and her childhood best friend go in search for her murderer. In her quest, she discovers family secrets that are shocking and illegal. On her quest, she also figures out what is and isn't important in her life now that she has run out of time.

It's a great book with well developed characters a sad but suspenseful story and thankfully it has an ending that leaves you satisfied and a little bit sad at the same time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars

Wow not sure what to say. I DM's Holly Jackson when done...well I can't say what I wrote because I don't want to give anything away. I read 80% of the book in one day. Jet Mason is living at home with her parents in Woodstock Vermont. She is attacked in her home on Halloween and the doctors estimate she has a week to live before the brain aneurysm kills her, which Jet hopes is enough time to solve her own murder along with her childhood best friend Billy. I can't even express how much I love Jet and Billy. Jet was laugh out loud funny. Lots of twists. So good. Read this book ASAP.

I literally screamed at the top of my lungs when I received the ARC of Not Quite Dead Yet! Holly Jackson is hands down one of my favorite authors, and her A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series had me hooked—I devoured it in just three days. Every book she writes is an absolute page-turner, so I couldn’t be more thrilled to receive this early copy. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for trusting me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Jet is the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Woodstock, Vermont. Twenty-seven years old, she’s still waiting for her life to begin. She always say “I’ll do it later”. She has time. When Jet comes home after a Halloween party, she is attacked by an intruder from behind and her blood keeps spilling on the floor. Because of this accident, Jet’s brain functions are no longer normal, and surgery isn’t a viable option—the chances of survival are dangerously low. That left Jet with just one week to stay alive and uncover who is pulling the strings behind this deadly scheme. The killer seems extremely meticulous in covering their tracks, having taken all of Jet’s personal belongings, making it incredibly difficult—and urgent—for her to find any solid evidence, especially with only seven days left to live. Despite the issues in her brain, Jet still manages to stay sharp and quick-witted, piecing together clues the murderer may have overlooked. That said, she does have a tendency to act on impulse, sometimes jumping the gun without concrete proof. Even so, her determination is unwavering—she throws herself headfirst into danger, refusing to back down in her pursuit of the person who killed her. I can’t help but notice the striking similarities between Jet and Pip—both are strong-willed, fearless, and relentless, never hesitating when faced with challenges. This is exactly what I love about Holly Jackson—she crafts female protagonists who are sharp, resourceful, and quick on their feet, rather than helpless or passive.

Not Quite Dead Yet had me completely hooked—I just couldn’t put it down. The pacing was spot on, neither too fast nor too slow, keeping me on edge the entire time. My heart was pounding like crazy as I read, as if I were right there in the story, anxiously waiting to see what would happen next. Every time I thought I had figured out the killer, new details would emerge, throwing me off track. Holly Jackson has a knack for twisting the plot in ways that make it nearly impossible to pin down who really murdered Jet. It’s truly unpredictable. This book had me up all night, racing through the pages because it was that gripping and suspenseful. Jackson masterfully delivers twist after twist, and I honestly have no idea how she comes up with these brilliant ideas—she’s a genius. This book sent my emotions into complete chaos, leaving me at a loss for words, but trust me, it won’t disappoint.

HUGE thank you to Random House for approving me for one of my most anticipated books of the year!

The synopsis of the book was what hooked me from the start. Long story short, Jet is attacked by an unknown intruder. She wakes up in the hospital, not knowing what happened that night. All she knows is that she is suffering from a catatrosphic head injury. Either she can go into surgery, and may not come out, or die in seven days from an aneurysm that the injury is triggering. She chooses the latter. She now has seven dies to find the person who kills her, or she will die trying.

This is Holly's first adult novel, and I don't think I ever want her to go back writing YA again. This book is an absolute wild ride. Some authors still have undertones of YA writing in their first adult novels, but this isn't the case with Jackson. She pushes the mature tones but does it in a way where is she isn't trying too hard to get that point across. The book is dark and twisted in a well done way and I love that it's an original storyline to the point where it may be one of my favorite thriller's to date.

Jet is a bad ass main character. She is determined to find out what happened, and no one and nothing will stop her from getting what she wants. She makes me laugh, and there were times where I wanted to cry with her. I knew what was going to happen but that didn't mean it didn't break my heart for her and her good friend, Billy by the end of the book.

The one thng I didn't like was the ending. I do love how everything came together in the end, but I hate that Jet wasn't the one who didn't get to see it through. I didn't enjoy how abruptly everything was explained, and hoped it was a little bit more dragged out. I've been reading so many mysteries and thrillers that I actually figured out who-dun-it and I was super shocked I figured it out. Overall, this is a super fast paced thriller that even readers of her YA novels will enjoy. Holly Jackson will never disappoint in my book.

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson is a fast-paced, intriguing thriller with a premise that immediately hooks you: Jet Mason, a young woman from a wealthy family, is brutally attacked on Halloween night and left with a head injury that will likely lead to her death within seven days. As Jet tries to solve her own murder, the tension and mystery build steadily, keeping the reader invested from start to finish.

Jackson’s transition to adult fiction is impressive. While the book maintains the sharp wit and suspense of her previous works, it’s clear that she’s pushing the boundaries with a more mature tone. The central concept of a woman racing against time to piece together who attacked her is both original and compelling. The stakes feel incredibly high, and the ticking clock of Jet’s impending death adds a sense of urgency to the narrative that is hard to ignore.

What I especially enjoyed was the character of Jet herself. She is determined, witty, and resourceful as she unravels the mystery surrounding her attack. Despite the high tension, there’s a refreshing dose of humor, particularly in her interactions with her childhood friend Billy, who becomes her only ally in this race against time. Billy, while a bit predictable, provides a grounding presence that balances Jet’s escalating panic. Their chemistry feels real, and I loved how their friendship evolved throughout the story.

The pacing of the book is excellent, with Jackson skillfully building suspense through each chapter. The way Jet’s thoughts and perceptions deteriorate as her condition worsens creates a tense atmosphere that makes the mystery even more gripping. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the eventual reveal was satisfying without feeling contrived.

However, the reason this doesn’t get a full five stars is because of the tone at times. While the book is definitely aimed at an adult audience, there are moments when it feels a bit too reminiscent of YA, especially with the frequent swearing and the somewhat immature behavior of the characters. Jet and her peers are in their mid-to-late 20s, yet they sometimes act younger, which can be a little jarring given the gravity of the situation.

Still, this minor flaw doesn’t detract too much from the overall enjoyment of the book. Not Quite Dead Yet is a captivating, well-written thriller that delivers an intriguing mystery, compelling characters, and plenty of suspense. Holly Jackson has once again proven her talent for keeping readers on the edge of their seats, and this book is definitely worth the read for fans of suspenseful, character-driven mysteries.

Holly Jackson’s Not Quite Dead Yet delivers! A murder mystery run by the most unorthodox and exciting two person detective team ever. The suspects list keeps growing while everyone’s secrets are slowly laid bare. Want a fast-paced, dark humor murder mystery? This is THE book for you.

Book about a 27-year-old woman, still living at home who gets attacked on Halloween in her parents' house and left for dead. Against all odds she survives but her prognosis is not good and she's given one week to live. Jet decides to use that one week to find her murderer.
A suspenseful plot where all the characters are suspects and have secrets. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Good character development, great suspense and a bit of humor to keep it light-hearted
Thank you to Random House & Netgalley for the ARC..

Not Quite Dead Yet begins with a wild premise that you have to suspend that piece of reality, but it’s so different that it pulls you in and you can’t put the book down. Our main character, Jet, is attacked in her own home and left for dead. Diagnosed with a deadly aneurysm, Jet has 1 week to solve her own murder. This novel is described as Jackson’s first novel for adults, but I can see her YA audience enjoying this read too. There's more swearing than her previous novels, but nothing a teen doesn’t hear daily. Overall this is a fast paced read that will keep you reading to the last page, as one would expect from Jackson.

This is DARK, but like all of Jackson's books it is also so riveting! I was sat from start to finish on the edge of my seat!

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Jackson taking on the adult literary world, but she did well! This book kept my attention, and the characters were easy to like. The book was pretty dark considering her other YA offerings. Definitely worth a read! 4 stars.

The characters are not deep or complex, but they are consistent and interesting. All characters have a purpose in the story, and most of them change in some way by the end.
The plot strikes a balance between complex and easy to follow. There are a great deal of plot twists and dead ends, but the story takes its time and allows the reader to process everything. I hope I re-read this book one day, so I am able to look for clues to the culprit that I might have missed the first time around.

Once again, Holly Jackson absolutely blows me away with yet another outstanding thriller book!

Reading this was genuinely one of the most fun experiences I've had reading a book to date. Gripped from the very beginning, it was so difficult to put this book down. Jet is one of the funniest characters I've had the pleasure of meeting and following along while she tries to solve her own murder was a suspenseful and exciting time.

This book does an incredible job of making me develop strong feelings towards certain characters as intended by the author, and some of those feelings ended up taking complete turns by the end of the book. There were characters I adored (Billy), characters I disliked (Sophia), and characters that made me question how I felt over and over (in a fun way!).

Every storyline and plot point was easy to understand, while also being intriguing and riveting. Not once did I find myself getting bored or having any desire to put this book down. I was gripped from the beginning and the story continued to pull me in at every twist and turn.

Overall, I had an amazing experience reading this book and I would (and plan to) recommend this to readers who enjoy addictive thriller such as this one.

I didn't expect this book to be quite this dark! The concept of the story was very much so, and really sad to listen to. I hated the idea of having to make the initial choice, do you TRY this surgery that has a 90% chance of fatality, and give up the remaining (up to) seven days of your life, or do you live that out and accept that you will not see the start of the next calendar month, 100%? The idea of my family being in such disarray at that conversation, and Jet feeling the way she did about them... That was unexpectedly hard to read and felt very dark to me. The actual journey of the story? BEAUTIFUL. I wish there had been some crazy, final hour save for Jet, however. It would've definitely felt a little 'fairy tale,' but I think that with the initial being so heavy, I might've wept if we'd saved her.

4.0-- would have been higher I think if I hadn't felt so dark for this one.

not going to lie at first, i was a little hesitant in the beginning. something wasn’t clicking, i felt like jet’s character was a mix of all the female protagonists that holly jackson has written before, and i wasn’t quite sure where this plot was going. it felt a teeny tiny predictable. BUT! once hitting the 50% mark, that’s when things flipped upside because wow! i would have NEVER expected that and the way it all came together- i’m absolutely speechless. holly jackson, you got me good again!

4.5 stars
Holly Jackson does it again. She writes books so amazingly I am always on the edge of my seat. This book kept me hooked on a 7 hour drive and I couldn't put it down. Although this book isn't a 5 star for me due to some parts being very disturbing to the point I felt uncomfortable, I also recognize that as a thriller it is supposed to be disturbing, just for me as a reader it loses .5 points. The story will have you racing to figure out the mystery and I cannot wait for whatever Holly Jackson puts out next.