“I’m going to solve my own murder.”

Jet always thought she’d have time to figure out her life, but after an unknown assailant bashes her head in, she is out of time. She can undergo a surgery with extremely low odds of survival or spend the last week of her life finding out who did this to her…

This mystery had an intriguing premise and unfolded at a good pace. There were enough clues to guess some reveals while others were interesting surprises.

I enjoyed Jet’s dark humor and her connection with Billy. He was the heart of this book.

Jet was initially an unlikable character, struggling to find success, showing little motivation and seemingly hating the world. There were strained family dynamics that took a while to be explained, making it difficult to sympathize with the characters in the beginning. Over time, the tale revealed such compounded disfunction that it became easier to root for Jet as she boldly investigated her attack and revealed multiple family secrets.

Overall, this was a dark thriller that intrigued me enough to binge read in a day.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

This was a decent read! I had heard this was the author’s first adult thriller, but honestly, it didn’t feel all that different from YA. Aside from the main character being in her late 20s and the occasional vulgar word, the tone and character dynamics still felt very YA to me. The characters came across a bit young at times, which made some moments feel a little cheesy.

The story started off really strong, but it didn’t quite maintain that momentum for me through the end. That said, the ending itself was emotional and well done.

Overall, it was okay—not bad by any means, but not something that will really stick with me.

“I’m running out of minutes.”

“It’s a frog to me, if it’s a frog to you.”

Now Holly Jackson, I know I just KNOW when you said “just breathe” you knew exactly what you did to us with that ending. I’ve cried too many times this year over books for someone who doesn’t cry over much in real life, because real life is hard and I don’t need my books hard too. 😅

Anyway, wonderful job on another murder mystery/thriller. Having the victim investigate her murder before/after it had already happened or was happening? I knew to be looking for clues early on from your last series and I did. AND I had narrowed it down to 4 people early on, leaning more towards a specific someone because… dads am I right? I stayed up late just to finish this and now I’m going to try to process what happened before I go to bed. The ending was devastating and I need Billy to be alright because obviously Jet isn’t.

Phew, this was a doozy! I am blown away by the crazy tension and buildup of this book. I loved the mystery and thought it would be a middle of the road read but I was so wrong. There are so many layers and secrets in this story, I was invested in the plot and investigation immediately. Happening around Halloween added the perfect atmosphere to this book.

I really connected with Jet and the way she didn’t give up on finding her killer. The way she approached her inevitable death with humor and sarcasm added a certain lightness to the book, it offset the depressing sense of doom I felt for her character. Knowing there is nothing you can do and dying young are very mind bending thoughts!

This is my second book by the author and I will definitely read anything she writes next. Her writing is very visual for me and the pacing was just right. The culmination of the story made me a bit emotional and I appreciated that we got a lot of answers in the end, although very bittersweet, definitely worth the ride.

Thank you to Bantam for the review copy.

A terrifying, enticing story! I am a major fan of holly Jackson but try not to let that dictate my other reviews. However, I didn’t need to for Not Quite Dead Yet because it was phenomenal.

WOW!!! I honestly read this is two nights because I WAS AT THE EDGE OF MY SEAT. The introduction to our main characters in the first chapter of the book made me feel like I was watching a 90's slasher film like scream which I adored. Jet takes you through an emotional rollercoaster full of action and twists that will not disappoint, and the time for her to solve her own murder is ticking down with every second.

This was definitely a fast paced read and would recommend not only to anyone who enjoyed A Good Girl's Guide To Murder, but also classic 90's thriller movie lovers!

I went into this book intrigued because the concept of the story appeared immediately engaging. I mean a woman who survives a brutal trauma to her head but left with only 7 days to find out who did it before she dies from complications. Seems like a great fast paced, keep you on your toes thriller. But, there were many moments and reasons that I almost did not finish this book. It felt at times like the point that the main character is living with a significant head trauma was lost based on her actions after being released from the hospital. (Running, driving, consuming alcohol with strong pain killers, etc.) And those scenes/details kept bringing me out of the story, like wait a second should she really be doing that?
Throughout the scenes leading up to twists or turns felt rushed and sloppy making major reveals predictable. Additionally the ending felt lost on me with the big reveal being a long monologue from Billy, leaving Jet to die without knowing who hurt her, her biggest goal throughout the book. It made the plot of the story seem meaningless at this point.
Apart from all of this the letters Jet wrote for her family at the end were beautiful and a great emotional element to the story that demonstrated her growth throughout the story coming to a close and a beautiful way to give her closure.
Overall, the story had great potential but just fell flat in a lot of areas and at many left me with no motivation to continue because I just wasn't drawn in like I hoped for.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC copy!!

A young woman receives a unique opportunity to solve her own murder before she dies in a week.

Jet Mason is viewed as unambitious and lazy by her family, who are influential in their small town in Vermont. On Halloween night, her life takes a dramatic turn when she wakes up in a hospital bed with a fatal aneurysm. With only a week left to live, Jet and her childhood best friend, Billy, are determined to uncover the truth behind her impending murder.

Throughout the book, the characters were very intriguing. Holly Jackson skillfully made me dislike everyone in the Mason family and even Jet at times, however, I remained interested by the story. Each family member had a secret they wanted to keep hidden.

While everything in this book was delightful, I did not like the ending of Jet's relationship with Billy. It felt as though her feelings for him weren’t genuine. They only reconnected when she needed his help to solve her murder, taking him to various locations for her case without regard for his work or his music. I understand that she is dying, but I struggle to see how she developed real feelings for him.

I am so hyped for Holly's adult debut... but this easily could have been a teenage protagonist and I would not have noticed. Jet never quite felt 27 to me.

The general premise of this story had me HOOKED. Solving your own murder with a ticking time bomb in your brain? count me in. The stakes were high, it gave Jets disregard for proper investigative protocol actual meaning. Nothing frustrates me more when protagonists start messing with police investigations and everyone acts like that's fine. Jet had a reason and I appreciated that.

Despite the confidence with which i declared my opinions on how it WOULD end, the ending did manage to sneak by me until the end. Honestly had i not been so married to my idea i may figured it out sooner but i was convinced i was right and was refusing to really consider anything else.

overall the story is decent, its incredibly fast paced, and if you've enjoyed all of Holly's works to this point I think this will be a welcome read to all fans. Realistically aside from significantly more 'f-bombs' this book can be read by her YA audience too, i actually think AGGGTM was more graphic than this 😂

Loved this book! Author is great so I’m not surprised. Story line was fantastic! Also loved the cover on the book too.

When Jet Mason is attacked on Halloween night by an unseen intruder, she has potentially deadly head trauma and needs to figure out who attacked her while her condition deteriorates. I really enjoyed the main characters of the book, especially Jet, but obviously we know she has an expiration date, according to the doctors. This was absolutely a "who dunnit" book, and the FMC must figure it out before her time expires. This was a fast paced read, and I attribute that the literally clock counting down the time she has left. I won't lie; the ending shattered me (no spoilers). I highly enjoy Holly Jackson's writing, and this one was no exception.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book early!
Holly Jackson wrote her first adult thriller, and let me tell you, it was so good! It is truly an emotional journey we go on as the main character, Jet, attempts to solve her own murder along with her estranged boy-next-door bestie, Billy.
Now, don’t get me wrong, the entire situation of how Jet is not only alive, but actually walking around is kind of unbelievable. Okay, it’s insane. But, if you look past that, wow! What a good plot for a book!
This book made me laugh (yes, out loud!!) and it also made me cry (real tears, people.) If you’re a Holly Jackson fan, you may know Holly is a queen of twists BUT ALSO she’s a queen of making me emotional. At least the dog survives in this one. (Holly, I still don’t forgive you for you know who.)
The twists and turns this book took me on were so fun and it kept me guessing the whole time! There were truly so many ways it could have gone. So much evidence that it really could have been anyone. But, when it came down to it, the real baddie made so much sense! I love a book that keeps you guessing.
If you’ve never read a Holly Jackson book before, make this one your first! It truly was so entertaining. Have some tissues ready at the end.
Also Holly if you’re reading this: I don’t hate you. I am not disappointed. HOWEVER, how could you do that to me??? Actual tears sitting at my desk on my lunch break??
I really only have myself to blame. You did warn me, after all.
If I could give this book 6 stars, I would. Absolutely loved it, as always!

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
•Spoilers-free•
4.5 ⭐️

It’s Holly Jackson’s adult debut! This book is about Jet, a twenty-seven-year-old who’s always chasing the next big thing, and ends up being murdered in her own living room. Miraculously, she’s alive, but only has a week to live. Her last wish? Find out who murdered her.

This author’s books have been a little hit or miss for me, but I enjoyed this book! Jet was a bit too much for me, but considering her family and life situation, her wild coping mechanisms made sense. I really enjoyed the love interest, and the mystery was fairly easy to follow while still being twisty and exciting.

I somewhat guessed the ending, but not exactly. I don’t want to spoil, but I did love the ending and how everything unfolded(and it did make me cry 🥹).

If you loved AGGTM, I think you’ll love this slightly matured standalone from her. It’s also great for readers who want fast-paced chapters that constantly surprise you with the next big plot detail. It was hard to put down!

Thanks to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the e-arc!

Qotd: Have you read anything by Holly Jackson? Or seen A Good Girl's Guide to Murder on Netflix?

Release date: July 22nd!

Holly Jackson is such a phenom when it comes to writing twisty thrillers and "Not Quite Dead Yet" is no exception. The book grips readers from the start and they will not want to put it down.

Jet is a woman who thinks she has nothing but time in life. However, that sadly changes when she is attacked in her own home and then told she may have a week to live. It's a whodunit? to determine who caused her impending murder and I loved that premise.

Thank you to Ballantine for selecting me for the ARC. I enjoyed it and can't wait to see the well deserved hype it is about to receive.

A massive thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an early copy of this book 😊. This is my new favorite mystery/thriller! I thought the premise was really unique and not something I had seen in this genre before. I loved Jet and Billy and I really got attached to these characters. You can’t help but love Jet and feel sad throughout reading her story. This is one where you hope for a different outcome, but every book can’t have a happy ending 🥲. I low key kind of loved that this was a mystery with a very tiny side of romance. The lighthearted.. fun moments were nice when things were getting a little too serious. I highly recommend this to mystery/thriller readers 😊.

Wow, all of the characters in this were insufferable. I was fully supportive of them all having a brain aneurysm and dying. Some of the plot points felt like a stretch and this turned oddly soap opera-y, but it was a good time I think. The letter to Sophia at the end had me dying — pun intended.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

★★★★.𝟓 ~ 𝐈𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐉𝐞𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝


꧁ holly fricken jackson you did it again. i didnt know how this one was going to go because it was an adult mystery, but, yet again, she did an amazing job. as always haha. if you are looking for an edge on your seat, terrifying satisfying, halloween type of mystery book, this is perfect for you. just beware, you will be left with as much trauma as these characters were left with. i will say that the beginning chapter was a little hard for me to get into, but holly jackson has an incredible way of pulling you into these gripping stories. this one in particular was incredible. i will say that so far it’s my leaset favorite out of all of them. not that it was bad, but you cant beat the classic ‘a good girls guide to murder’. the only reason its not a five star book is because there was probably a curse word almost every page and i was definitely uncomfortable for that reason. but i had to keep in mind that is was an adult book so its bound to happen.

it was probably her most violent book, with more descriptive scenes of blood and injuries that made me very shivery, so i wouldnt recommend this if you dont want a violent book. one thing i need to touch on is the SUSPENSE IN THIS BOOK! i can’t even begin to explain how i was going crazy with anticipation. especially counting down the days (not a spoiler). i was going crazy, i kid you not. and that ending?!?! definitely holly jackson core. she just LOVES to do that to us…ill leave it at that…for now. anyways, i would highly recommend this book after you reads the content warnings at the bottom of this review. ꧂


characters

Jet ~ girl…i understood you by the end…but i dont think you were wise. but if i was in your place, i wouldnt act any differently. you deserved so much better but at times, you were pretty unbearable. you did have been throwing my kindle in annoyance occasionally…more times than i should admit but its fineeeee

billy ~ did you dirty with the name but i love youuuuuu. my babyyyyy. you were too good. ravi level good. deserved so much better, poor, sweet, billy (iykyk)

luke ~ i dont like you…but you made up for it in the end so ill tolerate you



꧁ Content warning ꧂

-Cursing (any that exist)
-romance (no kissing or spice, just hints of a potential love, and talks of screwing around)
-adult content (taxes, jobs, etc)

Holly Jackson, I am billing you my therapy bill.

"A dead woman walking. And dead women had no use for fear."

Jet's been attacked and left for dead, but a miracle happened and she did not die. She have 7 days left to live, and she vowed to find her murderer.

Every single book that Holly Jackson wrote is her best work yet. This is probably my 2nd favorite book of hers, with the AGGGTM's series being the first.

I started this for funsies because I wanted a different genre from my previous read, but boy was I glad because reading slump no more.

I love Holly Jackson's writing. She knows how to weave the mystery elements by giving just enough for the readers to keep on reading.

I love Jet. She's steadfast strong, and been single-minded in her goal in solving her murder. As she should. She got a complicated family, with a lot of complex feelings and emotions however, she stood her ground in taking the matters in her own hand. Billy's a surprising character. He's shy but he's helpful and will do everything and anything for Jet. I love to see their dynamic and their journey in solving the crime.

As a fan of mystery thriller genre, I am always looking for the killer, the culprit and boy was I theorizing and doubting everyone right from the start. I was wrong and did not see who did the murder. That was surprising because I did not guess it right.

Now, I started this around 5pm and finished around 11pm with a 4am meeting. I was puffy-eyed and groggy when I woke up but no regrets.

I cannot wait for the rest of the world to read this.

I am a Holly Jackson fan, and she is one of my auto-read author now.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House- Ballantine for an E-Arc!

First, I just want to say how much I loved Jet as a character. She was so dry and sarcastic and my type of funny. She most likely will not be for everyone, but she sure was for me.
This storyline was so interesting and nothing I’ve ever read before. I love Holly Jackson’s writing. It was so fast paced and easy to read. I was sucked into the story very quickly and trying to solve the mystery right along Jet the entire time I was reading, and also when I wasn’t.
I will say that one of the people I suspected to have “done it” was true, but there was way more to it than I would have guessed!
Overall another great book from Holly Jackson and I can’t wait to read what she comes out with next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced readers copy of this. It was one of my most anticipated releases for this year!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and to PRH Audio for the ALC.

I loved Holly Jackson's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, so I was super excited when it was announced she was writing an adult book!! I was hooked on this book from the very first page, and I didn't want it to end. I must say that if I was Jackson, I would've written the ending of the book in a different way, but we can't always get what we want in life. (I promise I am still a fan, Holly!)

Furthermore, I really liked the audio narration by Alex McKenna (though I kind of wish it was done by Bailey Carr again).

With all of this being said, I can see where some reviewers don't think her writing for an "adult" book was that different than her writing for her YA books, but this personally did not bother me, I am simply putting it in my review, in case readers are expecting a much more drastic writing style than in A Good Girls Guide to Murder.

Overall, this was an unputdownable thriller and I would love to see this adapted into a movie or TV series!