I devoured Not Quite Dead Yet in one sitting! From the very first chapter, I was hooked—and that feeling never let up. Holly Jackson has this incredible way of making every page feel urgent, and this book was no exception. I immediately connected with the main character and found myself second-guessing everything and everyone right alongside her. The stakes felt high, the pacing was lightning-fast, and just when I thought I had something figured out, the story would flip on me—in the best possible way, of course!

What impressed me most was how tightly everything was plotted. Every clue, every interaction, felt intentional. And somehow, even amid all the twists and suspense, there was still room for emotional depth and moments that made me pause.

This book gave me exactly what I want in a thriller: a smart, gutsy main character, a plot that kept me guessing, and an ending that felt both satisfying and earned. If you're looking for a thriller that will keep you on your toes, this one absolutely delivers. Thank you, NetGalley!

That was the most heartbreaking ending to a Holly Jackson book yet. I really didn’t think it could get any worse but somehow it did. Jet was such a funny main character. Her attitude made me love her so much. And Billy was just the sweetest sidekick to her give-no-shits personality. The mystery was SO well thought out, as they tend to be in Jackson’s books. She had me guessing until the very last page and then I was sobbing. I think I was crying for about the last 50 pages of this book to be completely honest. I think this is my new favorite of hers.

Well, this definitely broke my heart a little bit. So many lies and misunderstandings that all added up to a life lost way too soon. The story of Jet and Billy working together to solve her murder was fun, but as they uncovered more and more secrets that people had hidden over the months and years, it just made me really sad that these two innocent characters were going to pay for the sins of those around them.

I thought this was a nice change after Jackson's last book as Rachel Price got to be a bit too long in places.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine, for providing the copy of Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson. This was a slow starter and I didn’t get engaged for a long time. The characters didn’t really grab me or make me care about them, even Jet, who was supposed to be the main character. She was supposed to be 27 but came off as much younger so I couldn’t help but think this would have been better as a young or new adult book. Well except for the over usage of the “F” word. Eventually the story started to get exciting and interesting. I ended up loving this book, I just wish the beginning hadn’t been so slow. 4 stars

3.75 ✨ this book was such a fresh twist on the classic murder mystery genre. I can’t lie, I was hooked from the first page and read it in one sitting because I wanted to know how it ended.

However there were a bit of misses for me with this one. I thought that the ending was a bit unfulfilling and left me with some unanswered questions. If you love a twist of ambiguity with your stories, then this could have been your cup of tea but I was not a fan. Also I felt like legit every character was unlikable and it gave me the ick.

Also side note, these didn’t read that different from her other work despite the marketing as her “dip into the adult genre”. It felt like YA with a bit more swears (which I wasn’t mad at as I love her other stuff but I felt like it’s worth noting)

----My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.----

Currently bawling my eyes out 😀👍🏼 what the heck!! This was so so good! Holly Jackson just writes these amazing stories with these in depth characters and great twists.
The way I connected to these characters in just one book?! I was crying so many times throughout this and the ending? The dynamic between the characters was so good as well. I loved the fmc Jet so much! Her humor and the way she handled her situation was so funny and heartbreaking at the same time! I did guess a few twists but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this story at all!
If you‘re looking for a fast paced mystery that will get to your heart please pick this up!
The BIGGEST thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc!!! Im so incredibly grateful

One of my favorite things about Holly Jackson's books is that she not only has the ability to throw in jaw dropping plot twists, but she also pulls you into the story with the way she writes her characters. This book was no different. I loved Jet from the first page, her attitude throughout the whole book made me giggle but I also fully admired her and the growth she made throughout the story. And I loved her and Billy's dynamic so much, dare I say they're one of my fav HJ couples... The setting of this book, Vermont in the late fall, was perfect and captured the eerie, twisty vibes of the plot. All the little twists leading up to the big one also really pulled me in. At no point in the story did I know what was going to happen and it had me on the edge of my seat. I've never read any book like this and I had such a fun time reading it. Holly Jackson will never disappoint.

The book plot built tension extremely well and I loved holly jacksons iconic writing style I got extremely attached to Jet and the other characters.

Holly Jackson never disappoints! I wasn't quite sure what to expect from her adult debut but this murder mystery was fantastic! Can't wait for more!

I loved this book so much. I laughed, I cried, I was even shocked. I think this is Holly Jackson’s best work yet. She is one of my favorite authors and will continue to be. I can’t wait for the next!

I have been a fan of her books for a while. Her first adult book did not disappoint. It has the same amazing plot twists that she is known for with more mature subject matter. Highly recommend.

The way I gobbled this up so fast!

This was such a good adult mystery/thriller debut for Holly Jackson.

We follow quite a few characters, but mainly Jet. There are some mysterious happenings, including Jet dying (not like Jet having died, but Jet being in the process of dying the whole book). There's murder and arson and chaos as to who has done what and for why.

The pacing was pretty good, especially at the end. The beginning was a tad slower but that is to be expected of a thriller. My attention was captured the entire time and I wanted to know what happened and why, so I consider that a win!

I don't really want to say too much more because I don't want to accidentally spoil anything, so that is all I shall say! But I recommend! If you enjoyed anything by Holly Jackson (especially her standalones), you'll like this!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

**Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book!

Holly Jackson? Her first adult mystery? A protagonist who has a week to solve her own murder? Sign me up! I was hoping that this book would recapture the addictive, page-turning magic of the AGGGTM trilogy (although I still have mixed feelings about the second half of book 3) and I’ve got to say… I think HJ may have done just that!

There are so many things that I could talk about in the review of this book. But I think the one thing that struck me most was the level of insight that we experience Jet gaining throughout her final week. Like I was not expecting to read anything in this book that made me pause and have to sit with it for a minute. Jet’s poignant realizations <spoiler>that she has been living her life for someone(s) else and delaying what she wants to do until “later” is something that I feel will resonate with adults reading this book. Jet is able to connect the dots between things that have happened in her life, how those events changed her and the people around her, and the effect they had on her life choices.</spoiler> It also served to show that HJ <i>knows</i> the difference between writing a YA novel and an adult novel. I absolutely love Pip from AGGGTM, but I saw pieces of myself in Jet, which helped me connect to the story more than I was anticipating.

Because the plot is somewhat heavy, I also want to add there are many humorous moments in the book—it’s not all doom and gloom. Jet’s <spoiler>letter to Sophia</spoiler> caused me to burst out laughing at work (shh, this is a library). Needless to say, I highly, highly recommend this book, especially if you are a Holly Jackson fan. Holly, I forgive you for Five Survive and can’t wait to see what you come up with next!!
**4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Writing = A+
Plot= A+
Uniqueness = A+
Characters/Character Development = A
Theme exploration = A
Plot Twists = A
Finale = B

This book was a wild ride in the best of ways. To be fair, all I knew was that it was by Holly Jackson and it was adult so I was all the way in. But whatever I might have expected for the type of book that it was, Not Quite Dead Yet surpassed all expectations. From the writing style that Holly is known for, with biting wit, emotional depth, and straightforward yet nuanced characters to the mystery of who killed Jet.

Without including spoilers, Jet is such a flawed character. Selfish, lacking motivation in life, sometimes entitled, prepared with scathing insults at the drop of a dime, and mostly ill tempered. However, as the book continues with parental trauma, the trauma of trying to get out of the shadows of siblings who seem to have it altogether, and the all too relatable never knowing when life begins, you realize that Jet is the product of her environment and her own insecurities. It made her completely relatable to me and therefore, more than the mystery of what happened to her, you find yourself rooting in what may be the last few days of her life.

I also didn't expect the underlying romance arc of she and poor, sweet Billy. He is an absolute gem of character and reminiscent of everything one could want in a partner (even though I definitely suspected him for a moment because I didn't think it was possible for anyone to be THAT sweet).

The plot twists and turns in the novel were both satisfying (as I pride myself on being able to suss things out beforehand) and shocking. And let me tell you, it isn't easy for me to be shocked. Nor is it easy for me to be utterly wrong about the true killer and motive. But Holly Jackson delivered and I tip my hat to her. As a fan of the Good Girl's Guide to Murder, despite being 36 years old I found myself wishing Holly wrote adult mysteries and now that she has I'm greedy for more.

I laughed, cried, judged, cried and laughed some more...and while this may not be a HEA in the most traditional sense, I found it perfect as a coming of age (ironic given the themes) and self realizing for both the central character and her friend/love interest.

Definitely give this book a read. You won't be disappointed.

4.5 Stars — Holly Jackson delivers again!

As a huge fan of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, I had high expectations going into Not Quite Dead Yet, and Holly Jackson absolutely delivered. This book is a wild, twisty ride packed with her signature fast pacing, dark humor, and clever plotting.

From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The premise is bold and unique, and Jackson does a fantastic job building tension while still giving readers a chance to laugh and catch their breath. The characters are engaging, and I loved how the story kept me guessing without ever feeling convoluted.

While it didn’t quite surpass A Good Girl’s Guide for me, it’s definitely a standout in the YA thriller space and one I’d absolutely recommend. Jackson proves once again that she’s a master at crafting suspenseful, smart, and compulsively readable mysteries. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Holly Jackson has done it again with Not Quite Dead Yet — a hilarious, heart-pounding blend of ghostly mysteries and teenage misadventures that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you're craving a story that's equal parts spooky fun and laugh-out-loud moments, this book is exactly what you need. Our protagonist, Chloe, is an aspiring paranormal investigator with a knack for getting into trouble — and let’s just say, she’s not afraid to push boundaries. When her school’s haunted history comes to life in ways she never expected, Chloe finds herself in a whirlwind of ghostly encounters, quirky friends, and some surprisingly heartfelt introspection. Jackson’s witty writing style makes every page enjoyable, with clever banter and relatable struggles that feel right out of a teen’s diary — only with a supernatural twist. The plot twists kept me guessing, and the balance between humor and spookiness is pitch-perfect. While I would’ve loved a tad more depth in some areas, Not Quite Dead Yet delivers plenty of entertainment and charm to make it a memorable read. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a light-hearted, spooky adventure with a side of laughs. Overall, four stars — a delightful mix of ghostly antics, friendship, and fun that will leave you smiling (and maybe checking behind your curtains!). Highly recommend for fans of paranormal stories with a humorous flair!

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson follows the attempted murder of Margaret “Jet” Mason. Jet is attacked in her kitchen after a town Halloween event and suffers severe head trauma. It’s a miracle she even survived, but she unfortunately finds out that her brain trauma has created a quickly growing aneurysm and she only has about a week to live. Jet decides that she wants to use this time to solve her murder. Then begins quite a wild ride of twists and turns.

Where do I even start with this book. First, I wasn’t sure if I would definitely be able to read it, having suffered from 3 unruptured brain aneurysms of my own just last year (they have been treated and are gone now). It hit a little close to home in that way, but I’m so glad I did! It’s been quite a while since I’ve read a book so engaging that it kept me on the edge of my seat. I finished it in just a little over 24hrs and found myself reading well into the night, dying to find out what was going to happen.

The crazy thing is, even though I knew Jet’s fate, I spent much of the book hoping and wondering if it could be wrong. That was just as much of a mystery as her “murder”. I really and truly loved this book and highly recommend you read it if you love a good mystery/thriller. The premise was so unique and ve never read anything quite like it. This may just be my favorite book so far this year!

I have consistently enjoyed Holly Jackson's teen books, and I am glad to say I enjoyed her first adult novel as well. Unfortunately, I think, much like other authors who transition from teen to adult genres, that the writing failed to "mature up". I expected darker, more layered themes, and it was not here in this novel. Also, while I liked the protagonist, I did have to remind myself that this was an adult character because at times she came across as much younger. Again, I think this often happens with teen writers transitioning to adult novels.

The story was good though - the novel finished on a high note (though it did get a bit draggy in the middle. It is the standard Holly Jackson mystery (and if you have read her previous novels, you will know what I am talking about). Overall, I think it is worth reading her first adult novel and adding it to library collections. I can see this one being popular with teens and adults.

Wow, talk about an intense roller coaster of emotions. This book held nothing back. I laughed, I cried, I raged. Holly Jackson just keeps getting better and better. Not Quite Dead Yet is my fave book by her yet! The premise is SO unique and I had my doubts about how she was going to pull it off, but she did so flawlessly. Trust me when I say you NEED to preorder this book!

Also, Holly Jackson, I’ll be sending you my therapy bills.

Not Quite Dead Yet was an intensely captivating mystery from start to finish. The premise was intriguing and exciting. Will the FMC be able to solve her own murder before she dies in seven days? With the clock ticking, there was no shortage of shady suspects as Jet attempted to complete her mission, and they all had shocking secrets that were revealed throughout the story. Just when I thought I knew, Jackson switched things up and led me down another path of possibilities. I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation the entire time, waiting for the big reveal. I flew through the pages like I had a timer counting down in my head and had to get to the end because my own life depended on it. The final moments were sad and expected, and I had hoped for a better outcome, but the big reveal was a doozy! Not at all predictable. With all that being said, I have to admit that I had a love/hate relationship with Jet's character. I loved her personality and her persnickety sarcasm, and I empathized with her plot, but she was so emotionally turmoiled that she came across as immature and juvenile for a 27-year-old. Most of the characters came across this way. They seemed to talk at each other instead of with each other. I did adore Billy though. He brought a love and pureness to a really effed-up family dynamic. I really enjoyed this book, despite my disconnect with the characters. I know that this is the author's adult debut, but it still came across as YA...even with the mature content. I didn't mind this at all. I loved the author's YA books! I just felt like it should be noted as such. I would definitely recommend! I think the many fans of this author are going to love it.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!