This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Great book! Couldn't stop reading it. Thank you for letting me read this in advance. I can't stop thinking about it. Searching more from this author now.

OMG! OMG! OMG! This book is an absolute hidden gem and a terrifyingly brilliant surprise that had me gripping the pages in sheer suspense! The psychological horror elements tap into the kind of deep, unsettling fears we don’t even realize we have, making for a story that lingers long after the final page. Madison and Johnny are two of the most flawed yet incredibly real characters I’ve read in a long time—both struggling in ways that make them painfully relatable, yet impossible to look away from.

Madison’s journey into the world of a grueling fitness boot camp starts off as a chance at reinvention, but quickly warps into something far more sinister. The eerie atmosphere, the cult-like mentality of the program, and the slow, creeping realization that something is very, very wrong had me on edge the entire time. Meanwhile, Johnny’s battle with addiction takes a horrifying turn as he’s forced into a nightmarish deal that preys on his every weakness. His desperation, the suffocating isolation, and the terrifying presence in his secluded retreat create a tense, claustrophobic dread that only intensifies as the story unfolds.

What makes this book truly exceptional is how it blends psychological torment with outright horror, making you question what’s real, what’s imagined, and just how far someone will go when backed into a corner. The pacing is relentless, the tension is razor-sharp, and the twists are both unexpected and utterly chilling. I won’t spoil how it all comes together, but let’s just say—this book is a ride you won’t see coming.

If you’re a fan of stories that shake you to your core and keep you up at night, this is a must-read. A massive thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company | Mulholland Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this incredibly unique and deeply unsettling novel. You won’t want to miss this one!

This is one of the best horror novels I’ve read in years. Smitherd has tapped into the darkest corners of the human psyche—our inability to escape addiction—and woven two separate but equally mind-blowing stories that will leave you haunted long after you turn the last page.

In I’ll Quit When I’m Dead, we meet Madison, who is struggling to find a reason to keep going. She’s depressed, unemployed, and has dropped out of university. When she reconnects with an old friend at the gym, she becomes obsessed with having what she has—leading her to No Days Off, a female-only boot camp that is wildly expensive and lasts for one month. The program’s charismatic leader, Ellie Fellows, is hiding something sinister. Her methods are brutal, manipulative, and far from trustworthy. Can Madison survive what she signed up for?

Meanwhile, we meet Johnny Blake, who is spiraling from a pill addiction after a devastating fall. Broke and out of options, he accepts free housing from a friend—only to discover that what lurks inside the house is anything but a safe haven. There’s a monster, and it is cutting straight to the darkest, most broken parts of Johnny’s soul.

This novel is scary, brilliant, and absolutely relentless. Smitherd masterfully blends psychological horror with real-life fears, crafting an experience that feels disturbingly real. I’ll Quit When I’m Dead cements Luke Smitherd as a major voice in horror to watch.

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