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dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this one when I first started. I thought it was a little dark for my tastes because why do I want to read a book, fall in love with the main character only to know she can’t possibly have a happy ending??
In spite of all of that, Holly Jackson somehow made this dark, heart-breaking story have some of the best dry humor and comedy along with the most tender thoughtful moments I’ve ever read in a thriller. I raced through this book in under 48 hours & I was constantly annotating funny and sweet moments…all while the FMC is slowly dying & trying to solve her murder? 😅
This was definitely a super unique story and it was full of all of the interesting twists and turns you know and love from Holly Jackson. However, my favorite part was Jet. She was such a vibrant character, so funny and at times mean & brash (but who wouldn’t be while coping w/ that fate) and following her and Billy while they go on this journey together & have these small moments of living were the best pieces to this well-crafted roller coaster ride of a murder mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not Quite Dead Yet took my breath away... Literally, when I sobbed through the ending I knew was coming, and the ending I didn't. My partner woke up to me losing it first thing in the morning on my birthday in a panic.
Him: "What's wrong?!"
Me: "My book... it's (snot) soOo (hiccup) good."
Him: *Laughs in relief*
I've been insufferable since this book was announced, and even more so when I found out I was lucky enough to get to read it early. And let me tell you... it did NOT disappoint.
Jet has seven days to live, and she chooses to spend them solving her own murder. Once she starts digging up decaying secrets and razing her relationships, everything she thought she knew about her life is flipped on its head. There are twists that will keep you guessing at every turn and the pacing is (MUAH 🤌🏻) perfect.
Despite what might seem like heavy subject matter— what with the imminent death of a loved one and Jet's loss of ability to control her deteriorating body— this book was quick-witted and hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing at the dark humor Jet used to make light of her horrifying situtation, and that made the book all the more poignant and emotional. On top of that, it was tragically romantic. The dynamic between the main two characters is to die for (...no pun intended). The headstrong, ambitious, and brave girl who would do anything it takes to solve her case paired with the doe-eyed guy who's been in love with her since they were kids and who'd follow her to the ends of the earth... yeah. I can't say any more or I'll start crying again.
Not Quite Dead Yet is Holly Jackson at her best. It's a phenomenal thriller I'll be thinking about fondly for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for facilitating early access to this book. This was my first time reading Holly Jackson’s work, and now I understand the hype! This book was very difficult to put down and exactly what I needed to pull myself out of a recent reading slump. I appreciated the fresh twist on a classic “Who Dunnit”-style mystery.
This is Jackson’s first novel for adults, but the main character’s personality and the sweet innocence of the romance subplot made this lean a bit YA for me. That said, these details (mostly) made sense within the context of the story, and I enjoyed Jet as a strong female lead.
I am not a seasoned mystery-solver, and I was able to figure out the murder culprit around the 90% mark. This didn’t take away from the rest of the story, though. Right after finishing the book, I was upset about a couple parts of the ending, but after digesting for a bit, I actually came to appreciate how Jackson’s choices upped my emotional investment. I would wholeheartedly recommend Not Quite Dead Yet to fellow mystery enthusiasts!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Grief
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jet shows us how to solve your own murder! I loved the premise of being not quite dead and the temporary second chance to find your killer. Jet was fairly immature but I’m giving her a break because she was dying and a later reveal sheds light on her (incomplete) life choices.
Even though it’s labeled as YA I’d categorize this as new adult as it is a 27 year old character and she says fuck a lot. No sexual content though.
Not Quite Dead Yet captures a lot of the brilliance that AGGGTM has and I really enjoyed this book!
Thanks Netgalley and Ballantine for providing me with an ARC for exchange of an honest review - it was a great opportunity!
Even though it’s labeled as YA I’d categorize this as new adult as it is a 27 year old character and she says fuck a lot. No sexual content though.
Not Quite Dead Yet captures a lot of the brilliance that AGGGTM has and I really enjoyed this book!
Thanks Netgalley and Ballantine for providing me with an ARC for exchange of an honest review - it was a great opportunity!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Infidelity, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Holly Jackson’s first adult novel (and it did not disappoint!)
- Tropes/themes:
- Ticking clock
- Complicated family dynamics
- Self-empowerment
- Justice and revenge
- An amazingly clever plot that was so intriguing.
- It was kind of hard to keep everyone straight in the beginning and then the writing style still read as a YA book a little bit so it took me a good bit of the book to stop forgetting that the characters were adults.
- Loved the MC and her wit and sarcastic banter
- Great execution and character development
- So intricately designed
- Never knew who to trust and it had me constantly theorizing
- Very hard to put down
- The end was bittersweet and the final twist was amazing- I just wish it wasn’t all revealed so quickly (in only one final chapter) because it felt rushed.
- HIGHLY recommend
- Content warnings:
- Death/murder
- Child death
- Gun violence
- Suicide
- Blood / gore / injury detail
- Fire / Fire injury
- Medical content
- Medical trauma
- Abandonment
- Alcoholism
- Grief
- Infidelity
Special thank you to Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine Books / Bantam, Holly Jackson, and NetGalley for a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Releases 7/22/25!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Suicide
In Holly Jackson’s new book we follow twenty-seven year old, Jet.
Who still doesn’t quite know what she wants to do with her life, always saying she can come to it later.
What Jet wasn’t expecting was not being able to have many more laters left.
On Halloween night Jet gets brutally attacked in her home by an unseen intruder. She miraculously survives. Only to find out she has an aneurysm just waiting to explode.
Surgery will most likely leave her dead on the operating table. Or she can have an estimated one week left.
Jet is determined to use that one week to solve her own murder. Who would have wanted Jet dead? With the help of her childhood best friend Billy, she’s determined to find her killer.
Another great thrilling mystery by Holly Jackson. The medical jargon at points can be quite in depth, almost made me feel a little wobbly. Besides that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Such a twisty turny mystery and absolutely insane! It’s so fun trying to figure it out alongside Jet & Billy. I personally didn’t guess it until right near the end and even then I missed all the clues that were secretly dropped like little bread crumbs. Holly Jackson never disappoints! 5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!🫶🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma
Moderate: Murder, Fire/Fire injury