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dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was considering giving this book a 4 star rating 'cause overall it wasn't really bad, but then the end reveal came and my dread that it's the obvious suspect was confirmed, leaving me disappointed.
Despite the plot feeling sometimes like it's progressing a bit too slow, it was still a nice read about Margaret ‘Jet’ who was trying to solve her own murder. The protagonist of this story feels like she has to proof something, has to act and achieve the same things her sister Emily did. While I never done anything like this to impress anyone, not even my parents I could still somewhat understand that if one wasn't the favourite child and just searching for confirmation, wanting to make them proud. I think that Margaret can be a relatable character for some. Just like the author of this book said: ‘I still find myself feeling sad for Jet (and I made her up) so I’m sorry for inflicting that trauma on you too.’ Her life was truly tragic and I think everyone had at least some bit of tragedy in their life so I think it's quite easy to connect with her emotionally. Since I did that too, I was also able to enjoy the story to the fullest, truly rooting for her to achieve something big in life for the first time without self-sabotaging and actually finishing something she started without saying 'later'.
Despite the plot feeling sometimes like it's progressing a bit too slow, it was still a nice read about Margaret ‘Jet’ who was trying to solve her own murder. The protagonist of this story feels like she has to proof something, has to act and achieve the same things her sister Emily did. While I never done anything like this to impress anyone, not even my parents I could still somewhat understand that if one wasn't the favourite child and just searching for confirmation, wanting to make them proud. I think that Margaret can be a relatable character for some. Just like the author of this book said: ‘I still find myself feeling sad for Jet (and I made her up) so I’m sorry for inflicting that trauma on you too.’ Her life was truly tragic and I think everyone had at least some bit of tragedy in their life so I think it's quite easy to connect with her emotionally. Since I did that too, I was also able to enjoy the story to the fullest, truly rooting for her to achieve something big in life for the first time without self-sabotaging and actually finishing something she started without saying 'later'.
We've spend our whole lives trying to fill Emily's shoes, feeling crushed by her shadow, trying to prove to Mom and Dad that we are good enough too.
This book explored a lot of family dynamics, mostly Margaret's but also Billy's family. While it did take some time to get to know all the characters — their secrets and possible motives for killing Margaret, it also was about their relationships to eachother. How they liked or not liked eachother. And why. While I did mention above that I found the end reveal to be a bit too predictable, there were actually three major ones. Two were pretty obvious since they were connected to eachother and I think that the murderer was a prime suspect, but the family dynamic also had a secret which I did not expect as it was so cruel and heartless, I wouldn't have even imagined that someone would do something like this. It took me by surprise since I didn't expect it at all. I also wanted to mention that this book is quite tragic and just generally sad since it's about grief, loss and how relationships changed over the years by abandonment and hate. They all had their tragic story in some way.
I'm sorry that I'm not Emily. But I was never supposed to be. Took me a while to learn that, and I hope you can see it too. I spent my whole life waiting because I was trying to live a future that was never mine. And I did it because I wanted you to be proud of me. To just once say “Good Job, Jet.” I needed it, lived for it, and I don't think that was healthy, for either of us.
Despite the sad backstories and plot about a woman dying soon due to head trauma, it also had a sweet tone, like romance and showing strength when one faces a difficult time in life. Margaret had a major development at the end, acknowledging that the way she lived her life so far was wrong and made it up for the remaining days she had left to live.
As I mentioned above, the plot twist who the murderer was, was too predictable to me and made the ending disappointing. I expected something greater and I know that Holly Jackson is good in writing about a mystery/thriller, but this time it just wasn't as great as I initially hoped for it to be.
Since everything else wasn't really lacking anything I would still recommend this book to anyone who already read a Holly Jackson book in the past.
In case you haven't, don't worry, it's still worth reading despite the ending as I had fun exploring each character and their past.
My murder isn’t going to solve itself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Cursing, Physical abuse
Minor: Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicide, Abandonment, Alcohol
dark
mysterious
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’ve read all of Holly’s YA novels, so I was really excited to read this and I was not disappointed. It was gripping, fast-paced, twisted, and hooked me immediately.
I also love the relationship Jet has with Billy because this poor girl needed someone in her goddamn corner.
I knew Jet’s death was unavoidable but I still held on to hope
I also love the relationship Jet has with Billy because this poor girl needed someone in her goddamn corner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Terminal illness, Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Abandonment
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Abandonment
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Confinement, Infidelity, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
fuck you holly jackson
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Gun violence, Suicide, Abandonment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
As a person who hates sad books was I stressed about reading a book that ends in tragedy? Yes. But honestly this book was entertaining while remaining appropriately level-headed about the whole thing. Our main character Jet is attacked while home alone, but survives the attempt on her life… temporarily. Unfortunately, due to a complication stemming from a preexisting condition, the attack will cause a fatal aneurism in about a week. Sick of never finishing anything in her life (relatable), Jet decides she’s going to solve her own murder with the help of her childhood friend Billy.
For the most part I liked the characters. Yes, Jet makes plenty of jokes about dying and uses that fact to make others uncomfortable, but I honestly think it’s pretty realistic if you have that sense of humor. Billy seems a little too good to be true, but what do I know about men. Honestly Jet’s mother really irritated me bc she felt like a charicature, but I’m sure there are real moms like her out there too. The writing style was good, and though it took me a minute to get into the first chapter, the pacing was much better than Holly’s last book imo. It didn’t really drag at any points and was a quick read. I did think her previous YA books were a little “who is allowing these children to do this,” but this being about adults makes more sense. Jet is kinda a mess and acts younger than her late 20s, but girl I’ve been there too.
The only small downsides for me were the loose end feeling and ending. There are some points with Jet’s sister in law that felt unfinished, as well as with Andrew/Nina and Jet’s brother. Not plot holes, just things I would’ve liked a better resolution to. The ending was also just kinda wild. No spoilers, but idk if I liked it. Seemed overly dramatic for no good reason. Also seemed like it was going in one way, then completely switched it up on the last 2 pages.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
For the most part I liked the characters. Yes, Jet makes plenty of jokes about dying and uses that fact to make others uncomfortable, but I honestly think it’s pretty realistic if you have that sense of humor. Billy seems a little too good to be true, but what do I know about men. Honestly Jet’s mother really irritated me bc she felt like a charicature, but I’m sure there are real moms like her out there too. The writing style was good, and though it took me a minute to get into the first chapter, the pacing was much better than Holly’s last book imo. It didn’t really drag at any points and was a quick read. I did think her previous YA books were a little “who is allowing these children to do this,” but this being about adults makes more sense. Jet is kinda a mess and acts younger than her late 20s, but girl I’ve been there too.
The only small downsides for me were the loose end feeling and ending. There are some points with Jet’s sister in law that felt unfinished, as well as with Andrew/Nina and Jet’s brother. Not plot holes, just things I would’ve liked a better resolution to. The ending was also just kinda wild. No spoilers, but idk if I liked it. Seemed overly dramatic for no good reason. Also seemed like it was going in one way, then completely switched it up on the last 2 pages.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Medical content
Minor: Chronic illness, Gun violence, Infidelity, Grief, Abandonment
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am tearing up at this book. I started and finished in ~12 hours because I needed to make sure I helped Jet solve this before she died (???).
This was (obviously) reminiscent of AGGGTM, but with a lot more swears and dark off the bat. I can’t get i to too much without spoiling anything, but this was 5/5. I sort of saw the overarching twist but didn’t expect the smaller twist. I wish this wasn’t a standalone, and I wish I could see more of Billy.
This was (obviously) reminiscent of AGGGTM, but with a lot more swears and dark off the bat. I can’t get i to too much without spoiling anything, but this was 5/5. I sort of saw the overarching twist but didn’t expect the smaller twist. I wish this wasn’t a standalone, and I wish I could see more of Billy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death
Minor: Abandonment
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
Seven Days. The main character has SEVEN DAYS to solve her own murder before she dies. Talk about a tense mystery with really high stakes! Holly Jackson packed this thing with so many twists and turns and secrets that I simply HAD to keep turning pages! You will grow so attached to these characters that you're not going to want to put this book down. It's Holly Jackson's first adult novel, and she knocked it out of the park! I mean, how often do we get to see the murder victim try and solve their own murder?!
QUOTES:
"But how were we ever going to win, competing with a ghost?" p.354
"But, was it really a waste of time, if I loved every minute of it?" p. 361
(I really want to quote it, but I won't. The letter to Sophia gagged me haha. Jet said what she said.)
ARC Copy
QUOTES:
"But how were we ever going to win, competing with a ghost?" p.354
"But, was it really a waste of time, if I loved every minute of it?" p. 361
(I really want to quote it, but I won't. The letter to Sophia gagged me haha. Jet said what she said.)
ARC Copy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Infidelity
Minor: Gun violence, Suicide, Abandonment
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
Holly Jackson obviously did it again. Although will see i figured out who killed jet early on just didn’t have all the either details
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Abandonment, Alcohol
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Holly Jackson does it again. I’m crying on the train.
So many intriguing stories that line up at the end. A big twist to finish it off. A heartbreaking final chapter to finish me off. I’ll never get sick of her writing.
So many intriguing stories that line up at the end. A big twist to finish it off. A heartbreaking final chapter to finish me off. I’ll never get sick of her writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Abandonment