17 February 2026

Alicia introduced me to this author when we buddy read The Reappearance of Rachel Price. (This one was a buddy read as well – but today I am only sharing one review.)

Holly Jackson delivers a gripping and emotionally charged thriller with Not Quite Dead Yet, a novel built around an irresistible hook and a relentless ticking clock. From the opening line, the stakes are painfully clear, and that sense of urgency never lets up.

Jet Mason is a fascinating protagonist — privileged, aimless, and quietly dissatisfied with her life before everything changes in a single brutal moment. Knowing she has only seven days to live forces her into a sharp, uncomfortable self-awareness, and I really appreciated how the story balances her determination to uncover the truth with her growing fear and physical decline.

The mystery itself is tightly woven, with suspicion falling on almost everyone in Jet’s orbit. Family tensions, old friendships, and unresolved romantic history all come into play, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere where no one feels entirely trustworthy. Holly Jackson does an excellent job of planting doubt and misdirection, keeping you guessing right up to the end.

Billy, Jet’s childhood friend, is a grounding presence amid the chaos, and their relationship adds emotional depth without overwhelming the central mystery. As Jet’s condition worsens, the investigation becomes more frantic and heartbreaking, making the countdown to the inevitable all the more powerful.

While a few plot turns felt slightly convenient, they didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. The concept is strong enough, and the emotional payoff satisfying enough, to carry the story through its weaker moments.

This is a smart, fast-paced thriller that blends suspense with genuine emotional weight. It’s both a race against time and a reflection on regret, unfinished lives, and the urgency of truth. A solid four-star read that kept me turning pages long into the night.