I wasn't just excited for Holly Jackson's new novel – I was massively hyped. I absolutely loved her YA series A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and devoured it in just a few days. It cost me quite a few nerves and sleepless nights. So, naturally, my expectations for this standalone were sky-high. The premise – that the murder victim has to solve their own murder – was something I’d never read before. The idea is fantastic, and it had me hooked right from the start. I read the first 30% of the book in one sitting. Unfortunately, I felt like the writing style and overall flow didn’t quite fit an adult novel? Maybe it was just me, or perhaps it was the German translation, I’m not sure. But a lot of the time, it was easy to forget how old the characters were supposed to be. On top of that, I didn’t feel much suspense while reading – which might be because I was pretty spot-on with my guess about who the killer was. The question is always: was that just me being too analytical, or did the author give away too many obvious clues? In thrillers and mysteries, that really depends on the reader, in my opinion – so I’m still undecided on that. I was able to follow the story well, and I finished the book within two days. I also thought Jet was a pretty cool protagonist. She was definitely unique – though at times her behavior and way of communicating really got on my nerves. She constantly made things harder for herself, even during the investigation, to the point where I just wanted to shake her and yell: “Just say something already!!” Sadly, that wasn’t possible. The plot, for my taste, was a bit too predictable, and certain topics just didn’t resonate with me – they took the tension right out of the story. But... it was also unexpectedly emotional? There were so many beautiful moments, so many heart-pounding scenes, tears I had to hold back, and random laughs that completely caught me off guard. I really liked that part. At the same time, it often didn’t feel like it fit, and I had the impression that this could have been a truly thrilling novel if it had leaned more in that direction. All in all, I’m glad I read Not Quite Dead Yet. The concept is unique and exciting, and I finished the book in two days. It stands out with surprisingly emotional moments and a special protagonist. Unfortunately, it lacked the level of suspense I expect from this genre, which is a real shame – but it still kept me reading, and I was interested in the characters’ backstories. I received a digital review copy of this book via NetGalley from the german publisher, which in no way affects my honest opinion.

I was surprised by how quickly I devoured The Wedding People by Alison Espach—within just two days. Despite my high expectations, shaped by the many glowing reviews, the book truly lived up to the hype. The story combines many different themes and could best be described as this: a protagonist who wants to end her life suddenly finds herself caught in the plot of a romantic comedy. This unusual setup leads to wild situations and conversations that completely captivated me. At the same time, the novel moved me emotionally—so much so that I found myself in tears at several points. While the setting may seem perfect for a beach read, readers should be aware that the book tackles some heavy topics, which could have warranted content warnings. Phoebe, the protagonist, felt incredibly real to me. I rooted for her the entire time and found it fascinating to immerse myself in her thoughts and emotions, even though we’re at very different points in life. Espach portrayed her not just as a character but as a fully fleshed-out person. Other characters—especially Lila, who initially annoyed me—also developed beautifully and added depth to the story. The dynamic between Phoebe and Lila often made me laugh, and I appreciated the emotional honesty of their interactions. The story is set in a luxurious beach hotel in Newport, Rhode Island, giving the novel a summery backdrop. Still, because of its emotional weight, I wouldn’t consider it a light summer beach read. That said, I couldn’t put it down and finished it in just two days. Now that it’s over, I find myself eagerly waiting for Espach’s next book. The Wedding People was both entertaining and deeply moving. Alison Espach managed to make me laugh and cry—all within one unforgettable story. You can also find me on Booktok, Instagram and Goodreads!

( Review to come, also English is not my native language so please excuse any mistakes ) Just wanted to say I started hating Viv as a protagonist at a certain point in the story. It's not about her being an unlikable character or maybe the authors intention was to portray her as morally grey, it's about how she truly always chooses wrong and doesn't really reflect on her actions or how they might affect others. She's also really self centered. The writing style was basic, even if this is supposed to be YA? There were just too many simple sentences and phrases, not really fleshed out, not enough details for my liking. The world building and actions of some characters often didn't make sense...very sad, since I had high hopes for this book.