Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson | August Book Club

Summary

I'll Read What She's Reading

Episode: Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson | August Book Club
Date: September 3, 2025
Hosts: Mikayla, Reggie, Kennedy

---

Episode Overview

This episode is the August Book Club discussion for Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson. The hosts—Mikayla, Reggie, and Kennedy—dive deep into their thoughts, ratings, and reactions to Holly Jackson’s newest “adult” thriller. The discussion covers what resonated, what missed the mark, standout plot points, the most memorable character moments, and even includes their fan casting if the book were adapted for screen. The trio also compares this work with Holly Jackson’s prior thrilling novels, explores issues of genre expectations, and debates just how effective the book is as an adult thriller.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Book Club Format & Listener Participation

• The episode follows the usual book club format—overall thoughts and ratings, dislikes, likes, and fan cast.
• Fable app and link tree shout-outs highlight the interactive book club community.

  “If you haven't joined the Fable, honestly, …you should really go join it. I thoroughly enjoy your guys’ comments.” – Reggie (00:31)

First Impressions & Expectations

• All three hosts report entering with positive expectations, based on Holly Jackson’s reputation for shocking twists.
• There is disappointment among the hosts that, despite being labeled "adult," the book reads closer to Jackson's YA thrillers, but with more swearing.

  "I felt like this read like Good Girl's Guide to Murder, just with more F words." – Kennedy (03:54)

• The group agrees the book was less shocking and dark than anticipated.
• All mention the audiobook narration as a key reason for disconnect, with multiple references to it sounding juvenile and distracting.

Star Ratings & Brief Justifications

• Kennedy: 3 stars. Narration style and lack of truly adult themes made the book less compelling.
• Mikayla: 3.5 stars. Compared to Jackson’s previous books, this one felt predictable and lacked the author’s trademark wild plot twists.
• Reggie: Generous 3 stars, entirely because of the “awful” audiobook narration. Wishes the narration had suited the adult marketing of the book.

Story & Characters—What Worked, What Didn’t

Dislikes and Weaknesses

• Audiobook Narration: Consensus is that the chosen voicing felt far too childish, which undercut the adult label and suspense.

  “All of the voices were, like, young adult voices, like they were 12 years old.” – Reggie (08:25)

• Family Subplots: The ever-present family, especially Jet’s close ties, made the story feel less high-risk and more YA.

  “Her family was so, like, involved... I wish she wasn't as close with, like, her brother...it would have made it more high risk.” – Reggie (09:15)

• Predictability: Many plot points, including the killer’s identity and several twists, felt telegraphed or lacked surprise value.
• Abrupt Ending and Monologuing: The resolution happens suddenly, followed by a standard thriller-style villain monologue and almost everyone in the family going to jail.

  “I just kind of hated how sudden the ending was...it just felt like the classic little monologue thing.” – Kennedy (20:14)

Plot Mystery—Who Did It?

• Initial major suspects: Jet’s sister-in-law (“nowhere to be found”), her brother Luke (who picks up the wig), and Billy.
• The group felt the “surprise” reveal of Billy’s dad as the killer was both unexpected and underwhelming.
• The secondary plot twist about Jet’s sister’s death felt like misdirection and detracted from the main narrative for some.

  “I didn't really enjoy the whole ...now we're trying to solve her sister's murder. It wasn't actually an accident.” – Kennedy (22:04)

Likes and Strong Points

• Unique Premise: The "seven days to live" whodunit was refreshing in the thriller space.

  “So starting to read it and finding out that she's got a day...she's terminal...was really refreshing because I've never read a thriller like that.” – Kennedy (25:26)

• Emotional Letters: The letters Jet writes before her death add real emotional heft not often found in this genre.

  “The letters at the end...honestly, so I hated Jet...but then I read the letters, and immediately I liked her.” – Kennedy (25:31)

• Romance Subplot: Jet’s dynamic with Billy (her love interest) is described as sweet and grounds the wildness of the main plot.
• Page-Turner Quality & Tight Pacing: Despite their reservations, all hosts found the novel propulsive and quick to read.

  “There’s never a time where there’s, like, a lull, so. Which I think is important in thriller books to keep your attention, keep you captivated, keep you questioning things.” – Reggie (37:34)

The “Would You Read It Again?” Test

• All hosts said they would not re-read the book; thrillers generally lose their appeal once the mystery is solved unless they were exceptional.

  “No...but I kind of am like that with most thrillers, like, since, you know it.” – Kennedy (38:00)

• “Maybe” from Reggie—if a physical re-read would redeem the book after the poor audio experience.

Holly Jackson Book Ranking & Recommendations

• Not Quite Dead Yet is their least favorite Jackson book to date.
• Kennedy and Mikayla encourage new readers to try her other books, where the twists are stronger and the YA label better matches the content.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Like I was enjoying it. And then it was over. And then I was like, oh, that was it. Okay." – Mikayla (05:20)
• "I don't think I've really cried reading a thriller before, but this book made me cry." – Mikayla (06:03)
• "You read them, and yet none of the thrillers are very... they're not usually happy endings, but you don't leave her books feeling icky." – Kennedy (30:32)
• “Every single member of that family should go to jail.” – Kennedy (21:58)

---

Major Segments & Timestamps

• Intro & Book Club Format (00:12–02:23)
• Overall Ratings and First Impressions (02:26–11:56)
• What Didn’t Work (Dislikes, including 'who did it' theories) (12:01–24:35)
  • Suspects and plot analysis (12:26–19:09)
  • Plot holes/questions on the solution (19:10–22:42)
• What Worked (Likes, emotional beats, pacing, writing) (24:57–33:00)
• Jet’s Medical Dilemma (Surgery vs. 7 days) (31:07–32:45)
• Comparison to Other Holly Jackson Books & Final Thoughts on Readability (35:41–38:47)
• Adaptation/Fan Cast Segment (39:54–47:11)
  • Streaming platform ideas & miniseries pitch (40:10–40:40)
  • Actresses for Jet: Haley Lu Richardson (41:09), Ella Purnell (42:18), Maya Hawke (43:01)
  • Billy: KJ Apa (45:30)
• Next Month’s Book Pick Announcement (47:13–49:08)

---

Fan Casting — “If It Were a Screen Adaptation...”

• Jet:
  • Primary: Haley Lu Richardson (“White Lotus”) (41:09)
  • Alternate: Ella Purnell (“Yellowjackets”), Maya Hawke (“Stranger Things”) (42:18, 43:01)
• Billy: KJ Apa (“Riverdale”) for his musician cred and “could be a killer or golden retriever energy” (45:30)
• Format & Platform: Envisioned as a short-run miniseries—1 episode per day—on Netflix or Prime Video.

---

Closing Thoughts

• Not Quite Dead Yet provides a fast-paced, character-driven twist on the whodunit, but ultimately doesn’t reach the twisty, dark heights fans expect from Holly Jackson.
• The powerful letter-writing at the end and the romance subplot are standouts.
• The book’s identity confusion (YA or Adult) is a recurring gripe, especially when compared to Jackson’s previous work, and the miscast audiobook only amplified this.
• All hosts recommend Holly Jackson’s other books more highly, but still see this as worth reading for die-hard fans—or as a page-turner with a unique premise.

---

For September, the group has picked Immortal Consequences by Ivy Marie. Listeners are encouraged to join the chat and share their reactions, especially if they felt differently than the hosts about this month's book.

---

Whether you love, hate, or are just meh on the book, the hosts invite listeners’ thoughts via social or Fable. Tune in next month for more book club chaos!

Transcript

[Mikayla]

Foreign guys.

[Reggie]

And welcome back to I'll read what she's reading. I'm Mikayla.

[Kennedy]

I'm Reggie.

And I'm Kennedy.

[Reggie]

Today we're discussing our book club pick for the month of August, Not Quite Dead yet by Holly Jackson. So if you haven't read that, see you next time.

[Mikayla]

See ya.

[Reggie]

Also, if you're listening and you haven't joined the Fable, honestly, the Fable is one of my most favorite parts about our book club and you should really go join it. I thoroughly enjoy your guys comments. They make me laugh, they make me think about things. I seriously love them so much. So please go join it if you haven't yet. Fable. It is linked in our Instagram and our link tree.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yep, Link tree.

[Reggie]

So seriously, go join Fable is really such a great, great app.

[Kennedy]

Well, and it's really fun for me because we try not to discuss the.

[Mikayla]

Book club book together.

[Kennedy]

So then when I have something I want to talk to somebody about, I turn to Fable and you guys are always there for me.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

And also if you're avid Goodreads person, you can like sync it up, which.

[Kennedy]

Is such a cool feature.

[Reggie]

So anyways, let's get back to the book, shall.

[Mikayla]

I'm excited.

[Kennedy]

It's been a long time since we've chosen a thriller. How long did we choose one? Last October?

[Reggie]

Yes.

[Mikayla]

Yes.

[Reggie]

I think that's the last time we did hidden pictures.

[Kennedy]

Oh, that's right.

We did hidden pictures. That's the last thriller we've done.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So probably be doing another one for October.

[Mikayla]

Maybe.

[Kennedy]

We'll see.

We threw you guys for a loop this. This month.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Honestly, it was a great change of pace for me. I don't know about you guys, but like, I. I don't know, I just. I think it was fun to read something different than what I've been reading for the last little bit. It was very refreshing.

[Reggie]

So it was different.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. Should we get into our readings?

Yeah. For those of you who haven't ever listened to a book club episode, if you're new here, we go through our overall thoughts, ratings, our faves, our least faves, and then a fan cast that's kind of the layout for the book club episodes. And Mikayla thought we should add in another little segment of. Would we reread this book?

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So we're going to throw that in somewhere as well.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

But that's kind of the layout. So who wants to go first? Do you want. You guys want me to go first?

Sure, sure.

Okay.

Volunteering. Kind of.

Let me start off My overall thoughts by first saying, I'm in a reading slump. Okay. Every book I'm reading, I'm just kind of like, mm, yeah, okay, this is meh. So for me, I'm gonna rate this book, I think, three stars for a few different reasons. Number one, I half listened to it, half read it, and no hate to the audiobook narrator. I did not like her voice. Reggie had told me and Mikayla on Marco Polo that the voice sounded like jojo Siwa. And to kind of beware of the audiobook. And normally most audiobook narrators, it doesn't matter. But this one I just didn't love. The way she would narrate certain characters kind of drove me crazy. So I do think that's part of the reason why I'm giving this book a lower rating, which three stars is still great. I typically don't rate thrillers very high, but then also, I was expecting maybe a little bit more adult content, because it is supposed to be adult. I felt like this red, like, Good Girl's Guide to Murder, just with more F words.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

You know what I mean there. It's not like it felt super adult to me. And the other thing I will say is I honestly didn't really like Jet's character until the very end of the book. She bugged me so bad for some reason. But I did enjoy. I always enjoy Holly Jackson's writing. I think if you're wanting a thriller that is a little bit more light and fluffy than other thrillers, I think her writing is great for that. But like I said, I just think I was expecting something a little bit more shocking and adult from this one.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

But it was. It was a great change of pace.

[Mikayla]

So.

[Kennedy]

Do you want me to go?

Sure.

I'm gonna go with, like, a 3.5. I out of all Polly Jackson's books, this one is my least favorite. And I. I wasn't expecting this to be, like, a super incredible book. I mean, I've always enjoyed her other books, but I didn't. I mean, it's not like I went in with too high of expectations, but maybe I did. Yeah. Like, kind of what Kennedy said. I just don't feel like if you've read any of her other books, you just know how wild some of the plot twists are, and, like, they're just kind. It's all. I don't know.

It's.

It's really fun because it's a little outlandish, but in a way that makes sense, if that makes sense. But I just was not Getting that with this book. And I kind of feel like a few things were a little predictable. I wasn't, like, super shook by anything, and I was expecting to. Based off her other books. I think I was just kind of going in expecting, like, okay, this is gonna take me for a ride. And, you know, it just felt like a pretty. Like a pretty mid roller coaster of a ride. Like I was enjoying it. And then it was over. And then I was like, oh, that was it. Okay. But, like, there's still things I loved about it. Like, I don't. I don't think I've really cried reading a thriller before, but this book made me cry. And I was still, like, on the edge of my seat, but anytime I was like, oh, we're about to, like, get this crazy plot twist, I was kind of like, oh, yeah. Um, I can go into more of that with, like, my faves and least faves. But I did enjoy reading it. I think I was just a little let down by the way some of the things went. But a really cool concept, like, intrigued from the start. I literally went back to the first chapter, you guys, multiple times, because I was like, I want to try and figure this out. And so I went back to try to read it. So I was really understanding what everyone was doing at the fair on Halloween. Maybe that's why I didn't enjoy it so much, because I was really dissecting it. I don't know why, but, yeah, I did read, like, a pretty adult book or young adult book.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So I was kind of excited. I was kind of hoping it would be a little more, like, scary, crazy, kind of thrillery, and it just wasn't.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So still love Holly Jackson and her writing, and I will always read any book she writes. And 3.5 is still a decent rating. I think I. Just. A little. A little let down.

Yeah.

Unfortunately.

[Reggie]

I'm probably gonna give it three.

[Kennedy]

The audiobook, straight up, just took me out of it.

[Reggie]

It was. I had no other option but to listen to it.

[Kennedy]

So you listen to the whole thing.

[Reggie]

I listened to the whole thing.

[Kennedy]

Oh, here I think.

I'm so sorry.

I listened to, like, maybe two chapters, and I was like, I can't.

[Reggie]

And my three stars is very generous.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

With how awful the audiobook narration was. It was. It was really bad. I don't know why. That's the direction either the audiobook narrator chose to take or the production company chose to take or Holly Jack's itch. The thing is, is it's marketed as an adult thriller. Book. But all of the voices were, like, young adult voices. Like.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Reggie]

They were 12 years old.

[Kennedy]

Oh, my gosh. Do you guys know what I'm talking about?

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Like, I was kind of like JoJo Siwa meets Rugrats.

[Reggie]

Well, I also. I don't know if you guys have ever seen pets.

[Kennedy]

Secret Life of Pets.

[Mikayla]

Yes.

[Reggie]

Like that poodle.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, it's literally that.

[Reggie]

On my tv, that's what the mom sounded like. Was that poodle, like, the raspy, nasally, like, complaining voice? Yeah, it was. It was just. It was a really, really hard book to enjoy. It really was because of the audiobook. I mean, it was a really cool premise. I actually wish it was done in a different way, but I will get. I don't know if you want me to elaborate.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Reggie]

I kind of wish.

[Mikayla]

She.

[Reggie]

I think why it also felt very young adult was because her family was so, like, involved.

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Reggie]

Like, she lived at home, which I understand. Like, with her. I forget what illness or sickness she had.

[Kennedy]

Oh, she had kidney disease at home.

[Reggie]

Yes, she was. Because she was, like, not.

[Kennedy]

Not doing.

[Reggie]

Not doing great. But I almost wish, like, the family aspects wasn't a part of it because I feel like that was almost like a crutch.

[Kennedy]

Like, she.

[Reggie]

I wish she wasn't as close with, like, her brother and wasn't as close with, like, her dad, because then I feel like it would have made it more high.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Reggie]

High risk. Or, like, because I automatically knew that it wasn't gonna be the brother, it wasn't gonna be the sister. Like, I was like, they're just too close. And I was like, I know they probably have motives for other things, but I knew that they weren't the killer. I don't know. I don't know. I just. I don't know. I just really struggled with it. I really had a hard time with it.

[Kennedy]

And it's just a bummer because it's like, if maybe the audiobook had been done better, you maybe would have enjoyed.

[Reggie]

Well, I just. Yeah, maybe.

[Kennedy]

And I don't know if I would have. Maybe. That makes me sound like a hater. I just.

I just. I think that, like. Yeah, sorry, continue.

I think I just was expecting something different. I, I, I just felt like when it was marketed as an adult novel, I just was expecting something different than what it was.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I. I think maybe I would have enjoyed it just, like, a teensy bit more if it was, like, a more adult narrator. I think it would have made the experience a little bit more maybe. My generous three would just be a solid three instead of a generous three.

[Kennedy]

So, yeah, I got you.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I really. I'm not trying to be mean to audiobook that audiobook narrator, but I did go back and like, I went and looked at some of the books she's narrated and she's narrated, actually a lot of books. I didn't listen to, like, any of them. I should have maybe, like, listened to the sample because I feel like the narrator voice that she had was fine.

[Kennedy]

The voices.

[Reggie]

The voices were not fine. But anyways, she narrated, has narrated a couple children's books, and I was like, it makes sense.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I don't know.

[Kennedy]

And no shade to the. Like Mikaela said, no shade to the audiobook narrator. I could never be an audiobook narrator. My voice would sound horrific reading a book. So her voice sounds better than mine. It just wasn't my favorite voice that I've ever listened to.

[Reggie]

So.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Anyways, let's move on, shall we?

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Reggie]

Should we maybe say. I mean, let's just go through our dislikes first. We'll end on a happier note with our favorite.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, love that.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

I don't know if we want this included in like dislikes, but, like, I kind of want to ask the question of, like, who did you think did it from the start?

We can talk about that in the dislikes or do you want to kind of. Because it's kind of a part of maybe my dislikes.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

So question before we start that. Who did you guys. Who was your number first suspect when you started the book?

The sister in law. Because originally when we started this whole thing, the whole thing started and Jet was in the hospital, all this was going down. The sister in law was nowhere to be found ever. And I thought to myself, where is she? Why isn't she there? And then in my brain, I was trying to remember what the baby dressed up as and maybe what the baby's costume was, is how that the fiber ended up on Jet. And I didn't go back and reread the first chapter, obviously, but I thought for sure she had killed her. Which, honestly, I wasn't exactly wrong because she switched the dad's medication with salt, which was insane.

Insane.

That part was a great plot twist. Yeah, she could be a killer, but yeah, the sister in law was in. Was the only suspect, I thought. And then once we found out she switched the medication, I just was there for the vibes. I stopped trying to figure it out.

[Reggie]

I. I think I just thought she was a B word. Oh, well, the Only reason I didn't.

[Kennedy]

Think it was her is because they were taller.

[Reggie]

They explicitly said that the killer was taller.

[Kennedy]

But Jet's super short. She's like five two. She's really, really short.

[Reggie]

Oh, was she?

[Kennedy]

I think she's super short.

[Reggie]

I don't remember that. I just remember it was like they said there's no way it could be.

[Kennedy]

A female, but maybe that would have.

[Reggie]

Been like a better plot twist.

[Mikayla]

Oh, yeah.

[Kennedy]

Like, actually is a female.

[Reggie]

It was.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

My first suspect was Luke because.

[Reggie]

I.

[Kennedy]

Just didn't feel like very strongly about it being the Andrew guy or her boyfriend because that just seemed. I just feel like we didn't know enough about the Andrew guy and any of his motives at the very, very beginning. And then her boyfriend, I was just like, there's just no way. Like, if the cops think that's who it's going to be, it's not gonna actually be. Yeah, but he picks up the wig at the fair.

The boyfriend?

No, her brother Luke. So you know how they find the hairs. He like, picks up the wig that what's his bucket was wearing, hands it to him. And I, for some reason I just remembered that. And so I was like, oh, okay, maybe Luke. And because, you know, he was kind of obsessed with a bunch of other things. So I was speculating him from the start, but it changed three different times.

[Reggie]

I kind of just had no thoughts in my brain about it. But I. I really. Okay, this was the plot twist I was expecting. Was it to be Billy?

[Mikayla]

Yeah, yeah.

[Reggie]

Because I just kept. I was like, I lowkey didn't want to be, but I kind of did at the same time. Just because of how much like, Jet has like, blown him off. Like he had motive. Like he had all this, like, built up anger, resentment.

[Kennedy]

I kind of took it as he was like, kind of obsessed with her.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kennedy]

Like, he was really obsessed her. And I don't know if you guys caught this when you were reading the first time, but when she's looking in his closet, she mentioned something about, like, how she. She finds a toolbox. She doesn't. Can't see what she's looking for, but, like, there's something about a toolbox in his closet. It's mentioned very briefly in the beginning when she gets to his apartment. And I was like. Immediately I was like, oh, it's Billy. So I thought it was Billy for a good chunk of the time. And I was kind of like, how is this Billy?

[Reggie]

Yeah, but I surprise, it's his dad. I actually didn't see his dad coming at all.

[Kennedy]

But at the same time, I don't really like it.

[Reggie]

I don't like it. But I also, like, I didn't see it coming. But also I just like, okay, it makes sense.

[Kennedy]

But I think. I mean, do you want to share who else you thought it was?

Yeah. Okay. So. Well, I was thinking Billy, because. And I was writing notes as I was going along. I was like, if it's him, she's going to find out by finding his toolbox. And the camera's missing. And it had been mentioned twice about how much taller he was than her. And I thought because. Because, like, they're walking. Like, when they were holding hands, she talks about, like, how much taller he is than her. I was like, why are they bringing this up, like, multiple times? So I was thinking maybe he had, like, a split personality, obsessed with her. But then when there was kind of that weird thing. I can't remember what was mentioned. Something about her mom. There was something about her mom and his dad that was kind of mentioned. And I was like, wait a second. He probably had an affair with her mom.

Oh, when she didn't vote for him to be.

Yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Mikayla]

That.

[Kennedy]

Not sheriff, chief, whatever.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Head police guy.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, yeah.

[Reggie]

Head deputy or whatever.

[Kennedy]

Something.

[Reggie]

I don't know.

[Kennedy]

So once I kind of got an inkling that I was like, oh, he had an affair. Then I was like, okay, it's Billy's dad, and he's just kind of waiting for her to die.

[Mikayla]

Um.

[Kennedy]

So. But that wasn't like. It was only a couple chapters before you actually found out who it was. I think that I pieced that together. I still am trying to remember, why did he go to Billy's and get the hammer? Because he just needed a murder weapon.

I don't think it's ever told.

That's what I was confused because he drops off the guy that lives under.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So then he just was like, I'm going to go grab. I don't know. I'm a. Details on the whole.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Because it was very, like, a little weird, sudden, like, the ending.

[Kennedy]

She literally dies right after.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. I don't. I didn't love the ending.

I don't think he ever says. And when Billy confronts his dad, I don't think the dad ever says how it all went down.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I think Billy just kind of gives him the monologue of, like, here's why you did it. Yeah, but not necessarily.

[Mikayla]

Maybe.

[Kennedy]

I think he mentions briefly. He says something about after you dropped him. I just Was. I just remember ending the book and being like, wait, why did he go into Billy's house and specifically say, I'm gonna grab this hammer? I don't know, but yeah. Did you guys have any other suspects?

No. What if Mikayla's entering the killer's mind?

[Reggie]

Yeah, I am. What if it actually was Billy? But then he said all of this monologue with the brother to frame. To frame his dad.

[Kennedy]

That would be a great ending, to be honest.

[Reggie]

I mean.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I mean, he did confess to it in the monologue.

He did. But still, that would have been a great ending.

That would have been an interesting.

That would have been a good ending, you know?

[Reggie]

No, I just. I think I'm just. Some of it, I'm like, well, how did he get the murder weapon? How did he. Cuz was it.

[Kennedy]

Well, he had a key, you know, I. I was.

[Reggie]

The whole plan to frame his son, he probably was.

[Kennedy]

He was just in a rage, wanted to protect his other son. I think the hard part about writing thrillers, and we've talked about this before, is thrillers, romance novels, whatever. There's an. You have to be so realistic. There can't be anything that's super convoluted unless it's a paranormal thriller or a fantasy book. And so I think that's what it does thriller writers a disservice because as readers, we almost overly dis. At least me, I overly dissect thrillers. And when things aren't realistic, it immediately.

Like, you want every question.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Like, it ended and I'm like, oh, my gosh.

Which is not fair to thriller authors. But also at the same time, they should be thinking about those tiny little things because I'm sure we're not the only people having that question. Or maybe it is answered in the book and all three of us missed it.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, that could happen.

[Kennedy]

Little thing like, and you went to my bar and grabbed the hat mat. I was just like, wait, why did he. I don't know. But yeah, dislikes. I will say one of my dislikes. I just kind of hated how sudden the ending was. Like, I knew she was gonna just like, suddenly die. So that, like, wasn't surprising to me. But I don't know if I loved how every, like, it just felt like the classic little monologue thing.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. Of.

[Kennedy]

You know, and I liked that Billy figured it out. I also, I mean, this is a like. But I kind of really liked that she was dying not knowing who the killer was. And she was like, he was saying, it's me. It's me. Like, just so she could. Like that. I really, actually really like that. But I didn't like how after that happened, it was like, immediately Billy figuring it all out before telling us and then just, like, confronting his dad. And it was just the. This big monologue thing. I was like, I know. I feel like a lot of thrillers kind of do that in, like, in movies.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

It's like, you got to have, like, the big monologue.

You have the knives out, and you.

Have, like, there's a wire or there's someone listening in. I don't know if I loved that, but I do think it was kind of cool that, you know, even though I didn't love the ending, it was kind of abrupt with the doorstep thing, which I kind of liked. But I don't know, something about the monologuing and how sudden that was, was just not.

Oh, yeah.

How I wanted it to, like, God, the dad gets.

[Reggie]

Luke, shoots the dad at the end. Oh, yeah, I forgot about that.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. Yeah, I forgot about that.

[Reggie]

So Luke is going to jail.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Every single member of that family should go to jail.

Yeah.

I. I think one of my least favorite parts. And this. The book would not be the same without it, so I understand why it is that way. I just honestly didn't really enjoy the whole. It's like we were trying to solve Jet's murder, and then all of a sudden, in the middle of the book, now we're trying to solve her sister's murder. It wasn't actually an accident. I didn't really love that, but I understand how it kind of played into the. Oh, Luke is a murderer. He killed the sister. But I get how it's all interwoven to kind of dive. It's almost like, look here. But actually, what's really. What's happening is actually over here. You know what I mean? It's a diversion.

[Reggie]

I.

[Kennedy]

And all thrillers do it. But for some reason, that whole aspect I didn't really love. But also, how do you write the book without that? I don't know. I don't have the answer to that.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

No. I feel like it was kind of, like, bouncy.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. It's almost. I kind of. I just honestly don't think I'm a big thriller reader, because I know family drama is just a big trope in the thriller genre, and I don't think I like that.

Yeah, sometimes it can work, and other times it's just a little.

It was a little much for me. But I would say, honestly, that's probably my biggest dislike. That and the fact that Jet bugged me so bad. I don't know why. She just. I just didn't really love her character.

Can we talk about how. I mean, I thought it was really interesting being in her mind in the beginning, like, when she's waking up in the hospital. But could we just talk about, like, I did not like this aspect of it, how she literally just has this traumatic, like, literally almost dies, has this major brain surgery, and then just walks out of the hospital. Like, no big deal. Like, I know she was. Had all these, like, symptoms, but it was kind of crazy to me that after all that, she was just, like, walking around just trying to solve her own murder. I was like, I don't know. I know she was, like, really overexerting herself, but still, that just seemed, like, not realistic to me. But maybe that is realistic. I've never had brain surgery before.

I mean, if I only had seven days to live, I'd be up and out of that hospital.

[Mikayla]

Oh, yeah.

[Kennedy]

I just thought. To me, I was like, wait, is she seriously okay?

[Mikayla]

Yes.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I don't know. I don't know. I feel like I've covered a lot of my dislikes. I'm sorry. I apologize. I. Yeah, I ditto to everything you guys said.

[Kennedy]

I'm trying to think if there's anything that, like, specifically bugs me, but it's kind of hard with thrillers to, like, pinpoint things. Exactly. Because then you could say, I dislike this part of it. But then how would you have done things differently, you know?

But you can dislike something and not have an answer to it. You can just not jibe with it, you know?

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Do we want to move into likes?

Yeah, actually have.

I do have some likes. There's some really positive things that I liked about this book. I. Michaela kind of briefly mentioned this. I thought it was such a cool premise for a book. The fact that she has. I was worried reading the plot and knowing that it was kind of like she's solving her own murder. I was already worried it was going to be a day. Repeating thriller. That's what I thought it was going to be. So starting to read it and finding out that she's got a day. She's terminal. I guess, for lack of better words, was really refreshing because I've never read a thriller like that.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So the premise was so cool. And honestly, my whole favorite part of the books of the book was the letters at the end. It honestly. So I hated Jet. The hate is a strong Word. I disliked jet throughout the book. But then I read the letters, and immediately I liked her. It was just a weird flip of the switch and kind of like what Reggie said. I've never cried reading a thriller. But hold on. Reading the letters, honestly, Reggie's letter. The dog made me cry. Woof. Woof.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

But my favorite letter was to the sister in law.

[Mikayla]

Same.

[Kennedy]

You flip the page, and it's just, boom. I was giggling on the treadmill. So I would say that was probably my favorite part because it brought in such an. It brought emotional depth to the book. And I don't think a lot of thrillers have that emotional depth, but that this one did have that.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So that, honestly, is probably my favorite part. And also just Holly Jackson's writing. She just. You know exactly what you're gonna get with her books, which I appreciate.

[Mikayla]

Mm.

[Kennedy]

She has a way of making thrillers light but for the specific one. And I wanted. I wanted to be a little bit more dark.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So very page Turner.

[Mikayla]

Y.

[Kennedy]

It's Michaela's phrase from our interview with Ali Carter.

[Reggie]

Paige Turner.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Sorry. Go ahead, Miguel.

Oh.

[Reggie]

I think my favorite part, Even though my subconscious and, like, I wanted Billy to be the murderer, I think it was really fun that he got to have this, like, week with someone he really liked. Depressing. But I think I liked that part the most. And just, like, I could just see it because Jett is a very wild, outlandish person. Very, like, she's very outspoken, and I see Billy as being, like, a little bit more like Shire and just, like, going along with all Judd's ideas. I could just. I could see it being actually a pretty good movie.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

You know, and so I think it. That was my, like, favorite part to see, like, how Billy was just, like, getting to hang out with this person that he really liked and adored. But I feel like that would be really hard, too. Like, I'm curious what she looks like.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, she's got this big old wrap on her head. I loved the scene when they first start hanging out, and she finally gives in and goes and listens to him sing at the bar, and she has this realization. Wait, he's actually good.

And then she's like, oh, this is.

She's clueless. I'm like, girl, this song is clearly about you, and you just have no idea. I. I really liked that whole scene with Millie.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I think that. Yeah, that was my favorite part.

[Mikayla]

So.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I like both of those things a lot, too. The letter. Letter writing. Wipe a tear from my eye. That Was really sweet. I don't know why. The part that made me cry the most was before she even started writing letters, when he's like, how much paper do you need? And she was like, a lot. I was like, literally talking. Wait, wait, she talking to Billy's dad at that point?

Yes.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Oh, my gosh. And poor Billy. Her murder had to watch her die twice. Like, literally. That was so heartbreaking. And I'm not saying that was my favorite part, but, like, I. There was a part in the book where I was a little worried that she was gonna survive.

[Reggie]

I wanted her to survive.

[Kennedy]

Well, I did. But, like, I was just like, don't have this. Be like, this thriller that just, like, ends all like. And everything was okay, the end, because it's just not realistic. I was like, it wouldn't make sense that she miraculously, like, survives. I was a little worried she was going to, even though I wanted her to. I kind of liked the knowing that I might not know who the killer is right now, but it was kind of as sad and morbid as it sounds. I was like, there's gonna be a point where she's gonna die. And, like, that kind of kept me on the edge of my seat of, like, when is that gonna happen? And I kind of liked that. Even though I was getting a little lost and let down by some things within the plot, there was still this, like, really high stakes of, like, she's got figured out before time's up.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Which I really enjoyed. And I think that just made the book so much more fun because had. Had she survived. And they were like, okay. Yep. We just had to do this brain surgery, piece your head back together. You're good to go. I think having that, like, higher stakes of, like.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Just made it a little more of an exciting read.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Even though that sounds like. So.

No, no, I agree.

[Reggie]

But that's what you get when you're getting a thriller.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

You know, like, things are going to be a little bit more morbid. Not everything's going to be a happy ending. So.

[Kennedy]

No, I agree with what you said. But weirdly, once again, with Holly Jackson's thrillers, you read them, and yet none of the thrillers are very. They're not usually happy endings, but you don't leave her books feeling icky. You know, I've read some thrillers that you finish, and you're just like, let me go take a really hot shower to just scrub the grime off my body and my brain. But these ones, I. I finished it. And while it was a very abrupt ending and a sad ending because Glocka, Glocka. I didn't feel gross, you know?

[Mikayla]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Which. Okay, going back just a tiny bit, if you guys were laying in the hospital and you were given the choice that Jet had to, like, risk it and get the surgery and maybe live or have seven days to live, which would you choose? That's an impossible choice.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

If I didn't have anything pressing, I probably would choose the surgery because I'm like, if I'm really going to die, and this one at least gives me some chance to live, I maybe would do the surgery. But I understood what I mean. Pressing wise is like, she wanted to figure out who murdered her. If that was, like, not on the table, I probably would.

[Kennedy]

I feel like it would get the surgery. Be a lot nicer to die in surgery when you're already unconscious.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Have the most explosive headache of your life.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

The double vision kept getting me. When she's like, I see four buildings.

I just, like, my thing. I literally laid awake at night, like, thinking about this, because I was like, a part of me. Where I'm at in life right now, a part of me would want to give my kids, like. Like, let me have just this time with my family, you know, and, like, give them, like, have a really good, enjoyable time with my family. But then a part of me is like, I would want to fight to be there for my kids. So maybe it's impossible.

[Reggie]

It is.

[Kennedy]

It is. Literally, don't make me choose that unless I actually have to.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I don't know what I would choose.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I have no idea. Oh, it would be hard. Heartbreaking.

[Reggie]

It makes me ill to think about, actually.

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Anything else in the book you guys wanted to. Any plot? I will say I did see Luke as the killer of the first sister. That seemed a little obvious to me.

[Mikayla]

I.

[Kennedy]

And I think it was just because, like, the second I knew, it was just the two of them playing in the water and Lucas had that. Those anger issues. But I was curious. I'm like, how did he know? I had the same question Jet had, like, how or Billy had. How did he know to, like, put her. Which led me to.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I just didn't really think that the sister's death was gonna be a part of it. Like, when I got finally, like, brought up, and I was like, oh, why we're revisiting this? Like, I just didn't think it.

[Kennedy]

I just thought, which in the beginning of the book, does it specifically, like, I felt like it Took a while to kind of figure out what happened to her.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Because, like, I just knew she had a sister that passed away. And I'm like, wait, what? I feel like it took a while to kind of figure.

That's why it was my Lee. One of my least favorite parts is because it randomly showed back up in the middle of the book. And I don't know, I. I think for me, my biggest question is, so did Luke tell his husband or his. Did Luke tell his dad that his wife was poisoning him? Or how did that conversation go down? How. How did that whole thing happen? And then did the dad ever find out that the mom had an affair? I just was like, hold on.

I don't like knowing how the book ends. I would just assume that Billy just has to like, say everything. Like, this is what happened. Luke would probably have to wait.

[Reggie]

Luke would be in jail.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, he would have been in jail anyways for freaking taxes.

[Reggie]

Wife would probably be in jail too.

[Kennedy]

I'm telling you, everyone in the family should go to jail.

[Reggie]

Do you think the dad should go to jail?

[Kennedy]

No, I'm just mostly the sister in.

[Reggie]

Law, the brother's sister in law.

[Kennedy]

And poor baby. I just kept feeling so sad.

Oh, yeah, little baby.

I was like, who is this baby? Who's gonna take care of this child? Because his. The mother is not. Well, her husband's going to jail. She should probably go to jail.

[Mikayla]

Yes.

[Kennedy]

Attempted murder.

[Reggie]

Like, that's actually psycho. Like actually so psycho.

[Kennedy]

But you know what? That happened. I feel like that happens all the Hoppins happens all the time. Where people, you know, family money, they want to inherit the business.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Well, it happens a lot in movies and tv. Probably not in real life, but it will.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I think the thing is, I'm sure the families know and have some clause about something in the will or the inheritance. Like if you're found out about doing something, you're cut, you're cut off. I think it's the most stupid thing to do. That also it's your like family members. Sorry.

[Kennedy]

Some people are greedy, man.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, they are.

[Kennedy]

So where does this. Does this all. Reggie mentioned that her. This is her least favorite Holly Jackson book. Where does it sit for you, Michaela?

[Reggie]

Probably my second least favorite.

[Kennedy]

What's your least least favorite?

[Reggie]

I think reappearance of Rachel Price.

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Reggie]

Is my least favorite so far. If I'm remembering all the books correctly.

[Kennedy]

I think this one is my least favorite. I think I would do this one. I'm lumping all good Girls Guide to.

[Reggie]

Murder in one Okay.

[Kennedy]

I can't remember the individual books. I would probably do this one. Reappearance of Rachel Price, 5 survive.

[Mikayla]

Good girls. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I honestly just can't probably switch 5.

Survive and reappearance of Radial Price. I don't know. But yeah, if you haven't read any other Holly Jackson books, it. Depending on how, like, if you really like this book, you'd really like her other ones. And if you didn't love this one and you haven't read her other ones, I would definitely give her other ones a shot.

[Reggie]

Yeah, for sure.

[Kennedy]

They're definitely. Even though they are young adult, they almost feel like a little more. I don't want to say outlandish, because I don't mean that in a negative.

Way, but the weird thing to me is I feel like five Survives content was more adult than this book was.

[Mikayla]

Yes.

[Kennedy]

But this one was labeled as adult and five Survive as young adult.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, it.

[Reggie]

Yeah, it's very interesting. I like the pace. I. I will say I also like the pacing of this book, like, because it's within a span of a few days, which is really nice. Same with, like, five survive. It's within 24 hours. 24 hours, which is really fun because you know there's gonna be things happening.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I will say I feel like her pacing is really great.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

And I think there's never a time where there's, like, a lull, so. Which I think is important in thriller books to keep your attention, keep you captivated, keep you questioning things. And she does a really, really good job of doing that.

[Kennedy]

Yes, she does.

[Reggie]

Um, okay, maybe let's. Let's answer the question of. Would you guys ever read this again?

[Kennedy]

No.

No.

[Reggie]

No.

[Kennedy]

But I kind of am like that with most thrillers, like, since, you know it. Since, you know, like, I don't know, it's just not. To me, it doesn't seem that fun to go back and, like, unless it's something that insane, like, totally blew my mind. I'm trying to think.

I think probably the only thriller I've ever read that I would reread again. One, because I read it so long ago, and two, it'd be interesting to read it with is the Silent Patient.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Well, I also wonder if I Maybe. Maybe I'll say maybe. I don't know if it would ever happen anywhere in the near future. Maybe, like, 10 years. Maybe I would need to, like, reread this to maybe give it a fair chance. Like.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Physically reading it versus, like, listening to it.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

But it probably wouldn't happen in a long, long, long time.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

So I would watch a movie of this.

Yeah.

So fast.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

You know what would be a five. Survive would be the craziest movie.

[Kennedy]

Give. Give it to a 24.

A 24. Oh, my God.

[Reggie]

Crazy.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

That would be nuts.

It would be kind of hard to film that though. Like, you know those movies that were like every. Because it takes place all in the same spot.

It would be you. It could be a pretty low budget movie. Yeah.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

One set on a bus.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

This episode is brought to you by JCPenney. Yes. JCPenney. And if you've been there recently, you know it's the place to go for jaw dropping looks at brag worthy prices. They've got something special for every style and budget. Not to mention rewards and deals that make finding those hidden gems even sweeter. If you already shop JCPenney, you're already in on the secret. But if not, it's time to ask. Wait, am I sleeping on JCPenney? Shop JCPenney.com, yes, JCPenney us.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

So good RV.

[Reggie]

Oh.

[Kennedy]

Which now that we're talking about movies, let's talk about our fan casts.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I also think. Do we never say this? Do we like sharing who we think should produce? Like, if. Who would produce it and like, in what format? Like TV show.

Oh, we can start doing that.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, that would be fun.

[Kennedy]

Let's start doing that.

Because I almost see this being like a. Like a Netflix short miniseries. Miniseries. Like each episode is like a day, 30 minutes by the day. And it would be like kind of how the book was split up.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

It'd be like November 6th.

I could see Amazon prime doing it.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

A Prime or a Netflix.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Is what I would stick with.

[Reggie]

No, I agree with that.

[Kennedy]

So, like, I will say that because the actors I'm gonna pick are going to probably be based off of like that. That kind of caliber of.

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Does that make sense?

[Reggie]

Yeah, yeah, for sure.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I only have a fan cast for Jet.

Okay.

And as per usual, I went to my cast and this was our. This was one of the, like, most picked. Do you guys know who Haley Lou Richardson is?

[Mikayla]

No.

[Reggie]

She's on White Lotus.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I think she could do really well. Mostly because for some reason, the voice.

[Reggie]

Actor kind of gives off the same vibes. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

I also think she could just play the character really well. I could see her playing someone who.

Yeah.

Is a little rough around the edges.

Speaking.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

It doesn't take crap from anybody, but is like Deep down. A little cinnamon roll. I. And she could play the emotional parts really well. I. That is my fan cast. Haley Lou Richardson.

[Reggie]

That's mine, too.

[Kennedy]

Love it.

I feel honored.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. Yeah, that's mine.

[Kennedy]

She'd be great.

She would. I don't know why.

[Reggie]

I. I know she's blonde, but I kept picturing someone with dark hair.

[Kennedy]

And.

[Reggie]

I can't remember her name. She's in the one that has very unique features.

[Kennedy]

Anya Taylor. Joy.

[Reggie]

No, she.

[Kennedy]

Is she. Dark hair.

[Reggie]

Yeah, she has dark hair. She's in. What's that? Video game.

[Kennedy]

Oh.

Ella Purnell.

[Reggie]

That's who I kept picturing.

[Kennedy]

You know what? She would be good, too.

[Reggie]

But I know, like, she's described as having blonde, short hair, but girl, put.

[Kennedy]

A blonde wig on.

[Reggie]

Yeah, that's true. So that's who I was. Like, get a cast. But I think it's because her features, they're stunning. They're great. They're so unique. I think she would just bring an element of, like, thrillery things to it. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

Have you ever. You had. There's no way you've seen this. Have you seen Yellow Jackets? No, that's like a horror thriller and she's one of the stars. I watched two episodes and couldn't keep going.

[Reggie]

Couldn't keep going.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Who's yours?

[Reggie]

Reggie.

[Kennedy]

I'm gonna go with Maya Hawk.

Oh, she would be good, too.

[Mikayla]

She would.

[Kennedy]

Well, she's my Hawk.

She's got to be around the same age.

The same age? Yeah. Because isn't Jet like, 20?

She doesn't have, like.

I think Jet is 27.

[Reggie]

I think so, too.

[Kennedy]

She doesn't have, like, super blonde hair or anything, but, like, she could pull it off.

You could die.

And I feel like she just. I mean, from things I've seen her in, I think she would do a really great job.

Yeah.

The family drama.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

The taking, no bs, just like, kind of sarcastic attitude.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I would say Maya Hawk.

[Reggie]

I also. I just think there's actually quite a bit of actresses that would do actually a really good job with this little scream Queensland. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Like a scream queen moment.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I don't know. I just. I think it's. It would definitely be a difficulty, though. Like, I feel like a lot of actresses would want to take on the role, maybe, because I think it would do good, but also it would have the difficulties with, like, her, like, slowly, like.

[Kennedy]

Good point. You can't move her. She can't move her arms.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

So I think, I don't know, maybe some People would like it because it would be a little bit of a challenge to like not use some of your body parts and like. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I don't know.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I think it'd be cool. It would be cool to see it on the screen, like on the tv. I think it would be a really good TV show, especially with all of the elements with the sister in law, the brother.

[Kennedy]

You could have flashbacks.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

A little bit of romance. Yeah, it would be a great TV show.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Do you guys have any other fan?

[Kennedy]

I have one for Billy. I wouldn't say he's the best option, but like he came to my brain because I was kind of thinking like, mostly because I was like, it's got to be someone who can sing because I don't like when they dub sing. Good point. I was thinking KJ Apa. Oh, yeah, he was in. He sings in Riverdale and he sings that movie that like made me sob my eyes out. I can't remember what it is called. Anyways, he's like a musician and there's a musician. Oh, actually, I think I know you're talking about. I can't remember.

[Reggie]

I can't remember either, but I can picture it.

[Kennedy]

It kind of gives like a walk to remember vibes.

[Mikayla]

Yes. Yes. Yeah. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I was thinking like KJ Appa.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I don't. I have. He's. He's a blurry image in my brain. Billy.

[Kennedy]

Well, and I just saw like a picture of him with like a shaved head. I kind of like that vibe.

Oh, Billy's got curly hair. But KJ Appa with the best head.

Yeah, I know, but I'm just kind of like, wait, I haven't seen. But yeah, he could do. Please, not red hair.

Wait, what's a long haired picture? Go back.

Oh, was there a long hair picture?

[Mikayla]

It's.

[Kennedy]

He looks a little rugged.

Yeah, that's. That's great.

You know, he could give off like. Oh, is he a killer? Is he just a sweet little golden retriever?

Yeah, he could play it well. Yeah, he could.

I just don't want him to have red hair, you know?

[Mikayla]

No.

[Reggie]

Red hair.

[Kennedy]

Fake red hair. Not.

They always not a redhead, guys. I thought he was a redhead for the longest time.

Oh, really?

Because he just had red.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kennedy]

That's all he had been in.

[Reggie]

Well, and it went for so many seasons and it should have stopped. It should.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

A little more like this, you know?

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I think that's a great pick. That's a great pick.

I'll stand by that.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

I like that.

I didn't have anyone else.

[Reggie]

I didn't either.

[Kennedy]

Me either. There was. There was just too many characters. There was probably 12 people we could have.

[Reggie]

Well, there's also not a lot that I felt like super strongly about.

[Kennedy]

Like they stand out.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Or stand out.

[Reggie]

Or like, I just don't envision someone like super specifically. So kind of like I said, there would be a lot of characters. Like I wouldn't be disappointed with pretty much any casting that they chose.

[Mikayla]

So.

[Reggie]

Yeah. So now we're gonna pick our book club book. And the book club pick that we picked randomly with a bowl and pieces of paper is.

[Kennedy]

Drumroll.

[Reggie]

Immortal Consequences by Ivy Marie. Marie.

[Kennedy]

Marie. I think. I'm pretty sure it's a trial fantasy book. The back of the book says six Rivals.

Rivals one Victor. Something like that. Something about eternity. We don't like reading the back of books, but you know, it was so old.

[Reggie]

It is so beautiful.

[Kennedy]

And it was one of our book or it was our book of the month pick.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And it is a beautiful book.

[Mikayla]

Beautiful.

[Kennedy]

It's pink and black.

Beautiful. I love it. We're excited.

So join us for September. It will be really good.

[Reggie]

Really, really excited to see how we feel about it because I feel like sometimes with fantasy books it can be hit or miss or it could be we have different differing opinions, which would be kind of surprising. But it makes it fun. Kind of like what was the one book. No, the first book to Rebel. Witch. Heartless Hunter.

[Kennedy]

Heartless Hunter.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I was in the minority, but it's okay.

[Reggie]

It's okay.

[Kennedy]

And you know, this book is. Has recently gained some traction on TikTok. As of right now, I haven't seen a lot, just that people are enjoying it. So it might be kind of nice to read a book that is hyped but not overly hyped at this point.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So join us. Join us as we read Immortal Consequences by Ivy Marie.

Next month.

This month, Whatever month.

[Reggie]

Super excited. Well, this was a really fun episode. I hope you guys liked it more than we did actually like. Or you maybe you feel the same about not quite dead yet. I'm curious to hear your thoughts. So if you guys have any thoughts or feelings, agree, disagree, Send us a message. We'd love to hear your guys thoughts about the book and we'll see you guys next week. Bye.