Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company, Mulholland Books for an ARC of I'll Quit When I'm Dead.

First, I want to say that I absolutely LOVED Johnny's story. I was completely captivated (and terrified) by the amazing details and world building. If the entire book had been dedicated to a more complete telling of Johnny's journey it would have been an easy 5 star read for me. Madison's story, on the other hand, was honestly just pointless. Trying to connect their stories felt forced and unnatural. It's like the author had two, wildly different, half-finished story ideas and just shoved them together in an effort to publish a book. Ultimately, a memorable read but one that sadly did not achieve its full potential.

3.5 stars

Omg just book was soooo good!!! Perfect so spooky season or not if you like horror! I ate it up! Thanh you NetGalley and publisher for early arc of this book!

Okay so I took a break from my darker reads and went back to this one afterwards and gosh was it a welcome home the suspense was everything.

“I’ll Quit When I’m Dead” was a really great horror fictional book! It also gave major psychological thriller vibes! This book was hard to put down and got me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. This was the first book that I have read by the author. The characters Johnny and Madison both struggle in completely different ways, yet both of them are equally understandable and relatable. Not only is this book mind boggling, it also comes with a dash of dark humor in it as well. These characters had a lot of depth to them!

This book is about Johnny struggling with drug addiction and Madison struggling with depression. These characters felt very real to me and I honestly cared about them and felt what all they were going through while reading this! It is captivating, thought provoking and had balanced perspectives! Be sure to read the trigger warnings before reading this. If you love a good psychological thriller horror book, this one is for you! Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Luke Smitherd and Little, Brown and Company | Mulholland Books for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is expected to be published on October 14, 2025!

Thanks to Little, Brown and Company/Mulholland Books and NetGalley for this ARC of 'I'll Quit When I'm Dead' by Luke Smitherd.

This appears to be an author with two very good novellas who (or his editor) had the idea to combine them into one novel. There is a very, very tenuous thematic and narrative link between the two parts but, for me, nowhere enough to knit them together.

Separately, they're four or five star reads - Johnny's story especially is really strong - but together they're so much less than the sum of their parts.

I just finished I’ll Quit When I’m Dead by Luke Smitherd, and it was a wild ride from start to finish. The novel is a fast-paced thriller that mixes dark humor, suspense, and a touch of the absurd. The protagonist, dealing with his own personal demons and a chaotic situation, is both frustrating and oddly relatable. Smitherd’s writing is sharp, with a raw, gritty edge that really pulls you into the story.

What I really appreciated was the blend of humor and tension—it’s not often you find a book that can make you laugh out loud while also keeping you on the edge of your seat. It’s a little unconventional, but in the best way. If you’re looking for something that’s quirky, unpredictable, and full of twists, I’ll Quit When I’m Dead is definitely worth checking out.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

4.5 stars rounded up. I loved this book! It follows two storylines. One is realistic, the other is supernatural. However, both stories give a constant sense of dread and a feeling that something is wrong, then something really bad happens, then the dread continues until something even worse happens. I loved it. The tension was there the whole time. There was never a lighthearted, comfortable moment, because that feeling of something being off was always lingering. Both stories had exciting endings with twists. I was fully invested in the storylines. I can't even pick which one I liked better. The characters were believable and I cared what happened to them. The pacing of the book was good and never lost my interest. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes horror. I've had another book from this author on my TBR for a while, and after reading this, I will definitely be bumping it up. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Great book! Couldn't stop reading it. Thank you for letting me read this in advance. I can't stop thinking about it. Searching more from this author now.

OMG! OMG! OMG! This book is an absolute hidden gem and a terrifyingly brilliant surprise that had me gripping the pages in sheer suspense! The psychological horror elements tap into the kind of deep, unsettling fears we don’t even realize we have, making for a story that lingers long after the final page. Madison and Johnny are two of the most flawed yet incredibly real characters I’ve read in a long time—both struggling in ways that make them painfully relatable, yet impossible to look away from.

Madison’s journey into the world of a grueling fitness boot camp starts off as a chance at reinvention, but quickly warps into something far more sinister. The eerie atmosphere, the cult-like mentality of the program, and the slow, creeping realization that something is very, very wrong had me on edge the entire time. Meanwhile, Johnny’s battle with addiction takes a horrifying turn as he’s forced into a nightmarish deal that preys on his every weakness. His desperation, the suffocating isolation, and the terrifying presence in his secluded retreat create a tense, claustrophobic dread that only intensifies as the story unfolds.

What makes this book truly exceptional is how it blends psychological torment with outright horror, making you question what’s real, what’s imagined, and just how far someone will go when backed into a corner. The pacing is relentless, the tension is razor-sharp, and the twists are both unexpected and utterly chilling. I won’t spoil how it all comes together, but let’s just say—this book is a ride you won’t see coming.

If you’re a fan of stories that shake you to your core and keep you up at night, this is a must-read. A massive thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company | Mulholland Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this incredibly unique and deeply unsettling novel. You won’t want to miss this one!

This is one of the best horror novels I’ve read in years. Smitherd has tapped into the darkest corners of the human psyche—our inability to escape addiction—and woven two separate but equally mind-blowing stories that will leave you haunted long after you turn the last page.

In I’ll Quit When I’m Dead, we meet Madison, who is struggling to find a reason to keep going. She’s depressed, unemployed, and has dropped out of university. When she reconnects with an old friend at the gym, she becomes obsessed with having what she has—leading her to No Days Off, a female-only boot camp that is wildly expensive and lasts for one month. The program’s charismatic leader, Ellie Fellows, is hiding something sinister. Her methods are brutal, manipulative, and far from trustworthy. Can Madison survive what she signed up for?

Meanwhile, we meet Johnny Blake, who is spiraling from a pill addiction after a devastating fall. Broke and out of options, he accepts free housing from a friend—only to discover that what lurks inside the house is anything but a safe haven. There’s a monster, and it is cutting straight to the darkest, most broken parts of Johnny’s soul.

This novel is scary, brilliant, and absolutely relentless. Smitherd masterfully blends psychological horror with real-life fears, crafting an experience that feels disturbingly real. I’ll Quit When I’m Dead cements Luke Smitherd as a major voice in horror to watch.

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