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I'm Not Done with You Yet
Some friends--and friendships--are worth killing for in this dark, twisty suspense novel by national bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto.
Jane is unhappy.
A struggling midlist writer whose novels barely command four figures, she feels trapped in an underwhelming marriage, just scraping by to pay a crippling Bay Area mortgage for a house--a life--she's never really wanted.
There's only ever been one person she cared about, one person who truly understood her: Thalia. Jane's best and only friend nearly a decade ago during their Creative Writing days at Oxford. It was the only good year of Jane's life--cobblestones and books and damp English air, heady wine and sweet cider and Thalia, endless Thalia. But then one night ruined everything. The blood-soaked night that should have bound Thalia to Jane forever but instead made her lose her completely. Thalia disappeared without a trace, and Jane has been unable to find her since.
Until now.
Because there she is, her name at the top of the New York Times bestseller list: A Most Pleasant Death by Thalia Ashcroft. When she discovers a post from Thalia on her website about attending a book convention in New York City in a week--"Can't wait to see you there!"--Jane can't wait either.
She'll go to New York City, too, credit card bill be damned. And this time, she will do things right. Jane won't lose Thalia again.
Jane is unhappy.
A struggling midlist writer whose novels barely command four figures, she feels trapped in an underwhelming marriage, just scraping by to pay a crippling Bay Area mortgage for a house--a life--she's never really wanted.
There's only ever been one person she cared about, one person who truly understood her: Thalia. Jane's best and only friend nearly a decade ago during their Creative Writing days at Oxford. It was the only good year of Jane's life--cobblestones and books and damp English air, heady wine and sweet cider and Thalia, endless Thalia. But then one night ruined everything. The blood-soaked night that should have bound Thalia to Jane forever but instead made her lose her completely. Thalia disappeared without a trace, and Jane has been unable to find her since.
Until now.
Because there she is, her name at the top of the New York Times bestseller list: A Most Pleasant Death by Thalia Ashcroft. When she discovers a post from Thalia on her website about attending a book convention in New York City in a week--"Can't wait to see you there!"--Jane can't wait either.
She'll go to New York City, too, credit card bill be damned. And this time, she will do things right. Jane won't lose Thalia again.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published August 17, 2023
About the author
Jesse Q. Sutanto
17 books5,561 followersJesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Jakarta and Singapore and sees both cities as her homes. She has a Masters degree from Oxford University, though she has yet to figure out a way of saying that without sounding obnoxious. She is currently living back in Jakarta on the same street as her parents and about seven hundred meddlesome aunties. When she's not tearing out her hair over her latest WIP, she spends her time baking and playing FPS games. Oh, and also being a mom to her two kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 932 reviews
September 13, 2023
Jesse Q. Sutanto is an astonishing author who can switch between genres, writing stunning thrillers and entertaining romance/murder mysteries that will make you laugh out loud.
I noticed some resemblances to her previous books, such as naming people or pets after Hollywood stars (in this book, she chose Clint Eastwood). Additionally, there's an auntie in this book who might be one of the key persons in the mystery.
This book is a twisty cat-and-mouse game about toxic girlfriends, obsession, killer instinct, and mental health, with several crazy characters.
Jane reminds us of our favorite Jane Doe character, with her sociopathic tendencies and social anxiety issues. She's stuck in a marriage, a dilapidated house that's draining their savings, and a writing job she's not succeeding in. She barely holds herself together and is on the brink of losing control.
Then she finds out that her friend Thalia, from their Creative Writing days at Oxford, will attend a book convention in New York after releasing her NY Times Bestseller, "A Most Pleasant Death," which seems to be written about their past friendship. Thalia cut her off after they experienced a tragic and bloody incident, which bonded them with a dangerous secret pact.
Seeing Thalia's face on Google searches gives Jane a purpose to reunite with her friend and never let her go. She doesn't consider her husband, who decides to accompany her to fly to New York, and she doesn't think through the fact that meeting an old friend will open a can of worms, bringing out her true face that she's been hiding behind a normal facade for years. What if her sweet, caring, social butterfly friend also keeps dangerous secrets that she never wants to know?
Overall, I'm rounding up 3.5 stars to 4. The beginning of the book was a little dragging, and spending time in a socially disturbed person's mind was an absolutely irritating experience. However, when I reached the second half, the smart twists and picking up the pace changed my mind. I enjoyed the rest of the smart moves and riveting pacing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this psychological thriller's digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I noticed some resemblances to her previous books, such as naming people or pets after Hollywood stars (in this book, she chose Clint Eastwood). Additionally, there's an auntie in this book who might be one of the key persons in the mystery.
This book is a twisty cat-and-mouse game about toxic girlfriends, obsession, killer instinct, and mental health, with several crazy characters.
Jane reminds us of our favorite Jane Doe character, with her sociopathic tendencies and social anxiety issues. She's stuck in a marriage, a dilapidated house that's draining their savings, and a writing job she's not succeeding in. She barely holds herself together and is on the brink of losing control.
Then she finds out that her friend Thalia, from their Creative Writing days at Oxford, will attend a book convention in New York after releasing her NY Times Bestseller, "A Most Pleasant Death," which seems to be written about their past friendship. Thalia cut her off after they experienced a tragic and bloody incident, which bonded them with a dangerous secret pact.
Seeing Thalia's face on Google searches gives Jane a purpose to reunite with her friend and never let her go. She doesn't consider her husband, who decides to accompany her to fly to New York, and she doesn't think through the fact that meeting an old friend will open a can of worms, bringing out her true face that she's been hiding behind a normal facade for years. What if her sweet, caring, social butterfly friend also keeps dangerous secrets that she never wants to know?
Overall, I'm rounding up 3.5 stars to 4. The beginning of the book was a little dragging, and spending time in a socially disturbed person's mind was an absolutely irritating experience. However, when I reached the second half, the smart twists and picking up the pace changed my mind. I enjoyed the rest of the smart moves and riveting pacing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this psychological thriller's digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
August 4, 2024
**4.5-stars rounded up**
Jesse Q. Sutanto has rapidly become one of my favorite authors in the last few years. I've read 9-novels from her and IMO, she has excelled in all three major genre spaces: Middle Grade, YA and Adult. That's impressive.
She's a freaking unicorn!
I'm Not Done with You Yet is an Adult Psychological Suspense novel. At it's heart, it's an intense story of a toxic friendship.
I thought it was fun and incredibly well-plotted. I flew through it so quickly. I just couldn't put it down!
In this story we mainly follow, Jane, a midlist writer, who is presently not exactly stoked with her life. Her marriage is passing, at best. Her career is essentially nonexistent and she feels like she is living a life she doesn't want.
Reflecting back on her best times, her happiest times, Jane always thinks about the start of her Creative Writing program at Oxford, and of Thalia. So much Thalia.
The girls were growing very close that first year. Thalia's friendship had a huge effect on Jane, but eventually other people started to get in between them.
Then on one particular night, tragedy struck and Thalia and Jane were there for one another. Jane assumed surviving this trauma would draw them closer together, but it actually had the opposite effect.
Thalia abruptly left school and Jane never heard from her again. Years have passed and Jane has never been able to track Thalia down. She's like a ghost.
That is until the day Jane spots Thalia's name at the top of the New York Times bestsellers list. And that's the only breadcrumb she needs.
From there, Jane easily discovers Thalia will soon be attending a Book Con in NYC. Jane will stop at nothing to get herself into that Con.
Even if it means selling her worldly-possessions in order to get funds enough to make the trip. Even if it means making up a fake story to sell her husband on the idea. Even if it means dragging along said husband, who she can barely stand most days. She's going.
Jane is excited about her mission. She's going to find Thalia again and once she does, she's never letting go.
Y'all, this is such a wild ride. There are a few different layers, including past and present timelines. The present, described above, provides the impetus for the main events. The past perspective follows the friendship, from their first meeting, until that final fateful night at Oxford.
The back and forth between the two timelines, beautifully builds out the bigger picture of this relationship. I was absolutely hooked. It's so intriguing.
Sutanto writes obsession incredibly well. In a way that makes you uncomfortable, yet you can't look away. Even though her thoughts were messed up, I was drawn to Jane. I was so willing to go on this journey with her.
The twists kept coming and as Part III began, I was floored. There was a reveal that I didn't see coming, not from a mile away. I think Sutanto had completely lured me into thinking everything was a steadfast, linear course to a particular ending, but life is rarely that way, is it?
These characters were really well done. Not just Jane and Thalia, but also the side characters, including Jane's husband. They felt believable.
This story kept me on my toes and engaged the entire way through. I thought it was fun that we got to follow two writers, who were at different levels of their career. This does discuss publishing a bit and I was curious how much of Sutanto's own experiences she brought to the page here.
I do feel like I enjoyed the present timeline a little more than the past, but everything included in the past perspective was necessary in understanding what was happening in the present. Obviously, Sutanto knows what she's doing.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a twisted and intense story of toxic friendship. Bonus points if you enjoy stories with a college setting, or stories that include insight into the publishing industry.
If you follow my reviews at all, it's no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Jesse Q. Sutanto. I will continue to pick up every single thing she writes. Keep 'em coming, Jesse!!
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I am really enjoying Sutanto in the Adult space. There's nothing she can't write!
Jesse Q. Sutanto has rapidly become one of my favorite authors in the last few years. I've read 9-novels from her and IMO, she has excelled in all three major genre spaces: Middle Grade, YA and Adult. That's impressive.
She's a freaking unicorn!
I'm Not Done with You Yet is an Adult Psychological Suspense novel. At it's heart, it's an intense story of a toxic friendship.
I thought it was fun and incredibly well-plotted. I flew through it so quickly. I just couldn't put it down!
In this story we mainly follow, Jane, a midlist writer, who is presently not exactly stoked with her life. Her marriage is passing, at best. Her career is essentially nonexistent and she feels like she is living a life she doesn't want.
Reflecting back on her best times, her happiest times, Jane always thinks about the start of her Creative Writing program at Oxford, and of Thalia. So much Thalia.
The girls were growing very close that first year. Thalia's friendship had a huge effect on Jane, but eventually other people started to get in between them.
Then on one particular night, tragedy struck and Thalia and Jane were there for one another. Jane assumed surviving this trauma would draw them closer together, but it actually had the opposite effect.
Thalia abruptly left school and Jane never heard from her again. Years have passed and Jane has never been able to track Thalia down. She's like a ghost.
That is until the day Jane spots Thalia's name at the top of the New York Times bestsellers list. And that's the only breadcrumb she needs.
From there, Jane easily discovers Thalia will soon be attending a Book Con in NYC. Jane will stop at nothing to get herself into that Con.
Even if it means selling her worldly-possessions in order to get funds enough to make the trip. Even if it means making up a fake story to sell her husband on the idea. Even if it means dragging along said husband, who she can barely stand most days. She's going.
Jane is excited about her mission. She's going to find Thalia again and once she does, she's never letting go.
Y'all, this is such a wild ride. There are a few different layers, including past and present timelines. The present, described above, provides the impetus for the main events. The past perspective follows the friendship, from their first meeting, until that final fateful night at Oxford.
The back and forth between the two timelines, beautifully builds out the bigger picture of this relationship. I was absolutely hooked. It's so intriguing.
Sutanto writes obsession incredibly well. In a way that makes you uncomfortable, yet you can't look away. Even though her thoughts were messed up, I was drawn to Jane. I was so willing to go on this journey with her.
The twists kept coming and as Part III began, I was floored. There was a reveal that I didn't see coming, not from a mile away. I think Sutanto had completely lured me into thinking everything was a steadfast, linear course to a particular ending, but life is rarely that way, is it?
These characters were really well done. Not just Jane and Thalia, but also the side characters, including Jane's husband. They felt believable.
This story kept me on my toes and engaged the entire way through. I thought it was fun that we got to follow two writers, who were at different levels of their career. This does discuss publishing a bit and I was curious how much of Sutanto's own experiences she brought to the page here.
I do feel like I enjoyed the present timeline a little more than the past, but everything included in the past perspective was necessary in understanding what was happening in the present. Obviously, Sutanto knows what she's doing.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a twisted and intense story of toxic friendship. Bonus points if you enjoy stories with a college setting, or stories that include insight into the publishing industry.
If you follow my reviews at all, it's no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Jesse Q. Sutanto. I will continue to pick up every single thing she writes. Keep 'em coming, Jesse!!
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I am really enjoying Sutanto in the Adult space. There's nothing she can't write!
June 15, 2023
3.5 rounded up
In the present day, Jane’s marriage to Ted is rather messy and not exactly a barrel of laughs. Jane should be writing, but instead she’s prevaricating and to her shock she discovers Thalia Ashcroft is now top of the New York Times bestseller list. Nine years ago Jane and Thalia meet at Oxford where both are on a Masters creative writing course at the University. The psychological thriller and bestseller “A most pleasant death“ appears to be based on their time at the University when Jane has a magic touch, when her writing shines, the light now fading to small indie
literary fiction. Here is golden Thalia hitting the big time with seven figure deals… Jane trawls social media which is set to private, then hits the jackpot with SusPensCon in New York City in six days time. See you there Thalia, not if I see you first Jane.
This novel definitely drags its heels at the start and makes me want to yell “get on with it“ and suggest the author should have paid attention in Jane and Thalia’s first class at Oxford. The message of Thalia’s magic and those that fall under her spell is repetitive and goes on way too much, as does Janes fish out of Oxford waters.
Then, thankfully, although we are quite a way in, it gets better and I mean way better as it goes along. There are some darkly good punchy plot twists which keep you guessing and it becomes entertaining cat/mouse, hunter/prey shenanigans. These are very unlikeable, deeply flawed but well portrayed characters and the toxic friendships are done extremely well. Jane’s husband Ted is an irritating person but maybe isn’t as bad as he seems alongside this lot. The sudden switch at 60 or so percent to Thalia’s point of you takes me by surprise, but we learn something that almost gives me whiplash!
Overall, once it gets going it’s a good read and one that fits perfectly when reclining by a pool on holiday.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Ps. Ms Sutano. Thanks for the ringing and hopefully ironic endorsement of us Brits. I’ll accept two of the comments but take issue with the terrible food. Now that HAS to be irony coming from an American 😂😂
In the present day, Jane’s marriage to Ted is rather messy and not exactly a barrel of laughs. Jane should be writing, but instead she’s prevaricating and to her shock she discovers Thalia Ashcroft is now top of the New York Times bestseller list. Nine years ago Jane and Thalia meet at Oxford where both are on a Masters creative writing course at the University. The psychological thriller and bestseller “A most pleasant death“ appears to be based on their time at the University when Jane has a magic touch, when her writing shines, the light now fading to small indie
literary fiction. Here is golden Thalia hitting the big time with seven figure deals… Jane trawls social media which is set to private, then hits the jackpot with SusPensCon in New York City in six days time. See you there Thalia, not if I see you first Jane.
This novel definitely drags its heels at the start and makes me want to yell “get on with it“ and suggest the author should have paid attention in Jane and Thalia’s first class at Oxford. The message of Thalia’s magic and those that fall under her spell is repetitive and goes on way too much, as does Janes fish out of Oxford waters.
Then, thankfully, although we are quite a way in, it gets better and I mean way better as it goes along. There are some darkly good punchy plot twists which keep you guessing and it becomes entertaining cat/mouse, hunter/prey shenanigans. These are very unlikeable, deeply flawed but well portrayed characters and the toxic friendships are done extremely well. Jane’s husband Ted is an irritating person but maybe isn’t as bad as he seems alongside this lot. The sudden switch at 60 or so percent to Thalia’s point of you takes me by surprise, but we learn something that almost gives me whiplash!
Overall, once it gets going it’s a good read and one that fits perfectly when reclining by a pool on holiday.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Ps. Ms Sutano. Thanks for the ringing and hopefully ironic endorsement of us Brits. I’ll accept two of the comments but take issue with the terrible food. Now that HAS to be irony coming from an American 😂😂
August 17, 2023
The story centers around Jane, who is convinced that she is a sociopath and is a moderately successful writer who is unhappy with her life. She’s in a mediocre marriage and lives in the Bay area in a house she can't afford.
The only thing that has ever brought her happiness is her friendship with her Oxford classmate Thalia. But their friendship came to an abrupt end after one terrible night. After that night, Thalia never returned to Oxford and it's been a decade since Jane has heard from her.
But one morning Jane spots Thalia’s name at the top of a bestseller list. Soon after, Jane learns that Thalia will be attending a book convention in NYC in only a week. After all this time, Jane is determined to have Thalia back in her life and will stop at nothing to ensure that it happens.
It may just be me but I really enjoy books with unlikeable characters, especially in thrillers. Something about abhorrent characteristics just makes a story more interesting and makes their actions more difficult to predict. This is especially true in I’m Not Done With You Yet. I don't think any of the characters have any likable qualities and it made the story that much more compelling.
I’m Not Done With You Yet is a dark, suspenseful read centered around toxic female friendships. Filled with dark humor and surprising twists, I found myself instantly pulled into the story and absolutely could not put it down until I finished it. I loved spending time in Jane’s twisted thoughts and I really liked the author's unique storytelling. This is my first read by Sutanto and I am looking forward to reading more by her.
I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jesse Q. Sutanto will be available on August 22. Many thanks to Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy.
The only thing that has ever brought her happiness is her friendship with her Oxford classmate Thalia. But their friendship came to an abrupt end after one terrible night. After that night, Thalia never returned to Oxford and it's been a decade since Jane has heard from her.
But one morning Jane spots Thalia’s name at the top of a bestseller list. Soon after, Jane learns that Thalia will be attending a book convention in NYC in only a week. After all this time, Jane is determined to have Thalia back in her life and will stop at nothing to ensure that it happens.
It may just be me but I really enjoy books with unlikeable characters, especially in thrillers. Something about abhorrent characteristics just makes a story more interesting and makes their actions more difficult to predict. This is especially true in I’m Not Done With You Yet. I don't think any of the characters have any likable qualities and it made the story that much more compelling.
I’m Not Done With You Yet is a dark, suspenseful read centered around toxic female friendships. Filled with dark humor and surprising twists, I found myself instantly pulled into the story and absolutely could not put it down until I finished it. I loved spending time in Jane’s twisted thoughts and I really liked the author's unique storytelling. This is my first read by Sutanto and I am looking forward to reading more by her.
I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jesse Q. Sutanto will be available on August 22. Many thanks to Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy.
July 14, 2023
It’s not every book that can have a self described sociopath as its main character and work. But I’m Not Done With You Yet drew me in right from the first pages and kept me engaged throughout. Jane is equal parts lacking in self-confidence, obsessed and festering with anger. This is one of those books that totally gets the creep factor right.
Jane and Thalia met nine years ago at a MBA writing course at Oxford. Thalia was everything Jane was not - beautiful, charismatic and self assured. The book flips back and forth between then and now. Now, Thalia has written the current blockbuster, while Jane is a midlist writer, barely getting low four figure advances for her books. But Jane is determined to reconnect at a big suspense/mystery convention in NYC.
I loved that in the beginning, I was thinking how I really related to Jane. But as the book goes on, I was pulling back, thinking, no, this gal is bat-sh** crazy. And then, there are several nice twists. It becomes absolutely deliciously devious.
This is a fun, entertaining story for those who have a penchant for dark characters.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an advance copy of this book.
Jane and Thalia met nine years ago at a MBA writing course at Oxford. Thalia was everything Jane was not - beautiful, charismatic and self assured. The book flips back and forth between then and now. Now, Thalia has written the current blockbuster, while Jane is a midlist writer, barely getting low four figure advances for her books. But Jane is determined to reconnect at a big suspense/mystery convention in NYC.
I loved that in the beginning, I was thinking how I really related to Jane. But as the book goes on, I was pulling back, thinking, no, this gal is bat-sh** crazy. And then, there are several nice twists. It becomes absolutely deliciously devious.
This is a fun, entertaining story for those who have a penchant for dark characters.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an advance copy of this book.
September 11, 2023
Jane sees her existence as a below average life. A midlist author who has to depend on her husband to get by, she is trapped in a marriage that feels anything but loving and fulfilling. Considering her dreams of becoming the next big thing in the literary fiction world, she most definitely is underperforming.
Jane never thought she’d be where she is today. After all, nine years ago, she attended the exclusive Oxford University to get her master’s in Creative Writing. The only thing that was more magical than being in England chasing after her dreams was her fellow student, Thalia.
A captivating woman who everyone—Jane included—wanted to be around, they were the best of friends from day one. Over exhilarating days spent writing alongside one another and equally exciting evenings exploring the picturesque city of Oxford, Thalia became Jane’s world. And in this newfound friend, she found the one person who both understood and inspired her most in her life.
Then one night everything changed. A night that caused memories that still bring back the metallic scent of blood. It should have cemented their friendship forever, but instead, Jane lost Thalia for good. Despite the strongest of strong ties, theirs broke in one night. Or, at least, it had for nine years.
One day, while trying to avoid her irritating husband in her email inbox, Jane is startled to not only find Thalia’s name, but that it’s on the New York Times bestselling list. Delving into her former friend’s online footprint, she discovers that she is going to be at a book writer’s convention in New York City in just a few days. Without a second thought, she decides it’s the perfect opportunity. Despite struggling finances, she’s going to meet up with Thalia once more. This time, however, things are going to work out for Jane. No matter what, she won’t lose Thalia again.
Oh. My. God. I’m Not Done with You Yet was an absolutely spellbinding, fiendishly morphing, humdinger of a book. Between three dynamite characters and the twisty, twisty plot, my fingers were on fire as I raced through the pages, just dying to find out who came out on top. So let me break it all down for you, one love at a time.
First up were those characters. Well fleshed out, genuine, and complete with dynamic backstories, they each had me from hello. An ingenious spin on Crazy Rich Asians, this cat-and-mouse game had truly startling depth. Then there were the perfectly on point mind games. I mean, even I was not above falling for them along the way. Just be sure not to take a single person at face value, because there was so much more going on beneath the surface…
As for that plot, it was almost flawless. Twisting and turning across two phenomenal timelines in a way that only truly great novels can, it kept my attention right from the start. Granted, the first half was a rather long, slow burn, but when that first twist arrived, it delivered in spades. As soon as my mind caught up to the altogether shocking reveal, I was gobsmacked with each and every following shift in the storyline with my jaw remaining firmly on the floor.
Then there’s that altogether smashingly wicked premise. Easily able to rival any Hitchcockian tale, it melded dark academia and the idea of toxic friendships and took them to a whole other extreme. No matter how long I sleuthed into this one, however, there simply was no way I was ever going to work it all out. I can’t say more, though, or I just may stumble into spoiler territory and you all know how much I hate doing that!
By the time I closed the altogether gorgeous cover, my mind was well and truly blown. Well-written and plotted to perfection, I’m crossing everything that I can cross that this is just book one in what could be an utterly brilliant series. After all, it ended with, while not exactly a cliffhanger, an open-ended idea. So please, Ms. Sutanto, make my year and say yes? All in all, I had a blast racing through these pages and now I cannot wait to dive into her backlist! So, as if it isn’t already obvious, two massive thumbs up! Rating of 5 stars.
PUB DATE: August 22, 2023
Thank you to Jesse Q. Sutanto and Berkley Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: gaslighting, financial troubles, strangulation, fatal stabbing, social anxiety, mention of: infidelity, fatal heart attack, poisoning
Jane never thought she’d be where she is today. After all, nine years ago, she attended the exclusive Oxford University to get her master’s in Creative Writing. The only thing that was more magical than being in England chasing after her dreams was her fellow student, Thalia.
A captivating woman who everyone—Jane included—wanted to be around, they were the best of friends from day one. Over exhilarating days spent writing alongside one another and equally exciting evenings exploring the picturesque city of Oxford, Thalia became Jane’s world. And in this newfound friend, she found the one person who both understood and inspired her most in her life.
Then one night everything changed. A night that caused memories that still bring back the metallic scent of blood. It should have cemented their friendship forever, but instead, Jane lost Thalia for good. Despite the strongest of strong ties, theirs broke in one night. Or, at least, it had for nine years.
One day, while trying to avoid her irritating husband in her email inbox, Jane is startled to not only find Thalia’s name, but that it’s on the New York Times bestselling list. Delving into her former friend’s online footprint, she discovers that she is going to be at a book writer’s convention in New York City in just a few days. Without a second thought, she decides it’s the perfect opportunity. Despite struggling finances, she’s going to meet up with Thalia once more. This time, however, things are going to work out for Jane. No matter what, she won’t lose Thalia again.
Oh. My. God. I’m Not Done with You Yet was an absolutely spellbinding, fiendishly morphing, humdinger of a book. Between three dynamite characters and the twisty, twisty plot, my fingers were on fire as I raced through the pages, just dying to find out who came out on top. So let me break it all down for you, one love at a time.
First up were those characters. Well fleshed out, genuine, and complete with dynamic backstories, they each had me from hello. An ingenious spin on Crazy Rich Asians, this cat-and-mouse game had truly startling depth. Then there were the perfectly on point mind games. I mean, even I was not above falling for them along the way. Just be sure not to take a single person at face value, because there was so much more going on beneath the surface…
As for that plot, it was almost flawless. Twisting and turning across two phenomenal timelines in a way that only truly great novels can, it kept my attention right from the start. Granted, the first half was a rather long, slow burn, but when that first twist arrived, it delivered in spades. As soon as my mind caught up to the altogether shocking reveal, I was gobsmacked with each and every following shift in the storyline with my jaw remaining firmly on the floor.
Then there’s that altogether smashingly wicked premise. Easily able to rival any Hitchcockian tale, it melded dark academia and the idea of toxic friendships and took them to a whole other extreme. No matter how long I sleuthed into this one, however, there simply was no way I was ever going to work it all out. I can’t say more, though, or I just may stumble into spoiler territory and you all know how much I hate doing that!
By the time I closed the altogether gorgeous cover, my mind was well and truly blown. Well-written and plotted to perfection, I’m crossing everything that I can cross that this is just book one in what could be an utterly brilliant series. After all, it ended with, while not exactly a cliffhanger, an open-ended idea. So please, Ms. Sutanto, make my year and say yes? All in all, I had a blast racing through these pages and now I cannot wait to dive into her backlist! So, as if it isn’t already obvious, two massive thumbs up! Rating of 5 stars.
PUB DATE: August 22, 2023
Thank you to Jesse Q. Sutanto and Berkley Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: gaslighting, financial troubles, strangulation, fatal stabbing, social anxiety, mention of: infidelity, fatal heart attack, poisoning
July 6, 2023
I’m going to keep this real short because simply put, this book was . . . . not good.
If you’re looking for a brainless “thriller” this summer, then maybe (?????) add this to your TBR, but for real don’t ever attach my name to the recommendation. I’m Not Done With You Yet was the basic bitch of fatal female friendship stories. There’s a little obsession, there’s a wibbly wobbly timeline, there’s (not even kidding) 34 mentions of being a sociopath, but there’s oh so very little plot and then the narrator changed but the voice was so similar I had to backtrack and see that I was indeed reading from a different perspective.
Good news is, Jesse Q. Sutanto has already written about obsession (literally – the title is The Obsession) and it was a pretty decent YA approach to a story like You. Even better news is you can skip her additions to the thriller genre altogether and get one of her zany murder mysteries instead because both Vera Wang and The Aunties are laugh-out-loud funny.
This one leaves itself open for a sequel, but please god no . . . .
Go back to the comedic cozies, please Jesse. They are your forte.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2024
Books with unhinged women will NEVER not be one of my favourite tropes
OOOF what a damn tantalizing thrilling read.
If you could see my book currently, you would hardly see the whites of the pages as there are filled and covered in red tabs (those tabs signified every time I read something unhinged!)
I'm not done with you yet is an obsession thriller following self diagnosed sociopath Jane who goes to university in Oxford and ends up meeting Thalia on her first day. From their first encounter Jane becomes the highest level of enamored with Thalia and it only gets more creepy from then. Then something happens that should have bound them together forever, but in fact does the opposite.
its 9 years later now and Jane has now found the opportunity to reunite with Thalia, and....
Ok I'm saying no more! I devoured this book! You already know how I feel about slow burns (I hate them they are not my fave) and trust me about 50-60% of this is just straight up inner monologues of Jane and how obsess she is with Thalia. But it didn't feel like it was dragging for me. I was balls deep in Lil Ms Cray Cray thoughts and couldn't get enough! I found myself at times sympathizing with this woman who is not getting her way with her absurd desires!
The second half of the book had me shouting 'SORRRRRRYYYYYYYY???' and that ending... 'Jesus Fix It'
There was also a lot of talk about the publishing industry and it really gave me Yellowface vibes but make it even more sinister, bitchy and uber unhinged!
I love a good Cat and Mouse thriller with unreliable narratives mixed with unlikeable characters that you cant help but enjoy.
YUP YUP Highly recommend this one! 😊
OOOF what a damn tantalizing thrilling read.
If you could see my book currently, you would hardly see the whites of the pages as there are filled and covered in red tabs (those tabs signified every time I read something unhinged!)
I'm not done with you yet is an obsession thriller following self diagnosed sociopath Jane who goes to university in Oxford and ends up meeting Thalia on her first day. From their first encounter Jane becomes the highest level of enamored with Thalia and it only gets more creepy from then. Then something happens that should have bound them together forever, but in fact does the opposite.
its 9 years later now and Jane has now found the opportunity to reunite with Thalia, and....
Ok I'm saying no more! I devoured this book! You already know how I feel about slow burns (
The second half of the book had me shouting 'SORRRRRRYYYYYYYY???' and that ending... 'Jesus Fix It'
There was also a lot of talk about the publishing industry and it really gave me Yellowface vibes but make it even more sinister, bitchy and uber unhinged!
I love a good Cat and Mouse thriller with unreliable narratives mixed with unlikeable characters that you cant help but enjoy.
YUP YUP Highly recommend this one! 😊
November 2, 2023
So much fun! Started out sort of typically, but then my ears perked up at a particular spot and it got better and better as it went along.
Acid-sharp writing and shrewd, ego-centric characters playing cat and mouse. It's interesting that Sutanto wields her canny pen with such knowing insights into publishing, marketing, and the complex love-admiration-hate relationships with which so many authors seem to circle each other. She also believably portrays neurodiversity, narcissism, female friendships, and sociopathy with assured style and humor. I also appreciated one character's re-examination of everything she thought she knew about herself and her relationships, which was approached with just the right touch--though I'm curious what the end means for the character in that respect! It's fun to speculate.
Similar themes as the excellent Death of a Bookseller, but with more thriller elements and wider scope. I very much enjoyed this and am excited to read the author's other books.
Audio Notes: This is a case where I borrowed this book because I saw that Saskia Maarleveld voices one of the characters, so a happy find indeed. All the audio performances are terrific, perfectly shading the words of each character with fixed intensity, careless arrogance, and manipulative charm. A very nice marriage of text and interpretation.
Acid-sharp writing and shrewd, ego-centric characters playing cat and mouse. It's interesting that Sutanto wields her canny pen with such knowing insights into publishing, marketing, and the complex love-admiration-hate relationships with which so many authors seem to circle each other. She also believably portrays neurodiversity, narcissism, female friendships, and sociopathy with assured style and humor. I also appreciated one character's re-examination of everything she thought she knew about herself and her relationships, which was approached with just the right touch--though I'm curious what the end means for the character in that respect! It's fun to speculate.
Similar themes as the excellent Death of a Bookseller, but with more thriller elements and wider scope. I very much enjoyed this and am excited to read the author's other books.
Audio Notes: This is a case where I borrowed this book because I saw that Saskia Maarleveld voices one of the characters, so a happy find indeed. All the audio performances are terrific, perfectly shading the words of each character with fixed intensity, careless arrogance, and manipulative charm. A very nice marriage of text and interpretation.
August 24, 2023
To tell you the truth, women's suspense/thriller novels are not really my thing, but I LOVED Sutanto's Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers so much, I thought I'd give this a whirl. While Vera's story was packed with humor and good feelings, this one is dark. Very dark, filled with the slaughter of innocents, or if not innocents, men who didn't really deserve it. Unlike Vera, there's no humor here. None at all, and this vicious tale could really have used some comic relief.
I give the author credit - it's tough to write a book with an unlikable main character, and Sutanto chose to feature two, count 'em, TWO nasty women. (Really NASTY, not Trump nasty.) And, while this one held my interest and kept me guessing, I didn't really enjoy the read, so 3.5 stars, rounded down.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the chance to read this.
I give the author credit - it's tough to write a book with an unlikable main character, and Sutanto chose to feature two, count 'em, TWO nasty women. (Really NASTY, not Trump nasty.) And, while this one held my interest and kept me guessing, I didn't really enjoy the read, so 3.5 stars, rounded down.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the chance to read this.
August 13, 2023
I feel like I’ve been on a reading frenzy the last few weeks, but I’m not mad about it! One of my favorite authors @may_cobb has been raving about Jesse Q. Sutanto’s upcoming psychological thriller, I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET. I haven’t read anything by this author before, but she’s widely popular with her previous books Dial A for Aunties and Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders, so I was really excited to pick this one up!
The story focuses on two women—Jane and Thalia—and spans their lives together in Oxford and in the current day as authors. Jane is a sociopath and struggles to connect with people, but when she meets Thalia in school, she is hypnotized. Jane becomes infatuated by Thalia but years later the two have lost touch. Jane is married and miserable with her success (or lack thereof) as an author, but when she sees that her former best friend has become a total success, she forged a plan to meet up with her. Jane won’t lose Thalia again…
This book was so fun and Jane is so freaking witty it was a blast to dive into her world. This book is very twisty and there’s one twist that will leave you with your jaw on the floor. This book is fast paced and bingeable so save it for the weekend. In the same vein of The Talented Mr. Ripley meets Jane Doe, I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET is a journey that every muster/thriller aficionado needs to take.
The story focuses on two women—Jane and Thalia—and spans their lives together in Oxford and in the current day as authors. Jane is a sociopath and struggles to connect with people, but when she meets Thalia in school, she is hypnotized. Jane becomes infatuated by Thalia but years later the two have lost touch. Jane is married and miserable with her success (or lack thereof) as an author, but when she sees that her former best friend has become a total success, she forged a plan to meet up with her. Jane won’t lose Thalia again…
This book was so fun and Jane is so freaking witty it was a blast to dive into her world. This book is very twisty and there’s one twist that will leave you with your jaw on the floor. This book is fast paced and bingeable so save it for the weekend. In the same vein of The Talented Mr. Ripley meets Jane Doe, I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET is a journey that every muster/thriller aficionado needs to take.
October 14, 2023
I LOVE Jesse’s Dial A for Aunties series, but it left me skeptical about a more serious thriller like this. However, this book did NOT disappoint!
The best way I can describe this book is a complex game of chess mixed in with obsession, greed, sociopathy and murder. The characters all have varying degrees if manipulation skills and it makes for a very good read!!
The big twist 🤯 I was sooo invested in the character development that I did not see it coming. I weirdly didn’t know who I was rooting for to come out on top throughout the entire book. You love to hate a lot of the characters.
The ending is good, but left more to be told. I wonder if she will right a sequel? I think there is A LOT more that could explored with this cast of characters. Stand alone or series - I definitely recommend.
The best way I can describe this book is a complex game of chess mixed in with obsession, greed, sociopathy and murder. The characters all have varying degrees if manipulation skills and it makes for a very good read!!
The big twist 🤯 I was sooo invested in the character development that I did not see it coming. I weirdly didn’t know who I was rooting for to come out on top throughout the entire book. You love to hate a lot of the characters.
The ending is good, but left more to be told. I wonder if she will right a sequel? I think there is A LOT more that could explored with this cast of characters. Stand alone or series - I definitely recommend.
September 21, 2023
It is amazing to me that Jesse Q. Sutanto, of the cozy “Aunties” series fame, also writes these incredibly nuanced, dark psychological thrillers that will leave your jaw on the floor at times. I love a good cat and mouse thriller and this story turns the concept of cat and mouse on it’s head.
At the end of the day, all I can say is that this is a wild ride of a story. I don’t even want to attempt a synopsis because I think it’s best to go into this one completely blind and go along for the ride. The characters are so unique and multi-dimensional and the story will pull you in almost immediately. It has my favorite dual timeline/dual POV format and I loved how atmospheric the Oxford setting was.
My only criticism is that the pacing felt a bit off in the latter half of the book, and as a result, there were a few slow moments. Overall though, this is a really solid dark academia/psychological thriller perfect to add to your spooky season TBRs.
ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴅ ɪ ғ ʏ ᴏ ᴜ ʟ ɪ ᴋ ᴇ :
🏫dark academia
🧠psychological thrillers
🐈 cat and mouse
🌪️twisty books
👯♀️multiple POVs
Thank you {partners} Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for my gifted copies.
At the end of the day, all I can say is that this is a wild ride of a story. I don’t even want to attempt a synopsis because I think it’s best to go into this one completely blind and go along for the ride. The characters are so unique and multi-dimensional and the story will pull you in almost immediately. It has my favorite dual timeline/dual POV format and I loved how atmospheric the Oxford setting was.
My only criticism is that the pacing felt a bit off in the latter half of the book, and as a result, there were a few slow moments. Overall though, this is a really solid dark academia/psychological thriller perfect to add to your spooky season TBRs.
ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴅ ɪ ғ ʏ ᴏ ᴜ ʟ ɪ ᴋ ᴇ :
🏫dark academia
🧠psychological thrillers
🐈 cat and mouse
🌪️twisty books
👯♀️multiple POVs
Thank you {partners} Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for my gifted copies.
January 2, 2024
with a bang of a start, this
is a good story of obsession,
emotional abuse, narcissism,
meta literature, gaslighting -
but the ending fell flat. :l
is a good story of obsession,
emotional abuse, narcissism,
meta literature, gaslighting -
but the ending fell flat. :l
August 17, 2023
this was a book.
November 1, 2023
I'd never read anything from Sutanto prior to picking up I'm Not Done With You Yet, but I'm definitely going to go back and read all of her previous work, because this one was FANTASTIC!
As we begin reading this novel, we meet Jane. It's made evident almost immediately that Jane believes herself to be a sociopath, and is incredibly unhappy in her life, and her marriage. She's a struggling novelist who has been published twice, but never achieved any of the fame she imagined for herself a decade earlier as a member of the distinguished Oxford MFA program, when her future seemed so very bright.
As the first few chapters unfold, Jane comes across the most recent NYT bestseller list and realizes someone she knows is sitting at the very top of said list - none other than her first year bestie, Thalia! She also can't help but notice that Thalia's novel, A Most Pleasant Death, reads shockingly similar to the terrible events that unfolded during that first year at Oxford. After that first year Thalia suddenly left the program and vanished. Despite her best efforts over the years, Jane's never been able to locate Thalia and hasn't heard from her since, but she's always considered her the only person she's ever really cared about (family included).
When she reads that Thalia will be a featured guest at a book convention in New York City, Jane quickly decides makes plans to travel to New York, sneak her way into the convention and reconnect with her bestie...she's lost Thalia once, but she's determined to do things right this time around. Little does Jane know there are things she's in the dark on when it concerns Thalia and what happened at Oxford nine years earlier. Things that someone wants to keep buried in the past, no matter what it takes!
Told in alternating timelines, we discover what happened that first year at Oxford, or something close enough to the truth, anyway. Without going into much more detail and potentially spoiling, I will just say that I loved both protagonists, sociopath or not, who would have thought?! The dynamics of Jane and Thalia's friendship kept me incredibly intrigued and entertained throughout, and I just couldn't read this pacey and darkly comical thriller quickly enough. I knew there would be so much more to this story than Jane AND Thalia were letting on, but to say I was shocked when all was revealed would definitely be an understatement - I didn't see that ending coming! And that epilogue had me wanting even more!
The execution of this one was simply perfection and achieved in a way that made this story about a potentially toxic friendship read as refreshingly original, resulting in a sensational read! Fully deserving all 5 Stars, I recommend this one to anyone wanting a little bit of everything!
As we begin reading this novel, we meet Jane. It's made evident almost immediately that Jane believes herself to be a sociopath, and is incredibly unhappy in her life, and her marriage. She's a struggling novelist who has been published twice, but never achieved any of the fame she imagined for herself a decade earlier as a member of the distinguished Oxford MFA program, when her future seemed so very bright.
As the first few chapters unfold, Jane comes across the most recent NYT bestseller list and realizes someone she knows is sitting at the very top of said list - none other than her first year bestie, Thalia! She also can't help but notice that Thalia's novel, A Most Pleasant Death, reads shockingly similar to the terrible events that unfolded during that first year at Oxford. After that first year Thalia suddenly left the program and vanished. Despite her best efforts over the years, Jane's never been able to locate Thalia and hasn't heard from her since, but she's always considered her the only person she's ever really cared about (family included).
When she reads that Thalia will be a featured guest at a book convention in New York City, Jane quickly decides makes plans to travel to New York, sneak her way into the convention and reconnect with her bestie...she's lost Thalia once, but she's determined to do things right this time around. Little does Jane know there are things she's in the dark on when it concerns Thalia and what happened at Oxford nine years earlier. Things that someone wants to keep buried in the past, no matter what it takes!
Told in alternating timelines, we discover what happened that first year at Oxford, or something close enough to the truth, anyway. Without going into much more detail and potentially spoiling, I will just say that I loved both protagonists, sociopath or not, who would have thought?! The dynamics of Jane and Thalia's friendship kept me incredibly intrigued and entertained throughout, and I just couldn't read this pacey and darkly comical thriller quickly enough. I knew there would be so much more to this story than Jane AND Thalia were letting on, but to say I was shocked when all was revealed would definitely be an understatement - I didn't see that ending coming! And that epilogue had me wanting even more!
The execution of this one was simply perfection and achieved in a way that made this story about a potentially toxic friendship read as refreshingly original, resulting in a sensational read! Fully deserving all 5 Stars, I recommend this one to anyone wanting a little bit of everything!
December 18, 2023
Easily in my top 5 favorite books of 2023!
This psychological thriller has everything I could want—a dark academia setting, a story of two writers, obsession, revenge, lying, deception, a few dead bodies, and just the right amount of dark humor to make it an absolute delight to read!
The book begins with Jane narrating the story of her meeting a classmate named Thalia while in her first year of her MFA at Oxford. Jane is a quiet, introverted, Asian woman who comes from humble beginnings and is a self-diagnosed sociopath. We learn Jane’s mother contributed to many of Jane’s issues through flashbacks to her childhood. When Jane meets Thalia, she is enamored by the glamorous and kind woman in front of her. Jane’s insecurities get in the way sometimes, but she and Thalia form an unlikely friendship. Thalia and Jane both aspire to be writers and Jane sees Thalia as something of a muse. But it all leads up to one night that changes everything…
In the present day, Jane is unhappily married to a man named Ted who she has come to despise. They live in San Francisco and their life is largely financed by him and his work. Jane is a published author but her books make no greater than four figures each. Jane is unhappy and often thinks back on her friendship with Thalia and their time together at Oxford. She wonders what happened to Thalia—the two lost touch after that fateful night. Jane went on to graduate, while Thalia left Oxford without a trace.
Until one day Jane stumbles upon news of Thalia. Thalia has just hit the best seller list with a psychological thriller that Jane thinks is partly based on their friendship. She’s also going to be appearing at an upcoming conference called SusPens Con in New York City. Jane will do anything to go there and reunite with Thalia. She doesn’t care if she has to pawn some of her own items to cover the trip, or bring along her husband Ted, or that she doesn’t actually have a ticket to get in… She’ll make it work!
But Jane is soon buried deep in the lies and ploys she used to get to SusPens Con and it could all be for naught if she can’t get in. Thankfully she runs into a mutual friend of hers and Thalia’s from Oxford and that starts the events in motion that can’t be undone… Afterall, Jane will do anything to rekindle her friendship with Thalia.
The first half of the novel is narrated solely by Jane—switching between Jane and Thalia’s year together at Oxford, present day where Jane lives in San Francisco with her husband, and brief glimpses into her childhood. In the present timeline, Jane is determined to reunite with Thalia no matter what it takes. In the past timeline, Jane’s story is heading towards a mysterious incident that leads to the end of her friendship with Thalia. Understanding what could have happened to drive a rift between the two friends drives the suspense forward.
Eventually, the past events are fully laid out and the crash course towards a potentially unwelcome reunion with Thalia is driving Jane’s narrative. When they finally do meet for the first time in a decade… well I obviously can’t spoil it for you, but it is surprising and unsettling. Things felt heightened because Jane has told so many lies to get to this reunion, and then has to continue lying to her husband so she can reconnect with Thalia.
In the back half of the book, we start getting other POV in addition to Jane and the twists and turns the plot takes had me in a chokehold! I couldn’t put the book aside—I was captivated by the story of Jane and Thalia. Their bond at Oxford felt almost too good to be true at first, but the more we learn about things they share in their past, the more it makes sense. I couldn’t figure out what might have broken them apart, particularly since Jane was so clearly devoted to Thalia and Thalia sought out Jane as a safe person to confide in.
The first half builds steadily so the back half can shine. This is the sort of book I wish I could post a spoiler review of because the twists are so fun! But there is no way I can spoil the fun of experiencing each twist one at a time.
The story delves into the complexities of female friendship, particularly that fine element of competition that often exists between friends. In this book a lot of the competition isn’t between Thalia and Jane like you’d expect, it’s between Jane and another student at Oxford named Ani. Ani and Jane are both Asian, but their similarities end there. Ani comes from a very rich family and is tall, thin, beautiful, and looks like a model Asian. She’s attending the business program at Oxford. Jane is short, curvy, poor, and lacks the social confidence that Ani has. Somehow they find themselves in a competition to be Thalia’s best friend.
I loved the addition of Ani to this book because she’s this beautiful bland figure that Jane is often in what seems to be a one-sided competition with. Jane’s ongoing narration about Ani adds a fresh and biting humor that is partly why the reader loves Jane, even though she is often unhinged.
Don’t skip this book. This is easily one of my favorite books of 2023—I absolutely loved it from start to finish!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
This psychological thriller has everything I could want—a dark academia setting, a story of two writers, obsession, revenge, lying, deception, a few dead bodies, and just the right amount of dark humor to make it an absolute delight to read!
The book begins with Jane narrating the story of her meeting a classmate named Thalia while in her first year of her MFA at Oxford. Jane is a quiet, introverted, Asian woman who comes from humble beginnings and is a self-diagnosed sociopath. We learn Jane’s mother contributed to many of Jane’s issues through flashbacks to her childhood. When Jane meets Thalia, she is enamored by the glamorous and kind woman in front of her. Jane’s insecurities get in the way sometimes, but she and Thalia form an unlikely friendship. Thalia and Jane both aspire to be writers and Jane sees Thalia as something of a muse. But it all leads up to one night that changes everything…
In the present day, Jane is unhappily married to a man named Ted who she has come to despise. They live in San Francisco and their life is largely financed by him and his work. Jane is a published author but her books make no greater than four figures each. Jane is unhappy and often thinks back on her friendship with Thalia and their time together at Oxford. She wonders what happened to Thalia—the two lost touch after that fateful night. Jane went on to graduate, while Thalia left Oxford without a trace.
Until one day Jane stumbles upon news of Thalia. Thalia has just hit the best seller list with a psychological thriller that Jane thinks is partly based on their friendship. She’s also going to be appearing at an upcoming conference called SusPens Con in New York City. Jane will do anything to go there and reunite with Thalia. She doesn’t care if she has to pawn some of her own items to cover the trip, or bring along her husband Ted, or that she doesn’t actually have a ticket to get in… She’ll make it work!
But Jane is soon buried deep in the lies and ploys she used to get to SusPens Con and it could all be for naught if she can’t get in. Thankfully she runs into a mutual friend of hers and Thalia’s from Oxford and that starts the events in motion that can’t be undone… Afterall, Jane will do anything to rekindle her friendship with Thalia.
The first half of the novel is narrated solely by Jane—switching between Jane and Thalia’s year together at Oxford, present day where Jane lives in San Francisco with her husband, and brief glimpses into her childhood. In the present timeline, Jane is determined to reunite with Thalia no matter what it takes. In the past timeline, Jane’s story is heading towards a mysterious incident that leads to the end of her friendship with Thalia. Understanding what could have happened to drive a rift between the two friends drives the suspense forward.
Eventually, the past events are fully laid out and the crash course towards a potentially unwelcome reunion with Thalia is driving Jane’s narrative. When they finally do meet for the first time in a decade… well I obviously can’t spoil it for you, but it is surprising and unsettling. Things felt heightened because Jane has told so many lies to get to this reunion, and then has to continue lying to her husband so she can reconnect with Thalia.
In the back half of the book, we start getting other POV in addition to Jane and the twists and turns the plot takes had me in a chokehold! I couldn’t put the book aside—I was captivated by the story of Jane and Thalia. Their bond at Oxford felt almost too good to be true at first, but the more we learn about things they share in their past, the more it makes sense. I couldn’t figure out what might have broken them apart, particularly since Jane was so clearly devoted to Thalia and Thalia sought out Jane as a safe person to confide in.
The first half builds steadily so the back half can shine. This is the sort of book I wish I could post a spoiler review of because the twists are so fun! But there is no way I can spoil the fun of experiencing each twist one at a time.
The story delves into the complexities of female friendship, particularly that fine element of competition that often exists between friends. In this book a lot of the competition isn’t between Thalia and Jane like you’d expect, it’s between Jane and another student at Oxford named Ani. Ani and Jane are both Asian, but their similarities end there. Ani comes from a very rich family and is tall, thin, beautiful, and looks like a model Asian. She’s attending the business program at Oxford. Jane is short, curvy, poor, and lacks the social confidence that Ani has. Somehow they find themselves in a competition to be Thalia’s best friend.
I loved the addition of Ani to this book because she’s this beautiful bland figure that Jane is often in what seems to be a one-sided competition with. Jane’s ongoing narration about Ani adds a fresh and biting humor that is partly why the reader loves Jane, even though she is often unhinged.
Don’t skip this book. This is easily one of my favorite books of 2023—I absolutely loved it from start to finish!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
March 13, 2023
The author of Dial A for Aunties has changed up her style! Sutanto has created a spooky thriller worthy of Patricia Highsmith!
Jane lives her mundane midwestern life, writing her middling novels. She still fondly remembers her exciting grad school year - 10 years ago in Oxford with a jet setting group lead by the enigmatic Thalia. hen Jane sees that Thalia is writing and at a conference in New York, she will stop at nothing to attend. She has a score to settle, and she is going to make sure Thalia pays. The problem is that there is more than one cat in this cat and mouse game! If you like Highsmith hijinks, stalking and unrequited love, or just a thriller you will never guess til the end, I'm Not Done with You Yet is for You!
#Berkley #Imnotdonewithyouyet #JesseQSutanto
Jane lives her mundane midwestern life, writing her middling novels. She still fondly remembers her exciting grad school year - 10 years ago in Oxford with a jet setting group lead by the enigmatic Thalia. hen Jane sees that Thalia is writing and at a conference in New York, she will stop at nothing to attend. She has a score to settle, and she is going to make sure Thalia pays. The problem is that there is more than one cat in this cat and mouse game! If you like Highsmith hijinks, stalking and unrequited love, or just a thriller you will never guess til the end, I'm Not Done with You Yet is for You!
#Berkley #Imnotdonewithyouyet #JesseQSutanto
October 7, 2023
4.5/5
It didn't occur to me while I was reading I'm Not Done with You Yet that Jesse Q. Sutanto is the same author that wrote Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, but now that I realized that I am super impressed! She writes in various genres including children's fiction and I will officially read everything she puts out (maybe even the kid's books 👀). I spent most of this book wondering where it would go and loving how obsessed Jane is with Thalia. There are definitely some Joe vibes to the story, but Jane is very different from his character and is her own brand of obsessive that actually made me a little sad. I totally get being the outcast who wants to be understood and Thalia is the person that gets Jane.
I LOVED the audiobook and the narrators Yu-Li Alice Shen, Saskia Maarleveld, Leiana Bertrand & Eunice Wong did an incredible job. While there are 3 narrators, Jane is the main POV in the story and it takes a bit before we get to anyone else. I loved the way Sutanto crafted the characters making them unlikeable and yet unforgettable, especially Jane for me. The mysteriousness surrounding what happened at Oxford continued for much of the book and helped keep me guessing. I'm Not Done with You Yet ends in such an unexpected but completely delightful way and I loved the deviousness of these characters! I completely devoured this read and I can't wait for Sutanto to write another thriller!
It didn't occur to me while I was reading I'm Not Done with You Yet that Jesse Q. Sutanto is the same author that wrote Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, but now that I realized that I am super impressed! She writes in various genres including children's fiction and I will officially read everything she puts out (maybe even the kid's books 👀). I spent most of this book wondering where it would go and loving how obsessed Jane is with Thalia. There are definitely some Joe vibes to the story, but Jane is very different from his character and is her own brand of obsessive that actually made me a little sad. I totally get being the outcast who wants to be understood and Thalia is the person that gets Jane.
I LOVED the audiobook and the narrators Yu-Li Alice Shen, Saskia Maarleveld, Leiana Bertrand & Eunice Wong did an incredible job. While there are 3 narrators, Jane is the main POV in the story and it takes a bit before we get to anyone else. I loved the way Sutanto crafted the characters making them unlikeable and yet unforgettable, especially Jane for me. The mysteriousness surrounding what happened at Oxford continued for much of the book and helped keep me guessing. I'm Not Done with You Yet ends in such an unexpected but completely delightful way and I loved the deviousness of these characters! I completely devoured this read and I can't wait for Sutanto to write another thriller!
Want to read
January 31, 2023please be sapphic please be sapphic please be sapphic
July 21, 2024
2.5 stars Did I read the same book as everyone else? The reviews promised an unpredictable twist that would leave your jaw on the floor... Okay, my jaw is still fully intact.
What led me to round up rather than down - the creepy stalker vibes at the beginning and part of the ending, which I won't elaborate on to avoid spoilers. I'm sorry, but this plot had too many elements that didn't work for me. 1. Predictable. 2. Stalker who turns into an annoyingly cloying and weak character. 3. Complete OTT unrealistic plot. 4. Eye rolling moments. 5. The fizzled placid ending.
I need way more depth and complexity in my psych thrillers. The element of a psychopathic character alone just isn't enough. Also, I feel that unless an author has a graduate degree in psychology, they should refrain from trying to weave in clinical diagnoses of their characters to bring legitimacy into the plot arch. This one sadly had the opposite effect (eye rolling moment).
Not a book I would personally recommend to others although I see there are other reviewers who enjoyed it way more than I did.
What led me to round up rather than down - the creepy stalker vibes at the beginning and part of the ending, which I won't elaborate on to avoid spoilers. I'm sorry, but this plot had too many elements that didn't work for me. 1. Predictable. 2. Stalker who turns into an annoyingly cloying and weak character. 3. Complete OTT unrealistic plot. 4. Eye rolling moments. 5. The fizzled placid ending.
I need way more depth and complexity in my psych thrillers. The element of a psychopathic character alone just isn't enough. Also, I feel that unless an author has a graduate degree in psychology, they should refrain from trying to weave in clinical diagnoses of their characters to bring legitimacy into the plot arch. This one sadly had the opposite effect (eye rolling moment).
Not a book I would personally recommend to others although I see there are other reviewers who enjoyed it way more than I did.
January 6, 2024
3.75⭐️ I was hooked the first 75% but then there was just plot twist after plot twist I physically had whiplash and it was just too much complication. But the concept and the initial plot twist I really enjoyed and I definitely want to read more books by this author!!
August 6, 2023
Give me a book with a sociopath as one of the main characters and I’m all in, there’s something about a character that just owns who they are, even if it’s dark and disturbed that just really works for me. This book flips back and forth between present day and nine years ago when Jane and Thalia first meet. I get annoyed when there’s some big secret from the past timeline sometimes, especially when the author draws it out to the point of torture but that didn’t happen here which was so refreshing. You find out at an appropriate time what happened in the past and then the story really began to move along at a rapid pace for the remainder of the book. I really liked the direction the author took and was surprised at many of the twists, super solid and well executed. If you like thrillers with unlikable and dark characters with interesting plots try this I had a lot of fun with it.
September 6, 2023
DNF @ 48%
After the Aunties series I was determined to read all of Jesse Q. Sutanto's books, and I still am, but this one didn't work for me.
It's darker than that series, but that wasn't why I didn't enjoy it. The first chapter was really good and I was excited to get into the book, except the pacing was so slow and I didn't find Jane's PoV particularly interesting.
It kept dragging on an on, I was bored and decided to dnf because I really wasn't enjoying it. The only thing I really enjoyed was the childhood chapters which were few and far between.
I'm sure the ending is probably better than the rest of the book, and that's where the twists come in, but I don't have the patience to wait so long when I'm not having fun with the rest.
After the Aunties series I was determined to read all of Jesse Q. Sutanto's books, and I still am, but this one didn't work for me.
It's darker than that series, but that wasn't why I didn't enjoy it. The first chapter was really good and I was excited to get into the book, except the pacing was so slow and I didn't find Jane's PoV particularly interesting.
It kept dragging on an on, I was bored and decided to dnf because I really wasn't enjoying it. The only thing I really enjoyed was the childhood chapters which were few and far between.
I'm sure the ending is probably better than the rest of the book, and that's where the twists come in, but I don't have the patience to wait so long when I'm not having fun with the rest.
August 22, 2023
Much darker than anything she's written before, this latest from one of my fav new authors, is a taut, psychological thriller about two college friends, both aspiring writers and both self-diagnosed sociopaths.
Spanning decades and alternating between first person perspectives, we quickly get wrapped up in their lies, jealousies and obsessions as one friend achieves literary success and the other toils away in obscurity.
One too many murders back to back leads to an edge of your seat cat and mouse game as each woman tries to frame the other, leading to a surprise ending.
Great on audio with a full cast of narrators and HIGHLY recommended for fans of books like Yellowface R. F. Kuang or How can I help you by Laura Sims. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!!
Spanning decades and alternating between first person perspectives, we quickly get wrapped up in their lies, jealousies and obsessions as one friend achieves literary success and the other toils away in obscurity.
One too many murders back to back leads to an edge of your seat cat and mouse game as each woman tries to frame the other, leading to a surprise ending.
Great on audio with a full cast of narrators and HIGHLY recommended for fans of books like Yellowface R. F. Kuang or How can I help you by Laura Sims. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!!
April 9, 2024
I love a book about psychopaths. Thanks to PRH Audio and Jessie Q Sutanto for my copy of this book. It’s about Jane, a girl who has always been unhappy. First it was when she was younger, trying to fit in with her peers as a psychopath. She was quick to anger, easily overwhelmed, and found it very hard to make friends. Now as an adult, she is a struggling author trapped in a marriage in a life she doesn’t want.
There has only been one person who has ever made her happy, and that’s Thalia, her best friend from her master’s program at Oxford. Those were the best years of Jane’s life, until one night ruined it all and Thalia disappeared. But now she’s back at the opt of the New York Times best sellers list, and Jane thinks she wrote about their friendship. She decides to go to New York and find out where Thalia has been all this time, and make sure she doesn’t lose her again.
Thoughts: I loved this book! I loved the setting of Oxford and the descriptions of the graduate program. I loved that Thalia and Jane were both writers and the setting of the New York crime writer’s convention. I loved the theme of psychopathy and the different perspectives in this book. I’m so glad I listened to it, because the narrator did an amazing job and made the book fly by so fast.
The author did a great job of moving from cozy mysteries to this great psychological thriller. There were slow parts to this book that got a bit bogged down, but I’m happy it picked back up again. There were also a few too many unbelievable or convenient aspects in this story, and the ending wasn’t really my favorite. I felt the reveal was obvious, but still enjoyed the journey and the two main characters a lot. 4 stars!
There has only been one person who has ever made her happy, and that’s Thalia, her best friend from her master’s program at Oxford. Those were the best years of Jane’s life, until one night ruined it all and Thalia disappeared. But now she’s back at the opt of the New York Times best sellers list, and Jane thinks she wrote about their friendship. She decides to go to New York and find out where Thalia has been all this time, and make sure she doesn’t lose her again.
Thoughts: I loved this book! I loved the setting of Oxford and the descriptions of the graduate program. I loved that Thalia and Jane were both writers and the setting of the New York crime writer’s convention. I loved the theme of psychopathy and the different perspectives in this book. I’m so glad I listened to it, because the narrator did an amazing job and made the book fly by so fast.
The author did a great job of moving from cozy mysteries to this great psychological thriller. There were slow parts to this book that got a bit bogged down, but I’m happy it picked back up again. There were also a few too many unbelievable or convenient aspects in this story, and the ending wasn’t really my favorite. I felt the reveal was obvious, but still enjoyed the journey and the two main characters a lot. 4 stars!
August 21, 2023
ALL. THE. STARS. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET by JESSE Q. SUTANTO! But you better believe I’m going to try.
I love books that explore the dark & complex nature of female friendships. Add in that these friends are writers + a past timeline at Oxford + a present timeline centering around an NYC writer’s conference and you have *all* of my attention.
Jane and Thalia met on their first day at Oxford. Both members of the creative writing program, they formed an immediate friendship. Thalia is beautiful and magnetic and can command a room simply by walking into it. She’s everything Jane is not. But just being in her presence makes Jane feel more alive than she’s ever been. Thalia is the first, and only person, Jane’s met who truly *got* her.
But then everything changes. And Thalia seemingly vanishes.
Settling into life as a mildest writer, with an uninspiring husband, Jane never forgot Thalia and never gave up her search. Then one day, like magic, Thalia reappears. Or at least her name does - at the top of the NYT bestseller List.
When Jane learns Thalia will be a writing conference in NYC, she scrounges together the money to fly across the country to be reunited with her former best friend. But will Thalia be happy to see her?
With a voice (and inner monologue) that rings of Joe Goldberg, I found myself caught between laughing out loud + being deliciously shocked + cheering some characters on.
The writing is fierce. The words sharp. The characters utterly memorable. This book is dark + addictive + unapologetic + begs to be binge read! In other words - I loved every dark & messed up word 🖤
I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET will be out tomorrow, 8/22, and trust me…you want to grab a copy! The biggest shoutout to @BerkleyPub for the free copy of one of my most anticipated books of the summer. I’m beyond grateful! And a quick head’s up - this is much darker than JESSE Q. SUTANTO’s previous mysteries so just know what you’re getting into. And enjoy the ride!
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET by JESSE Q. SUTANTO! But you better believe I’m going to try.
I love books that explore the dark & complex nature of female friendships. Add in that these friends are writers + a past timeline at Oxford + a present timeline centering around an NYC writer’s conference and you have *all* of my attention.
Jane and Thalia met on their first day at Oxford. Both members of the creative writing program, they formed an immediate friendship. Thalia is beautiful and magnetic and can command a room simply by walking into it. She’s everything Jane is not. But just being in her presence makes Jane feel more alive than she’s ever been. Thalia is the first, and only person, Jane’s met who truly *got* her.
But then everything changes. And Thalia seemingly vanishes.
Settling into life as a mildest writer, with an uninspiring husband, Jane never forgot Thalia and never gave up her search. Then one day, like magic, Thalia reappears. Or at least her name does - at the top of the NYT bestseller List.
When Jane learns Thalia will be a writing conference in NYC, she scrounges together the money to fly across the country to be reunited with her former best friend. But will Thalia be happy to see her?
With a voice (and inner monologue) that rings of Joe Goldberg, I found myself caught between laughing out loud + being deliciously shocked + cheering some characters on.
The writing is fierce. The words sharp. The characters utterly memorable. This book is dark + addictive + unapologetic + begs to be binge read! In other words - I loved every dark & messed up word 🖤
I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET will be out tomorrow, 8/22, and trust me…you want to grab a copy! The biggest shoutout to @BerkleyPub for the free copy of one of my most anticipated books of the summer. I’m beyond grateful! And a quick head’s up - this is much darker than JESSE Q. SUTANTO’s previous mysteries so just know what you’re getting into. And enjoy the ride!
September 2, 2023
Things I hated about this book:
I already am not a fan of mental illness & sa as plot points in thrillers so we were not meant to be anyway but I think they were both done particularly badly.
The main character was beyond unlikable, she was so hateful that she didn't even feel like she could be a real person. Actually every character was a caricature so none of the story felt remotely plausible.
The author clearly thought she was working up to really wild twists but the ones that weren't predictable from page one were so ridiculous they weren't even worth thinking about.
The language was so clunky and weird. A LOT of "shall"s and my favorite odd moment was when two characters had a flight back to THEIR HOME in the bay area and just kept saying to each other you go back to the bay area and I'll get a new flight to the bay area and go back to the bay area later instead of ever just saying home.
Was clearly trying to be a very incisive take on the book industry but just came off as mean and whiny.
Just SO bad, maybe the worst book I've ever read
I already am not a fan of mental illness & sa as plot points in thrillers so we were not meant to be anyway but I think they were both done particularly badly.
The main character was beyond unlikable, she was so hateful that she didn't even feel like she could be a real person. Actually every character was a caricature so none of the story felt remotely plausible.
The author clearly thought she was working up to really wild twists but the ones that weren't predictable from page one were so ridiculous they weren't even worth thinking about.
The language was so clunky and weird. A LOT of "shall"s and my favorite odd moment was when two characters had a flight back to THEIR HOME in the bay area and just kept saying to each other you go back to the bay area and I'll get a new flight to the bay area and go back to the bay area later instead of ever just saying home.
Was clearly trying to be a very incisive take on the book industry but just came off as mean and whiny.
Just SO bad, maybe the worst book I've ever read
March 17, 2023
I have loved this author's other books but this one just isn't as good. I love the cultural diversity and family in her other ones. but this one reminds me of Colleen Hoover's writing, which coming from me is not a compliment.
July 23, 2023
✨ "That girl... There's always one, isn't there? The golden girl."
The brilliant Jesse Q Sutanto has done it again. And by 'it', I mean deliver a deliciously wicked novel that will keep you absolutely riveted the whole time and leave you hungry for more. This is my 7th book by her and truly, she never misses.
There's so much I loved about this twisty thriller:
👊 The author's trademark wit and dark humour
👊 Her insight into the publishing industry e.g. how it's all about 'the market' these days, how being non-white is suddenly the latest trend, author circles and communities and platforms.
👊 Complex female friendships and dynamics
👊 Deep dive into feminine rage, but minus the man-hating
👊 Intriguing exploration of sociopathy and other disorders
👊 Fascinating Oxford setting + unexpected but hilarious mention of Singapore
👊 Cultural insight into Crazy Rich Chinese-Indo families
It's impressive what a versatile writer Sutanto is. The stakes are much higher here than her previous works – and so is the body count 👀 I got some Yellowface vibes but they are very different books, each with their own merits.
The 3 female leads are well-written and all shine in their own way, keeping me so enthralled that I couldn't help but keep turning the pages. While the first half of the story wasn't exactly a big surprise, things get WILD. I had no idea how it would all play out and loved the way everything unfolded. The last few chapters were so satisfying and I found myself not wanting the book to end!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the Netgalley ARC.
More favorite quotes:
✨ The thing about crazy bitches is there's usually some man who's pushed and prodded and gaslit her to that point.
✨ "While men lust after the soft, bulging parts of the female anatomy – the breasts, the ass – we women notice the hardness. The places that signify control. Discipline. The clavicle, the shoulder blades, the cheek bones."
✨ "Anyone who thinks that publishing is a meritocracy is not in publishing."
✨ "Mount Elizabeth is the most overpriced hospital in Singapore, so naturally, it's teeming with Chinese-Indonesians."
The brilliant Jesse Q Sutanto has done it again. And by 'it', I mean deliver a deliciously wicked novel that will keep you absolutely riveted the whole time and leave you hungry for more. This is my 7th book by her and truly, she never misses.
There's so much I loved about this twisty thriller:
👊 The author's trademark wit and dark humour
👊 Her insight into the publishing industry e.g. how it's all about 'the market' these days, how being non-white is suddenly the latest trend, author circles and communities and platforms.
👊 Complex female friendships and dynamics
👊 Deep dive into feminine rage, but minus the man-hating
👊 Intriguing exploration of sociopathy and other disorders
👊 Fascinating Oxford setting + unexpected but hilarious mention of Singapore
👊 Cultural insight into Crazy Rich Chinese-Indo families
It's impressive what a versatile writer Sutanto is. The stakes are much higher here than her previous works – and so is the body count 👀 I got some Yellowface vibes but they are very different books, each with their own merits.
The 3 female leads are well-written and all shine in their own way, keeping me so enthralled that I couldn't help but keep turning the pages. While the first half of the story wasn't exactly a big surprise, things get WILD. I had no idea how it would all play out and loved the way everything unfolded. The last few chapters were so satisfying and I found myself not wanting the book to end!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the Netgalley ARC.
More favorite quotes:
✨ The thing about crazy bitches is there's usually some man who's pushed and prodded and gaslit her to that point.
✨ "While men lust after the soft, bulging parts of the female anatomy – the breasts, the ass – we women notice the hardness. The places that signify control. Discipline. The clavicle, the shoulder blades, the cheek bones."
✨ "Anyone who thinks that publishing is a meritocracy is not in publishing."
✨ "Mount Elizabeth is the most overpriced hospital in Singapore, so naturally, it's teeming with Chinese-Indonesians."
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