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300 Days
Forty years later, the pain of his personal tragedy still echoes within John Hopper. He retreats to the small town, Ripley, West Virginia, and is content being alone and in peace. He spends his evenings as an amateur podcast host, anonymously broadcasting rants about what is wrong with the world. Through a faithful listener and scientist, Jarvis, John finds out about the impending comet impact, possibly, an extinction level event.
With no beneficiary and ample time to prepare, John uses all his money to get everything he needs to survive the end of the world … alone. What John doesn’t realize is that meeting Yely, the problematic teenage girl who moved in next door, changes things.
All may not be as expected. John not only finds himself bringing people into his shelter, he learns that Ripley, the predicted safest place on earth, may very well become one of the worst places imaginable
With no beneficiary and ample time to prepare, John uses all his money to get everything he needs to survive the end of the world … alone. What John doesn’t realize is that meeting Yely, the problematic teenage girl who moved in next door, changes things.
All may not be as expected. John not only finds himself bringing people into his shelter, he learns that Ripley, the predicted safest place on earth, may very well become one of the worst places imaginable
262 pages, Hardcover
Published August 25, 2024
457 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
October 29, 2024
The story is good with a cranky older man who has endured some of the worst tragedy possible. His relationships develop over time with some of it being a bit predictable. Unfortunately. this is another good story by this author which is spoiled by very poor editing. I struggle to understand how this continues for so many years of the same issue of editing, because she is a talented storyteller otherwise.
September 10, 2024
good read but the typos are sad
I expect more from Druga. Not only were there typos, incorrect sentence structures, etc, at one point the wrong name entirely was used. I liked the story, especially John’s growth, but better proofreading is needed.
I expect more from Druga. Not only were there typos, incorrect sentence structures, etc, at one point the wrong name entirely was used. I liked the story, especially John’s growth, but better proofreading is needed.
January 8, 2026
This is probably one of the best from Druga - of those that I read. I really enjoy the characters and the mood she created. She infused a sense of urgency when she had to do it and a sense of comedy relief that reflected what I think people would behave - sometimes too much but okay.
The story is interesting - you've got this family leaving quite normally and one day their neighbour kills his wife and three children. The husband (John) then growths old alone and bitter against the world and in some ways remind me of the Clint Eastwood from Gran Torino.
The story it self is simple, an asteroid is coming and although it's not going to be a global extinction event it will kill a lot of people. Druga tries to explain that all parts of the world (mostly America) will not feel the same. There is a mention of Portugal - although just to say "they are gone"
The first 50% is about this survivors including John, Jarvis (the guy who tells John that this is happening), Yely a young teen he befriends and Megan trying to handle the before-blast and then the last 40% is dealing with the blast itself and the last 10% after the initial blast problems.
I really enjoy the plot, the pace and the characters. I do have some complains
- editor, get an editor. So many mistakes. I mean, I am not native and I get some of the mistakes so I can't even imagine native people. If you look at these reviews all the people complain about mistakes. It's Savanah or Savannah - get it correct man (woman). Even I know that's a city on Georgia - Savannah. There are several sentences without "." and sometimes it feels convoluted. But it's the price you get for independent published, I guess.
- John strenght does not match a 74 year old. I am sorry it doesn't. I know that people nowdays of 60 is not the same of 60 from 1950 but 74 is pushing it. And he has more energy than anyone else. Even kids.
In the end, did I enjoy the book? Yes. Was it masterclass and it deserves 4.31 that it has on goodreads? If you counted the enjoyment I would say yes. If you grab all the parts and errors - if this was a non-independent published I would say the rating would be 2.31. But since it is people give some slack. So I am going to give 87/100 because it was one my favourite of hers.
The story is interesting - you've got this family leaving quite normally and one day their neighbour kills his wife and three children. The husband (John) then growths old alone and bitter against the world and in some ways remind me of the Clint Eastwood from Gran Torino.
The story it self is simple, an asteroid is coming and although it's not going to be a global extinction event it will kill a lot of people. Druga tries to explain that all parts of the world (mostly America) will not feel the same. There is a mention of Portugal - although just to say "they are gone"
The first 50% is about this survivors including John, Jarvis (the guy who tells John that this is happening), Yely a young teen he befriends and Megan trying to handle the before-blast and then the last 40% is dealing with the blast itself and the last 10% after the initial blast problems.
I really enjoy the plot, the pace and the characters. I do have some complains
- editor, get an editor. So many mistakes. I mean, I am not native and I get some of the mistakes so I can't even imagine native people. If you look at these reviews all the people complain about mistakes. It's Savanah or Savannah - get it correct man (woman). Even I know that's a city on Georgia - Savannah. There are several sentences without "." and sometimes it feels convoluted. But it's the price you get for independent published, I guess.
- John strenght does not match a 74 year old. I am sorry it doesn't. I know that people nowdays of 60 is not the same of 60 from 1950 but 74 is pushing it. And he has more energy than anyone else. Even kids.
In the end, did I enjoy the book? Yes. Was it masterclass and it deserves 4.31 that it has on goodreads? If you counted the enjoyment I would say yes. If you grab all the parts and errors - if this was a non-independent published I would say the rating would be 2.31. But since it is people give some slack. So I am going to give 87/100 because it was one my favourite of hers.
September 7, 2024
A Must Read
What can I say. Another excellent read from Jackie Druga. Over a decade of being entertained by this author. Definitely recommend.
What can I say. Another excellent read from Jackie Druga. Over a decade of being entertained by this author. Definitely recommend.
September 11, 2024
Excellent with compelling characters!
John isn’t your typical apocalyptic hero, and you’ll love him all the more for it. As for the book itself, I found this to be a more realistic apocalyptic scenario/storyline. It was so well written and researched. The characters grew so much in this short book. It takes a true storyteller to make the people come alive and make you miss them when the last page is finished.
John isn’t your typical apocalyptic hero, and you’ll love him all the more for it. As for the book itself, I found this to be a more realistic apocalyptic scenario/storyline. It was so well written and researched. The characters grew so much in this short book. It takes a true storyteller to make the people come alive and make you miss them when the last page is finished.
November 4, 2024
Not proofread
This book is so full of typos, misspellings, and lack of knowledge of the English language I could never recommend it. Nearly every page shows it was not proofread. Story is very good but cheaply produced. Couldn’t finish this dismal, horrendous lack of proofreading and editing. Really drops the author way behind others of this genre. One of the worst I have seen.
This book is so full of typos, misspellings, and lack of knowledge of the English language I could never recommend it. Nearly every page shows it was not proofread. Story is very good but cheaply produced. Couldn’t finish this dismal, horrendous lack of proofreading and editing. Really drops the author way behind others of this genre. One of the worst I have seen.
October 2, 2024
Great book
Wow, what a story! This is a great story with a great cast of characters. John (the main character) is a man who I can identify with. The best end of the world story when it wasn't the end of the world. It has it all, action, suspense, adventure, love, hate, grief and a tear ridden ending. I cried like a baby at the end. Good read.
Wow, what a story! This is a great story with a great cast of characters. John (the main character) is a man who I can identify with. The best end of the world story when it wasn't the end of the world. It has it all, action, suspense, adventure, love, hate, grief and a tear ridden ending. I cried like a baby at the end. Good read.
May 5, 2025
Druga doesn't disappoint
300 Days by Jacqueline Druga is a post-apocalyptic story that’s really more about people than the end of the world. It follows John Hopper, a man who’s been living with unimaginable grief for decades after losing his entire family in a brutal act committed by his wife’s lover. He’s spent the years since keeping to himself and trying to disappear from the world. He ends up in Ripley, West Virginia, living quietly and pouring his thoughts into a podcast that no one really knows is his.
Then everything changes. A scientist named Jarvis tells John that a comet is on its way—one that could wipe out life as we know it. So John does what any loner with a survivalist streak might do: he puts everything he has into building a shelter, planning to ride out the disaster alone. But just when he thinks he’s sealed himself off for good, a troubled teen named Yely moves in next door. Suddenly, John’s carefully built walls—literal and emotional—start to crack.
I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Andrew Wehrlen, who does an absolutely amazing job bringing the characters to life. His delivery made John feel like someone you could picture immediately—the classic grumpy old man who’d tell kids to get their ball off his lawn. And oddly enough, it’s that same curmudgeon who ends up forming an unlikely connection with Yely, a teen with a tough life and nowhere to turn. As the comet gets closer, John’s plans for solitude get turned upside down, and what unfolds is less about survival and more about healing.
What I really appreciate is that this book doesn’t lean on the usual apocalypse tropes—there are no zombies, no viruses, just people and their complicated lives. It’s a character-driven story with heart, and for me, that made it more memorable than most end-of-the-world tales. I also liked that it’s a standalone novel. No cliffhangers, no trilogies—just a complete story from beginning to end, which is a refreshing change these days.
300 Days by Jacqueline Druga is a post-apocalyptic story that’s really more about people than the end of the world. It follows John Hopper, a man who’s been living with unimaginable grief for decades after losing his entire family in a brutal act committed by his wife’s lover. He’s spent the years since keeping to himself and trying to disappear from the world. He ends up in Ripley, West Virginia, living quietly and pouring his thoughts into a podcast that no one really knows is his.
Then everything changes. A scientist named Jarvis tells John that a comet is on its way—one that could wipe out life as we know it. So John does what any loner with a survivalist streak might do: he puts everything he has into building a shelter, planning to ride out the disaster alone. But just when he thinks he’s sealed himself off for good, a troubled teen named Yely moves in next door. Suddenly, John’s carefully built walls—literal and emotional—start to crack.
I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Andrew Wehrlen, who does an absolutely amazing job bringing the characters to life. His delivery made John feel like someone you could picture immediately—the classic grumpy old man who’d tell kids to get their ball off his lawn. And oddly enough, it’s that same curmudgeon who ends up forming an unlikely connection with Yely, a teen with a tough life and nowhere to turn. As the comet gets closer, John’s plans for solitude get turned upside down, and what unfolds is less about survival and more about healing.
What I really appreciate is that this book doesn’t lean on the usual apocalypse tropes—there are no zombies, no viruses, just people and their complicated lives. It’s a character-driven story with heart, and for me, that made it more memorable than most end-of-the-world tales. I also liked that it’s a standalone novel. No cliffhangers, no trilogies—just a complete story from beginning to end, which is a refreshing change these days.
October 28, 2024
Started fine...
Initially, story was good. Loved the climate descriptions that had a heat wave, followed by freezing cold. I ignored the grammatical mistakes but when I reached 77% through the book, the author seemed to be drunk or something because reason was thrown out the window. The MC couldn't check on the group of residents in the community center because it was nighttime. Since it was nighttime, it was dark. He couldn't see.
He had flashlights but somehow it didn't occur to him.
Plus, it was "killer cold" out. Of course, he just walked and didn't die. The survivors of the roof collapse survived the "killer" cold. Author mentions the killer cold was -20 degrees F. I worked construction for 2 weeks ranging from -22 to 0 degrees in 1976 and no one on the crew died. No fancy artic suits either. Wore long johns with knitted sweater and winter coat. 3 layers was fine. Common temperature range for 2 weeks in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Hardly "killer" temperature. I read on, only to read the author returning to explore this subject with more contradictory blather. Hard to endure while the lack of editing demonstrates the authors lack of language skills.
Ehh. Better options out there.
Initially, story was good. Loved the climate descriptions that had a heat wave, followed by freezing cold. I ignored the grammatical mistakes but when I reached 77% through the book, the author seemed to be drunk or something because reason was thrown out the window. The MC couldn't check on the group of residents in the community center because it was nighttime. Since it was nighttime, it was dark. He couldn't see.
He had flashlights but somehow it didn't occur to him.
Plus, it was "killer cold" out. Of course, he just walked and didn't die. The survivors of the roof collapse survived the "killer" cold. Author mentions the killer cold was -20 degrees F. I worked construction for 2 weeks ranging from -22 to 0 degrees in 1976 and no one on the crew died. No fancy artic suits either. Wore long johns with knitted sweater and winter coat. 3 layers was fine. Common temperature range for 2 weeks in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Hardly "killer" temperature. I read on, only to read the author returning to explore this subject with more contradictory blather. Hard to endure while the lack of editing demonstrates the authors lack of language skills.
Ehh. Better options out there.
August 29, 2024
Touched by an apocalypse.
John was a bitter old man who, forty years ago, had lost his whole family by the hands of a madman. Yely was a sad young girl dealing with an alcoholic, floosy of a mother. Then the rain of comet fragments came down. John, who had started a podcast where he could anonymously complain about anything and everything, did manage to find a friend in England who had sources warning him of the comet which he shared with John. So John prepared, and Javis left for West Virginia, supposedly a safe place to be from the tsunami, earthquakes and firestorms from the comets arrival. But the comet was early and brought about 27 friends along. The earth was in for a 300 day long age before the sun reappeared. Unlikely comrades brave the elements and try to survive. Jackie always brings touching drama, and humor, to her apocalypse stories, another great book. Loved it!
John was a bitter old man who, forty years ago, had lost his whole family by the hands of a madman. Yely was a sad young girl dealing with an alcoholic, floosy of a mother. Then the rain of comet fragments came down. John, who had started a podcast where he could anonymously complain about anything and everything, did manage to find a friend in England who had sources warning him of the comet which he shared with John. So John prepared, and Javis left for West Virginia, supposedly a safe place to be from the tsunami, earthquakes and firestorms from the comets arrival. But the comet was early and brought about 27 friends along. The earth was in for a 300 day long age before the sun reappeared. Unlikely comrades brave the elements and try to survive. Jackie always brings touching drama, and humor, to her apocalypse stories, another great book. Loved it!
January 22, 2025
Druga delivers a good, fast-paced, different and interesting story.
A very good story that contains elements of both an apocalyptic event as well as a “Hallmark-esk “ drama of a once nice guy turned bitter older man after a horrible crime that killed his entire family. Good character development and enough action to keep me turning the pages because I really had no idea how everything was going to all play out. Druga gives her main character, John, a gruff personality wrapped in a grumpy but humorous package. I couldn’t help but like this crusty older man and his blunt, acerbic one-liners as he wades through his ever-present grief while trying very hard to not start caring about what happens to his small town and neighbors when the SHTF. I don’t give a “5” rating very often. This book deserved it.
A very good story that contains elements of both an apocalyptic event as well as a “Hallmark-esk “ drama of a once nice guy turned bitter older man after a horrible crime that killed his entire family. Good character development and enough action to keep me turning the pages because I really had no idea how everything was going to all play out. Druga gives her main character, John, a gruff personality wrapped in a grumpy but humorous package. I couldn’t help but like this crusty older man and his blunt, acerbic one-liners as he wades through his ever-present grief while trying very hard to not start caring about what happens to his small town and neighbors when the SHTF. I don’t give a “5” rating very often. This book deserved it.
September 2, 2025
I tend to think apocalyptic books are all the same, but she made this one stand out. It was a character arc story about a man (John) who had to deal with his entire family being murdered when he was in his 30s. From there, it skips to where he is 30 years older. John does podcasts for the "let's bitch about everything" crowd. His life has been about keeping everyone at a safe distance.
A local pastor pays the rent for a single mom to live next to John with her vulnerable 15-year-old daughter.
But something big happens--a meteorite hits the earth. Through the book, John learns to give and accept love.
It's a great story to illustrate why people can be bitter, miserable, and testy. One of the takeaways is that it's best to be gracious and recognize that difficult people are that way for a reason. For that reason alone, I'm glad I read it.
A local pastor pays the rent for a single mom to live next to John with her vulnerable 15-year-old daughter.
But something big happens--a meteorite hits the earth. Through the book, John learns to give and accept love.
It's a great story to illustrate why people can be bitter, miserable, and testy. One of the takeaways is that it's best to be gracious and recognize that difficult people are that way for a reason. For that reason alone, I'm glad I read it.
November 3, 2024
Enjoyable
A bit different to your typical apocalypse story, it focuses more on the relationships of a small group of survivors. I did find the writing lacked some depth, there is little character description or environmental detail so I felt slightly disassociated while reading rather than immersed.
Overall though, I did really enjoy this book, particularly the last chapter where it seems the author was in a good mood,her writing made me chuckle out loud a few times.
Side note, there are a lot of errors (typos mostly, but a few grammatical and spelling also) so who ever edited this needs a new job.
A bit different to your typical apocalypse story, it focuses more on the relationships of a small group of survivors. I did find the writing lacked some depth, there is little character description or environmental detail so I felt slightly disassociated while reading rather than immersed.
Overall though, I did really enjoy this book, particularly the last chapter where it seems the author was in a good mood,her writing made me chuckle out loud a few times.
Side note, there are a lot of errors (typos mostly, but a few grammatical and spelling also) so who ever edited this needs a new job.
December 18, 2024
Die Autorin schreibt Dystopie-Fast Food. Gut und schnell weg lesbar, sympathische Charaktere, nicht zu düster, Popcorn-Unterhaltung. So schnell konsumiert wie auch wieder vergessen und demzufolge ist sie auch mit einer Unzahl an nahezu identischen Büchern in Kindle Unlimited vertreten. Drei Sterne gibt es wegen Abzug aufgrund der vielen Textfehler: Falsch geschriebene Namen, fehlerhafte Satzzeichen, teils komplett falsche Worte (Marshall law statt martial law z.B.) fallen ständig auf. Offensichtlich werden diese Bücher ebenso schnell geschrieben wie man sie weg gelesen hat.
September 16, 2025
I expected the book to be full of the atrocities humans are capable of during times of peril. Although, there were a few incidents where people acted badly, for the most part the story concentrated on the good in humans. John, the main character, started out as a grumpy man who had given up caring about anyone. As the tale progresses, you get to learn about Yely, the teen girl living next door; Megan, an acquaintance from church; Giles, Police Officer of the town; and Jarvis, a man who listened to John's podcast. All of them show the best of humankind during catastrophes. I enjoyed the book.
February 10, 2025
A great story of restitution and survival.
I enjoyed the character development of this story. People living with trauma and slowly finding their way back to wholeness. It felt so much more interesting than the often negative portrayal of people turning violent in the face of disaster .
I'd recommend this to everyone who knows about trauma.
The only problem I had was with the few grammatical errors.
I enjoyed the character development of this story. People living with trauma and slowly finding their way back to wholeness. It felt so much more interesting than the often negative portrayal of people turning violent in the face of disaster .
I'd recommend this to everyone who knows about trauma.
The only problem I had was with the few grammatical errors.
February 14, 2025
FANTASTIC!!!
A promise of hope. A tale of hurt, betrayal,death, and life after. The story of a man who has lost his life, love, and hope. A chance meeting of a teenager that slowly turns his life around. Hope after the end of time, coment hits and shatters the way of life he has made. The fight to survive and finally the hope and life he thought he'd never have again gained.
A promise of hope. A tale of hurt, betrayal,death, and life after. The story of a man who has lost his life, love, and hope. A chance meeting of a teenager that slowly turns his life around. Hope after the end of time, coment hits and shatters the way of life he has made. The fight to survive and finally the hope and life he thought he'd never have again gained.
August 11, 2025
The constant downfall of this prolific writer is her grammar and her editing. There were so many examples, including getting the character's names wrong, leaving out words, and the one that was repeated over and over, that bugged me the most, was saying Kroger's vs Kroger. The store's name is KROGER. But, as I say for most of her books: good story! And great characters! I keep reading her books, as there are 100's to choose from and I am hoping one day, some of them will have had an Editor.
September 15, 2024
Different
Like another reviewer stated, John is no spec ops guy who seems indestructible.
This is less of a story of TEOWAWKI, and more of a story of a man who lost everything. But found purpose and love again. I don't mean romantic love, but .....
Well read the story.
Not too exciting of a read. But worth a look.
Like another reviewer stated, John is no spec ops guy who seems indestructible.
This is less of a story of TEOWAWKI, and more of a story of a man who lost everything. But found purpose and love again. I don't mean romantic love, but .....
Well read the story.
Not too exciting of a read. But worth a look.
October 24, 2024
Druga is an interesting author. I don't understand why she is not working for an editor. Most of her books are very good, but it's hard to get past the errors. An Editor would help this. 300 Days is one of her good ones. I liked the story, the characters and the way it played out. I will not stop reading her books, but really, a little editing would go a long long way.
December 21, 2024
So many spelling and grammatical errors
So many errors! I did like the storyline, it was interesting and the characters were likeable too. However, there were so many spelling mistakes and bad gramma, I felt like an English teacher marking someone’s badly written term paper. Other than that, I enjoyed the story.
So many errors! I did like the storyline, it was interesting and the characters were likeable too. However, there were so many spelling mistakes and bad gramma, I felt like an English teacher marking someone’s badly written term paper. Other than that, I enjoyed the story.
January 20, 2025
300 Days by J Druga
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. I really felt John alive and grumpy. Wasn't just another doom and gloom or mushy sweet prose with constant life threatening hurdles to overcome. Felt like real people functioning well during crisis having tragedy in their lives like many people do in reality. This story is the best of many I've read by J. Driga.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. I really felt John alive and grumpy. Wasn't just another doom and gloom or mushy sweet prose with constant life threatening hurdles to overcome. Felt like real people functioning well during crisis having tragedy in their lives like many people do in reality. This story is the best of many I've read by J. Driga.
February 3, 2025
What goes around
What started out as a nightmare, takes a on a path that is unseeable. From a grumpy old man living alone to a man sharing his home with others who needed him and his preparedness for an unthinkable and dangerous life filled with many twist and turns for a future filled with doubt. How it all turns out surprised me as I'm sure will surprise you.
What started out as a nightmare, takes a on a path that is unseeable. From a grumpy old man living alone to a man sharing his home with others who needed him and his preparedness for an unthinkable and dangerous life filled with many twist and turns for a future filled with doubt. How it all turns out surprised me as I'm sure will surprise you.
February 8, 2025
Great Story. Positive Message.
First, story is great. And I love the positive message. The characters are lovely human beings. Needs a strong edit; grammar review, punctuation, word choice (e.g., their vs they're), missing words. Not just distracting, the errors make parts of the narration actually hard to follow.
First, story is great. And I love the positive message. The characters are lovely human beings. Needs a strong edit; grammar review, punctuation, word choice (e.g., their vs they're), missing words. Not just distracting, the errors make parts of the narration actually hard to follow.
December 3, 2025
This book was a good short solid read. It took me a day to get to the end. It was entertaining to watch the changes that occurred in the main character as the storyline moved forward and the twist toward the end. Not a great book but a good book. I read it out of curiosity more than anything. But in the end I enjoyed it.
August 28, 2024
Wonderful rainy day book
I loved this book because the author makes you care about the characters. You root for them in the difficult times and they become real people in your mind. Highly recommend this book! 🙂
I loved this book because the author makes you care about the characters. You root for them in the difficult times and they become real people in your mind. Highly recommend this book! 🙂
September 18, 2024
5 stars
Another great book by this author. I love this genre especially when it doesn’t go off on political rants as too many authors do these days. Awesome writer, awesome story, great and fully developed characters, great read.
Another great book by this author. I love this genre especially when it doesn’t go off on political rants as too many authors do these days. Awesome writer, awesome story, great and fully developed characters, great read.
September 19, 2024
This was a very good story line. BUT I'm only giving it a 4 due to the editing or lack of. The characters were very likable and the story flowed well. It was able to keep my attention by switching from character to character. Over all a very good book
September 23, 2024
Spelling errors
The only thing that keeps this person from being outstanding is the spelling errors. I like her characters and scenarios, it's very easy to read. Hopefully she'll get a good editor soon
The only thing that keeps this person from being outstanding is the spelling errors. I like her characters and scenarios, it's very easy to read. Hopefully she'll get a good editor soon
September 24, 2024
she did it again!
This was an awesome read! Jacqueline Druga is one of my favorite authors! Her books suck you in and you feel like you are living the story too! I have read all of her books, I recommend reading them all!
This was an awesome read! Jacqueline Druga is one of my favorite authors! Her books suck you in and you feel like you are living the story too! I have read all of her books, I recommend reading them all!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews