What do you think?
Rate this book
Just Another Dead Boy
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26Regan has two rules: Don’t fall in love. Don’t have hope.
In a world where everyone knows the date they will die, wild-child Regan works at a luxury resort as a “Juliet” for the Romeo & Juliet Service, promising to provide the illusion of star-crossed romance to rich boys on end-of-life retreats. She gets to live life on the edge—skydiving, partying, and doing a host of other people’s bucket-list thrills—then moves on to her next client. But when world-famous Death Date researchers the Dalys arrive, she’s tasked with her hardest client yet, their overachieving, stone-faced son. Jude Daly sees right through the setup—he thinks she’s a parasite, and, frankly, she thinks he’s an entitled jerk. They agree to fake romance for the sake of Jude’s parents and Regan’s job, but as contempt turns into something else, will Regan ignore her ironclad rules so she and Jude can take on Fate together? Or will his impending Death Date catch up with them first? A compelling and heartbreaking twist on Romeo and Juliet, in which Regan realizes she might have to stop living like today is her last—and start living like it isn’t.
In a world where everyone knows the date they will die, wild-child Regan works at a luxury resort as a “Juliet” for the Romeo & Juliet Service, promising to provide the illusion of star-crossed romance to rich boys on end-of-life retreats. She gets to live life on the edge—skydiving, partying, and doing a host of other people’s bucket-list thrills—then moves on to her next client. But when world-famous Death Date researchers the Dalys arrive, she’s tasked with her hardest client yet, their overachieving, stone-faced son. Jude Daly sees right through the setup—he thinks she’s a parasite, and, frankly, she thinks he’s an entitled jerk. They agree to fake romance for the sake of Jude’s parents and Regan’s job, but as contempt turns into something else, will Regan ignore her ironclad rules so she and Jude can take on Fate together? Or will his impending Death Date catch up with them first? A compelling and heartbreaking twist on Romeo and Juliet, in which Regan realizes she might have to stop living like today is her last—and start living like it isn’t.
- GenresRomance
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 7, 2026
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Kelly McCaughrain
3 books28 followersKelly was born in Belfast in 1977 and grew up in nineteenth-century Avonlea. She doesn’t remember much about her (probably very nice) childhood and suspects this is because she wasn’t paying attention. She was reading Anne of Green Gables.
She started writing when she was six.
She started hiding her writing when she was seven.
She was forced out of the writing closet when she was 35. One of her favourite activities is talking to teenagers about writing because she was too shy to do this when she was young.
She studied at Queens University Belfast, where she did two degrees. For fun. She currently lives with her husband Michael and their ancient VW campervan Gerda.
Her first novel, Flying Tips for Flightless Birds, has been described by insiders as an elaborate and thinly veiled attempt to make her husband love circuses. She refuses to comment.
She started writing when she was six.
She started hiding her writing when she was seven.
She was forced out of the writing closet when she was 35. One of her favourite activities is talking to teenagers about writing because she was too shy to do this when she was young.
She studied at Queens University Belfast, where she did two degrees. For fun. She currently lives with her husband Michael and their ancient VW campervan Gerda.
Her first novel, Flying Tips for Flightless Birds, has been described by insiders as an elaborate and thinly veiled attempt to make her husband love circuses. She refuses to comment.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a proof copy from the publisher and I'm very grateful for it as this was my first read of 2026 and it did not disappoint.
In a world where you know the date of your death, Just Another Dead Boy delivers a sharp, funny and heart breaking enemies to lovers tale that will stay with you a long time.
As a school librarian, I'm forever trying to find books that slightly older teens will sink their teeth into and this is the perfect remedy for this. I loved it, very excited to see it out there in the world in the summer!
In a world where you know the date of your death, Just Another Dead Boy delivers a sharp, funny and heart breaking enemies to lovers tale that will stay with you a long time.
As a school librarian, I'm forever trying to find books that slightly older teens will sink their teeth into and this is the perfect remedy for this. I loved it, very excited to see it out there in the world in the summer!
October 27, 2025
I received an early proof of this book and I loved it. Just Another Dead Boy hit me right in the heart. Kelly McCaughrain has again created characters that feel like friends, friends facing the biggest of challenges. In a world in which the day of your death is known from the moment you are born, how to you live your life?
With Romeo and Juliet at is centre, the book looks not just at the tragedy of someone dying young, but how capitalism and class difference play out when an end of life can be commodified. Food for the head and the heart, this book is about connection, hope and how hard it can be to have hope, when your cast in a role that can’t afford to. With gut punches that had me crying, and a world that I felt I could step into, I can’t recommend this book enough.
With Romeo and Juliet at is centre, the book looks not just at the tragedy of someone dying young, but how capitalism and class difference play out when an end of life can be commodified. Food for the head and the heart, this book is about connection, hope and how hard it can be to have hope, when your cast in a role that can’t afford to. With gut punches that had me crying, and a world that I felt I could step into, I can’t recommend this book enough.
November 5, 2025
The absurdity of life. Albert Camus. Just another dead boy is a beautifully written book about life and hope. I did not expect to love the book as much as I did, but it even brought me to some tears at one point.
With the Romeo and Juliet theme combined with the existence of Death Dates causing people being born with early death dates marked on their skin. The book really makes you start to reflect your own life choices and what meaning you give life, just like Regan and Micah do in the story.
With the Romeo and Juliet theme combined with the existence of Death Dates causing people being born with early death dates marked on their skin. The book really makes you start to reflect your own life choices and what meaning you give life, just like Regan and Micah do in the story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews