The story follows four strangers - Martin, Maureen, Jess, and JJ - who meet by chance on New Year's Eve on the roof of a London building called Toppers' House, each intending to commit suicide.

The four characters come from different backgrounds - Martin is a disgraced former TV personality, Maureen is a middle-aged woman caring for her disabled adult son, Jess is a troubled teenager, and JJ is an American former musician. Initially planning to jump off the roof, they end up forming an unlikely bond and agree to postpone their suicides for six weeks until Valentine's Day.

Over the next six weeks, the four stay in contact and find their urge to die waning as they get to know each other better. They start a short-lived book club reading books by authors who killed themselves. On Valentine's Day, after witnessing a man jump to his death from the roof, they collectively realize they are not truly suicidal and decide to give their lives 90 more days.

By the end of the novel, each character has found renewed purpose - Maureen realizes her son is not a burden, JJ starts playing music again, Martin begins tutoring a child, and Jess sees hope for her future if she can view her mental illness honestly. The novel ends on an uplifting note, with the four delaying their "final decision" on suicide for another six months.

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