“To dream of becoming a butterfly. I didn’t understand it when we were studying it in Chinese school, but I think I do now. Maybe it’s impossible to tell which is the dream and which is reality.”

Jenna Chen has always been jealous of her cousin, Jessica Chen, who is academically successful, abundantly popular, and effortlessly gorgeous. But her desire to become Jessica reaches a breaking point when Jenna is rejected from Harvard and Jessica isn’t. Burdened to meet her immigrant family’s expectations, Jenna wakes up one morning to find her wish to live Jessica’s life a reality. Thrust into Jessica’s world of academic pressure and secrets, Jenna learns that to be the best isn’t always what it seems. While trying to return to her true self, Jenna finds romance with an old crush and learns to appreciate the life and family she had.

While contemporary romances are not usually my go-to genre, I was intrigued by the Freaky Friday-like body switching magic present in the story. Liang takes the body switching idea in a completely new direction, providing a new way to consider human consciousness and where that might go if we no longer exist. Jenna Chen is a compelling narrator with several relatable flaws. This book really made me feel seen in terms of always striving to be the best academically, especially when surrounded by people who will always be more skilled and successful. The message of this novel is important for academically driven students who are (or have been) under an immense amount of pressure and might be feeling the onset of burnout. Aaron, the lead male character, is full of charm and had me swooning for a dream boy who surely could only like a perfect girl like Jessica Chen. Jessica Chen is also full of unexpected depth, with several secrets of her own. While reading this, I found myself astounded by the character-driven narrative, despite the mystery and ending being predictable. I knew early into the novel who was sending threatening messages to Jessica and was able to figure out how the story would wrap up, but this did not take away from my enjoyment at all. I highly recommend this novel for its portrayal of Chinese characters and immigrant culture, as well as its depiction of students who are constantly striving to be the best.

Jenna Chen has always felt second best to her perfect and beautiful cousin, Jessica Chen. When Jenna’s wish comes true to be Jessica she sees how hard it is to be on top.

While a pretty predictable story for an adult reader, it’s still entertaining and worth a read. There’s a strong lesson to be learned: the grass is always greener on the other side; but is it really? This is a perfect story for young adults struggling to do their best, but their best is never quite enough.

“Would the butterfly be relieved to turn back into a human? Or would the butterfly miss being able to fly too much?”

I Am Not Jessica Chen comes out 1/25.

E-ARC generously provided by HarperCollins Children's Books in exchange for an honest review! Thank you so much.

4.5 stars, probably rounded up once I think about it a bit more. Bringing to mind the terror of The Portrait of a Dorian Gray while also drawing a gorgeously rendered portrait of what it is like to want, Ann Liang's newest YA is a fabulist, dark academia tale that made me feel seen: brilliance and flaws and all. Bravo!

Ann Liang never disappoints. This book made me feel so seen, because Liang effortlessly depicted the jealousy and vulnerability that comes with constant comparison to someone you perceive as better than you. This definitely ain’t my favorite book by her but it is still a good book!

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang is a compelling YA novel that explores identity and family dynamics through the lens of Alice, who feels overshadowed by her perfect sister, Jessica. Ann Liang skillfully delves into themes of self-discovery and the pressure of living up to expectations, delivering a heartfelt and relatable story. With authentic characters and a narrative that balances humor and emotion, this book is a poignant read for anyone grappling with their own sense of self and familial roles.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang is a first person YA speculative contemporary in the vein of Freaky Friday. On the night of her rejection to Harvard, Jenna Chen wishes she was her perfect cousin Jessica. Jessica, who was accepted into Harvard, is the number one student, and is part of a million clubs. But Jenna soon learns that Jessica is dealing with her own stuff and being perfect isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. What’s worse, Jenna is disappearing from the memories of everyone around her and she’s running out of time to get her old life back.

The more time Jenna spends in Jessica’s body, the more she, and the reader, see that Jessica is extremely hard on herself to the point of using self-deprecating language over a single mistake. Her relationship with her mother is also a lot more emotionally fraught than Jenna knew. It both was and wasn’t shocking because a lot of kids who are that obsessed with perfection do have a parent or guardian in the background making them feel like they have no choice but to be perfect. What I was not expecting was how it was presented in the mother.

Jenna and Jessica are two sides of the extreme of the second generation immigrant experience and the struggle to fulfill your parents’ dreams. Jenna and Jessica’s fathers are brothers and all four of their parents immigrated from China and had their daughters shortly after moving. Jessica’s family is wildly successful compared to Jenna’s and Jessica herself is a model student getting perfect scores and has a bright future ahead of her to keep pulling her family forward and further into wealth, something many immigrants dream of for their children. Jenna tries her best in school, but she does struggle. Her talent lies more in the arts, which is just as wonderful as computer science or politics as we will always need art, but that doesn’t stop Jenna from feeling like she isn’t good enough that she failed to meet her parents’ expectations and dreams when they came to the US.

We have a romance subplot with Jenna and Jessica’s childhood friend, Aaron. Jenna has had feelings for him for a long time but he left for Paris and shortly returned at the beginning of the book, leaving the potential between them hanging in the air. Aaron is the only person who not only remembers Jenna fully, but doesn’t immediately assume Jenna’s on vacation when she ends up in Jessica’s body. There was a lot of tension between Jenna and Aaron because Aaron wants to keep his feelings close to the chest but Jenna wants something to finally happen or not happen between them even if she doesn’t know how to push him to try. Loved their dynamic and was rooting for them the whole time.

Content warning for brief depictions of self-deprecating language, emotional abuse, and racism

I would recommend this to fans of YA with a single speculative element, readers looking for a book exploring the price of perfection, and those looking for a YA focused on the second generation immigrant experience in relation to college acceptance and secondary school

Ann Liang truly excels at everything she writes, and I Am Not Jessica Chen is one of my top reads of the year. I loved the characters so much, and I related so much to Jenna in terms of feeling like everything I do pales in comparison to everyone else's achievements. This book was written with so much raw emotion, and I loved the romantic aspect between Aaron and Jenna. I feel so seen in terms of Jenna's personality, and I am advising everyone to read this book! Infinity stars!

I really liked the overall themes/message and the way the story resolved. I did struggle with the pacing. But overall I think this book will be so important for so many teenagers who are struggling with their self worth. There’s so much pressure to attach your worth as a person to your performance and outwardly success. But you are more than what you do and how much you can achieve.

*3.5
ann liang is just sooooo good at writing the cutesiest little romances i adore them loved jennaaron sm and can’t wait for her next romance!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Can you find a main character relatable but also annoying af? This book was enjoyable despite the issues I had with the mc. The main character here, Jenna Chen is a high schooler in what appears to be a really fancy private school for the rich and super smart. The place isnt mentioned, but Im thinking SoCal since there’s a plot point with hiking. She’s not rich, but she is smart, but not super smart as she repeatedly reminds us that she is not good enough. And she didn't get into any of the Ivy League schools she applied to. woe is her, her life super sucks. I mean seriously, all she does the whole book is complain how she isn't good enough and how she thinks her cousin Jessica is so perfect and how everyone treats Jessica like the super smart and special golden child (which omg everyone at that school does and like wtf is wrong with you people, why are they worshipping Jessica so much, like think Regina George level worship but times 1000 because Jessica also happens to be a genius who got into all the ivy league schools). So that got to be too repetitive and really annoying.

Yes its relatable that a lot of people a lot of the time don't feel like they're not good enough and never will be, and comparing your life to someone else’s who you think is “better” is very easy to do. But at the same time, I just wanted to grab Jenna, shake her by the shoulders and shout YOU NEED TO DO SOME GRATITUDE JOURNALING, cuz really her life isn't all that bad. There are people who have it way worse than Jenna and she is just so ungrateful for everything she does have.

And the whole premise of the book is that Jenna makes a wish upon a shooting star to be her cousin Jessica, and in the morning she is magically Jessica, which is a fun trope. And as Jenna is living her best Jessica life, everyone starts to forget the actual Jenna and also real Jessica is nowhere to be found as she didn’t end up in Jenna’s life/body, which made this book more interesting than other switching places stories,. Theres a bit of a mystery as to why the love interest is the only one who remembers Jenna and where Jessica wound up. There’s also a predictable reveal that tends to happen in any other story about people wishing to switch places with someone else, but overall the book was enjoyable. A very YA book, but still enjoyable, because the writing is good when it’s not repeating how Jenna isn’t good enough every other paragraph.

I would have liked more explanation as to why her dad wasn't super rich when her uncle (dad’s brother) was, and they went to the same college (which the book does paint it as if you get into a great college you will be successful for life, so the fact that her dad wasn't super middle class and her uncle was basically a 1 percenter didn't really make sense. And considering that one of the main reasons Jenna wants to be her cousin is because Jessica’s family is super rich, it would have been nice to explore.

Ann Liang is back at it again with another great story. I absolutely love the academic setting of her books. Liang not only creates a fun atmosphere but she packs some great messages in her work as well. I would highly recommend her books to teens and adults. I always find pieces of my younger self in her books. With Ann Liang you always get a cute little romance too. “I Hope This Doesn’t Find You” is still one of my favorite books of the year (5 star, need to reread asap) but “I Am Not Jessica Chen” is a solid read. 🤍

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

A truly relatable story about how we all have fallen victim to reaching for what we don’t have, while missing out on all the things that make our own lives special.
I felt for the main character as if she were younger me, even much older, the author had a way to write out all my troubled inner feelings of never feeling good enough. Her message of how you don’t need to be successful to be worthy of living is something all people should hear.
Another aspect I enjoyed was the romance side plot, it felt genuine and evenly balanced with the main goal of the book. Overall though I favored seeing Jenna’s character evolve into someone who finally accepted themselves as they are and finding no reason to change to fit someone else’s narrative. Amazing book!

We all have a Jessica Chen in our lives. Someone close, a friend or relative, who seems to have it all together. For Jenna Chen, it is her cousin Jessica, with her perfect grades and perfect hair, and her acceptance to Harvard - while Jenna constantly feels like a disappointment to her parents and a discount version of Jessica.

When one night, Jenna makes a wish to actually be Jessica, she thinks little of it - until the next morning, when she wakes up in Jessica's body. Now inhabiting her fantasy life, Jenna discovers that maybe, just maybe, things aren't all that perfect for her perfect cousin, but can she accept herself as she is and go back to her own life?

Even though I am old enough to be Jenna's mother, this story resonated with me because the struggle at the center is universal. We have all, at some point in our lives, looked at someone else and wished we were like them. Ann Liang has told this story beautifully, and I very much enjoyed it.

Ann Liang has done it again! She has been one of my favorite authors for a while now, and she completely outdid herself with this one. Her ability to write characters that feel so real and struggles that resonate so deeply always amazes me. It’s like she knows exactly how to put all those messy, complicated feelings into words. This book is an absolute masterpiece that had me hooked from start to finish!

Jenna’s story was such a rollercoaster. I could totally understand why she wanted to stay as Jessica—it felt like she finally had everything she ever wanted. I loved how the book explored that bittersweet realization that perfection isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Watching Jenna grow and start to embrace her true self was so emotional and inspiring. And I really appreciated how Jessica wasn’t just the “perfect cousin.” Liang gave her depth too, showing that even people who seem to have it all struggle in ways you might never see.

And let me just gush about Aaron for a second—he was such a great love interest! Sweet, supportive, and just the kind of person Jenna needed as she worked through everything. I might even say he’s my favorite Ann Liang male lead, which is saying a lot because she writes amazing ones.

This book was such a beautiful reminder that it’s okay to not have it all together and that being true to yourself is worth more than any perfect image. It made me laugh, cry, and think so much about my own experiences. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to be “perfect,” this one will hit close to home in the best way. Absolutely loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

After getting rejected by every Ivy League school she applied to, Jenna Chen makes a wish to become her much more successful Harvard-bound cousin, Jessica Chen. But when she wakes up and finds herself in Jessica’s body, she learns that being perfect isn’t as effortless as it seems. As everyone in her life begins to forget who Jenna was, she must decide if being the top-student and daughter is worth losing herself.

This book was a horror movie come to life for me. The idea of being stuck in the body of someone smarter than you and having to live up to those standards, but with your subpar brain??? Nightmare fuel. I was more stressed out than Jenna was this entire book. Jenna is a very flawed yet relatable character. Despite being incredibly driven and hardworking, she wasn’t born gifted. She always seems to fall short of her peers, and the envy she feels eats her alive. She gets caught up in what she doesn’t have, rather than embracing her own unique strengths. Many people will see themselves in her struggles and self-hatred.

Ann Liang is a goddess when it comes to writing romance. I love all her male love interests, she knows how to craft the most spine tingling, knees-weak confession scenes. I thought this novel perfectly balanced the romantic subplot with the larger conflict. A little sweetness to keep you going in the devastation. I was getting a little anxious thinking this book was going to fall into the “romance fixes mental illness” trope, but thankfully it expertly sidestepped it. Finding out that someone loved her true self did not overturn her self-loathing. It was not enough to show her the worthiness of her life. It was only once she began to recognize her own gifts, as well as the dark sides of academic praise, that Jenna began to see value in her old life.

A part of me wishes we saw more of Jenna and Jessica’s relationship before the wish. Their interaction at the end of the novel revealed how much closer they were than I originally assumed. I think it could have been more impactful to see Jenna’s darker emotions of jealous and envy contrasting with the lighter ones of love and friendship beforehand.

My first Ann Liang book! I am Jessica Chen. Or more accurately I am Jessica and Jenna Chen. Contemporary YA can get frustrating as an adult reader but this I remember; how uncomfortable I was in my own skin in high school, my identity crisis, body image issues, the pressure of college and homework and exams and extracurriculars. It's smart that the book is titled I Am Not Jessica Chen, she's physically not present in most of the book but yet is larger than life. The actual FMC Jenna is more of a footnote and her name forgettable. But is she really or is she making herself that? This book is really about the feelings. I was surprised to find out after I finished it's almost 400 pages. It doesn't feel that way, I flew through it.

The writing has room for improvement but the topics covered made up for it. The only things I really felt were lacking is development of the love interest Aaron, we didn't get to see or learn much about him. Even what we did we didn't get to go deeper, what's his dad's name, what's his house like, who are his other friends? I almost felt like I was reading book 2 of an interconnected series and was missing Aaron's background. Second, in general I feel like the friendships could have been developed more. Jenna really is a normal and kind person, she said Leela was her best friend but we never really got to see it. She seems to have no acquaintances even though she has always been in Havenwood. These might have been a byproduct of everyone forgetting her.

I really really loved the focus on Asian immigrant life and the feelings and issues associated. I'm excited to read Liang's backlog.

Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

I know she isn't Jessica Chen, so why do we basically only learn about Jessica Chen? Our main character feels very conflicted over her identity and jealous of Jessica, so she obviously focuses more on her prettier, cooler cousin that she thinks is more deserving of attention. However, I felt like it made me empathize with the actual MC less because I knew so much less about her. It took me hundreds of pages to learn how she could afford to go to her school because there was so little emphasis put on Jenna herself. I still enjoy Ann Liang's books, but this one wasn't my favorite.

“I’m simply not that good. Not in academics. Not in extracurriculars. Not as a student, or a daughter, or a human. It doesn’t matter if I crammed my brain to the point of breaking with formulas and dates, threw myself into my classes, painted until the skin on my hands and split open. Here is incontrovertible proof. Something in me is missing. Lacking.”

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang
Release date: January 28th, 2025
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Age rating:13+
Spice:none

Thank you Ann Liang and Netgalley for this arc! This was so beautiful and heartbreaking. I loved it so much! I relate to Jenna so much. I could feel her pain throughout the whole story. Watching her try so hard to be perfect with school but feeling like she was falling short broke my heart. This girlie really needed some hugs. The super small subplot of romance was so cute and sweet. I loved it so much. The plot was so good and intriguing and I haven’t really read a book like this before. The writing was so beautiful and I highlighted so much. One super small thing I love about Ann’s books is the way she makes time move. It’s super subtle but it feels like the time moves so smoothly. Like I don’t feel like we’re just jumping through weeks and months abruptly if that makes any sense lol. Anyway I LOVED this one and binged it in one day. I can’t wait to get a physical copy so I can annotate it. I definitely recommend!

Anything ann writes is gold, she is an incredible author, a master of ya genre, ever since the book was announced i have been so excited to read it and when i got e-arc i was buzzing and soon the buzz turned into sobs because the book was like if ann peeked into my head and wrote jenna with everything she found in there. The book was filled with everything ann writes the best, academic pressure, the struggles of being asian minority and a swoon worthy love interest.

The story is beautiful with well developed characters and a pace that doesn't let your attention waver. Everyone who reads this is in for a ride by the end of which they'll be sobbing just like me <3

This is my third Ann Liang read and I believe her second dark academia book.

What I really liked about Ann Liang first is her writing style. Accessible writing style is difficult to achieve especially when it revolves on a plot that blends modern contemporary setting and magical realism. And I can say that Ann managed to deliver the expected voice of Jenna Chen.

Storyline is also a strong point to discuss since this novel promises a discussion about comparison and pressure that is normalized in most, if not all, Asian families. Jenna Chen, our MC, has been doubtful of her hardwork right from the very first chapter as she can’t seem to attain the level of success that her cousin, Jessica Chen, is enjoying.

What Jenna doesn’t know is that her random wish upon a star will suddenly come true and she will assume the life of her beloved cousin Jessica but at what cost?


This is borderline dark but not as dark with Ann Liang’s debut. I like the discourse about familial expectations that pushes kids to the point of no return, in this case, Jenna and Jessica share the same school and same family but never the same level of success hence imagine the comparison.

There is also a romance element in here that somehow became a major element at the end and as usual, I enjoyed how the author balanced the mystery of Jenna/Jessica and the romance without overshadowing each other.

One thing that I noticed in my experience reading IANJC is that I was expecting more but nothing too surprising came. I think it was more of a me problem since I put too much expectations.

Rated this one 4stars. If you enjoyed IF YOU COULD SEE THE SUN, there’s a high chance you’ll love this one as well.