Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Once And Future Me is an exciting and suspenseful novel that follows a woman who wakes up with no memory when she is being admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 1950s America. It is filled with revelatory twists that will keep you turning the pages.

Reading this book was a fun time but not much more than that, and I don’t think I’ll be remembering it in years to come. There were some points (the beginning and the end) when it was hard to put down because of all the action, but it also became boring in spots. The discussion around mental health and sexism is pretty surface-level. It reads like a debut novel writing-wise. That being said, it was still an enjoyable novel.

It wasn't bad for a debut in terms of storytelling and writing! I just think the pacing could have been better because I found myself getting bored at mixed points in the story. It starts strong and then dwindles and then picks back up and then dwindles again. Overall it was a good read and I'm definitely interested in checking out whatever this author puts o it next.

Can’t go wrong when dystopian meets psychological thrillers!
Our main character Dorothy is unreliable all due to her mental illness or does she really have one at all?
This story was good, however, there was a lot of repetitiveness that just weighed the story down more and by the time we got to the end I was ready for it to end.

Melissa Pace's *The Once and Future Me* is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully intertwines elements of science fiction and feminist literature. The narrative follows a woman who awakens on a bus en route to Hanover State Psychiatric Hospital in 1954, with no recollection of her past. Identified as Dorothy Frasier, a supposed paranoid schizophrenic, she is confronted with a reality that feels inherently wrong. As fragmented memories surface, she experiences episodes that transport her to a dystopian future, where a group of young scientists implores her to locate a doctor in 1954—a figure pivotal to understanding a mysterious entity known as the Guest. This dual-timeline structure keeps readers on edge, questioning the nature of reality and the reliability of memory.

Pace's character development is both intricate and compelling. The protagonist, grappling with her fractured identity, embodies resilience and determination. Her journey of self-discovery is fraught with psychological tension, as she navigates a world that constantly undermines her sense of self. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic scientists and the hospital staff, add depth to the narrative, each playing a crucial role in unraveling the overarching mystery.

The novel's plot is a labyrinthine exploration of time, identity, and the malleability of reality. Pace deftly balances the suspense of a thriller with profound philosophical questions, creating a story that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. The pacing is deliberate, allowing for moments of introspection amidst the unfolding drama.

In summary, *The Once and Future Me* is a standout addition to contemporary fiction, offering a unique blend of psychological intrigue and speculative elements. Pace's nuanced character portrayals and intricate plotting make this novel a must-read for those seeking a narrative that challenges perceptions and lingers long after the final page. 4/5 stars.

I really enjoyed this mystery. During there first half of the book, and especially at the beginning, all I could think is "What in the world is going on?" which leads me to read all the faster. Ms. Pace did a great job with the unreliable narrator device. once you do understand what is happening , the pace moves quickly. I look forward to seeing what else Melissa Pace comes up with for a story next. Would love to see this story continued even.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I thought that the segments of the story relating to finding her true identity and escaping the Hospital were wonderfully done and the tension being built was perfect. However, there was something somewhat cheap and juvenile about the timeline relating to her future self. It seemed to me like it there was just a story in the future so we could have something to drive the 1954 narrative. I think this could have been done better, maybe a different government conspiracy or something like that, that could help move the plot along better. I would definitely say this is geared toward younger readers due the juvenile nature of the future plot line of the book.

That being said, there is still a lot to like this book. Peace does an excellent job with the patient locked in the asylum trope and I quite loved it. Definitely wish there was more of it compared to the future timeline which I found to be distracting.

It was almost like Pace was trying to do too much in this one. The future timeline probably could have stood on its as YA dystopian, while the 1954 timeline could have been a good novel by itself with some other factor driving the tension.

Kept me guessing from start to finish. The twists and turns in the plot were unpredictable, making it impossible to put down. However, while the journey was thrilling, the ending felt a bit off—it left me wanting more closure. Overall I enjoyed the journey and would recommend it to others.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book!

I am a huge fan of dystopian and psychological thrillers so I couldn't wait to read this! Dorothy is unreliable because of her mental illness...or does she have one? You'll have to find out! My only complaints are that it was a little repetitive and the ending. Does this mean there will be another one?!? I sure hope so!

This book involves an unreliable narrator (Dorothy) who finds herself at Hanover State Psychiatric Hospital in 1854. As you read this book you find out who Dorothy really is - this is a WTF read (in the best way)!
I did not read an excerpt before starting-so I had no idea what to expect.
While I was reading this- I kept relating aspects of this book to the tv series Ratched.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC..

3.25 stars.

The writing itself was good and the storyline was very original. My interest just wasn’t piqued from the get-go. There were periods where I would become invested in the storyline and the characters but then my attention would wane again. I loved the psychiatric hospital setting and even the time traveler storyline. I think the immediate introduction is what lost my interest.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

It took me a bit to get into the story, but as it continues, the action ramps up and the faster pace keeps it exciting- right until the end.. where it just stops. Unsatisfyingly. I was ready to give it a higher score before that. All the questions and the reveals kept it interesting as the main character is figuring out what's going on. But then, it just feels so frustrating for it to not come to more of a conclusion. If the point was to be ambiguous, it should have been more ambiguous throughout the book.

The Once and Future Me by Melissa Pace was such a great novel. Very original and thought provoking. I look forward to reading more of her work.

This gripping psychological thriller masterfully blends elements of Black Mirror and Russian Doll with a feminist edge, delivering a riveting tale of identity, survival, and time-twisting intrigue. Set against the eerie backdrop of a 1954 psychiatric hospital, the story follows a protagonist whose memory is blank, yet whose instincts as a steely survivor remain razor-sharp. The layered narrative explores chilling experiments, broken futures, and the enigmatic Guest, creating a haunting yet exhilarating mystery. With sharp twists and a compelling central character, this book keeps you guessing until the last page, making it a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and psychological thrillers.

It was good in the beginning but I lost interest towards the middle. Maybe it wasn’t the right book for me. I do believe people will enjoy a good sci-fi fantasy but it wasn’t good enough for me. It’s a 2.5!stars for me.

4/5 stars!

Imagine this: you wake up on a bus with no memory of who you or where you are. You don’t even know your name. You’re herded into Hanover State Psychiatric Hospital. You learn that the year is 1954. You’re told your name is Dorothy Frasier, a paranoid schizophrenic committed by the state for your violent delusions. You know none of this is true. You begin to suffer from from a blinding buzzing in your head and awaken in a foreign place attached to wires and are told you are from the year 2035 and have been sent to 1954 to retrieve a strain of a deadly virus that has taken over the world. You are their hope for survival. But suddenly you are ripped back into 1954. As your visions become worse you are transferred to the Unit, a section of the hospital where “treatment” consists of electroshock therapy and lobotomy’s. Finally, you have a visitor. He is a familiar face. He tells you that you are indeed Dorothy and helps with your amnesia by even showing you pictures of the two of you together. Memories start to resurface. The doctor tells you that as a result of your violent tendencies and your inability to act on them in civilized society, your mind has created a future, lawless and desperate society to to satisfy your need to fight and deceive. After being surrounded with other women also suffering from different delusions and finally seeing a familiar face who confirms what the doctors have been saying, what do you believe? That you are indeed Dorothy Frasier, a violent schizophrenic suffering from vivid delusions or an agent sent from the future tasked to save the world?

Wow! This book was a rollercoaster! I feel like some parts of this book were REALLY GOOD and then during other parts I felt there was a lull in the pacing. I was quickly drawn into this story and I truly felt the high stakes environment that was portrayed. Many of the events in Hanover were deeply disturbing and saddening to think this stuff really happened in 1950’s mental hospitals.

The writing was also such a fun time. I really felt like we got to know Bix’s personality very well and I thought her inner monologue was so entertaining and funny.

I will say that the last 25% of the book I wasn’t as engaged with. I felt the ending was very rushed! Some of her decisions in the end weren’t the smartest …. Plus I felt we didn’t get the closure I was hoping for. I felt that there were also a ton of different characters in Hanover and I gave up trying to keep track on the backstory and which nurse was which.

Overall, this was a psychological thriller/dystopian type feel that reminded me of a freaky Black Mirror episode. I would recommend!!

When your only complaint about a novel is that you want MORE world building, you know you have a great novel. I easily could have read hundreds of pages of backstory. A crackling ride through the past and the near future, this feminist thrill ride will leave you wanting more.

This ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

The tagline "Dark Matter meets Girl, Interrupted with a feminist twist in this gripping psychological thriller perfect for fans of dystopian fiction, time travel, and shows like Black Mirror and Russian Doll" really got me. This book was just that. I loved Dark Matter in that it was less a story about solving the world's mystery and more about a person finding themselves. This book was much in that same vein. It was well-written, entertaining, and emotional. I never read anything else by Melissa Pace, but I quite enjoy her work. The pacing was perfect. By the time I finished, I felt like my brain had been through a blender—in the best way. I’ve already been telling my friends about it. Also--if you like Severance on AppleTv, this one has those vibes too.

People in two distinct years are telling a woman with no clear recollection of her life that she’s different people; all she knows for sure is that she needs answers, and she’ll do what she must to get them in Melissa Pace’s The Once and Future Me.
Waking with no clear memories of who she is on a bus transporting patients to Hanover State Psychiatric Hospital, a woman is told that she’s Dorothy Frasier and it’s 1954, but something, including an incredibly adamant voice, within her is certain that she’s not and doesn’t belong at the hospital or in that year. While trying to figure out a way to escape from the hospital, the woman experiences an episode where a group of young scientists in 2035 tell her she’s called Bix and that she was sent back to 1954 on a mission to find the key to stopping the Guest, which is rampantly causing the demise of everyone in 2035. As she tries to make sense of all she’s being told and with bits of true memories slowly returning to her, she gets a visit from a man whose face she recognizes from one of her memories and who the doctor says is her husband, Paul Frasier – but that would mean that she’s really Dorothy, even if things still don’t quite add up. Determined to find answers, she endures experimental treatments, some shockingly extreme, at the risk of her freedom and mind as she relentlessly seeks her memories and the truth, with assistance from some unlikely allies along the way, about who she is as a matter of survival.
In a captivating premise following one woman’s fight to regain control over herself, mentally and bodily, while battling eerily relevant gaslighting from others and biological dangers that threaten the likelihood of her survival, as well as that of countless others across different eras in various manners, the way the narrative is presented allows for an engaging and entertaining questioning of reality, or sanity, to occur for a fairly prolonged time as events are gradually unraveled, pieced together, and finally become fully connected. The more serious matters of import for confronting within the self and across broader society in both settings of 1954 and 2035 remain relative constants over the intervening decades, with some improvements in attitudes toward social constructs and treatments for mental health issues by 2035, which should resonate with contemporary audiences in comparison with how it’s addressed in the 50s; however, the strength of character and resilience depicted in Dorothy/Bix was heartening in the wake of the disheartening circumstances she found herself embroiled in during each era, particularly when put in contrast with the more despicable, if stereotypical of their era or corrupted by their mission-declared purpose, male counterparts. As there’s a level of paranoia and suspense embedded within the nature of this story, the way that some characters are noticed and portrayed, even in brief passing, makes them clear targets to be watchful of and, without spoiling anything, by the conclusion that proves to be entirely true, which was easy to spot that they had relevance but perhaps not quite the extent of the relevance they’d have for a potentially hopeful future.
Overall, I’d give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had a bit of trouble getting into this book at the beginning. The writing seemed choppy, and when I first heard the name Bix, I imagined some sort of YA wonder-heroes storyline. I'm so glad I kept reading! Once I got more into the story, the choppiness disappeared, and I was fully invested; I could not turn the pages fast enough. There were a few info dumps, but the main character had amnesia so I guess she needed those. About midway through, I was starting to worry but also hoped that all would not be resolved in this book and that there would be sequels. I don't want to give away too much, but if you enjoy time travel, mystery, historical fiction, and thrills, this book has it all.

Outstanding debut novel by Melissa Pace! I absolutely loved this book. Very engaging and had me hooked from the start. I love the unreliable narrator and as the truth becomes clear the stakes get higher. This book was exhilarating and had me on the edge of my seat. I could not put it down! I can’t share too much of the plot without spoilers. I urge you to dive into this book blind and enjoy every page. A true psychological thriller!