Note: video review will be posted to YouTube and TikTok July 1st, link will be added upon upload

Thank you Harlequin for this early review copy! This book is available from Harlequin Trade Publishing on July 15, 2025

This was very different from anything I've read by Jeneva Rose before. It was cute, funny, and wacky, while still being able to discuss difficult topics like grief, eating disorders, and anxiety. She said in the author's note that this was her first novel and was unsure about publishing it. It was inspired by some of her own experiences. I'm glad she decided to publish. It was a very enjoyable book. Thank you for sharing your story, Jeneva.

It’s kind of funny how the universe works. I received this updated ARC of The Girl I Was at the exact moment I needed it—without even realizing it. What makes it even more special is that this isn’t my first time with this story. I had already listened to the audiobook twice before, but as soon as I started reading again, I felt this familiar, emotional pull. I realized—oh wow—I’ve been here before. And somehow, it hit even deeper this time.

The story follows a woman trying to make peace with her past: the people she loved, the hurt she carried, and the questions she never really got to answer. It’s raw, honest, and so incredibly human. Every character feels layered and real, like someone you’ve known or maybe even been at one point in your life.

There’s something truly beautiful about revisiting a story like this. It reminded me how far I’ve come, and yet, how certain pieces of the past still live within me. This isn’t one of Jeneva Rose’s typical thrillers—it’s more of a heartfelt, reflective journey. And honestly? I loved that about it. It brought back memories I didn’t even realize I’d tucked away.

The added chapters in this updated version made the experience even richer. I found myself smiling more than once, and by the time I turned the final page, I felt lighter. Seen. Uplifted. The ending stayed with me, just like before, but this time it felt like a warm hug from the universe—a reminder that healing is possible, and that it's okay to look back as long as we keep moving forward.

If it didn’t resonate with you the first time, I encourage you to give it another shot. It’s one of those stories that finds you when you're ready for it. Jeneva Rose has such a beautiful way with words, and The Girl I Was is a perfect example of her gift for writing stories that truly touch the heart.

This book is hands down the best book that I have read this year! This book really had me in my feels the whole time. I cried so much and just thoroughly enjoyed it from page one until the very end.

I’ve been an avid Jeneva Rose reader for years so I was thrilled to get the ARC of The Girl I Was on NetGalley. There’s a little blurb in the front explaining that this is a completely different vibe from her usual twisty suspense novels, which peaked my interest right away. Now I know that Jeneva Rose can write just about anything.

When Lexi’s near-perfect boyfriend Andrew is about to propose, Lexi lets her negative thoughts ruin the moment and potentially the rest of her life. After a night of drinking, she travels back in time to her college-age self and has to relive some of her most memorable and traumatic moments. The big question is whether she can fix her shortcomings and set the path that her life is meant to take - and if the younger version of herself will be willing to listen.

♡ thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Jeneva Rose for an ARC of this book via NetGalley ♡

5/5 ⭐️

it's the way i would PAY to read Jeneva's GROCERY LIST. everything she writes is just.. pure excellence & this book was NO DIFFERENT. this was an emotional rollercoaster full of nostalgia & i shed a few tears during this one!!

📖 plot & pace: after losing her job and a breakup with her dream man, alexis grabs a bottle of alcohol & wakes up in her old college town.. in 2002. she's convinced she'd been sent back to stop herself from essentially ruining her life. this was a "read in one sitting". it was funny, heartwarming & super bingeable.

👥 characters: alexis (and young lexi) are SO relatable in their own ways. watching them interact was wild at first LOL but i admire the emotional growth & the self-reflection along the way. we see how the characters in young Lexi's life truly shaped her future self.

🤩 tropes: time travel, dual timelines, second chances, self-discovery, emotional healing

i also really enjoyed the acknowledgments of this book. i typically don't read them but something told me to this time.. i felt like i could truly understand jeneva 💕

this book is nostalgic, beautifully written & hits you right in the heart. if you love emotional fiction with a magical/sci fi twist, add this to your TBR asap!!

Such a good book. I couldn't put it down. So good. Thank you for letting me read in advance. Five stars.

This book was such a fun read! Everything Jeneva writes I will eat up! I can’t wait for the special prayer edition to come out

The early 2000s nostalgia that I relived while reading this book was heartwarming! Low rise jeans, boys with frosted tips, Nelly, dial up internet, and a world without social media. Take me back!
Newly fired and dumped, thirty something Alexis downs some homemade voodoo vodka and finds herself back in 2002 and face to face with her collage freshman self. Determined to shake some sense into the teenager and alter the course of her life, she does everything she can to change her young self. But young Alexis, or Lexi as her friends call her, is fiery and stubborn and just wants to party. Alexis is hit in the feels when she comes face to face with long lost friends and family and issues of her past.
I loved this book. It was very touching. We can all learn a little about ourselves when we face our past and own up to our mistakes. Grab this book and some tissues to go with it.
Jeneva has become one of my favorite authors. I cannot wait to see what she puts out next for her gaggle of geese.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins for the ARC. I received this book for free in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own.

I love Jeneva. She writes the BEST books and always has a fun twist. I would say it was not my favorite by her, but it was still good and enjoyable.

I received this as an ARC as it has added chapters and was edited and re-published. Coming from the authors usually twisty books I read, the time traveling element of going back and seeing how you lived. I did have a hard time enjoying the main character, I just couldn’t connect with her and I found her rather annoying 🫣. I couldn’t get fully invested in the story because of this which was disappointing but it was an overall good read and I’ll still recommend it.

This book had me in my feelings in the best way. I absolutely loved it. The time travel element was so well done l, it never felt confusing or over the top, just magical in all the right ways.

The characters felt so real, especially Alexis. I saw so much of myself in her, and watching her grow throughout the book was honestly really emotional. She made mistakes, learned from them, and became someone stronger and that journey hit hard.

And the 90s/2000s nostalgia? YES. The references, the vibes, the music… it gave me so much joy. I laughed out loud more than once, and yes, I definitely cried too. The ending was perfect, not too neat, but just right. And then the author’s note at the end? That sealed the deal for me. It made everything feel even more personal and powerful.

This and It's a Date - Again were my first reads from this author. Which is ironic since I love thrillers and I know that's what she's known for. But I love Jeneva's writing style!

This book was relatable and It made me reflect on my own life. Cried a little but overall it was a fun read! As soon as I finished it the first time, I ordered a physical copy so I can come back to it when I'm feeling a little defeated in life.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc copy! I already preordered and I can’t wait!
Now, time to read the other books from this amazing author!

I really wanted to like this one, the premise really intrigued me but unfortunately, I ended up DNFing it.

I just couldn't connect with the character, she was very hypocritical and unlikeable. Maybe that was the point and I just need to work on my tolerance when it comes to characters with similar traits.

I've heard great things about Jeneva Rose, this was my first book of hers but it didn't turn me off. I have a few on my TBR and I will gladly read those.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!

4.25 stars ⭐️ I love that we get 6 brand new chapters this publication! I’ve loved everything Jeneva Rose has written so far and this is no exception. I loved the magical realism in this book and the ending was unexpected!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own 🫶🏼

I had such a good time with this book! I think we all at some point have wanted to go back and have a conversation with our younger selves at least once! This book lets you do that! Super fun, a lot of pop culture references and had me laughing throughout! Highly recommend, especially if you are entering your 30s!

This book was not at all what I expected…but in the absolute best way. No, it’s not a thriller BUT I would consider it to be speculative fiction which is still a preferred genre of mine.

This book is for any one who has struggled to come to terms with their last and be honest with themselves and accepting accountability for their actions. What would you do if you could go back and change the past? What would you do differently? How would you be a better person for yourself and those around you?

I thoroughly enjoyed this one—it was easy to read, thought provoking, and the dash of time traveling was a nice touch.


Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher Harlequin/MIRA for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in for my honest review.

I will read anything Jeneva writes. I enjoyed this book and actually had read the indie version. I was surprised to enjoy it just as much this time.

This is not at all what I was expecting. This author is an automatic for me, so I didn’t even bother to read the synopsis. She even tried to warn me in the beginning and I still didn’t listen. lol I absolutely loved this thought provoking novel. Geneva can do no wrong, even if it’s not a thriller.

This is the first book by Jeneva I've read that wasn't one of her thrillers. I loved the story and she did such a great job of telling it. The book follows Alexis who has been working a bunch of dead end temp jobs since graduating college. She gets drunk after her most recent firing and time travels back to 2002 to her former college, party girl self Lexi. While Alexis and Lexi are trying to figure out how to send Alexis back to her time they both end up learning new things about theirseves and their friendships. Alexis helps Lexi connect with her friends and family members in new ways that she missed the first time around. I will say that Lexi really annoyed the crap out of me several times, but by the end I loved both sides of her and their growth together. I would definitely recommend this book to friends. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC for a review.

Pushing this book to the top of my TBR was the best decision I could have made for myself. I feel as though it has begun to reshape me into a better person with a different outlook on life. Alexis’s transformation throughout the story is one everyone should be able to experience if they are unhappy with themselves or their current path of life . Jeneva Rose has done it again.