Although this is not what I was expecting from a Jeneva Rose book, I still enjoyed it. Instead of a thriller it seemed more of a self discovery. The main character drove me nuts but that was the point I think because it had good character development. Overall it was a good read and I am glad that I read it.

Alexis manages to loose her job and her boyfriend all in the same day. She has a complete melt down and blames everyone else for her circumstances. Then she gets drunk and ends up back in 2002 on college campus with her younger self. Alexis and Lexi must find away back to 2016. I loved all the college shenanigans and Wi references.

She feels this is her chance to right some wrongs and get her boyfriend back. When she goes home for Thanksgiving and has all the happy memories with her family was my favorite part. She gets a do over and to see things clearly and make a difference and spend time with those she loves. It is heartbreaking, funny and eye opening all at the same time.

She finds ways to be a better friend and to take responsibility for her own actions. It is so well written that I only wish I would have discovered this book sooner.

The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose is a heartfelt and humorous coming-of-age story with a unique twist of time travel - a departure from her usual psychological thrillers. This book is packed with all the feels: nostalgia for early 2000s college days, sibling rivalry, grief over what has been lost, and hope for the future. It had me laughing and reminiscing at the start, and in tears by the end.

A central theme woven throughout is captured in the line: “In the end, everything will be all right. If it’s not, then it’s not the end.” As Alexis unexpectedly travels back in time, she’s tasked with fixing something - but she’s not sure what. Navigating a complicated relationship with her younger self proves more challenging than expected, stirring up many emotions: anger, hope, despair, grief, and love.

In one particularly moving moment, Alexis reflects, “I cry for the girl I was, the girl I am, and the girl I might never become.” Her journey becomes one of self-discovery and acceptance, ultimately reinforcing the message that “you have to love yourself before you can truly love anyone else.”

I give this book 4.5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thoughtful, emotional read. Expect laughter, maybe some tears, and reflection on who you once were - and who you’ve become.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA, and Jeneva Rose for the advance reader copy.

This book was a little confusing for me. I’m a huge fan of Jeneva Rose because of The Perfect Marriage and this was most definitely not that. As I was reading I felt like the story was a “passion project” for her. It was personal in a way. I was 90% in still confused as to what was going on.

I was going into this book not knowing what to expect and was pleasantly surprised by how good the story is. It had a good message.

It follows Alexis whose life isn’t going as planned. She loses her job and boyfriend on the same day and blames the world for her problems. She drinks a little too much and blacks out and wakes up back in her college town in 2002.

This story has such a good meaning on what happens when you get a second chance and realize and see how you can learn from your past. This book had funny moments and emotional moments as well. Jeneva Rose did such a good job telling this story.

Thank you for the ARC. This book wasn’t what I expected at all when I requested it. I know this author as a psych thriller author which is my normal genre. However, this book brought back some nostalgia and memories for me and actually was a pretty quick and easy read. It had some good lessons in it and makes me wish I could go back in time to the old me and make changes that would positively affect my present self.

I love Jenevas thrillers. Top 3 favorite authors, but I was Hesitant on picking up this one. She did NOT disappoint!! The early 00s flashbacks were impeccable. Every teenage girl during that time can relate to all the references made. I felt as if I was In 13 going on 30. It is fiction, but I believe There is always some truth in fiction. I could See Jenevas real life within the story. A lot of people wish they could rewrite their past or rewrite regretful situations and this is the perfect story about it. Love love love this!

This one was a bit of a slow start for me and I found the main character Alexis pretty insufferable for most of the novel, but it definitely picked up and got better towards the end. Would recommend if you enjoy time travel stories and redemption arcs.

The Girl I Was stands as a touching and skillfully crafted departure from Jeneva Rose’s typical thriller work which unexpectedly touched me deeply.

The novel presents itself as a heartfelt tribute to our youthful selves who often remain forgotten or overlooked. Rose uses dual timelines and complex emotional characters to show how people must face their painful pasts before they can learn to accept their present selves.

The book creates a touching effect through its understated approach which avoids using dramatic plot twists or sentimental moments to evoke emotions. The story develops its emotional bond with the protagonist through its gradual and unobtrusive progression across each page. The story will deeply touch anyone who has faced difficulties with their parental bond or continues to be tormented by past decisions made during their younger years.

The story reveals itself through vulnerability while maintaining Rose's signature fast pace while delivering unexpected emotional complexity. The story demonstrates that healing follows no straight path yet remains a valuable process.

This was a @netgalley request.

"Here's to you, you dumb wish could fix you, that could go back in time and fix every mistake ever made. I wish you had freaking clue. wish could take back every stupid thing you every did"

Ok so I enjoyed this one. It is not like her horror books but her writing is pure bliss. This was a bit predictable but enjoyable either way. I think Alexis's character was a bit annoying and she had a bit of growth but still could use more. She goes back in time to the year 2000, after a bunch of unfortunate events, one not her fault the other she's responsible for. Her younger self was so self centered when she whines my eyes continuously rolled. Both POV are very me oriented but as the story grows and both Alexis work together on each other. This was pretty funny at times and had some series moments as well.

3.5 stars.

This was a super cute nostalgic book! Not your typical Jeneva thriller so it was coo to read something different from her. I loved the story line and the idea behind the book. I thought it was a super cute idea. Overall enjoyed this one a lot. It made me laugh and want to cry. I would recommend this

This one had me in my feelings! With this being such a different book than her others, I was nervous. I went to an author event this year where she gave a little insight on why she wrote it and was so excited to receive an ARC shortly after. I think we put a lot of blame on past versions of ourselves and this book is all about that. If something isn't going will for us today, we blame choices we made in the past and hang onto that. I did get a little annoyed at the attitudes of the character but if it was a story about me in the same situation, I'd be annoyed with my past self as well! Overall, I enjoyed The Girl I Was and hope everyone else does!

*Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!*

I loved the Perfect Marriage so I was very excited for this. I love seeing the authors versatility in being able to pull off a breath taking thriller and also this heart wrenching story.
I was very pleasantly surprised with this one because it was not what I was expecting! I saw a little bit of myself in this book and loved it that much more.

Review of The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose
The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose was more than just a book to me, it was a balm. Though it’s clear the author wrote it as part of her own healing journey, I found pieces of my own heart tucked into its pages. It made me laugh, cry, and reflect in ways I wasn’t expecting.
The premise, meeting your younger self, hit me harder than I thought it would. It was funny at times, sure, but deeply emotional too. As I read, I caught myself kicking my feet, smiling, wondering: What would I say to the younger me? That question stayed with me long after I closed the book. Because the truth is, at some point, we all have to face the person we once were. We all carry our younger selves inside us, their fears, their wounds, their dreams, and we have to decide what to do with them. Forgive them. Comfort them. Maybe even thank them.
There were so many moments that struck a personal chord. I found myself frustrated with younger Lexi, she could be impulsive, emotional, a little immature. But then it clicked: she was a child. Of course she was still figuring things out. And isn’t that what we all were once? Kids trying to navigate a world that often taught us to shrink ourselves. That realization shattered something in me. I cried, for the little girls who didn’t know they were enough. For the years we spent trying to love ourselves in a world that didn’t always love us back.
One part of the book that truly gutted me was the theme of loss, especially the longing for one more moment with someone we love. I lost my mother five years ago. There isn’t a single thing I wouldn’t give for one last conversation with her. Reading this, my heart cracked open. It broke, and then it mended, and then it broke again. Because I know—I know—she would be proud of the woman I’ve become. I wish she could see her grandchildren. I wish she could see me, now. This book made me feel that loss again, but it also helped me sit with it in a gentler way.
This wasn’t the first time I’ve cried reading a book by Jeneva Rose, but it may be the one that left me changed. If you're looking for a book that will make you feel seen, that will gently peel back your layers and ask you to look inward, this is the one. It’s not just a story, it’s a mirror. And the question it leaves you with is this: If you had to face yourself, raw and bleeding, in order to heal… would you?

Jeneva does it again! Although this is a book that was published years back this reprint version is great. I loved the artwork on the cover and had actually never had a chance to read this title so was thrilled to be selected for the ARC this time around. The storyline was beautifully written and took me through feeling tearful to laughing as well. It makes you reflect on how important it is to let loved ones know you care about them and to make sure you tell your mom you love her. I appreciate Jeneva putting her heart and soul into this book!

This book was such a great read and was so much different than the perfect marriage (in a good way!). Iove seeing authors versatile in their topics and writing. This book gave me 13 going on 30 vibes but with a twist. So many life lessons learned and obstacles they character had to overcome. Great read!

Thank you to Goodreads and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC.

This was not my typical genre, but I love Jeneva Rose, so I will read anything written by her. This was a really interesting concept for a book. Alexis gets drunk after being laid off and wishes she could go back and change her younger self to fix her current self. Next thing you know she wakes up in 2002 and finds 18-year-old Lexi (her younger self).

This book is about self-love, growing into who you wish to become, maturing, and cherishing memories with your loved ones before it is too late. For her first book I was really impressed with the impact she made with this book, especially with portions of it being true to Jeneva's personal life. Another great book by Jeneva Rose that I will definitely recommend.

This book was not what I was expecting at all. However I still really enjoyed the book! It was fun to read a different side of Jeneva Rose's books. I will defiantly be ordering the special edition of this book.

This was a fast paced read with friendships, second chances, and what ifs. The main character was plagued by the universe owes me everything syndrome and she soon realizes that for every action there is consequences for every action. She is transported back in time and learns so much! This was a cute read and I enjoyed it !

The Girl I Was (STandard Edition)
by Jeneva Rose
Pub Date: July 15, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
From New York Times bestselling author, Jeneva Rose, comes a fully updated and expanded edition of THE GIRL I WAS, the first book she ever wrote, featuring six brand-new chapters from a fresh point-of-view.
When Alexis loses her job and her relationship on the same day, there’s no quote strong enough to help her cope. In typical fashion, she blames the world for her problems, including her younger self, who should have tried harder. Feeling sorry for herself, Alexis finds a bottle of vodka from her college days and goes on a bender, blacking out in the process. Only this time she doesn’t wake up at home—or even in the right city. In fact, she isn’t even in the right year.

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. This obviously is not a groundbreaking novel. It’s a fun read. I think millennials would really enjoy this book. But I also think anyone, any age would love this book and could relate to it in someway.