If you are expecting the Jeneva Rose you are really familiar with then turn around and, no wait...turn back. Grab a hold of this one ASAP. While it may not be the thriller and suspense you are used to, it is a fantastic story with the writing we have all come to enjoy from Jeneva Rose. I received this as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Harlequin and am leaving my honest review.

This is a multidimensional piece that will make you think long and hard about changes to your past, and if you could go back in time then what would you say to your younger self. It certainly is more of an emotional rollercoaster than her other publications but, and this is a big but, most readers will certainly be able to relate to either versions of Alexis/Lexi.

With this re-release there are some differences and updates like.....are you ready? ADDED CHAPTERS! So, even if you have already read or listened to the original, as I did, then you will want to pick this one up and give it a second read. You'll be glad you did. If you a first timer then YES, give this a go!!! We all know that Jeneva Rose knows how to write and she doesn't disappoint when taking us on a ride through a different "genre".

The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of trauma, memory, and identity with skill and sensitivity. Rose crafts a suspenseful narrative full of unexpected twists that keep readers on edge, while also exploring the emotional depth of her characters in a way that feels authentic and compelling. The pacing is steady, building tension without feeling rushed, and the prose is clear and engaging. Though some plot elements feel familiar within the genre, the strong character work and emotional resonance make this a solid four-star read for thriller fans.

Jeneva Rose has a new book! It’s not a thriller, but don’t worry she’s still included a few twists! Reading this was therapeutic. It reminded me of how far I’ve come, what changes I am capable of making, and what is outside of my control. What would you say to your younger self? What might you change? How frustrated would you be!

“I cry for the girl I was, the girl I am, and the girl I might never become.”

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy of this book!

The Girl I Was is a heartfelt departure from Jeneva Rose’s usual thrillers. This time, she takes readers on a time-travel journey filled with emotion, self-reflection, and second chances. The story centers around learning to forgive yourself and the idea of rewriting your future by facing your past.

While it's not what I expected from Rose, I appreciated the message and the emotional depth—I'll admit, I cried twice! It's definitely a touching read with some powerful moments, even if it wasn’t my favorite of hers overall. Fans of character-driven fiction and stories about personal growth will likely enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I listened to this book a long time ago and was excited to reread it. I forgot how much the beginning is just girl drama but I loved it once the family was in the story. Overall a touching story and I enjoyed it again. Thank you!

The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose is a moving break from her typical thrillers, combining humor, nostalgia, and emotional depth in a heartfelt way. The story centers on Alexis, a woman dealing with the fallout from her previous choices. She sets out on a journey that enables her to communicate with her younger self, Lexi, through an unexpected turn of events. This arrangement offers a distinctive examination of how decisions made in the past impact our present and the prospect of atonement. The early 2000s setting of the book is enhanced by cultural allusions that arouse strong feelings of nostalgia and improve the reading experience.

Even though the story includes time travel, its main themes are emotional recovery and the complexities of interpersonal relationships. All things considered, The Girl I Was is an engaging book that promotes reflection and amusement. It is especially suggested for readers who appreciate character-driven narratives that delve into the process of self-discovery and the lasting effects of our former selves.

3.5 stars!

This was entertaining and fast paced, especially when Alexis ended up going back in time. I felt like I was watching a chick flick from the 2000s!! It was so silly and fun. The adult version of the main character wasn’t my favorite, but really enjoyed her college self!

This was definitely different from Jeneva’s other books and it was fun!

Thank you NetGalley!

Alexis, a young woman, is struggling. Her career is not going well. And then she argues with her boyfriend. She blames a lot of her present problems on her past. After an argument with her boyfriend, she finds an old bottle 9f, alcohol wrapped in a snoldvollehe t-shirt. She takes a sip. The Next thing she knows, she wakes up in a strange bed—not a strange one, but at a different time.

She discovers that it is 2022, and she is back at college. It's her chance to find her younger self and fix things. As Alexis and her younger self, Lexi, spend time together, Alexis learns about herself. This story follows Alexis and Lexias as they discover things about each other. This is a delightful story that will make you cry and laugh out loud. It's a good story that will Stay with me for a long time

***Small Spoiler*** This is not a thriller like her other books but still amazing!

Have you ever wanted to go back and tell your younger self to get it together? Alexis gets the chance to do so!

When Alexis’ life completely falls apart(losing her job and her boyfriend) she drinks herself into her old life…literally. As she wakes up as herself in the year 2002, she find her younger self (Lexi) and tries to convince her to completely change. Will Alexis convince her younger self, Lexi, to change to better the outcome of her life? Or will Alexis be stuck as herself back in time regretting the life she left behind?

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

I rwad The Girl I Was last year. Actually, I listened to it and it was an easy listen, perfect for during marathon training runs. I love time travel books and I like Jeneva Rose.

She self published that version, and this new version comes out in July 2025. There are six new chapters (I believe they’re all the Lexi chapters) which made it just new enough to be able to enjoy again. I also tend to miss small things when listening and I was glad to catch some fun early 00’s references I missed last time.

This is an easy, quick read but for a bunch of things (not counting the time travel) you really have to suspend your disbelief. For example, Lexi’s friends, roommate, tutor assigned to her not knowing her real name? How about their voices? And Lexi doesn’t have questions about the future and also is a jerk for no reason? A few issues like that I just kept getting stuck on. But I still enjoyed the story, especially in the second half when they’re home for Thanksgiving.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this story. The writing and research for this book, (even though I am sure that she didn’t have to research much) was 100% perfect. While I think Lexi and Alexis were insufferable, once I finished I realized it actually made sense.
I also lost my mom unexpectedly, so I related to her to much, it made me wish I could see my mom one last time.

Thank you for this story and allowing me to read it. It was beautiful, touching and I am glad you were convinced to let the world read it.

What a lovely and heartwarming time travel novel. I was in a reading slump and this got me out of it. It's funny, cute, sad it has all the feels.
I love to see that Jeneva Rose can deliver both thrillers and contemporary fiction.

Thanks you NetGalley and Publisher for this e-arc in return of my honest review.

Thank you Mira Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Jeneva Rose is one of my favorite authors. This is not her typical book that she usually writes. However, I think this is one of my favorite Jeneva books ever. The book centers around Alexis, a woman who is struggling to maintain a job, a relationship, basically a stable adult life. One night Alexis blacks out and wakes up in 2002. She goes on an adventure of healing and `self-discovery with her younger self. I think this is a reflective book that really makes you ask yourself, if you could go back in time and talk to your younger self what would you do/say? I laughed and cried. I had so many emotions. I LOVED this book.

Jeneva Rose has quickly become one of my comfort authors. Coming from Wisconsin myself I really enjoy all of the references that she has throughout her novels. The feature the state I love so much. Well, I know her as a thriller author I found this book to have so much heart in a simple but healing story. What a beautiful way to honor our former selves and all that we have been through. If you are a fan of the quirks, angst, and overbearing lessons of freaky Friday, then this book will feel like a comforting hug you’ve been needing.

*This was my not my usual genre, but I love Jeneva Rose so I made an exception*

This was a really heartfelt, relatable story. Who wouldn’t love a chance to go back in time and talk to your younger self? I love the journey of personal growth that Alexis experienced, and the ending felt well earned.

I would have rated this higher but I really hated how many times she called herself fat. That’s a personal ick of mine. 3.25 stars.

The Girl I Was
By Jeneva Rose

Publishing July 15,2025

First, I LOVE Jeneva as an author, and human she is the sweetest and funniest and while reading this I could hear it in her voice. This is one of my top 10 books of this year. Be prepared to cry if you are an emotional person because I can’t tell you how many times I cried while reading this. I really connected with this book, I related to so much of the timing of when it took place. As a 34 year old this really hit home. It was so eye opening to how the decisions you make it your life really impact your future and I feel like we all with we could go back in time, especially to be able to see someone who was gone just one more time and get just one more hug or smell of them. Here I am crying again writing this because it just really hit home. I finished this book SO fast and when I read physical books or digital it takes me a week or so I finished this in two days. It’s a can’t put down book and I absolutely LOVED IT.
Do go into this as this is NOT one of her thrillers but it’s truly eye opening more of who Jeneva is as a person.

Thank you Jeneva Rose and NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I’m so used to reading thrillers/mystery’s by Jeneva. This book was not a thriller/mystery! It was interesting reading something different by her. It did take me a while to finish it.

Alexis ends up losing her relationship and job the same day.. rough! She ends up finding a bottle of vodka from her college days and blacks out. When she wakes up, she’s back in her college town and the year is 2002. She comes face to face with her 18 year old self.

I usually don’t enjoy time traveling but this time traveling romance was good. I did end up enjoying the book. It’s definitely very relatable. I absolutely love Jeneva’s writing. Her books are always the best.

Thank you so much Jeneva, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!

Rating: ✨✨✨
Publication Date: July 15 2025

#TheGirlIWasStandardEdition #NetGalley

4⭐️s - Well this was fun! Totally different vibe than this author’s prior thriller books but I knew that going in. And I loved the author’s note at the end and how this book came about. This reminded me of that movie 13 going on 30 a bit but in reverse. I can see how this book will resonate with many women and their reflections on their own life. I wasn’t a huge fan of the main character but the story was good and drew me right in. It’s coming out next month and will be a great summer read!

Expected release: 7/15/25

✨Special thanks to NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for this complimentary digital advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Another fantastic read from Jeneva! (Contains spoilers)
This story made me laugh, cry, mad (not like mad mad.. you’ll see) The FMC Alexis is a very relatable character, I think everyone has had an Alexis moment in their life a time or two!

Little Summary: Alexis gets fired from her job, her boyfriend Andrew tries to surprise her, everything go haywire and boom she’s back in 2002 as her older self! She finds her younger self, Lexi, they plot out how to get Alexis back to 2016… after many failed attempts and a funny but sad Thanksgiving.. Alexis and Lexi are at their wits ends and are giving up! Lexi ends up in the hospital and Alexis finally realizes how she can get back to her time!
If you wanna know more you’re gonna have to read it for yourself, trust me you won’t be disappointed!

This was a cute story about discovering yourself and how the past shapes your future. While I liked the theme of the story, I struggled with the main character(s). There wasn’t much that was likable them and I get that some of that was the point of the story, it was still frustrating. I also wish the ending would have been longer as it felt rushed. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this re-release.