Have you ever though what it would be like to go back in time?

Alexis Spencer loses her job and her boyfriend breaks up with her. She goes back in time and meets "Lexi" aka herself in college. She tries to make adjustments that hopefully will improve her current (aka future) life and wants to get back there to fix things.

If you could go back in time and change anything, would you?

Thanks to Harlequin/Mira for the eARC

I had so much fun reading this book! The premise was intriguing. What would you do if you were able to talk to your younger self? The story seemed a little slow at the beginning then it started to pick up around the middle. I was fully immersed in the last half of the book. It made me reflect on my undergrad life too. Heartwarming story.

This book was very moving. I found it hard to bounce back and forth but I think that’s just my mindset. It really makes you think about life. I really enjoyed it.

I love everything Jeneva Rose and The girl I was is no different. If you could go back and change who you would become? That is what happens when Alexis wakes up.

This was a quick read, and even inspirational- which is not what I normally get from a Jeneva book. I read this ARC and loved it enough to go buy a signed special edition. 10/10.

I enjoyed this book. I think if I hadn't gone in expecting what Jeneva Rose normally writes, I would have enjoyed the book even more. If I could find 3.5 stars on NetGalley I would, as 3 is a little too low. The first half of the book felt difficult to get through, however the second half really picked up and I breezed through. Super interesting concept and I love that this was the first book Jeneva Rose ever wrote (though not her first book she published). That fact makes the story even more special.

This book was so good! As a millennial, I loved being able to relate to the character. It definitely made you stop and think about your teen years and what you would change if you could go back and how all those years really shaped you as a person.

I think this is my favorite Jeneva Rose book so far! All of the 2000’s references brought me back, and young Alexis was so funny… actually Alexis in general was funny! I laughed out loud A LOT reading this. I’m usually not a fan of time traveling, but I really liked the way Jeneva used it. While the beginning was funny and cute, the ending definitely almost made me shed a tear (I rarely cry, so this might make others actually cry, lol). But I really liked this book and would definitely recommend everyone to read it. Especially if you need a palate cleanser!

4.5 ⭐️

I read this book years ago and still love it! It’s such a fun read and easy to binge because it’s funny, heartwarming, and kind of nostalgic. Who wouldn’t want a second chance? Loved it

I have been a fan of Jeneva Rose for along time although this book is nothing like her other ones. This is the first book she wrote as an author and didn’t even want to publish it. I’m so glad she did. Think Freaky Friday when you read this! The book starts with present day, due to a horrible day at work and then her boyfriend breaking up with her she has an alcoholic pity party. This sends her back to the 2002 version of herself. The interactions between present day and 2002 are hilarious. The pop culture references also took me back to reminisce. So my question for you “would you want to travel back in time to change your future “? I have been thinking about it all day and I can’t decide if I would. All of the things that could have a ripple effect, it’s scary to think of. Just like Jeneva’s other books, this one also had a twist that I did not see coming! Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

I didn't realize that I had read this book back in 2023 since it has a new cover. I thought that since I was two years older, I might enjoy the book more. Unfortunately, I didn't. I wish the publisher would have made it known that it was published before, so I could have checked. (If they did, I apologize now.). I do like the new cover better.

This story is just two slow for me. It has a great premise, but once again, I just couldn't get into it. I love the author, and I will always choose Jeneva Rose books when possible, but I didn't like the character of Alexis. I was hoping she would make me more nostalgic for that time in my life, but I found her to be frustrating instead.

This was just an okay read for me. I didn't love, I didn't hate it.

Thank you to NetGalley for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Absolutely loved it. Nothing like her other books but really gets you in your feels and makes you just think about your own life. So good!

I thought the synopsis sounded great, but it fell flat in the end. The time-travel premise had potential, but both versions of Alexis felt shallow and hard to connect with. I wanted to yell at both of them! The pacing dragged, and, what should have been, emotional moments didn’t land. Disappointing overall.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA for an eARC of the revised edition of this book.

This was very different than every other Jeneva book I have read but, I really enjoyed it. The concept of going back in time to try to change your past in order to change your future is something many people will relate to. This book had me laughing one moment, raging the next, and all of the emotions in between. The FMCs younger self wants none of the guidance her future self is throwing her way. We all think we know it all at that age and this book shows how much we grow and change. How we end up where we are based on the choices and mistakes we make. This is a fun, quick read that I think many readers are going to enjoy!

Thank you to Jeneva, Harlequin, and NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one as I've only read thrillers from her, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised! I love Jeneva's signature voice and writing style. I enjoyed the 2000s nostalgia. It's an emotional story centered around identity. If you've been considering picking this one up, I definitely recommend giving it a go!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: July 15th, 2025


Synopsis:

“If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.”

Alexis Spencer will use any inspirational quote to rationalize her failures and shortcomings. Her closest friends are a distant memory, and her college debt is still as high as the day she left—but that’s all fine and dandy, because “whatever will be, will be.” However, 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.

Review:

Let me just start this off by saying Jeneva could write a version of the dictionary & I would LOVE it. I love her so much.

To me, this book meant something to me and I haven't quite put my finger on it yet. It surprised me how deeply I enjoyed it. I really didn’t expect much from this book, even rolled my eyes a few times in the beginning but it turned out to be a really heartwarming and uplifting story..The experiences in our lives make us who we are and Alexis was able to see those from a different perspective and age by visiting her past and making better decisions and/or appreciating the decisions she did make. This was a very fun read and encourage everyone who like to feel nostalgic and wonders "what if" to give this one a try. This was magical and poignant love story about learning to love ourselves.

The premise is both fun and full of feels: Alexis Spencer wakes up not only in her college town but in the year 2002—staring down her younger, brasher, "sexier" self, Lexi. What starts off as a light-hearted body-swap-style time-travel comedy turns into a touching, often raw journey of reflection, redemption, and growth.

Alexis’s arc is messy and real—equal parts frustrating and endearing. Watching her reckon with her past, face hard truths, and try to course-correct not only her life but her attitude was deeply moving. And Lexi? A chaotic delight with a lot more depth than she lets on. Their dynamic is where this story truly shines.

While the pacing wobbled a bit in the middle and leaned into a few expected beats, the emotional payoff was so worth it. And the early 2000s references? ICONIC. Jeneva nailed the throwback vibes—hello flip phones, low-rise jeans, and AIM chats.

I read the original version of The Girl I Was years ago, and I absolutely loved it! It was a 5 star for me then and it's a 5 star for me now! The subtle changes Jeneva added breathe new life into the story without losing any of the charm, humor, and emotional punch that made me fall in love with it back in 2022.

Alexis’s journey is raw, funny, and oh-so painfully relatable. The push and pull between her present-day self and her younger, wilder self is written perfectly. It was equal parts nostalgic and cringe-worthy (in the best way). I mean, how many of us have thought about going back to the past to kick ourselves in the butt and say get it together?!?

If you read the original, the updates make it better than ever. And if you’re new to it, you’re in for a great story.

The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose is a witty, heartfelt story about Alexis, a woman in her late 30s who, after a heated argument and a freak accident, wakes up in her 18-year-old body with all her adult memories. Given a second chance, she navigates her younger years with humor, wisdom, and a lot of self-reflection, exploring themes of regret, lost dreams, and personal growth. The book blends rom-com charm with meaningful life lessons, making it a light yet thoughtful read. While the time-travel aspect is more whimsical than scientific and some side characters aren’t fully fleshed out, Alexis’s relatable journey and the satisfying, neatly tied-up ending make it an enjoyable, feel-good novel.

The Girl I Was by Jenna Rose is a poignant YA novel about Lily, a girl trying to rebuild her life after a traumatic event. As she struggles with her past and relationships, the book delves into themes of identity, healing, and personal growth. Rose's writing is accessible and emotional, making it easy to connect with Lily’s journey.

The story explores complex relationships, with a strong focus on how trauma impacts both the individual and their connections. While the pacing can be predictable at times, the emotional depth and Lily's character development keep the reader engaged. Though the plot resolves a bit too neatly for some, the novel remains a heartfelt exploration of recovery.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose opens with 25-year-old present-day Alexis waking up back in time, sharing the same timeline with her 18-year-old college self, Lexi. Both versions of Alexis coexist, allowing her to try guiding her younger self toward better choices for a brighter future. This unique premise blends reality with a magical, introspective twist, exploring themes of growth, self-reflection, and second chances.

This story is a stunning departure from Jeneva Rose’s usual thrillers, yet it’s just as powerful. Both versions of Lexi feel deeply relatable and authentic, drawing you into a complex, emotionally rich journey. Jeneva Rose’s storytelling shines with emotional depth and beautiful writing that kept me captivated from start to finish.

This is a must-read for anyone who loves a story that blends reality with magical elements while exploring identity and growth.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, Jeneva Rose, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All reviews are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beautifully written and unforgettable
The Girl I Was completely stole my heart. From the very first page, I was pulled into a moving and heartfelt story about identity, growth, and second chances. The characters felt so real that I found myself thinking about them long after I finished. The pacing was perfect — emotional when it needed to be, light when it could be — and the ending left me with that perfect mix of satisfaction and reflection. This is one of those rare books I wish I could read again for the first time.