⭐️Gripping, Powerful, Perfect⭐️

Per Jeneva, this new edition “𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦-𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥/𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝟨 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘓𝘦𝘹𝘪’𝘴 𝘗𝘖𝘝”.

I read this book in 2023 and was thrilled to receive an ARC of the new edition. This book is ꜱɪᴍᴘʟʏ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ. It wrecked me in the best possible way. It’s 𝗋𝖺𝗐, it’s 𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋, it’s 𝗆𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗒, and it’s completely 𝗎𝗇𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗀𝖾𝗍𝗍𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾. I felt joy, anger, heartbreak, hope, and grief (sometimes all within a few pages). It takes incredible talent to stir that many emotions and still leave the reader feeling satisfied and deeply moved. 

Make sure to have tissues handy when you read chapters 37, 45, and 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 the acknowledgments.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.

The premise alone is genius: Alexis, looking back on her life, gets the extraordinary chance to travel back in time and meet her 18-year-old self, Lexi. What unfolds is not just a clever paradox, but a truly emotional examination of how our past choices shape who we become.

The dynamic between Alexis and Lexi is so realistic and relatable. Their interactions are authentic, sometimes awkward, and always revealing. As Alexis tries to impart wisdom and guide Lexi away from past mistakes, Lexi stands her ground as the 18 year old we all were. It's a unique take on self-reflection, allowing readers to ponder their own "what ifs" and the lessons they've learned.

The writing is witty and relatable making you root for both Alexis and Lexi to find their way to a brighter future.

"The Girl I Was" is a fresh and hopeful perspective on second chances. It's thought-provoking, emotional, and completely unputdownable. This book is an absolute must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced readers copy!

Oh, man. I don't think I have enjoyed a Jeneva Rose book like this before. It was so good and nostalgic. I have thought a lot about going back to the past and fixing the person I used to be, and how it could change my future. Would I be more successful now? Would I have gotten my act together sooner? This was reflective, funny, and I definitely cried. Alexis and Lexi learn so much from each other. Them working together to figure out how to get Alexis back and who is really at fault. The pure joy I got out of reading this book was incredible. When she got to see her mom again, I bawled my eyes out.

While this isn't like Jeneva's thrillers, I urge everyone to read it anyway. Especially if you think every once in a while, "what I would give to go talk to 18 year old me."

You can feel the self sabotage of Alexis in the first 2 chapters. It would be a total mindfuck going to sleep then waking up more than a decade prior. Cue panic. Did not expect her to run into her actual self from that time either. Love it. It's funny watching her fight herself and realizing how much she was in her own way. She's deepening her friendships in the past without even trying too hard. It broke my heart when Alexis reunited with her dog. How sad but also how lucky she got to see her dog one more time. I had an inkling Justin was going to try to put the moves on Alexis. Haha. I cried when I got to the party where her mom knew and she had to say goodbye. I feel like AJ is Andrew. Absolutely loved this book. You could feel everyone healing their issues.

I thought this was a really well done novel that struck the right balance btwn the old and new Alexis/Lexi. I would have loved to see more from Lexi's perspective and would've liked to have seen the transition back be a bit smoother but overall, really well written and a feel good summer read.

4.5:
Publication Date This revised edition is set to be released on July 15, 2025—just in time for some nostalgic summer reading.
Big thanks to NetGalley, author Jeneva Rose, and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
My Overall Thoughts
This book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way—heartwarming, nostalgic, funny, and surprisingly profound. Jeneva Rose had me hooked from page one with her clever storytelling and relatable characters. Alexis, our main character, was witty, smart, and full of heart, and the time travel element was handled so perfectly it felt like watching a movie I never wanted to end.
I’m so impressed by how seamlessly Jeneva shifts from thrillers to heartfelt fantasy—her range is undeniable. This story dives deep into themes like self-acceptance, regret, redemption, and the power of second chances. I laughed, I cried, and I walked away feeling totally moved.
♥ Synopsis ♥
The Girl I Was follows Alexis, who wakes up after a night of drinking to find herself transported back to the early 2000s… and face-to-face with her 18-year-old self, Lexi. As the story unfolds, Alexis is given the rare chance to reflect, reconnect, and maybe even rewrite a few things along the way.

This book was everything I needed! The heartfelt comic relief was healing in so many ways! I love Jeneva’s thrillers but now I can say I just love her writing in general. This was just like having your favorite childhood candy after not having it in years! The nostalgia was chefs kiss the little subtle nods to the early 2000s were not over done which I loved. I laughed I cried I kicked my feet and then I cried some more! This book flowed so nicely I was never bored and I couldn’t put it down! I got so invested in the FMC there were times I wanted shake them myself! Overall it was a great heartfelt story about love lost friendship and growing up. Reminder to love yourself even the younger versions!

Wow! The Girl I Was is completely different than anything I’ve ever read by Jeneva Rose, and I loved it! It was so thought-provoking and full of questions for myself! What if I had changed something in my past? Who would I be today if I’d made a different decision? I absolutely loved the way she wove together the future (older self) with the 19-year-old “I know everything” self. Throughout the book, I kept wondering how different my life would have been had I made different choices.

“Sometimes the biggest twist is looking in the mirror.”

I want to extend a HUGE thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and my forever Mother Goose, Jeneva Rose, for the opportunity to read this emotional, nostalgic, and wholly unique early read of The Girl I Was. It’s almost hard to believe this was the first book Jeneva ever wrote—and I’m so thrilled she chose to bring it back with a new look and a special edition. This story deserves the spotlight.

The Girl I Was is not the pulse-pounding thriller we've come to expect from Jeneva Rose—but make no mistake, this one still hits hard... just in a very different way. 😭❤️

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. 📟🧃💿

This book tugged on my heartstrings and has no plans to let go anytime soon. It’s a story about second chances—not just at life, but at self-compassion. And THAT is timeless.

Pub Date: July 15, 2025 — mark it down and pre-order the special edition because you’ll want this beauty on your shelf. 📚✨

Thanks to NetGalley and Jeneva Rose for the ARC of "The girl I was " in return for my honest review.
Alexis' life in 2016 is falling apart and she blames her younger self. She wakes up in 2002 and thinks she has to fix her 2002 Lexi to make her life better.
The ups and downs in this book will make you laugh out loud and cry. I couldn't put it down. I had to know how her life was going to change. This book was amazing. I highly recommend.

I'll admit, I've never read anything by Jeneva Rose before, but this is likely because her regular genre is not light-romance do-over novels, or so the intro to the book told me. This is a do-over novel. The main character's life is in turmoil, she drinks too much, and wakes in her past. What is different than most do-over novels I've read, is that the main character goes back in time, but stays her same age, and her younger self is there also. Yes, both younger and older versions are there interacting with each other. This is where the humor comes in. Younger isn't interested in stopping partying, is stubborn and a bit snarky toward her older self. Older is frustrated but trying to play along with younger's games. Like other do-over novels, the character learns something, grows, and the future is different because of it. I won't spell out what happened, because you will want to read that for yourself. It is warm-hearted, funny, and satisfying. An easy read, very heavy on the college partying, and very light on the romance.

This is hands down the most entertaining read I’ve picked up all year. I found myself genuinely cackling every other chapter. The humor, warmth, and charm made it feel like I was watching a nostalgic early 2000’s coming-of-age movie, complete with all the cozy vibes and heart.

The pacing was great!!! It flowed effortlessly from scene to scene, making it a super quick and easy read without ever feeling rushed. It was a perfect balance between lighthearted fun and emotional beats, and the voice of the story felt authentic throughout. Lexi is such a relatable character.

If you’re looking for something feel good, funny, and refreshingly wholesome, this is definitely the one to pick up. A welcome escape from start to finish.

Jeneva Rose is an autobuy author for me! I was pleasantly surprised with her newest debut, it is very different from her normal writing style but I loved it all the same. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity

Thank you NetGalley and Jenna Rose for the opportunity to read this ARC ! I was very excited to read a Jeneva Rose story that was different from her normal writing style and she did not disappoint. I could not put this down. I highly recommend it. I will be adding this to my shelf !

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.