I Am Not Jessica Chen is a story of jealousy, identity, and the pressures of perfection, following Jenna as she magically takes over her cousin Jessica’s body—only to realize that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. What starts as an escape from her own insecurities quickly turns into a high-stakes nightmare, with academic pressure, anxiety, and the struggle to maintain Jessica’s “perfect” life, pushing Jenna to the edge.

The book has a strong theme of self-worth, but it leans heavily into angsty teen emotions—lots of yearning, jealousy, and self-deprecating inner monologues. Jenna’s low self-esteem is a major focus, and it takes someone else appreciating her and admiring her to see her own value. It’s a relatable journey, though at times, the “woe is me” tone felt a bit overdone.

I liked the idea that even when Jenna thought she had nothing, she ultimately realized she had everything. It’s a powerful message—too bad everyone can’t have a magical body-swap experience to teach them gratitude and contentment! However, the plot itself was predictable, and the story required some serious suspension of disbelief, especially with elements like people forgetting Jenna ever existed.

Overall, I Am Not Jessica Chen is a compelling, if somewhat overdramatic, exploration of striving for perfection and learning to appreciate what you already have. It might not be the most surprising read, but its themes will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt like they weren’t enough.

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a love letter to all the gifted students out there who suffer(ed) endless burnout climbing up the tallest mountain only to reach the peak and still feel like you’re not good enough.
Jenna Chen is smart, but she’s not /as/ smart as her cousin Jessica Chen, who receives about every award there is and gets top marks. She even got into Harvard, whereas Jenna didn’t. If only Jenna could hate her, but Jessica also happens to be the kindest person.
This book really harps on the damaging effects familial expectations can have, as well as generational guilt. “I have to be the best— because my parents sacrificed everything for me to be here”. I feel like a lot of kids of immigrants feel this way, myself included.
Jenna made a wish to be Jessica, and it came true. But there was no Freaky Friday situation. Jessica was essentially in the ether, and Jenna’s real life and memory (people’s memory of her, not actually her own memory) began to fade the longer she became Jessica. She also learned that life isn’t always greener on the other side. Jessica struggles a lot—- what looks like so much on someone’s plate IS a lot. She has pressures of her own.
I am glad that Jenna got to experience both the highs and lows of being Jessica, because I think it enabled her to appreciate more who she is and their differences, and begin to move past the self-hate. Aaron was also a great support, and I love that he was always there rooting for the real Jenna. In the end nothing really changed, just how the two girl’s viewed their own lives. It was a good coming of age moment right before they head off to college.

Thank you Harlequin Audio for the listen!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for this arc audio. I really enjoyed this narration and the story. When you wish to be someone else, but aren't expecting for your wish to come true. This was a really good story, I enjoyed it.

Who hasn’t thought they’d like to switch places with someone who seemingly has an easier life? Even with the magical realism of becoming another person, the main character is deeply relatable with so many normal thoughts, doubts, dreams. It is gratifying to see her learn that everyone, no matter how perfect their life may seem, has their own challenges and struggles. These lessons, softened by a sweet little romance, add up to a very satisfying story. The narrator does a beautiful job as well!

Ann Liang does it again by making a person feel seen through her characters. This story speaks to anyone who just has never felt like they were enough, no matter what.

The voice actor for the audiobook did such an incredible job! I was so engaged and it felt like I was really listening to the characters speak.

For me personally, I wish there were details on the paranormal aspects of this story. I was really interested in how it all worked out, but I felt like there were a lot of holes in the paranormal element in the story.

Overall, an enjoyable story!

Jenna has worked her whole live to make her family proud, to make herself proud, to reach her goals, to be perfect. And she has fallen short, in her eyes. Meanwhile, her cousin, Jessica, is everything she wishes she could be. One wish later, she wakes up in her cousin's body, with her own, and her cousin's mind, no where to be found.

Through her misadventures in her cousin's life, she learns that the boy she loves, likes her more, that her cousin is far from perfect, to stand up for herself, and mostly, that she wants to live her own life, imperfect and all.

This story was a wonderful adventure in loving yourself and a lesson in "the grass is always greener on the other side." Layer in is racism issues from her Asian heritage (google says Chinese-American, specifically, but for the life of me it is slipping my mind.) and a romance plot in which Jenna realizes she is more than enough.

Jenna is a lovely protagonist, and damn I recognize the struggle of not feeling like you're enough. Some of those lines hurt my heart a bit.

Great book for anyone struggling with not feeling like they're enough.

I loved these characters and this story. This took me back to high school insecurities in a way that was so relatable. A great story about how the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

The audiobook was well done with great narration

Jenna Chen has spent her whole life in the shadow of her perfect cousin, Jessica. Jessica is everything Jenna is not, complete with her brand new acceptance to Harvard. That night Jenna makes a wish on a shooting star. She wishes she were Jessica. When she wakes up the next morning, she is, and her life is immediately and infinitely better. But where is Jessica? And how come people can’t really remember Jenna? And is Jessica’s life really that perfect?

This isn’t really a happy story, but I tink it’s an important one. It’s especially recommended for anyone who’s ever wanted it all or who’s ever felt second best. Jenna is such a richly developed character, and one you sometimes hate to love. She’s also wildly relatable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Katharine Chin’s narration was perfect. She was 100% Jenna,

Ann Liang shines again in this moving story that explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and self-discovery. Jenna Chen has always lived in the shadow of her perfect cousin, Jessica Chen—who has everything Jenna has ever longed for: intelligence, beauty, and wealth. After a strange meteorological event, Jenna wakes up in Jessica's body and begins living as her—only to realize that her own existence is gradually fading from the memories of those she loves.

Narrator Katherine Chin enhances our understanding of the story with energy, warmth, and vulnerability.

4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to listen to an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

Imagine you have a cousin who is perfect in every way. Now Lets imagine that she gets into the Ivy League school that you also applied to but did not in. Let then try and imagine that the boy you love is in love with her. So on one magical night you make a wish to be her. How do you think that turns out? Let me tell you...not great. This was a good YA novel.

Imagine wishing to be someone else, only to wake up and find that your wish has come true. Jenna, feeling overshadowed by her cousin Jessica—who is smart, popular, and seemingly perfect—makes a wish after learning that Jessica got into her dream college while Jenna did not. The next morning, Jenna wakes up in Jessica’s body, thrilled to finally become just like Jessica.

This book is exceptionally well-written and captivating. I couldn't put it down. It offers a great reminder to be careful what you wish for and explores the idea that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. The story vividly captures the pressure of feeling inadequate and constantly comparing oneself to others in a world that pushes for perfection.

Jenna’s journey, struggling with feelings of failure and longing to be like her cousin, was incredibly relatable. Once she tasted that power, she couldn’t let go. It was also eye-opening to see Jessica’s life from the inside, especially her true home life. Aaron was an outstanding friend throughout, and I really enjoyed his character.

The audiobook was fantastic. The narrator brought the characters to life with perfect tone, pitch, and pacing, making it an immersive experience.

The cover is stunning and perfectly reflects the themes of the book. It’s a true masterpiece.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and Ann Liang for this wonderful ALC.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Narration: The narrator is dynamic, and different voices are used for various characters, which adds to the enjoyment.

I Am Not Jessica Chen is a story about what happens when someone wishes to be someone else. Unfortunately, that wish comes true for Jenna Chen. Jenna wants to be her perfect cousin, Jessica Chen. Jessica is smart, Harvard-bound, and every bit the ideal Chinese American daughter. One day, Jenna wakes up in her room, and everyone starts calling her Jessica. All of this feels like a dream for Jenna until one day she asks a classmate about Jenna, and they look at her strangely. It’s almost as if "she" doesn't exist anymore. This story is powerful and relatable for all students.

Thank you harlequin audio and the author for a free advanced listener copy of this book.

Ann Liang’s writing is beautiful and poetic, while giving each character their depth. This was a great coming of age story. I thought the commentary about carrying the weight of success for your immigrant parents was relatable and heartbreaking at the same time. Also as a previous high school student, the amount of pressure we put on students to “set them up for success” in high school is all too real and Ann Liang showed this in a highly academic environment, but it’s relevant to many high school kids.

I loved this book and am excited to read anything else Ann Liang writes!

So so interest!!!!! The characters were well fleshed out and the writing style was very easy to get through. I’m always a sucker for Ann Liang books. I’m so happy I was given the chance to read this!!!!

thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC

⭐️=4.5 | 😘=2 | 🤬=2.75 | 14+

summary: Jenna Chen makes a wish to be her perfect cousin and then the next day wakes up in her perfect cousin’s body, but is that really what she wants? (this sounds like a basic enough premise but I promise the book doesn’t feel basic)

thoughts: I liked this a lot! imo Liang’s best non-romcom work thus far. fantastic audiobook narrator and I enjoyed Jenna’s character growth. the commentary could get a bit heavy-handed, but it didn’t get didactic in the way YA contemporary novels can sometimes. I liked Aaron and the romance element, though the flashbacks were weirdly distributed?? but like even as I point out flaws in this book, it was still a solid, well-paced story that messed with speculative contemporary tropes and Ann Liang’s own classic overachiever heroine archetype. initially I thought I wanted more denouement and details about what happened after Jenna returned to her own body, but honestly I think that would’ve been bad for the story? like maybe we don’t need an explanation, maybe we don’t need everything perfectly wrapped up, maybe that’s the point of it all? anyway this is great, especially as an audiobook!

This book was incredible. I felt so seen! I think everyone has been in Jenna's shoes dealing with imposter syndrome at some point in their life. The feeling of not being good enough, always striving to be as good as your parents want you to be, always working hard only for someone else to take your shine, comparing yourself to others, and feeling invisible. The list can go on and on. Jenna was such an amazing and relatable character. Her thoughts were hard to process at times, but also thoughts that sound too familiar. I especially loved going on this journey with her and experiencing her growth as she navigates through these feelings.

As for Aaron, I absolutely LOVED him. He was giving everything a positive MC should give. He wasn't just green flags, he was the whole green light. The way he is so understanding with Jenna was exactly what she needed to hear. I also loved how vulnerable he was with her. Ugh, no one can tell me anything different. If you have anything negative to say about him, go stare at the wall.

This is an excellent book to read. I think it would work great as a book read in school. Teens definitely experience this, but adults too. I think this book is a book that everyone can relate to.

Ann Liang's book resonated deeply with me, capturing the struggles of academic pressure, success, and self-worth. I appreciated Liang's raw and honest storytelling, which made me feel exposed yet healed. The story follows Jenna, who has always lived in the shadow of her cousin Jessica, believing Jessica’s life to be perfect. After wishing to be like Jessica, Jenna experiences the reality of Jessica’s world and realizes that success comes with sacrifices.

Katharina Chin’s narration truly elevates this audiobook. Her voice is clear and expressive, capturing the nuances of each character with ease. She brings an emotional depth that makes the story feel even more immersive. Whether it’s the tension in dramatic moments or the warmth in quieter scenes, her delivery keeps you engaged. If you enjoy well-performed audiobooks, this one is definitely worth a listen!

The book explores themes of self-acceptance, disillusionment, and the pursuit of perfection. I connected with both Jenna and Jessica’s struggles and found their journeys emotional and insightful. I also adored Aaron, the male protagonist, for his kindness and support. The romance was subtle yet heartfelt.

The book’s message about the illusion of perfection and the pressures placed on students resonated strongly, making it my favorite Ann Liang book. I wish I had read it during my school years, as it is a healing and thoughtful story that everyone should read.

I Am Not Jessica Chen was a great story. I enjoyed the writing style and the overall message that this book had. You should embrace who you are, even when you think you want something, or in this case, to *be* someone else. It's not all it's cracked up to be. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. It's greener where you water it.
I also found myself falling so effortlessly for the romance and was swooning. Overall, it was a great story that I blazed through it. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang

😭😭😭 so many emotions while listening to this audiobook!! I just wanted to give Jenna a hug and let her know that she’s smart and doesn’t need to go to a fancy school. She doesn’t need to compare herself to her cousin. She’s her own amazing person!

Be careful what you wish for. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Jenna wishes to be her cousin Jessica. But Jessica’s life isn’t as perfect as Jenna thought it was. I think everyone can learn a lot from this story.

This was a beautifully written story. I loved listening to the audiobook. Katharine did a wonderful job as the narrator.

I’m looking forward to reading more of Ann’s books! Thank you so much Ann, NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC! I will be buying a physical copy of this book.

Publication Date: Jan 28 2025
Rating: 🌸🌸🌸🌸

#NetGalley

4.5⭐️

And I was right—this book made me see myself in a light I don’t think I ever have before.

The jealousy she felt was incredibly real to me. I understood every decision she made because, honestly, I would have made them too. That feeling of trying so hard while others seem to succeed effortlessly? Absolutely maddening.

I really wish we had Jessica’s story too. I wanted to see her thought process—how was she so smart? Was she just naturally gifted, or did she struggle in ways we didn’t see? Her perspective would have been so interesting to explore, and I need to know more about her.