4.5 (rounded up)

I am Not Jessica Chen is a YA magical realism story about Jenna Chen who has always felt inadequate in the shadow of her cousin, Jessica Chen’s, achievements. After getting rejected from all the Ivy Leagues she applied for and fearing the crushing disappointment of her Asian immigrant parents’ expectations, Jenna makes a desperate wish to switch places with her cousin. Miraculously, Jenna suddenly wakes up in Jessica’s body but discovers that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

I was absolutely hooked from the very beginning, Jenna’s struggles with comparison and her desire to be the best were all so relatable to me and I think for a lot of people as well. I think Ann Liang has always beautifully captured the teenage struggles of self-acceptance and growth and I am Not Jessica Chen is no exception. I loved seeing Jenna’s development as a character throughout the story and how she comes to a better understanding of herself and her cousin as well. (Although I definitely do wish we could have gotten Jessica’s POV as well)

I have not other words, except that if you love childhood friends to lovers, light academia, and listened to ‘this is me trying’ by Taylor Swift on repeat, then this book is definitely for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing this eArc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.

it's been two years since IANJC was hinted(?) on Goodreads, and the fact that I devoured this book in one sitting? Less than 24 hours after waiting 2 years?! That's how good Ann is. Within every page, you can feel seen, whether it's relating to Jenna's vicious want to be the successful daughter to Jessica's desperation to step away from the mantel of perfection. It's human nature to always want, I guess, and Ann captures the beauty and ugliness of that completely.

This book is for the people who can never reach the top, no matter how hard they try, for the people who are trapped in the never-ending loop of comparing themselves to others, for the people who simply want so much and can never be satisfied because it will never be enough.

The comfort that you get from IANJC, though, is that you feel less alone with these feelings of burnout, imposter syndrome, failure, etc. Everyone buries these thoughts (or at least, some of us are good at it.), so it's normal to believe that we're alone in feeling this way, but everyone feels like Jenna or Jessica. IANJC isn't meant for a solution to stop these emotions. It's just the perfect story to read and feel seen that it's normal to want, to never feel like it's enough, but things will get better. So long as you don't make a wish to literally become your perfect cousin, you'll find that there are things worth more than a shiny championship trophy or an Ivy League acceptance.

<I>ianjc core songs<I>
jealousy, jealousy - "all I see is what I should be // I'm losing it, all I get's, jealousy, jealousy" (girl if this isn't on loop while you read ianjc, what are you doing)
in my mind - "deep in the silence, may end up violent // what an anomaly, what is so wrong with me?
letter to my 13 year old self - "I'm so sorry that they pick you last"
you're on your own kid - "I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this"

ann liang never disappoints oh my god this was everything!!! further rtc when i can form coherent thoughts but OH MY GOD

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollin’s Children Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

I Am Not Jessica Chen is a great teen (and adult) read, delving into family pressure, self pressure, and exploring the often felt desire to be someone else when you’re on the outside looking in - not realizing that everyone has their own struggles.

Jenna wants nothing more than to be Jessica and she gets her wish but it turns sour for her. I loved how this was explored, but fully going into the experience one might have in another’s life but also the self realization and growth that would come with it. While this a serious read, I think there were enough light parts (and romance) to keep a teen reader engaged, helping to work through the longing that we all come to feel at different points of things being so much easier if we are someone else. Hopefully this helps bring on the understanding that it’s better to double down on your own life and make it the best you can rather than wasting time looking outside of yourself with envy at other’s.

“i am not jessica chen” was the first book i’ve read from ann liang, but i know her other novels are very popular and i finally understood why. i am a lover of magical realism in books, so i really enjoyed reading this one – it’s a perfect combination of magical elements and a coming-of-age story. i found jenna’s journey to be well explored and she was a character i could relate to easily.

the plot itself is pretty straight-forward – jenna’s wish to become jessica is answered and she wakes up in her cousin’s body, just to find out the grass isn’t actually greener on the other side. the book is more character-driven than i expected, but it’s a very enjoyable, easy read, even though the subject isn’t the most light-hearted one. i also really enjoyed the relationship between jenna and aaron. he was such a breath of fresh air because he was always supportive of jenna.

overall, i really enjoyed this story – it was the perfect coming-to-age story, with a drop of romance and magical elements. the characters were well developed and i liked how the author approached the subject of basing your worth on your grades and academic wins.

Ann Liang is just killing it right now. This book was very nearly perfect (in my humble, and definitely correct opinion). Liang touches on a bunch of different themes: family, pressure, pressure from family, self identity and self worth, etc. and she examines all of them with tact and care. It would seem that she just doesn't miss, and I can't wait to continue to read her work. Wow. Her characters are so real, and the emotional experiences she portrays in her books are so honest. there is truly nobody like her right now.

okay, first of all, the authors note actually had me tearing up a little and that made me understand how this book was going to go and it did....for a while but then i don't really know what went wrong but something just fell missing and it really did not deliver what i was expecting it to deliver and that's on me for even having an expectation in the first place.
second of all, jenna and jessica. oh my god i relate to then both on some level and certain lines felt like a direct hit to my chest and both of them deserve the whole world.
third of all, and i feel like this is a recurring problem with ann liang books but the ending always feels too rushed and i always end up needing more and more.
all in all, this was a good, fast paced read and i can ALWAYS count on ann liang to have me hooked from the very first page.

This book was honestly one if the best reads I had this year! As a person who has been reading Ann's books since 'if you could see the sun' I must say that this might be one of her work .

The characters were relatable in a way that made me understand them better in the books . Especially jenna , who is insecure and jealous of Jessica chen who is the complete opposite of her . I am sure many people would be able to relate to jenna situation , I love the character development of jenna as well as she slowly realises the reality of being a perfect student , how it wasn't as glamorous as assumed to be by everyone . I also like how we got to see Jessica chen thoughts and feelings about being perfect and I am sure many overacheivers will be able to understand her as well . Ann's mmc Aaron made me gush and giggle so much 😭


Another thing I enjoyed about the book was the plot , I found the plot about living Jessica live and uncovering her thoughts process interesting . I like how Ann didn't just skip the plot to add more romance scene between Aaron and jenna but instead gave the book a good balance on both romantic scene and plot .


One thing that I think could be improved is describing Jessica friendship with her 2 best friend . As I notice in the book that we barely have any information on Jessica and her 2 best friends relationships and how they interacted in the past . In my perspective while reading the book it seems that Jessica's friends are quite guarded when it comes to her and are not that close to one another . I personally think that that part could improve .


In conclusion , this book was a wonderful read that made me stay up all night reading it as I couldn't put it down . Good job to Ann for making another masterpiece and thank you Netgalley for the arc !

⭐️ 4.5 stars-

I’ve been sitting and stewing on writing this review for a while because, well, I really don’t know how I feel about it. It was a pretty all-consuming read in the moment, but once I finished it, I felt almost completely emotionally cut off from it, so maybe it was a bit of a mixed bag as a whole.

I Am Not Jessica Chen is a hard book to define. It’s about a magical wish/curse, academic pressure and competition, family, romance, and a lot more. It’s very genre-bending, which I can appreciate (it’s so incredibly difficult to sell and market books that don’t fall into neat genre categories these days!) To me, the focus is ultimately the MC’s character arc and growth, more than any external plot points or characters.

The beginning of this book was incredibly immersive. It was easy to get in to, and I felt like I understood and empathized with the MC pretty quickly. I really enjoyed the academia setting and, though I’ve never attended an elite private school like the one in this book, it felt pretty realistic to me. The magical realism element of the premise is SO fascinating. It’s fascinating as a plot device, as a concept, as a metaphor…it’s SO gripping to read about. Almost to the point where it genuinely starts to feel a bit terrifying. There’s a strangely sinister, spooky tone to this book. Everything is unequivocally modern—prep school, fancy houses, horse riding, blue mountains—yet it’s also otherworldly. It’s never very grounded in a specific location or time, which makes it ALL feel a bit mystical, even though there’s only a small (technically?) magical element.

This book has a lot of interesting ideas and things to say. I felt very connected to the MC’s conflict and struggles about being good enough/wanting too much, especially in respect to the romantic subplot. I really rooted for the romance for that reason (relating to the MC’s endless pining lmao), but when I take a step back, there’s really nothing in particular about Aaron (the MMC) as a character that stands out to me. It was more just that I wanted the MC to get what she’d wanted for so long and to finally be happy. But the resolution to it all (the magical conundrum and the romance) felt a little bit unsatisfying/anticlimactic for some reason. There was soooo much buildup, so I was really looking forward to things getting resolved, but then I felt like everything got resolved a bit too easily.

It’s difficult to pinpoint the type of audience this book would appeal to. Honestly, if the premise interests you at all, it’s definitely worth a read for that alone (this is not one of those books that fails to deliver on the premise—it definitely does!) A book that I’ve already been thinking about and musing over for a while, and I can see myself continuing to ruminate on it even more in the future.

Anything that Ann Liang writes is absolutely fantastic, She really captures the feeling of inadequacy and the loneliness that can come with being 'perfect', but contrasts it with the desire to become perfect. The plot was incredible. 10/10

I seem to devour Ann Liang’s books in one sitting always. This one is no different. I don’t want to put any sort of spoilers or plot in my review because I feel this is the type of book you need to go into with just the title and the similar sci-fi magic realism Liang writes.

The one thing I will say is I wanted to say I wish I had an Aaron in my life, but what’s amazing is that I do. And this book helped remind me of that.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC.

Ann Liang skillfully captures the feelings of being above average but not exceptional, coupled with the desperation to be the best. Through Jenna, the main character, we get a peek into her feelings of inadequacy and the pressure of not living up to her family's expectations. Her accomplishments are never enough, and there is always someone smarter and more talented who has achieved more.

The magical realism element, where Jenna finds herself inhabiting Jessica's body, is a novel way of showing that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. However, the execution fell short for me. I think Jenna should have felt even more pressure pretending to be Jessica than she actually felt. Jessica's journal reveals the crushing weight of her own pursuit of perfection, but Jenna doesn't seem to truly understand these impossible and harmful expectations. Jenna reaps the rewards of Jessica's achievements and happily wears her halo of success, but doesn't reflect on what Jessica has gone through to get to where she is. What was sorely missing were chapters from Jessica's perspective; I wish we got to know her as a person rather than the godlike figure that others perceive her to be.

It was also incredibly unconvincing that Jenna's decision to return to her own body was mostly spurred on by her crush, Aaron, forgetting who she was. Prior to this, she seemed content to bask in Jessica's glory for the rest of her life. I don't believe Jenna's issues with self-worth and academic validation were properly addressed, as somehow her longing for acceptance, admiration, and adoration from her peers and family disappears over the course of a single day and she realizes that she values her family, friends, and her art more. Detangling one's self-worth from external validation isn't something that happens overnight, and I wish this had been explored more thoroughly.

The ending felt very incomplete and rushed to me and I wish it had revealed how Jenna's relationship with her parents and peers changed moving forward. Most of all, I wanted to hear Jessica's side of the story, which would have added more depth and closure. Unfortunately, this book didn't quite hit the mark for me.

I love Ann Liang's writing and I'm a big fan of hers, but I felt like this book was hard for me to connect with. Because Jenna's stuck in Jessica's body without anyone really to confide in, I feel like we get A LOT of inner monologue and turmoil that isn't necessarily satisfying for the reader. It's a very isolating experience, so maybe that's purposeful since Jenna feels that way? I wish we got more context of who Jessica is as a person before Jenna took over Jessica's body so I understood her and her struggles more. The romance was really cute but seemed really sporadic. I was really looking forward to this one, but ultimately I just found it to be okay!

The Picture of Dorian Gray meets If You Could See The Sun in Ann Liang’s new young adult standalone where Jenna Chen, a girl who thinks she will never be enough for everyone around her wishes to be her perfect, smart, and Harvard-bound cousin. But what happens when it actually comes true?

4.75 ⭐️

Ann’s books always find me at times where I need to feel seen and understood and this is the personification of my life, where the narrative describes the experiences that made me. At one point I was Jessica, then Leela, Aaron, and now Jenna. When the first chapter made me cry, I knew it was for me.

I lived through these characters at one point in my life, considering how it has changed within two years. I recognized the anxiety, self-loathing, and exhaustion of every single one of these characters. I never felt enough for anyone, and I was so ahead that at one point, it became too difficult. Studying has always been the one thing I’m good at, and when I failed at that, I absolutely hated acknowledging burnout, leading me to the decision that ruined my future the first time. I am Jessica Chen, but I sympathized with Jenna: two sides of the same damn coin. Thus, I recognized that this book teaches that you CAN be enough. That success at the cost of your entire being is not always exciting because eventually, accomplishments will feel dull and empty, and life will humor you by taking away everything you’ve worked so hard for. This book is for the girls who’ve always been independent yet lonely, successful yet drained. It’s me. I’m the girl.

°˖➴ ꒰🪐꒱ <b>plot 〰️</b>: jenna chen is always second place to her cousin, jessica chen. her [jennas] grades are always good but not good enough, while jessica is always top of the class and getting all awards possible. one day, jenna wishes to be jessica and surprisingly, her wish comes true. the next day, jenna wakes up in jessicas body and has her life.

౨ ✉️ ৎ <b>my opinion ✔️</b>: SO SO GOOD!! this may be my favorite ann liang book? like ever? this felt so different than her other books - ann liang always has a mc who is the best, whose top of her class, who wins all the awards. this time, we got an mc who <i>wishes she could be like that</i>. jenna is like the song '<i>this is me trying</i>' by taylor swift and i relate to her SO MUCH - here is a note i took while only being on <u>page 12</u>.
<blockquote>pg 12 | • i already relate to jenna chen SO MUCH. she is me, i am her. always trying your hardest but never being/feeling as good as everyone else is honestly so true. every single one of my friends are so smart, theyre always above average while i am just average. its honestly exhausting always giving my all and it never being <i>enough</i>. so, i strongly believe that ann liang wrote a book about me.</blockquote>

not only that but i loved all the other characters as well - aaron, in usual ann liang fashion, was amazing 🤭 another thing that was different was there was no enemies to lovers storyline - instead it was more of a second chance? i dont really know how to explain it but i really enjoyed the romance regardless. ANOTHER THING - <u>that ending</u>. when i tell you cried till my eyes hurt. i know i was promised a heartbreaking ending from ann liang herself : (<a href=https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9iA6lgPZ4s/?igsh=MW1vMGZpMnU5M2ExbA==>click here</a>) - im just so glad that everything worked out in the end 🙈🤍

°˖➴ ꒰🪐꒱ <b>what i didn't like✖️</b>: honestly? there was nothing that i didnt like. the only reason this wasnt five stars was because it didnt have that five star feeling for me, but still - it was an amazing book, easily one of my favorite reads of the year. im so exited to see everyones reviews and reactions when this is released!!

········· ꒰🏹꒱ <b>recommend❔</b> 👍🏻∿👎🏻
જ⁀➴ ···· ౨ 📖 ৎ ⤳ <i>yes!</i>
i 100% recommend this. for me, this was such a relatable book - i felt so seen, and i feel like it could be the same for <i>so many people</i>. to the '<i>this is me trying</i>' (by taylor swift) girlies - this book is for you <3
<b>౨ৎ release date</b>: <u>1/28/25</u> ⁺˖ ✉️❕

You know when you read a book and you can picture the students you want to read it? That's how I feel about I Am Not Jessica Chen...but I want them ALL to read it. This was such a fun concept, yet delved into some serious issues of family (scholastic) pressure, anxiety, and self-confidence. While this story focuses on high school seniors, I wouldn't hesitate to share it with some 8th graders as well. Especially in today's high-stress environment for students, this is a great read.

Another ARC from my favorite author !! 🥹 And yet another 5 star read from her <3 I swear on everything that Ann lives inside my head at this point. Jenna is so raw and relatable, at multiple points throughout the book I could feel my stomach twisting with sympathy and understanding. I think most people understand what academic pressure is like, and how it feels to not be good enough. Jenna has both of these things hanging over her head, as well as an exact version of herself but better to compare herself to in her cousin, Jessica. And after making a dangerous wish to be her cousin, she actually wakes up in her body and has to live her life. Not only this, but as time goes by, her loved one's memory of Jenna Chen as a person starts to fade. Despite this, Jenna continues to struggles with letting go of her cousin's "perfect" life out of self loathing. To her, validation is more than a pat on the back. It's like proof that she's worth something. Ann captures this as well as Jenna's other struggles perfectly throughout the book. She covers this, as well as topics of both parental and societal pressure, and Asian-American identity. Even if you can't relate to Jenna, Ann portrays not only her story but the side character's with such evident care. I can guarantee that this book will leave you feeling both heard and seen, and hopefully help you to appreciate your own life a little better. I know it helped me <3 This book was a wonderful reminder that life is a gift and not everything is as it seems. I'm still overjoyed over the fact that I was allowed to read about Jenna's journey early 🥹.

I was so happy to receive an ARC of this book! Ann Liang has solidified herself as one of my favorite authors due to her ability to create real and human characters with genuine flaws. I Am Not Jessica Chen is a beautiful novel that tackles difficult topics like imposter syndrome and the constant desire to chase after the next best thing, even when all you could ever want ends up being right in front of you.
Both Jenna and Jessica are realistic characters with concrete motivations. Even though they seem like they are on different ends of a spectrum, both characters are similar in their desires to become someone else and leave their current lives behind. Even though the book is only from Jenna's point of view, I loved that we were able to see into Jessica's life and understand that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
In addition to themes of self-discovery, I liked that this book stayed true to the dark academia genre. Details like Jenna's fading portraits and her disappearance from her loved ones' memories really elevated the story and added an extra layer of tension that had me on the edge of my seat.
I absolutely cannot wait for this book to release so I can hold a copy in my hands.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eARC!

This book takes imposter syndrome to a whole new level! Jenna has always envied her cousin Jessica. Jessica excels at everything, is beautiful, poised, and kind as well. On the night that they find out that Jessica got into Harvard and Jenna did not, Jenna wishes that she was Jessica. When she wakes up the next morning, her brain is in Jessica's body. She gets to live Jessica's perfect life. But as she makes her way through the days and weeks, she begins to learn it might not be so perfect after all. Lots of good life lessons here, in a fantastic story. Highly recommended for grades 8 & up.

ann liang has yet to disappoint me! her ideas are so unique whilst her romances are so swoon worthy. this is my third book by her and i’ve given them all 5 stars. there’s some logistics in here that kinda don’t make sense but actually i don’t care. jenna chen is so damn relatable!