This book follows the story of Laurel– who works at a tech company and is given the opportunity to trial a new alternate reality program being developed by her company and hinges off different choices to explore an alternate experience if an individual had made another choice in their life in the example of their choosing. After doing so, she is sucked into the other version of her life. Through the book, she is navigating between these two parallel realities while realizing that she was much happier in her original life than she realized– which had prompted this presentation of “choice” for her in the first place.

I really enjoyed this book! I have read a few books with the premise of alternate reality lately and I loved the romance aspects of this as well. I also appreciated the addition of the science of AltR technology and the significance behind it. With a concept like this, I feel like the alt reality idea can be a bit mundane without context for WHY that is relevant to the plot itself. For me, the science and background set the scene perfectly for a story that was easy to follow and still had you cheering for the main character to end up in the version of her life that she wanted.

This book also prompted a bit of thoughtfulness and self-reflection– if we could all live out this alternate path to our lives, would we? I think the reality is that it is really easy to get complacent, and feel the mundaneness of everyday life and take it for granted. Following that growth through Laurel and her journey in the book provided a healthy opportunity to me to be more appreciative of the things around me too!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell, Jilly Gagnon, and NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for a review.

Laurel's work husband, Drew, has created a AltR project, which promises users a glimpse of alternate realities. Or it will, once the quantum computers it relies on get more powerful. When she finds an engagement ring in her real boyfriend's drawer, she wonders what might have been if she would have expressed interest in Drew 5 years ago instead. This brings Laurel on an adventure of waking up in alternate realities with Drew, but also being sucked back in to her current life. Eventually she needs to come clean to Drew and figure out how to get herself back to normal again. At first I was obsessed with this book and couldn't put it down! The plot is so innovative. But I wasn't a fan of the ending.

Have you ever wonder “what if…”? What if you made a different choice? What if you were with someone else instead of your significant other? What If It’s You explores the thought of “what if I was with someone else”. Thrown between multiple universes, Laurel must figure out who is right for her.

What If It’s You had me hooked from the first chapter. It’s a relaxing romance with a new twists. I loved watching Laurel and her counterparts develop as characters. Overall, I’d recommend this to reader in need of a palate cleanser, or light hearted read.

This books was a spin on romance while crisscrossing between two different universes. The main character, Laurel, finds a ring in a sock drawer and assumes dreads the moment her boyfriend of five years, Ollie, proposes. Before she meets Ollie at the restaurant they visit on their anniversary, her friend, Drew, shows her his latest project AltR, a VR machine that allows users a glimpse into alternate realities. After Laurel botches her proposal with Ollie, she escapes to her company late at night to see if AltR could show her what other realities would look like without her longtime boyfriend, if she would be happier with someone else. What started out as an error turns into a multiverse glitch with Laurel bouncing between two universes and two love interests. Does Laurel have what it takes to make the decision that will impact the rest of her life, or will she be erased from both realities before she decides?

I like how Laurel didn't spend too much time delving into an existential crisis for too long and focused on staying in one reality. I think the author did a great job making the characters more different than their counterparts because it was (obviously) easy to understand why the characters they way they were without giving them a long backstory. To further note, I loved how the author showed how Laurel figured out why her counterpart's (LC) life was set as it was, using dialogue and small moments to expand LC's life without needing to interview her friends or trying to accomplish everything LC would do. The thing I didn't like about the story was that Laurel's decision wasn't as dramatic as I hoped. I wish there that part was more built up for readers to feel as anxious as Laurel could have been, but we don't see that as much. I would still recommend this to my friends and family because this is an unique spin on not only a story about the multiverse, but a romance as well. Thank you, Netgalley, for sending me this book.

Jilly Gagnon’s *What If It’s You?* is a captivating, thought-provoking novel that explores the age-old question: what if? By weaving together elements of romance, science fiction, and emotional introspection, Gagnon delivers a unique narrative that delves into the consequences of exploring alternate realities—and the cost of wondering about "the one that got away."

Laurel Everett, the protagonist, seems to have everything she could want. She’s in a steady, long-term relationship with Ollie, a thoughtful and caring boyfriend, and works for tech giant Pixel, a company at the forefront of cutting-edge technology. However, when she stumbles across a ring in Ollie’s sock drawer, instead of being overjoyed, Laurel is plagued by doubts. What if she had chosen a different path? Specifically, what if she had gone out with her work crush, Drew, just as she and Ollie were getting together? Laurel’s internal conflict resonates with anyone who has ever questioned their past decisions or wondered how life might have turned out differently.

The intrigue of the novel kicks into high gear when Laurel, through her work on the AltR project—an alternate reality tech that gives users a glimpse into "what could have been"—finds herself living in a world where she and Drew are five years into a relationship. The AltR project’s tantalizing promise of seeing alternate realities immediately hooks readers, especially as Gagnon blends this science-fiction concept with the emotional reality of Laurel’s present life. What starts as mere curiosity quickly spirals into chaos, as Laurel begins slipping back and forth between her life with Drew and her real life with Ollie, each version feeling equally real but disturbingly distinct.

One of Gagnon’s strengths is her ability to craft a multilayered protagonist in Laurel. Her indecision, confusion, and eventual desperation as she toggles between alternate lives are written with authenticity, making her dilemma more than just a whimsical "what if" scenario. As Laurel becomes increasingly entangled in the two realities, Gagnon subtly explores deeper questions about identity, choice, and the nature of happiness. Is there truly a "right" life, or are the paths we choose simply different roads leading to similar destinations? Laurel’s journey through these alternate worlds becomes less about choosing between two men and more about defining what happiness means to her, regardless of the life she finds herself in.

The romantic element, while central to the plot, takes on new dimensions thanks to the alternate reality concept. Ollie and Drew represent not just two different relationships but two distinct possibilities for the kind of life Laurel could lead. Ollie is steady, reliable, and rooted in her present reality, while Drew offers an exciting, passionate alternative that appeals to her sense of adventure and what-could-have-been. Gagnon does a masterful job of avoiding simplistic love triangle tropes by making both men—and both realities—complex and appealing in their own ways. This makes Laurel’s dilemma more than just about romantic fulfillment; it’s about life satisfaction and the inherent uncertainty of choosing one path over another.

The pacing of *What If It’s You?* is fast and suspenseful, as Laurel’s movements between the two realities become increasingly unpredictable and dangerous. The tension builds as she realizes that the more time she spends in Drew’s world, the harder it becomes to control the jumps between lives—and the more she risks being erased entirely, lost in the quantum mess she’s unleashed. This sense of urgency adds an exciting layer of sci-fi thriller to the book, elevating the stakes beyond the personal and romantic.

But the heart of the novel remains its exploration of human desire and regret. Gagnon expertly probes the emotional toll of indecision and the grass-is-always-greener mentality that can sabotage even the best parts of our lives. Laurel’s ultimate realization—that happiness isn’t about chasing the perfect life, but learning to embrace and commit to the one you’re in—feels both powerful and poignant. It’s a message that speaks to anyone who has ever wrestled with self-doubt or fantasized about alternate realities.

Overall, *What If It’s You?* is a thought-provoking, genre-blending novel that offers a fresh take on the romance genre by incorporating the mind-bending possibilities of alternate realities. Jilly Gagnon’s deft handling of emotional complexity, combined with the thrill of sci-fi adventure, makes this novel a standout. Readers looking for a romance with a twist—and a little bit of quantum physics—will find themselves captivated by Laurel’s journey of self-discovery and the fascinating world of *What If It’s You?*.

I was sucked into this book literally from the first sentence. If you need a book to get you out of a reading slump, this one will grasp your hand and drag you right out of that sad reading hole from page one.

Laurel, the FMC, has some of the funniest and most relatable internal dialogue I’ve ever read. I kept asking myself, “Am I her? Is she me? Are we all like this??” If you are an anxious overthinking girly - you will absolutely relate.

If you like a strong, female character who doesn’t need to be “saved”, but is intelligent, witty, a little anxious, and funny as all hell, you’ll love Laurel like I did.

This story felt like a more modern version of Freaky Friday….except the only person Laurel is trading lives with is….herself.

This is such a unique and fun way of presenting and pursuing the “what if’s” that have crossed through everyone’s minds at some point in time.

I kept imagining this plot as a movie - and I hope we get to meet Laurel, Ollie, and Dean on the big screen. I’m already making casting decisions in my head…

3.75 | another time is fucked book, and time really was fucked. first thing i have to say, i’m so happy she and ollie ended up together (in every universe it seems, that’s soulmates!). i found laurel to be deeply frustrating at times, many times, but overall i liked her character. i liked the story too. it’s a good quick read.

Thank you for the Ark and thank You NetGalley!!

What a fun read, I really enjoyed v this book. I was however a bit annoyed with the MC ALWAYS having to wonder about the what ifs- will she ever be satisfied??

It came full circle and for that I’m grateful!

4/5⭐️

I LOVED this book. It’s refreshing to have a romance with science together- too often, it’s assumed women don’t want science in their reads and so it was fun to have that combination! I was a science major in college, and the quantum computer was still a bit confusing for me, but I loved the alternate reality concept, and that true love can really traverse all realities. Loved it!!

I absolutely loved this book! The summary piqued my interest immediately and the execution ended up being really wonderful. A “multiverse” theme isn’t uncommon these days but this has its own lovely take on it and I’d absolutely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!

What If It’s You? by Jilly Gagnon is a captivating exploration of how a single decision can ripple through and transform lives. We've all wondered what might happen if we could go back and change one seemingly small choice—in this case, saying yes or no to a date. That one small decision could alter everything (gotta love the butterfly effect). I loved how the second timeline essentially put the protagonist in both her mom’s and Ollie’s shoes and because of that, she was able to be more empathetic towards them.

As the story unfolds, it reminded me a bit of It’s a Wonderful Life—but instead of disappearing, the main character is navigating different roles in parallel timelines. It’s fascinating to see how these alternate realities affect both her and the people she cares about. Overall, this was such an intriguing and thoughtful read!

Moral of the story: don’t be one of the first people to test out new tech!!!

I love books that explore the "what if's" and alternate reality. I also love a girl boss situation. This book delivers on so many things romance, science, what ifs. I really enjoyed it! I share reviews of the books closer to or on publication date.

Laurel finds an engagement ring in her boyfriend's drawer, but she wonders what would have happened with her first love. she uses virtual reality to see what would have happened.

all right, lets get into it.

for the first third of this book, i was ms. party pooper.

"What if its You?" is a romance/general fiction story about a woman who is given the opportunity to find out if the life-changing choices she made in the past were the right choices.

And as a premise? I hated that. It frustrated me to no end that the mc, Laurel, wasn't satisfied with her life. She was constantly asking 'What if?"
"What if the grass is greener on the other side?" I am a person that believes it does not matter whether the grass is greener on the other side or not, because IT IS NOT YOUR GRASS.

But, i decided to be the bigger person and give Laurel the benefit of the doubt.

Now, for the rest of the book, I had a great time. Jilly Gagnon is a great writer and storyteller. This book masterfully dissects the idea of choice and regret. The author presents romantic relationships in ways that establish them as so different, but at the same time there are clear parallels that allow for a lot of depth. Every choice that was made felt intentional and was impactful. it felt like the author put time and effort into planning and then drafting this story.

And, *SPOILER ALERT*, this story does exactly what I wanted it to do and what i feared wouldn't happen in the beginning. Every choice you make in life brings you to where you are right now and makes you the person you are today. There may be a part of you wondering if you would enjoy life more had you done something different three years ago, but what this book shows (and what i am yelling at you across screens), is that it truly does not matter. The Laurel that chose Drew was not the same Laurel that chose Oliver. Every choice you have made and haven't made is a part of you today. You cannot change the past but can choose more intentionally.

Enough.

This was a wonderfully written book that delved into topics with a lot of creativity and maturity. The premise was fun and a little scary with how present AI is today. I really enjoyed this book and the only reason it lost a .5 star is just because the amount of physics/Ai/alternate reality content in here was, at times, hard to wade through. It did speak to the amount of research that went into this book!

4.5/5

The concept was fascinating. While it was a delve into a multiverse, I loved the way the main character had a realization about herself and her inner growth. The decisions being made were not just in the context of her desires, but in the larger scope of what would be best for Drew and Ollie in the process. I also enjoyed the humor from Dana. While almost 5 stars, it took me a while to start the book and get into it.

What would you do if you could get a glimpse of the path not taken?

Lauren is very content in her relationship with Ollie. But, after 5 years, Ollie is ready to take the next step, and Lauren starts to wonder, "what if"? When the concept of forever feels impossible to commit to, Lauren starts to wonder if her friend and coworker Drew might be the one who got away.

In her role at Pixel, Lauren uses her company's developing technology to enter an alternative reality ... what would her life look like if she had said yes to a date with Drew instead of Ollie? As she travels between her present day life and the life that could have been, she learns a lot about herself, her fears, and what she really wants. The parallel universes allow her to take a step back and see the parts of her relationships that she has taken for granted and stopped fostering. However, the technology is new and unpredictable. As Lauren starts to realize what she truly wants for her future, is she going to be able to remain in that life? Or does the alternative reality program threaten to keep her from happiness?

I adore stories rooted in magical realism and exploring the path not taken, so this story appealed to me. At times, the quantum computing/physics aspect felt too heavy, which led me to lower my rating of this novel.
Overall, it was an enjoyable story of love, friendship, facing your fears, and discovering what matters most in life.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book was cute!! Rtc soon around the release week!

Thankyou to Netgalley, the Author and St.Martin's Press for this wonderful ARC !🥺💖

Laurel finds something in her boyfriend’s sock drawer which makes her question if she’s been making the right life choices. She also works at a business that is starting a new program that a person can use to see an alternate reality and see how different choices could play out. The program still has some kinks to work out and Laurel finds herself in between the two realities and unsure what is happening.

This was such a great concept that I really enjoyed. I’ve always liked the idea of how a small choice can make such a big impact, but what if we could see the changes? This started out kind of hard to get into. The writing style is good, but sometimes the paragraphs and pages rambled on and had quite a bit of info-dumping. As the story went on, it got easier to read and get into.

Laurel starts off kind of insufferable, but she does have a lot of character growth throughout the story once she realizes what is important to her. She does show that the main characters can have flaws. Gagnon has a way of making both options feel right and wrong and keeps you guessing who she would end up with. By the end of the story, it seems as though Laurel made the right decision.

I highly recommend this book and I’d advise that you give it some time before giving up because it does get better. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for allowing me to read this early for an honest review.

The narrative delves into profound themes about happiness, identity, and the very nature of love. The stakes are high, not just in her relationships but also for her very existence. This story is a poignant exploration of how our choices shape us and what we truly desire. If you’re drawn to romantic comedies with a sci-fi twist that challenge the boundaries of love and fate, this book is an engaging and thought-provoking read.

honestly, I felt like I needed to be much smarter to understand this book. In theory the concept was fun and interesting. It kind of was like sliding doors that Gwyneth Paltrow movie but in actuality, I was confused for at least 25% and I wasn’t sure if Laurel was going to actually have a happy ending for a minute there. But she did and I really loved her character growth. She was a little unlikable for a minute and then we got to see her growth and her development which I loved. The epilogue was a really fun little treat that I wasn’t expecting and was was really well done.