Let me begin this review by saying… what a wild ride of a story this was.

This had me absolutely hooked from the start. I love a good time-hop story, and this one did a fantastic job of walking the line between sci fi and psychological thriller. Is our FMC a soldier on a mission from the future, or are we witnessing firsthand the absolute mental unraveling of a woman from the 1950’s? Every single chapter had me flip flopping on what I thought was actually going on and questioning my own reading comprehension at times.

The vibe of this book was so unsettling. Partly locked ward mental institution, partly unhinged conspiracy theory. It was easy to imagine an American Horror Story Asylum setting, and I was so close to hearing the “Dominique” song in my head throughout most of this story.

The first half of this book was so immersive and intense… we get to experience every nitty gritty detailed demon inside of our FMCs head during her stay in a psychiatric hospital, and the writing really leans into disorienting you along with her. At times, I found the FMCs thoughts and actions highly frustrating (self sabotage, perhaps?), but I also found them to be consistent with her fractured reality and the uncertainty she felt.

The second half of this book, the pacing went into overdrive, and not altogether in an enjoyable way. Lots of big ideas and high stakes, chilling twists… all made for an addictive read, but unfortunately, the shift in pace felt really jarring. After so much immersive buildup, the ending felt rushed and underdeveloped. The end read more like an end of a chapter rather than a true conclusion to the book. This was unenjoyable enough to knock this book down to 4 stars, otherwise this would have been a 5 star read.

Still… this book was a wild ride. I loved the blend of sci fi, conspiracy and dystopian world tension.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the ARC, truly enjoyed this read!

Melissa Pace’s “The Once and Future Me,” with its extravagant and even fantastical elements, including an amnesiac protagonist and possible time travel, is not without serious literary aspect, with references to Woolf and, more regularly, Hemingway, who was much a literary icon of the ’50s time frame of the novel. Indeed, a Hemingway reference is pivotal to a plot development as the protagonist tries to work out exactly what is going on with her after she awakens memory-less on a bus taking her to a psychiatric facility.
Reminiscent the opening was for me of a novel with a similar conceit, John Fowles’ little-known “Mantissa,” in which a protagonist also awakens to strange circumstances. There, though, the situation as I remember it was more strictly interior whereas in Pace's novel, while it’s well possible that disturbing flashes of memory she’s experiencing may simply be fabrications of a disturbed mind it’s also possible that, with their vivid impressions of her being prepped in some future time for a mission back in time, her situation might be like that in “The Terminator,” where a time-traveler is sent back into the past to try to avert an event leading to a catastrophic future.
But are the memory flashes “real” or are they simply wild imaginings?
Adding to the mystery (and making the novel reminiscent for me of another book in which a protagonist suffers amnesia, Joy Fielding’s “See Jane Run”) is a man showing up at the facility who is presented to her as her husband but of whom she has no memory. Sympathetic enough, though, he seems to be, with how he intervenes with the doctors on her behalf, to make her let down her guard a bit, especially with the possibility he poses of her being allowed to leave the institute, where frightening “Coma”-like things are going on, with patients narcotized or even lobotomized.
An estimable feat of imagination, in short, Pace's novel, though finally not my cup of tea, with my preference – and here I may be giving away the show – for more distinctly realistic fiction. Still, a veritable treat for readers more enamored than I of fantastical fiction and given literary heft by the Hemingway and Woolf references and historical cred by the fact that the seemingly inconceivable psychiatric procedures depicted at the institute, most egregiously lobotomies, were in fact employed in the ’40s and ‘50s, as detailed in Jon Stock’s recent nonfictional “The Sleep Room.”

A young woman wakes up on a bus with no memory of who she is—but she knows she’s not this Dorothy Frasier everyone insists she is.

Haunted by voices and visions pushing her to “complete her mission” and surrounded by doctors and a “loving husband” who claim she’s suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, Dorothy is left trying to untangle what’s real and what’s not. It’s a wild, disorienting ride—in the best way.

I really enjoyed this one. It’s a gripping blend of psychological thriller and dystopian sci-fi, with twists that kept me turning pages. My only complaint? The timeline felt a little rushed. I would have loved a more developed dive into the backstory (and future), but even so, it was a fun, fast-paced read that kept me hooked and definitely left me wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I honestly almost lost steam during the first half, but I am SO glad that I stuck with this book. Just an absolute adrenaline rush and really not like anything I've ever read before. Absolutely worthwhile.

I love the concept! This premise is so unique (at least, I’ve never read anything like it) and fun. I don’t usually love sci-fi adjacent books, but this was a good one!

3.5 stars

Readers who enjoy unreliable narrators and a lingering sense of dread will dig this sinister view of what can and will happen to women in the best and strangest of circumstances.

The protagonist awakens with no clue about who she is or how she got where she is - on the way to a psychiatric hospital! - but she knows she doesn't like where things appear to be going. As more people attempt to give her answers, she becomes increasingly certain those answers are wrong and bad for her. Readers will tend to agree since everything and everyone around her appear suspicious from the jump.

It did take me a little time to get into this read, but once I did, I was pretty interested in the outcomes. The protagonist is an intriguing character, and it is (intentionally) not easy to believe that we're ever on the path to getting the truth because she's surrounded by so much sketchiness. Various reviewers mention the connections to _American Horror Story: Asylum_, and as a viewer of all seasons of that show, I'll admit I also thought of it often throughout the read.

There are some challenging motifs here, especially when it comes to mental health and lack of personal agency. Readers who are especially sensitive to this content may find some of the scenes and circumstances too much. Those who can manage it will go for a creepy ride and likely enjoy it.

This is a memorable debut, and I look forward to reading more from Pace.

The Once and Future Me is a thoughtful, moving story about figuring out who you are—past, present, and future. Melissa Pace has a really natural way of writing that pulls you in and makes the emotional moments hit hard without feeling forced. The book explores identity and change in a way that feels personal and relatable, like you’re having a deep conversation with a friend. It’s quiet and reflective, but powerful. If you like character-driven stories that make you think and feel, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

I should have anticipated that a book that features a women’s psychiatric hospital in the 1950s would have difficult moments but I was drawn in by the possible time travel and blurred reality story lines. Those story lines were really well done and I’m glad I pushed past my initial discomfort.

Overall, this was a great mystery thriller with unique elements. The pacing was great, I was immediately drawn in and had to know what was going to happen. I really enjoyed the main character. Her voice was compelling.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book. Advertised as "Upgrade: meets "Black Mirror" and also "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest meets Hunger Games" how could you not want to read it! The Once and Future Me is a wild genre mashup and absolute mental chaos.

The book follows a woman identified as Dorothy Frasier, who is on a bus headed to a Psych Hospital. She has no memory of who she is, but seems to possess an interesting set of combat, escape, and lock-picking skills. Is she secretly a spy?? Then Dorothy suffers a seizure and wakes up to people claiming she's from the future (2035) and named Bix, sent to 1954 on a mission involving a doctor and a cure for a pandemic. Again, is she a spy?? Or just crazy?? And will the treatments she receives help her or silence her forever?

This book was a true page-turner, and had my brain melting. A unique mixture of psychological thriller meets dystopian sci-fi that will make you question everything. It is also a feminist piece on the horrors of past mental health (mis)treatments of women.

Fans of sci-fi and thrillers with complex plots and a strong FMC will really enjoy this gem! I will definitely be recommending this one to my September book club! For sure check this one out! You probably haven't read anything like this before!

Oh man, I was so excited for this one. The premise sounded so interesting and right up my alley! So I’m bummed it didn’t live up to what I hoped for.

The beginning was a super interesting hook with the MC finding herself in a bus to a psych ward in the 50s. And what happened to her inside of said ward was also both aggravating and frightening, acting as a great callout to how many women have been sent to these places through history if they didn’t fully succumb to their husband. The flashbacks also added a certain level of intrigue that kept me guessing what was real and what wasn’t, so that was all done quite well.

What didn’t work well for me specifically was more of the overall feminism/ableism commentary, the internal “voice” which didn’t serve much and was never really explained, the overall world building, and the fact that sooooo much of this — especially the future portions — was “telling” instead of “showing.” Because the FMC never regains her memories (with the exception of a few specific ones), we learn about the future world from her friends who just spill it all out on their way to infiltrate the cult. That part just felt like a huge swing and a miss.

The one other thing is that none of the characters were particularly lovable or even interesting to me. Worthy was maybe the most likable one, but even he just didn’t have much depth. The FMC is just this sponge of reacting to whatever people tell her she is plus this weird internal voice that she combats. I would’ve loved to see some more character development here overall. I just didn’t find myself connected to anyone, which made this tough.

The book had me on the first 20% or so, but lost me after that. I was hopeful for a more satisfying ending — and while the plot twists did slightly plot twist (the janitor I saw coming but maybe that’s just me), it kinda just wrapped up and that was that.

Overall, it was an interesting concept with lots of potential. I’d have loved to see this go through a couple more editors, but either way it just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

Thank you to Net Galley and Melissa Pace for an ARC of “The Once and Future Me”.

This novel is an explosive debut from, Melissa Pace where psychological thriller intertwines with a mix of sci-fi time travel.

“The most crucial factor in a successful reeducation is that the subject believes they’re making their own decisions, even when they’re not. That illusion of free will—that’s what gets them to double down on choices you’ve already gotten them to make. To really own them.”

I truly don’t even know where to start with how incredible this story is!! I am a sucker for a cool book cover and when I saw this one, I knew I wanted to read it before even reading the synopsis. There is adventure, chaos, time travel and trying to save the future all in one novel. Melissa takes you for an unforgettable ride that leaves you speechless and at the edge of your seat!

A gritty, emotionally raw ride through identity and time. Ambitious and messy in a bold, indie-lit kind of way. Looking forward to sharing this book!

The Once and Future Me by Melissa Pace - DNF unfortunately. Not quite what I was expecting from the description, and just not for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

This was such a mind-bending, emotionally intense read — part psychological thriller, part speculative mystery, and completely gripping. Melissa Pace does an incredible job immersing you in Dorothy’s fractured reality, making you feel every ounce of her fear, confusion, and deep, aching need to find the truth.

The setting of 1950s Virginia adds an eerie, oppressive layer to the story. The asylum backdrop, the medical gaslighting, and the fragile line between delusion and reality make the book feel claustrophobic in the best way. I was constantly questioning: is Dorothy mentally ill, a time traveler, a pawn in a much larger game — or all of the above?

I appreciated that this story wasn’t just about the twist (though there are plenty!), but also about identity, autonomy, and what it means to trust your own mind when no one else does. The writing was sharp and emotionally resonant, and while the pacing dragged a little in the middle for me, it picked up beautifully by the final third. The ending left me unsettled in a way I really admired — not everything is tied up neatly, and I liked that.

A haunting, thought-provoking debut that blends historical fiction with speculative elements in a way that feels truly fresh. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Well, this was quite a wild ride! This book blends a lot of genres and does a pretty good job of it. It was suspenseful, horrifying, and unputdownable at times. I would have liked more of an extended ending, and I think we earned it after everything the author put us through!

Well done on the cover art too!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for a review.

This book was absolutely wild and definitely takes a beat to process everything that happened. A woman wakes up in a bus on her way to be admitted to a mental hospital in 1954 with no memory of who she is or why she is there. The problem is, she has the nagging feeling, which sometimes manifests itself as an actual voice, that she is not who everyone is saying she is. This book does a wonderful job of making the reader just as scared and confused as the protagonist, making the brain really work when we are let in on information. With mental illness and medical practices of the 1950s at the forefront (with implications of how things can progress and get catastrophic because of malpractice), I appreciated that it made me question what it means to be "treated", especially during that time period. A sci-fi book that leaves you guessing and saying... "wait, what?!". I really enjoyed it and can honestly say that I have never read anything like it.

Well, well, well…I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end! The author was able to combine 1950’s (un)sensibility with 21st century dystopian sci-fi! I was able to figure out a few things before they happened, but when my suspicions were confirmed it was more of a “Yes! *fist pump*” than an “of course.” This novel is a fast paced, what will happen next wild ride! So hop on board, just be careful where the bus drops you off!

I am excited to see where this story goes and I hope Melissa Pace is working diligently on the next book in the series! I will be first in line to read it!

Thank you to Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was such a thrill!!! It did take me a second to get into, but once I did I was hooked! Dorothy can’t remember anything about her past, but she knows she isn’t crazy. Or at least she doesn’t think she is. Something doesn’t feel right about the story the doctors, police, and even her husband are telling her. She is on a mission from the future…right? Honestly I went back and forth on whether she was crazy or telling the truth, and that’s part of the fun of reading this book! If you want to find out and love sci-fi/thrillers, pick this book up!

Special thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC! It was such a palette cleanser and I’m excited to read a sequel 👀

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Excellently written. I don’t think I’ve ever read another book like this one

This book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think my true rating of this book is 4.5 but I’m gonna round it up to 5 for platforms that don't allow half stars.
This book had me hooked from the jump. One of the most unreliable narrators I’ve ever read because she can’t even discern the lies from the truth. It is one of the few mystery/thrillers I have read where I genuinely did not know where we were going. Sometimes I think that confusion took away from my enjoyment, I think the pacing in the middle of the book got a bit odd in the pursuit of keeping the reader in the dark about what the actual reality is. I generally get a bit wary of time travel in books since it can get real confusing real fast but I think the time travel stayed simple enough to not distract me from the rest of the plot. The utilization of a mental hospital patient as a narrator was such a great choice and it was executed so well. Getting to ride along with Dorothy’s inner demons/ turmoil really adds to the experience of this book.

If I was asked for a quick pitch on this book I’d describe it as a refreshing take on a psychological thriller that actually keeps you guessing. Along with a side of mental health and sexism commentary.

*mild spoiler ahead*
The ending of this book pissed me off actually. All of that suspense and buildup to not even get a real resolution. A somewhat sour end to an otherwise great read. If this book ends up being a stand alone and no follow up is to be had I’m going to have to come back and edit this review to be meaner.