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Just Emilia
The past, present, and future collide in a DC Metro elevator as three women get caught up in a gripping time-traveling tale of memory, emotion, and unspoken truths about their shared history.
When Emilia Fletcher finds herself trapped inside a Washington, DC Metro elevator, getting out is the least of her problems. Sharing the confined space with her are Em, a troubled teenager plagued by suicidal thoughts, and Millie, an elderly woman yearning to mend ties with her estranged daughter. As the hours drag on, hunger, exhaustion, and panic set in, revealing an almost incomprehensible truth: they are the same person. Locked in an uncompromising match of memories, the three women excavate and attempt to reckon with the shared shame and suffering stemming from an unresolved trauma that has cast a profound shadow over their lives. Brimming with biting humor, compassion, and quick-witted insight, JUST EMILIA is remarkable journey of self-discovery.
When Emilia Fletcher finds herself trapped inside a Washington, DC Metro elevator, getting out is the least of her problems. Sharing the confined space with her are Em, a troubled teenager plagued by suicidal thoughts, and Millie, an elderly woman yearning to mend ties with her estranged daughter. As the hours drag on, hunger, exhaustion, and panic set in, revealing an almost incomprehensible truth: they are the same person. Locked in an uncompromising match of memories, the three women excavate and attempt to reckon with the shared shame and suffering stemming from an unresolved trauma that has cast a profound shadow over their lives. Brimming with biting humor, compassion, and quick-witted insight, JUST EMILIA is remarkable journey of self-discovery.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2025
13 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Oko
5 books15 followersJennifer Oko is a writer, journalist, and filmmaker. Her memoir Lying Together: My Russian Affair was twice named an Editor’s Choice in the New York Times Book Review, which called it “simply riveting.” Her novel Gloss, a satire of morning television news, also received ample praise, with Marie Claire magazine comparing it to Carl Hiaasen’s Lucky You and The Chicago Tribune saying it was “a rare treat.” Gloss was optioned by eOne Entertainment to be developed as a television series. Her novel Head Case is a comic mystery about psycho-pharmaceutical trafficking, which she swears is not autobiographical in any way.
Her latest novel, Just Emilia, is a dark, time-traveling comedy about three women who are trapped in an elevator and forced to grapple with a shared unresolved trauma. Just Emilia will be published by Regal House in the summer of 2025.
In addition to her creative writing, Jennifer has spent more than two decades producing television news features, documentaries, and other video content. After many years working for the big TV networks, she co-founded a boutique video production company, Because.Media, which specializes in creating documentary-style content for outlets ranging from PBS and The New York Times to The MacArthur Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and American University.
Jennifer received a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Her undergraduate degrees include a BFA in Studio Arts and a BA in Russian Language and Literature. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, two teenagers, a young dog, and a very old cat.
Her latest novel, Just Emilia, is a dark, time-traveling comedy about three women who are trapped in an elevator and forced to grapple with a shared unresolved trauma. Just Emilia will be published by Regal House in the summer of 2025.
In addition to her creative writing, Jennifer has spent more than two decades producing television news features, documentaries, and other video content. After many years working for the big TV networks, she co-founded a boutique video production company, Because.Media, which specializes in creating documentary-style content for outlets ranging from PBS and The New York Times to The MacArthur Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and American University.
Jennifer received a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Her undergraduate degrees include a BFA in Studio Arts and a BA in Russian Language and Literature. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, two teenagers, a young dog, and a very old cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
March 17, 2025
I ate this book up. Until there was a scene that put me off for a bit. I’m not sure what it had to do with the story and it took me a bit to pick it back up after that. After that though it picked up momentum again and I was able to finish it.
I loved the premise and I loved how all versions of her were there to tell a story. Also, when I was reading this book I got stuck in an elevator and the irony was not lost on me. I knew this book was meant for me to read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Regal House Publishing and Jennifer Oko for an eARC of the book for an honest review.
I loved the premise and I loved how all versions of her were there to tell a story. Also, when I was reading this book I got stuck in an elevator and the irony was not lost on me. I knew this book was meant for me to read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Regal House Publishing and Jennifer Oko for an eARC of the book for an honest review.
June 22, 2025
What a concept - meeting yourself at different stages in life.
This will hit home with a lot of people. How amazing would it be - to be able ot speak to yourself as a teenager? As an elderly person? To remind yourself of what you wanted once, and find out where you might be going?
While that sounds a little 'wish fulfilment', this novel touches on that but this isn't the heart of what Emilia's out-of-time story is about. Today is the anniversary of Emilia's mum's death, following a car accident when she was 16, her mother a TV news personality. Still living in her family's home, her husband is unable to get her to change anything, and Emilia hints she needs to tell him and their daughter something about the accident.
Before this happens though, Emilia gets stuck in a Metro lift with two other women, Em at 17 seems very familiar to her. Millie is 77. In their many hours trapped together, they talk and open up about their lives and discover they are one and the same person, at different stages in the same life. Em's mother has been dead one year, and while Millie's mother died many decades ago, it seems this event has had lifelong ramifications on her and her relationships.
Sharing memories, life learnings and remembering each other's positions, the women can't escape each other or the lift. Maybe getting to the cause of their guilt and inability to move forward will help them escape their confinement, in more way than one...
Original and really well put-together, it moves between the three women seamlessly and easily, and fills in gaps for the reader as we go along. Nobody will fail to see the relevance of this story, and that need to talk to Future You, the desire to warn Past You about what you know.
I really liked the setting that allowed present Emilia and future Millie to share their historical contexts with Em, still in the 1980s, with lots of familiar references points and even a few hints about a possible society 30 years from now.
Philosophically interesting if scientifically impossible, it's a thought experiment done as a novel. Really loved it, it was quite moving and made me yearn for a similar opportunity to talk to Me at different points in my life.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
This will hit home with a lot of people. How amazing would it be - to be able ot speak to yourself as a teenager? As an elderly person? To remind yourself of what you wanted once, and find out where you might be going?
While that sounds a little 'wish fulfilment', this novel touches on that but this isn't the heart of what Emilia's out-of-time story is about. Today is the anniversary of Emilia's mum's death, following a car accident when she was 16, her mother a TV news personality. Still living in her family's home, her husband is unable to get her to change anything, and Emilia hints she needs to tell him and their daughter something about the accident.
Before this happens though, Emilia gets stuck in a Metro lift with two other women, Em at 17 seems very familiar to her. Millie is 77. In their many hours trapped together, they talk and open up about their lives and discover they are one and the same person, at different stages in the same life. Em's mother has been dead one year, and while Millie's mother died many decades ago, it seems this event has had lifelong ramifications on her and her relationships.
Sharing memories, life learnings and remembering each other's positions, the women can't escape each other or the lift. Maybe getting to the cause of their guilt and inability to move forward will help them escape their confinement, in more way than one...
Original and really well put-together, it moves between the three women seamlessly and easily, and fills in gaps for the reader as we go along. Nobody will fail to see the relevance of this story, and that need to talk to Future You, the desire to warn Past You about what you know.
I really liked the setting that allowed present Emilia and future Millie to share their historical contexts with Em, still in the 1980s, with lots of familiar references points and even a few hints about a possible society 30 years from now.
Philosophically interesting if scientifically impossible, it's a thought experiment done as a novel. Really loved it, it was quite moving and made me yearn for a similar opportunity to talk to Me at different points in my life.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
January 29, 2025
Three and a half stars, rounded up. I was fascinated by the premise of this book, though there are elements that I felt fell a little flat. I liked the character interactions, and that they were distinct enough to be interesting while still being believably the same person. Working through grief and guilt is such a delicate and difficult topic, and I thought it was approached with grace and understanding while still looking at the harsh reality of living through it.
There were only a few things that pushed me out of the story a bit. First, the gross way they settle into being stuck in an elevator really put me off. I understand it's the reality of the situation, but it was explored in too much detail for me. Next, I didn't love the implications about the future of the country. I understand the motivation behind them, and that most are realistic, but I felt like the timeline for those things were a bit more advanced than what is being projected. Last, without spoilers, I fell that the reveal towards the end cheapened the experience for me and led to more questions than answers (about memory, grief, shame, etc. and how those truly affected Emilia's character). That being said, those were all small moments. I think this was a great character study and relatable, even if the reader has not gone through the exact same experience.
Quick spoiler-y thoughts to round this out:
I liked the writing style and pacing of this book, and I will definitely check out other books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC!
There were only a few things that pushed me out of the story a bit. First, the gross way they settle into being stuck in an elevator really put me off. I understand it's the reality of the situation, but it was explored in too much detail for me. Next, I didn't love the implications about the future of the country. I understand the motivation behind them, and that most are realistic, but I felt like the timeline for those things were a bit more advanced than what is being projected. Last, without spoilers, I fell that the reveal towards the end cheapened the experience for me and led to more questions than answers (about memory, grief, shame, etc. and how those truly affected Emilia's character). That being said, those were all small moments. I think this was a great character study and relatable, even if the reader has not gone through the exact same experience.
Quick spoiler-y thoughts to round this out:
I liked the writing style and pacing of this book, and I will definitely check out other books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC!
January 29, 2025
This is a brilliant conceit for a book that addresses mother-daughter issues that feel familiar to many of us. Spoilers prevent more, but suffice to say the plot works, no matter how surreal. Bravo!
March 15, 2025
A really interesting premise that worked for me.
February 3, 2025
2.5⭐️
Just Emilia presents an intriguing premise: Emilia finds herself trapped in a Washington, DC Metro elevator with two versions of herself—the troubled teenager Em and the elderly Millie. All three are connected by a traumatic event, each grappling with its impact in their own way.
The concept of the story holds a lot of promise, and I was initially excited to dive in. However, by the end, I found myself wanting more. The writing, while thoughtful, didn’t quite pull me in the way I had hoped, which made it hard to stay engaged. The core theme—three versions of the same woman, stuck in a loop of self-blame over an unresolved trauma—felt repetitive and unresolved. I struggled with the idea that Emilia, across such a wide span of time, could remain so stagnant in her self-blame, especially considering that she carries this weight from the age of 17 all the way into her late 70s. While I understand that trauma can have a lasting impact, this level of emotional stasis just didn’t feel fully realistic.
Perhaps my disconnect stems from not having experienced a similar type of trauma myself, but it was hard to empathize with Emilia’s continuous self-criticism over what seemed like a minor decision—choosing pancakes over toast. The emotional weight of that choice just didn’t resonate with me in the way the book intended.
Additionally, I found it hard to pinpoint Emilia’s role in the story. She seems to serve primarily as the narrator, but beyond that, her presence felt somewhat detached. I found myself more interested in Millie’s backstory and her efforts to reconcile with her estranged daughter. I would have loved to see more depth from her perspective.
There’s also a scene involving a bathroom break that felt out of place. It seemed to distract from the more poignant moments and, in my opinion, didn’t add anything meaningful to the character development or the story’s overall arc. A more organic moment of bonding between the three women would have been far more effective.
In the end, while the book’s premise is original and thought-provoking, it needed a bit more emotional depth and development to truly deliver on its potential. I really wanted to love it, but it fell short for me.
Just Emilia presents an intriguing premise: Emilia finds herself trapped in a Washington, DC Metro elevator with two versions of herself—the troubled teenager Em and the elderly Millie. All three are connected by a traumatic event, each grappling with its impact in their own way.
The concept of the story holds a lot of promise, and I was initially excited to dive in. However, by the end, I found myself wanting more. The writing, while thoughtful, didn’t quite pull me in the way I had hoped, which made it hard to stay engaged. The core theme—three versions of the same woman, stuck in a loop of self-blame over an unresolved trauma—felt repetitive and unresolved. I struggled with the idea that Emilia, across such a wide span of time, could remain so stagnant in her self-blame, especially considering that she carries this weight from the age of 17 all the way into her late 70s. While I understand that trauma can have a lasting impact, this level of emotional stasis just didn’t feel fully realistic.
Perhaps my disconnect stems from not having experienced a similar type of trauma myself, but it was hard to empathize with Emilia’s continuous self-criticism over what seemed like a minor decision—choosing pancakes over toast. The emotional weight of that choice just didn’t resonate with me in the way the book intended.
Additionally, I found it hard to pinpoint Emilia’s role in the story. She seems to serve primarily as the narrator, but beyond that, her presence felt somewhat detached. I found myself more interested in Millie’s backstory and her efforts to reconcile with her estranged daughter. I would have loved to see more depth from her perspective.
There’s also a scene involving a bathroom break that felt out of place. It seemed to distract from the more poignant moments and, in my opinion, didn’t add anything meaningful to the character development or the story’s overall arc. A more organic moment of bonding between the three women would have been far more effective.
In the end, while the book’s premise is original and thought-provoking, it needed a bit more emotional depth and development to truly deliver on its potential. I really wanted to love it, but it fell short for me.
March 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
And I do need to be honest. 'Just Emilia' by Jennifer Oko seemed an interesting story in which Emilia needs to make peace with herself and her troubled past (the past being her mother's untimely death). Emilia gets stuck in an elevator with a younger and older version of herself. They fill each other in on their lives, give advice, and try to work out why they are there with each other. And, of course, how to get out.
Interesting, definitely, when you get to talk to your younger and older self. But for me, the story lacked depth in a lot of places.
I could not properly connect to Emilia, to none of the three versions of her. The characters felt flat, even when they articulated their emotions and feelings. To be really frank, I just didn't like Emilia.
Consequently, the story felt like it dragged on and on, although the book is not that long. Perhaps this is a personal thing, but I was not a fan of the story playing out in 24 hours. In contrast, the ending felt very rushed and I was left feeling confused.
All in all, 'Just Emilia' had a lot of potential. The story could have been deeper, but it was not horrible. I think many people will enjoy this. It just wasn't for me.
And I do need to be honest. 'Just Emilia' by Jennifer Oko seemed an interesting story in which Emilia needs to make peace with herself and her troubled past (the past being her mother's untimely death). Emilia gets stuck in an elevator with a younger and older version of herself. They fill each other in on their lives, give advice, and try to work out why they are there with each other. And, of course, how to get out.
Interesting, definitely, when you get to talk to your younger and older self. But for me, the story lacked depth in a lot of places.
I could not properly connect to Emilia, to none of the three versions of her. The characters felt flat, even when they articulated their emotions and feelings. To be really frank, I just didn't like Emilia.
Consequently, the story felt like it dragged on and on, although the book is not that long. Perhaps this is a personal thing, but I was not a fan of the story playing out in 24 hours. In contrast, the ending felt very rushed and I was left feeling confused.
All in all, 'Just Emilia' had a lot of potential. The story could have been deeper, but it was not horrible. I think many people will enjoy this. It just wasn't for me.
October 23, 2025
This was an unexpectedly thought provoking read! I really enjoyed this book - I didn't know much about it before requesting it and quite honestly went in blind. The cover of the book is what intrigued me most and I really loved how the book was set and how the artwork on the cover links in well with the story.
Having the book read in the perspective of Emilia in 3 different points of her life was great and really gave you a feel for how her mothers death has effected her throughout her life in different ways, in her relationships with friends, family and partner. It was beautifully written and really easy to read and follow. I feel it would have been easy to get lost in this book but the distinction between the 3 characters was great and I felt we got equal perspective into all 3 stages of her life.
I flew through this book, wanting to know what was going to happen next and if there was a key point or reason as to why they were forced to be with one another, and the ending was written really well - teaching Emilia to forgive herself and realise that maybe none of this was her fault and that she needed to be kinder to herself and those around her ultimately leading to a new perspective on life.
Overall, a great read, I enjoyed!
Thank you to Regal House Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Having the book read in the perspective of Emilia in 3 different points of her life was great and really gave you a feel for how her mothers death has effected her throughout her life in different ways, in her relationships with friends, family and partner. It was beautifully written and really easy to read and follow. I feel it would have been easy to get lost in this book but the distinction between the 3 characters was great and I felt we got equal perspective into all 3 stages of her life.
I flew through this book, wanting to know what was going to happen next and if there was a key point or reason as to why they were forced to be with one another, and the ending was written really well - teaching Emilia to forgive herself and realise that maybe none of this was her fault and that she needed to be kinder to herself and those around her ultimately leading to a new perspective on life.
Overall, a great read, I enjoyed!
Thank you to Regal House Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
First off: If you're a Booktokker, a lover of Colleen Hoover or Abby Jimenez, or in your 20s, THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR YOU. It's frustrating that the publisher is marketing this book as such, but reading the reviews makes it obvious that you have to be an adult with life experience and mileage to connect with this book. Much like Alison Espach's "The Wedding People," this is NOT a cutesy novel, it's a treatise on aging, regrets, and learning to live with the choices you made as a younger person.
This is a lovely, contemporary yet classic-feeling novel about a 40-something woman who gets into an elevator in 2017, only to be trapped in said elevator with her 16-year-old self from 1985, and her 77-year-old self from the 2040s. During the hours they're trapped, the women (woman?) work through a trauma that has recently befallen the teen, but continued to haunt the rest of her life (lives?). I blew through it in 2 days- the author nails what it's like to remember of your (stupid) teen self, to think you know it all in midlife, and how at every age, we fear getting older.
Highly recommend.
First off: If you're a Booktokker, a lover of Colleen Hoover or Abby Jimenez, or in your 20s, THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR YOU. It's frustrating that the publisher is marketing this book as such, but reading the reviews makes it obvious that you have to be an adult with life experience and mileage to connect with this book. Much like Alison Espach's "The Wedding People," this is NOT a cutesy novel, it's a treatise on aging, regrets, and learning to live with the choices you made as a younger person.
This is a lovely, contemporary yet classic-feeling novel about a 40-something woman who gets into an elevator in 2017, only to be trapped in said elevator with her 16-year-old self from 1985, and her 77-year-old self from the 2040s. During the hours they're trapped, the women (woman?) work through a trauma that has recently befallen the teen, but continued to haunt the rest of her life (lives?). I blew through it in 2 days- the author nails what it's like to remember of your (stupid) teen self, to think you know it all in midlife, and how at every age, we fear getting older.
Highly recommend.
December 20, 2025
I just finished Just Emilia, and I loved it. I started yesterday afternoon and read it all within 24 hours. I thought it was funny, smart, compelling, and moving. I loved the shout out to living in DC! I thought it was a helpful reminder that we a need to be taking care of and “talking to” our past and future selves, internally. Kudos to Oko for pulling off this quasi sci-fi or post modern plot in a very real relatable way!😘
March 29, 2025
3.5 rounded down.
Emilia can't get over her mother's death, fully believing she has a hand to play in the cause. What's a better way to get over her grief than getting stuck in the elevator with the person she hates the most and having to share it with them? Thats right, herself.
I loved the idea of Emilia being stuck in the elevator with her past and future selves on her mother's death anniversary — each of them at different stages of their lives and talking through their grief and things that held them back. I loved the whole implication of being stuck in the elevator, in the small confined metal space, to being 'stuck with yourself' as she navigated where her life went wrong and what part she played in it. I loved reading about the whole mother-daughter relationships of all the versions of Emilia and it just makes you think about it, i guess.
I would say this could have been more developed considering the premise was so good but personally, I enjoyed reading this alot!
I'm glad i got this arc from Netgalley!
Emilia can't get over her mother's death, fully believing she has a hand to play in the cause. What's a better way to get over her grief than getting stuck in the elevator with the person she hates the most and having to share it with them? Thats right, herself.
I loved the idea of Emilia being stuck in the elevator with her past and future selves on her mother's death anniversary — each of them at different stages of their lives and talking through their grief and things that held them back. I loved the whole implication of being stuck in the elevator, in the small confined metal space, to being 'stuck with yourself' as she navigated where her life went wrong and what part she played in it. I loved reading about the whole mother-daughter relationships of all the versions of Emilia and it just makes you think about it, i guess.
I would say this could have been more developed considering the premise was so good but personally, I enjoyed reading this alot!
I'm glad i got this arc from Netgalley!
February 1, 2025
I LOVE the premise of this book, I think it has so much potential to develop into a beautiful story with poignant themes of grief, motherhood and aging.
What let me down was it felt like it needed some further editing. There was a jarring mix of sentence structures which meant it was hard to get into the rhythm of reading. I also felt some of the vocabulary choices were odd, too formal for a first person POV not speaking or thinking with formal vocab the rest of the time. Couple with some grammatical errors it made a really clunky and difficult read.
I’d love to read this with some polishing as I think it could be a beautiful book.
What let me down was it felt like it needed some further editing. There was a jarring mix of sentence structures which meant it was hard to get into the rhythm of reading. I also felt some of the vocabulary choices were odd, too formal for a first person POV not speaking or thinking with formal vocab the rest of the time. Couple with some grammatical errors it made a really clunky and difficult read.
I’d love to read this with some polishing as I think it could be a beautiful book.
June 10, 2025
I really enjoyed Just Emilia for its clever concept and relatable characters. The Author brings out the highs and lows of a lifetime through the books three versions of the same character. At times there a is a real poignancy to the writing relating to certain life stages. While sad at times, and hilarious at others, the book does not get bogged down into any overly-deep emotion and remains a fun, easy and fast read. Especially the second half, where I felt it really picked up. After reading Just Emilia I felt a smile inside and was very glad that I read it.
March 21, 2025
To come face to face with both your younger self and the you-of-the-future, how wildly imaginative, fun, and engrossing. The story pulled me in right from the start and did not let go until I turned the last page. I felt the characters were all constructed really well and I at different points through the story, I would find me siding with, rooting for, or commiserating with one over the others. I really enjoyed this book! Highly recommend.
July 30, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It felt very different from other books I’ve read. I’ve never seen something like this where present and future selves meet one another. I found the characters to be very believable. Emilia seemed closed off and cold, and at first I found her a little whiny. But being forced to live a big lie her whole life explained why she acted the way that she did, and I loved the way that the book resolved itself.
June 26, 2025
Check out my full review 🤓
https://www.creationmag.org/blog-3-1/...
https://www.creationmag.org/blog-3-1/...
April 27, 2025
2.5 stars*
Just Emilia examines the enduring effects of grief, complicated mother-daughter dynamics, and the way unprocessed trauma can silently shape a lifetime.
The premise starts off very interesting: what would you do if you found yourself stuck in an elevator with your past and future selves? The unprocessed grief that all three versions of the main character, Emilia, carry grounds the story into a cohesive emotional journey. Although the flashbacks and shifts in point of view sometimes give the novel a fragmented feel, the major themes remain consistent throughout.
I initially took a liking to the way Oko wrote her younger characters, especially in how she breaks or justifies common stereotypes. Sonya is empathetic, standing apart from the usual portrayal of pre-adolescents as distant or moody. Em’s anger also feels justified, allowing her to be more than just the typical “rude but secretly struggling” teenager. However, the older characters felt more detached, even indifferent, toward their other selves. Millie, in particular, seemed so defeated from the beginning, even when literally confronted by her younger selves. Emilia was more bearable—comforting young Em and trying to ease their situation—but I found her too judgmental of her future self. Perhaps these flaws were meant to highlight their character growth, but everything felt too rushed toward the end for that growth to fully land.
There were a few powerful moments in the book, lines that struck deeply, and scenes that pulled me in. However, those moments were often sandwiched between slower sections that felt like fillers. The story started strong, then slowed down significantly, before everything was dropped like a bomb in the final chapters. By the end, the emotional payoff felt hollow.
That said, part of my disappointment may have been due to my own expectations. I picked up this book thinking it would be similar to the cozy, character-driven magical realism stories from Asian literature that I’ve loved in the past. Instead, it turned out to be heavier and more emotionally distant.
Still, Just Emilia offers valuable takeaways. Grief can weigh down a person’s existence for decades if left unaddressed. Healing must be an intentional choice, something that comes from within. And often, our own stubbornness—the refusal to accept help—is what prolongs our suffering. Even at 77, you can still learn something essential from your 17-year-old self.
Thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Just Emilia publishes on June 10, 2025.
Just Emilia examines the enduring effects of grief, complicated mother-daughter dynamics, and the way unprocessed trauma can silently shape a lifetime.
The premise starts off very interesting: what would you do if you found yourself stuck in an elevator with your past and future selves? The unprocessed grief that all three versions of the main character, Emilia, carry grounds the story into a cohesive emotional journey. Although the flashbacks and shifts in point of view sometimes give the novel a fragmented feel, the major themes remain consistent throughout.
I initially took a liking to the way Oko wrote her younger characters, especially in how she breaks or justifies common stereotypes. Sonya is empathetic, standing apart from the usual portrayal of pre-adolescents as distant or moody. Em’s anger also feels justified, allowing her to be more than just the typical “rude but secretly struggling” teenager. However, the older characters felt more detached, even indifferent, toward their other selves. Millie, in particular, seemed so defeated from the beginning, even when literally confronted by her younger selves. Emilia was more bearable—comforting young Em and trying to ease their situation—but I found her too judgmental of her future self. Perhaps these flaws were meant to highlight their character growth, but everything felt too rushed toward the end for that growth to fully land.
There were a few powerful moments in the book, lines that struck deeply, and scenes that pulled me in. However, those moments were often sandwiched between slower sections that felt like fillers. The story started strong, then slowed down significantly, before everything was dropped like a bomb in the final chapters. By the end, the emotional payoff felt hollow.
That said, part of my disappointment may have been due to my own expectations. I picked up this book thinking it would be similar to the cozy, character-driven magical realism stories from Asian literature that I’ve loved in the past. Instead, it turned out to be heavier and more emotionally distant.
Still, Just Emilia offers valuable takeaways. Grief can weigh down a person’s existence for decades if left unaddressed. Healing must be an intentional choice, something that comes from within. And often, our own stubbornness—the refusal to accept help—is what prolongs our suffering. Even at 77, you can still learn something essential from your 17-year-old self.
Thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Just Emilia publishes on June 10, 2025.
November 3, 2025
Just Emilia is such a beautiful, thought-provoking read. Jennifer Oko’s writing is delicate and deeply attentive: every sentence feels intentional. I loved the mind-bending idea of meeting your younger and older self. It’s such a powerful way to imagine making peace with (and giving grace to) the one who you were and who you’re becoming. Honestly, it’s a wonderful mental exercise for anyone seeking a bit of inner calm — going back to hug your teenage self and greeting your future self with curiosity. A marvelous page-turner and a truly special book.
February 26, 2025
Em, Emilia, and Millie have one thing in common: they are the same person. So I guess they actually have everything in common. They meet up in some out-of-this world way and work through the trauma of how their mom died and their part in it.
While the premise is fascinating, it felt drawn out and like the same points were being rehashed. A lot more could have happened. So, I am torn between 2.5 and 3 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley & Regal House Publishing, for the ARC read in exchange for my honest review.
While the premise is fascinating, it felt drawn out and like the same points were being rehashed. A lot more could have happened. So, I am torn between 2.5 and 3 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley & Regal House Publishing, for the ARC read in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2025
A very cool concept. Fast paced and an easy-to-read prose style that deftly handled the topics of grief and trauma over time, as well as the realistic way that relationships can deteriorate if not given the proper attention and care. Three stars because I found the overall theming and the resolution to be a bit inconsistent and unsatisfying.
I received an ARC from the publisher.
I received an ARC from the publisher.
March 9, 2025
'Just Emilia' by Jennifer Oko follows the story of Emilia, Em, and Millie - three versions of the same person at different stages in life - who find themselves stuck together in an elevator on the anniversary of their mother's death.
I was immediately drawn in by the premise of this book. The idea of being confronted by your past and future selves in such a confined space was very intriguing to me. The elevator (at least that's how I have interpreted it) serves as a powerful metaphor for being "stuck with yourself" and being forced to face your own trauma, regrets, and hopes for the future.
Even though i thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, I found myself wanting to learn more about Em and Millie at their respective ages. I also really liked the open ending.
Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was immediately drawn in by the premise of this book. The idea of being confronted by your past and future selves in such a confined space was very intriguing to me. The elevator (at least that's how I have interpreted it) serves as a powerful metaphor for being "stuck with yourself" and being forced to face your own trauma, regrets, and hopes for the future.
Even though i thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, I found myself wanting to learn more about Em and Millie at their respective ages. I also really liked the open ending.
Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 25, 2025
Thank you NetGalley & Regal House Publishing for sending me an ARC of this amazing book in exchange for an honest review. 💕
Em, Emilia, and Millie all end up locked in an elevator together and while this is many people's fear, does it make it better or worse that all three people end up being the same person just at different points of "their" life? Each going through their own personal struggles at their own point in time, while also continuously holding onto trauma that is controlling her overall, whether she wants to admit it or not.
A quick read about grief, fault, letting go, growing older, learning from your mistakes or simply learning to face them, "Just Emilia," is a story that makes you contemplate and remember to stop and be thankful for what you have each and every moment. Will read again.
Em, Emilia, and Millie all end up locked in an elevator together and while this is many people's fear, does it make it better or worse that all three people end up being the same person just at different points of "their" life? Each going through their own personal struggles at their own point in time, while also continuously holding onto trauma that is controlling her overall, whether she wants to admit it or not.
A quick read about grief, fault, letting go, growing older, learning from your mistakes or simply learning to face them, "Just Emilia," is a story that makes you contemplate and remember to stop and be thankful for what you have each and every moment. Will read again.
August 22, 2025
I loved the concept of this novel. Middle-aged Emilia gets stuck on an elevator and discovers her fellow passengers are her younger self and her older self. And they talk, about their lives, and their scars, and their choices. Wouldn't we all love this opportunity (just maybe not while stuck in an elevator). To me, this was worth the read and the thinking it generates. Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing a digital ARC for review.
August 23, 2025
I liked the concept a lot. The idea behind the story really worked for me, even if the execution didn’t fully deliver. Some parts felt repetitive and the ending didn’t give me the closure I was hoping for, but overall it was a nice read.
It had a gentle, reflective vibe and was easy to get through. I just wish I had connected with it a little more deeply.
It had a gentle, reflective vibe and was easy to get through. I just wish I had connected with it a little more deeply.
June 9, 2025
This is a weird book.
The premise is so interesting. 3 versions of the same woman get trapped together in an elevator. will she be able to forgive herself and move past the things she's carried for 1, 31, or 61 years?
And.... I don't know how I felt about it.
To start off, I really did enjoy Jennifer Oko's writing. I think it's the sort of frank blunt writing that invites reflection and introspection.
However, the character of Emilia just kind of didn't do it for me. I couldn't connect to her grief, I couldn't understand why she was freaking out about being so responsable for everything, and I didn't really care much anymore when the reveals started getting juicy. She was kind of... awful to everyone because she couldn't mature past her almost selfish need to be held accountable for all her percieved mistakes. She ruined her relationship with her father over it. She's currently ruining her marriage over it. and in the future her relationship with her daughter will be ruined because of it.
I thought the premise was so interesting, the writing was solid, I just didn't particularly enjoy being in Emelia's head for the entirety of the book. I think it came really close to being an impactful, heavy story; sadly it was just fine to me.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The premise is so interesting. 3 versions of the same woman get trapped together in an elevator. will she be able to forgive herself and move past the things she's carried for 1, 31, or 61 years?
And.... I don't know how I felt about it.
To start off, I really did enjoy Jennifer Oko's writing. I think it's the sort of frank blunt writing that invites reflection and introspection.
However, the character of Emilia just kind of didn't do it for me. I couldn't connect to her grief, I couldn't understand why she was freaking out about being so responsable for everything, and I didn't really care much anymore when the reveals started getting juicy. She was kind of... awful to everyone because she couldn't mature past her almost selfish need to be held accountable for all her percieved mistakes. She ruined her relationship with her father over it. She's currently ruining her marriage over it. and in the future her relationship with her daughter will be ruined because of it.
I thought the premise was so interesting, the writing was solid, I just didn't particularly enjoy being in Emelia's head for the entirety of the book. I think it came really close to being an impactful, heavy story; sadly it was just fine to me.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 17, 2025
i finished this feeling so complete. i loved the way this was written and the plot was original and just so refreshing. i don’t usually read literary fiction but i just ended up loving this. jen you did amazing with this one, and i loved the laila reference in this. keep being amazing <3
March 22, 2025
thank you so much regal house publishing and NetGalley for the e-arc!
such a thought provoking read. what would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with the younger and older versions of you?
i thought that the author did an incredible job of leveraging the information the reader needed as the story went on, although the book takes place entirely in the elevator, it seems that the author perfectly places these pieces of memory and realizations that all 3 versions of Emilia have. this is a story of grief, self discovery, self understanding, and hope.
such a thought provoking read. what would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with the younger and older versions of you?
i thought that the author did an incredible job of leveraging the information the reader needed as the story went on, although the book takes place entirely in the elevator, it seems that the author perfectly places these pieces of memory and realizations that all 3 versions of Emilia have. this is a story of grief, self discovery, self understanding, and hope.
May 7, 2025
3.5🌟 ~ 4 🌟
I liked the overall concept of the book + premise was intriguing and promising.
I enjoyed the flashback parts and the theme of dealing with grief & trying to accept it.
What took me out of the flow, was the sometimes overly descriptive parts in the elevator that made me want to skim it.
The characters were greatly fleshed out with their own distinct traits even though they were the same person.
-Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review-
I liked the overall concept of the book + premise was intriguing and promising.
I enjoyed the flashback parts and the theme of dealing with grief & trying to accept it.
What took me out of the flow, was the sometimes overly descriptive parts in the elevator that made me want to skim it.
The characters were greatly fleshed out with their own distinct traits even though they were the same person.
-Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review-
June 24, 2025
I didn’t read a full blurb for this book as I didn’t want to spoil too much and for the first 15% I was a little dubious about whether or not I would enjoy this book. After cottoning on to the fact that it was three versions of the same person, the story really started to pick up and I really enjoyed reading it.
I will say, this plot had a lot of potential that I didn’t feel was fully explored, which was a shame as I loved the idea and have not read this sort of thing anywhere else! I think my main issue was that I didn’t really like Emilia. The book explores her faults so I know she wouldn’t have been a perfect character but she could’ve at least been a little more likeable.
Thank you to NetGalley, Regal House Publishing and Jennifer Oko for an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I will say, this plot had a lot of potential that I didn’t feel was fully explored, which was a shame as I loved the idea and have not read this sort of thing anywhere else! I think my main issue was that I didn’t really like Emilia. The book explores her faults so I know she wouldn’t have been a perfect character but she could’ve at least been a little more likeable.
Thank you to NetGalley, Regal House Publishing and Jennifer Oko for an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2025
Jennifer Oko tackles the conversation of grief and self-hatred well in Just Emilia. The time jumps were easy to follow and interesting, keeping the reader wanting to know more about the story. This book uses magical realism well and I liike the choice of an ambigious ending. Out of all the characters, I feel like Millie lacked the most depth, despite her being the oldest version of Emiilia. The plot of the lights flickering on and off, and then going into complete darkness felt confusing at times as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this read!
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book!
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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