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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
About the author
Jennifer Oko
5 books19 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 123 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!
June 20, 2026
✦•┈๑⋅⋯ Just Emilia by Jennifer Oko ⋯⋅๑┈•✦
• 5/5 ☆ •
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
I had such a good time with this book. The whole idea of following three different Emilias living three different versions of the same life felt like it could get confusing or gimmicky, but it ended up feeling fresh and, weirdly, kind of comforting. Each Emilia has her own voice and her own mess, and I kept wanting to hug all three of them for completely different reasons.
What stood out to me was how real they all felt. Even with the speculative twist, the emotions are grounded. You get to see the same person make different choices and carry different regrets, and it hits in a way that sneaks up on you. There's humor, there's tenderness, and there are moments where you can feel the weight of everything these women are trying to figure out.
The story moves in a way that kept me hooked. Every chapter gives you a new angle on who Emilia is and who she could be, and watching the three of them collide is chaotic. It's clever without going cold, heartfelt without tipping into melodrama. That balance seems hard to pull off, and this book does it.
By the end, I felt genuinely attached to all of them. It's rare for a book with such a unique premise to also feel this warm, but this one pulls it off beautifully.
I loved it.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ identity and self discovery
✔️ alternate life paths
✔️ second chances
✔️ heartfelt speculative fiction
✔️ figuring yourself out
✔️ bittersweet humor
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
📅 Pub Day: Out Now 📚
💌 ARC gifted via NetGalley from Regal House Publishing. All opinions are my own.
• 5/5 ☆ •
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
I had such a good time with this book. The whole idea of following three different Emilias living three different versions of the same life felt like it could get confusing or gimmicky, but it ended up feeling fresh and, weirdly, kind of comforting. Each Emilia has her own voice and her own mess, and I kept wanting to hug all three of them for completely different reasons.
What stood out to me was how real they all felt. Even with the speculative twist, the emotions are grounded. You get to see the same person make different choices and carry different regrets, and it hits in a way that sneaks up on you. There's humor, there's tenderness, and there are moments where you can feel the weight of everything these women are trying to figure out.
The story moves in a way that kept me hooked. Every chapter gives you a new angle on who Emilia is and who she could be, and watching the three of them collide is chaotic. It's clever without going cold, heartfelt without tipping into melodrama. That balance seems hard to pull off, and this book does it.
By the end, I felt genuinely attached to all of them. It's rare for a book with such a unique premise to also feel this warm, but this one pulls it off beautifully.
I loved it.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ identity and self discovery
✔️ alternate life paths
✔️ second chances
✔️ heartfelt speculative fiction
✔️ figuring yourself out
✔️ bittersweet humor
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
📅 Pub Day: Out Now 📚
💌 ARC gifted via NetGalley from Regal House Publishing. All opinions are my own.
May 21, 2026
What an interesting concept! This book kept me engaged the entire time, the thought of getting stuck in an elevator with my younger and older self’s sounds incredibly trippy. I may be in my 20s but I really connected to this story and the thoughts that plague you when you lose a parent, no matter the circumstances. This story is a powerful reflection on grief, the choices you make in life, and the guilt that comes along side it. I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy!
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.
May 30, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Oko expertly touches on the guilt and complex grief of losing a parent, losing them unexpectedly, and losing them through an accident. This is something that I can really relate to as someone who recently lost their father in an expected way. I wasn’t expecting to relate to the grief at all based on the description and really understood how Emilia felt.
It was so interesting to read the story of one character through three different perspectives–it almost felt like having three different characters, since they were all in very different stages of life. I think the premise and execution were quite well done.
One area that took away from the novel was the lack of secondary character development and connection to the protagonist. We only get a brief glimpse into what Joel, Sonya, and Emilia’s father are like. We learnt more about Sally Fletcher but it still felt like we didn’t get to see more kind and soft moments of her as a woman and mother. There could’ve been more exploration of how Emilia’s friendship with Amy deteriorated after her mother’s loss. I imagine it was partially done this way to emphasize that there wasn’t any real closure and they drifted apart because no one believe Emilia, but it was missing depth. Similarly, the inclusion of sharing an Uber with Christopher Grant seemed like it was supposed to do more than simply get Emilia to Friendship Heights that day. I understand that he was a reminder of why she blames herself and the events that led to her mother’s death, prompting her self-discovery journey in the elevator, but all the Christopher Grant interactions fell a little flat for me. I think the author could’ve touched on the individual complicated grief of someone forcing you to do something sexually (personally, I think it was sexual assault or at least attempted sexual assault), combined with her mother passing away shortly after.
Overall, a great, introspective read. I give it 3.5/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC.
#JustEmilia #NetGalley
It was so interesting to read the story of one character through three different perspectives–it almost felt like having three different characters, since they were all in very different stages of life. I think the premise and execution were quite well done.
One area that took away from the novel was the lack of secondary character development and connection to the protagonist. We only get a brief glimpse into what Joel, Sonya, and Emilia’s father are like. We learnt more about Sally Fletcher but it still felt like we didn’t get to see more kind and soft moments of her as a woman and mother. There could’ve been more exploration of how Emilia’s friendship with Amy deteriorated after her mother’s loss. I imagine it was partially done this way to emphasize that there wasn’t any real closure and they drifted apart because no one believe Emilia, but it was missing depth. Similarly, the inclusion of sharing an Uber with Christopher Grant seemed like it was supposed to do more than simply get Emilia to Friendship Heights that day. I understand that he was a reminder of why she blames herself and the events that led to her mother’s death, prompting her self-discovery journey in the elevator, but all the Christopher Grant interactions fell a little flat for me. I think the author could’ve touched on the individual complicated grief of someone forcing you to do something sexually (personally, I think it was sexual assault or at least attempted sexual assault), combined with her mother passing away shortly after.
Overall, a great, introspective read. I give it 3.5/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC.
#JustEmilia #NetGalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
June 4, 2026
I loved the premise of this, it felt really original to me (especially as a way to work through guilt and grief) and I felt it was executed well. Each of the characters felt different enough that we could tell who it was without the prompt (but the prompt at the top was helpful). The topic at hand and the way it was handled was with such care and sensitivity, and exploring it in the three-way it was added to the compiling heaviness that all of them has experienced especially around the anniversary.
I really enjoyed how they all approached sharing memories, especially at the respective ages and also how they were able to relate to one another at those ages especially when so often, during grief, the question is "I wish I knew it would all be okay".
At times, grief isn't pretty, and this book didn't shy away from that. Especially when Emilia was younger. I also liked the way perspective was shown, even if in some ways this was too late for the characters.
The ending reveal felt like it rounded the story off, but I was expecting something a little more. I also was a little confused about one character's future but overall, this didn't affect too much of my enjoyment of the story. Overall, put together well, enjoyable and deep but without overworking the topic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this story.
I really enjoyed how they all approached sharing memories, especially at the respective ages and also how they were able to relate to one another at those ages especially when so often, during grief, the question is "I wish I knew it would all be okay".
At times, grief isn't pretty, and this book didn't shy away from that. Especially when Emilia was younger. I also liked the way perspective was shown, even if in some ways this was too late for the characters.
The ending reveal felt like it rounded the story off, but I was expecting something a little more. I also was a little confused about one character's future but overall, this didn't affect too much of my enjoyment of the story. Overall, put together well, enjoyable and deep but without overworking the topic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2026
FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
I absolutely loved the concept of this. The psychological ramifications, the meeting of timelines, the different POVs. 👏👏
I did find it a little bit repetitive though. I think it could have been more powerful as a shorter novella, but that's just my personal taste. I also found the descriptions of body fluids and smells more visceral than I like. There were also quite a lot of pop culture references with the different timelines that felt a little distracting.
I'm still glad I read this one!
CW: mother wounds, marital strife, grief and guilt. Lying. Attempted suicide mentioned. Sexual harassment, car accident, death. Strong language, including quite a few F-bombs.
I absolutely loved the concept of this. The psychological ramifications, the meeting of timelines, the different POVs. 👏👏
I did find it a little bit repetitive though. I think it could have been more powerful as a shorter novella, but that's just my personal taste. I also found the descriptions of body fluids and smells more visceral than I like. There were also quite a lot of pop culture references with the different timelines that felt a little distracting.
I'm still glad I read this one!
CW: mother wounds, marital strife, grief and guilt. Lying. Attempted suicide mentioned. Sexual harassment, car accident, death. Strong language, including quite a few F-bombs.
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!😘
May 31, 2026
when you're trapped in a small, enclosed metal box suspended in the air, with no help available, it feels inevitable to end up rehashing your life's deepest, darkest moments.
just emilia tackles the fragility of memory, the weight of guilt, the effects of trauma, and the peace in acceptance. the novel follows em, emilia, and millie as they recount experiences and share nuggets of wisdom. they don't know it at first, but eventually they figure out that they're the same person but in different stages of life. together they try to piece together their feelings and course correct their lives for the better.
if you find interest in hearing people answer the question "what would you tell your younger or older self", this book is one to check out. one thing's for sure, this one gives you a lot to ponder about.
thank you NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the eARC!
just emilia tackles the fragility of memory, the weight of guilt, the effects of trauma, and the peace in acceptance. the novel follows em, emilia, and millie as they recount experiences and share nuggets of wisdom. they don't know it at first, but eventually they figure out that they're the same person but in different stages of life. together they try to piece together their feelings and course correct their lives for the better.
if you find interest in hearing people answer the question "what would you tell your younger or older self", this book is one to check out. one thing's for sure, this one gives you a lot to ponder about.
thank you NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the eARC!
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!
May 27, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC!
Maybe 3.75 rounded up? This was a really interesting premise for a book and I enjoyed it quite a bit. There were points where I did wish it was done but it wasn’t bad by any means! But for how short it is it did feel like it kind of dragged. But, again, not enough to ruin the book.
I liked that we got all three perspectives and they all felt different but still like the same person, as they should. I don’t really know how to write about dealing with grief and guilt but I thought it was done well here.
I’m glad I got to read this one!
Maybe 3.75 rounded up? This was a really interesting premise for a book and I enjoyed it quite a bit. There were points where I did wish it was done but it wasn’t bad by any means! But for how short it is it did feel like it kind of dragged. But, again, not enough to ruin the book.
I liked that we got all three perspectives and they all felt different but still like the same person, as they should. I don’t really know how to write about dealing with grief and guilt but I thought it was done well here.
I’m glad I got to read this one!
May 21, 2026
I really loved this book. I was completely hooked by the concept of meeting your past and future selves, and I also loved all the DC references sprinkled throughout. The writing is sharp and witty, but what stayed with me most was how deeply human it felt. Highly recommend.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
March 12, 2026
What a cool premise and moving story! I love stories that make you think in unexpected ways and this is a great example. I was a little bit confused by the resolution to the elevator situation but that was a minor issue. I highly recommend for anyone who has ever wondered 'what if' or who has dealt with grief. All the local references are fun for anyone who lives in the D.C. area also.
I received an early copy of this book and I'm leaving my review voluntarily.
I received an early copy of this book and I'm leaving my review voluntarily.
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.
July 16, 2026
Just Emilia has to be one of the most interesting meditations on grief and mother-daughter relationships I’ve read to date.
Emilia, a middle-aged mother in a rocky marriage, finds herself trapped in a Washington, D.C., Metro station elevator with both her teenage and elderly selves on the anniversary of her mother’s death.
The narrative alternates between the three Emilias sharing the same time and space in the stuck elevator and flashbacks to the days before each of the three found themselves there. This is my favorite kind of storytelling—I love when a novel reveals new information nonlinearly. I also appreciated that I rarely saw the twists coming.
Spoilers below
We eventually learn that teenage Emilia was driving when the family car plunged off a cliff into the sea, killing her mother.
Emilia spends the rest of her life living both in the shadow of that tragedy and in the shadow of her mother herself. Sally, a beloved television news anchor, held impossibly high expectations for her daughter, creating a relationship that was loving but emotionally fraught. Emilia’s guilt over the accident becomes inseparable from the feeling that she never quite measured up. She wonders whether, if she had been a better daughter, the accident might never have happened.
The novel’s most compelling insight is how that unresolved grief echoes across generations. Emilia unknowingly recreates aspects of her relationship with Sally in her own relationship with her daughter, Sonya. Elder Emilia reveals that they have grown distant, and even admits to feeling disappointed in her daughter—the very emotion middle-aged Emilia has spent her life imagining her own mother felt toward her. The cycle of expectation, guilt, and emotional distance quietly repeats itself.
As Emilia tells her younger and older selves, “I don’t think I ever doubted that she loved me. I just doubted that she liked me” (Oko, p. 201). That line captures the emotional heart of the novel and the tragedy of a relationship defined less by a lack of love than by a lack of understanding.
I would have liked to see a resolution or something hinting that Emilia was able to change the course of her life as a result of this meeting with herself. However, I still enjoyed Emilia’s (slowly) building self-awareness and self-forgiveness.
★★★★☆ Thanks to Regal House Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC!
Emilia, a middle-aged mother in a rocky marriage, finds herself trapped in a Washington, D.C., Metro station elevator with both her teenage and elderly selves on the anniversary of her mother’s death.
The narrative alternates between the three Emilias sharing the same time and space in the stuck elevator and flashbacks to the days before each of the three found themselves there. This is my favorite kind of storytelling—I love when a novel reveals new information nonlinearly. I also appreciated that I rarely saw the twists coming.
Spoilers below
We eventually learn that teenage Emilia was driving when the family car plunged off a cliff into the sea, killing her mother.
Emilia spends the rest of her life living both in the shadow of that tragedy and in the shadow of her mother herself. Sally, a beloved television news anchor, held impossibly high expectations for her daughter, creating a relationship that was loving but emotionally fraught. Emilia’s guilt over the accident becomes inseparable from the feeling that she never quite measured up. She wonders whether, if she had been a better daughter, the accident might never have happened.
The novel’s most compelling insight is how that unresolved grief echoes across generations. Emilia unknowingly recreates aspects of her relationship with Sally in her own relationship with her daughter, Sonya. Elder Emilia reveals that they have grown distant, and even admits to feeling disappointed in her daughter—the very emotion middle-aged Emilia has spent her life imagining her own mother felt toward her. The cycle of expectation, guilt, and emotional distance quietly repeats itself.
As Emilia tells her younger and older selves, “I don’t think I ever doubted that she loved me. I just doubted that she liked me” (Oko, p. 201). That line captures the emotional heart of the novel and the tragedy of a relationship defined less by a lack of love than by a lack of understanding.
I would have liked to see a resolution or something hinting that Emilia was able to change the course of her life as a result of this meeting with herself. However, I still enjoyed Emilia’s (slowly) building self-awareness and self-forgiveness.
★★★★☆ Thanks to Regal House Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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