I've Been Here Before

by Eleanor Wells

When Sienna Larsen learns of the reopening of the infamous Sokolov Park almost sixty years after the derailment of its flagship coaster claimed five lives, she’s faced with an uncanny sense of familiarity. during a past life regression, she inhabits the memories of Marilou Chambers, one of its victims. Drawn to Marilou’s seeming perfection—a loving boyfriend, a happy family, and a bright future—her obsession with the incident festers, one that won’t be quelled until she visits the park again.


“I’ve Been Here Before” explores both the weight of the past on present choices and the complicated melancholy of regret.

64 pages, ebook

Published August 25, 2025

About the author

Eleanor Wells is a writer, filmmaker, and actress, born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated from Emerson College in 2017 with a BA in Media Arts Production and resides in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

[Michelle Kssili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sienna and Gabby are best friends, home for the summer. They attend different colleges. Sienna was watching TV when something intriguing caught her eyes and drew her in. Sokolov Park - 5 Dead many injured. ( This is why Im not fond of roller coasters.) This occurred in 1967, not recently. Gabby invites Sienna over to hang out. Gabby draws Sienna into meditating, "Oh, it will be fun." Unbeknown something or someone pulls Sienna, and she goes back in time. " They say if you're drawn to the past, you have unifinished biusness in a prior life." (Meditating is supposed to relax and clear your mind. Does not, however, pull you into the past.)

You see, Sienna thinks she was somehow Marilou. During meditation, Sienna sees Marilou and Luke. It seemed so real. When Sienna pulls out of meditating, Gabby asks if she wants to go to Sokolov Park. Coincidence. The park was closed in 1977 and reopened in June 2025. When Sienna arrives home, she decides to finish watching the incident at Sokolov Park. The same people who died in the park appeared in her meditation. Marilou looked just like her. Sienna was sure she had visited this park before, but her mother said impossible closed in 1977. She is constantly being drawn back to this place in time.

Sienna's meditation was very much real to her, while with Gabby, it was just fun.
I'm not convinced that these kinds of occurrences happen. I'm not much of a believer that people can connect with people in the past. The author definitely grabbed my attention, even when I thought she was all over the place. Does Sienna die like Marilou? Must read.