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Every Version of You

Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26
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For fans of The Love of My Afterlife and The Seven Year Slip, Reese’s LitUp Fellow Natalie Messier’s debut following a woman who gets a chance to relive her college years—with the opportunity to win back the one that got away—is “full of surprises and sneakily perceptive” (Yulin Kuang, USA TODAY bestselling author of How to End a Love Story).

Joey Vasquez’s life is the definition of good on paper. At thirty-two, she’s a Los Angeles lawyer on the cusp of making partner, but while she’s a professional success, she’s a personal disaster. Her social life mostly consists of nights spent watching TV with her elderly cat. Life isn’t quite what she dreamed when she was younger, but really, whose life is?

But a dinner party with the best friend she’s secretly pined after for years and its aftermath changes everything.

When Joey is given a second chance at life, she finds herself in college again. Armed with memories from her first life, Joey is certain she’s come back to finally convince the one man she ever loved to love her back—so why does she find herself strangely drawn to the man she thought she hated?

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 21, 2026

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Natalie Messier

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Nilufer Ozmekik.
3,112 reviews60.5k followers
December 7, 2025
This is one of the best debuts I've truly devoured! The themes of second chances, time travel, learning from past mistakes, discovering true love, finding your authentic self, and uncovering your life's purpose were all meticulously executed with remarkable precision. Each twist was masterfully crafted and perfectly timed, creating a reading experience that left me breathless with anticipation.

I found myself absolutely captivated by this original, unique, and deeply heartfelt story that compels every reader to confront a universal question: What would we do if we could travel back to that pivotal moment in our lives where everything went wrong and try making different choices to embrace entirely different consequences? Can we truly change our own destiny and save ourselves from endless cycles of misery and regret? Countless thought-provoking questions swirled through my mind as I turned each page, making this far more than just entertainment—it became a profound meditation on choice, consequence, and the paths not taken.

While the romance was beautifully developed, I found myself even more drawn to the protagonist's relentless pursuit of genuine happiness and self-discovery. This added an extra layer of depth that elevated the entire narrative beyond typical romance tropes.
The plot centers around Joey (Josephina Vasquez), a 32-year-old corporate lawyer in Los Angeles who appears to be living the dream—she's on the verge of making partner and seems to have it all figured out. However, this polished exterior is nothing more than an elaborate facade masking her profound unhappiness and spiritual emptiness. When she reluctantly attends a house party thrown by her college best friend Ellie (and yes, despite the nickname, Ellie is a man who married his college sweetheart Cat—the woman who ended up with Joey's first love), she'd rather endure a waterboarding session than face the evening ahead.

The situation becomes exponentially worse when Joey discovers that her arch-nemesis Alex—who has recently transformed into an insufferably arrogant billionaire—will also be attending. As if that emotional assault weren't enough, she learns that Cat is expecting a baby, delivering a devastating double blow to her already fragile heart. Her inevitable confrontation with Alex deteriorates into a vicious exchange of insults, leaving Joey desperate to escape back to her apartment and her beloved adopted cat, Ruthie—her only reliable source of comfort.

Having consumed only two glasses of red wine, Joey believes she's perfectly capable of driving home safely. How much harm could it possibly cause? The answer comes swiftly and brutally when her car collides with a tree, seemingly ending her story in tragedy.

But death, as it turns out, is merely the beginning of Joey's extraordinary journey. She awakens in what can only be described as the world's most depressing waiting room, complete with hideous carpeting that seems designed to torture souls for eternity. There, she meets her assigned caseworker, who presents her with an unprecedented opportunity: a genuine second chance at life. She can return to any pivotal moment of her choosing and attempt to rewrite her story, pursuing happiness instead of the lonely existence she'd been trapped in—escaping her soul-crushing job, her dysfunctional family dynamics, and the painful estrangement from her sister.

Without hesitation, Joey chooses to return to that fateful college party where she first met Ellie, absolutely determined not to let him slip through her fingers this time. She's convinced she has the perfect plan to secure her happy ending.

However, once she's transported back into her eighteen-year-old body, reality proves far more complex than her carefully laid plans. Every different choice she makes creates unexpected ripple effects, and most surprisingly, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Alex—who, in this timeline, is completely different from the arrogant man she grew to despise. The magnetic attraction she feels toward him threatens to derail everything she thought she wanted, forcing her to confront the possibility that her assumptions about love, happiness, and destiny might have been completely wrong.

With only one precious chance remaining, Joey must navigate these unexpected feelings while ensuring she doesn't doom herself to repeat the same patterns of misery that defined her previous life. The stakes couldn't be higher, and the choices couldn't be more challenging.

Overall: This book absolutely enchanted me from beginning to end. It's a brilliantly crafted fantasy romance bursting with innovative concepts that make you yearn for your own opportunity to travel back in time and reshape the pivotal moments that defined your life. The author demonstrates exceptional skill in weaving together complex themes of regret, redemption, and self-discovery while maintaining perfect pacing and emotional resonance throughout.

This debut absolutely deserves five shining stars and has established this author as someone whose future works I'll eagerly anticipate. The creativity, heart, and wisdom embedded in these pages make it a standout addition to the fantasy romance genre.

My heartfelt gratitude goes to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with a digital review copy of this marvelous fantasy romance in exchange for my honest and enthusiastic thoughts. This opportunity allowed me to discover what I'm confident will become one of my favorite reads of the year.

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Profile Image for Fernanda (ivyfer_isreading).
290 reviews71 followers
October 14, 2025
This is the second book about a ‘fix-it’ different timeline kinda story that I've read recently and I loved both of them so I guess this is something I enjoy?!!
In every version of you we have a system that when someone dies and they were not happy with their lives they get one chance to do it again. Our protagonist chooses to do that and goes back to her first year of college. It's a mess but in the best way. 
I love how the characters are not perfect, a lot of them made very questionable choices actually but that's a reason why I loved them. It's not difficult to believe these are real people, and what they do in the situation is also pretty much what I'd do. I read the book in one sitting, so you can imagine the pace is great and I couldn't put it down. 
Also, I loved everything about the cat iykyk
I can't believe this is a debut, I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for the author. 

Thank you Edelweiss and Atria for the ARC.
Profile Image for Madison Martin.
8 reviews
August 4, 2025
Maybe a hot take, but this book hooked me harder than Fourth Wing and ACOTAR. I TORE through this book. I think this is such a fan story of love and second chances and will be recommending it to everyone I know. I think this is a book anyone would be able to visualize well and enjoy to the fullest. I loved the characters, the concept, the story, everything about it. Cannot wait to read this book again when it officially comes out!
Profile Image for Kat Robbins.
831 reviews267 followers
November 2, 2025
This cleansed my soul. Breathed air into my oxygen-deprived lungs. Fueled by cells with ATP. Healed my childhood trauma. Recalibrated my moral compass. Shuffled and then reconnected the synapses in my brain. Reminded me of my purpose in life. Baptized me in seratonin.

✰ 5 stars, firing my therapist because this healed me

thank you to gallery books for the ebooks arc in exchange for an honest review

source: netgalley ebook arc
Profile Image for Angie Miale.
1,088 reviews138 followers
September 19, 2025
Joey is a workaholic corporate lawyer without much of a life. She goes on dates periodically but doesn’t let anyone in because she is secretly in love with Ellie (Elijah) the one who got away. She suddenly dies but gets a second chance at life and she goes back to college in 2012 to have a second chance at love. But instead she finds herself drawn to Alex, a billionaire capitalist that Ellie is friends with, a man she hates. Back in her 18 year old body with a 32 year old soul, she changes so much of what she wishes she could have done differently the first time.

If I could go back in time to my college days I’d have to do things the same so I could have my kids. But I definitely would find a way to see Whitney Houston, Prince and Michael Jackson live.

This is well paced and written. The back and forth between her 2026 mind and what she knows in 2012 is a running bit that doesn’t get old. If you enjoy time travel or second chance magical realism romance this is a book you should be reading. There are a lot of characters, many of whom play the same role and the metaphysical aspect of this doesn’t get too deep. I enjoyed the first 25% of the book the most. There were some surprises and twists near the end that were different than most time travel stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and gallery books for the ARC. Book to be published 4/28/26.
Profile Image for Lochi's Library.
194 reviews38 followers
November 14, 2025
I can’t believe I read this book in a day.

Every Version of You is a perfect companion to A24’s Eternity. It’s contemplative, romantic, and takes you on a time-warping journey that continually pulls two characters back to each other through their inescapable connection.

By the midpoint of chapter one, I knew I was going to love this book — and Natalie absolutely delivers. I was hooked in the best possible way, and the story offers so many moments that beg for a reaction.

The book’s exploration of “what ifs,” especially as they intersect with reincarnation, is handled brilliantly. The commentary is thoughtful, the execution is fabulous, and the overall experience is one I won’t forget.

This is an outstanding debut, and I truly can’t wait for everyone to discover it in 2026. I’ve followed the LitUp author selections from Reese’s Book Club closely, and they’ve never let me down—and this latest pick is no exception. With so many eyes sure to be on Natalie, the anticipation is high, but she absolutely delivers. This book doesn’t miss. It’s heartfelt, compelling, and full of the promise that marks an author to watch.

I worked quite hard to get my hands on getting a digital arc and I'm so happy that I got to read this book early. My thanks to Edelweiss and Gallery Books!
Profile Image for ale.
147 reviews48 followers
December 10, 2025
I discovered this book while browsing through NetGalley and immediately grabbed my attention when it said “For fans of The Seven Year Slip & The Love of my Afterlife”. It was exactly that and it did not disappoint one bit 💜

It made my laugh, cry, giggle and fall in love. I seriously cannot wait to have the physical copy when it comes out next year, and I’m forever grateful I had the opportunity to read this beforehand. I’m a sucker for time-traveling and magical realism romances!!
Profile Image for Maureen.
158 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2025
5⭐️

This book is truly amazing, I can’t stop thinking about them

Je suis tombée par hasard sur ce roman sur NetGalley il y a un bon mois. Je pensais même ne jamais être acceptée, mais la réponse positive est finalement arrivée il y a quelques jours. C’est la mention du chat de Joey dans le résumé, ainsi que l’idée d’un voyage dans les années 2010, qui m’ont donné envie de découvrir cette histoire. Pourtant, je ne m’attendais absolument pas à avoir un tel coup de cœur pour le premier roman de Natalie Messier !

Joey a 32 ans en 2026 lorsqu’elle meurt soudainement. On lui offre alors la possibilité de remonter le temps pour reprendre sa vie et changer de trajectoire. Elle se retrouve donc en 2012, à l’âge de 18 ans. Pour elle, ce retour en arrière est l’occasion de tenter de faire tomber son meilleur ami, Ellie, amoureux d’elle. Mais cela implique aussi de recréer les amitiés qu’elle s’était forgées lors de son premier passage à l’université et d’éviter certaines personnes qu’elle n’apprécie pas vraiment, comme Alex. Une chose est sûre : rien ne se déroule jamais comme prévu, et changer le cours des choses peut s’avérer plus complexe qu’il n’y paraît.

Tout n’était pas parfait, MAIS je n’aurais pas pu passer à côté de ce coup de cœur tant cette histoire m’a touchée. Ce n’est pas une simple romance mais plutôt une « women’s fiction », dans la lignée d’auteures comme Emily Henry ou TJR. Le développement personnel et les réflexions de Joey sont au premier plan et constituent la véritable ligne directrice du roman. Every Version of You met en lumière les regrets qui peuvent nous accompagner en vieillissant et rappelle qu’il n’existe pas un seul chemin vers la réussite. La romance passe donc souvent au second plan, et je crois que c’est précisément ce que j’ai adoré dans ce récit.

Parlons justement de la romance : on est sur un mélange de second chance + enemies to lovers + un très léger triangle amoureux (je déteste ce trope, mais ici c’était parfait, je vous le promets). J’ai été agréablement surprise par la subtilité et la tension que l’autrice a su insuffler. Tout est tendre, doux, et la relation sonne particulièrement authentique. Il y a une scène explicite et deux autres plus soft.

En bref, je suis complètement conquise. Les personnages m’ont profondément marquée et resteront longtemps dans ma mémoire. Je vous recommande vraiment ce roman si vous cherchez une histoire qui, au-delà de la romance, vous poussera à réfléchir à votre vie, vos envies et votre évolution.

Pourquoi lire ce roman ?
🐾 Pour son concept original qui vous captivera du début à la fin
🐾 Si vous aimez Emily Henry ou Taylor Jenkins Reid
🐾 Parce que c’est le premier roman de Natalie Messier et qu’elle devient déjà l’une de mes autrices préférées
🐾 Si vous aimez les chats (vous verserez probablement une petite larme)

Il sort le 23 avril 2026, l’attente est encore longue, mais retenez cette date, car il en vaut tellement la peine 🫶🏼

Merci à NetGalley et Random House UK pour ce sp numérique ✨
Profile Image for Abee Bittle.
103 reviews2 followers
August 30, 2025
I adore this book!! I didn’t want to put it down. The story and characters were a delight. Great banter, a little spice, a little nostalgic. This was exactly what I was hoping this book would be.

This book will be released 4/21/2026.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kelsi Morse.
43 reviews
August 4, 2025
Got to read an early copy and I was hooked. Fell in love with the characters, their connections, and their personal stakes. The moment that finally brings the main couple together had me 😭😭😭

Must purchase when published!
Profile Image for Abby Carico.
223 reviews3 followers
October 13, 2025
read the arc for this and it is so so good! second chance at life? what would you do differently? Would you help others? a lot of interesting concepts and such a good story
Profile Image for Hannah.
13 reviews
September 24, 2025
This book wasn’t what I expected it was more. It felt slow to start but soon I felt immersed with the characters and needing to read it. There’s so many profound life lessons gained by reading this book. Lessons you wouldn’t get unless you too gained a second chance at life. I love that it bounces between 2012 and 2026 and the references to things that are big now are referenced in her 2012 life. I truly had no idea how this book would end and felt extremely satisfied with the ending. My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kari Ann Sweeney.
1,367 reviews366 followers
December 5, 2025
This book showed up in my mailbox and I went in blind. Once I started I was hooked!

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 (Pub 04.21) is a dazzling debut that had me devouring the pages. What if we could return to that pivotal moment when everything went wrong—and choose differently, knowing it would change everything that followed?

MORE:
Time travel
Finding your authentic self & purpose
Nostalgia (college)
Unique & creative delivery of a familiar theme
Well paced story arc
Twists unfolded with purpose & precision
Chemistry & charisma
🍆🍆 (steam)
Profile Image for Katie Truesdale.
1 review3 followers
August 4, 2025
I got an advanced preview via my book club. This is such a fun, heartfelt read. I loved the idea of getting a second shot at college (and life!) and the story totally delivered. Joey is so relatable, and I was hooked watching her figure things out the second time around. Smart, nostalgic, and just the right amount of romantic.
Profile Image for CynnieRose.
271 reviews
August 7, 2025
Staying up till two reading this addictive book in one late night.
Profile Image for Ash.
65 reviews2 followers
September 28, 2025
♡𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♡
📚𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑶𝒇 𝒀𝒐𝒖
𝐵𝑦 𝑁𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑒 𝑀𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑟
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 : 5★★★★★
𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆: 21𝑠𝑡 𝐴𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑙 2026

𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸:

I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this book, because I flew through it in what felt like no time at all. It completely pulled me in from the very first page, and I was amazed at how beautifully it was written while still being so easy to read. The characters felt incredibly real and human their emotions, their struggles, and their choices all resonated in such a natural way that I couldn’t help but feel invested in them. What struck me most was the way the story explored the second-life concept. It wasn’t just a clever idea, it was executed with so much depth, showing how the choices people make can completely change who they become. Watching the characters grow through this lens was both fascinating and moving, and it gave the entire book a sense of heart and meaning that really stayed with me. The romance was another highlight. It was tender and heartfelt, and while a few scenes were a little spicier than what I usually prefer, I still appreciated how it was handled because it added another layer of intimacy and vulnerability. The chemistry between Alex and Joey absolutely leapt off the page. From their very first interactions, their banter was sharp, fun, and full of sparks, and as the story progressed, it only got better. I especially adored the way they bonded over cats, it was such a sweet, genuine detail that made their connection feel even more special. And then there’s the ending. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say it caught me off guard in the best way. It was emotional, heartfelt, and left me sitting with all the feelings long after I closed the book. It tied everything together in a way that felt both satisfying and moving, which is rare to find.

Overall, I loved this book and the experience of reading it. It had heart, humor, depth, and romance all woven together so seamlessly.
Profile Image for Eyre_i_breathe.
263 reviews26 followers
November 6, 2025
4.5 ⭐

Over the past few years, I've really started to enjoy the occasional romance read, especially when it involves a unique and intriguing storyline. Every Version of You fits that bill to a tee. A sliding doors romance with a little time travel/magical realism worked in? Umm, yes, please. I was completely swept away by this story, readers, and I found myself rooting for Alex and Joey. This is one of the most original books of this genre I've read, and it was so incredibly well done. These magical elements could easily slip into being hoaky, but that certainly did not happen here. Instead, I found myself attached to these characters and their outcome and captivated by the originality of the storyline. What a fabulous debut!⁣
Profile Image for Natalee Vance.
1 review
October 9, 2025
I went into this book completely blind. And I loved every minute of it! Couldn’t put it down. Really made you think what would you do with a second chance. Change everything? Keep it all the same? Just really loved it!
Profile Image for trinity.
19 reviews
September 21, 2025
For Sophie Kinsella fans!

Enjoyable, cutesy fast read.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy!
Profile Image for Vivid Vega.
23 reviews
November 1, 2025
Every version of me loved Every Version of You.

The themes of second chances, time travel, love, regret, and self discovery were woven together with such heart that I found myself completely immersed from the first page to the last.

The character development and dialogue were tied with small butterfly effect, and the story’s depth lingered long after I finished reading it. It’s about love, regret, growth, and the beauty of realizing that you can work on choosing your own path in life. I laughed, I swooned, I cried (in a good way), and by the end, I cried some more that it was over.

I did feel the book was quite rushed and I wish we could have seen more of Joey’s years in her second life. The ending did feel a little cut short kind of fast. And Ruthie her cat’s story? Absolutely cute and I’m so glad for Ruthie’s story 😭

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the digital copy of Every Version of You.

Solid 4 Stars. That’s my Vivid take ✔️📚
Profile Image for Alex Lynch.
354 reviews3 followers
September 18, 2025
Big thanks to Gallery Books for the ARC of this book! This book had me hooked from the very first page and I really loved following Joey's journey! Joey has her whole life together, theoretically. She is a high powered attorney and have achieved many of her goals, but is still pining for her college crush at 32 years old. She doesn't get out much and prefers spending time with her cat. When she attends a dinner party for her best friend, who is also her secret unrequited love, she is given an unexpected second chance at life. This part of the book reminded me of the show, The Good Place. Joey chooses to go back and make her best friend fall in love with her and she is suddenly thrust back into life as a 18 year old in college. Her second chance in college does not play out how she thinks it will and a connection is made with someone she does not expect. I truly loved reading about how she follows her heart and finds happiness. This book is for you if you like authors like Ashley Poston and the trope of enemies to lovers. It is a romance at its core with a sprinkle of magic. This is the debut novel for Natalie Messier, and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next! Five Stars for sure!
Profile Image for Tiffany Bailey.
3 reviews20 followers
September 16, 2025
Wow, this book took me on such an emotional ride. The writing is beautiful, the characters feel so real, and the story hits you right in the heart in the best way. It’s one of those reads that makes you stop and think but also keeps you completely hooked from start to finish. I didn’t want it to end because it was just that good.
Profile Image for Grace Conners.
47 reviews3 followers
September 2, 2025
This book was everything I could have asked for. The story itself feels warm and heartfelt. The characters chemistry had me kicking my feet and giggling! I love a second chance romance, but this take on it was so magical and pure. When I tell you I couldn’t put this book down, I was so wrapped up in Joey’s second chance! I loved seeing her try to navigate her second life, it really makes you think about what you would do differently if you could go back!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC!
Profile Image for Erin Mendoza.
1,617 reviews24 followers
September 1, 2025
I loved this!

If your life was so full of regret that you were offered a second chance when you died, would you take it?
What would you change?
Joey is given this chance, and finds changing can be hard.
I didn't want to put this down. I loved the characters. I loved the friendships. I loved the way the "second chance" experience was laid out.
Definitely a must read for fans of second chance romance!

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an early copy for review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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