Annie in Retrospect - by Kristina Voegele (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

13 Going on 30 meets Younger in this irresistible, time-bending novel about a 40-year-old woman who swaps places with her 25-year-old self in 2008 San Francisco and discovers that the future--and the past--aren't quite what she'd imagined.

It's 2008, and Annie Young is a hot mess. Navigating a quarter-life crisis while living it up in San Francisco, she's juggling unemployment, heartbreak, and changing friendships, all while dreaming of a perfect "married with kids" future that now feels farther away than ever.

But Annie's life takes a wild turn when, with the help of her grandmother and a magical prayer, she wakes up in 2023 in the body of her older self. She is now Annie Hartman, a forty-year-old wife and stay-at-home mother. This is what she wanted--right?

Meanwhile, forty-year-old Annie, who's disenchanted with the realities of mid-life, gets the second chance she's been wishing for when she wakes up in her twenty-five-year-old life and body in 2008. But can she truly embrace the fun of being young again once she's face to face with the first love who broke her heart and the best friend she knows she'll lose? Forced to confront her regrets and relive her twenties, knowing what she knows now, will she choose a different path?

Review Quotes

"Author Kristina Voegele has a smooth confidence when controlling the unique perspective of this novel, and she knows how to keep readers seamlessly on course in a believable blend of magical realism and emotional insight. It's a story that walks the balance between whimsical and wise with effortless prose, delivering amusingly warm narration . . . a highly recommended read that offers a rare, compassionate look at how we evolve through love, mistakes, and second chances."--Readers' Favorite, 5-star review

"Kristina Voegele deftly captures the emotional complexity of a young woman navigating the aftermath of a painful breakup, career uncertainty, and the evolving dynamics of friendship. . . . Annie's story is infused with warmth, humor, and a deep sense of authenticity. With sharp dialogue and poignant reflection, this novel is both a relatable coming-of-age tale and a tribute to resilience in the face of growing pains."--San Francisco Book Review

"Replete with realization, dreams deferred . . . and love antidotes . . . Annie's story is one that will resonate with many a dreamer and with women who enjoy vivid romances that offer many opportunities for reflection"--Midwest Book Review

"An emotionally rich, time-twisting page-turner infused with wit and longing. The kind of story that sticks with you, long after you've raced to the end."--Megan Walrod, author of It's Always Been Me

About the Author

Kristina Voegele is a voice for women ready to stop people-pleasing and start prioritizing their own dreams. After earning her MFA from Mills College, she spent a decade writing for brands, putting her dream of writing books on the shelf. But juggling three young kids during the pandemic brought her back to writing and herself, leading to her debut novel, Annie in Retrospect. Her writing speaks to women ready to reconnect with the parts of themselves they've lost. Her work has appeared on Lifehack.org and Thrive Global. She lives in the SF Bay Area with her husband, daughter, and twin boys.