I Am Jessica Chen by Ann Liang
(2025) 320 pages

This book was just released by Ann Liang earlier this month, and it just so happens to be the first book of her’s that I’ve read. I decided to read it after hearing and reading many good reviews regarding her past books, and the plot of this novel also seemed very interesting and relatable to me. I Am Not Jessica Chen tells the story of Jenna Chen, a girl who has tried her whole life to become someone who is the best, someone who comes first place in something, someone like her cousin Jessica Chen. Jessica Chen is the source of envy of everyone in their entire school, and it seems that everything good in life always happens to her. She’s pretty, rich, wins all the awards and accolades possible, and on top of that is Harvard-bound. Meanwhile, Jenna Chen is a Harvard reject. Jenna lets her jealousy of Jessica consume her, wishing upon the stars that if the heavens are really there for them to allow her to become Jessica, to experience the life she’s always strived to live. Little does she know, that wish comes with a dark side too. This story was praised online for its cute romantic touch, an aspect of the book that is quite minor but very captivating as well, but it also depicts a very accurate portrayal of academic burnout, school competition, and the pressures to become the best of the best when it seems as though nothing will ever go your way. This novel gives comfort to those who think that they are behind everyone else, always staying in one place while everyone else seems to be running ahead. It gives comfort to the reader, showing them that everyone has thoughts of being behind, everyone struggles in their own right, and everyone has someone that will be there for them when they truly need it, even if it may seem as though they are truly alone. Overall I really enjoyed this novel, especially since it didn’t focus completely on the romance aspect (although it was really cute) and instead acted as a source of understanding to students struggling with self-comparison. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt as though they were not enough, which I’m sure everyone has before.