A woman wakes up in a 1954 psychiatric hospital with no memory, torn between believing she is Dorothy Frasier, a mentally ill patient, or Bix, a time traveler sent from a dystopian 2035 to prevent a global catastrophe. As she endures harrowing treatments and unravels her fractured identity, the story explores themes of reality versus delusion, the mistreatment of women in mental health institutions, and the struggle for autonomy amid gaslighting and societal control.

Reader Review Summary

Set in 1954 Virginia, the novel follows a young woman who wakes up on a transport bus to Hanover State Psychiatric Hospital with no memory of her past. Identified as Dorothy Frasier and diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, she is subjected to treatments such as electroshock therapy and faces the threat of a lobotomy. However, she experiences vivid visions of a dystopian future in 2035, where she is known as Bix, a soldier tasked with a mission to save humanity from a deadly pandemic. The narrative alternates between the oppressive environment of the psychiatric hospital and the high-stakes, plague-ridden future, with the protagonist struggling to determine whether she is truly mentally ill or a time traveler. The story incorporates elements of psychological thriller, science fiction, dystopia, and historical fiction, and features themes of unreliable narration, gaslighting, and the mistreatment of women in mental health institutions. The plot is structured around the protagonist’s quest for identity and truth, with her reality constantly in question and the stakes involving both personal survival and the fate of the world.

Readers praised the book’s immersive psychological tension, fast-paced and absorbing plot, and the effective use of an unreliable narrator that kept them guessing about the protagonist’s true identity and reality. The depiction of the 1950s psychiatric hospital, including scenes of abuse and mistreatment, was noted as harrowing and evocative, drawing comparisons to works like 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest' and 'AHS: Asylum.' Many found the back-and-forth between timelines engaging, with the dystopian future sections providing action and suspense. The protagonist’s confusion and desperation were described as palpable, and several reviewers highlighted the book’s commentary on mental health, sexism, and the historical treatment of women. The narrative’s ability to create a claustrophobic, high-stakes atmosphere and its bingeable, cinematic quality were also frequently mentioned as strengths.

Criticisms focused on the book’s pacing, with several readers finding the first part slow, repetitive, or overly drawn out, while the second part was considered rushed and underdeveloped. Some felt the writing was surface-level, with too much reliance on dialogue and insufficient worldbuilding or character depth, particularly regarding the future timeline and supporting cast. The handling of major themes such as misogyny, ableism, and the pandemic was described by some as cursory or even problematic, with a few readers finding the social commentary heavy-handed or ethically muddled. The ending was a common point of dissatisfaction, with many describing it as abrupt, unresolved, or feeling more like a setup for a sequel rather than a complete conclusion. A minority of reviewers also criticized the plausibility of the science fiction elements and the use of genre clichés.

The book has generated significant reader engagement, with over 800 ratings and more than 300 full reviews, and an average rating of 3.81 out of 5. It is the debut novel of Melissa Pace and is scheduled for publication on August 19, 2025, by Henry Holt & Company. The story blends multiple genres, including science fiction, thriller, horror, and time travel, and has been compared to works by Blake Crouch and Ken Kesey, as well as TV series like 'Black Mirror' and 'Ratched.' The narrative structure relies heavily on the protagonist’s unreliable perspective, and the book’s marketing emphasizes its psychological and speculative elements. Several readers expressed hope or expectation for a sequel, given the unresolved ending, and the book has been selected as a pick for book clubs and advance reading programs.