The Version Who Stayed

by Krispy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – “A mirror to the soul.”
A deeply emotional novel about identity, memory, and the power of choice—perfect for fans of Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library and Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility.

What if the biggest “what if” of your life wasn’t hypothetical?

Auren Solven thought they had buried the past. But when dreams lead them to a forgotten bookstore and a mysterious antique mirror, they step into a world shaped by one decision they never made.

In this parallel version of reality, everything seems a thriving career, a love that stayed, and a life that feels... almost perfect. But something isn’t right. As cracks begin to show, Auren must
Is this the life I was meant to live—or just a haunting echo of regret?

As timelines blur and old wounds resurface, Auren must face the version of themselves they tried to forget—and decide what it truly means to stay.

The Version Who Stayed is a genre-bending blend of emotional realism and speculative fiction. It’s for anyone who’s ever looked in the mirror and wondered what if.
For fans

Literary sci-fi with emotional depth

Parallel universe & multiverse fiction

Quiet coming-of-age journeys

LGBTQ+ reflective storytelling

Books that stay with you long after the last page

“There are books that entertain you, and there are books that understand you. This one does both.” – Elliot V., artist & reader of literary sci-fi

More Reviews...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Thought-Provoking & Beautifully Written
"Krispy has written a masterpiece of emotional realism. I saw myself in Auren—especially the parts I’ve tried to avoid. This book isn’t just about alternate realities, it’s about the deep work of self-acceptance. Easily one of the most emotionally intelligent books I’ve read this year."
— Amara G., therapist and book reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Lingered With Me Long After
"I finished it three days ago, and I’m still thinking about it. The idea of meeting the version of yourself who made a different choice is haunting—and hopeful. I cried, I highlighted entire pages, and I’ve already recommended it to five friends."
— Jacob N., lifelong speculative fiction reader

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Quietly Powerful
"If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller, this isn’t it. But if you want a story that will sit with you, challenge you, and maybe help you heal a little... then read this. The tone is reflective, even poetic. Auren’s journey is deeply personal, yet universally relatable."
— Priya S., indie bookstore owner

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Gentle Sci-Fi That Feels Real
"The sci-f

105 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2025

About the author

Krispy is the pen name of a fiction writer whose debut novel, The Name We Choose, explores the complex intersections of interfaith love, spiritual freedom, and identity.

Across genres and realities, Krispy’s work blends introspective realism with speculative elements to examine the choices we make—and the versions of ourselves that emerge because of them. His writing invites readers into quiet, emotionally layered spaces where transformation unfolds between the lines.

From love and loss to power and resistance, Krispy’s stories center deeply human experiences framed through reflective, character-driven narratives. He writes not to deliver answers, but to ask the questions we often carry alone.

Auren Solven, a recurring character throughout his books, serves as a narrative anchor—sometimes a protagonist, sometimes an observer, always evolving. Through Auren, Krispy traces the tension between who we are, who we were told to be, and who we might still become.

Krispy writes for readers who find meaning in emotional nuance, speculative possibility, and the spaces between what is and what might have been.

Author Philosophy:

Stories don’t have to shout to be powerful. Sometimes the most transformative moments happen in the quietest spaces—between versions, between choices, between selves.