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12 to 22: POV You Wake Up in the Future!
A smart and funny modern day 13 Going on 30 from New York Times bestselling author Jen Calonita! A tween girl finds out it is like to be 22 when she jumps in time with the help of a mysterious TikTok filter.
Turning 12 1/2 shouldn't be the most exciting birthday in the world. It's a half birthday after all. But Harper is thrilled because she is getting the biggest gift of all: her parent's approval to finally get social media accounts.
Except when she goes to post her first photo, there is a filter she has never heard of before. One that shows you what you will look like when you are older. Curious, Harper clicks on it...but ends up flash forwarding in time to when she is 22.
She will quickly find that being in her twenties means the freedom she always wanted, money for the glow up she didn't know she needed and working for her idol! But Harper soon discovers a lot more has changed than she expected--including the person she wants to be. Will Harper be able to use the filter to get the life of her dreams? Or will there be more glitches?
Turning 12 1/2 shouldn't be the most exciting birthday in the world. It's a half birthday after all. But Harper is thrilled because she is getting the biggest gift of all: her parent's approval to finally get social media accounts.
Except when she goes to post her first photo, there is a filter she has never heard of before. One that shows you what you will look like when you are older. Curious, Harper clicks on it...but ends up flash forwarding in time to when she is 22.
She will quickly find that being in her twenties means the freedom she always wanted, money for the glow up she didn't know she needed and working for her idol! But Harper soon discovers a lot more has changed than she expected--including the person she wants to be. Will Harper be able to use the filter to get the life of her dreams? Or will there be more glitches?
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 16, 2022
151 people are currently reading
943 people want to read
About the author
Jen Calonita
69 books3,704 followersHi Goodreads!
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).
I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!
I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.
I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.
I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!
xo
Jen
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).
I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!
I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.
I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.
I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!
xo
Jen
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
January 11, 2023
Love 13 Going On 30? Want to read a retelling with a Swiftie TikTok twist? This is the book for you. Thanks to this book, I have been "feeling 22" all day. And trust me, I am way too old for that. This book gets five stars from me, because I could watch the 2004 film over and over. It is one of my favorites. Jen Calonita did a fantastic job of inserting the flavor of the movie into this recent release for middle grade. Harper is 12 and wants to be 22 -- just like Taylor Swift in her iconic song "I'm Feeling 22." A wish upon a birthday app on the night of her 12-1/2 birthday transports Harper to life at 22 -- and she finds her fast forward has not made her a nicer person -- just like Jenna in the movie. Can Harper stop the runaway train of her career? Can she go back to being 12-1/2? In the end, we all learn that it does no good to wish away your current age -- every age can be both magic and miserable.
February 8, 2022
Ok..
THIS WAS AN AMAZING REMAKE OF 13 GOING ON 30!!
I absolutely adored the references towards actual social media, and ones that us kids really use. TikTok, Instagram, YOUTUBE!! Many authors use some fake name like VideoTube, and it's kind of weird, lol.
The amount of relatability and AMAZING!! Harper is just like me, and I'm glad. I also wasn't allowed to post onto social media until I was around 12, and when I finally did. It's something that kids can relate to.
The filter idea is actually an amazing concept, and really creative. She uses a filter, and it makes her older, just like she'd wanted! The book actually reminds me of the movie Little, but in reverse.
Overall, I love it! The writing style reminds me of my own, and the character does as well. Five stars!!
THIS WAS AN AMAZING REMAKE OF 13 GOING ON 30!!
I absolutely adored the references towards actual social media, and ones that us kids really use. TikTok, Instagram, YOUTUBE!! Many authors use some fake name like VideoTube, and it's kind of weird, lol.
The amount of relatability and AMAZING!! Harper is just like me, and I'm glad. I also wasn't allowed to post onto social media until I was around 12, and when I finally did. It's something that kids can relate to.
The filter idea is actually an amazing concept, and really creative. She uses a filter, and it makes her older, just like she'd wanted! The book actually reminds me of the movie Little, but in reverse.
Overall, I love it! The writing style reminds me of my own, and the character does as well. Five stars!!
August 2, 2022
Jen Calonita with a "13 Going on 30" retelling? Yes, please!! Calonita is an auto-request/buy author for me so this book was a no-brainer as far as me wanting it goes. But on top of that, it was a retelling of a fantastic movie! How could I say no?!
I loved the modern take she took on this beloved movie. She took a popular social media app, TikTok, and wrote a great story with it! Also, she worked Taylor Swift into every possible moment throughout the book (which I loved). I admire her ability to see the current trends in middle graders/teens lives and turn them into awesome books.
I really liked the main character, Harper, who had a hard time speaking up, wanted so desperately to be popular, and was nervous to mess up her friendship with her best friend by having a crush on him. She felt relatable as she went through the struggles of being twelve and wanting so badly to have the freedoms of an adult. We see a lot of growth from her as the book progresses as I love the girl we're left with at the end.
Also, I really loved Reese, Harper's younger sister. I won't say too much about her since it can get spoilery, but just know, I wanna be Reese when I grow up!
I did feel like something was missing at the end. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was, but I was left missing something.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book! I devoured it in one night and regret nothing. It was fun, modern, and taught a great life lesson about what's important in life. It has similar vibes to THE RETAKE so if you liked that one, you'll also enjoy this book!
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blog • Instagram • Twitter • TikTok
I loved the modern take she took on this beloved movie. She took a popular social media app, TikTok, and wrote a great story with it! Also, she worked Taylor Swift into every possible moment throughout the book (which I loved). I admire her ability to see the current trends in middle graders/teens lives and turn them into awesome books.
I really liked the main character, Harper, who had a hard time speaking up, wanted so desperately to be popular, and was nervous to mess up her friendship with her best friend by having a crush on him. She felt relatable as she went through the struggles of being twelve and wanting so badly to have the freedoms of an adult. We see a lot of growth from her as the book progresses as I love the girl we're left with at the end.
Also, I really loved Reese, Harper's younger sister. I won't say too much about her since it can get spoilery, but just know, I wanna be Reese when I grow up!
I did feel like something was missing at the end. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was, but I was left missing something.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book! I devoured it in one night and regret nothing. It was fun, modern, and taught a great life lesson about what's important in life. It has similar vibes to THE RETAKE so if you liked that one, you'll also enjoy this book!
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blog • Instagram • Twitter • TikTok
May 29, 2025
3/5⭐
Should out to my awesome friend ARIN for buddy reading this with me!!!✨❤✨
** 𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂: 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝙄𝙎 𝘼 𝙍𝘼𝙉𝙏𝙔 𝙆𝙄𝙉𝘿 𝙊𝙁 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒 𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙉𝙎 𝙈𝘼𝙅𝙊𝙍 𝙎𝙋𝙊𝙄𝙇𝙀𝙍𝙎!!!!!! **
୨⎯ 𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔⎯୧
Overall this is a decent book. It was cute, I guess... But I expected more from Jen Calonita? Also, I know nothing about Taylor Swift or Tiktok so i'm probably just not the right audience for this one.🤷♀️
୨⎯ 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚⎯୧
12 (12 and a half, sorry🙄) year old Harper wants to be able to post on social media and her parents say no.😱😭😭😭 But wait! Could that be the perfect half birthday gift?? Yes!! Yes, it is!☝🤓 So she posts a vid and people like it!?!🙀😍 Fast forward to some drama: Harper is crying in a bathroom and decides to scroll on Tiktok and sees... A special birthday filter?? 👀👀 Well, it is her half birthday! She uses it and wishes she was 20!! ✨🕺✨ Her wish comes true but when she wakes up, she has no friends is super awful, nobody likes her!😱😱😱 So... Now she has to fix stuff. 🙃🤷♀️
୨⎯ 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔⎯୧
Harper.ೃ࿐
The ✨FMC✨... Sorry, I didn't love her.😭 She felt really bratty and kept making bad choices😪 and aughhhhhh!!!😩 Her parents said NO!! Very clearly.🙃 But her mind was like: 🤔 "no" = "YES!!!" If I keep asking and asking and ASKING!!🤓🤓🤓🤡
Reese.ೃ࿐
A character I did like. Sweet girl trying to help fix her older sister's mistakes.✨
Ava.ೃ࿐
Hey, I kind of liked her too!🕺🎉 She was smart!🤓 (And ignored by Harper.😑)
Celia.ೃ࿐
ThE bAd GuY👿 Ya, that's pretty much it.
Zack.ೃ࿐
I guess he was good looking?😪
Blake.ೃ࿐
The cool, nice, wonderful Tiktok star boss that Harper betrays for no reason!✨🕺✨🎉
୨⎯ 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔⎯୧
A couple of co-workers call Harper H*llish Harper twice
Harper and Zack like each other as 12 year olds and when she's 22 and is saying goodbye to him she kisses him because that's what Taylor would do??? 🤡 (Sure, you haven't spoken in years, but it's fine! Idekkkkkkkk.🤡🤡)
Also noticed a couple of places that the "G" in God wasn't capitalized and other teeny tiny typos that bothered me.😒
୨⎯ 𝑴𝒚 𝑨𝒈𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏⎯୧
12+
୨⎯ 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔⎯୧
✧˖°WWTD (What would Taylor do?? 🤡)
୨⎯ 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 ⎯୧
Won't be re-reading and probably wouldn't recommend either... I simply didn't enjoy it enough to.🙃
-𝑴𝒊𝒂✧˖°
Should out to my awesome friend ARIN for buddy reading this with me!!!✨❤✨
** 𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂: 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝙄𝙎 𝘼 𝙍𝘼𝙉𝙏𝙔 𝙆𝙄𝙉𝘿 𝙊𝙁 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒 𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙉𝙎 𝙈𝘼𝙅𝙊𝙍 𝙎𝙋𝙊𝙄𝙇𝙀𝙍𝙎!!!!!! **
୨⎯ 𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔⎯୧
Overall this is a decent book. It was cute, I guess... But I expected more from Jen Calonita? Also, I know nothing about Taylor Swift or Tiktok so i'm probably just not the right audience for this one.🤷♀️
୨⎯ 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚⎯୧
12 (12 and a half, sorry🙄) year old Harper wants to be able to post on social media and her parents say no.😱😭😭😭 But wait! Could that be the perfect half birthday gift?? Yes!! Yes, it is!☝🤓 So she posts a vid and people like it!?!🙀😍 Fast forward to some drama: Harper is crying in a bathroom and decides to scroll on Tiktok and sees... A special birthday filter?? 👀👀 Well, it is her half birthday! She uses it and wishes she was 20!! ✨🕺✨ Her wish comes true but when she wakes up, she has no friends is super awful, nobody likes her!😱😱😱 So... Now she has to fix stuff. 🙃🤷♀️
୨⎯ 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔⎯୧
Harper.ೃ࿐
The ✨FMC✨... Sorry, I didn't love her.😭 She felt really bratty and kept making bad choices😪 and aughhhhhh!!!😩 Her parents said NO!! Very clearly.🙃 But her mind was like: 🤔 "no" = "YES!!!" If I keep asking and asking and ASKING!!🤓🤓🤓🤡
Reese.ೃ࿐
A character I did like. Sweet girl trying to help fix her older sister's mistakes.✨
Ava.ೃ࿐
Hey, I kind of liked her too!🕺🎉 She was smart!🤓 (And ignored by Harper.😑)
Celia.ೃ࿐
ThE bAd GuY👿 Ya, that's pretty much it.
Zack.ೃ࿐
I guess he was good looking?😪
Blake.ೃ࿐
The cool, nice, wonderful Tiktok star boss that Harper betrays for no reason!✨🕺✨🎉
୨⎯ 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔⎯୧
A couple of co-workers call Harper H*llish Harper twice
Harper and Zack like each other as 12 year olds and when she's 22 and is saying goodbye to him she kisses him because that's what Taylor would do??? 🤡 (Sure, you haven't spoken in years, but it's fine! Idekkkkkkkk.🤡🤡)
Also noticed a couple of places that the "G" in God wasn't capitalized and other teeny tiny typos that bothered me.😒
୨⎯ 𝑴𝒚 𝑨𝒈𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏⎯୧
12+
୨⎯ 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔⎯୧
✧˖°WWTD (What would Taylor do?? 🤡)
୨⎯ 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 ⎯୧
Won't be re-reading and probably wouldn't recommend either... I simply didn't enjoy it enough to.🙃
-𝑴𝒊𝒂✧˖°
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2024
THIS BOOK makes me very angry. It is super cringy and flat. there is no character development and every time I picked this book up and tried to read it I nearly died of second hand embarrassment and cringe.
April 22, 2024
This is the tween version of 13 Going On 30!
December 29, 2024
3.5 stars, cute and light.What would it be like to go from 12 1/2 to 22 in a blink? That's what happens to Harper when she makes half birthday wish. Can she make it as a twenty-twonyeat-old social influencer when he can't remember the last 10 years? Stick with "this "be careful what you wish for" story. The first third of the story is about the events leading up to he wish.
January 13, 2023
I am only 20 or so pages into this book and while the story is alright, there are some details that are annoying the heck out of me to the point that I must comment.
1. Havervill MA... Is this trying to be funny about how people can't pronounce Haverhill? Fine, I could almost accept that.
2. UMass Lowell College. Hmm. The U in UMass literally stands for University. Universities and Colleges have differences and as someone who is a graduate of UMass Lowell it is borderline insulting to call it a college.
3. Traffic on 95. If Havervill is supposed to be Haverhill or close to the location, no one is taking 95 to get from Haverhill to Lowell. A simple google map search would've highlighted this lovely little highway that is a direct link between the 2 called 495.
Obviously I am from the region where this book kinda sorta takes place so I am more defensive than probably everyone but why include specifics that are close but also so wrong? Perhaps I am missing the humor in these close encounter details but then they weren't different enough to make me realize the author wasn't just being lazy. End rant. Sorry. Almost.
1. Havervill MA... Is this trying to be funny about how people can't pronounce Haverhill? Fine, I could almost accept that.
2. UMass Lowell College. Hmm. The U in UMass literally stands for University. Universities and Colleges have differences and as someone who is a graduate of UMass Lowell it is borderline insulting to call it a college.
3. Traffic on 95. If Havervill is supposed to be Haverhill or close to the location, no one is taking 95 to get from Haverhill to Lowell. A simple google map search would've highlighted this lovely little highway that is a direct link between the 2 called 495.
Obviously I am from the region where this book kinda sorta takes place so I am more defensive than probably everyone but why include specifics that are close but also so wrong? Perhaps I am missing the humor in these close encounter details but then they weren't different enough to make me realize the author wasn't just being lazy. End rant. Sorry. Almost.
January 16, 2023
A 13 Going on 30 retelling for a middle grade audience.
Even though I didn't get the Taylor Swift nuances and am not a huge fan of social media stories. I did like that this story had a moral, that our main character found herself in a tough situation of waking up and being 22, and then saw how she turned out and decided to make some changes. I think this story has a good idea for younger people, about how being in the "it" crowd isn't necessarily a good thing, and that people can take advantage of you without realizing it.
*thank you #netgalley for a previous copy of this book to read and review.
Even though I didn't get the Taylor Swift nuances and am not a huge fan of social media stories. I did like that this story had a moral, that our main character found herself in a tough situation of waking up and being 22, and then saw how she turned out and decided to make some changes. I think this story has a good idea for younger people, about how being in the "it" crowd isn't necessarily a good thing, and that people can take advantage of you without realizing it.
*thank you #netgalley for a previous copy of this book to read and review.
January 10, 2025
4/5 stars
I’ll start off by saying that 13 Going On 30 is one of my favorite movies of all time. I have such an attachment to it and that’s the whole reason I was interested in this.
This was fun and light and while the whole framework is the same for the story it was different enough and added the elements needed to update the story. Instead of wishing dust it’s a magical TikTok filter and there’s a lot of wanting to be an influencer at that age which is so accurate.
It was very cute but at its core I loved this because the messaging is so powerful for younger readers and is beautiful. Children should appreciate their youth and absorb the whole experience of living life. It’s not a race to grow up. While the theme of the movie touches on that it always circles around back to the romance plot (which don’t get me wrong, I love) but this always circled back to, you should go to college, get your first job, live with your parents while you can, etc.
And my absolute favorite part of the book is when Reese points out that in the song 22 the negatives are highlighted just as much as the positives. Because every age is the same. Every age sucks and every age is wonderful. Such a fun start to the reading year.
I’ll start off by saying that 13 Going On 30 is one of my favorite movies of all time. I have such an attachment to it and that’s the whole reason I was interested in this.
This was fun and light and while the whole framework is the same for the story it was different enough and added the elements needed to update the story. Instead of wishing dust it’s a magical TikTok filter and there’s a lot of wanting to be an influencer at that age which is so accurate.
It was very cute but at its core I loved this because the messaging is so powerful for younger readers and is beautiful. Children should appreciate their youth and absorb the whole experience of living life. It’s not a race to grow up. While the theme of the movie touches on that it always circles around back to the romance plot (which don’t get me wrong, I love) but this always circled back to, you should go to college, get your first job, live with your parents while you can, etc.
And my absolute favorite part of the book is when Reese points out that in the song 22 the negatives are highlighted just as much as the positives. Because every age is the same. Every age sucks and every age is wonderful. Such a fun start to the reading year.
April 15, 2022
This was a super fun homage to 13 Going on 30! A tween girl finds out it is like to be 22 when she jumps in time with the help of a mysterious TikTok filter. 12 to 22 is a quick, easy read that is perfect for tweens.
A thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
A thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
September 15, 2024
This book is like every time travel book ever:
Some "troubled" teen makes a time travel wish;
They time travel;
Love it for a little while;
then regret it because they did crappy things as an adult;
try to get back to present time;
they get back;
they fix their life;
ewwwwww
Some "troubled" teen makes a time travel wish;
They time travel;
Love it for a little while;
then regret it because they did crappy things as an adult;
try to get back to present time;
they get back;
they fix their life;
ewwwwww
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2024
A great new take on 13 Going on 30 in the world of social media. The book has a great balance of character and plot and leaves the reader with a clear message about what is most important.
March 1, 2024
Super cute and quick read!💗💗💗
September 22, 2024
My 10 year old loved this book so much and asked me to read it. Very charming retelling of 13 going on 30 with a relatable 12 year old protagonist
January 1, 2026
Although I’m not a huge fan of Taylor Swift, who they constantly talked about, this was an amazing book to start my year off! I loved the twist on 13 going on 30, it was more of a modern version. I was very intrigued while reading this, I don’t think I was bored once! I definitely recommend this book if you love books about fashion, sister bonds, middle school and tween/teen life! To conclude, this was book was flirty and thriving 😉
August 25, 2022
Really enjoyed this fun and quick story that had the 13 Going on 30 vibe.
Harper is celebrating her 12 1/2 birthday and the best thing happens to her…her parents are finally going to allow her to post on Tik Tok. When Harper clicks on a filter, she becomes 22 years old but does not remember anything about her life. A wild ride will ensue!!
Love everything about this book and now need to read more by Jen Calonita!!!!
Harper is celebrating her 12 1/2 birthday and the best thing happens to her…her parents are finally going to allow her to post on Tik Tok. When Harper clicks on a filter, she becomes 22 years old but does not remember anything about her life. A wild ride will ensue!!
Love everything about this book and now need to read more by Jen Calonita!!!!
June 19, 2024
2 stars. :(
So, the author used a lot of words in the same sentence that don’t quite match up. For example, in the book, it says, “…the white Cavalier King Charles/Chihuahua puppy who is shooting me daggers with his soulful brown eyes. Does that match up?
Another severe issue with this novel is that there is practically a new issue every page. Stick with the plot, it’s the only advice I can give. And a big majority of the dialogue is very cringy. For example, the mom, “There’s more, Mom says. Presents! Want to open them fast before school?” Then, Harper replies with, “Is TikTok used by over seven hundred and thirty-two million people monthly? That means yes, obviously!” What?! No one talks like that lol.
Lastly, I think the only reason why it is popular with children is because it involves TikTok. Do not bother with this book. It was very disappointing 😔
So, the author used a lot of words in the same sentence that don’t quite match up. For example, in the book, it says, “…the white Cavalier King Charles/Chihuahua puppy who is shooting me daggers with his soulful brown eyes. Does that match up?
Another severe issue with this novel is that there is practically a new issue every page. Stick with the plot, it’s the only advice I can give. And a big majority of the dialogue is very cringy. For example, the mom, “There’s more, Mom says. Presents! Want to open them fast before school?” Then, Harper replies with, “Is TikTok used by over seven hundred and thirty-two million people monthly? That means yes, obviously!” What?! No one talks like that lol.
Lastly, I think the only reason why it is popular with children is because it involves TikTok. Do not bother with this book. It was very disappointing 😔
January 2, 2025
my 10yr old sister gave me this book to read because she said it’s her favorite, and let me just say ok I understand why, this was absolutely so fun and inspiring to read, definitely giving 13 going on 30 vibes!
January 26, 2024
Peppy, almost annoyingly so, MG start. Hope she gets her wish to be 22 and have a life like the influencer soon or I will bail on this - more than half the book is gone and still no movement on her birthday wish.
Cautionary tale for tweens - Be careful what you wish for!
Predictable ending satisfies
Ellen quay great on audio.
Cautionary tale for tweens - Be careful what you wish for!
Predictable ending satisfies
Ellen quay great on audio.
March 20, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! This was so fun and I would have devoured it as a middle schooler. Definitely will be recommending.
*these are my work notes*
Very fun for the girly girls. Definitely would recommend to kids who have moved on from fancy nancy early chapter books and the like.
*these are my work notes*
Very fun for the girly girls. Definitely would recommend to kids who have moved on from fancy nancy early chapter books and the like.
July 6, 2022
13 going on 30 for Swifties! This was absolutely adorable but for sure for a younger audience. Either way I really did enjoy it.
October 20, 2022
3.75 Stars
rtc (review-to-come)
This was absolutely innovative and entertaining!
💝🎂🎁𝟣𝟤 𝓉𝑜 𝟤𝟤: 𝒫𝒪𝒱 𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒲𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒰𝓅 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝐹𝓊𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒!🎁🎂💝
3.75 Stars
Harper's family tradition is to celebrate their birthdays, every "half birthday." Harper has always wanted to post on TikTok, but her parents won't let her post on social media until she turns thirteen. That is until on her 12 1/2 birthday her parents cave in and allow her to post on TikTok. Harper posted her first video that went viral: lip-syncing famous songs while doing a makeup tutorial imitating the artists'appearance in the video. Harper has had a crush on one of her best friends, Zach, but is nervous to confess in fear it will ruin their friend groups relationship. When she is invited to Celia's birthday party, Harper is overjoyed. However, she finds that she was invited because of her mother and, in distress, makes a birthday wish using a special TikTok filter. Harper awakes to find herself 10 years in the future; now twenty-two. At twenty-two, she is a famous influencer who knows several idols, and works alongside her favorite influencer. Harper finds that the person she is in the future is popular, but cold, and isolates herself from friends and family. Harper is desperate to rewrite her future, and return to her past.
12 to 22: POV You Wake Up in the Future! was a book I devoured instantly! In one sitting entirely, I finished this book and came out astonished. I loved the concept. I found it so interesting to see Harper at twelve and then ten years later. Her life was changed dramatically, and by getting exactly what she hoped for, she lost several aspects of her that made her a good person. This book was entertaining and totally not what I was expecting.
I love seeing the future through Jen Calonita's witty and entertaining writing. Zach, Ava, and Harper have such a precious friendship. This book was immersive; the type where time stands still as I just enter the story. Harper was a good character and a great leading protagonist. I'm not someone who is involved in social media, makeup, or what's the "hype" and don't find these topics particularly interesting. However, this book was still very interesting.
This book had a message that really spoke to me. Too often I find myself hoping to just be in another world. I look at the sky and wish I could see dragons. I look at my hands hoping for magic to exist. This book was really about grounding oneself into the now. Being grateful for what someone has.
Stories like these are really innovative but also have important lessons and are always the ones I like the best! I also LOVED the music references like Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift! (I love listening to music)
✅PLOT
✅CHARACTERS
rtc (review-to-come)
This was absolutely innovative and entertaining!
💝🎂🎁𝟣𝟤 𝓉𝑜 𝟤𝟤: 𝒫𝒪𝒱 𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒲𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒰𝓅 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝐹𝓊𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒!🎁🎂💝
3.75 Stars
Harper's family tradition is to celebrate their birthdays, every "half birthday." Harper has always wanted to post on TikTok, but her parents won't let her post on social media until she turns thirteen. That is until on her 12 1/2 birthday her parents cave in and allow her to post on TikTok. Harper posted her first video that went viral: lip-syncing famous songs while doing a makeup tutorial imitating the artists'appearance in the video. Harper has had a crush on one of her best friends, Zach, but is nervous to confess in fear it will ruin their friend groups relationship. When she is invited to Celia's birthday party, Harper is overjoyed. However, she finds that she was invited because of her mother and, in distress, makes a birthday wish using a special TikTok filter. Harper awakes to find herself 10 years in the future; now twenty-two. At twenty-two, she is a famous influencer who knows several idols, and works alongside her favorite influencer. Harper finds that the person she is in the future is popular, but cold, and isolates herself from friends and family. Harper is desperate to rewrite her future, and return to her past.
12 to 22: POV You Wake Up in the Future! was a book I devoured instantly! In one sitting entirely, I finished this book and came out astonished. I loved the concept. I found it so interesting to see Harper at twelve and then ten years later. Her life was changed dramatically, and by getting exactly what she hoped for, she lost several aspects of her that made her a good person. This book was entertaining and totally not what I was expecting.
I love seeing the future through Jen Calonita's witty and entertaining writing. Zach, Ava, and Harper have such a precious friendship. This book was immersive; the type where time stands still as I just enter the story. Harper was a good character and a great leading protagonist. I'm not someone who is involved in social media, makeup, or what's the "hype" and don't find these topics particularly interesting. However, this book was still very interesting.
This book had a message that really spoke to me. Too often I find myself hoping to just be in another world. I look at the sky and wish I could see dragons. I look at my hands hoping for magic to exist. This book was really about grounding oneself into the now. Being grateful for what someone has.
Stories like these are really innovative but also have important lessons and are always the ones I like the best! I also LOVED the music references like Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift! (I love listening to music)
✅PLOT
✅CHARACTERS
Read
August 23, 2022Okay so first of all this book was advertised as a modern day version of 13 Going on 30 and may I just say, modern day version!? 13 Going on 30 is absolutely 100% still "modern day" and it definitely did not come out 18 years ago because this makes me feel ancient and therefore it must be lies!!
Ahem. Now that that's out of the way, onto the actual book. I enjoyed it! It was cute! It really is a beat-by-beat redo of 13 Going on 30 -- I mean there was the humiliation at the birthday party and there was the popular girl who's the main character's best frenemy as an adult and there was the crush on the male best friend who is very cute in the future and there was the and there was the and there was the and look it is literally all there, just with a TikTok filter on it and a Taylor Swift song playing in the background. But that's not necessarily a bad thing! Just like it keeps all the movie's plot beats, it also keeps the charm and relatability. There are just enough changes for the book to be original and fresh; it absolutely stands on its own, with no familiarity with the movie required, but reading it with that familiarity made it feel like an inside joke whenever I recognized another plot element. I actually have to give the book extra points for that; the copycat story easily could have been annoying and instead it was just endearing.
Don't try to sell it to kids by saying it's like 13 Going on 30 because I highly suspect they will be like "I don't know what that is" because that movie is older than they are; instead, compare it to 11 Birthdays.
Also I just found out that 13 Going on 30 is available to stream via Hoopla so I know what I'm doing tonight.
Ahem. Now that that's out of the way, onto the actual book. I enjoyed it! It was cute! It really is a beat-by-beat redo of 13 Going on 30 -- I mean there was the humiliation at the birthday party and there was the popular girl who's the main character's best frenemy as an adult and there was the crush on the male best friend who is very cute in the future and there was the and there was the and there was the and look it is literally all there, just with a TikTok filter on it and a Taylor Swift song playing in the background. But that's not necessarily a bad thing! Just like it keeps all the movie's plot beats, it also keeps the charm and relatability. There are just enough changes for the book to be original and fresh; it absolutely stands on its own, with no familiarity with the movie required, but reading it with that familiarity made it feel like an inside joke whenever I recognized another plot element. I actually have to give the book extra points for that; the copycat story easily could have been annoying and instead it was just endearing.
Don't try to sell it to kids by saying it's like 13 Going on 30 because I highly suspect they will be like "I don't know what that is" because that movie is older than they are; instead, compare it to 11 Birthdays.
Also I just found out that 13 Going on 30 is available to stream via Hoopla so I know what I'm doing tonight.
November 11, 2025
Hi Again!
I feel like the past few months, maybe since September, I have been reading more than I usually do. I have been absolutely glued to some very great books. I have gotten into better habits when it comes to DNFing a book and deciding which books to keep on my shelves or to remove to make room for something new. For today’s review, I am going to talk about a book that I have had for a long time and was just calling to me this past week!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Harper is about to celebrate her half-birthday. In her family, half birthdays are a big deal. Harper will be 12 and a half, and she really wants only one thing: permission to finally have social media accounts. Her parents have been giving her a very firm no, but she thinks maybe, just maybe, now she could get them to say yes. On the big day, her half-birthday wish is granted, and after setting up accounts, Harper is going to make her first post, but when working on it, she sees a new filter. This filter transports Harper to the future, and she is now 22. But what does life look like for Harper and her family at 22?
This book had all the good vibes and reminded me a lot of 13 Going on 30. It was a fun story with a great look into the future of Harper and her family. The opportunity for Harper to see how social media shapes her life and the importance it carries for her in the future made the story a bit more complex and interesting than I initially thought it might be. I definitely recommend giving this read a try.
As a small aside, I love this cover so much!
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
I feel like the past few months, maybe since September, I have been reading more than I usually do. I have been absolutely glued to some very great books. I have gotten into better habits when it comes to DNFing a book and deciding which books to keep on my shelves or to remove to make room for something new. For today’s review, I am going to talk about a book that I have had for a long time and was just calling to me this past week!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Harper is about to celebrate her half-birthday. In her family, half birthdays are a big deal. Harper will be 12 and a half, and she really wants only one thing: permission to finally have social media accounts. Her parents have been giving her a very firm no, but she thinks maybe, just maybe, now she could get them to say yes. On the big day, her half-birthday wish is granted, and after setting up accounts, Harper is going to make her first post, but when working on it, she sees a new filter. This filter transports Harper to the future, and she is now 22. But what does life look like for Harper and her family at 22?
This book had all the good vibes and reminded me a lot of 13 Going on 30. It was a fun story with a great look into the future of Harper and her family. The opportunity for Harper to see how social media shapes her life and the importance it carries for her in the future made the story a bit more complex and interesting than I initially thought it might be. I definitely recommend giving this read a try.
As a small aside, I love this cover so much!
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
October 22, 2022
It's a Modern day 13 going on 30 book. Pretty good.
July 23, 2025
This book is good but not wow factor good
November 10, 2025
When I saw this at the library, I knew I had to check it out ♥ I'm 16 days away from being 23. Just over 2 weeks. I love the movie "13 going on 30" so I found it ironic that I found this book ♥
September 12, 2025
A retelling of 13 Going on 30 updated to the modern age (well, more modern w/ social media and such), this is a fun, engaging story that is perfect for the young reader who is looking to get into reading. If you like 13 Going on 30, you will most likely like this.
With an accessible plot, relatable story, cute romance and compelling characters, this book is the perfect gateway into the world of reading for tweens. 3.75/5 stars
With an accessible plot, relatable story, cute romance and compelling characters, this book is the perfect gateway into the world of reading for tweens. 3.75/5 stars
July 7, 2025
This book reminds me of one of my favorite movie 13 going on 30. But way in the future like they have phones in their ears. She becomes jealous of her sister when they are in the future. But becomes thankful of her sister and her best friend. This book is what got me into reading if you are a teen girl this is the best book you could probably like especially if you are in 8th grade or if you have a lot of drama.
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