Publisher's Synopsis
What if the biggest "what if" of your life wasn't hypothetical?
Auren Solven thought they had buried the past long ago. But when strange dreams pull them toward a forgotten bookstore and an antique mirror hidden inside, they're drawn into a parallel world-one shaped by a single choice they never made.
In this version of reality, everything seems better: a career that thrived, a love that stayed, and a life that looks almost perfect. But the longer Auren lingers, the more they begin to feel the cracks. Is this truly the life they were meant to live-or just a haunting reflection of regret?
As timelines blur and old wounds resurface, Auren must confront not only the life they left behind, but the person they've become-and decide what it truly means to stay.
The Version Who Stayed is a deeply reflective and emotionally intelligent novel about identity, memory, and the quiet courage of choosing presence over possibility. For fans of Matt Haig's The Midnight Library and Emily St. John Mandel's Sea of Tranquility, this first entry in The Mirror Archive invites readers to explore the spaces between fate and free will, and the many versions of a life worth living.
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 Mirror to the Soul
"There are books that entertain you, and there are books that understand you. This one does both. It's about choice, yes-but also about grace, grief, and becoming. I wish I had this novel when I was 25 and lost."
- Elliot V., artist and reader of literary sci-fi ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - A Gentle Sci-Fi That Feels Real
"The sci-fi elements here are subtle, almost metaphysical. The mirror isn't about magic-it's about emotion, memory, regret. That grounded approach made the story hit even harder. The writing style is lyrical without being pretentious."
- Laura T., fan of Blake Crouch & Emily St. John Mandel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Read It If You've Ever Wondered 'What If'
"This book gutted me in the best way. I read the last five chapters through tears. If you've ever looked back on a decision and wondered who you might have been... this book is for you."
- Nina W., teacher and late-night reader ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - The Most Human Speculative Fiction I've Read
"I was stunned by how much this speculative premise grounded me in reality. Auren's inner dialogue is painfully honest, and Krispy doesn't offer easy answers-just honest ones. It's the kind of book you want to gift to your younger self."
- Andre B., podcast host and sci-fi reviewer
