The Do-Over
Ratings71
Average rating3.8
Lynn Painter, you've done it again.
I can't explain what exactly it is about Painter's writing that has me kicking my feet and swooning like a teenager again. The best way to get close to an explanation would have to be because every time I read one of her works I feel like I'm being transported back to when I was in high school, experiencing the highs and lows of growing older and the feeling of falling in love for the first time. It's so nostalgic in the best way possible.
I loved Emilie and Nick's characters. For her whole life, it was about having control, being perfect and making sure everything was on track and in order. Nick comes into her life and shows her that there's more to life than that and helps her learn to be herself and have fun. Nick is so smitten and swoon-worthy. I genuinely want to keep him in my pocket always.
They had the best banter and I found myself giggling on multiple occasions but I expect nothing less when they are written by Lynn Painter.
I knew from the premise that I would be sold. Groundhog's Day set on Valentine's Day? Absolutely.
I won't say anything more because I don't want to spoil but I had so much fun with this and I am so happy I finally decided to pick this up.
This was fine, but there were a couple things that really bothered me. I hated the instalove, and how different the two love interests felt each “new” Valentine's Day. Their personalities shifted so much they felt like new characters. Also I thought the whole premise of repeating a day was great. But it ended halfway through?? That's really where my interest ended.I did love the Taylor Swift references throughout!!
I'm not going to rate this book because I'm clearly not the target, and I feel it will be unfair. I didn't like it though. I've found it very poor, both in terms of the Romance and the issues surrounding teens lives. I remember reading better books than this, with good communication examples between teens and their families.
There was only one thing I liked in this book: the day with Nick.
Emilie is silly, and I don't have much to say beside this. It would be much more probable for a child of a broken and unhappy marriage to not believe in love, than being obsessed with the perfectly Valentine's Day, at 16! Are 16 years old still believing they find the love of their lives at that age?
After the Groundhog Day, Emilie learned very little, keeps being silly, but now she wants to have summer holidays instead of investing time on the journalism program that would help her with college applications. Is this advice we want to give? I 100% support this, in Europe, where you can easily have access to a good education, but never in the USA, where this stuff counts for the applications.
Emilie suffers close to none consequences for rude and bad behavior, and life goes on.
The resolution of the parental conflict is only partially, and briefly mentioned, and we don't see any real communication happening.
This is another book more focused on inserting Taylor Swift references than telling a good story.
If it wasn't for a buddy read I would have DNF in the first chapters. Thank you Inês Só Mais uma Página for explaining me the references I would never get
3.75 stars
I love the time loop so much and the dedication on the book has my heart.
“For the Lonely, The Daydreamers, The ones who find their friends between the pages of books - YOU MATTER, and your happy ending WILL come. Sometimes, the wait is just longer in real life than in fiction.”
I am in love with Nick...
In love...
Lynn Painter almost never disappoints, her books are quick, fun and full of appropriate romance. If you are looking for a beach read this summer or a quick rom com look no further.
This book, although a bit predictable, has all the elements needed for a nice romance, a fun read or even better a 5 stars audiobook, as you can't hide your happiness when listening to it.
And dear, oh dear I wish I could find an equivalent with adults around 30-40, as a feel a bit weird being in love with a minor
Really enjoyed this. I listened with my wife, and it was fun. Good characters. And a good twist on an age old plot line. Recommend it to anyone looking for relatively light hearted entertainment.
3.25 stars
Kinda crazy how fast I read this... I was way too excited for this, so I was just trying to read the most amount of words I could, just to get the whole story I feel I ended up not taking enough time to appreciate it to its fullest, but I ended up really liking it and I'll probably reread this someday
I love this as much as Lynn's previous YA book “Better than the movies”. I have read enough time-loop stories to be able to guess that Em's loop would end once she starts getting loose and having a perfect day. Yet I never could guess which day would be the perfect day. I thought the night Em was on the phone with Nick was cute and nothing could best that. Man I was so wrong once she started her “best day”. I love every minute of the date like it actually happened to me. Best book of 2022 ♡ (Please make this into a movie, Netflix!!)