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A review by nyquillll
The Do-Over by Lynn Painter
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I’ve been in a sappy romance spell, and this book was pretty good for the romance feels.
I really liked seeing how the relationship and comfort ability level with Nick developed “over time” (iykyk). I also really enjoyed getting a glimpse back into the teenage mind and seeing life through her eyes. It made me picture myself at that age, someone who also people-pleased to the nth degree to try and keep the peace around her.
The DONC was honestly scary and refreshing to read - to see the FMC take charge of her life and say what was really on her mind. Granted, I think there are nicer ways of going about things, but I think it took guts after the fact to own up to her behaviors and accept the consequences.
I think this book also deals with the idea of falling in love not necessarily at first sight, but in a matter of days. It makes me think of the innocence of first loves and high school love that isn’t as susceptible to life in the same way “adult” love is, for lack of a better comparison. Just that the love the two characters find for one another truly seems to be born of “I felt so fucking lonely and you make me feel seen, and for that I appreciate your existence and presence in my life, no matter how short.”
This book dealt with divorced parents/remarried parents, effects of split custody on the child, death of a loved one and the grieving that follows, idea of perfection and planning to avoid discomfort, how we know it’s love versus not, advocating for yourself, taking responsibility for your actions, and building the courage to confront your problems head on.
The more I write this review, the more I realize I liked this book a lot and enjoyed the life lessons it included along the way. I normally am not one to believe in falling in love in one day can happen, but the way this book presents it, I could dig it. :)
I really liked seeing how the relationship and comfort ability level with Nick developed “over time” (iykyk). I also really enjoyed getting a glimpse back into the teenage mind and seeing life through her eyes. It made me picture myself at that age, someone who also people-pleased to the nth degree to try and keep the peace around her.
The DONC was honestly scary and refreshing to read - to see the FMC take charge of her life and say what was really on her mind. Granted, I think there are nicer ways of going about things, but I think it took guts after the fact to own up to her behaviors and accept the consequences.
I think this book also deals with the idea of falling in love not necessarily at first sight, but in a matter of days. It makes me think of the innocence of first loves and high school love that isn’t as susceptible to life in the same way “adult” love is, for lack of a better comparison. Just that the love the two characters find for one another truly seems to be born of “I felt so fucking lonely and you make me feel seen, and for that I appreciate your existence and presence in my life, no matter how short.”
This book dealt with divorced parents/remarried parents, effects of split custody on the child, death of a loved one and the grieving that follows, idea of perfection and planning to avoid discomfort, how we know it’s love versus not, advocating for yourself, taking responsibility for your actions, and building the courage to confront your problems head on.
The more I write this review, the more I realize I liked this book a lot and enjoyed the life lessons it included along the way. I normally am not one to believe in falling in love in one day can happen, but the way this book presents it, I could dig it. :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Car accident
Some of my favorite quotes:
”I get the privilege of hearing you let loose with your anger. Others should, too.”
”Burn some cities down with your rage!”
”Yes, we were all calling out to the Lord in response to my phone’s disgusting swim.”
”I think your compulsive need for control is adorable.”
”’Absolutely I would,’ said Nick”
”being a dipshit like you for a few hours might be a nice break.”
”Stop feeling like that - I’m not mad.”
“I’m sorry—have I been holding you up? Do you want to run the next flight?”
”Trust me, fifteen years flies by.”
“Emilie Hornby, will you Cupid Shuffle with me to the prom?”
“Existence is the default. Merely existing, emotionally, is the baseline.”
”I had a marvelous time ruining everything.”
”Nah—I like it. Keeps me warm and I get buzzed on your perfume.”
”Give me your crust. Now.”
I like knowing you, Emilie Hornby.”
”The poor thing always comes here because she’s invisible to you and Beth.”
”Like she’s sad.”
”That boy called me at one a.m. and talked for an hour about Alex. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
”As it turns out, she’s been having a fling with the bakery owner for years…”
I think I keep finding little bits of magic the more I keep thinking about the story. The grandma is my hero, the way she loves on and protects Emilie is so heartwarming, especially considering Emilie feels invisible in other aspects of her life but her grandma makes her feel seen. It makes sense, then, that the foreshadowing her grandma gives (to be herself and let her rage out a bit) is what frees Emilie from her time loop. I think it’s a beautiful call to not stifle who we are to please others - and also not to act like complete assholes - but to live the present moment as fully and authentically as you can.