The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

Kindle edition

This is a gem from the Real Simple magazine reading recommendation list sort of by mistake and I only just realized it right now! There is another book called the Do-Over by Suzanne Park. This is not that book. Oopsie!

Well - in re-reading the synopsis of the other Do-Over, it sort of sounds similar to this one, but the characters and situation is different. I'll add this other Do-Over to my reading list.

I started this Do-Over (by Lynn Painter) on May 14 and finished it a quick 2 days later on May 16. I really didn't want to put this one down.

This one is about a high-school girl, Emillie, and her bad bad Valentine's Day that, through some crack in reality and time, she gets to live over and over again. Imagine some random smattering of Parent Trap, 13 Going on 30, Groundhog Day, Freaky Friday (you get the idea) and you get this book.

Emilie is dating one of the "popular boys" at school and she is so excited for their first Valentine's Day together. She has it all planned out. You know the saying about the best laid plans... Well, her plans don't go as planned. And something happens so she can relive this day and maybe try and make it right. Except she doesn't know what "right" is. So without fear of the consequences, Emilie tries all sorts of things to make it right. But, perhaps, her thoughts on what is "right" aren't quite... right.

SPOILER ALERT: If you don't wan't to know too many details, STOP READING NOW.

So, on one of the Valentine's Days, Emilie says F#@k it and throws caution (and potential consequences) to the wind and tries something radically different. She puts on some uncharacteristically Emilie leather pants, takes her dad's Porsche (without permission), puts the pedal to the metal (and gets a ticket and the car impounded), says whatever she wants (and confronts the resident mean girls at school), breaks up with her boyfriend over the PA system at school for all to hear, walks out of her science class with her cute lab partner, and goes on to have the time of her life. Consequences be damned.

You know what they say about the best paid plans... Well, this day of consequences ends up... having consequences. Lots of them. And maybe one of them ends up in Emilie's favor.

I LOVED this book. It was heart-breaking, relatable, fun, hilarious, exciting. I highly recommend it.

 Post written on May 25. Publication date reflects date I finished the book.