Book Review: The Do-Over by Lynn Painter
- jolaineabad
- Jan 3
- 6 min read
I only date boys who on paper (or an Excel spreadsheet) share at least five common interests with me, have a broad outline of their ten-year plan, and dress like they aren't prone to random outbursts of basketball.
Start Date: 12 / 23 / 2025 | End Date: 01 / 03/ 2026 |
Genres: Young Adult // Romance, Comedy, Time Loop, Contemporary | Format: Paperback // Audiobook |
Pages: 285 pages | Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars) |
☀︎ Sunshine x Grumpy | ⚔ Enemies to Lovers | ⟳ Time Loop | ☘︎ 2nd Chance Romance | ⚜︎ Comedy |
ABOUT THIS BOOK:
Nostalgic • Romance • Chaos
Emilie Hornby, a highly organized girl who even has a checklist to make sure she gets the boyfriend she wants, plans the perfect Valentine’s Day with her boyfriend Josh. But after running into Nick Stark, all her plans go up in flames—from her carefully mapped-out academics to witnessing her boyfriend cheat on her. Heartbroken, Emilie retreats to her safe haven: her grandma Max’s house, spending the night to recover.
When she wakes up, she realizes she’s stuck in a time loop, reliving her worst nightmare over and over again.
But there’s a twist—being trapped in the loop means she keeps running into the nonchalant Nick Stark.
Will Emilie finally fix her love life and break the time loop, or will she realize that Josh was never the one for her?
Did I enjoy the book? Yes / No / Unsure |
Would I read this again? Yes / No / Unsure |
Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes / No / Unsure |
What did I like the most? I love how this book is so relatable to any high school student who experienced those same feelings growing up. Lynn Painter did it again—she never fails to bring out that wave of high school nostalgia and make you feel like you’re right back there. The realizations hit hard, which is something I really loved about this story. I also love, love the growth of the female main character. It’s incredibly relatable, especially for girls who went through a people-pleaser era. Seeing that growth felt so real and validating. |
What I liked the least (and why)? The only thing I didn’t like was how the word DONC appeared on almost every page once you reached that part. It became so repetitive that I could already tell when, where, and how the time loop was going to stop. I know it’s an important part of the overall plot—I just wish it had been written a little differently. Another thing that really bothered me was how Emilie kept making excuses for Josh’s infidelity and even tried to prevent it. I was like, girl, there’s a reason this time loop is happening and why the universe keeps showing it to you. At some point, you have to listen… you know? |
Favorite Characters
💛 Nick Stark 💛
A man who may look like the “I don’t care” type, but is actually someone who truly listens—really listens.
Ratings
Book Cover
★★★
Writing Style
★★★★★
Story & Plot
★★★★★
Characters
★★★★★
Favorite Quotes
Emilie Hornby
Nick Stark |
My Book Review ✎ᝰ.
This is my second book from Lynn Painter, and all I can say is… she never fails to take me on a roller coaster of emotions while making me laugh! 😆🎢
This book has been sitting on my shelf since 2024, and when I finally picked it up to be my last read of 2025, I didn’t finish it. But honestly, I’m glad it happened—because I wouldn’t have started the year with a 5-star read if it weren’t for this book! ✨📚
She’s the author I’ll always run to when I need a giggle, a good laugh, a cry, and a hit of nostalgia. She has that effect on you after just one book.
There are so many things we need to talk about with this book. It’s seriously underrated, and people need to start talking about it more.
Right from the beginning, I pictured Sadie Sink as Emilie—probably because I had just finished Stranger Things when I picked this book up again. And for Nick, I imagined Dylan O’Brien, mostly because I’ve seen them together in a Taylor Swift music video. Maybe it’s just me, but that’s exactly how they look in my head.
My first impression of Emilie was that she’s a control freak and a perfectionist, but also a people pleaser—which I related to instantly, and I know a lot of people will too. She prioritizes other people’s happiness, especially her family. With her parents divorced, she doesn’t want them to feel like she’s a burden or difficult to be around.
Why would I wait for fate to lend a hand, when I have two perfectly capable hands of my own? Emelie Hornby
I really felt that, because when you’re in that position, you want everyone to see that you’re okay—that they don’t need to worry about you. But sometimes, in doing that, you forget about your own feelings because you’re so focused on everyone else’s happiness. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but it’s a reminder that we also need to prioritize what we want and how we feel.
Overall, she’s one of my favorite characters because of her growth and development throughout the story. She realizes that she can still be herself and get the things she wants without ignoring her own feelings.
I did get a tiny ick from the color-coded books and closet—but that’s just me 😅 I still love her though.
Now, let’s talk about Nick Stark.
At first, I thought he was secretly in love with her. But the more I read, the more I realized that he does like her—it’s just that his traumatic experience holds him back from opening up to her from the very beginning.
That said, I’m confident enough to say that he fell harder, and I absolutely loved watching it happen. Especially everything he did for her on her DONC day—the man you are, Nick Stark. 😭👏
What really got me was how he listens to her. She only had to say things once—ONCE! I can’t emphasize enough how refreshing that is. Of course, he has his flaws, but even with them, I can’t help but see him as a perfect guy nonetheless.
Stoic. Enigmatic. Nonchalant—and obsessed. The kind of man every woman needs.
Now, I want to share my thoughts on some of the side characters in this book.
I absolutely loved Rox and Chris—they’re such understanding, carefree best friends. Even with their different personalities, they clicked so naturally, and I loved how they constantly supported one another. Their friendship felt genuine and comforting.
Josh… well—uhm. We don’t like him 😅 But to be fair, the growth he shows by the end of the book is something I could actually relate to. Still, even with that development, I can’t say I liked him—but I appreciated the realism of his arc.
I also really loved how Emilie’s parents, Thomas and Beth, tried to address their issues with co-parenting. Seeing them make an effort to understand Emilie, despite a few misunderstandings along the way, was refreshing. In the end, it felt like they truly wanted what was best for her.
And lastly, Grandma Max—a total badass in my opinion. I grew up close to my own grandma, so their bond really hit home for me. I loved how she became Emilie’s safe space and source of strength.
Overall, this book should—no, must—be famous, but it’s so underrated. The writing is, as always, incredibly relatable. Lynn Painter has a way of pulling you right back into high school and reminding you what it felt like to be young, awkward, and full of feelings.
If you’re into second-chance romance, sunshine x grumpy, and she fell first but he fell harder, then this book is absolutely for you.
Rating ☕︎
☕☕☕☕☕
Happy Reading!
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