The Do-Over

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter is a captivating young adult novel that effortlessly blends humour, romance, and the unpredictability of life's twists and turns. This New York Times Bestseller, lauded as "unequivocally hilarious and delightful" by Kirkus Reviews, takes readers on a wild journey through the eyes of Emilie Hornby, a teenager stuck in a time loop of her worst Valentine’s Day ever.

For fans of Recommended for You and A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, this story begins with Emilie enduring a disastrous Valentine’s Day, rife with heartbreak and disappointment. Seeking solace, she heads to her grandmother’s house, only to wake up back in her own bed—and it’s Valentine’s Day all over again.

Each new day brings the same gut-wrenching events as she helplessly re-watches her boyfriend Josh's betrayal. Amidst this chaos, Emilie repeatedly encounters the enigmatic Nick in a series of humorous and awkward situations. As she navigates the myriad emotional ups and downs of her repeated days, she begins to question how many times she can endure her life going up in flames.

Her situation compels readers to ponder: How does one confront repeated heartbreak? What does it take to make the best out of bad days that seem to never end? And, when a glimmer of something good finally breaks through the monotony of terrible days, what happens when the universe decides to stop offering second chances?

The Do-Over is a poignant yet comedic exploration of resilience, personal growth, and the unexpected paths that life—especially a life on repeat—can take. Lynn Painter masterfully weaves a tale that is not only relatable but infused with hope, charm, and the delightful unpredictability of teenage years.