The Do-Over

The Do-Over

book

2022

WISE
86%

WISE Score

Valentine’s Day goes from nightmare to Groundhog Day in this sweet, loop-de-loop YA romance about a girl who finally learns to stop trying so hard.

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

Lynn Painter is the current queen of the 'comfort read,' and The Do-Over is her taking the Groundhog Day concept and making it work for the TikTok generation without being cringey. It’s a smart, fast-paced story that treats teen emotions with respect rather than just dismissing them as 'drama.'

If your kid is currently inhaling romance novels, this is a high-quality pick. It’s wholesome without being preachy, and it actually has something to say about the cost of trying to please everyone. It’s a solid 'yes' for the YA shelf.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 12-15 range. It hits that sweet spot where it feels mature enough for a teen but stays within the boundaries that most parents of middle-schoolers are comfortable with.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

It models healthy personal growth and prioritizes emotional honesty over just 'getting the guy.' The protagonist's journey from a rigid perfectionist to someone who embraces the mess of life is a great template for teens.

Imaginative
72

While the time-loop trope is a classic, Painter uses it effectively to explore character depth rather than just as a gimmick. It’s not breaking new ground, but it’s executed with style.

Safe
92

Very safe for the YA category. It’s often described as 'clean' romance—meaning no explicit content—though it does touch on the emotional heaviness of a parent's divorce.

Enriching
84

Excellent exploration of the 'perfectionist' trap many teens fall into. It also handles the messy reality of family dynamics and grief with more nuance than your average rom-com.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Time-loop fun that keeps the pacing fast and prevents the story from feeling like just another high school drama.
  • Relatable protagonist for any kid who feels the crushing pressure to be 'perfect' and keep everyone else happy.
  • Genuine emotional depth regarding family divorce and the ripple effects of grief that elevate it above standard fluff.
  • Clean romance vibes that make it a safe bet for middle schoolers and early high schoolers who aren't ready for 'spicier' YA novels.
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What to Watch For

  • The protagonist's 'worst day' involves some genuine emotional distress, including discovering her boyfriend is cheating and dealing with her father's new life.
  • Standard YA tropes like minor teen partying and some light swearing, though it's much milder than contemporary peers like Gossip Girl or Euphoria.

Conversation Starters

  • "If you could redo one day from your past over and over, which one would it be and what would you change?"
  • "Why do you think Emilie feels like she has to be 'perfect' for everyone in her life?"
  • "How does the way Emilie sees Nick change as she actually gets to know him outside of her first impression?"
  • "Do you think it's better to plan everything out or just let life happen as it comes?"

Deep Dive

The 'Perfect Girl' Trap

What makes The Do-Over work isn't just the time-loop gimmick—it's the character study of Emilie Hornby. She is the classic 'people pleaser' who has spent her life trying to be the perfect daughter and the perfect girlfriend to make up for the vacuum left by her parents' divorce. For a lot of modern teens, that pressure is incredibly real. Lynn Painter captures that internal monologue perfectly, showing how exhausting it is to curate a life that looks good from the outside.

A Better Class of Romance

Unlike many YA romances that rely on toxic 'bad boy' tropes, the love interest here, Nick Stark, actually challenges Emilie to be more honest with herself. It’s a refreshing dynamic. The book manages to be 'clean' (meaning it stays PG-13 in the romance department) without feeling like it's written for toddlers. It’s a great bridge for readers who have outgrown The Baby-Sitters Club but aren't quite ready for the more explicit 'BookTok' sensations.

Why the Time Loop Matters

By forcing Emilie to live the same disastrous Valentine's Day repeatedly, Painter strips away her ability to control the outcome. It’s a clever narrative device to force a character to stop planning and start living. If your kid liked See You Yesterday (the movie) or the classic Before I Fall, this will be right up their alley, but with a significantly lighter and more optimistic tone.

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