Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

This is what YA romance should be: fun, fast-paced, with actual substance underneath the cute meet-cutes. The time-loop gimmick isn't just a gimmick—it's a smart narrative device that lets Lynn Painter explore how we grow through repeated attempts at getting life right.

The book doesn't shy away from real teen issues (cheating, grief, blended family dynamics, perfectionism) but handles them with a light touch that never feels like an After School Special. Parents worried about content can relax—this is clean romance with passionate kissing but nothing graphic, and the emotional content is age-appropriate.

Is it going to change your teen's life? Probably not. But it's genuinely entertaining, models healthy emotional processing, and might even spark some good conversations about choices, consequences, and what really matters in relationships. Plus, it's actually funny, which is rarer than you'd think in this genre.

Solid pick for teens who like romance, time-travel stories, or just need something engaging that won't make you cringe when they tell you about it.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13-17, the sweet spot for YA contemporary romance. The emotional maturity around relationships, the cheating storyline, and the romantic content make this solidly teen territory. Younger middle schoolers who are advanced readers could handle it, but the themes will resonate most with high schoolers navigating their own relationship drama.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

78

A teen romance that handles heartbreak, family dynamics, and personal growth with emotional maturity. Features a cheating boyfriend storyline that's resolved thoughtfully, supportive family relationships (including stepfamilies), and models working through grief and perfectionism. Some passionate kissing and dating focus, but relationship dynamics are ultimately healthy. Light bullying and heated arguments present but not gratuitous.

Imaginative

82

The Groundhog Day-style time loop premise is a clever narrative device that lets the protagonist experiment with different choices and outcomes. The 'what would you do differently?' framework invites readers to think creatively about decision-making and consequences. While it's a romance at heart, the time-loop mechanic adds genuine originality to the YA contemporary genre and explores how small changes ripple outward.

Safe

88

Very safe for the target teen audience. Content includes passionate kissing (non-graphic), a cheating boyfriend scenario, light bullying, a minor car crash, and family arguments—all age-appropriate for YA readers. No graphic sexual content, violence, gore, or triggering material. The emotional content around heartbreak and grief is handled sensitively. Common Sense Media confirms minimal concerning content.

Enriching

75

Beyond the entertaining rom-com surface, the book explores meaningful themes: processing grief, navigating blended families, confronting perfectionism, and learning that mistakes are part of growth. The time-loop structure creates natural opportunities for character development and reflection on choices. Fast-paced and engaging (4.2 Amazon rating, NYT Bestseller), making it accessible entertainment with substance. Not groundbreaking literature, but solid emotional intelligence work wrapped in fun.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The time-loop premise is genuinely clever and lets readers explore the 'what if I'd done that differently?' fantasy we all have after a terrible day
Tackles real stuff—grief, blended families, perfectionism, cheating—without getting heavy-handed or preachy about it
Fast-paced and actually funny (not just 'funny for YA'), with a NYT Bestseller stamp and solid reviews backing up the entertainment value
Romance develops naturally through repeated encounters, giving readers a chance to see genuine connection build rather than insta-love
The protagonist grows from passive observer to active participant in her own life, which is solid character development

⚠

What to Watch For

The cheating boyfriend storyline is central to the plot—teens will watch Emilie process betrayal repeatedly, though it's handled maturely
Several passionate kissing scenes that are clean but definitely romantic; this is a romance novel through and through
Some light bullying and family conflict, plus themes of grief that might resonate differently depending on your teen's experiences

Conversation Starters

"If you could relive one day and change what happened, which day would you pick? What would you do differently?"
"Emilie keeps running into Nick in increasingly awkward ways. Have you ever had those moments where the universe seems to keep pushing you toward someone or something?"
"The book deals with perfectionism and trying to control everything. Do you ever feel like you need everything to go exactly right, or are you okay with messiness?"
"How would you handle finding out a friend or boyfriend cheated? What would you want to say if you had unlimited do-overs?"
"What do you think the book is saying about mistakes and second chances?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

The Do-Over Lynn Painter