The Do-Over

by Jennifer Honeybourn

[Sam@WLABB]

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Emilia finally got her shot at being part of the upper crust, when one of the most popular boys at school asked her to the winter formal. However, this coincided with her best friend, Alistair, finally confessing his feelings for her. Her heart was torn, but Emilia was blinded by the allure of popularity. It's a decision she grew to regret. Six months later, she found herself wishing she could go back to that night and make a different choice, and somehow, the universe made this happen.

This is the fourth book I have read from Honeybourn, and as always, I enjoyed it. It was on the lighter side, with some depth, and I appreciated the BIG ideas in the story. She touched upon friendship, regret, making good choices, being true to yourself, appreciating our loved ones, and accepting that some things are out of our control. These are definitely things I have personally struggled with, and I appreciated the way they were worked into the story.

I was immediately drawn to the main characters, because they reminded me so much of my own friends from my teen years. This trio was more likely to be found playing Settlers of Catan than at a party on a Friday night. Swap Catan for Trivial Pursuit, and you just described me in my wild teen years. I also loved that Alistair would speak in movie quotes. This is something very popular among my family, and there is nothing that delights me more than a well placed quote.

For me, the focus of the story was Emilia. Her choice had some repercussions, and she grew to deeply regret the choice she made. She lost so much more than she gained and also seemed to lose herself in the process. Even with the do-over, she stumbled, but she learned a bit along the way. She was an improved version of herself at the end of it all. She still had a ways to go, however she got to a point of understanding and acceptance.

Although I was entertained throughout, I wish there had been an epilogue. Rushed endings always rub me the wrong way, and this ending felt a bit rushed. It ended well, but it wasn't enough to sate me.

Overall: A cute story about being careful what you wish for and learning to be a better version of yourself.


*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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