Suzanne Park has a way with her words and I am obsessed. I loved this book and I want to scream about it from the top of the highest mountain! I found this to be a cute and easy read, very much what I needed!

2.5 rounded up.

I went into this expecting it to be a second-chance romance, with some light-hearted fun and cute romantic scenes of winning each other back.

What I got instead was more of a women's literary fiction, revolving around self-empowerment and learning to love yourself. Which is fine, don't get me wrong I love those kind of stories when I'm in the mood to read them. But this was marketed as a romance, and I was definitely looking for a romance and unfortunately I didn't quite get that.

The Do-Over is set to be published on April 4, 2023. Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley and the author for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I appreciated the real world twist on this romance read: topics of anxiety, and women in the workplace. The story was well paced but I struggled to get very invested. I think it’s a matter of personal taste where it was too similar to real life for me, but altogether a sweet read. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the book but will be withholding my thoughts at this time. This is in solidarity with the HarperCollins Union. Hoping to share my review soon.

When I say I was excited to read Suzanne Park's latest book The Do-Over, that is an understatement! I loved So We Meet Again and was thrilled to dive back into another book. The description itself immediately pulled me in - going back to college 10 years later? Sign me up! I really liked Lily & her journey throughout the book. (side note: I cannot imagine even entertaining the idea of going to a frat party again...)

While this was more women's fiction than romance, with Park's writing and ability to tie everything together so seamlessly, I didn't mind at all! Can't wait for whatever she writes next!!

I'm going to be honest and say that I went into this book with the mindset that it reads more like a Women's Fiction novel than a Romance. I'm glad I saw previous reviewers mention that. I feel like it really set my expectations and enjoyed this book because of that.

As an Asian American, I always enjoy reading Park's books, which always include topics of inclusivity, the vastness, and uniqueness, of the (Asian) diaspora. This book in particular also includes topics like mental health (high functioning anxiety), and also dealing with imposter syndrome.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Lily's journey–going back to college, learning and growing through her imposter syndrome, making new friends, prioritizing her mental health, and of course, her second chance romance with Jake.

I really want to write a glowing review of this book because it felt so promising and the author so eloquently addressed some mental health struggles, but I'm kind of let down by it.

Some positives: I love the female friendships, the themes of overcoming challenges, and the back-to-college-in-your-30s trope.

However, this is partially billed as a romance, but the romantic factor is almost non-existent. Jake came off as incredibly dull, he and Lily lacked any chemistry or reason to get together, and their reason for breaking up years before didn't really make sense.

I don't regret reading this book, but I think all of the components could have been much stronger and combined to make a more impactful story.

Lilly needs to go back to college for a big deal job she wants. When she gets to college, her ex boyfriend is there, as a teacher. I didn’t really care to see her reliving college student days 10 years later. Also, the romance comes second to her finding herself. I think it’s a cute story overall, but different than what I expected.

I love a second chance romance! The characters are well developed and the story flowed well. It's a cute concept but the plot is thoughtful. I've liked Suzanne Park's other books, so it's no surprise that I really enjoyed this one too!

Thank you NetGalley and Suzanne Park!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
3 lukewarm stars
Women's fiction? Yes. Rom-com as advertised? Nope. Is there a guy? Yes, but he's awful and there is absolutely no chemistry between them. The "romance" if you can call it that doesn't happen until quite a ways into the book. This is more about female empowerment and friendships, which is fine but not at all what I was expecting. I wish the plot was more detailed about her college experience at 30 (except I could have done without her going to a frat party - I mean....) or even more background on how she got to where she is. Not sorry I read this but wouldn't recommend it.

Suzanne Park’s latest Novel The Do-Over is a fun and light-hearted read. I’ve read her past books and like the others, this one was a win for me!

Imagine being in your 30’s with not enough college credits for the job you wanted and having to go back. Getting to Do-Over your college years. But also with that journey, finding love.

This was an easy read in one sitting book for me. I was invested in Lily’s story and the only thing that would’ve made this better would’ve been if it had been heavier on the romance. That’s just my preference as it’s marketed as a second-chance romance novel.

I would absolutely recommend this story just like any of Suzanne Park’s previous novels. If you love romance and a feel-good story, pick this one up! You won’t regret it!

Thank you with all my heart to NetGalley and The Publisher, Harper Collins for choosing me to read and review this ARC

I continue to read this author but she is always a mixed bag for me. I have enjoyed a couple and didn’t like others. I think it is time I admit defeat and throw in the towel.

The book is told from one point-of-view and it comes from Lily Lee. She is headed back to college after ten years of being out. I thought this was a very interesting plot in theory and I’m sure it would work for some, but I just didn’t find myself enjoying the “funny” moments that come with it.

Lily is very sure of herself. She knows what her next career move is and will do anything to get to that point. She also holds a grudge and becomes surprised when her ex-boyfriend is now her TA. I’m not sure how I would deal with a situation like that. It would be very awkward, especially having to explain why you are back in a college setting and not in a teaching way. Lily was a pretty likeable character. Lily’s friend and roommate were good characters as well. I wouldn’t say I ever fully connected with the characters but they weren’t bad in any way. You know what I mean?

As a 31 year-old I can’t say I would try to relive my college years with 20 year-olds. I feel like my goals wouldn’t align with theirs and it would just be weird to party with people much younger than me. I think this also correlates with the whole “funny” moments thing.

Overall, this missed the mark but I can see the potential for others to love this one.

4.0

Thanks so much HarperCollins and Netgalley for an ARC of this title! I had so much fun reading The Do-Over, a book about getting a redo of one of life’s greatest milestones (college) after a mishap. I’m among the many that believe having to redo college, even partially, sounds like an R.L. Stein plot but Lily’s story was quite charming and captivating. The book read more like a women’s fiction contemporary novel about empowerment and mental health than a second-chance romance novel about exes that reunite on campus. I think the book would have benefited from this labeling, as the romance felt minimal and at times I found myself more interested in Lily’s college journey and the people she met rather than her relationship status with Jake. All in all, this is another slam dunk for Suzanne Park and I’m greatly looking forward to what she puts out in the future.

4/5⭐️

Lily Lee is an early-30s author who is trying to land a job position at a top firm. She fails the employer’s background check and finds she is short college credits — therefore never have completed her degree.

She goes back to college to finish out her senior year and discovers that her ex boyfriend, Jacob Cho, is actually a teaching assistant for one of her classes.

This was such a quick read but much more than just a “second-chance” trope. It was truly a second chance at life & It was so cutely done! I loved the overall plot and the character development. It was nice seeing mental health representation represented so well.

I would’ve loved a longer Epilogue but overall the story was incredibly heartwarming with fantastic growth from the MC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lily Lee is a successful early 30's business woman. She worked the corporate grind, then left to make it on her own, got a book published, and she has interviewed for her dream job. Just one catch, turns out the background check shows she didn't actually graduate from college. Her last semester with two/pass fail classes didn't give her enough credits, but the issue wasn't caught and everyone assumed Lily had her degree.

Now. Lily is going back to finish off those credits, and also apparently to run into the boy who broke her heart all those years ago. He's now a TA in one of her required classes.

Lily is getting a second chance at her senior year of college, and possibly a second chance at love. Can she maximize her chances without losing all she's worked for this past decade?

Lily is a very likable and relatable character. The side characters are well developed and enjoyable and in this story you really root for Lily to be able to finish her degree. I'd recommend this book for anyone who wants likes a good come back story that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Enjoyable and well-written women's fiction book. The smooth and fluid writing style made the book easy to read. The manner is which high-functioning anxiety and other mental health issues were discussed in the storyline, were also very respectfully and professionally handled. The attention to details and descriptiveness of the scenes, at times helped a reader feel like they were there in the apartment with Beth, Mia and Lily! Or walking into a CS lecture hall for the first time and not knowing where to sit! That brought some fun flashbacks to my college days. As did the conversations Lily had at the Registers Office and Dean. Ahh, college memories. Some certainly would be fun to "do-over" now being a few years older and wiser! Overall, definitely recommend this fun, creative story.

I thank HarperCollins, Netgalley and the author for my ARC of this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Full transparency, I love Suzanne Park’s books and the Do-Over did not disappoint. You do have to suspend reality a little bit, I would have to assume in a post covid world Lily could have taken the missing courses online, but an influencer I follow just went through this same experience 15 years after graduating. So unfortunately it does happen.

While this is a story about Lily and Jake falling back in love, I really enjoyed the other themes of family differences, friendships, supporting each other, and women in the workplace. As someone in corporate America, that resonated with me most. Women have to work so much harder than men, and there’s undoubtedly a mansplainer crybaby like Cameron. I did enjoy that Suzanne wrote Mary to be kind and supportive and not a mean girl. Back to Lily and Jake, watching them communicate on what went wrong and working on their relationship was good to read. It didn’t seem so farfetched and I enjoy how all the relationships in the book were believable and genuine. I 100% would recommend this book.

2.5-3⭐ I would recommend this to YA readers and readers looking for clean romance.

First off, the cover of the book is gorgeous and I loved the synopsis of the book. I also loved that the main characters were Asian American and that the author focuses a little bit on college and family life as an Asian American.

Overall, the book missed the mark and was hard to get into but I can appreciate the plot and characters on their own. I liked Lily and Mia's relationship and loved Beth. The characters had good bones but I struggled to really connect with them.

I think this would be better received if it was marketed as a YA novel, the writing was a little clunky and I was missing the tension between Jake and Lily. I just didn't get why she was into him and there wasn't a lot going.on besides their past.

Thank you to netgalley for an eARC to review.

This is a book about second chances - the romance <i>is</> second chance, yes, but it's more than that. The main plot of this book is about the MC Lily having to do a do-over of her final semester of college 10 years after she graduated, so in essence - she gets a second set of skills to learn something she thought was impossible at her 32 years of age, a second shot at the very idea of expanding horizons though college studies, a second opportunity for making friends and being part of a friend group/team, a second chance to tell her life's story to the world (she's also an author, fyi). I found all these second opportunities and the way they played out and resolved to be empowering.

I do recommend reading the TWs for this one though - I went in knowing the TWs and I still got affected, probably because of the intense academic setting the book is in, something I absolutely relate to right now.
TWs - severe anxiety and panic attacks on page, high-functioning anxiety disorder, imposter syndrome, misogyny (and misogyny with racism against Asians), abandonment by a significant other, MC taking on the weight of her family's financial troubles at a young age

--- ty to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

The premise of this book was so intriguing. I don’t even know what I’d do if I found out I hadn’t actually graduated college. Reading Lily’s way of fixing this problem was interesting and insightful.

Overall, I liked this book especially because of the way it ended especially with Lily’s family dynamics and mental health struggles. The ending also gave greater insight into what had happened all those years ago (those details were not revealed at the beginning). Some of the writing explained and then re-explained things and sometimes that felt redundant.

It’s a good book with a good ending which is sometimes all I really want.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.