3.5 ⭐

When i startet it i was afraid i wasn't going to like it because of the prologue that gave me a lot of info at once and i wasn't sure i was going to like McKenna. But after i got to a certain point at the beginning of the book i realized i was wrong and was enjoying a lot! I liked the family dynamics, McKenna's development and the romance was really cute with one of my favorite tropes.

What i didn't like was the start of the romance. I think it was happening a little too fast even though i cant really call it a instalove because it was just an attraction/crush and they did know each other from before, she was still already embarrassing herself after the first day (and getting second hand embarrassment from books is kind of a torture for me but thats personal). Other thing that bothered me it was that the book dragged a little bit at the end.

Overall the book is a light and fun read and this is exactly what i wanted.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are completely my own.

This is a fun story with a messy but intriguing leading lady and a lonely and perceptive main man. Bethany Turner weaves a wonderful tale with realistic characters at an age your don't normally read about in romance. I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a slightly older heroine trying to make her way. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was an adorable second chance romance that had so many other sub-tropes I love; it was the perfect combination of rivals to lovers mixed with friends to lovers, mixed with a bit of a nerdy glow up / success story and I absolutely loved it. While I don’t typically like cynical heroines, McKenna was quirky, driven and funny, and her realization that wanting love didn’t make her weak worked for me. Henry was a dream; there are few things better than a kind hearted confident nerd whose had a glow up and is now on friendly terms with Will and Kate. While I am not normally a fan of a mild romance with a slow burn, for this story, it worked, and I loved how the relationship between McKenna and Henry blossomed. I also loved how this was more than just a love story; the supporting characters were strong (I loved the Keaton Clan and how at times it had hints of a family saga), the heroine had moments of self-realization and true redemption, and I loved the supporting plot of the families genealogical history as well as the the pop culture references and how New York City was a character itself.

I am so glad I picked this up. The heart warming HEA love story was exactly what I needed. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quirky, slow burn second romance with a very mild amount of spice / steam! And while this book definitely isn’t a seasonal read, honestly, the family centred story definitely gave me holiday season vibes!! ♥️

⭐ 2.5

Occasionally cute and charming, but also lacking in many aspects. I liked the premise of this book and I liked Henry. But there were many things I thought could have been better. And I really didn’t like McKenna.

If you want to see my more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.

A huge thank you to Thomas Nelson-Fiction and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Do-Over by Bethany Turner in exchange for an honest review.

BLURB:
Sometimes dreams come true. Other times, the best outcome begins with an epic fail. McKenna Keaton is back home in NC for what her family thinks is her sister’s pre-wedding activities. What she doesn’t tell them is she in on leave from her job at the law firm in NYC after being accused of embezzling over $300,000.
While home, she runs into Henry Blumenthal, now Hank Blume, who has had a major glow-up since HS and is now an acclaimed documentarian. Oh, and even better? He had a major crush on McKenna in high school.
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I could definitely relate to McKenna during the book at times as a type-A person who thought they had all of their goals set - and has had to make adjustments along the way. The build-up to McKenna and Hank was a little slow, but once I got ~35% into the book I had a hard time putting it down. I also liked the exploration of McKenna’s family relationships, especially with her sisters. Romance wasn’t the only focus. 💕
I recommend this book if you enjoy a romance coupled with figuring-out-your-future and repairing relationships with family members, too.
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I was provided a free advanced reader copy of the book. Thank you @netgalley, @thomasnelson and Bethany Turner! I am voluntarily leaving a review.

An author who can bring snarky fun dialogue, quirky nerdy relationships, captivating historical adventures, a bit of legal injustice, AND sweet romance, all together into one story, IS PHENOMENAL to me!
And that author IS . . . Bethany Turner!
This story has it all, and I couldn’t stop reading it because I got so wrapped up in the lives of McKenna and Henry.
It was entertaining to read about their nerdy high school years, and the passion they had for following their dreams. It was also heartwarming to read about the family dynamics and all the pains that come from siblings and misunderstandings.
I love how the author includes SO many familiar movies, actors, and songs. It brings the story to life in a fun and charming way.
Bethany Turner has a very fascinating way of writing! The voices of each character are delightful and intriguing. She also threw in some twists I didn’t see coming.
This book is full of humor, drama, and awkwardness, as well as a sweet romance.
It could make you laugh out loud. I found myself having to try and be quiet while reading it late at night, so I wouldn't wake my husband. There are also many tender moments between all the characters. There was one part I could just hear sweet romantic music playing and envision the scene in my head of the two characters. A real Hallmark moment!
I loved this story and will recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants a fun book to read.
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This could not be any more adorable and I loved it!

McKenna thinks she's getting a promotion but her life is thrown in chaos when she's accused of embezzlement. She goes home from NY to NC under the excuse of going to her younger sister's engagement party when she's actually forced to take a leave of absence.

Being back in her hometown with her family awakens a whole new set of feelings, especially when she reconnects with an old friend from high school who's now famous.

The slow burn reawakening of McKenna and Henry's former/not-so-former crushes on each other was simply delicious and a treat to read.

McKenna's family and the other secondary characters were perfectly complimentary, and the mystery of who the real criminal is added to the story's appeal.

The ending was so, so cute!

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. At first I was honestly a bit bored and considering DNFing, but then Henry showed up and he (after a slightly rough start that had a reasonable explanation) was pretty wonderful and I found myself enjoying the story for a little bit. But then things went awry again and I was back to were I started. It did end on a good note though which was something. So yeah, mixed feelings is the best I can give you.
McKenna was a bit of a hard heroine to get behind, at almost 40 years old she had ignored basically all forms of relationship, family, friends, romance, for the sake of her job. And only when that job was threatened did she seem to have any care for her family. She had a very me-focused outlook, from resenting her sister for being born and ruining the life she was living, to always choosing work over family. And that made her hard to like honestly. Then she went from the “I’m happy with my life and don’t need a man” mentality to basically acting like a middle schooler with a crush when Henry entered the scene which made me eye roll all over the place. And to top it all off the excessive lying/half truths she told to everyone except one sister really got on my nerves. Especially since I didn’t understand why she felt like she had to lie since she knew she was being wrongly accused. So yeah, I wasn’t a big McKenna fan but I definitely was a Henry fan. I always love a quiet hero and Henry was that but it was mixed with a confidence in who he was and his abilities that was honestly attractive. I think he could have done better than McKenna but he was smitten and there was no changing his mind.
I did want more from the romance side of things, it felt like there was a heavy reliance on their high school friendship and they only had a handful of moments together before there was making out and thoughts of being in love. They had some great scenes together and I wish we could have had more of that and less of McKenna’s existential crisis. In the end it felt more like women’s lit with some romance thrown in than the rom-com I was expecting.
A lot of the issues I had may just be my issues and Henry definitely helps cover any faults so this could still be the book for you, it just wasn’t really for me.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Thomas Nelson—FICTION, Thomas Nelson and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Quaint, cute, whimsical, lovely novel for fan of “chick-lit”, romance, humor or a good read.

I have read all of Bethany Turner's Rom Coms and without a doubt, I think this one is her best.

The character development was extremely satisfying and the story so vivid, it was like watching a movie unfold in my head, but better because I could read McKenna's mind (well, read her point of view, the same thing).

As always, I cleared my schedule and read this book from cover to cover. What a delight. Honestly, Bethany Turner just keeps getting better and better and she has really leaned into her voice in this one. And it's magnificent. Loved it! Preorder it now, like RIGHT NOW!

I received a copy on Net Galley and my opinion is my own

The Do-Over was an easy to read enjoyable novel. The family portrayed in this novel is relatable to readers and creates a fun, loving environment to connect. The love story of McKenna and Henry is front and center, but the surprise background story of a family legacy is charming.

The book follows two high school friends that reconnect after an upsetting event in one of their lives returns one of them to their family. These main characters lead a rather fast paced, dream filled life, where their jobs are most important things in their lives. The are forced to come face to face with the idea that their jobs may not be all that is important and that dreams can change as you grow older.

For a novel that is both enjoyable and quick, this would be a great book to read. It is a simple love story that will leave you wanting to see how it will end.

BOOK BY: Bethany Turner
Another enjoyable sweet romance by Bethany Turner!
This friends to something more romance gives readers a sweet stroll through New York city and a drive through memory lane in Durham, NC.
McKenna Keaton was planning on becoming senior partner in her prestigious NYC law firm, until a shocking accusation leaves her jobless and on a flight home to Durham NC. Henry Blumenthal, now Hank Blume, was a high school nerd who no one paid attention to, until now. A successful documentarian, Hank and McKenna are the unlikeliest of couples.
As always, Bethany Turner delivers a rom-com filled with pop references, passionate kisses, and flawed characters. There are delightful moments of tension, and head-smacking moments where I wanted to knock McKenna on the side of the head for her irrational behaviour. Bethany Turner created a swoon-worthy hero in the nerd-turned-magazine-worthy-model Hank Blume, who happens to be the kindest and most considerate man in McKenna’s life.
Insecure heroine who avoids telling the truth. Yup, that’s McKenna. And this trait gets her into more hot water than her insecurities are worth.
A fun read, any time of the year.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through Net Galley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Everything goes wrong when McKenner is accused of embezzlement. For such a prominent opener, I found a little too much contemplation happening for my liking. This is the definition of a slow burn romance. It's not that I don't enjoy slow-burn romances, but the pacing of this book felt so slow for me. I wanted to know what happened, and I enjoyed the 'big bad' of the book, but it seemed to lose momentum too early, and it just petered out.
I found McKenner to be very unlikable. I think that made the romance component to be unlikely. Each to their own but I didn't get why Henry liked her. Was it because, in his mind, she was playing hard to get. I would have enjoyed her standing up for herself and allowing herself to be single. I loved how she talked about her family placing pressure on her to find someone. I wish she would continue this and say she didn't need a man.

McKenna Keaton has always had a plan. On track to make senior partner before shes 40 her plans go awry when she’s accused of a terrible thing at work. Reeling she flees home to Durham, NC to be with the family she hasn’t seen in 3 years.

Henry, now Hank, considers Durham his home base when he’s not traveling around the world making award winning documentaries. He also happens to be a high school friend of McKenna’s who harbored a major crush on her before moving away in their senior year.

McKenna and Henry’s story was beautiful. I loved watching McKenna evolve emotionally and everyone deserves a supportive friend/partner like Henry. This is the first book in a long time that moved me to tears. Highly highly recommended

This was a beautiful easy read that gives all those feels your hoping to get with these type of books. I really liked the characters and enjoyed their stories

The Do-Over is a sweet tale of finding oneself and coming to term with the reality of your childhood dreams. I really enjoyed all of the characters and found that this book was an easy, stress-free read. If anything, there were a few too many subplots thrown in that took away from the main stories of work and romance.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Wow, a March 2022 release and I’ve read it already. Was in the mood for a romance.

McKenna Keaton is the middle high achieving child. Shes been living kn New York and working as a lawyer, tracking for senior partner - a far cry from her small town roots. She wanted so badly to succeed ever since her parents lived in New York briefly chasing her mothers acting dreams, which went down the gurgled when she had daughter number 3 Taylor. McKenna goes for an interview which she thinks is for senior partner when in fact she’s interviewed about embezzling the firm she works for for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Stood down (it’s all a mistake so this lawyer is going to trust it will turn out) McKenna heads home to her parents - they live in close proximity to Erica her older sister and Taylor who also happens to be getting married. When she goes home Erica’s husband Jared takes her to a presentation by a famous documentary maker, whose work she loves, but it turns out to be their old school friend, Henry who Jared has stayed in contact with all these years. .

What follows is McKenna bumbling along - a seemingly smart women all at sea because she doesn’t know what she’s doing with her life. She resents her disconnect from family and blames Taylor. You see McKenna slowly warm to Taylor who desperately wants her approval and friendship. McKenna also learns more about her parent’s relationship and their individual ideas if happiness. This is amongst the awkward tension she and Henry feel when they are together. It’s as much Henry as it is her, and neither quite know what to do with it.

The Do-over was a heartwarming read, that includes a lovely story about McKenna’s family history as part of one of Henry’s documentaries. Henry wasn’t swoonworthy per se, but you could see the boy in the man, and his boyhood- manhood crush being realised. At times it was just too much for him. McKenna was on a real journey of self-exploration and her concept of identity being so closely connected with her work.

I enjoyed this one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well paced and the characters were fully formed. I would enjoy reading other work by this author in the future.

#thedoover #netgalley

This was a cute romance, with sweet characters and a great storyline. I enjoyed reading it.

Self growth- friendship- family drama with sweet not enemies but teenage rivalries to lovers troupe: easy to read and enjoy combination- highly recommended for rainy days who needs urgent support of feel good and pocketful of sunshine kind of heartwarming reading journey!

After my way too much wordy opening, I’d like to introduce the main characters and plot of the story to discuss what I truly like about this book and what parts held me back to give more stars:

McKenna in 38, an ambitious senior partner of high-end law firm, working so hard to climb corporate ladders. Her mapped out future plans are derailed by accusations about embezzling 300K! Oops! Now she’s suspended and she decides to go back to North Carolina to spend time with her family till the conclusion of investigation process!

Of course she’s too embarrassed to come clean the main reason of her sudden visit. Only her older sister knows why she returned back.

She doesn’t only reconnect with her family, at first night she bumps into her old high school rival Henry who turns out as a successful documentary maker. Henry had a huge crush on her during the school years and now it’s obvious old flames are about to rekindle!

I mostly enjoy the personal growth and family reunion parts of the book. Romance parts were a little rushed and instant. I didn’t get impressed or wasn’t blown away by the high chemistry of the main couple. McKenna ruined their connection by keeping secrets and of course the revelations about sub-plot: embezzlement are semi satisfying and rushed just like the romance parts!

But this was still emotional, sweet contemporary, family, self discovery read. So I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 dysfunctional family, second chances, motivational stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson-Fiction for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.