Member Reviews
Life got in the way and I could not finish the book. Thanks to the publishers for the chance to read the book.
I thought this was a really lovely novel about second chances and rediscovering yourself. The cast of characters was perfect. It was a story where the growth journey of the main character and the other relationships carried the story forward more than the romance.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy!
I enjoyed this one! I liked the parts about navigating dating apps because girl same! The writing was so fun and humorous! It mixed the romance and comedy very well.
The Do-Over by Suzanne Park is a delightful exploration of second chances and personal growth. The story follows Lily Lee as she discovers that she hasn't graduated from college, forcing her to return to campus ten years later, where she reconnects with her college boyfriend, Jake. The novel not only highlights the pressures faced by students, particularly in the Asian community, but also delves into themes of mental health and the importance of self-discovery. With its charming characters and heartfelt narrative, Park's writing resonates, making it a relatable and inspiring read.
2/5 Stars
This was not my favorite Suzanne Park book. I did not have a good time reading this. I wanted a fun Rom-Com and that is not what I got here. While I can appreciate where the author was going with this book ( I think), It's not the story I was hoping for. I was also not a fan of the romance that was involved in this book. Honestly, it just wasn't what I wanted it to be so I'm very disappointed.
I was into this book until the love interest became more prevalent. I didn't care about the relationship dynamic and it made me lose interest in the story.
DNF
At the beginning of The Do Over, Lily Lee believed that her dream job was seconds away from being handed to her. After all her hard work, everything was finally going her way. Instead of receiving the news that she had gotten the position though, she finds out that she never actually finished college and needs to go back if she has any chance of accomplishing any of her goals. This is the last thing she expected. She also didn't expect to run into her former college boyfriend on the campus where they fell in love.
In some ways having to return to college was one of Lily's worst nightmares. In other ways this was the perfect new adventure for her. It a complete moment of culture shock. Things were definitely not the same as they were the first time she was there! Yet, this gave her an opportunity to develop new connections with the other students. It is so heartwarming to read because it gave her the ability to grow as a character.
It really doesn't take long for Lily and Jake to refined their connection but there is still so much that needed to be worked out. This becomes especially complicated when Jake is actually the TA for one of her classes. Lily does not have it to appear like she is getting favored over her classmates. She also has this deep desire to prove her worth while working through her anxiety and on-going issues with her parents. Thankfully she is not alone as she is trying to figure all of this out. She has her hilarious best friend Mia and her roommate Beth to help her through everything. I loved how Mia wasn't afraid to call Jake out on how badly he had originally hurt Lily. She wasn't about to let her best friend go through that type of pain again!
The Do Over gives Lily the chance to figure out exactly what she has possibly missed out on. Going back to school forces her to reevaluate everything especially when her past is suddenly hitting her in the face. It really does become a full circle journey because she is forced to actually look at what she wanted to do professionally and personally. I really enjoyed the way that mental health, imposter syndrome, and immigrant family dynamics were handled in this book. I found them to be so well done and found that they helped create the foundation for the second chance romance. This foundation is so heartwarming and the perfect place for so many of the lessons presented in the story.
This is the first book I read from Suzanne Park. ‘The Do-Over’ is an interesting book of a women in her early 30s who finds out she didn’t actually graduate from college. She has the opportunity to reunite with her college sweet heart now that he is a graduate student at the same school. Lily and Jake’s story is sweet and I appreciated the openness that Lily expressed her complicated feelings around the entire situation.
"The Do-Over" by Suzanne Park is a refreshing and relatable contemporary romance that blends humor, heart, and self-discovery. From the moment I met protagonist Lexi Cho, a driven and determined woman navigating the ups and downs of corporate life, I was immediately drawn into her world. Park's writing is sharp and witty, capturing the nuances of modern dating and workplace dynamics with authenticity and humor. As Lexi embarks on a journey of self-discovery and second chances, I found myself cheering for her every step of the way. The chemistry between Lexi and her charming coworker, Evan, is electric, and their banter crackles with tension. Park expertly balances romance with themes of career ambition, family expectations, and the pursuit of happiness, creating a story that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. "The Do-Over" is a delightful read that will leave readers laughing, swooning, and ultimately, believing in the power of new beginnings. Whether you're a fan of romantic comedies or simply looking for a feel-good read, this book is sure to hit the spot. Park's storytelling is as addictive as it is relatable, and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
This one was cute. I wouldn't say it was overly memorable but I did enjoy it. You do have to suspend your belief just slightly because ... who just doesn't know that they never graduated from college, and when they go back to finish college, still isn't 100% on what classes are required to graduate this time. Again cute but not incredible, some plot holes but they can be ignored.
Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. My review has been added to storygraph, goodreads, amazon and instagram (@manymerrybooks).
It was a sweet second chance rom com novel. But you can’t really call it a rom com because it also focuses a lot on self learning and empowerment of self
The do-over is more than a second chance romance, it’s about a (forced) second shot at life. As Lilly is forced to return to her Alma Mater and finish out her senior year Again, she finds that not all is all it seems. As she starts to relive all her senior year challenges with new wisdom she realizes she has the power to truly make the most of not only the current situation but her life
Came into this one expecting romance or romcom, but it didn’t lead to that - it’s more self learning and empowerment of self than anything else. Getting a do over is a phenomenal feeling, being able to start something over and learn from past mistakes, but this do over was in relation to a degree and what Lily wants to do the rest of her life, along with Jake (who is meh), her love interest from before. Overall, a quick and easy read, but more women’s fiction than romcom; if you’re looking for romance - this one isn’t it! Thanks for the opportunity to read!
I really liked the premise of this book! Lily is a bestselling author of job related books, her next one will be How to Land the Perfect Job. When she gets a job at a big firm, the background check reveals that she’s a few credits short of her degree.
Lily goes back to school and goes through all the stereotypical things like frat parties, eating at the cafeteria etc. She’s shocked when she finds that one of her TAs is her old boyfriend. They reconnect but of course they’ve both changed. Can Lily get her credits as a student without losing the contract for her book? 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
I enjoyed this sweet romance about making amends and rediscovering your love for someone from the past. I particularly appreciated the way the author melded together the protagonist's self-confidence and success with her oh-too-common sense of imposter syndrome. It's a combination that a lot of readers will likely relate to, as they will relate to the pain of a confusing, unresolved romance of the past, the fear of facing past mistakes, and the anxiety of meeting new but seemingly insurmountable goals.
charming and entertaining read that reminds us that life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes, getting a chance to start over can lead to unexpected joy and personal growth. With humor and heart, Park takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and growth as Lily grapples with her past mistakes and strives to create a better future. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged throughout.
Lily Lee is on a short deadline to deliver her career advice book "How to Land the Perfect Job." No big deal, she is up for her dream job! When the dream job does a background check, however, everyone's nightmare comes true. She never really graduated from university, and she has to return to make up the credits.
This is not the most ideal situation, but can it get worse? Yeah. Her teaching assistant is her old college boyfriend, Jake Cho!
This book was an all new concept for me to read, so it made a romcom theme fresh and interesting from the beginning. I was happy we got some balance of a few flashbacks, because I was very intrigued by what went wrong between Jake and Lily all those years ago.
This book was written for you if:
1. You liked Loathe at First Sight
2. You are interested in reading about a Korean American woman struggling with self doubt that finds her HEA in self love and romance while also dealing with anxiety
3. You want a romcom balanced with the seriousness of mental health in the asian community
I tried to get into this book but found that I just wasn't connecting with the characters. The Do Over fell flat for me.
The premise was silly and this wasn't exactly a romance. I honestly couldn't get past the main characters negative self talk enough to root for her.
I was looking for more romance at the time I was reading and this didnt do much for me in that arena. this was more women's fiction and It just didnt click for me. It fell flat. I wanted a second chance type story. this didnt' deliver.