Phoebe MacLeod's The Do-Over is a fun, light read that’s perfect for a lazy weekend, but it didn’t quite stand out for me. The story has some funny moments and likeable characters. While I enjoyed the humor and easy-going tone, the plot felt predictable and lacked depth. That said, it's an entertaining escape if you're in the mood for something light and breezy, even if it doesn't leave a lasting impression.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

This book presents an introspective journey of Thea Rogers, a corporate lawyer who has spent years climbing the career ladder at the expense of meaningful relationships and personal fulfillment. When a senior partner at her firm dies, Thea is struck by the emptiness of his life and begins to question her own. This realization pushes her to reassess her priorities and confront the fact that her career-driven success has left her disconnected from what truly matters.

Although the book is marketed as a romantic comedy, the romance element feels secondary to the deeper themes of personal growth and life choices. Thea's story is more about self-discovery than about romantic entanglements, which might surprise readers expecting a light-hearted rom-com. The bulk of the narrative focuses on Thea's process of rebuilding her life in a way that aligns with her newfound values, which is where the heart of the book lies.

While "The Do-Over" is an easy and enjoyable read, it doesn't quite reach the same charm as MacLeod’s other works. The romance seems somewhat forced, and for those expecting the usual romantic comedy formula, this book might feel like a departure. However, the exploration of life beyond career success, and the idea of getting a "do-over" in life, are relatable and offer a satisfying emotional journey.

Overall, it's a thought-provoking, uplifting story, albeit with a different tone from traditional rom-coms. Fans of MacLeod's work may find this one a bit harder to connect with, though the happy ending remains a reassuring feature.

Phoebe MacLeod created the most fun story with The Do-Over! I loved every page! It was darling! Just such a fun read. It would be a great book club pick.

1.5 stars ★

now.. i know that is a pretty nasty rating.. but i can explain (not really). i don’t exactly have problems</u> with this book, except, I can’t think of anything I enjoyed either. it’s a meh. </b>so this’ll be a pretty short review.

it was pretty easy to read, I flew through the pages despite not loving it. but it felt like not much actually happened? I don’t really recall any distinct plot points. and the romance.. very very minimal. this was advertised as a romcom😭😭 where was the rom? the com? I did nawt laugh once.

at the end, there was a sneak peak for book 2. and that seems more up my alley. im open to reading more of this author I think this just didn’t work out in particular. and tbh I went in expecting that bc the tropes were not my favs: friends with benefits, midlife crisis.. if that’s a trope. anything with lawyers, I just hate it all. perhaps if you enjoy reading about self-discovery and situationships you may love this and in that case I would recommend <3

thank you to boldwood books for kindly providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review!!

Page 96 'I'm turning into a bit of a domestic goddess, even though I say so myself.'

This book is so so similar to 'The Undomestic Goddess' by Sophie Kinsella. The main character - a young women with a workaholic lifestyle as a lawyer. She is casually dating another lawyer, doesn't know how to cook or clean. She doesn't see her family that often and has always wanted to be a lawyer. Then she realises she is burned out, quits her job and finds happiness with the simple things in life.

This is essentially the plot of both novels. There are some differences, but the essence of the story is the same.

I did quite enjoy this novel and the funny, engaging, entertaining and easy to read way it was written. But it bugs me how similar it is to a book that was published twenty years ago.

I feel like I can't accurately give this novel a star rating.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

This heartwarming novel invites readers on a journey of self-reflection and transformation through the eyes of Thea Rogers, a driven corporate lawyer who starts to question the very choices that once defined her. At the outset, Thea seems consumed by her career, an obsession that has left her disconnected from her family and the simple joys of life. Though she justifies these sacrifices by the prestigious career milestone she’s just achieved, it’s not long before reality sets in. Thea is forced to confront the emptiness that success has brought, realizing that the very path she’s spent her life pursuing has left her unfulfilled.

Thea’s internal struggle will resonate with anyone who has ever felt isolated or wondered whether they are truly on the right path. As she takes a bold leap to reimagine her future, the tone of the novel shifts from bleakness to hope, offering a reassuring message: it’s never too late to change direction.

This is an easy read, perfect for unwinding after a long day. I recommend it for readers who enjoy stories of personal growth, self-discovery, and the importance of appreciating what truly matters in life.

3 stars.

While I was head over heels in love with the FMC in the first half of the book, for some reason, the next half felt like a whole other story. The first half she was one character, then the second half she was another, and the transition was smooth. So it is very confusing. I did appreciate her changing pace and really trying to figure out what made her happy or what she wanted to do. However, the transition between the two didn't feel natural or fluid. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book though, so I'm giving it 3 stars for that.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Boldwood Books to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

ARC Review: The Do Over by Phoebe MacLeod

Phoebe MacLeod’s *The Do Over* is a compelling exploration of one woman’s journey to redefine success, love, and fulfillment. The novel draws readers into the world of Thea Rogers, a corporate lawyer who has spent years climbing the career ladder, only to find herself wondering if her accomplishments truly bring her joy.

When a senior partner at her firm dies and Thea attends his funeral, she’s hit with a wave of existential questions. **Has her work-focused life really been worth sacrificing everything else?** With a fast-track to becoming the youngest female partner at her firm and only one real connection with her friend-with-benefits, Alasdair, Thea starts to reconsider the things that truly matter.

The book beautifully navigates **the complexities of ambition versus personal happiness**. Thea is at a crossroads, and readers get to witness her inner struggles with vulnerability and personal reinvention. Is it possible to change the course of your life once you've spent years chasing a single goal? MacLeod creates a relatable, introspective protagonist in Thea, whose self-reflection and realizations will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost in the pursuit of success.

**Microtropes to savor**:
- **Career woman reassessing her life**: Thea’s realization that a high-powered career isn’t everything opens the door for self-discovery and new priorities.
- **Friends-to-lovers tension**: Her long-standing casual relationship with Alasdair adds a layer of complexity as she contemplates whether she’s been overlooking real love.
- **Mid-life reckoning**: Thea’s epiphany at a funeral leads her to question the choices she’s made and explore what it means to truly live a fulfilling life.
- **Second chances at happiness**: The overarching theme of the novel is about giving yourself permission to hit the reset button when life doesn’t feel quite right.
- **Found family and friendships**: Thea’s shift away from her isolated, work-centered life introduces her to new friendships and the importance of personal connections.

Thea’s character growth is thoughtfully written. MacLeod skillfully captures the essence of someone who has sacrificed relationships, friendships, and even their own happiness for the sake of career advancement. The novel doesn’t rush through her emotional evolution—it takes its time to show the complexities of **self-reinvention** and the difficulty of breaking long-held patterns.

Thea’s dynamic with Alasdair, in particular, is an interesting one. While their relationship starts as a casual, no-strings-attached arrangement, there’s a subtle tension that builds as Thea begins to desire more meaningful connections. Readers will be on the edge of their seats wondering if Thea will find what she’s looking for in Alasdair—or if the real answer lies elsewhere.

MacLeod’s writing is witty, sharp, and deeply introspective. The balance between humor and emotional depth gives the novel a light yet poignant tone, making it an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 stars)
Verdict*: *The Do Over* is a powerful story of self-discovery and personal growth. With relatable themes of reassessing life choices and searching for fulfillment beyond career success, Phoebe MacLeod delivers a heartwarming, thought-provoking novel that will inspire readers to reflect on their own paths and consider the importance of finding joy in the everyday moments.

The saddest thing about this book is that it is marked as romance and comedy. I wouldn't classify it as either of these things because while there are a few funny moments, this is not the tone of the story. The same applies to the romance. When a book is classified as romance, this is usually the main theme of the story. The romance is sadly lacking and does not makeup even a third of the story.

Now, I would say that the characters are well-developed, and much of the plot is engaging and has a great message that readers of contemporary fiction will enjoy. The main character is one that most of us can relate to.

Thea gets caught up in the rat race that is her professional life as a lawyer. She is focused on climbing the ladder only to find herself questioning her choices just when she is on the verge of achieving all that she has worked for. Thea is faced with some tough decisions, and she shows her resilience in how she deals with them.

There are some surprising dynamics to her character, too. These come out in the way she deals with conflicts with her neighbor.

I believe the climax came, however, and in the end, I was just not engaged.

Thea Rogers is a thirtysomething woman with an unquestionable career as a corporate lawyer. In the beginning, she's an ambitious content lawyer, until somebody of her partner's seniority dies. She attends his nearly uninhabited funeral, where she realizes that the relationship she has always craved has always amounted to nothing but wishful thinking. In this moment she thinks long and hard about her choices.

Now, Thea faces a pivotal decision: Should she keep moving in this direction, or head down the other which focuses on care and connection?

Essentially, this book is about the struggle between giving up personal happiness for a professional purpose and keeping to one’s happiness while that may mean giving up career achievements.

Overall, this is a fun, exceptionally well–crafted tale with some nice fleshed-out characters.

This book is one of those light-hearted ones that doesn't require you to think. I consider this to be a good palate cleanser between heavy reads. The premise and characters were great plus I laughed quite a bit. The overall writing is a little flat but it's still a cute story.

The Do-Over is a light, fun read about a woman who becomes disillusioned with her high-powered, all-encompassing career as a lawyer. She chucks it all in and embarks on a scheme to flip houses with her next-door neighbor/enemy turned best friend.

This is one of those books where it's best to just enjoy the ride and not think too deeply about the logistics. Everything will magically work out and everyone will live happily ever after and no one will face any real struggles or conflicts. Reality, it's not. But it is fun and fluffy and a nice escape from the real world!

One note - the book is billed as romantic comedy and... it's not. There is a romance, kind of shoe-horned in, but the vast majority of the book is about figuring out what matters and building a life you enjoy, not just one you succeed at on paper.

Thea is the youngest female partner at her law firm when a senior partner unexpectedly passes away. She makes friends with Rebecca, her neighbor and his former mistress, and decides to leave law and start something new. While there is romance woven in, this is mostly a women’s fiction type book of self discovery!

Macleod is an author I have dipped in and out of but I’ve always really enjoyed her books. At the beginning I thought the story was going to go one way and then it took a really unexpected turn (in a good way!)

I learnt a lot more about mills than I thought I ever would plus I loved the strong friendship story line with some romance thrown in.

This is a great escapist read

What a fun book! The first half of this had me laughing out loud, reading bits to my partner, and begging him to get me a PA like Janice! It was absolutely hysterical. The second half is a total change (no spoiler, it's called The Do-Over) and I loved the character development. The friendship that formed between Thea and Rebecca was very realistic and sweet. The unexpected HEA had me smiling at the end. A one-day read that will stay with me for a while.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an ebook copy ARC of this book hoping for a feel-good romantic comedy, and while it delivered on some fronts, it fell a little short for me in some aspects.

The premise is cute after a breakup, protagonist Bella decides to reinvent herself by leaving her old life behind and starting fresh. I enjoyed watching her navigate this new chapter, and the humor throughout the book definitely kept it light and entertaining! The secondary characters added some fun dynamics, and there were moments of charm that had me smiling.

However, while the book is an easy read, the romance felt somewhat rushed, and I would have liked more development between the main characters to make their connection feel more authentic. I loved the characters she ended up with but I wish we would have gotten to see them together more!

Overall, if you’re looking for something light and quick you should definitely give it a read!

Thank you Netgalley for the arc in exchange for the honest review!!

A wonderfully written slice of life. If you love slow burn, impulsive decisions, and romantic surprises at the end, then this book is for you! I got a lot of enjoyment out of not knowing who the love interest was, so for that reason I'm going to keep my mouth shut hehe.

Going into this, I thought I wouldn't like it. I was soo wrong. I honestly love the characters so much it's not even funny. Phoebe MacLead had me so hooked on every single word that I didn't even realize half the book had gone by! The way the reader gets to know Thea is done so well, I truly felt like I understood the main character. It's not just about romance, but about a woman figuring out her life and the friendships made along the way. If I had any gripes about this book, it was that the romance was more of a subplot than I was expecting, but I wasn't disappointed! The ending was a pleasant surprise.

Special note: A lot of care, research, and time went into writing the world of law and watermills! I always love and respect when you can clearly tell an author has taken a lot of effort to learn about the things they write about.

I'm always curious how long it takes people to read books, so for any curious readers like me, it took me a little over 4 hours to read this one. A big thank you to Phoebe MacLead and Boldwood books for this arc in exchange for an honest review. <3

I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but then it kept dragging on and it fell a little flat for me. I liked the MC though. I could really relate to her.

Sometimes, being the best at what you do, isn’t that important. Thea Rogers embarks on the road to self-discovery after becoming a bigshot lawyer who has dedicated her life to climbing the corporate ladder. It isn’t until she attends the funeral of a colleague that she reflects on the life that she’s made for herself and wonders, is it all worth it?

Being made partner at a prestigious London firm is what she thought she wanted, but at what cost is it when her only relationships consist of irregular phone calls to her family, a friends-with-benefits situation with a colleague and the occasional disagreement with a neighbor over a parking space.

The first half of this book was inspiring. Following Thea on her journey of becoming the youngest, female partner at her firm had boss lady written all over it. Even during her epiphany, MacLeod’s writing style had you feeling like the main character’s personal cheerleader. Especially as she comes to realise that there are things more important than your career.

The forming of friendships and the drastic changes Thea makes, felt natural and progressive in a way that wasn’t rushed, yet felt necessary. The way the book is written allows it to be a fast-paced, page-turner without the usual complications.

However, as Thea’s story develops into the second half of her journey, it almost feels like I’m reading a different book. I loved the premise of Thea and her new friend Rebecca going all in on a new, yet risky adventure and how Thea’s perception is altered along the way but...

From the get-go, nothing about this book felt romance related. I thought it was more along the lines of female empowerment and self-development. So I was a bit confused as to why a potential love-interest was thrown in three-quarters of the way through, how Thea immediately changes her opinion of him and then how the reappearance of a character from the start of the book becomes her ‘happy ending’. It felt rushed, and confusing. And, completely unneccesary.

I enjoyed Thea’s storyline. Everything apart from her love-life felt important and inspiring. Developing friendships and reconnecting with family, discovering yourself and pursuing what’s important to you rather than expectations was what I took away from this book. Not everything has to be a romance, but it felt that the pressure of that led a halfhearted storyline to be chucked in halfway through.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed The Do-Over and read it in one sitting! If you’re looking to feel inspired and want encouragement to make a drastic change to your life, Thea’s story will surely motivate you!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thea is an ambitious lawyer who becomes a partner at her firm, only to find herself questioning her passion for winning cases and solving problems.

After a rocky start, she befriends her neighbor, Rebecca, and they decide to sell their houses. On a whim, they decide to invest in a property to flip, inspired by their favorite TV show. However, things quickly spiral out of control. Will Thea weather the storm, or will she retreat to her old life?

I had high hopes for this novel, but it ultimately fell flat. The character development felt uneven, with some aspects overdone. The first half drags while setting up the premise, with little real action. The final 20% feels rushed, addressing plot points that were largely ignored until the last few chapters.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for honest feedback.

Rating: 2.7/5 rounded to 3.