Review

Ultra-organised Emilie Hornby has the perfect plan for the perfect Valentine’s Day with her perfect boyfriend, Josh. But the universe has other ideas. First she has a fender bender with her handsome but surly lab partner Nick, who has the gall to pretend that he doesn’t even know her. Then her prestigious summer internship is ruined. And then she sees Josh kissing his ex-girlfriend… gah! Could this day be any worse? She flees to her grandmother’s for the night, avoiding her loving but aggressively divorced parents and their shiny new families. Tomorrow will be a better day.

But… it’s not. In fact, it’s the same day. Same fender-bender with Nick, same bad news, same cheating boyfriend… it’s the same. And the next, and the next, no matter how she tries to mix it up. Why is this happening to her? Could the universe be trying to send her a message to change her people-pleasing ways, or is this an opportunity to make her day truly perfect? What will it take to break out of this humiliating Valentine’s Day doom loop?

*

Well, I do like a good time loop narrative, and this one fits the bill. Apart from a short soggy spot in the middle where it got a bit too straight romance-y (I prefer my romance leavened with plenty of humour/action), this was a zippy, madcap romantic comedy. Huzzah! Main and supporting characters were both strong, with believable motivations, not too over-egged. I like this a lot better than the other Lynn Painter book I’ve read (Better than the Movies), in which the main character’s total cluelessness about obvious romantic dynamics annoyed the heck out of me.

We’re doing a brisk business in Lynn Painter at our library. Girls love her cute candy-coloured covers and contemporary PG romances. This is certainly one I can recommend with enthusiasm. And at 320 pp., it’s not putting anyone off with length. I read this in an audiobook/ebook combo – excellent audio narration, can recommend.

Year 7 & up.

> Click here for content info — spoilers, proceed at own risk!

A few f-words & other minor swears; a few kisses – passionate, but nothing to concern anybody; Emilie’s divorced parents bicker with each other in a way that negatively affects Emilie, who feels like they forget about her sometimes or she inconveniences them; Nick’s brother died young in a quad bike accident a year ago and Nick is grieving; some rebellious behaviour including taking a car without permission, speeding, ditching/wagging school, getting a tattoo and staying out late without notifying parents. Main romance is mlw; minor romances are mlw and mlm.

*

Painter, L. (2024). The do-over (J. Vilinsky, Narr.) [Audiobook]. Simon & Schuster Audio UK.

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