Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC. Thea Rogers, 32, has just become the youngest junior partner at her prestigious corporate law firm. She is elated as she lives for her job, but then an elderly, not very well-liked senior partner dies suddenly and everyone just attends his funeral out of duty. Even his wife and ex mistress seemed to despise him. Thea re-evaluates her life and finds that she has no relationships to speak of. Her parents and sister don't understand her job and the man in her life, Alasdair, is only a friend with benefits. So she impulsively jacks her job in and moves to Kent where her parents are, to make money flipping a property with Rebecca, the ex mistress who lives in her street and has a son called Rollo. They find an old water mill to renovate but there's a problem - the water mill is actually functional so a charity gets involved to make sure they don't dismantle it. They have help from Ben who sold them the mill and George from the charity. But then Alasdair contacts her again, and Thea is torn what to do, especially as the plans for the mill have just changed considerably. The plot is interesting, and I like the cover. I expected it to be predictable and it was but I surprised myself how much I enjoyed the story. This is light-hearted and extremely well-written, with well developed characters. I like a good renovation and people who change their lives. The book is full of heart and humour, and at the end everyone is happier.

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!

The Do-Over follows Thea Rogers, a driven corporate lawyer whose life has been defined by ambition. On track to become her firm’s youngest female partner, Thea seems to have achieved everything she’s ever worked for. Yet behind the veneer of success lies a life devoid of meaningful connections. Her only personal relationship is a long-standing friends-with-benefits arrangement with her colleague Alasdair, and she has sacrificed friendships, family ties, and personal fulfilment in her relentless pursuit of professional glory. When a senior partner unexpectedly passes away, Thea is jolted by the lack of genuine emotion at his funeral. This moment forces her to confront a deeply unsettling question: if she disappeared tomorrow, would anyone care? As Thea begins to re-evaluate her life choices, she faces a critical crossroads. Should she continue down the path she’s always known, or take a bold step towards something entirely different? What follows is a journey of self-reflection, growth, and reinvention as Thea seeks to fill the emotional void in her life. Along the way, she learns that change, while daunting, can also bring unexpected joy and fulfilment. This thought-provoking and uplifting novel delves into themes of ambition, identity, and the importance of human connection. Thea’s struggles are portrayed with raw honesty, making her journey deeply relatable to anyone who has ever questioned their priorities or felt trapped by their own choices. The story’s balance of poignancy and hope ensures an engaging and satisfying read. Perfect for fans of character-driven narratives, The Do-Over is an easy yet meaningful read. It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to reimagine your life and focus on what truly matters. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy stories of personal growth, second chances, and the courage it takes to start over. 3.5/5. Read more at The Secret Book Review.