At just eight years old, Thea vowed to be the best at everything after her father abandoned the family, leaving them struggling. Years later, she achieves professional success as the youngest partner at her law firm, only to realize that her relentless pursuit of financial security has come at a cost—she has no personal life, no joy, and no real passion for her work anymore.

After botching a major deal, Thea is fired and placed under a nine-month no-contact rule. With no idea what to do next, she teams up with her neighbor Rebecca and her son Rollo to renovate and flip a house in the countryside. This drastic shift comes with unexpected challenges, but for the first time in years, Thea finds fulfillment in something beyond her career.

As the nine months come to an end, her former colleague, friend, and sometimes-lover, Alasdair, re-enters her life. While rekindling their bond, Thea must navigate the balance between her newfound appreciation for a simpler, more meaningful existence and the high-powered legal world she left behind. Ultimately, she and Alasdair find a way to be together without compromising their individual dreams—she embraces farm life, and he continues his law career, proving that love doesn’t require sacrificing happiness.

This was a very entertaining read! Thank you to NetGalley for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was OK. I did like Thea as a character and she developed well during the story. However, this is marketed as a romance and it felt like it was secondary to the plot. The main part of the romance too place towards the end and I personally felt like it was rushed and conveniently wrapped up. I definitely feel like the romance element needed to be a much larger part of the plot.

Thea thought she knew what she wanted since she was a young girl, until she didn't. High powered attorney turned house flipper to something of a farm girl...maybe she didn't know herself but only what she thought she was good at.
There is something to this story but there were aspects that kept throwing me off. The timeline jumps were sporadic in length - sometimes there were just be a day jump but other times there were weeks and I couldn't help but feel like I was missing something sometimes. Also, I kept getting whiplash from her understanding of her relationships and whether they were friend or foe. She goes from shamelessly fighting a neighbor over a non-assigned parking spot to making life altering decisions with them.
This was very clearly a story about finding your way and traversing all of the bumps along the way. And I think it's safe to say that the writing following this same course. I admire Thea's determination and head for business but it wasn't always easy to keep up.

Book Review: The Things That Matter by Phoebe MacLeod

In The Things That Matter, Phoebe MacLeod brings us a refreshing romantic comedy that tackles the age-old question: what really matters in life? Thea Rogers, a dedicated corporate lawyer, has spent years climbing the ladder, pushing away friendships, and putting romance on the backburner—all in the name of career success. But when a senior partner's unexpected death forces her to confront her life choices, Thea finds herself questioning whether the success she's worked so hard for is truly fulfilling.

MacLeod’s writing shines in this novel, capturing the internal struggle that many people face when they wonder if their life path is truly their own. Thea, with her sharp legal mind and determined nature, is a relatable character, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she tries to reassess everything she thought she knew about happiness and success. The book expertly explores themes of self-discovery, career vs. personal life balance, and the importance of building meaningful relationships—both romantic and platonic.

The romantic angle between Thea and Alasdair, her colleague and long-time friend-with-benefits, adds a charming complexity to the story. The slow-burn tension between them is delightful, and their relationship evolves in a way that feels authentic and heartwarming. It’s not just about Thea’s career or romantic interests; it’s about finding fulfillment and realizing that personal connections might just be what she’s been missing all along.

The book also offers a wonderful secondary plotline about Thea's exploration of friendship, which brings even more depth to the story. MacLeod’s knack for character development is evident, creating a world where the characters feel incredibly real, messy, and complex—just like real life. This balance of humor, self-reflection, and romance makes the novel both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

Fans of rom-coms with a good dose of heart will find The Things That Matter to be an utterly charming read. Phoebe MacLeod has crafted a light, feel-good novel that’s more than just a romance; it’s about understanding what truly matters in life—and learning that it’s never too late to make a change. With witty dialogue, lovable characters, and a satisfying journey of self-discovery, this book is bound to leave you smiling and contemplating your own priorities.

Rating: 4.5/5
A delightful, heartwarming rom-com that’s perfect for anyone looking for a story about second chances, love, and finding happiness on your own terms. Phoebe MacLeod does not disappoint!

“The Do-Over” tackles ambition, burnout, and finding your own way, making it feel like a personal story that everyone can connect with.

It follows Thea Rogers, a young lawyer working at a cut-throat London firm. Deeply devoted to her career, Thea is distant from her family and friends, relying only on surface-level work relationships, including a no-strings arrangement with her colleague Alasdair. When the unexpected death of a senior partner forces Thea to confront the emptiness of her own life, she embarks on a journey of introspection, exploring new possibilities and relationships that push her beyond her comfort zone.

MacLeod’s portrayal of Thea’s existential crisis is both relatable and thought-provoking. Basically, the story’s about finding your purpose. It makes you wonder: is being successful worth cutting ties with the people you care about? Thea’s a tough cookie at first, but as she starts to question her choices, she becomes more relatable and you understand her better. It’s got everything – humor, thought-provoking moments, and stuff that’ll tug at your heartstrings.

The supporting characters, particularly Alasdair, who adds charm and complexity to the story. His interactions with Thea provide some of the novel’s most compelling moments, and his presence elevates the book as a whole. While the romance element is subtle, Alasdair’s role helps underscore Thea’s personal growth.

“The Do-Over” is about taking a risk and seeing what happens when you change your whole life plan. It captures the idea of stepping off the treadmill of professional burnout to discover what truly makes life meaningful.

Thea worked so, so hard to become a successful corporate lawyer - then she starts to question what her impact really is.. She starts to think that there's more to life than work. I thought that there would be more romance - but I did LOVE that she ends up finding herself and her new female friend than anything.
Enjoyable - it felt like a Sophie Kinsella book!

From the author of romantic comedies which does not disappoint, comes the story of Thea, successful corporate lawyer on the way to becoming partner. When a colleague dies she reflects on her won life and what is important to her, she needs to make some changes. Self discovery and personal growth are the mail issues of the book, I really enjoyed Thea’s story.

The Do-Over follows Thea, a dedicated lawyer with little life outside work - a few dutiful calls to family and a friends-with-benefits situation with her colleague, Alasdair - but she's determined to become the firm's youngest ever female partner. When a disliked senior partner dies, this prompts Thea to question her life, what she actually wants, and why exactly she is working so hard? As this ruminates, she finds herself losing her drive and, ultimately, her job, but gains a fresh start to live a life she wants, full of people and things that matter.

This started as relatable, with a clear narrative. Thea is ambitious, but doesn't know what to do with herself whenever she's off work, preferring to work late and practically live at the office. With death comes reflection, and I understand how that began to eat away at her. Thea's career questioning was particularly apt for me, though I have been questioning why I killed myself working so hard when it only harmed me for several years.

<I>"I've tried to summon the enthusiasm that I used to feel, it's just not there. In fact, I feel more and more like someone who's trapped on a train that's going in the wrong direction, and there's no sign of a station where I can get off and change tracks"</I> and <I>"I'm not hungry anymore. I'm tired, fed up, and losing interest"</I> really encapsulate the despair of realising your life is just happening to you. When you've dove headfirst onto the conveyor belt, striving for a goal you think you want, and something causes you to question that? The glass has shattered, and now you're looking for a way out, for someone to save you, for a break. You can't un-break the glass, but now you have to figure out how you sweep it up and how you fix what was broken. Or you live with a draft and glass in your feet.

<I>"What on Earth am I going to do with the rest of my life?"</I>

Unfortunately, I feel that Thea hopped off of one career conveyor belt only to get straight onto another. Much of her life still doesn't seem to be hers, more going along with things because it's easier. She does show some resistance when things spiral outside of what she signed up for, but she still relents and dives into that situation head first. Even the romance seemed to happen to her. She fancies the one viable man she meets, who everyone tells her isn't enough for her, but he's there and I guess he's hot so that's 'what she wants'. Then, when a man she hasn't spoken to for several months and didn't really think of that much shows that he loves her, she jumps into that instead. I would've preferred no romance at all than this, as it was lacklustre, without build up, and just sort of happened. I highly doubt they will last long term, and I know first hand that you can't just make yourself love someone back. Frankly, I was hoping she would have a romance with her friend as they had a much better relationship (and were mistaken as a couple), but alas it stays straight. Even trying out a couple of things before finding the right thing would've demonstrated that she had more agency and was genuinely trying to figure out what she wanted. I hope my interpretation is wrong, and that Thea is and will continue to be genuinely happy with her 'choices', but I feel that the self-reflection stagnated and she was just floundering for something to do and for someone to love. I don't think she actually figured out what she wanted. But then, neither have I.

This was an easy read, and perhaps I'm conflating it with my own experiences, but I wish this was more of an exploration. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I wish I liked this more than I did. While I think Thea’s character was fairly developed, I wish Alasdair had been given more time and development. He felt pretty one-dimensional. I think this reads more as a literary fiction as Thea grows and discovers her new paths than as a romance. I just wish it had more romance to it because that’s what I was expecting when I picked it up.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

Pitched as a romantic comedy, The Do-Over is definitely not, but in a good way – there is a dry humour to the prose and the story is definitely better for not being laugh-out-loud. This is a story that follows career-obsessed Thea who, after a co-worker dies unexpectedly, realises that she’s very little life outside of work.

I’ve read Phoebe MacLeod before and knew not to expect a lot of romance. Her books ought to be pitched as women’s fiction. This isn’t a dig as they are really good women’s fiction, but it remains a little disappointing to read something labelled as romantic comedy when it isn’t. However, this is on the publisher and not the author.

Who writes a fabulous mid-life crisis here, with Thea undergoing a change in how she approaches life. There is a love triangle, so be warned if that isn’t your thing. Thea having a string-free relationship makes sense in terms of her emotional background and development, but I am aware two love interests can be a no-no.

Neither love interest gets much page time, to be honest, with Thea getting the lion’s share and side characters moving the plot along. They are also where most of the story’s humour comes from. This makes the story more fun, but was still a struggle at times and I’m not sure I can pin down why. The prose is good, the characters are likeable, but there’s just something missing. Perhaps the comedy in the muddle that Thea’s life becomes? It’s not quite as light-hearted as I’d have liked, which is why I’ve given it four stars.

I absolutely loved this book. It was a funny and cute romcom that I would read again. Phoebe MacLeod did an amazing job with the characters and story line. I was hooked from the beginning, and I couldn't put it down. I definitely recommend this book to the romance readers out there. You won't be disappointed. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC, Boldwood Books, and Phoebe MacLeod

Unfortunately this one didn’t do it for me.

I get what Macleod was going for, with Thea quitting her high rise job and becoming a better person in the process, but it just didn’t hit the stop I needed or wanted it to.

In The Do-Over, Thea Rogers appears to have it all—London’s youngest female partner at a prestigious law firm. But when success leaves her feeling empty, a wake-up call sends her spiraling into a bold reinvention of her life. This heartwarming story of self-discovery is packed with charm, wit, and a sprinkle of romance that focuses on personal growth over grand gestures.

Thea is a powerhouse protagonist whose determination and wit shine as she trades corporate boardrooms for small-town entrepreneurship. Her journey is inspiring, especially as she builds a new path on her terms. The romance—while subtle—features a love interest who earns her affection, flipping typical genre expectations.

Though some plot points wrap up conveniently, The Do-Over more than makes up for it with humor, heart, and relatable life lessons. Perfect for fans of empowering, feel-good reads about finding happiness where you least expect it.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

In Phoebe MacLeod’s latest rom-com, readers follow hotshot corporate lawyer Thea Rogers as she prepares to become the firm’s youngest female partner (having forgone all relationships except the one with her coworker and friend-with-benefits Alastair), but she does not feel excited. When a senior partner dies unexpectedly, the funeral reveals some uncomfortable truths and her life choices make less sense. Forced to make a decision regarding her career, Thea must decide if she wants to live a life that matters or keep climbing the corporate ladder, but even her life and its positive changes feel incomplete. As readers follow her on this crazy lifestyle change, they will relate to similar thoughts and struggles with settling into the workplace (if not necessarily the crazy corporate law system Thea loves so much). Thea is a complex and interesting protagonist, and her isolation save for professional relationships really adds to the internal struggles she deals with in this novel, which are really intriguing to uncover and follow. As for her dynamics with other characters as they appear in the novel, MacLeod does a brilliant job adding new faces and using them to further Thea’s storyline and contrast with her professional and personal mindsets as this well-written and emotionally complex novel progresses.

a sweet and fun book

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this work!

This was such a lovely book. I really enjoyed following Thea’s journey throughout the novel and felt so happy for her by the end. I thought it was lovely to have romance as a sort of side plot rather than the main focus and it was wonderful to see Thea rebuild a life for herself that she was happy with. There were many ‘Yes Thea!!’ moments throughout the book and I was inspired by her strength and determination and certainty. Such a lovely story filled with so many loveable characters. Some parts did seem a little far fetched however on the world of literacy anything can happen so it didn’t bother me too much!!

Funny, thought-provoking and feel-good, The Do-Over is an uplifting romantic comedy by Phoebe Macleod readers will love.

Thea’s life revolves around corporate law. She has put plenty of blood, sweat and tears into her career and made sacrifice after sacrifice for the sake of her job. Having eschewed relationships and friendships – except for colleague and frequent bedfellow Alasdair – nobody is going to distract Thea from her goal to become the firm’s youngest ever partner. Thea thought that she was perfectly happy with her life – until a senior partner dies unexpectedly and she takes a long hard look at the people who have shown up for the funeral and realises that they are all there out of obligation. If Thea continues on this path, will this be her future? If she were to suddenly disappear off the face of the earth, would anyone miss her or care?

Having come to a crossroads in her life, Thea decides to take stock of where her future is going. Does she want to keep sacrificing her personal life because of her job? Are her career goals going to end up costing her dear? Or might she find a way to have the best of both worlds? As she begins to make changes and starts taking time to smell the roses, will Thea find the joy that has thus far eluded her? Or is she overlooking something – and someone – who could make her truly happy?

Deliciously readable, wonderfully emotional and absolutely hilarious, The Do-Over is a warm and witty romantic comedy by Phoebe Macleod that will make readers laugh out loud as they cheer Thea on her quest to lead a rich and fulfilling life. Heartfelt, compelling and hard to resist, The Do-Over is a must-read for romantic comedy fans!

This was an okay read. I liked the idea of it but it didn’t really grip me. I found it was quite predictable and there wasn’t really much happening which made me not want to reach for it.

Firat off i love groundhogs day the movie so I was so excited by the premise and it did not disappoint- it have not read alot of YA and unknowingly the other one i read was not like the movies by the same author (enjoyed that as well) - Emilie gets her heartbroken on valentines day and then only wants the day overwhen she goes to bed to only find out it's thr same day over and over and over - she's trying to get it right and nothing is working but maybe she's looking at it all wrong! Perfect for the upcoming valentine holiday!
Thank you netgalley for the copy for my honest review