A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I felt pretty meh about the first half of this book, just couldn't get into the characters as much. I kept going and I liked the second half better. So overall, it was alright, but nice to have a quick, easy read.

2.25/5 stars! This book was all over the place. The pacing could not make up its mind and I didn't believe in Thea and Alisdair's chemistry for one minute. I did like the setting of the book but just didn't work overall for me.

2.25/5 stars! This book was all over the place. The pacing could not make up its mind and I didn't believe in Thea and Alisdair's chemistry for one minute. I did like the setting of the book but just didn't work overall for me.

Thea is finally where she wanted to be Junior Partner at her law form, she has sacrificed a lot to get there and now she's made it so what now. Apart from a no strings attached relationship with her colleague Alistair.

When her mentor passes away suddenly Beth starts to question her total focus on her career and after a meeting goes wrong Beth has decided things need to change. Even if that means having no contact with Alistair for 12 months

Rebecca is the other woman, she has a son Rollo and is living quite happily until Rollos father passes away and suddenly all her security is pulled out from under her.

Beth and Rebecca meet at the funeral and realise they are next door neighbours but Rebecca is going to have to move and Beth really start to think her flat is not for her anymore and together after a bit too much wine they buy an old oat mill too up and sell on, but is that a great plan for two woman with no renovation skills whatsoever especially when the mill is industrial listed. The can still make the work can't they.

I love fixer upper stories and this one is great, I loved the characters and loved the character development. Was sorry to get to the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
A charming second-chance romance filled with humour, heart, and just enough chaos. Phoebe MacLeod’s writing is light on its feet but emotionally grounded, making this the perfect pick for fans of breezy rom-coms with a meaningful core. You’ll root for this couple from the first page.

Finding a New Purpose
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2025
Thea - aka Thearless to her friends - is a force to be reckoned with.
Raised by a single mum in poverty after her father gambled everything they owned, Thea is determined to succeed.
She works hard at Uni, then at the prestigious law firm where she passes banter with her best friend Alasdair, and finally gets to become the youngest partner in her firm.
Between a FWB thing with Alasdair and seeing very little of her mum or sister Saffy, everything suddenly changes when John, one of the partners dies and at his funeral is his widow, mistress and her child, plus everyone from the firm.
No one to really feel the loss.
Could that happen to her?
So begins her 'do over' gardening leave from law, meeting new friends and making a new life.
The only hitch is the embargo from speaking to her best friend.
I liked the family dynamic, the unexpected friendship with Rebecca following car parking battles, and how she tries the new joint venture.
However, I'm not sure the rom com is the central focus here.
It's more of an add on.
She gets her HEA, but the way she seems to dismiss not seeing her best friend for nine months and doesn't argue it, then her reaction on his return, all feels a bit off.
We can see how he feels, but the end feels a bit wedged in in respect of the romance angle.
Otherwise it's a fun comedy about friends, family, flour and finding yourself.

Honestly went into this book thinking it was a straight rom-com but was pleasantly surprised the further I got into this book that it was more of a self discovery/self love with a dash of romance in the end after she figured out herself… and I loved that. It was an easy, quick, fun loving read all around. Was a fresh new look into the rom-com world. All around a great read and highly recommend from me to all my friends! Great writing, love the cover art. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the advance read in turn for my honest opinion.

The story follows Em, a woman who thought she had her life all figured out—until everything falls apart. With her career and personal life in shambles, she decides to give herself a “do-over,” embracing new opportunities and, along the way, opening her heart to romance. But can she truly leave her past behind and embrace a fresh start?

I really loved how Em was engaging and so reaaaaalll. Her struggles felt authentic and i really loved how easy it was to get into her point of view, The writing was also very light and easy to get into, which made the reading very fast and easy!! :) The romance was well down and the chemistry felt quite natural, which i appreciated. :)

If you're a silly little romance lover, this book might be just for you! :)

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for giving me an arc of this book in exchange of an honest review!

The Do-Over is an engaging and thought-provoking novel about self-discovery, second chances and the courage to redefine success. Thea’s journey from an ambitious, career-driven lawyer to someone questioning what truly matters in life is both relatable and compelling. MacLeod does a great job balancing humor and emotion, making Thea’s transformation feel authentic.

While the premise is strong, the pacing occasionally lags, and some character relationships—particularly the romance—could have been explored more deeply. That said, Thea’s growth is satisfying, and the novel delivers a heartfelt message about finding fulfillment beyond professional achievements. A solid read for fans of contemporary women’s fiction with a touch of romance.

I really wanted to love this book. The description sounded super interesting and something I definitely would read. While Thea’s story started off with interest and potential, later on it took a turn that wasn’t cohesive with the rest. The idea of a ‘do-over’ is intriguing but I don’t think it had the necessary impact.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced readers copy.

This was a very cozy book! Not much really happens, but I think that’s kind of the point. It’s a cute read, but it never really got me that invested or excited.

Phoebe MacLeod’s The Do-Over is a light, feel-good romantic comedy that offers an enjoyable escape into the world of friends-to-lovers romance. While the book delivers on its promise of charm and humor, it doesn’t quite stand out in a crowded genre, offering a familiar but sweet story that may appeal to fans of cozy, romantic reads.

The novel follows the journey of two friends who, after years of being close, begin to realize that their relationship might be evolving into something more. MacLeod’s writing is breezy and engaging, with witty dialogue and a cozy atmosphere that captures the essence of a feel-good rom-com. The chemistry between the two protagonists is endearing, and their gradual realization of their deeper feelings is relatable and satisfying.

However, while the plot is cute and the pacing steady, the story lacks a sense of originality. The friends-to-lovers trope is a beloved one, but The Do-Over doesn’t introduce enough fresh elements or unexpected twists to make it feel unique. The characters are likable but not particularly complex, and their romantic journey feels somewhat predictable.

MacLeod’s humor is a strength, adding a light-hearted tone to the narrative, but at times, the story’s predictability and lack of deeper emotional stakes may leave some readers wishing for a bit more depth. There are moments of sweetness and warmth, but they don’t always resonate as strongly as they could.

In conclusion, The Do-Over is an enjoyable and easy read, perfect for fans of romantic comedies who enjoy a friends-to-lovers story with a lighthearted tone. While it doesn’t break new ground, it delivers on its promise of charm and provides a comforting escape for readers looking for a familiar, feel-good romance.

Super fun book. I read it quickly, I liked the characters. The story was well-written and kept my interest. I really enjoyed it!

Thea is the definition of a career woman—laser-focused, ambitious, and a little bit closed off. She's on track to become the youngest female partner at her prestigious law firm, and everything seems perfect. Until a colleague’s funeral makes her realize something vital: the people who attend such events don’t do it out of love. It’s just duty.
What follows is a whirlwind of life decisions that will make you root for Thea and, at times, question her motives. The book taps into the universal fear of realizing you’ve been chasing the wrong things and the even bigger question: can people really change, or are we all stuck in our ways forever?
Thea’s journey is filled with quirky humor and relatable struggles, and while she’s not perfect, watching her navigate the messy process of change is both inspiring and satisfying. The story is a lovely balance of humor and heart, creating a protagonist who’s easy to love, even when she’s messing up. The most intriguing part? Alasdair. Just when you think you’ve figured out where things are going with him, the story throws you a curveball, proving that not all decisions are as easy as they seem.
Overall, this is a delightful story of self-discovery, friendship, and the awkward yet beautiful messiness of life that will have you laughing, crying, and thinking about your own relationships and career path.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Such a cute cover and even cuter book. A wonderful set of characters, great pacing, and a book that delighted me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy!

* I want to start by thanking the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. Cute, but cheesy!

Thea finally becomes a Junior partner in a well known law firm, what she’s been aiming for the whole of her life. She has a PA who organises her life much better than she ever did, even managing to get the best present ever for her nephew!
Following the death of a partner she finds her neighbour at the wake who was in relationship with him and his wife knew about this, both speaking to her about how he was really married to his work. This made her think differently and she leaves her job, sells her house and she and her neighbour buy a run down mill with plans to flip this into houses.
It is a feel good story seeing how someone so driven can change to have a more meaningful life and finding love in the process.

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.