The Do-Over - by Suzanne Park (Paperback)

About the Book

"Bestselling author Lily Lee is on a short deadline to deliver her new career guide How to Land the Perfect Job, and she's been interviewing at all the top companies around town. But when she's offered a coveted position at her dream company, the employer's background check reveals she never actually finished her college degree. Unbelievably, her worst nightmare has come true. Lily returns to her alma mater to relive her senior year of college, after walking across the stage at graduation a decade earlier. Just as she starts getting used to the idea of being a student again, things get even more weird and chaotic when she discovers her computer science TA is her old college boyfriend, Jake Cho. As Lily and Jake reconnect, she sees that her late-blooming ex has done well for himself: the handsome, charming grad student appears to have his life together, while Lily's on the brink of losing her reputation and her book deal. Told in present day with glimpses of the past, The Do-Over is a delightfully warm and hopeful story about second chances in life and love, and how the future might not be a straight line, but we still end up exactly where we're supposed to be."--Publisher marketing.

Book Synopsis

From the author of the "genuinely funny" and "delightful" Loathe at First Sight (NPR) and "cinematic, charming" So We Meet Again (Emily Henry), a fun rom-com about a young Korean-American woman having to return to college after discovering she's a few credits shy of completing her degree--only to find one of her TAs is her old college boyfriend.

Bestselling author Lily Lee is on a short deadline to deliver her new career guide How to Land the Perfect Job, and she's been interviewing at all the top companies around town. But when she's offered a coveted position at her dream company, the employer's background check reveals she never actually finished her college degree. Unbelievably, her worst nightmare has come true.

Lily returns to her alma mater to relive her senior year of college, after walking across the stage at graduation a decade earlier. Just as she starts getting used to the idea of being a student again, things get even more weird and chaotic when she discovers her computer science TA is her old college boyfriend, Jake Cho.

As Lily and Jake reconnect, she sees that her late-blooming ex has done well for himself: the handsome, charming grad student appears to have his life together, while Lily's on the brink of losing her reputation and her book deal.

Told in present day with glimpses of the past, The Do-Over is a delightfully warm and hopeful story about second chances in life and love, and how the future might not be a straight line, but we still end up exactly where we're supposed to be.

Review Quotes

"With depth and warmth and wit, The Do-Over is a beautiful, hopeful portrayal of second chances in life and in love. The carefully executed portrayal of anxiety, as well as the wonderfully engrossing love story make this read a pitch perfect read. I absolutely loved every word. Suzanne Park is a hidden gem in the romance world, and The Do-Over is her best book yet." -- Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Soulmate Equation

"A fantastic, empowering second chance romance that combines wit and charm with an always insightful commentary on imposter syndrome, anxiety, and the challenge of finding ourselves. Suzanne Park wrote a true gem!" -- Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author

"A satisfying story of overcoming your fears about expectations--other people's, and your own--and figuring out your own worth. Second-chance romance meets all the other second chances we need to give ourselves." -- KJ Dell'Antonia, New York Times bestselling author of The Chicken Sisters and In Her Boots

"Anxiety. Imposter Syndrome. Elitism. None of these are easy breezy topics--but Suzanne Park handles them all with her signature humor and heart in The Do-Over. This is Park's best book yet--you'll laugh a lot, swoon a little and crave ALL the sweets as you cheer for Lily Lee to get the second chance she deserves--in love and in life." -- Ali Brady, author of The Beach Trap

"There's nothing better than second chances, and The Do-Over gives more than one. I loved this heartwarming book, as much for the friendships as the romance. Suzanne Park has written another winner!" -- Lacie Waldon, author of The Layover

"The Do-Over is a delight--hilarious and smart, with insightful commentary about second chances, self-doubt, and what it really means to have a successful life." -- Real Simple

"This delightful second-chance romance is sparkling with humour and heart." -- Chatelaine

"Park's (So We Meet Again) latest does an excellent job of navigating topics of anxiety, self-doubt, nepotism, and misogyny through an enjoyable second-chance romance with great characters. This book is an essential read and highly recommended." -- Library Journal (starred review)

"Park's pitch-perfect comedic timing and knack for creating heartstrings-tugging moments make this thoughtful romance really shine. This is a winner." -- Publishers Weekly

"The story is rooted in complex, relatable issues that are sure to have readers rooting for Lily the whole way through. A story of second chances in life more than love." -- Kirkus Reviews

"It's a fun and sexy book, as Park (So We Meet Again, 2021) ties in mental-health issues with a strong female protagonist and of course a little bit of love. A fast read full of funny moments among friends, tense moments between rivals, and romantic moments between old lovers." -- Booklist

"Funny, romantic and real-world novel. It centers on Jessie Kim, a young Korean woman who is laid off from her finance job... it tackles sexism and racism in gripping ways." -- The TODAY Show on So We Meet Again

"Some books just feel like an old friend, their first pages embracing you with an instant familiarity and warmth you can't help but sink into. Suzanne Park's So We Meet Again is that kind of book...A cinematic, charming heart-squeeze-of-a-book that has found its way to my Ultimate Comfort Reads shelf." -- Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Loathe at First Sight bursts with humor, heart, and great energy. I loved it! Park is a hilarious new voice in women's fiction." -- Helen Hoang, USA Today bestselling author of The Kiss Quotient

"A laugh out loud comedy with a warm heart. Jess's journey of finding her way amid the noise of the world's expectations will make you smile and sigh and want to chase your dreams." -- Sonali Dev, award-winning author of Recipe for Persuasion