Review: The Do Over by A.L.Zaun

 

Title: The Do Over

Author: A.L. Zaun

Series: The Do Over #1

Publication: May 20, 2013

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Life doesn’t look like it’s supposed to for Dani Ruiz, a hopeless romantic. After a painful and sudden break-up with Rick Marin, Dani hides away from reality, retreating to a world of fiction where she prefers book boyfriends over the hassles of a relationship.

Almost two years later, Dani’s friends are tired of watching her in a holding pattern, so they stage an intervention, forcing her back into the real world of dating.

Unexpectedly, Dani meets Liam Lucas, a down-to-earth firefighter. He might be the person to show her she’s still worth something. Dani’s hesitant to trust her heart with another man, but their instant and electric chemistry is something she can’t deny.

As Dani starts to believe that she’s found her real-life book boyfriend, Rick decides that he’ll go to any lengths to get her back. Seeing Rick as a changed man makes Dani question everything. 

Can Dani trust her patched-up heart with Liam? 
Or has Rick transformed into the man she’s always wanted? 

Dani's had her heart torn from her chest in the past. She doesn't trust men, she's not interested in getting her heart broken again, so she loses herself in her books. Fictional boyfriends will never break her heart, and her kindle is her constant companion. Her friends decide enough is enough and stage a kindle intervention. It's time for her to get back out there and live in the real world again. She meets Liam in a CPR class and sparks fly. But her past has a firm hold on her, not to mention a sneaky ex isn't through with her yet.

When I first started reading this book, I was loving it. A heroine with a kindle addiction....pfft, totally me. I get it, I love fictional worlds, I love fictional characters. They can totally hurt you, luckily that pain is minor and temporary. Dani is a smart woman. She's a nurse, she loves her job, but she's missing out on life. With her nose constantly stuck to her kindle, she hasn't been interested in any men other than the ones in her books. Until she meets Liam. I LOVED Liam. That is one fantastic man, fictional or not, the dude is walking gold. He's sweet, caring, and attentive, and damn good looking. He's also interested in Dani immediately. Dani has some hang ups, obviously. One particular hang up is Rick. Rick screwed up with Dani, and he wants her back. I really would have loved to hate Rick. I did in the beginning, but the guy was just so....confused, for lack of a better word.

I had some Dani issues, I'm not going to lie. She was playing with fire, and I was happy when she got burned. As horrible as that makes me sound, I had no sympathy for her. We all make our own choices, and she went against the one thing Liam asked of her. I personally think Liam deserved better. Dani was trying to live like life was one of her books, and we all know that just isn't the case. I did get over it though, and I'm glad things played out the way they did. I think I will pick up the next book.

I really did enjoy The Do Over. There were parts where I wanted to bang my head against the wall and scream at Dani, but it was all part of the story. The story as a whole I ended up liking, so I can't complain too much. I would definitely recommend this book.