The Do-Over

Emilie says her favorite movie is Titanic, but she typically lies and tells others it’s Schindler’s List. What influence does this lie have on others’ perceptions of her? What does her favorite movie reveal about her character and viewpoint on love? Why does she believe it’s safer for her to lie?

In The Do-Over, Painter uses a speculative fiction element of the time-loop. What is the effect of this narrative device on the novel? How does including the time loop interact with traditional elements of the contemporary romance genre? How does the time loop subvert or support tropes found in romance novels?

What does Emilie’s instinct to people-please, even if it means lying or harming herself, reveal about her character? How does she rationalize these behaviors, and what effect do they have on her life? Use specific examples from the text as evidence to support your answer.

What is the significance of the fashion choices Emilie makes throughout the novel? Choose one outfit, and explore what this reveals about her character, her plans for the day to come, and her mental and emotional state.

Consider the character of Macy Goldman and her repeating interaction with Josh on their coffee run. What is Macy’s significance to Emilie’s emotional development? What does she help Emilie learn about her relationship with Josh?

While friendships, such as Emilie’s relationship with Chris and Roxane, briefly appear in the novel, they are not the central focus. How does their presence influence the main storyline? How does their secondary status enhance the novel’s focus on the romantic plotline?

How does the relationship Emilie has with her parents shape her character development? What are the sources of tension in her relationship with her parents, and how do they contribute positively to her life? Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Analyze how Nick’s character deals with grief in the novel. How has his experience with loss impacted his perspective on life and his approach to love? How does this approach differ from Emilie’s, and what does Emilie learn from Nick’s outlook?