Review: Doing It Over by Catherine Bybee

Doing It Over by Catherine Bybee

(Most Likely To #1)

April 19, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women"s Fiction 18+

Contains: language, sex

Voted Most Likely to Succeed, Melanie Bartlett ended up anything but. The down-on-her-luck single mom wants a complete do-over—is that too much to ask? With her family long gone from River Bend, strong, independent Mel is as surprised as anyone to end up in the quaint small town she once called home. But with her friends, Jo and Zoe, by her side, and a comfortable room at Miss Gina’s quirky bed-and-breakfast, she just might have turned the corner on a new life.

Wyatt Gibson never liked the big city. River Bend suits the ruggedly handsome builder just fine. Wyatt knows he’s home, even if that means being charmed by the appearance of Melanie and her spunky, adorable daughter. Is Wyatt’s calm devotion—even amid a coming storm—enough to convince Mel she may have found a home to call her own, a family that never leaves, and a true love to last a lifetime?

What I loved about this book was that it isn't just a romance, it is also a story of friendship. First, we are introduced to three best friends graduating from high school and what their "most likely to's" are. Fast forward to ten years later, we catch up to where life has taken them, and whether or not they lived up to their high school reputations. And let me tell you, I instantly liked this trio of gals. And with this series, we will get each of the girls' love stories, which is awesome.

But this story isn't just an isolated romance for Melanie. We get bits and pieces of each of the girls sprinkled throughout. They are reunited into their own special unit, their own version of family. And in this case, they are reunited through their high school reunion, with Melanie's return to River Bend. And with that reunion, we get to grow close to them, seeing a vision of their friendship and their lives and how intertwined they become. This is also exciting, because this intertwining will continue throughout this series.

But never fear, this story is packed with a beautiful romance. Melanie and Wyatt were a terrific couple. There was a tenderness and sweetness to how their relationship came together, overcoming trust issues, and embracing new challenges. I loved how Melanie was stepping into a new life and Wyatt was incredibly supportive. And when major challenges and trauma struck (and struck big, but no spoilers), these two really stepped it up as a couple. I loved Wyatt and Melanie.

'Doing It Over' was a wonderful combination of romance and friendship. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series, following along with Melanie, Jo, and Zoe, the loves of their lives, and their unbending friendship.

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