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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

BLOG TOUR: THE DO OVER by A.L. ZAUN ~ REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Stops by 6/13

 
Welcome to my stop on The Do Over Blog Tour!
This tour was organized by AToMR. To see other stops on the tour for reviews, guest posts, and excerpt click here
My stop includes a review and tour giveaway.
  
 
The Do OverCategory/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: 5/20/13
Format: eARC
Source: Received from author for review
 
Life doesn't look like it's supposed to for Daniela, aka Dani. After a painful break-up with Rick, Dani decides she doesn't want to deal with the hassles of relationship.

After almost two years, Dani's friends stage an intervention, forcing her out of her holding pattern and back into the real world of dating.

Liam, a down to earth firefighter, may be just the person to show her she’s still worth something. Their chemistry is instant and electric. But will Dani be able to trust her patched-up heart with him?

And what will happen when Rick decides he’ll go to any lengths to get her back?




Gosh, I don't even know where to begin with The Do Over. For starters, I really enjoyed it, and it was way more than I expected. The Do Over is a big story, both in length and emotions. It is a story of broken hearts, mending hearts, new love, bad decisions, good decisions and second chances.

The Do Over is a story told in three point-of-view. We have Dani, the heroine, who had her heart stomped on by Rick in the prologue. Fast forward to two years later, Dani is still emotionally vulnerable, choosing to spend her time lost in books. This was fabulous. As someone who would much rather be reading than making small talk, I could relate to Dani. Granted, she's taken the obsession to extremes, owns three Kindles, and is need of an intervention. But still, who can blame her, right? Dani was a fiery and emotional character, and I really liked her. When she meets Liam, their chemistry is insane. Liam wants to get involved, and so does Dani, but she is very wary. No matter how much Lucas reassures her that she's the only woman he wants, forever, Dani just can't get past her tumultuous relationship with Rick. She puts Liam through the wringer at times, which made me want to put her through the wringer. But, The Do Over is her journey of self-discovery and emotional growth, and the author did a really great job of developing Dani's character throughout the story.

The second point-of-view in The Do Over was Liam's. Wow. Liam was perfect, and I honestly can't think of one less-than-glowing thing to say about him. He's a firefighter, gorgeous, sweet, hopelessly in love with Dani, and willing to do whatever it takes to make her happy. He even gets involved in her reading addiction and thinks her emotional attachment to characters and books is adorable. Liam was the total package and any chick would be a fool to ever let him go. Dani definitely puts Liam through his paces, and I loved that the author did show his irritation at always having to reassure, but that he tried his best to always be patient with her. Another really strong aspect to the character (and positive for the author) is that Liam holds Dani accountable for her actions when the poo hits the fan. I loved that no matter how much Liam loves Dani, he will not settle for second best.

Rick. Or in my mind, Rick the D!ck. I've rarely found a story that includes the point-of-view from the "bad guy's" perspective, and I was worried that I would hate reading his chapters. WRONG. Rick, despite my wanting to hate him, was FABULOUS. Seriously, he was kind of awesome. This is a dude that is selfish, vain, arrogant, ruthless, and several more adjectives that require the use of strong expletives. But, he was honest to a fault, and I appreciate that in a character. Now, that's not to say that I ever, ever wanted Rick to win, but I kind of loved him, and especially where his own story went. I'm hoping I haven't seen the last of this lovable asshat.

I will say that The Do Over did seem to be a bit long. I think this is mainly due to drawing out Dani's development, which is true to her character. But, I devoured this book. Dani and Liam's friends were all great assets to the story, often providing much-needed levity. The Do Over had great characterizations and an honest look at love and relationships. I will most definitely be reading the follow-up, It's Not Over. If that book is about whom/what I think it's about, it may be even better than The Do Over.



Favorite Quote:

  "I will not hand over my Kindle," I protested. Even if I had two more at home, I wasn't going to do it. I stood firm on my inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Keeping my Kindle was my Constitutional right.   ~eARC, 4%


  "But this here," he said, holding my hand over his heart, "this is yours." I love that you read your books. But the truth is I'll never be able to compete with your book boyfriends. I'll never be that Professor character. And even as much as I'll continue to serenade you, I will not become one of those rock star book guys. I'm just me, but I'm yours. All of me is yours. My heart, everything, all of it, yours...I love you, Daniela Ruiz."   ~eARC, 42%


  "When it comes to Dani, embrace your mangina. Now isn't the time to turn off your p*ssy-whipped, tampon needing, birth control commercial chickness. Dude, suck it up and go to her."  ~eARC, 94%




 


Purchase The Do Over at:

 
 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) Print copy of The Do Over – US/Canada
(1) eBook Copy of The Do Over - International
(1) $5 Gift Card – International


a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

About the author:
A.L. Zaun graduated from Florida International University with a degree in English Literature a long time ago. A degree she didn’t use at all in her professional endeavors. She loves to read, write and take pictures. She walks around with her camera, and most importantly she has her e-reader available at all times. Healthcare Management by day, Mommy in the evening and most nights, you can find her sitting in front of her laptop with a bottle of Diet Pepsi, bringing the voices in her head to life on the pages of her debut novel, The Do Over.

Connect with A.L. at:
Website Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads



 


 
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27 comments:

  1. sounds like such a lovely book, next on my to buy list :)

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  2. You are so spot on in this review! I agree with everything you said. I still have about 20% left, but I really love it. Great review babe!

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  3. Oh I really want to meet Liam now, I definitely love me a firefighter. And hey I have 2 kindles and an iPad that I read on, what are you saying about me, Andrea? LOL Great review darling!

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  4. Hmmm I think I could really love this Liam character! Especially since he gets involved in her book obsession! Its likea bookish girls dream come true haha. Great review Andrea!

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  5. Liam sounds amazing and like I would fall for him.

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  6. This sounds amazing, and I love those quotes!! This is the first review I have read of this book and you have made me want it.

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  7. Awesome review :) I'm going to add this one to my TBR stack. First time I've seen this author or seen anything about her book.
    Thanks :)

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  8. Great review! I look forward to reading this in the near future. Thanks!

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  9. OMG! A firefighter! We have a fire station just outside our subdivision and at times I'd get lucky and see a couple of 'em hot hosers jogging! *panty melts*

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  10. Thanks for the great post and giveaway! This sounds awesome!

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  11. Sounds like a really good read, and I really like the cover. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  12. OMG, those quotes are hilarious! I feel the same way about my kindle. I love reading from a really mean person’s POV. Dammit, I’m gonna hae to add this one to my TBR too, great review!

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  13. Oh wow, this sounds awesome! I love that Dani is book obsessed- sounds like I can certainly relate to her on that aspect. I'm glad there is a lot of character development and that you get multiple perspectives. Rick's point of view sounds kind of awesome.

    -Lauren

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  14. I'm in the middle of this and just glanced at your review but, YES three kindles was a bit extreme and I would sooo have that many if I could afford them! :D

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  15. The three perspectives in this book sounds wonderful! I love that Dani is obsessed with reading just as much as the rest of us, but I'm glad that Liam sounds like the perfect guy to make her realise when she is making a mistake. The Do Over sounds like a fabulous read Andrea thanks for putting it on my radar! :)

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  16. Darn you woman my tbr pile is about to topple and then you write this, "He's a firefighter, gorgeous, sweet, hopelessly in love with Dani, and willing to do whatever it takes to make her happy. He even gets involved in her reading addiction and thinks her emotional attachment to characters and books is adorable." gah...sold! I may never sleep!

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  17. I have to say that just by reading the blurb I wasn't really excited for The Do Over. After reading your thoughts, I'm totally on board. I love the sound of this and I don't think I've ever heard of reading the bad guy's POV either. I'm guessing this doesn't quite wrap up? There's another book in the series? Must investigate this. Wonderful review, Andrea and thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  18. I really want to read this! Loved the quotes!

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  19. Excellent Review!!!! I have this book for review, and it sounds good. I think it would be fun to get in the bad guys head! I loved the three quotes you picked! They were awesome!!!!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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  20. So I love this cover. But now I'm super curious about this book. We get Rick's POV too? That could be very interesting. Great review pal.

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  21. wow beautiful review, sounds very emotional with a lot of touchy subjects. I am glad to hear that you really enjoyed this one. I have to say, the whole three person point of you is very interesting. I don't think I have read a three person before. I have read 2 person.
    hehe Liam does sound, very swoon worthy!

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  22. I love finding books that are more than expected. Thank you for bringing this book to my attention.

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  23. I love these kinds of emotional stories and I love that the heroine is a bookworm ! That cover is gorgeous, and I already feel in love with Liam *lesigh*

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  24. This sounds really good. Thanks for the great review. Love the quotes.

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