ARC, 432 Pages
e-ALC, 10:50:06
Narrator: Teddy Hamilton, & January LaVoy
Release Date: January 27, 2026
Published by: Berkley
Read from: December 24, 2025- January 15, 2026
Stand-alone
Source: The Publisher (I received this ARC free from the publisher under their Underrepresented Voices program. I also got the audio from their PRH Audio Program to read with it in tandem. This did nothing to influence my review!)
Content Warning: Sexual Content, Injury/Injury Detail, Panic Attacks/Disorders, Grief, Death of a Parent, Medical Content, War, Former Military (Honorably Discharged)
For Readers Interested In: ARC, Audio, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Sparkly Cover, Most Anticipated, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Social Media User, Terminal/Chronic Condition (MMC had a tumor)What would you do with a second chance at your first time? Following a bad breakup, Willow Lewis tackles a re-do list with the help of her brother’s best friend in this sweet and sexy new romance from USA Today bestselling author Denise Williams.
Willow experienced all her big firsts with her high school sweetheart. Now, reeling from their very public breakup, she wants to get a re-do on those important moments. While dog-sitting for her brother during his deployment, she has a chance to start over and spending time with his best friend gives her the confidence to start checking items off her “Re-Do list.”
Deacon promised his best friend two things when Cruz left for a that he’d look out for Willow, and that he’d keep his hands off Cruz’s baby sister. “Operation Re-Do” is innocent enough at Deacon likes Willow and he’s willing to help her out any way he can. But when the list of firsts turns from a first dance to first kisses and more, Deacon can’t deny the connection he feels to Willow.
As Deacon’s and Willow’s firsts turn to seconds, thirds, and fourths, this pair can’t get enough of each other—and they support each other through new challenges. But they are both aware there’s an end date to Willow’s time in town… and even if she were to stay, Deacon doesn’t know how to choose between his loyalty to his closest friend and the woman he’s fallen in love with. With no more romantic moments on her list for them to re-do, can these two still find a way to stay together?
*MY THOUGHTS*
When I first started this I wasn’t sure about it. Books with military love interests are just not my jam. But I kept with this one because I trust Williams and I can honestly say I was right to. Although the idea made me uncomfortable, overall this was a very enjoyable read.
Ok so the main thing I liked about this was the Friends to Lovers aspect of it. I haven’t read a Friends to lovers in a long time. and this one just flowed so easily. Their banter and the way they interacted physically to each other was so good! And the way they just randomly started thinking of each other or when they realized they were jealous of something concerning the other, it all just felt organic. I loved the two of them together and I really liked the idea of each of them individually as well. And that’s how I know I loved a book.
The characters were also individually great as well. I admit I was a little worried about the military aspect because I thought he was going to be an a-hole and that’s just not my jam. But he was the furthest thing from that. In fact it was very obvious he fell first, he respected her and her brother, and was just a really sweet sensitive person to not only her, but his friends as well. Deacon was the sweetest and I loved seeing everything about him. Willow was also super sweet. I felt so bad for her. That whole situation was not ok. Her ex was an asshole. I hated that he did that to her, but I also loved that he opened the door to her learning and experiencing all these new things with someone else. Which makes me so much more mad lol Because how tf did we get to the end and we were almost right back at the beginning?! I won’t say more than that because spoilers, but lordt I was so annoyed.
Which brings me to the plot, or the list of things that they’d be working on. Normally I just don’t believe in those “teach me” books, but this one actually seemed like it could be a legit reason she needed to be “taught” these things. I thought Williams was a genius because I never even thought of something like this, but it really made so much sense lol
Contrary to what I originally thought, I had a really good time with this. Deacon was a hoot and Willow had some growing to do, but at least she recognized it. This was definitely a favorite that kind of snuck up on me. Pick it up and let me know what you think!
Overall, I give you
