The Do-Over

Emilie is a character who plans everything from her present moment, future, and love life. From as early as the Prologue, Emilie claims: “I absolutely expect love in my life, but there is no way I’m going to sit around and wait for fate to make it happen. Fate is for suckers. Love is for planners” (2). She excessively plans to ensure her life goes perfectly, unlike the failed marriage between her parents that resulted in a broken family where she feels overlooked and alone more than she feels valued and seen. Emilie believes their “inability to use logic in the face of feelings” resulted in their relationship’s downfall (2). Therefore, she is determined to learn from their mistakes and only date the boys who pass her pros-and-cons list with flying colors.

Leading into Valentine’s Day, which also happens to be her intentional three-month anniversary with her boyfriend, Josh, Emilie has it planned to a T. However, the time-loop Emilie experiences continuously proves that everything going according to her plan perfectly is impossible and often blinds her to the opportunities right in front of her. Driving as carefully as possible does not prevent her inevitable car crash with Nick, and neither does taking an entirely different route.