When readers meet Willow Lewis, she's drowning --- both figuratively and (kind of) literally. A recent breakup with her ex culminated with her falling into a fountain --- a scene that, once committed to a passerby's video, quickly went viral in the worst ways. Now she's embarrassed, alone, and unsure of what to do with her life. So she takes her older brother, Cruz, up on his offer to have her housesit his place in Des Moines (along with his extremely well-trained dog) while he's on his latest tour of duty.

Even though Willow is solidly in her 20s, Cruz still thinks of her as his baby sister. So he recruits his ex-military buddy, Deacon, to keep an eye on her and make sure that she's well taken care of while he's overseas. But Deacon, a known ladies' man, is also under strict orders not to hook up with her.

"...a satisfying romance that is as much about self-discovery as it is about encountering real lasting love for the very first time."

However, when Willow and Deacon meet, the attraction is instantaneous, as is the comfort with which they enter into conversation with one another. Deacon confides in Willow something that he hasn't even shared with Cruz. He might be in school, but he's also undergoing intense physical training to try to reenter the military after a supposedly career-ending spinal tumor was successfully removed. And Willow confides in Deacon her feelings of regret at having wasted so many years on Spencer, her boyfriend since high school, as well as so many "firsts" --- first kiss, first love, first…everything --- with someone who turned out to be such a disappointment.

Before long, the two hatch a plan for a "re-do list," an opportunity for Willow to re-discover experiences (and herself) with Deacon at her side. At first, the activities would be Cruz-approved --- going out for a non–country club brunch, painting a room anything other than beige or white. But when that "re-do list" starts to include activities that Willow wishes she'd had a chance to try in the bedroom, things take a decidedly spicier turn.

Willow and Deacon's romantic involvement is also accompanied by genuine feelings of mutual respect and support as they set about exploring where they are in the crossroads of their lives. But when Cruz gets back, where will that leave their budding relationship?

Readers of Denise Williams' JUST MY LUCK might recognize Deacon as one of the roommates of that novel's protagonist (and they'll appreciate the opportunity to get a life update on Sybil and her now-fiancé). But THE RE-DO LIST also can be very much enjoyed on its own terms --- as a satisfying romance that is as much about self-discovery as it is about encountering real lasting love for the very first time.