The Re-Do List by Denise Williams 
Published by Berkley Romance on January 27, 2026
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 427
Format: eBook
Source: Netgalley
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
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?
A delightful romance.
Willow Lewis is in hiding. As if it wasn’t bad enough that her boyfriend since middle school decided he wanted something else, there is a viral video of her biggest heartbreak going around the internet. She can’t go anywhere without people pointing and whispering. So while her brother Cruz, is on tour of duty, she is dog/house sitting for him and generally hiding from the world.
Cruz has sent his best friend, Deacon Rakes, to watch over his little sister–with the warning for the known womanizer to keep his hands to himself. Deacon really doesn’t take offense, he knows that he just can’t commit to anyone right now. His goal is to recover from his injury and reenlist to join his brothers in the pararescue jumpers. He feels like he has let down his friends, especially Cruz, by not being there.
Willow and Deacon strike a easy friendship and as part of helping Willow recover her self-esteem, she realizes that her first everything was with her ex. Willow then starts making a list. A list of firsts that she wants to redo: first slow dance, first kiss, first time…as well as a list of things she wanted to do but she sidelined for him. Deacon wants to help Willow but some of those firsts are crossing that line his promised his best friend he would stay away from, but the more time he spends with Willow, the more the doesn’t want her firsts to be with anyone else.
I usually stay away from these stories with the overprotective sibling. Generally, it irks me that someone else is choosing your life choices when you are a grown adult. But I enjoy Denise Williams’s stories and her characters so I gave this story a chance. Here, I understood Deacon’s connection to Cruz was as important to him as is his growing attraction to Willow. Even Willow acknowledges that if things go bad, it puts a strain on Cruz and Deacon’s relationship. And while of course, we want our main characters to have their sexy time, part of me kept thinking if these relationships are so important, and knowing Cruz will not react well to Deacon crossing that line, why couldn’t Deacon and Willow commit to keeping their dating PG until they were very, very certain that this relationship was it–forever and ever. If they kept things PG, it would have been easier to walk away if either party decided it wasn’t what they wanted, no hard feelings.
Deacon was also determined to return to his unit, but the more time we spend with Deacon, the more certain I was that Deacon should become a counselor–whether it for everyone or just veterans like himself. He had a calmness and a way of talking to people that had people really listening to him.
I really enjoyed Deacon and Willow’s story.
Favorite Scene:
When I agreed, he gave a tight nod, taking a long drink from his cup before swirling the ice around. “But that’s still no excuse for boring coffee.”
“Lots of people like good black coffee.”
“Not us, though, right?” He shook his head. “We like our drinks sweet and our childhood best friends stuffed.”
My eyes still felt wet, but I laughed, the sound unexpected as it escaped my lips. “I’m supposed to go to a wedding tomorrow. I won’t really know anyone there–this was a pity invite and I’ve never been to a wedding alone. It’s like everyday is more black coffee.” I sniffled into a napkin, my neck hot with the mortification of breaking down in front of this stranger in a crowded coffee shop. “I should just skip it.”
He gave a quick hum sound and finished his drink. “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.”
“Do what?”
“Skip the wedding. Cake and the chance to line dance with total strangers? That’s not an opportunity you get every day. I’ll be your plus-one.”
“What? No,” I said, pushing the soggy napkin into my pocket. “You don’t need to do that. You only committed to fifteen minutes and coffee.”
“I’m a great wedding date.” He motioned to his chest. “I look good in a suit, I talk to strangers easily, I’m a great dancer, and I have a decade of combat and medical training in case the ‘Cha-Cha Slide’ gets out of hand.” He held out another napkin. “And I promised Cruz I’d make sure you didn’t rebound with someone regrettable, so I can’t in good conscience, let you go it alone and end up with Cousin Rupert.”
“Who is Cousin Rupert?
“Exactly.” Deacon ran long fingers through his hair and grinned. “We don’t even know this guy. Better stick with me as a plus-one.”
My phone buzzed twice on the table. “Shoot,” I said, fumbling with the phone and bumping my plastic cup in the process.
Deacon’s hand shot out to catch it before it flipped to the ground, and the buzzing finally stopped. “Did you set an alarm to get rid of me quickly?”
“I didn’t know if you’d be a weirdo,” I admitted, accepting my cup back from him.
“Oh, I am a weirdo.” He winked, then offered me a charming smile. “A weirdo who is taking you to a wedding. What time should I pick you up? I assume I’m driving since I threw away your learner’s permit with that black coffee?”
I giggled again, but this time I didn’t hide my amusement. “You really don’t have to.”
“Cruz is my brother in all the ways that matter, and you’re more important to him than anyone, so consider yourself stuck with me, at least until he gets back.”
I nodded. “Okay. I accept.” He stood and held out a hand for me as I scooted from behind the table. His hands were rough but his grip gentle and I caught the scar near his knee I’d somehow missed when he walked toward me. “Thank you.”
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