Do You Remember the First Time?

Jenny Colgan

Apr 2013 · HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

Life doesn’t have a rewind button. Ever wished it did?

Flora’s wish is about to come true, in a magical new novel about the ultimate second chance, from the bestselling author of WORKING WONDERS and AMANDA’S WEDDING.

As her best friend Tashy cuts into her wedding cake, 32-year-old Flora realises she is disillusioned with life. Suddenly, her well-paid job, cosy flat and stable relationship with sensible Olly don't amount to a whole lot. Flora wants to be 16 again. She closes her eyes and wishes. Her wish has come true.

Waking up the next morning is a shock. But now Flora has the chance to right some wrongs. Trading crows feet for pimples, love handles for a torso Britney Spears would kill for and dull dinner parties for house parties where White Lightning and snogging are the order of the day, Flora revels in a life where things are far less complicated and just much more... FUN.

It's not all laughs though. Will what she does change the future? How can she get back to the present and her ordinary life? And does she even want to?

Ratings and reviews

3.5 Stars When I started reading this book I hadn't read the publishers blurb (I rarely do - they are generally full of hyperbole and have been known to give unrealistic expectations) so when I realised this was, essentially, a bit of a time travel fantasy I was a touch reluctant. This isn't really something I expected from this particular author. However, it is still firmly within her usual niche - and for that I am grateful. I found it a little confusing that only Flora went back in time to being 16. She didn't return to her original 16 year old life but only went back a few weeks so everyone else remained the same except for Flora, her mum and her dad. Strangely her Best Friend, her Boyfriend and one other all recognise that their 32 year old Flora is in the body of 16 year old Flora - very odd. In fact it is quite an odd tale all around. What I did enjoy was the characters and they very definitely kept me reading. The voices within the book are lively and distinct and whether or not you particularly warm to the character you can at least acknowledge them as an individual. I couldn't really take to Flora as a 32 year old but I did empathise with the 16 year old. Can you imagine going back to that age again - horrific! I also enjoyed the difference between her 80s experience and her 00s experience; it seems that some things never change no matter the march of technology. This was a fun, undemanding read that I genuinely enjoyed - once I got past the rather wonky Back To The Future thing going on.

A really enjoyable read, it's about 2nd chances, & that old saying "in hindsight" would we do things differently if we could go back in time, it's witty & had me laughing at times, would recommend this book

About the author

Jenny Colgan was born in 1972 in Ayrshire. After Edinburgh University, she worked for six years in the health service, moonlighting as a cartoonist and stand-up comic. She is the author of four previous bestselling novels: Amanda's Wedding, Talking to Addison, Looking for Andrew McCarthy and Working Wonders, all of which are in development for film and TV. Jenny lives in London and is working on her sixth novel and a new TV series.