Do You Remember the First Time?

Jenny Colgan, Jenny Colgan, Jenny Colgan. I think I need to stop reading her deep backlist because I think there's a definite change in the trends.

This was such a gimmick. This probably would have worked better as YA, really. I am no longer a teenager, but I felt like Colgan poked a lot of fun at teenagers that, while funny, was a bit too over the top at point and if I were a teenager I'd probably be offended.

I also realised in reading this that I do not support the idea of re-falling in love with someone you were in love with sixteen years ago. I do not. I myself love to romanticise the could-have-been relationships of my past, but I just don't think that's healthy, and it's very instalove because let's be real: a 16-year-old, as show more evidenced, is a different human being at 32. There's got to be more there. We can do better.

But hey, this was 2005, I suppose. show less

There is no excuse for me reading this, other than that it came free with my flatmate's copy of Cosmopolitan, so at least I didn't have to pay for it. On the other hand, feel free to berate me that I read a book which came free with a copy of Cosmopolitan.

Chick lit like this is like McDonald's - you know you shouldn't go near it; you do anyway, even though you feel horribly guilty; and afterwards, you have a horribly bloated, queasy feeling that reminds you of just how much junk you've consumed.

When I first read the description of this book online, I was thinking that it was a novel version of the movie "13 going on 30" starring Jennifer Garner, well, going backwards, instead of forwards. But it wasn't like that, Flora turns 16 again, and she changes her parents as well but the world around her is still the same, a month ago. The only people who still remember her are her best friend, her boyfriend, and her first love. I loved the book because it was how she managed to make a change for herself and enjoy life more than she did the first time around. The ending was sort of a surprise, but I do have to admit, that I suspected something like that sort was going to happen. I think this is a good book for women of all ages. If show more you're in your 30's, then this book will let you know that going back to when you were younger is not as great as it sounds-- think about it: the whole acne, raging hormones, cruel schoolmates. And if you're just a teen, well make the best out of your everyday. Sometimes it's okay to take a risk and just open up to people. show less

This is a much better offering than Colgan's earlier work 'Amanda's Wedding'. The writing is light-and-fluffy-superficial - typical of the genre, and the plot is fun and taps into something we've all thought about.

How would we do things differently if we could do our teenage years again but with the added benefit of our adult knowledge and experience?

This fairy tale for grown ups is an entertaining trip through nostalgia, with a touch of grass-is-greener. You'll forget it as soon as you put it down, but you won't feel you've wasted the time you spent reading it.

Interesting surmise, but let down by the manufactured ending.

Flora is early 30s and is heading to her best friend, Tashy's wedding. The event they've been planning since they were teenagers, and it puts Flora in reflective mood. what happened to the aspirations of 16? Did they really have to end up in a dull job, with a nice, but not terribly exciting boyfriend called Olly, who seems about to propose. Is this what she wanted? The reflection is further enhamced by the unexpected appreance of her first love, the one who left her at 16, breaking her heart. As events come to a head, the cake is cut & she wishes she were 16 again.

And the next morning, she wakes up to find that she is 16 again, but with the knowledge of being 32. Her parents show more are also younger, still together ahead of their breakup shortly after Flora's 16th birthday. But everything else is different, she hasn't gone back 16 years, just is 16 years younger and 1 month ago. It all gets very confusing but she tries to do the right thing to keep her parents together, and to turn up at Tashy's wedding and wish herself back to 32 - presuming she wants to return, of course.

What actually happens is a bit of a fix. It is almost too neat and the ending just tips over into fairy tale territory. show less

I adore Jenny Colgan. This is the fifth book I've read by her, and she never fails to entertain me. I've learned not to take her books with me the train, because they always make me laugh out loud, and having people stare at you is rather uncomfortable.

Do You Remember The First Time? is not as hysterically funny as Amanda's Wedding or Talking to Addison, but incredibly amusing in a more clever way, like Working Wonders. It's a lovely take on an often used plot device, and Jenny Colgan actually makes it feel rather believable.

I love Jenny Colgan's heroines, and Flora is no exception. She's a bit over-emotional of course, but she turns into a teenager? What can be a better excuse?

The ending is predictable, but perfect!

If you're looking show more for something light and funny to read, I can definitely recommend Do You Remember The First Time? show less

This is the first book by Jenny Colgan that I have ever read. When I read the synopsis I thought that it's it would be an easy, funny book but I must say that I'm a little bit disappointed. I think that the central premise just falls apart. At one point, Flora speculates that she has gone back to 1987, which would have made more sense and been more fun. This is probably something the author considered and abandoned, in the belief that she was being more original.The problem is, the new "original" premise doesn't stand scrutiny. Why should only Flora's friends still know her? How can her parents just be the same characters when they have been transposed from 1980s fortysomethings into 21st-century fortysomethings?At the end, when the show more realities re-align and we are presented with another, third version of the time-frame, even more holes appear. (Justin exists? So where is Stanzi? And who's her best friend in this reality??) show less