Life doesn't have a rewind button. Ever wish it did?
As her best friend Tashy cuts into her wedding cake, thirty-two year old Flora realises that her own job, flat and relationship with sensible Olly don't amount to a whole lot. Surrounded by happy-ever-after, Flora wishes she could turn back the clock and do it all again - first love, first kiss, first drink - but, this time, do it right. Imagine: a body Britney would die for coupled with the sass and wit of Carrie Bradshaw.
The next morning Flora is in shock. Overnight, her wish has come true. As Flora embraces the 16-year-old life she wished she'd had first time around - including some unfinished business with the boy who broke her hear - she starts to wonder if being grown-up is all it's cracked up to be.
It's the ultimate second chance. As she sets out to right the wrongs of the past, there's just one niggling doubt .... Can life ever be the same again - and does she even want it to be?
.... From the outer back cover.
FIRST SENTENCE: The rain was beating down on the windscreen, as we tried to navigate 9(rather damply) along the winding country road.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: You've just got wedding nerves. Everyone says the first year of marriage is by far the worst. You have to wrestle each other into submission, then after that it's completely fine.
A 'so-so' read, nothing too demanding - this is a nice, easy 'summer' read that is a variation on the mother swaps lives with daughter theme.
An old story of a woman who wakes up not quite herself though in this novel (unlike say FREAKY FRIDAY) the women in question wakes up, as well, herself but only younger - quite a lot younger - instead of as her mother.
There is really nothing new in the telling of this story. Do You Remember The First Time? takes a sometimes funny, often predictable look at what it would be like to revisit our teenage selves - a time when "We were invincible, we could do anything, we were all ready to take on the world."
Full of 'average' characters where everything seems to end happily, there were moments in the book that went way beyond the need to suspend disbelief, moments that defied all logic but then I suppose, given the subject matter, that was only to be expected. As I said, a nice, light read, fairly typical of its genre.
18 comments:
Great review - I love quick, fun easy reads like this and will check this one out when I get the chance. There are many times I wish I could "go back" and redo my past and right all of my wrongs - I think we all do at some point in our lives. I don't desire to be younger per say - just wiser in my youth - LOL I will let you know what the doctor says about my knee - I was not happy but hopefully, it will take care of all problems and I can just move on and get out of pain. Have a lovely day my dear! xoxoxo
If only we could turn the clocks back! I am sure I have read a Jenny Colgan book before, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was called.
This sounds a bit like a book I read recently: 29 by Adena Halpern. Sometimes "nice, light reads" are just the perfect thing :)
omg i loved this line: Life doesn't have a rewind button.:)
That's too bad. I thought the cover looked cute. Loved the title too.
CD
Wished for a moment,if I can turn the clock back and become the little girl once again.
This looks like it might be a good summer read for my book club. We're always looking for something light to read during that time. I personally try to block all memory of my teenage years. I would not want to go back for anything.
I hadn't heard of this book nor author before. It sounds like a good beach read. Thanks for the intro.
Nice review...that's the first thing I thought when reading the synopsis...a light read. Sometimes though, you need a break like that. Thanks for sharing!
Nice one. Reminds of the movie "Back to the Future" Part I.
I think I´ll pass this one on.
Do I understand correctly that this is a "do over" situation where she got to have the knowledge of what to do differently this time?
Interesting thought, but I've always said I wouldn't want to go back, really, for any reason.
Not being one to want to rewind time, I couldn't relate very well...but the review was sparkling. :)
Life with a rewind button would lose all fun!
Interesting review as always!!
I usually enjoy (for lighter reading) a little time travel. They may be predictable but I love the idea of second chances to get things right. I liked the book "I went to Vassar for this?" by Naomi Neale, which was the last one I read.
Sounds like a great read. I love such kinds of books.
And yes I would want to go back!
I wish I could!
Remarkable review, Tracy!
B xx
Thanks for the review! It sounds great. I had never heard of the book or the author before. I will add this to my TBR.
That sounds like a very interesting concept!
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