The Boy I Loved Before: A Novel

The whole concept was great- wishing you were young again so you can go back and change certain situations. The problem is, the main character doesn't change anything from her past. The other problem was that there was so much British slang and references, I didn't understand a lot of it. I couldn't really wrap my head around why the main character would sleep with her love interests younger brother. The ending was not up to standard either. So disappointing, as I love Jenny Colgan's other books.

Very good book. Unfortunately I already had this book under the title The Boy I Loved Before. Beware!

I enjoy anything Jenny Colgan writes

I love Jenny Colgan, but this book was a waste of time, it just felt odd and clunky. Felt very similar to the movie 13 going in 30, but with so creepy Mrs. Robinson vibes.Skip this and read her bookshop series instead.

I tried out this book because I recently came across Jenny Colgan's twitter feed, and thought it was funny. I was a bit disappointed in the book, but I'm glad to see that some people prefer her other works; I may try one more. But in my opinion, this book has too many other elements that are exactly the same as every other English "chick lit" (sorry; I wish there were a better term, but we're all too familiar with that one) novels: the thirtysomething heroine who feels inadequate, the bosom friend, the snipy mean girl, the pretty rival who will eventually be revealed as shallow, the constant mentions of clothing designers, etc. Also, I didn't find myself warming that much to the heroine--she was sympathetic, but she came across to me as a bit shallow herself. (For example, she has a sudden wish to go to art school despite having no apparent interest in actual art; she seems to just think it's cooler than being an accountant. And what's with the "accountancy must be boring" assumption on the part of the author anyway? Hasn't she ever read "Harriet the Spy"?) Some aspects of the ending the reader can see from a mile away, although the exact way it happens is a surprise. I was also surprised by the time-travel plot twist--not common in this type of light read--and I did think some passages were appealingly heartfelt, but overall I wouldn't recommend the book that highly.I agree with another reviewer that the ending, which is touching, makes up for some of the book's earlier flaws. I also thought the sections about the parents' marriage was worthwhile and unexpected. The author does have some insight on aging and relationships. However, I was completely puzzled by one of the heroine's choices regarding her former boyfriend's younger brother. One moment she's ashamed of the way she acts towards him, the next she's suddenly unashamed by the same behavior, with no explanation. (And in the long term, I think the memory of her actions could come back to haunt her.) I also felt that not all of the loose ends of the plot were tied up--we get the main character's ending, but not really all the fallout that might have occurred from her adventure, and how the characters will move forward, some with lives that don't match their memories.

This was exquisite writing. It's one of those books you start reading in the bookstore, and then suddenly realize if you're taking this long to pour through a book it's really more fair to buy it, and then you can't stop reading it until 3 in the morning when you're eyes finally droop and fall apart.A woman is uncomfortable with the direction of her life, twice. She makes a wish and is transported into the past- with a twist. She's 16, but in the present, the early 21st century. That's a new one. And she has to decide if she can, does she want to go back? How it happened is a bit of a deux es machina, never explained. But in this book, that's unimportant. I enjoyed the author's playing both with alternate reality and with real moral issues. Can we change our lives? Should we? What does it mean to be satisfied with life and not bitter, yet still striving to change? I was challenged in reading this work to contemplate my past and accept the good in my present.Colgan writes real. I have no inkling into the past of this author, but the book feels so true one would think it had to be autobiographical. What amazes me is that the author remembers youth so well. I certainly have forgotten most of the details she seems to have recalled. As I read it, I was transported into my own past life as a teenager, and simultaneously as an adult of about the age of the protagonist. Having been a student, and now a teacher, I could see life as a student and a teacher at the same time. Some authors vividly portray different characters. It takes real skill to portray two different aspects of the same character at the same time.And lest one think this is only for women, as a guy, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I hesitate to say I have any knowledge of what women feel and how they respond, these characters feel like real girls, and real women.4 Stars, because the end is wrapped up a bit too quickly and too neatly. Also, Colgan seems to take the easy way out in reference to sex, which is a bit too vivid and doesn't really assist the plot. The author has a definite moral imperative preached on this topic that thankfully is not the primary theme. As such, while I could recommend it to both men and women, I couldn't do so to boys and girls.Through memory Colgan shows us high-school life in the Eighties, and through narrative vivid high-school life in the Noughties. She's done her research. The teenage reader will not be disappointed in reading about reality for her in the present day. The adult reader will not be disappointed in sharing with the protagonist complete confusion at all the new teenage terms and ideas (which is rather the point of the book). You'll see yourself again and again in this work. And in the end, you'll be utterly surprised.

I love this book. It’ so uplifting and so cleverly written. Amazing how Jenny Colgan manages to get into the head of a 15 year old! Love the storyline of the book, the characters and loved the ending. What’s not to like about this book? I reread it sometimes because it’s so much fun and I rarely do that.

Basically the premise of the "13 Going On 30" movie... which could be promising in the hands of a talented writer... but the writing here felt pretty flat to me, largely unfunny, and the overtly trashy / profane bits I found grating.

Not as good as her other books, but was pleased to be able to complete my collection of her novels.

3.5 StarsWhen 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.

This is a wonderful book, written by the ever talented Jenny Colgan. Published in 2009, it tells the story of Flora, who wishes she was 16 again due to being disillusioned by her life at 32. Her wish is granted and she finds herself 16 again.Aside from being a good read, this is a book that makes you think about what you would do if you were 16 again. Joining Flora as she experiences the simple pleasures of being 16, and wondering what you would do differently. The thought that doing things differently at 16 might change how your life is at 32 is a scary one both for Flora and the reader.There's not many books from 2009 that are worth going back to and reading again and again, this is one of them.

I found the premise very interesting - someone who wishes themselves back to being 16.... oh the joys of going through that again. however instead of our heroine going back to her 16 year old life as it was first time round, only her, her mum and her dad go back to this age, but in present day setting. Some of the characters in her usual life recognise her as a 16 year old and some don't. So it did get a bit confusing. I would have preferred if everyone had gone back in time. I got quite frustrated by the story and I found the end a huge disappointment....

Well, I have just nailed this book in a few hours round the pool on my holiday. And I really enjoyed it. It was an easy read, somewhat implausible, but perfect for something that didn't require too much thinking whilst drinking cocktails.Flora wishes she was 16 again and gets that wish granted. Mentally she stays 32 and physically she's ploughed back 16 years. She has run ins with teachers and bullies, embraces a bit of freedom being young brings and realises that it's not all she remembered it was. I thought the ending a smidgen predictable but worked out the way it should have done!All in all, a quick, light hearted read.