The Boy I Loved Before    by Jenny Colgan Order:  USA  Can Griffin, 2005 (2005) Paperback Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas At the wedding of her best childhood friend, Flora Scurrison comes to the awful realization she's facing a similar boring future. But unlike Tashy, Flora is not yet ready to give up her adolescent dreams of Prince Charming, and certainly doesn't want to settle down with her staid boyfriend into an even more monotonous married life. So, upon meeting the handsome hunky version of her childhood crush, Flora wishes more than anything to be sixteen again, a time when the future looked oh so rosy. The next morning she wakes up to find she is indeed sixteen once more. Somehow her alcohol-induced wish has come true, and she has a second chance at putting things right. Dealing with the treacherous corridors of school, raging hormones, a new best friend and the imminent break-up of her parents' marriage, can Flora spare the time to find the love of her life? Even more important, given the choice of returning to her former life or staying young, what will the new Flora choose? Jenny Colgan writes in a casual, breezy style that wraps readers in a cloak of warmth and friendliness. There's nothing typical about this story, which will blow your socks off. Flora's emotional conflicts are many, before and after her wish comes true. Colgan's talent lies in communicating the sentiment without making the whole thing maudlin. The story takes a refreshing, humorous look at that question that's plagued us all at one time or another - what if one could go back and change a crucial life-altering decision? The comedic conversation and situations, witty repartee, and sincere emotion make The Boy I Loved Before a madly compulsive story that's sure to resonate with readers. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews