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roglows's review
3.0
it was really cute, and i definitely enjoyed it. but it wasn't amazing, and i felt it wrapped up a bit (too) quickly.
christiana's review
4.0
So this was sensational. I wanted to read this book all of the time. I think part of it was right book at the right time, but the other part was good writing, excellent story (especially crush to other plot points ratio), sneaky historical facts (I learned about Colonial times and I wasn't even mad about it!), funny, and a lovable heroine teen Christiana TOTES would have befriended. I plan on rec'ing it left and right this fall/winter. I really wish it would have been released in summer though, considering it's a summer story, but it's good enough that I won't hold that against this wonderful book.
lizzielynn13's review
4.0
I really liked this book. It wasw a very interesting viewpoint, about a girl and her family who work at a Colonial reenactment park. This book gave a different way to think about the reeneactment parks. The story was very much like that of Romeo and Juliet (she falls in love with a Civil Warrior from the park across the street, but the two camps area at war with each other) but it was an interesting take on the story. All in all, worth the time it took to read.
michalice's review against another edition
3.0
Past Perfect was a light read that kept me entertained. While I don't get why people want to reenact the past, it was definitely entertaining to read and also see what pranks were played next. I would have liked the ending to be more complete and less of a possibility.
janina_reads's review
2.0
Another disappointment. Really, I had immensely high expectations for this book, but overall, it was just so ... bland. Chelsea's problems seemed insignificant, I really didn't understand how she got so worked up about minor things .
I used to love these kind of contemporary novels - not actual "issue" books, but lighthearted without being trite - and now I'm not sure if I've moved on or if this book is just a bad example. I'm sad I didn't love it more, I was really looking forward to placing it on my "rainy day comfort read" shelf and re-reading it at some point in the future.
Spoiler
and yes, falling in love with the "enemy" from the other Historical Village across the street does count as minor for meI used to love these kind of contemporary novels - not actual "issue" books, but lighthearted without being trite - and now I'm not sure if I've moved on or if this book is just a bad example. I'm sad I didn't love it more, I was really looking forward to placing it on my "rainy day comfort read" shelf and re-reading it at some point in the future.
katiemichellereads's review
4.0
My reviews can also be found on my blog, Kittens and Books.
Chelsea has always worked at Essex Historical Colonial Village, with her parents. This summer, she looks forward to having a different job - perhaps one at the mall with her best friend. But when her friend decides to join Chelsea at her old summer job, rather than find a new one, she has to continue working there - and continue the summer tradition of War, which takes place between the teen workers of Essex and a those of a nearby competitor.
To make things worse, Chelsea's ex is also working at Essex for the summer. Her goal was to get over him, but how is that possible when she has to see him every day?
One thing I was surprised to learn in this book was that Chelsea was going into her senior year. Most of the other characters were around her age, although some were a year or two younger, and I couldn't quite believe they were so old. Even when I knew, I still pictured Chelsea as a freshman in high school. That age just seemed to suit her better.
Some of the others seemed more mature. Fiona, the best friend, and Dan, a love interest, seemed more believable to me. They acted their age more often than I felt the other characters did, especially Chelsea. The War aided this - it all felt trivial and immature to me, but I could see it happening. I think Chelsea's voice is what really made me doubt her age.
Despite this, Chelsea's voice is also what made the book so fun. The humor was great, and I laughed out loud more times than I could count. This book was so entertaining - I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light contemporary, for sure.
On top of this, the writing was fantastic. I have no idea why I didn't think to highlight quotes, but so many stood out to me. The themes in the book were excellent and I loved the historical aspect as well. I like the idea that we're always rewriting the past, even if it's only something that happened months ago in our own lives. Seeing Chelsea's perspective change was so great.
I do wish, thinking back, that a couple more things had been wrapped up. For example, I would have liked to find out more about Dan's life and get a better glimpse at his family and such. (I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but I'm thinking about something in particular that I don't think was answered.)
Overall, I think this is one that's a fun, light read, but I wouldn't try to over-think it too much. I almost didn't even write a review, due to the fact that it was more enjoyable when I didn't have to think critically about the story. It's probably not for everyone, but for me it was just the thing I was looking for.
Chelsea has always worked at Essex Historical Colonial Village, with her parents. This summer, she looks forward to having a different job - perhaps one at the mall with her best friend. But when her friend decides to join Chelsea at her old summer job, rather than find a new one, she has to continue working there - and continue the summer tradition of War, which takes place between the teen workers of Essex and a those of a nearby competitor.
To make things worse, Chelsea's ex is also working at Essex for the summer. Her goal was to get over him, but how is that possible when she has to see him every day?
One thing I was surprised to learn in this book was that Chelsea was going into her senior year. Most of the other characters were around her age, although some were a year or two younger, and I couldn't quite believe they were so old. Even when I knew, I still pictured Chelsea as a freshman in high school. That age just seemed to suit her better.
Some of the others seemed more mature. Fiona, the best friend, and Dan, a love interest, seemed more believable to me. They acted their age more often than I felt the other characters did, especially Chelsea. The War aided this - it all felt trivial and immature to me, but I could see it happening. I think Chelsea's voice is what really made me doubt her age.
Despite this, Chelsea's voice is also what made the book so fun. The humor was great, and I laughed out loud more times than I could count. This book was so entertaining - I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light contemporary, for sure.
On top of this, the writing was fantastic. I have no idea why I didn't think to highlight quotes, but so many stood out to me. The themes in the book were excellent and I loved the historical aspect as well. I like the idea that we're always rewriting the past, even if it's only something that happened months ago in our own lives. Seeing Chelsea's perspective change was so great.
I do wish, thinking back, that a couple more things had been wrapped up. For example, I would have liked to find out more about Dan's life and get a better glimpse at his family and such. (I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but I'm thinking about something in particular that I don't think was answered.)
Overall, I think this is one that's a fun, light read, but I wouldn't try to over-think it too much. I almost didn't even write a review, due to the fact that it was more enjoyable when I didn't have to think critically about the story. It's probably not for everyone, but for me it was just the thing I was looking for.
heyjudy's review
3.0
~3.5/5
This was pretty good. Not as good as I'd hoped, but still pretty good.
Chelsea works at Essex Historical Colonial Village during the summer, since her parents work there, and her best friend, Fiona, along with her recent ex-boyfriend, start working there as well for the summer before their senior year.
First of all, I do like what Sales did with the whole past thing. Having Chelsea working at a historical themed place, where she has to pretend to be in that time, while also having a hard time moving on from her ex-boyfriend, Ezra. That was nice. And there are other little tidbits throughout the book, smart things, that made me think; also nice.
But Chelsea, I did not particularly like. She was fun for most of it, but she just would not move on...
(Read the rest here: http://geekyreading.blogspot.com/2012/02/review-past-perfect-by-leila-sales.html )
This was pretty good. Not as good as I'd hoped, but still pretty good.
Chelsea works at Essex Historical Colonial Village during the summer, since her parents work there, and her best friend, Fiona, along with her recent ex-boyfriend, start working there as well for the summer before their senior year.
First of all, I do like what Sales did with the whole past thing. Having Chelsea working at a historical themed place, where she has to pretend to be in that time, while also having a hard time moving on from her ex-boyfriend, Ezra. That was nice. And there are other little tidbits throughout the book, smart things, that made me think; also nice.
But Chelsea, I did not particularly like. She was fun for most of it, but she just would not move on...
(Read the rest here: http://geekyreading.blogspot.com/2012/02/review-past-perfect-by-leila-sales.html )
anjaliagarwal01's review
4.0
I am glad I continued reading this because I was about to give up in the beginning. When I first started reading this, I kept thinking that maybe I picked up a wrong book. I didn't understand what was going on and it felt like a historical book. Luckily I caught on and started to enjoy the story. This is what light and quick read which is perfect for the summer. For those who enjoy American history would especially enjoy this.
**Spoilers**
Chelsea had major character development in this and I am so glad she was able to let go of her relationship with Ezra. I am grateful that the author showed her whole thinking process when she finally realized what was wrong. Instead of changing Chelsea's mind in one second, we were able to to understand what was wrong at the same time as her.
Fiona's and Chelsea's friendship was adorable and especially their ice cream critiques. She was seen in and out throughout the story which isn't a big deal but I wanted to know how her and Nat finally got together lol.
Can we talk about Dan because omg I loved him. Their chemistry was so cute but there just wasn't enough. Chelsea and Dan were amazing together and I feel like the author didn't give their chemistry justice. I wanted to see more of them and it felt rushed at the end. So much more could have been added near the end but there wasn't. Anyways, whatever that was included was amazing.
**Spoilers**
Chelsea had major character development in this and I am so glad she was able to let go of her relationship with Ezra. I am grateful that the author showed her whole thinking process when she finally realized what was wrong. Instead of changing Chelsea's mind in one second, we were able to to understand what was wrong at the same time as her.
Fiona's and Chelsea's friendship was adorable and especially their ice cream critiques. She was seen in and out throughout the story which isn't a big deal but I wanted to know how her and Nat finally got together lol.
Can we talk about Dan because omg I loved him. Their chemistry was so cute but there just wasn't enough. Chelsea and Dan were amazing together and I feel like the author didn't give their chemistry justice. I wanted to see more of them and it felt rushed at the end. So much more could have been added near the end but there wasn't. Anyways, whatever that was included was amazing.
jinny89's review
5.0
4.5 star, rounded up for awesomeness.
What an unexpected gem! I’m so glad I came across this book (got it from the S&S Galley Grab, thank you!) It’s incredibly fun to read, a great book to read if you’re not looking for anything “heavy”.
The plot isn’t exactly wholly original — at first glance. It’s the story of a boy and a girl who end up falling in love with one another but cannot be together because their respective groups hate each other’s guts. This is the basic story of Romeo & Juliet, and probably a few dozen other stories that exist (if not more).
So you might be thinking, “Okay, what’s the unique factor?” It’s the context. Why can’t Chelsea, our main character, be together with Dan? Because Chelsea works at the Colonial Essex Village, a living history reenactment village whose employees constantly act out of the summer of 1774, and Dan works at the Civil War living history reenactment village across the street who act out the 1860′s. The two reenactment villages have a natural rivalry with one another that the more youthful employees take to extremes, convinced that their time period is the best time period of American history. So not only are Chelsea and Dan from rival reenactment villages, but also from reenactment villages of completely different time periods.
I bet you didn’t see that coming.
Chelsea has been working at the Colonial Essex Village ever since she can remember, because her parents work there, though Chelsea only works during the summers. This summer, however, Chelsea feels she’s finally had enough and would really rather have a normal mall job or something, but is talked into coming back to Essex by her best friend Fiona, and the lure of her ex-boyfriend Ezra, who has also found a job at Essex.
As usual, the teenage employees of Essex propose war against the teenage employees of the Civil War village across the street, to prove who’s got the better reenactment village and the better time period. Chelsea somehow finds herself elected Lieutenant of the war effort, and quickly gets “kidnapped” by some of the Civil War kids, one of whom is Dan, whom she develops a crush on pretty quickly. But the thing about Chelsea is that she’s very clingy to the past by nature, so on top of the fact that her friends would kill her if they knew she was into a Civil warrior, she’s not sure she’s able to drop Ezra completely yet.
This novel is sooo much fun to read. I think the best way to describe it is chick-lit for teens. I don’t really know much about historical reenactment (that’s not really a thing up here in Canada … I don’t think we really have any history exciting enough to reenact), but after reading this novel, I really want to visit one! How cool is it to feel like you’ve stepped back in history? Not to mention, who knew how awesome reenactors are?! I mean, yes, this is a novel, but this book makes historical reenacting seem like the coolest thing since sliced bread. I loved how Essex battled with the Civil War people, trying to prove that their historical village is from the best part of American history, hahaha!
Chelsea is the kind of girl I would love to be friends with. She really feels like any normal teenager you might come across in a high school. She’s a bit of a daydreamer, wants to be an ice-cream connoisseur, and has crushes on boys. The novel is in first person, so we are inside Chelsea’s head the entire time, and I love it! She’s such a funny person (without really intentionally trying to be one) and she’s got her parents who are absolutely obsessed with historical reenacting, which definitely made for more laughs.
As for the male interests, there is a teensy bit of a love triangle, but it’s never really full blown since Chelsea and Ezra have already broken up. I quite liked Dan. I like how his relationship with Chelsea felt pretty natural. They did click together quickly, but I am glad Chelsea didn’t call it “true love” right away. It was a crush, and she acknowledges it as such. They did seem to move a tad fast — Dan just suddenly kisses Chelsea one day — but it was light and flirty and felt realistic for teenagers, none of that oh-so-serious eternal love stuff. The romance in this book is extremely adorable!
I really loved almost every aspect of this book. I think the only thing that disappointed me slightly was the ending. The entire book felt like a day out at the amusement park, but the ending felt like the car trip home — a bit boring. That’s not to say it was horrible, I just felt it could have been better.
Should you read this book? YES! I mean, how many YA books out there involve historical reenactment anyway?! You definitely don’t want to miss out on this one. I love this book! Oh, and you learn a lot of random historical facts in this book! :)
(Review originally posted at http://skyink.net)
What an unexpected gem! I’m so glad I came across this book (got it from the S&S Galley Grab, thank you!) It’s incredibly fun to read, a great book to read if you’re not looking for anything “heavy”.
The plot isn’t exactly wholly original — at first glance. It’s the story of a boy and a girl who end up falling in love with one another but cannot be together because their respective groups hate each other’s guts. This is the basic story of Romeo & Juliet, and probably a few dozen other stories that exist (if not more).
So you might be thinking, “Okay, what’s the unique factor?” It’s the context. Why can’t Chelsea, our main character, be together with Dan? Because Chelsea works at the Colonial Essex Village, a living history reenactment village whose employees constantly act out of the summer of 1774, and Dan works at the Civil War living history reenactment village across the street who act out the 1860′s. The two reenactment villages have a natural rivalry with one another that the more youthful employees take to extremes, convinced that their time period is the best time period of American history. So not only are Chelsea and Dan from rival reenactment villages, but also from reenactment villages of completely different time periods.
I bet you didn’t see that coming.
Chelsea has been working at the Colonial Essex Village ever since she can remember, because her parents work there, though Chelsea only works during the summers. This summer, however, Chelsea feels she’s finally had enough and would really rather have a normal mall job or something, but is talked into coming back to Essex by her best friend Fiona, and the lure of her ex-boyfriend Ezra, who has also found a job at Essex.
As usual, the teenage employees of Essex propose war against the teenage employees of the Civil War village across the street, to prove who’s got the better reenactment village and the better time period. Chelsea somehow finds herself elected Lieutenant of the war effort, and quickly gets “kidnapped” by some of the Civil War kids, one of whom is Dan, whom she develops a crush on pretty quickly. But the thing about Chelsea is that she’s very clingy to the past by nature, so on top of the fact that her friends would kill her if they knew she was into a Civil warrior, she’s not sure she’s able to drop Ezra completely yet.
This novel is sooo much fun to read. I think the best way to describe it is chick-lit for teens. I don’t really know much about historical reenactment (that’s not really a thing up here in Canada … I don’t think we really have any history exciting enough to reenact), but after reading this novel, I really want to visit one! How cool is it to feel like you’ve stepped back in history? Not to mention, who knew how awesome reenactors are?! I mean, yes, this is a novel, but this book makes historical reenacting seem like the coolest thing since sliced bread. I loved how Essex battled with the Civil War people, trying to prove that their historical village is from the best part of American history, hahaha!
Chelsea is the kind of girl I would love to be friends with. She really feels like any normal teenager you might come across in a high school. She’s a bit of a daydreamer, wants to be an ice-cream connoisseur, and has crushes on boys. The novel is in first person, so we are inside Chelsea’s head the entire time, and I love it! She’s such a funny person (without really intentionally trying to be one) and she’s got her parents who are absolutely obsessed with historical reenacting, which definitely made for more laughs.
As for the male interests, there is a teensy bit of a love triangle, but it’s never really full blown since Chelsea and Ezra have already broken up. I quite liked Dan. I like how his relationship with Chelsea felt pretty natural. They did click together quickly, but I am glad Chelsea didn’t call it “true love” right away. It was a crush, and she acknowledges it as such. They did seem to move a tad fast — Dan just suddenly kisses Chelsea one day — but it was light and flirty and felt realistic for teenagers, none of that oh-so-serious eternal love stuff. The romance in this book is extremely adorable!
I really loved almost every aspect of this book. I think the only thing that disappointed me slightly was the ending. The entire book felt like a day out at the amusement park, but the ending felt like the car trip home — a bit boring. That’s not to say it was horrible, I just felt it could have been better.
Should you read this book? YES! I mean, how many YA books out there involve historical reenactment anyway?! You definitely don’t want to miss out on this one. I love this book! Oh, and you learn a lot of random historical facts in this book! :)
(Review originally posted at http://skyink.net)
mfumarolo's review
4.0
Read this whole thing in one sitting! A great escape on a hit summer afternoon with an inventive premise.