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brandypainter's review
4.0
Originally posted here.
My parents moved to Virginia two weeks after I started college. They live a 20-30 minute, depending on traffic, drive from Colonial Williamsburg. I have been many times. While there I have never wanted to ask the actors if they are hot. I know they are hot. I'm hot and I don't have 20 pounds of clothes on. I have always wondered about the other lives of these people who spend their whole day pretending to be someone else in a different world. I was excited to see Leila Sales had written a story about this in her contemporary YA novel Past Perfect, which I devoured in one afternoon and thoroughly loved. (Also, I love the cover even if it has nothing to do with the actual story.)
My college made us Elementary Ed majors have what they called a "Concentration" in another subject area. It was more hours than a minor but not enough to qualify as a second major (but almost-kind of annoying). Mine was in History. So I think I came at this novel from a perspective that most readers who just enjoy romantic contemporary YA probably do not. Reading this was a complete nerdfest for me. The characters in this book are my people. (Yes, I do know real life people who participate in Civil War reenactments.) Chelsea states at the beginning that teens who want to work at Essex are 1)history nerds or 2) drama geeks. Having proudly been a member of both of those groups I really enjoyed all the characters. Especially Chelsea, who doesn't realize it in the beginning, but is a member of both groups herself. I very much like how in portraying some of the characters as those stereotypes, Sales also showed that individually they were all so much more than that. I thought the way the friendship between Chelsea and Fiona was portrayed was wonderful. They are two complicated girls who really care for each other and want to support each other. I also enjoyed the way Chelsea's break up recovery was dealt with. When you are 16, losing your first love is devastating, even if he is kind of a jerk. Usually you can't see that. I was impressed with how realistic, without being overly dramatic that situation was.
The overly dramatic element was there in the war the Colonial reenactors have with the Civil War reenactors and Chelsea's forbidden flirtation with one of the enemy camp. I liked the relationship, but felt that the most dramatic element of it was a little unnecessary. There was enough going on to create tension without adding that and I had a difficult time reconciling it with Chelsea's character. However, I was able to overlook this because of all the things I did like about the story.
Particularly the history stuff. My favorite scene in the book is from p246-251 where Chelsea and her father are having a bonding moment over a discussion of the perceptions we have of history. Loved. Every. Word.
Also this quote (which occurs later): "My parents took me to Ren Faire one weekend when I was little, because they thought it would be a fun family outing. When we saw the stage of half-naked dancers, we immediately turned around and left. Not because my parents thought it was inappropriate for their child to see barely dressed women. Just because thy thought it was inappropriate for their child to see such offensive historical inaccuracies." This pretty much sums up why my kids are not allowed to watch Pocahontas.
Note on Content: There is mention of alcohol being available at a party Chelsea attends (though she does not partake). There are also some mild make out scenes.
My parents moved to Virginia two weeks after I started college. They live a 20-30 minute, depending on traffic, drive from Colonial Williamsburg. I have been many times. While there I have never wanted to ask the actors if they are hot. I know they are hot. I'm hot and I don't have 20 pounds of clothes on. I have always wondered about the other lives of these people who spend their whole day pretending to be someone else in a different world. I was excited to see Leila Sales had written a story about this in her contemporary YA novel Past Perfect, which I devoured in one afternoon and thoroughly loved. (Also, I love the cover even if it has nothing to do with the actual story.)
My college made us Elementary Ed majors have what they called a "Concentration" in another subject area. It was more hours than a minor but not enough to qualify as a second major (but almost-kind of annoying). Mine was in History. So I think I came at this novel from a perspective that most readers who just enjoy romantic contemporary YA probably do not. Reading this was a complete nerdfest for me. The characters in this book are my people. (Yes, I do know real life people who participate in Civil War reenactments.) Chelsea states at the beginning that teens who want to work at Essex are 1)history nerds or 2) drama geeks. Having proudly been a member of both of those groups I really enjoyed all the characters. Especially Chelsea, who doesn't realize it in the beginning, but is a member of both groups herself. I very much like how in portraying some of the characters as those stereotypes, Sales also showed that individually they were all so much more than that. I thought the way the friendship between Chelsea and Fiona was portrayed was wonderful. They are two complicated girls who really care for each other and want to support each other. I also enjoyed the way Chelsea's break up recovery was dealt with. When you are 16, losing your first love is devastating, even if he is kind of a jerk. Usually you can't see that. I was impressed with how realistic, without being overly dramatic that situation was.
The overly dramatic element was there in the war the Colonial reenactors have with the Civil War reenactors and Chelsea's forbidden flirtation with one of the enemy camp. I liked the relationship, but felt that the most dramatic element of it was a little unnecessary. There was enough going on to create tension without adding that and I had a difficult time reconciling it with Chelsea's character. However, I was able to overlook this because of all the things I did like about the story.
Particularly the history stuff. My favorite scene in the book is from p246-251 where Chelsea and her father are having a bonding moment over a discussion of the perceptions we have of history. Loved. Every. Word.
Also this quote (which occurs later): "My parents took me to Ren Faire one weekend when I was little, because they thought it would be a fun family outing. When we saw the stage of half-naked dancers, we immediately turned around and left. Not because my parents thought it was inappropriate for their child to see barely dressed women. Just because thy thought it was inappropriate for their child to see such offensive historical inaccuracies." This pretty much sums up why my kids are not allowed to watch Pocahontas.
Note on Content: There is mention of alcohol being available at a party Chelsea attends (though she does not partake). There are also some mild make out scenes.
nbwalks's review
4.0
Actual Rating:3.5
Favorite thing about this book: How much it made me laugh. I was honestly surprised. You know how there are those stupid/cheesy jokes and sarcastic comments? Well, this was chock full of them. Usually I don't like those types of jokes but these ones were great. They just made the characters all the more lovable.
Speaking of which,
Characters: Can't help but love them. They aren't the usual popular or even "normal" kids. They are History Buffs and Drama Freaks. Loved them. Seriously. I liked how the author showed us their own world where they had their own sort of popular kids. It was different and nice to read about. Then when they encountered the actual popular kids, the experience was realistic since they cowered away from them. It broke my heart but I still loved how realistic it was.
It was really, really close to getting a solid 4*'s out of me BUT, I didn't like the ending. I felt like it was either too rushed or something was missing. Sure the plot strings were tied together but I didn't experience that. I just read about it, kind of like a summary. That was a major disappointment.
Still, overall it was a nice read that I recommend to people who are in that limbo of waiting for a new release to come out. (I started reading while waiting for Shadows, then put it on hold while reading Shadows, and then started up again while waiting for Pandemonium; you don't get lost or confused if you put it on hold for a couple of days ;)...)
Favorite thing about this book: How much it made me laugh. I was honestly surprised. You know how there are those stupid/cheesy jokes and sarcastic comments? Well, this was chock full of them. Usually I don't like those types of jokes but these ones were great. They just made the characters all the more lovable.
Speaking of which,
Characters: Can't help but love them. They aren't the usual popular or even "normal" kids. They are History Buffs and Drama Freaks. Loved them. Seriously. I liked how the author showed us their own world where they had their own sort of popular kids. It was different and nice to read about. Then when they encountered the actual popular kids, the experience was realistic since they cowered away from them. It broke my heart but I still loved how realistic it was.
It was really, really close to getting a solid 4*'s out of me BUT, I didn't like the ending. I felt like it was either too rushed or something was missing. Sure the plot strings were tied together but I didn't experience that. I just read about it, kind of like a summary. That was a major disappointment.
Still, overall it was a nice read that I recommend to people who are in that limbo of waiting for a new release to come out. (I started reading while waiting for Shadows, then put it on hold while reading Shadows, and then started up again while waiting for Pandemonium; you don't get lost or confused if you put it on hold for a couple of days ;)...)
mckinlay's review
5.0
i loved this book. i feel like it was interesting twist on romeo and juliet, except nobody died. very different setting for a YA romance. will probably read again.
sonietta90's review
3.0
Sono troppo vecchia per questo libro.
O forse รจ il libro troppo young, e poco adult.
O forse รจ il libro troppo young, e poco adult.
rosalind14's review
4.0
A nice, enjoyable, lighthearted read. I really like Leila Sales's style of writing, and I preferred this book over her previous book. The historical reenactment concept was really original and fun to read about, and I liked Chelsea's philosophies about history. There wasn't that extra level of depth that I reserve for my five-star ratings, but that's okay-- this book was funny, quick, and completely satisfactory. I particularly enjoyed Chelsea and Fiona's ice-cream exploits.
merkyr's review
4.0
OK. So how could I not love a YA book set in a colonial village?
But beyond the pure and simple fact that I loved the setting, I thought Chelsea as a MC was great, had some depth to her, and really captured the way you feel in the summer in high school. Also I thought the historical references and key teaching moments about history being more fluid than we think were effortlessly woven into the plot.
My main problem with this book is that I didn't think of it first.
But beyond the pure and simple fact that I loved the setting, I thought Chelsea as a MC was great, had some depth to her, and really captured the way you feel in the summer in high school. Also I thought the historical references and key teaching moments about history being more fluid than we think were effortlessly woven into the plot.
My main problem with this book is that I didn't think of it first.
spauffwrites's review
3.0
Don't judge this book by its cover (as it has nothing to do with the story) Great for amateur history buffs, fans of "living history" museums and former American Girl enthusiasts. It's a fun YA novel that takes place at Essex Colonial Village (which is kind of like Colonial Williamsburg), where the main character, Chelsea, works as a colonial reenactor. One of the main plot points is the "war" between teen reenactors at Essex and teen reenactors at the living history museum across the road, Civil War Reenactmentland. Awesome, right?
kaitrosereads's review
5.0
Past Perfect is the perfect book to read when you are in the mood for something light and fun. So many books these days are very dark and Past Perfect is the perfect book to counteract those. (Not that I don't love my dark books.) =)
Past Perfect is not your typical chick-lit romance novel. It actually has a very entertaining plot that doesn't just focus on the romance. There is a war going on between the two historical reenactment villages and it was quite hilarious to read about. There are some devious teenagers. I loved reading about the crazy schemes they came up with. They were laugh out loud funny!
There was a great cast of characters in this book. Chelsea was a bit annoying at first because of her obsession with her ex-boyfriend but she quickly outgrew that. Her best friend, Fiona, was a surprisingly great friend. No backstabbing from her! Dan was a bit awkward but in the best possible way. His interactions with Chelsea cracked me up. The miliner girls were my least favorite characters but they weren't too bad. Bryan cracked me up and Chelsea's dad reminded me a lot of my own.
Overall, Past Perfect is a great chick lit novel with a bit more to it. It's funny, sweet, and a super easy read Perfect for a rainy day!
Past Perfect is not your typical chick-lit romance novel. It actually has a very entertaining plot that doesn't just focus on the romance. There is a war going on between the two historical reenactment villages and it was quite hilarious to read about. There are some devious teenagers. I loved reading about the crazy schemes they came up with. They were laugh out loud funny!
There was a great cast of characters in this book. Chelsea was a bit annoying at first because of her obsession with her ex-boyfriend but she quickly outgrew that. Her best friend, Fiona, was a surprisingly great friend. No backstabbing from her! Dan was a bit awkward but in the best possible way. His interactions with Chelsea cracked me up. The miliner girls were my least favorite characters but they weren't too bad. Bryan cracked me up and Chelsea's dad reminded me a lot of my own.
Overall, Past Perfect is a great chick lit novel with a bit more to it. It's funny, sweet, and a super easy read Perfect for a rainy day!