readingundertheradar's review against another edition
2.0
I was excited for this one because I've not read a fictional book on people who worked in a historical village, but was disappointed. None of the characters really felt developed to me, and I had a hard time taking anything seriously because they were talking about how serious the rivalry was with the village across the street, but they were just teenagers, so I felt like it was overly stereotypical and played up. I've heard great things about this author and have 2 other books by her, so I will keep trying!
33p3barpercent's review against another edition
4.0
This book was hilarious. I frequently sported a huge grin while reading this. It was really well written, too. It has over-arching symbolism that I just fall in love with. It's got a heroine who is relatable and not perfect. Such believable characters with believable motivations and failings. It's a familiar storyline (girl with a broken heart learning to love again), but it's set in a quirky plot that somehow reads fresh and new. I highly recommend this one.
I really like books that don't make situations simple. Chelsea's ex-boyfriend wasn't a jackass (he wasn't NOT one either, but... he wasn't this terrible villain. He was just a clueless boy), Dan wasn't this miraculous new guy who saves Chelsea. Chelsea had some problems she had to work out and Dan wasn't her cure. She had to fix her problems and sort her life out. I liked that Chelsea made mistakes (big ones), and they weren't just big misunderstandings that a conversation could fix.
I really like books that don't make situations simple. Chelsea's ex-boyfriend wasn't a jackass (he wasn't NOT one either, but... he wasn't this terrible villain. He was just a clueless boy), Dan wasn't this miraculous new guy who saves Chelsea. Chelsea had some problems she had to work out and Dan wasn't her cure. She had to fix her problems and sort her life out. I liked that Chelsea made mistakes (big ones), and they weren't just big misunderstandings that a conversation could fix.
charmaineac's review against another edition
4.0
What a lovely vanilla fluffy read! I must say, after reading This Song Will Save Your Life, I fully expected some tearjerking, weighty, and meaningful story here. Instead, I got a fun, snappy, and witty rom-com. I love the banter and jokes that carry forward. I love the casual absurdity of the setting (reenactments? Yes please!) and characters (super-dedicated-to-reenactments parents? Yes please!). This was a fun and largely ridiculous romp that plays off the past on multiple levels.
I love the idea of work-wide prank wars. Competition breeds the best in us all, in my opinion. There were some fun schemes here that made me wistful of pranking done RIGHT (not that easy to come by these days). I also enjoyed anything relating to ice-cream connoisseurship. I respect such dedication to the cause (and would totally want that job too!! Sign me UP!).
I loved a certain warrior to bits. The dialogue really made the relationship to me. It's not often that books take time to develop that "getting-to-know-you" stage. Far too often do they portray miscommunication, acting hard to get, insta-love, or choosing to skip that period all together. Relationship-development is important, and it's refreshing to see people openly admit their affection towards each other rather than playing games. I guess they had some forbidden "Romeo-and-Juliet" type hurdles to get through, but that was necessary for a plot line (as in, that was pretty much the only substantial plot line in the book). I'm also glad that the romance wasn't rushed at all. We got to see those tentative first encounters, flirty moments, and signals of interest. That made the payout much more satisfying. This guy was WAY cooler than a particular ex-boyfriend. Neither were perfect (we're like, WAY past that), but I can understand Chelsea's feelings for them both.
I wish there was a little more character development, as many of the characters were a bit two-dimensional (yes, better than one-dimensional, but still not all the way there). Dan's in a band. Is that really all we can hear about it? It seems like something major in his life. And how old is this kid? Is he a public school guy, or did he just graduate (considering his bandmates are out on tour by themselves)? Better yet, what is Ezra into? I wish I had a bit more to grab onto about these characters. Also, things came a little too easily at times. Give me more issues than that!
Still, if you're looking for a fun and simple read, this one is perfect.
I love the idea of work-wide prank wars. Competition breeds the best in us all, in my opinion. There were some fun schemes here that made me wistful of pranking done RIGHT (not that easy to come by these days). I also enjoyed anything relating to ice-cream connoisseurship. I respect such dedication to the cause (and would totally want that job too!! Sign me UP!).
I loved a certain warrior to bits. The dialogue really made the relationship to me. It's not often that books take time to develop that "getting-to-know-you" stage. Far too often do they portray miscommunication, acting hard to get, insta-love, or choosing to skip that period all together. Relationship-development is important, and it's refreshing to see people openly admit their affection towards each other rather than playing games. I guess they had some forbidden "Romeo-and-Juliet" type hurdles to get through, but that was necessary for a plot line (as in, that was pretty much the only substantial plot line in the book). I'm also glad that the romance wasn't rushed at all. We got to see those tentative first encounters, flirty moments, and signals of interest. That made the payout much more satisfying. This guy was WAY cooler than a particular ex-boyfriend. Neither were perfect (we're like, WAY past that), but I can understand Chelsea's feelings for them both.
I wish there was a little more character development, as many of the characters were a bit two-dimensional (yes, better than one-dimensional, but still not all the way there). Dan's in a band. Is that really all we can hear about it? It seems like something major in his life. And how old is this kid? Is he a public school guy, or did he just graduate (considering his bandmates are out on tour by themselves)? Better yet, what is Ezra into? I wish I had a bit more to grab onto about these characters. Also, things came a little too easily at times. Give me more issues than that!
Still, if you're looking for a fun and simple read, this one is perfect.
suzannedix's review against another edition
4.0
Reviewed by a 7th grader: Past Perfect is told from the point of view of Chelsea, a high school girl who has recently broken up with her boyfriend Ezra. The story takes place over one summer when Chelsea, her best friend Fiona, and Ezra all have jobs at the Essex Historical Colonial Village, a local Revolutionary War reenactment tourist site, They spend their days in old costumes as "interpreters" but after hours, much goes on, including feuding with a nearby Civil War Historical Village.
For a teen centered realistic fiction novel, this one was pretty good. There's the whole "getting over the ex" cliché sort of thing, but the historical reenactment village as the back drop for the drama makes it more unique and interesting. Throughout the book, the author realistically shows Chelsea's thoughts and actions. The plot is not thought-provoking or anything like that, but it's different, and worth reading if you have the time.
Recommended.
For a teen centered realistic fiction novel, this one was pretty good. There's the whole "getting over the ex" cliché sort of thing, but the historical reenactment village as the back drop for the drama makes it more unique and interesting. Throughout the book, the author realistically shows Chelsea's thoughts and actions. The plot is not thought-provoking or anything like that, but it's different, and worth reading if you have the time.
Recommended.
prncssme's review against another edition
4.0
A quick, fun read with a neat take on the Romeo and Juliet tale. The storyline was rather predictable, but the dialogue and characters were what made this book so much fun. I also loved the idea of two rival reenactment towns right across the street from each other and the inevitable authenticity sniping that would go on. Anyone who's ever been involved in a renaissance faire, the SCA, or any other reenactment/costuming group will definitely get a kick out of this book.
pagesplotsandpints's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 or thereabouts
Super super adorable. Just loved the reenactment aspect too! How original.
Full review originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide: I had my eye on PAST PERFECT for a while so I was so excited with Estelle from Rather Be Reading got it for me as a Secret Santa gift this past Christmas! I knew I wanted to read it at the right time and I started it on the 4th of July when I was looking for a cute summery book and lo and behold, there's a whole 4th of July chapter so that just worked perfectly!
PAST PERFECT was an excellent book. It follows the story of Chelsea during the summer before her senior year of high school working at the local historical reenactment village... mainly because her parents work there and that's pretty much always been her summer job (even before she was technically allowed to work). I just loved the historical reenactment angle of the book. I mean, how original is that!? It was so much fun to read about too, especially when sabotage with anachronisms started to pop up!
The atmosphere of the book was really one of my favorite things about it. I've actually visited a historical reenactment village with my family on vacation but I was also about... seven years old or so (pictures below!) so I had a bit of a past connection to the setting (not like I remember a LOT of it but knowing I was somewhere like that was cute) and it was just so much fun to experience. I could really picture myself in the story and I could picture the characters there. The overall feel just felt so real and genuine.
historical
The romance was JUST ADORABLE and the forbidden romance is another one of my favorites. Once the rival reenactment village is introduced, don't you just KNOW that the love interest will be one of those guys. (And also, colonial versus Civil War. I just love it.) I just loved the way the romance developed and unfolded. The two characters had great chemistry and I couldn't wait for them to finally get together.
I also really connected a lot to Chelsea and her boy situation. She ends up working at the historical village again after deciding specifically not to because her best friend really wants to and Chelsea's ex-boyfriend also happens to end up working there too... High school drama abound! I could relate to Chelsea though. She wasn't head over heels for her ex but after the relationship is ended and on less than favorable terms, Chelsea had a hard time letting it go. I could totally understand where she's coming from too. I've had a few crushes gone bad that totally seemed like I lost something huge when things didn't work out but after a different perspective from friends and giving it some time, I could tell that it just wasn't meant to be and was never that amazing in the first place.
Basically PAST PERFECT was adorable. I had so much fun reading it and I really made a connection with the characters and the setting. I was surprised that it actually had some really great analogies that led to some really fantastic messages and lessons. I absolutely loved the ending and how everything wrapped up so well.
Super super adorable. Just loved the reenactment aspect too! How original.
Full review originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide: I had my eye on PAST PERFECT for a while so I was so excited with Estelle from Rather Be Reading got it for me as a Secret Santa gift this past Christmas! I knew I wanted to read it at the right time and I started it on the 4th of July when I was looking for a cute summery book and lo and behold, there's a whole 4th of July chapter so that just worked perfectly!
PAST PERFECT was an excellent book. It follows the story of Chelsea during the summer before her senior year of high school working at the local historical reenactment village... mainly because her parents work there and that's pretty much always been her summer job (even before she was technically allowed to work). I just loved the historical reenactment angle of the book. I mean, how original is that!? It was so much fun to read about too, especially when sabotage with anachronisms started to pop up!
The atmosphere of the book was really one of my favorite things about it. I've actually visited a historical reenactment village with my family on vacation but I was also about... seven years old or so (pictures below!) so I had a bit of a past connection to the setting (not like I remember a LOT of it but knowing I was somewhere like that was cute) and it was just so much fun to experience. I could really picture myself in the story and I could picture the characters there. The overall feel just felt so real and genuine.
historical
The romance was JUST ADORABLE and the forbidden romance is another one of my favorites. Once the rival reenactment village is introduced, don't you just KNOW that the love interest will be one of those guys. (And also, colonial versus Civil War. I just love it.) I just loved the way the romance developed and unfolded. The two characters had great chemistry and I couldn't wait for them to finally get together.
I also really connected a lot to Chelsea and her boy situation. She ends up working at the historical village again after deciding specifically not to because her best friend really wants to and Chelsea's ex-boyfriend also happens to end up working there too... High school drama abound! I could relate to Chelsea though. She wasn't head over heels for her ex but after the relationship is ended and on less than favorable terms, Chelsea had a hard time letting it go. I could totally understand where she's coming from too. I've had a few crushes gone bad that totally seemed like I lost something huge when things didn't work out but after a different perspective from friends and giving it some time, I could tell that it just wasn't meant to be and was never that amazing in the first place.
Basically PAST PERFECT was adorable. I had so much fun reading it and I really made a connection with the characters and the setting. I was surprised that it actually had some really great analogies that led to some really fantastic messages and lessons. I absolutely loved the ending and how everything wrapped up so well.
literarykate616's review against another edition
5.0
Last spring, when I saw that someone had written a book about a girl who worked at a reenactment village, I just knew I had to read it. See, I love museums and have worked at my fair share of them. I'm no stranger to wearing historical costumes and understand just how awful it is to be without air-conditioning. Past Perfect was everything I expected it to be and so much more. Chelsea's sarcasm cracked me up and Sales totally captured the atmosphere of working at an open-air history museum. I loved Chelsea's interaction with the visitors because I could totally relate to being asked stupid questions and having to hide my cellphone while I was giving tours in costume.
The best part of Past Perfect was the rivalry between Essex Historical Colonial Village and Civil War Reenactment Land. Both parties came up with some great pranks, but the highlight of the war was Chelsea and Dan's forbidden romance. I don't blame Chelsea one bit for cavorting with the enemy because Dan is totally worth sneaking around. Any guy who loves history and looks good in historical costumes is ok in my book, even if he does work at Civil War Reenactment Land. Loved their banter that slowly turns into something more and also, one word: trampoline. That scene seriously gave me chills.
After I read Past Perfect I pushed so many other people to read it. I'm not sure if they actually read it because of me or not, but regardless all of the reviews have been nothing but positive. I will now read anything that Leila Sales writes because her sense of humor makes me laugh out loud. This is definitely my favorite book of the year and everyone should read it.
The best part of Past Perfect was the rivalry between Essex Historical Colonial Village and Civil War Reenactment Land. Both parties came up with some great pranks, but the highlight of the war was Chelsea and Dan's forbidden romance. I don't blame Chelsea one bit for cavorting with the enemy because Dan is totally worth sneaking around. Any guy who loves history and looks good in historical costumes is ok in my book, even if he does work at Civil War Reenactment Land. Loved their banter that slowly turns into something more and also, one word: trampoline. That scene seriously gave me chills.
After I read Past Perfect I pushed so many other people to read it. I'm not sure if they actually read it because of me or not, but regardless all of the reviews have been nothing but positive. I will now read anything that Leila Sales writes because her sense of humor makes me laugh out loud. This is definitely my favorite book of the year and everyone should read it.
freybrarian's review against another edition
4.0
(My reviews are intended for my own info as a language arts teacher: they serve as notes and reflections for teaching and recommending to students. Therefore, spoilers may be present but will be hidden.)
SUMMARY: Admittedly, lite teen romance is really not my thing. I started Past Perfect with pretty low expectations; I just wanted a change of pace from my recent reads. However, Leila Sales pleasantly surprised me with this funny, quick read with a very unique setting.
Chelsea Glaser is a sixteen-year-old historical reenactor who is struggling to get over a recent breakup. She takes some solace in the familiarity of her job at Essex Historical Colonial Village, knowing that her ex, Ezra Gorman, will be nowhere nearby...until he is. Ezra is the newest weapons magazine worker at Essex. Meanwhile, Essex's teen employees and the next-door Civil War Reenactmentland's employees are engaged in a full-on prank war. This adds further complication to Chelsea's life, as she has fallen for one of the enemy.
There is a lot to like about this book. Reading about the quirks of working in a historical village tourist trap was really fun. As Chelsea, aka Elizabeth Connelly (her employee alias), advises her friend, "Most people just want to know your name, whether you're overheated, and where they can find the nearest toilet. But some people also want you to know that they are really, really good at Colonial history" (12). The pranks also add to the fun. On the other hand, there were a couple of things that bugged me a little about Past Perfect. For one thing, the main characters, Chelsea, Ezra, Fiona, and Dan, had too-similar personalities. Unique, complex characters are the biggest selling point, for me, with realistic fiction. The other thing is that, at times, the protagonist was downright mean. The sarcastic, sixteen-year-old-ish comments are one thing, but she constantly ragged on fellow reenactor Bryan and the local popular girls. I just became less and less empathetic toward Chelsea as the book went on. Too bad, because dialogue like the following almost redeemed her:
"I've had lots of boyfriends before."
"Cool." She looked wholly unimpressed.
"I mean, not a slutty number of boyfriends. But not just Ezra and a Civil Warrior, either. Basically, what I'm saying is that I've had a normal number of boyfriends." (269) Love it! Just wish Sales would have toned down some of Chelsea's biting remarks.
READABILITY: Super-easy read. I would recommend this to my students who enjoy the Princess Diaries series, or want a romance that is more 'lite' on the issues than a Sarah Dessen novel.
APPROPRIATENESS: The only red flag here is some profanity. I think Past Perfect would be a great option for my eighth graders.
SUMMARY: Admittedly, lite teen romance is really not my thing. I started Past Perfect with pretty low expectations; I just wanted a change of pace from my recent reads. However, Leila Sales pleasantly surprised me with this funny, quick read with a very unique setting.
Chelsea Glaser is a sixteen-year-old historical reenactor who is struggling to get over a recent breakup. She takes some solace in the familiarity of her job at Essex Historical Colonial Village, knowing that her ex, Ezra Gorman, will be nowhere nearby...until he is. Ezra is the newest weapons magazine worker at Essex. Meanwhile, Essex's teen employees and the next-door Civil War Reenactmentland's employees are engaged in a full-on prank war. This adds further complication to Chelsea's life, as she has fallen for one of the enemy.
There is a lot to like about this book. Reading about the quirks of working in a historical village tourist trap was really fun. As Chelsea, aka Elizabeth Connelly (her employee alias), advises her friend, "Most people just want to know your name, whether you're overheated, and where they can find the nearest toilet. But some people also want you to know that they are really, really good at Colonial history" (12). The pranks also add to the fun. On the other hand, there were a couple of things that bugged me a little about Past Perfect. For one thing, the main characters, Chelsea, Ezra, Fiona, and Dan, had too-similar personalities. Unique, complex characters are the biggest selling point, for me, with realistic fiction. The other thing is that, at times, the protagonist was downright mean. The sarcastic, sixteen-year-old-ish comments are one thing, but she constantly ragged on fellow reenactor Bryan and the local popular girls. I just became less and less empathetic toward Chelsea as the book went on. Too bad, because dialogue like the following almost redeemed her:
"I've had lots of boyfriends before."
"Cool." She looked wholly unimpressed.
"I mean, not a slutty number of boyfriends. But not just Ezra and a Civil Warrior, either. Basically, what I'm saying is that I've had a normal number of boyfriends." (269) Love it! Just wish Sales would have toned down some of Chelsea's biting remarks.
READABILITY: Super-easy read. I would recommend this to my students who enjoy the Princess Diaries series, or want a romance that is more 'lite' on the issues than a Sarah Dessen novel.
APPROPRIATENESS: The only red flag here is some profanity. I think Past Perfect would be a great option for my eighth graders.
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
3.0
It was a super cute read. I loved the setting so much. I also really liked the characters. Just a cute fun read!