Review for Past Perfect by Leila Sales

Past Perfect
By Leila Sales
Published by Simon Pulse
Read on Pulse It
306 pages

"All Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra’s working there too. Which makes moving on and forgetting Ezra a lot more complicated…even when Chelsea starts falling for someone new.

Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she’s got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it…."-Goodreads

This is the cutest read, it will perk up your day and have you smiling all the way through! This is how I like my contemporaries: fresh out of the fun oven (lame but true).

I do admit that Chelsea wasn't my most popular pick for a MC but she was a good character. I loved her sarcasm, comical side, and how much she grew by the end of the story as a person. Although her viewpoints on love made me roll my eyes and how naive she was made me face-palm - she was a likable character. Plus, how can I not love a girl wearing a green leather jacket? (I want to own that jacket!) The biggest positive for me, was the interaction she had with the other characters, be it her best friend, crush, ex-boyfriend, dad, or the general (uh-huh). The conversations were witty and engaging. I won't go into too much detail regarding the love interest(s) because I don't want to spoil it but let me tell you, one of them is rocking!

I have never read about reenactment villages, and oh my gosh, I loved it! The setting of this story was unbelievable, it just gave me a positive, summery vibe. I could totally work at Essex! Now here is a bit of a spoiler, but not much since you learn about it off the geco - Essex is at War with Reenactment Land (the neighboring competition). You heard me people! They are at war. How much more awesome can that get?! It adds comic and laughs along the way since the parents/employers at both places don't know about it. I LOVED this aspect; it was actually my favourite part. There's pranks, kidnappings, parties, and cavorting with the enemies! The love story, well it was cute but gosh, I couldn't get over how Chelsea dealt with things. Gah! Is she really sixteen? Cause that's not how I think! Anyways, her and the boy she ends up with, well they have the cutest relationship - and I love them together. It was so cliche but in a way that it was lovable!

I'd recommend this to those who love a good laugh, history (cause there's lots to learn), romance, and, generally, a good time. It did have depth to it and will leave you contemplating. It was a great adventure (it got me hyped up for summer!)

Excerpt:

To help her adjust to life at the Colonial Essex Village, I made Fiona a list of the questions that visitors were most likely to ask her. I am, after all, an expert.

This was my list:

1. "Where's the bathroom?"

This is far and away the most common question. You don't actually need any sort of historical knowledge to work at Essex You just have to know where the nearest toilet is. 

*******

2. "Don't you get hot in those clothes?"

True answer: yes. Of course you get freaking hot. It's the middle of a sunshiny day in summertime in Virginia, and you are decked out in lace-up boots, floor-length petticoats, a skirt over the petticoats, a long sleeved gown over the skirt, and a mobcap. You can't go swimming or eat ice cream or even carry around a modern water bottle. Of course you are hot.

Interesting video in which author talks about book (NO SPOILERS IN VIDEO!)