Past Perfect by Leila Sales

Description:

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….

Wins:

• First let’s address the cover, please take a moment to scroll up and witness it’s remarkable qualities. Are you back? Were you not just blinded by it? I was.
• Elizebeth- I mean Chelsea- she had a fun personality and I loved reading the book through her eyes/brain/voice.
• I liked her work place. It was a cool reenactment place, where the workers are dressed up as people from the 1770’s and acted like them.  This setting was very cool to person who is a history buff.  Also: Bonus points for originality!
• The idea of a war between teens from two different reenactment places was totally mind blowing.  The war was legit too, like prank war status.
• Dan- Practically perfect, the guy who makes you giddy in a story the only problem? He is a Civil Warrior , as in the enemy .
• Fiona- Honest, spunky, and a total flirt come to mind with Fiona. She is Chelsea’s  best friend and has joined her for the summer to earn money.
• Her parents- Her dad is THE history buff who talks- a lot. Her mom is a history buff too , but she doesn’t talk about it too much.  They bothe have been working at the reenactment place for ten years. During those  years Chelsea joins them for the summer.
• The way Chelsea thinks about history and time. How it is all happening at the same time.

Fails:

• She kept hanging on to Ezra like he was some idol or something. But sometimes we only see what we want.

Overall:

A deeper story then I assumed it would be, a very good book. I wanted to read this book because of the cover (yes how awful of me) then I read it and now I am convinced everyone should read it. It offers a glimpse into history, a look at the present, and a hope for the future. 

just sayin,

-Kare