Source: Purchased
Publication Date: 04 October 2011
Series or Standalone: Standalone
ISBN: 1442406828
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 306
The author on the web:
Place(s) Traveled to: Essex, Virginia
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
First Line: There are only three types of kids who get summer jobs at Colonial Essex Village instead of just working at the mall, like the normal people do.
Past Perfect by Leila Sales is a book that I read a little bit ago but for whatever reason it took me until now to be able to review it. Just based on the cover I wasn't really sure what to expect from this one. What I did get was a fun, if slightly cliched, contemporary story that often had my chuckling aloud. This book takes place at a reenactment village....and one that is in a long standing feud with the reenactment village that's right across the street. Every summer the two villages pull various shenanigans on each other and we as a reader get to peak in on one of those summers.
The main character Chelsea, who has worked at Essex Historical Colonial Village, for as long she can remember (her parents work there too) and she's a bit of a reluctant worker this year. Dragged into service by her best friend Fiona. And just when she thinks that another long hot summer dealing with tourists can't get worse...well...she has to deal with seeing her ex everyday. But things start to get interesting when a kidnapping leads to her meeting someone from the village across the street.
As I said above, Past Perfect, was a very fun book. I loved reading about the various pranks the kids from each village pulled on the other. It made me wish that I had worked in such a fun environment when I was in high school. My heart ached for Chelsea as she dealt with her conflicting emotions between her love for her friends and her growing feelings for the boy from the enemy camp.
There isn't anything terribly complex in Past Perfect's story and the cover really doesn't do the book any favors. But if you are looking for a fun way to pass the time then you really should pick up this book. It is filled with many light hearted moments as well as a few that will make your heart ache (in the good way of course.) Its a quick read and makes me eager to read Sales's other book, Mostly Good Girls. Sales has a wicked sense of humor and I look forward to reading more of it in her other book. For what ever its worth, Past Perfect, gets my seal of approval. I also feel that this is a book that I will find myself rereading on those days when I'm sick and really can't deal with anything new. The humor of it will be sure to banish any sad brought on by the ick.
Past Perfect by Leila Sales is a book that I read a little bit ago but for whatever reason it took me until now to be able to review it. Just based on the cover I wasn't really sure what to expect from this one. What I did get was a fun, if slightly cliched, contemporary story that often had my chuckling aloud. This book takes place at a reenactment village....and one that is in a long standing feud with the reenactment village that's right across the street. Every summer the two villages pull various shenanigans on each other and we as a reader get to peak in on one of those summers.
The main character Chelsea, who has worked at Essex Historical Colonial Village, for as long she can remember (her parents work there too) and she's a bit of a reluctant worker this year. Dragged into service by her best friend Fiona. And just when she thinks that another long hot summer dealing with tourists can't get worse...well...she has to deal with seeing her ex everyday. But things start to get interesting when a kidnapping leads to her meeting someone from the village across the street.
As I said above, Past Perfect, was a very fun book. I loved reading about the various pranks the kids from each village pulled on the other. It made me wish that I had worked in such a fun environment when I was in high school. My heart ached for Chelsea as she dealt with her conflicting emotions between her love for her friends and her growing feelings for the boy from the enemy camp.
There isn't anything terribly complex in Past Perfect's story and the cover really doesn't do the book any favors. But if you are looking for a fun way to pass the time then you really should pick up this book. It is filled with many light hearted moments as well as a few that will make your heart ache (in the good way of course.) Its a quick read and makes me eager to read Sales's other book, Mostly Good Girls. Sales has a wicked sense of humor and I look forward to reading more of it in her other book. For what ever its worth, Past Perfect, gets my seal of approval. I also feel that this is a book that I will find myself rereading on those days when I'm sick and really can't deal with anything new. The humor of it will be sure to banish any sad brought on by the ick.
I loved this book! It totally made me laugh and I think it gives history a really positive face for teens. Not just something in a textbook.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the thoughtful review. I really enjoy humour in a book (it is SO hard to do & make it good). I agree with you about the cover. Sad to say that sometimes I do judge a book by it.
ReplyDeleteAnywho, I'm going to give this one a read.
Did I mention I love wickedly good humor?
I've heard of this book but I didn't really know what it was about. NOW, I want to read it!
ReplyDeletecompletely agree. The cover seems so unrelated but it's a great story!
ReplyDeleteThere are times when fun is all I want out of a book.
ReplyDelete