Past Perfect by Leila Sales {REVIEW}

Book Title: Past Perfect
Author: Leila Sales
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Chick-Lit
Publication Date: October 4th 2011
                                 by Simon Pulse


Blurb:

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….

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My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review and Rant:

The book cover. It's LOVELY! I adore it! So unusual, simple and yet awesome! Maybe also because the girl in the cover resembles me in the sense that I never miss the chance to taste the apparently tasteless raindrops when possible. It’s a wonderful experience :) But be careful that what you’re having is actually raindrop and not something else ;p

Straight to review now…with the negative things first (because I really enjoyed the book and don’t want to end the review on a negative note). 

Let me first mention what I didn't like. Geographically, I have no idea about the enactment thing at Essex. Is it a thing? In real? This is why I had problems connecting to the storyline. Also, personally I am not a fan of history. In fact, I kind of hate history, so I had no idea about the American Civil War or Revolutionary War and all that (not to mention it's not my culture anyway). What I really don't get is why everyone in the book is so hyper about the whole enactment thing. It's like their whole lives revolve around it, and they have no personal lives of their own, at all. Not to mention the apparent "war" between the two. I don't get it. No offense please, but I mean, it's just an enactment. Why do they have to act like its World War III already?

Anyways, apart from the historical mumbo jumbo, I like the whole story. It is sad to see how all of them are to abide by the rules, and can't date or even be friends if they are from different sides.

Chelsea.

The story seems mostly to be about Chelsea. She portrays what a normal girl her age would be like. Her character is wonderful really. She is supposed to hate there 'Anti-party', and she, um, probably does (or at least tries to, or whatever) and her hostile feelings are supposed to stay the same, even when she meets the "cute" boy from the enemy side. I think she's a girl who is subconsciously unaware of the fact that she doesn't want to be a part of all this. Of course, she has some groundbreaking (pun intended) but she doesn't really seem very good at this plotting thing.

When Dan comes into the picture, things change forever, for good...or bad.

Chelsea gets to know this boy and soon she starts to feel something more than a crush or a friendship, but obviously it is not love :p And she works really hard to convince her of the fact. 

And then there is her family. GOD! How can anyone be so serious over things like that? They literally behave it's the end if the world if Chelsea has got any connection to the other enactment side.

“Chelsea, we found something in your room,” Dad said.From his tone, the only follow-up I could imagine was “drugs” or “pornographic magazines”. Except that I didn't own any drugs or porn.

I feel bad for her, really!

Dan.

Okay, enough ranting on Chelsea, let's focus on Dan now. He is a great, lovely character you can't help liking. But here again, I have no idea why the enactment was of such big importance to him. Why his father had wanted the award, or why his mother is so broke. Guess that's what being educationally challenged in history means :/ And seeing him so helpless, I had to stifle a cry :'( Not being able to fulfill the dream you have, it's really painful and frustrating!

I liked the bond building between Chelsea and Dan. They share a really cute, great chemistry. Most of their conversations, apart from the ones that are of melancholic tone, are a real pleasure.

“Yeah, say that, I mean, they should be dedicating every performance to you,” I suggested. “They should light a candle onstage in your honor every night.”
“They should have a giant cardboard cut-out of me sitting in the van with them.”
“They should change all the lyrics of their songs so they’re just singing ‘Dan Malkin, Dan Malkin’ over and over.”
“Good plan, that doesn't make sound petty at all.”
“I can’t help you there. Non-pettiness isn't really something that I strive for.”
The Story.

Of course, there is a point when I wanted to smack Chelsea hard in the face for some of the mistakes she commits. I mean how stupid can one person be? But then again, loving someone and the fear that they’ll betray you can make you do really stupid things.

The Others, and the other stuff.

Among the others, Fiona is the best (isn't that obvious?) Carefree, sweet, lovely girl. The only problem is that she's too confused or unaware (or a little afraid to accept) her feelings, admit what she really wants.

“I just meant that he went wherever it is that boys go when they go.” She waved with a hand. “Into the ether. Into the great beyond.”

But I like her anyways, she reminds me of a friend of mine. And she knows Chelsea so well it makes me all emo. Umm, oh and did I mention I like the Ezra-Chelsea conversation at the end? It is a strong decision taken by Chelsea. There you go girl!

Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.

Overall, a sweet and wonderful read. Very, very, very much recommended!

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