Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Review: Pilgrims Don’t Wear Pink

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Pilgrims Don’t Wear Pink
Stephanie Kate Strohm
Release date: May 8th, 2012
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Goodreads / Purchase

A story of crushes, corsets, and conspiracy

Libby Kelting had always felt herself born out of time. No wonder the historical romance-reading, Jane Austen-adaptation-watching, all-around history nerd jumped at the chance to intern at Camden Harbor, Maine’s Oldest Living History Museum. But at Camden Harbor Libby’s just plain out of place, no matter how cute she looks in a corset. Her cat-loving coworker wants her dead, the too-smart-for-his-own-good local reporter keeps pushing her buttons, her gorgeous sailor may be more shipwreck than dreamboat — plus Camden Harbor’s haunted. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, Libby learns that boys, like ghosts, aren’t always what they seem.

*A copy was provided by Thomas Allen & Son for review purposes*

Libby, history nerd and fashion expert, doesn’t know what she’s getting into when she goes off to a summer internship at a living history museum. She expects to get her chance to live in her very own Jane Austin novel. Instead, she’s thrown from a bitchy roommate, to an extremely irritating boat mate.

As a bubbly, outgoing girl, Libby is a fun protagonist that is great for such a light read. However, I felt quite irritated by her choices and lack of common sense in this novel. Especially when it came to boys. Sure she’s extremely smart when it comes to historical facts, and she’s a doll with the kids, but she couldn’t spot a jerk if it had a big red t-shirt that said “I Sleep With Girls For Fun”. Cam is THE t-shirt. He’s such an obvious sleaze that you can smell him from a mile away, but Libby is blind to it all. The guy pukes on her, and afterwards she’s thinking about how nice and perfect he is. It also didn’t help that I never understood her infatuation with him in the first place. Sure she has this elaborate dream of finding her very own Mr. Darcy (or whoever), but they barely speak two words before they start making out. There’s no chemistry here. No anticipation or build up. Garrett though – the irritating boat mate – him, I liked. He’s got a great personality; his wit and annoying behavior makes him so adorable I just kept wishing Libby would wake up and stop judging him on his nerd t-shirts. Dude! Nerds are the new black!

Buoyant, dramatic, winner of the bestest friend award – Dev, Libby’s gay best friend, stole the show in this book. His melodramatic meltdowns had me cracking up. He’s not present very often, but when he is he’s the life of the party. His parts were definitely my favorites of this whole story. He’s the friend everyone wants!

The whole plot is basically a little bit of this and that. We’ve got ghost sightings, a catty ex-roommate, interesting history facts, and lots of romance. Regardless of Libby’s naivety, I still enjoyed the story. There’s not a lot more I can say as it’s a very short book and I want to avoid spoilers. All in all, it’s a light, refreshing read with amusing antics and a satisfying ending. I would especially recommend it to historical romance fanatics. Though the content can get a bit mature (language, slutty costumes etc) where I would hesitate to recommend it to the younger YA readers.

3 Hot Espressos
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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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23 Responses to “Review: Pilgrims Don’t Wear Pink”

  2. Amy

    This sounds like a quick entertaining read. I hadn’t heard of it until now. Great review as always muffin!!

  3. Christina

    Dev IS the best thing about this book. For sure.

    What kind of a history nerd expects a Jane Austen novel from a colonial town? If she were working at a Regency England living history museum, then it would make sense. She is the worst history nerd EVER.

  6. Giselle

    @Christina: I haven’t watched that show. But Dev was fabulous. Singing Kelley Clarkson songs and all! 😀

    Thank ladies!!

  9. Sam

    Nerds are the new black! I love that line! 😀 Great review Giselle. I probably won’t rush to get my hands on this but it sounds like it could still be a mildly enjoyable read. 🙂

  10. Candace

    I was debating on reading this cause it just sounds fun. But if shes that naive… well, maybe its not for me. I don’t know, if I ran across it I would probably give it a try but at least now my expectations have lowered so maybe I would enjoy it more.

  11. bookworm105

    This sounds like a really good read! I think i’ll crack up with this book with Dev’s scenes. From your review i am already hating Cam and loving Garrett. I really need to read this book!

    Great review! 🙂

  12. Mel - Thedailyprophecy.

    I’ve added it to my ‘maybe-reading’ list. It sounds like a light, fun book for in the summer, but I’m not sure if I’m going to like it when the main character is so naief.. I’m keeping it in mind 🙂 Thanks for the review!

  15. Camille Picott

    As much as I love YA, sometimes I do find myself getting annoyed at teen characters for acting like teens. Esp when they fall for stupid jerks or otherwise mega-dysfunctional boys. 🙂 I think that sort of thing just has less and less appeal as I get older, heh.

    Great review!

  16. Melliane

    always difficult to not spoil the short stories. I didn’t know this one but I really like the cover. It sounds nice, thanks for the review.

  18. Lalaine

    Oohh I havent read of this book until now, and it sounds pretty interesting. Glad that you still enjoyed the book despite the flaws. Great review Giselle! <3x

    Ƹ̴Ӂ̴ƷFICBOOKREVIEWSƸ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

  19. Nick

    The main character does sound annoying from your review. I can’t stand characters who can’t stand up for themselves and make good decisions. Characters who make stupid, dumbass mistakes are becoming so popular in YA books these days !
    Garett sounds like a fabulous character!
    Thanks for the honest review, Giselle 🙂

  20. Katie @ BlookGirl

    Great review, Giselle! This doesn’t sound like it’s one for me, but I’m sure there are plenty of people who will love it. I, too, can’t stand characters who don’t see the writing on the wall. Ugh, so over it!

  21. Nicola

    Ehh, I’m so not a fan of clueless characters! I’ve been seeing this one around quite a bit this week but I’m still on the fence about it. I have a tendency to buy everything that says ”Jane Austen” in the description but they’re rarely good! I would pick it up if I saw it in the library though! Thank for the helpful review.

    Nerds are totally the new black. 😉