Review: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century (Blog Tour Review)

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My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris

Release: September 11, 2012 

Source: e-ARC from Entangled for blog tour

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze. 

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. 

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

If there is one word to describe My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, it's "charming". This book made me smile from page one, and it's the type of feel-good book I want to revisit on days that I am down. So, if you're looking for a fun, light read, preorder this amazing book.

But, Cassie, you say--what is it about?

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is about a girl, Cat Crawford, who is transported to sixteenth century Florence. The whys and hows are all explained in the book, but overall, it's a sweet and simple plot. Nothing jaw-dropping. Even so, this book is fresh, readable, and tons of fun! Cat is no ordinary girl, though. Her parents are very well known in the movie biz. You could say that Cat is "Hollywood Royalty". Her life, though, is far from glamorous. Her parents are divorced, her mother's scandals are printed on tabloids for everyone to see, and her father has a new fiancé. Yeah, her life isn't so great.

When I first started the book, I half expected to meet a selfish, spoiled, attention-seeking character who learned to tame her ways (thanks to some sixteenth century discipline).

And I'm pleased to say that didn't happen.

Cat is more of a loner. Quiet and shy, although not without some snark (and who doesn't love snark?) I was surprised with how quickly I took to her, how quickly I related to her struggles. And the people Cat encounters are just as amazing--including swoon-worthy Lorenzo and sweet Alessandra. When Cat returned to present day, I couldn't help but miss them too.

I would also like to compliment Harris on her ability to paint a very vivid picture of sixteenth century Italy. This book is relatively short, but it's certainly not lacking in detail. Her writing is descriptive, and yet, not overbearing. Moderation is always key, and I think Harris does a great job with it.

My one complaint is that I wish more pages were written to further develop the secondary characters and to further develop Lorenzo and Cat's relationship.  I wouldn't say that Lorenzo and Cat experience "insta-love", but it's close to that line. Even so, the chemistry between the two characters managed to erase all my reservations about how quickly their relationship developed.

And for those of you who are a little bit iffy on historical reads, don't worry. Harris makes a point not to bog you down with customs, rituals, and stifled language. This reads very much like a contemporary, despite its setting. Bottom line? Read this book. It's so much fun, and I can't wait to purchase a finished copy come September 11.

RATING: 5 SLICES 

Oh! And check out this tour wide giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway