Friday 21 September 2012

Review: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris


  My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century
  Author: Rachel Harris
  Publisher: Entangled
  Publication date: September 11th 2012
  My rating: 3.5 stars

 

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?

Imagine finding yourself in sixteenth century renaissance Italy, you speak fluent Italian, whereas before you could only speak a few words. A family takes you in mistaking you for a girl named Patience and you’re supposed aunt has a scary resemblance to your estranged mother. That’s the situation Cat finds herself in, whilst on the way back to the hotel to meet her father and his fiancée she comes across a tent in the middle of nowhere. Cat’s never a person to do something on instinct, but curiosity takes the better of her and she decides to check the tent out. Stepping in from the 21st century, the odd lady she finds in the tent does some sort of mojo and Cat finds herself stepping out in the 16th century.

The premise of this book is what grabbed my attention in the first place. First of all finding yourself in a completely different century is odd enough, but then being mistaken for someone is just the icing on the cake. It was interesting to see how Cat would adapt to the situation; she did find herself at times slipping up and going back to the ways she was most familiar with such as using terminology that people in the sixteenth century would have not been accustom to and then trying to dig herself out of the situation. This book was so much fun with all these awkward situations cropping up all over the place.

The characters were an interesting bunch too, Cat was an easy character to warm up to, despite finding herself in a completely different century, she was quick to adapt to her new surroundings and strangers taking her in. She always had hope in the back of her mind that she would make it back home, but she still continued to make the most of every single situation. Her fierceness also helped alleviate several problems along the way. The whole experience was an eye opener for Cat, it made her take a step back and take into consideration all the things she was taking for granted.

Lorenzo *sigh* this guy was so dreamy; the way he spoke reminded me so much of Thor from the Avengers.

“Rest assured not a finger will be placed upon
signorina Patience. You have my word”

And since that image was placed in my head, it was extremely hard getting rid of! But he certainly lived up to my Thor expectations. He had incredible lines like the one above that could just make you melt, full peach coloured lips, a devastating smile and he always did keep to his word.

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century certainly is a read which keeps you on your toes, as you’re constantly questioning yourself throughout the book; why was Cat sent to the sixteenth century in the first place? And why did they mistake her for someone else? And so at the end I naturally assumed that we would get our answers and everything would be neatly resolved, so the bombshell at the end really threw me.

Overall My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century was a beautifully written and fun debut; I can’t wait to dive into the next book as soon as possible.


15 comments:

Rebecca said...

I've seen the book around A LOT but before your review, I didn't know what it was about. Now, after reading the blurb and your amazing review, I am totally sold!

This book sounds like such fun; to go from the 21st century to the 16th century? Wow!

Thanks so much Jasprit for not only an epic review but for piquing my interest! Off to add this to my to-read list :D

Unknown said...

I thought Cat's slip-ups were funny too! And apparently I need to watch Thor, b/c that comparison is just too dreamy. I'm glad you enjoyed My Super Sweet. Lovely review, Jasprit!

Eunice said...

Fab review, Jasprit! You know I wasn't really planning on reading this when I first saw it on GR since historical fiction don't usually float my boat. But you guys and your reviews are just so convincing. This sounds like a really fun read. I'm definitely going to have to pick this up soon. :)

Aneeqah said...

I'm glad you enjoyed this one as much as I did Jasprit! <3 I loved Cat's little mistakes, it was too funny watching her try to cover them up. And your totally right about Lorenzo, he is so like Thor! I can't believe I didn't make that connection myself. ;) I wish we could have gotten some answers, and like you, that ending totally surprised me. I can't say that I was expecting that! But the ending has definitely left me wanting more of this series. I can't wait for the sequel!

Fabulous review as always Jasprit! <3

Keertana said...

Yay, I'm so glad you liked this one! I've been on the fence about picking it up as I wasn't sure if it was my kind of book, but it seems too cute and romantic to pass up. Plus, Cat seems like a character and I would and Lorenzo! *swoons* Just his name is enough to make me melt! ;) Yet another fantastic review, Jasprit! :D

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

I need you to give me the exact location of that tent, okay?! I'm so tired of this century, I think it's time for me to go back to the old ways!
Everyone seems to have loved this book. It's not something I'd normally pick up, but oh, peer pressure. Not even I can resist.
Fantastic review!

Beverley said...

JASPRIT!!!!! You've just got me super excited and desperate to throw away my review books and pick up this which arrived just this morning! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and that it was a fun, girly read. The characters sounds amazing, Cat seems super brave - I would be terrified if I was thrown into another century! And Lorenzo - oh my, he sounds like a proper gentleman *swoons*

Fab review, Jas <3

The Teen Book Guru said...

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG I love Thor! So that hopefully means I'm going to love Lorenzo! Wow I need to meet him right now! He seems SO swoon-worthy! ;) Everyone seems to love this book, and I really need to get my hands on it soon. Lovely review, J! You always know how to get me excited for a book! :')

Unknown said...

I can't believe I haven't bought this book yet. Love the review, Jas! I'll have to get a copy of this book soon.

xoxo

Livvy said...

Sounds like a great book. You always highlight books I've never heard of and I like that.

However, I can safely say I will not be picking this book up. Your review definitely sold me the book, but being a little bit of a history nerd and it having been set in my favourite period the 16th century then I really can't bring myself to read a book that might annoy me with the historical context.

Still, Lorenzo sounds dreamy and it sounds very much like a fun book.

Glad to hear you enjoyed this one, lovely review Jasprit! :)

Suzanne (Parabooklover) said...

Thor from the Avengers is definitely not a bad image to have stuck in your head lol. Great review Jaspirit, you have me really curious about the ending now :)

Jen (Books and Other Happy Ever Afters) said...

Hooray for enjoying this one! Now I can't wait to dive into it, hopefully very soon! I think the premise sounds really interesting as well. I'm glad to hear that Cat is a lovable character. And I can't wait to meet Lorenzo! Beautiful review, Jasprit!

Reviewing Shelf said...

OMG! I am dying to read this one!

Wendy Darling said...

Hah hah, now I will never be able to get Thor out of my head if I read this book! I often have trouble with anachronisms in historical fiction, but sometimes if it's all tongue-in-cheek, as this one seems to be judging by the title, I still like them. :) Nicely reviewed, Jasprit!

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Jennifer said...

He sounded like Thor :O I love how he speaks, haha. And I am sold LOL. I have been waiting for this book for a while now. I adore Rachel, so I know this will be great. And I totally geek out for Renaissance Italy. Awesome review :)

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