author: Rachel Harris
series: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century #1
published: 18 September 2012
publisher: Entangled Teen
genre(s): fantasy, historical, romance
pages: 260
source: bought
format: eBook
buy/shelve it: Amazon | B&N | BookBub | StoryGraph | Goodreads
rating: | series rating:
the blurb
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 magical 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?
my review
This was my first read from author Rachel Harris and it was fantastic! There was a little bit of everything in this book… swoon-worthy romance, fabulous characters, humor, and conflict. There is a little bit of the contemporary right alongside the historical and the blend of both creates a mystical story that I truly fell into.
Cat is a perfect protagonist who really grows over the course of the novel. She is a daughter of Hollywood, but she is far from the “mean girl/rich girl” stereotype. Instead, she was a bit socially awkward, a bit of a loner. This made her instantly sympathetic and I loved that she was, at heart, every girl. But as her life changes, we get to see so much more depth. We see the hurt and the pain, but we also see the passion, the intelligence, and the humor. Her “cousin” Alessandra was very different from Cat, the epitome of a proper 16th century young girl. She was also a perfect friend for Cat and the two of them together were as sisters or best friends should be. And Lorenzo… oh, Lorenzo. The perfect Book Boyfriend! Gorgeous, smart, creative, funny… what more could you want?
some quotastic goodness
Throughout history, while day-to-day life has changed, humanity hasn’t (Loc. 217).
I live my life by the wise words of Eleanor Roosevelt: no one can make you feel inferior without your consent (Loc. 677).
If looks could kill, I’d be a barbecued pineapple (Loc. 888).
The first is that if beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder , I want the world to see me the way he does. Every flaw, every imperfection that I hate about myself has been made beautiful through his eyes and with his hand (Loc. 1454).
At least I can look like a Kardashian while hyperventilating all over the dance floor (Loc. 2164).
Our second kiss is gentle and passionate , tentative and hungry, all at once (Loc. 2419).
At certain times of the month, I’ve considered chocolate consumption an urgent matter (Loc. 2529).
“There we go, rule number three. Caloric consumption. Thou must not thinketh or worry about the circumference of one’s thighs while at a sleepover (Loc. 2785).”
“And I’ve learned that letting people get close to you doesn’t always lead to pain. Some people are actually worth the risk (Loc. 3127).”
This was a fun read with great characters and an interesting story. One thing I really appreciated was the author’s attention to detail. It kept the experience believable and I applaud that!
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