Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Review: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century

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My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century
Rachel Harris
Series: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century #1
Publication date: September 11th 2012
by Entangled Publishing

 

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother-to-be 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?

*A copy was provided by Entangled Publishing for review purposes*

After a killer ending that produces vast amounts of anticipation for the sequel, I have decided I did not, in fact, hate this book for being over, and finally admitted to myself that I actually secretly love cliffhangers that succeed in making me wildly excited for the sequel. Because boy will it be an entertaining one I am sure! I definitely closed this with much more than I was hoping to get from it. Not being a history buff whatsoever–I shy away from anything historical and so I was on the fence about this one. Then I began to see an influx of positive review after positive review, and, well, you know about “curiosity kills the cat”? I am that cat! And if I do die, at least it won’t be from terrible-ism (if I say it’s a word, it’s a word!).

The main reason that I highly enjoyed this regardless of its historical setting is because of the main character’s modernistic charm; moreover, Cat is not from that era! She is from our day, with our iPods and iPhones. You can only imagine the lifestyle change she has to go through when she is suddenly thrown into the 16th century! When I wasn’t chuckling at her faux-pas, I was swooning over the wonderful romance that I’ve come to expect–and relish–from Entangled titles. So if, like me, you’re crippled by the idea of reading a historical, this one deserves an exception! And for the history buff, don’t be disappointed either, as there are culture and art references to placate you. With that said, it’s a perfectly well balanced novel that brings the charm and heart of the 16th century, while keeping a modern style writing and witty, contemporary characters.

So unlike our 21st century for obvious reasons–some more than others–the 16th century is quite intriguing. The lack of technology and wardrobe differences aside, guys were a lot more chivalrous in those days. My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century brings us a romance that is magnificently sweet, endlessly romantic, and your heart will break from the start knowing it can’t last forever. He is, literally, centuries older than her after all. However, it doesn’t stop this from being a maddening, chemistry filled love story.

With even more odds stacked against my personal taste, this novel, aside from a historical-ish, brings time travel into play. As a reader who is hard to please with plots of time travel, I felt this one was handled in a more fantastical, aloof way which may not work very often, but it does in this case. You aren’t meant to think of the complexities behind it; this is a magical adventure, and you roll with it. On a related side note, the explanation we get from the gypsy regarding her motivation is a little weak, I think I would have preferred if it was simple coincidence, but maybe there is more to it that we have yet to discover.

From romance to humor, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century combines the 21st and 16th century into an exotic read that will not only please fans of historicals, but also those who have an unnatural urge to stab them. However, fair warning that the ending will show you just how funny Rachel thinks she is!! *glares at the fact that there are no more pages*

4 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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33 Responses to “Review: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century”

  2. Christina

    Bahahaha, oh girl, you are so funny. I approve of terrible-ism.

    Why does she have OUR iPods and iPhones?!?! THIEF! Did she kill me and take my iPod? What a jerk!

    Wonderful romance? Holla!

    I really was not expecting this book to be good, but now I have to read it!

  4. Amy

    Haha!! Love the last paraghraph of your review!! I felt the same way. I really loved this one too and right after finishing the ARC I pre-ordered the pretty paperback copy. I thought the romance was so great!! I am dying to read the next one!! Rachel is a genius at leaving us needing more. Fantastic review as always chick-a-dee!!

  6. Nick

    Yay! I’m so happy that you loved this one, Giselle! I thought it was so much fun although it was a historical book with time travel! I do agree with you on the ending. Rachel Harris is an evil author! >.<
    Lovely review, Giselle! 🙂

  9. Alexa

    I can’t wait to read this one! I love the fact that she goes back into the 16th century, and I can’t wait to just read all the historical references in there 😉

  10. Jenni @ Alluring Reads

    Gah I do, I do really want to stab historicals. This one sounds like a fluffy, fun read but for some reason I have absolutely zero interest in it. I have seen so many people raving about it, and that always makes me depressed because that ensures that I probably won’t like it in the end. Great review chickie. *runs away and cries*

  13. Aman

    Same here! The ending made up for the whole book especially the painting scene. I’m dying to read the next one, it has a bad boy in it.

  15. Ashley

    I love your review Giselle!! I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while now, but I too am a little afraid of historicals. They normally don’t interest me at all. I tend to be EXTREMELY picky. So I think it’s great that you loved this one! I think I’ll buy it soon. 🙂

  16. Jesse Burgoyne

    I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this one. I was unsure about it. Every book I’ve ever read about a girl going back to a different century has been cute, but cheesy, so I wasn’t sure if this would be something I wanted to read. But like you, after hearing so many good things, I think I’ll give this a try 🙂

    Jesse @ Pretty in Fiction

  17. Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed

    Historical books usually bore me but I’ve been saying so many good reviews on it too. I got this off NetGalley but when I went to download it like 5 minutes later it was already archived 🙁
    I haven’t had a chance to buy myself a copy yet.
    Awesome review 🙂

  19. Camille Picott

    Glad to hear you liked this one! I’ve also been reading good reviews and am looking forward to checking this one out. I absolutely love historicals with a magical bent.

  24. Candace

    Oh yay! I’m SO going to need to read this! I love historical and time travel, so right up my alley! But maybe I should wait until the next one comes out….
    Wonderful review Giselle!

  25. Melliane

    it sounds like a really cute story. I was really curious about this one but I finally didn’t ask for it, now it seems I was wrong. you’re right Cat looks like a great character.

  26. Shirley

    I think I’ll definitely be reading this based on your paragraph on the romance alone. I want to meet these two already! I can’t wait to read this<3

  27. Nori

    Great review! I wasn’t expecting this book to be that good. But the way you describe the romance, makes me have to read it, like right now!

  28. Ems

    I just bought this one, so I’m excited to hear that you enjoyed it so much. As soon as I finish my current reads, I’m starting it!

  29. Jennifer Messerschmidt

    I shy away from historical reads as well and that is also why I didn’t think this would be for me. I do love time travel though. I have heard amazing things and it sounds like a cute story so I may give it a chance after all. Although not looking forward to the cliffhanger! LOL

  30. Jen (A Reading Daydreamer)

    Hooray for fitting in with the rest of the crowd–I’m so glad you enjoyed this one as well! The time-travelling aspect and Renaissance time period fascinates me, and I’m not quite sure why I haven’t read this one yet. *wiggles eyebrows* I can’t wait to read about the romance! I’ve heard it’s sweet and totally adorable. 🙂 Awesome review, I can’t wait to read about the killer ending!

  32. Jaime Lester

    At first I was hesitant to read this book, because of 2 things: historical is not my thing, and it just doesn’t seem like it would be for me. But the more that I read reviews, the more I think I would love it. So, after this review, my mind is made up to read it. BUT, I DON’T like cliffhangers. Not even secretly. So I might wait for the sequel to save myself some pain.