Blog Tour Stop : My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris
Hello lovelies!
Today, I'm very very excited to be part of the My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century Blog Tour hosted by Shane @ Itching for Books. For my tour stop, I'll be sharing with you my review and an excerpt from the book. Enjoy !
Today, I'm very very excited to be part of the My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century Blog Tour hosted by Shane @ Itching for Books. For my tour stop, I'll be sharing with you my review and an excerpt from the book. Enjoy !
Summary (from Goodreads)Title : My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century (My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century #1)
Author : Rachel Harris
Publisher : Entangled Teen
Publication Date : September 11th 2012
Goodreads - The Book Depository
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?
Personal Thoughts
Who knew history could be so much fun? My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century took me by surprise in such a good way. When I first started the book, I had absolutely no idea that I would wind up loving this book so much. I must say, Rachel Harris sure does know how to make history very interesting!
When Cat Crawford accompanies her celebrity dad and his new fiancee, Jenna, to Florence, Italy, she has no idea that her life is about to go backwards, literally. While visiting the country one day, she spots a gypsy tent. Curious, she enters the tent, but when she gets out, she finds herself in Renaissance Italy.
The characters in My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century really stood out to me. I don't think there was any character that I remotely disliked. In fact, I found each and everyone to be outstanding. I loved that Rachel Harris gave depth to every one of her characters, not leaving behind anyone. Developed characters are always a bonus point in my book, so hats off to her for doing so. What I really liked about these characters were how they all interacted with each other in one way or the other. Cat started off as a girl who was a little frustrated by the fact that her dad was getting married to a perky woman, someone who was not at all like her. She was easily annoyed by Jenna's exuberance and I could see why she was irritated by her future step-mom. However, Cat never openly expressed her annoyance. Instead, she kept it within herself for her father's sake. I thought the relationship she shared with her dad seemed genuine and sweet. Cat was a character who was easy to identify with because she possessed likability. She could also be super snarky and sarcastic, but not in an overbearing way. There were times when I laughed out loud at the things she said or did. I really liked the growth she underwent throughout the story. At the end of the book, I was very much pleased that she had become a lot more open-minded and accepting than she first was. Like I mentioned above, the secondary characters were all really well-written. My favorite characters were definitely, Less and Lorenzo. Less was a real sweetheart. Bubbling with joy, she was the kind of character that brought happiness to the pages with her presence. Now, if I start talking about Lorenzo, I will never finish. I could go on and on about this swoon-worthy boy. He was such a charmer! He sure did know how to attract the attention of every female being in Renaissance Italy. I loved his teasing and flirtatious manners. Despite being portrayed as a player, he could be really sweet at times. As cheesy as this might sound, Lorenzo totally stole my heart away!
My favorite aspect of the book was the beautiful setting. With the story being based in Italy, I expected a lot of details on the background. Rachel Harris did a fab job at vividly describing the locations, so that it was easy to picture them in my mind. Her world-building was rich and complex, but never overwhelming. I could feel that I was part of the story. It also taught me a lot about the Renaissance era, especially the lifestyles and customs of the people. Reading about Cat trying to fit into this era was very humorous, especially since she tended to use 21st Century slang while talking and everyone would be confused as to what she was saying. Overall, I thought Rachel Harris approached the era in a tactful way.
Rachel Harris gave a lot of importance to relationships in this book and I loved that! There were an umpteen amount of growing relationships and it was fascinating for me. The budding friendship between Less and Cat was undoubtedly my favorite one. Cat wasn't very much used to having friends, so it was nice to see her find someone she was comfortable around. The romance was the kind that had me sighing dreamily and gave me butterflies in the tummy. Lorenzo and Cat made a cute couple that had me rooting for them from the very first time they met. They looked out for each other and understood each other in a way that seemed realistic and heartwarming. Rachel Harris writes beautifully. From the very first page, I was enamored by her writing style. I honestly could not put My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century down. I read the whole book in two sittings because it was that addictive. It was such a fun and unique novel. What's wonderful is that the book isn't just pure entertainment, but it also indirectly teaches readers an important lesson. Plus, I loved how everything wrapped up. It ended in a sort of cliffhanger, but left me satisfied with the outcome. Now, I'm dying to read the next book, which Rachel mentioned was Less' story!
My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century was an entertaining and original book with authentic characters, a rich and beautiful setting, a tender and passionate romance and a gripping writing style, that will have you flying through the pages, but at the same time hoping that story will never end!
Rating
Cover : 4/5
Plot : 5/5
Characters : 5/5
Writing : 5/5
Excerpt
“Lorenzo, this is the cousin I was telling you about.”
Slowly the guy turns, and I fall headfirst into the richest
chocolate-brown eyes I’ve ever seen. He blinks, and long,
luscious lashes feather across his bronzed cheeks. I feel myself
gawking, just like I did with Skater Boy yesterday at the piazza,
but I physically can’t drag my eyes away. Lorenzo doesn’t smirk
or act all conceited like the other guy, either. He simply stares back,
his eyes casually skimming over me, causing my skin to
warm and break out in a whole body tingle.
warm and break out in a whole body tingle.
Time seems to stop, and the sounds of the market mute.
Alessandra was right. This boy is beautiful.
And he’s looking at me.
Lorenzo’s full peach-colored lips form a devastating smile,
exposing one slightly crooked tooth. He kneels down in front of
me and takes my hand in his.
“You are an angel, a vision sent from Signore.”
His eyes twinkle with amusement, and alarm bells ring in
my head. Even though I can’t help the zing down my arm—
come on, in any language that’s a smooth line—I straighten my
spine and pull on my hand. But his grip tightens.
Obviously this guy is a player and used to girls falling at his
feet. Unfortunately for him, I’m not gonna be one of them.
Lorenzo stands and plants a kiss across my knuckles, a
move straight out of a romance novel. He winks, undeterred
by my lack of a swoon, and with his free hand runs his fingers
through his curly golden locks.
My heart goes a little wonky, but it doesn’t mean anything.
Experience taught me long ago how fickle that particular bodily
organ can be.
The excerpt is when Lorenzo and Cat first meet! Doesn't Lorenzo sound totally charming? Trust me, this guy is so swoon-worthy!
Author Biography
As a teen, Rachel Harris threw raging parties that shook her parents’ walls and created embarrassing fodder for future YA novels.
As an adult, she reads and writes obsessively, rehashes said embarrassing fodder, and dreams up characters who become her own grown up version of imaginary friends.
When she's not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, you can find her homeschooling her two beautiful princesses, hanging out with her amazing husband, or taking a hot bubble bath…next to a pile of chocolate.
MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY is her debut novel. She did have her own fantabulous Sweet Sixteen in high school. Sadly, it wasn't televised.
As an adult, she reads and writes obsessively, rehashes said embarrassing fodder, and dreams up characters who become her own grown up version of imaginary friends.
When she's not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, you can find her homeschooling her two beautiful princesses, hanging out with her amazing husband, or taking a hot bubble bath…next to a pile of chocolate.
MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY is her debut novel. She did have her own fantabulous Sweet Sixteen in high school. Sadly, it wasn't televised.
Giveaway
Entangled Teen is offering a copy of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century along with a signed bookmark for US residents only! Also, you can win character trading cards, necklace and tattoos. Just enter the rafflecopter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Big thanks to Entangled for providing me with an ARC of this book!
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