My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century

( 27 )

Overview


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 ...

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Overview


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?

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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

From the Book

I bunch the soft fabric of the dress in my hand and then reach up to feel the ribbon in my hair. I lightly skim my hand over my chin and feel my lack of zit. I take in the costumes of the crowd, the stench of the animals, and the Italian I can now speak and understand. And suddenly it hits me.

Reyna pulled some gypsy mojo.

This must be one of those nifty twenty-four hour, ‘change your life’ magic scenarios like in the movies. That explanation is infinitely better than assuming I’ve lost my mind. My frantic tension melts away and a smile stretches across my face.

The growing crowd seems to notice my change in demeanor and begin shooting each other amused looks, but I no longer care. I was wrong earlier; Reyna is a psychic mind reader, because this is my exact daydream from earlier in the courtyard come to life.

The long red gown, the braided hair, the Italian merchant daughter, the time period. I am in Renaissance Florence!

Cane man clears his throat and points toward the carriage again. I glance at my surroundings with new eyes and suddenly remember Reyna’s words. It’s as if they float in the air around me. “Caterina, a great adventure is in store for you.”

There’s no way I’m letting this adventure pass me by without reveling in it. Gypsy’s orders. I mean, part of me wishes Dad could come along—he’d probably come back with killer ideas for a new historical or something—but an extra day without Jenna? Twenty-four whole hours of not feeling like I’m the third wheel in my own family? Sign me up for that kind of gypsy voodoo.

"This must be one of those nifty twenty-four hour, ‘change your life’ magic scenarios like in the movies. That explanation is infinitely better than assuming I’ve lost my mind. My frantic tension melts away and a smile stretches across my face." — from the book

VOYA - Teri S. Lesesne
Caterina, Cat for short, approaches her sixteenth birthday with mixed feelings. She has managed to score a trip to Florence, Italy, with her father and his fiancée, Jenna. She has always wanted the chance to see her favorite artistic creations in person; however, Cat needs to be more relaxed about her father’s and Jenna’s plans to put together a huge sweet-sixteen party to help drum up more business. As soon as Cat is settled into Florence, she heads out on a tour. One turn down a road and into a gypsy’s tent changes Cat’s Italian adventure. Suddenly, she steps into the sixteenth century. It is glamorous and exciting, definitely, but there are many potential disasters for a twenty-first-century teen to navigate. Perhaps living in the past is not as easy as it seems on the surface. Harris combines romance, art, conventions, and more in this time-travel tale. Details of sixteenth-century Florence are woven into the narrative, making the setting quite atmospheric for readers. Insight into the time period does not interfere with the story. Junior high girls will appreciate the romance and the budding friendships that mirror what is happening in Cat’s real world. Although readers will be pleased with the resolution of Cat’s problems, they may feel that it is a trifle rushed and perhaps a tad predictable. Ages 12 to 18.
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up—A trip to Florence suits Hollywood-native Cat Crawford just fine for her birthday, but she is not happy about the huge sweet-16 party her soon-to-be-stepmother wants to throw. A solitary afternoon of sightseeing ends at a gypsy tent, where a fortune teller says to the teen, "A great adventure is in store for you. Be sure to keep your mind open to the lessons ahead." When she leaves the tent, she discovers that she has traveled back in time to Renaissance Italy and is now Patience D'Angeli, a distant family relative. Her one reminder of the present is her backpack of makeup and modern gadgets. She finally shares her secret with her younger cousin, who then tries to help her fit in as a proper young lady. Lorenzo, a dashing young man and fellow artist, catches her eye, but the smitten girl finds herself betrothed to a much older, creepy guy. All turns out well in the end. Girls will like the romance and the many gorgeous young men (past and present). The details of the Renaissance dress and artwork, which add to the story's historical setting, clash with modern-day slang terms, providing a good amount of humor. Light and charming, this debut novel will appeal to those who want to leave the real world behind for a while.—Diana Pierce, Leander High School, TX
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781620611357
  • Publisher: Entangled Publishing
  • Publication date: 9/18/2012
  • Pages: 304
  • Sales rank: 237,898
  • Product dimensions: 5.44 (w) x 7.98 (h) x 0.82 (d)

Meet the Author


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.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 27 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(19)

4 Star

(5)

3 Star

(2)

2 Star

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 27 Customer Reviews
  • Posted September 19, 2012

    Cat Crawford is a teen girl on the verge of her 16th birthday. S

    Cat Crawford is a teen girl on the verge of her 16th birthday. She is shy and a bit of loner, part of which comes from being hurt and not wanting people to get close to her. She is a big art enthusiast, and has been dreaming of going to Italy and exploring her Italian heritage for quite some time. While on a tour through the city she stumbles upon a gypsy and thus begins the start of her time traveling adventure.

    When she discovers that she must have gone back in time, she wasn’t as freaked out as I thought she would be. Especially for a 15 year old, she took the situation rather well…almost too well. Though she does panic a bit at first, she warms to the idea and decides to use this trip as a way to discover more about her family. Her family consisting of her uncle Marco, aunt Francesca, and cousins Alessandra and Cipriano.

    While staying her with her 16th century family she meets Lorenzo, the best friend of Cipriano. Lorenzo is quite taken with Cat, but she dismisses him as being a total player and wants nothing to do with him. Eventually her feelings change and she starts to like him. The more she stays there and interacts with everyone the more she starts to look at things differently.

    My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century (MSSSC for short) is a fun and light-hearted read, that I am happy to have discovered. It has some fluffiness, but not too much so that it’s over the top, which is good. Normally I don’t like the whole time traveling concept in books, but for this story I didn’t mind it. Even though this book is on the younger side of the YA book spectrum than what I would normally go for, I was still able to get into it and enjoy the story. One thing that I liked was Rachel Harris’s way of describing Italy and the various surroundings. It was so nicely detailed that I almost felt like I was there too. My only big complaint is that there is a cliffhanger at the end. That I was not expecting at all. Now I will be on pins and needles wondering when the second book will be released and what will happen next. I liked this book enough that even though I got it as an ARC, I ended up buying a copy anyway.
    I
    would give this book 4 out of 5.

    **Thank you to NetGalley and the Author, who I received this ARC from in exchange for my honest review.**

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 18, 2012

    So I am officially in love with this book (I'm going to call it

    So I am officially in love with this book (I'm going to call it MSS16C for short). It's my new favorite book. So. Good.

    Okay, so I admit it, the gorgeous cover was what drew me in. I mean, who doesn't want that girl's dress? But when I read the summary and found out it was about time travel (I'm a huge Doctor Who fan), I freaked out and knew that I had to read it as soon as it released. THEN, when I saw that Lisa T. Bergren, one of my favorite authors ever and the writer of the fabulous time travel River of Time series, had blurbed it, I became even more excited.

    Basically, I had super high expectations for this book. And MSS16C definitely lived up to them!

    The characters: perfection. Every single one of them. See, it's really rare for me to read a book and love all of the characters. It always seems like I never fully connect or like everyone. But in MSS16C, I adored them all! The main character Cat is absolutely hysterical. She's the type of girl I'd want to be best friends with in real life. She has a great sense of humor, she's smart, and she's completely likeable.

    Then there is Lorenzo. *cue dreamy sigh* Ladies, he is totally swoon-worthy. What's great is that he's not just a cute guy. His character also has depth and we find out more of his dreams and wishes as the story continues. Another two of my favorite characters were Alessandra and Cipriano. I loved the friendship and bond that formed between Alessandra and Cat, and Cipriano was so protective and sweet!

    The setting was amazing as well. I've always loved Italy, and Rachel Harris chose a great time period to write about. I loved the descriptions; it made me feel like I was there.

    Lastly, the plot. MSS16C is definitely a fluffy, fun-filled book, but there are still some serious moments. Cat struggles over finding a way back to modern times and has to make some tough decisions about family and what's important. I appreciated that aspect of the plot and really admire the decisions Cat made, even though the end was heartbreakingly sad. And yes, it also ends with a cliffhanger. *groan* I need the sequel! Why can't it come out sooner?

    MSS16C is a must-read. Anyone can enjoy it, and fans of books like The River of Time series and Ruby Red will love it! Most definitely recommended!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 18, 2012

    One word I¿d use to describe this book? Flawless! My Super Sweet

    One word I’d use to describe this book? Flawless! My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century was brilliantly written. To die for characters and swoon worthy romance, combined with the authors compulsively readable voice makes this a must read. This book had be cracking up one page and swooning the next. Cat is the heroine everyone is hoping for when you crack open the cover to a YA book. She’s funny and interesting and I couldn’t get enough. And Lorenzo…sigh. If only he were real and I was a teen again. I loved him! The romance in this book was perfectly done. The characters and emotions felt very genuine. Time travel, a hot Italian boy and beautifully crafted story? This book is everything I look for and more in a YA book. I recommend this one to…well, everyone! If you are looking for a fun, engaging read that will sweep you off of your feet and take you to another world, this is the book for you! And in case my review didn't say it all, I adored this book!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 17, 2012

    Full of charm and heart, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is one

    Full of charm and heart, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is one girl's magical journey towards finding herself.

    My Super Sweet is a book that I had been looking forward to since I first read the synopsis, and I'll admit it, the cover totally hooked me. I'm so happy that I got the chance to read it early because I simply adored it.

    Author Rachel Harris did a phenomenal job of recreating Sixteenth Century Florence. So many details that could have been easily overlooked, such as the silverware and plumbing used, helped lend a nice touch of authenticity. The manners and speech of the Sixteenth century felt real. I loved that Cat continually struggled throughout the story to behave in a manner that reflected that era.

    The characters in My Super Sweet all hit the right notes. Cat was lovable, awkward, funny and charming. Alessandra was a doll. I love that she openly embraced Cat and gave her no choice but to love her. Lorenz was super swoony, everything you expect in an Italian gentleman, without coming on too strong.

    I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the story. Cat's journey towards trust, being open to love was one any of us can learn from. But besides the lesson, My Super Sweet was fun! The setting provided the perfect opportunity for an escape. In fact, it's the best Italian getaway you can hope for,short of actually going there. The ending was absolutely perfect. I think I may have even cackled with glee. I can't wait for the next adventure!

    Whether you're looking for a story with depth, a sweet escape, or better yet, both, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is a book that will find your sweet spot.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 9, 2012

    Rachel Harris is one of the most talented authors I¿ve had the

    Rachel Harris is one of the most talented authors I’ve had the privilege of reading. A master of descriptive writing, Rachel paints rich, vibrant scenes and characters that jump off the page as she crafts a fresh, detailed world full of adventure and romance in her debut YA. Cat, girl, she knows how to get herself into some messes, but I love her reactions and logic as she navigates the world and time she finds herself in. There’re some truly hilarious scenes, scenes that made me melt, and others that broke my heart.

    Lorenzo…with a swoon-worthy name like that, you know you better guard your heart, and Cat tries her damndest to do just that. But as this suave and sexy ladies’ man from the past works his way into her thoughts, she finds herself falling for him, and falling hard. I love Lor! He’s one of my top book boys, and I admit, I selfishly want him all for myself. With action, gypsy magic, amazing description of a world long past and heart-melting romance, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is beautiful and enchanting, and a must read for lovers of Magical Realism.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 9, 2012

    I truly adore this novel! Being an author of historical fiction

    I truly adore this novel! Being an author of historical fiction, any book that comes along, which contains some sort of historical reference, becomes gold in my eyes! Seeing as I am also sixteen, I love books that celebrate the sweetness that is the sixteenth year of our lives.
    Rachel does an excellent job of writing a fun, flirty, and fantastic novel for young adults... or just the young at heart!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 6, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    I've been dying to read this one for what seems like years now.

    I've been dying to read this one for what seems like years now. It sounded incredible, and I always love seeing how authors tie time travel into their books, especially when it contains such a fun background as the one My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century had. So basically, I knew it was the one for me, and as it turns out, I was exactly right. Not only was My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century a funny and original book but it contained incredible main characters and an ending that had me dying for the next one!

    My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century tells the story of Cat Crawford, a girl who wants nothing but an escape from the coming days of her life. It was bad enough when Cat's father first brought home her future step-mother but now that she's planning Cat an expensive as well as televised Super Sweet Sixteen party, Cat is simply furious. Cat's never been one to really enjoy social events, especially ones were she is the center of attention. Therefore, when she ends up being shipped off back in time to the sixteenth century, she's beyond happy. No party? Can't get better than that! But this trip is going to turn out to be much more than a little vacation...Cat's going to fall in love and make amazing friends and most importantly, evolve as a person...but for better or worse? You'll just have to read to find out!

    Okay, there was so much I LOVED about this one...I don't even know where to begin, but I'll guess I'll start with the characters. I was a little bit hesitant about Cat at first to tell the truth...I could see why she wouldn't want a big party, but at the same, I wanted to shake her on the shoulders and be like "it's only a party and you're stepmom is just doing it because she wants to make you happy." Thankfully, Cat really evolved throughout the book and began to see this. What I always enjoyed about Cat, though, was her sense of humor as well as her undying loyalty to her friends. In the book, she makes such a change in the lives of Alessandra and Lorenzo and I just loved seeing it all evolve. Talking about Lorenzo and Alessandra, they were two of my favorite characters as well. Alessandra was so sweet and naive in the best kind of way, and Lorenzo was swoon worthy to say the least...I always loved when he made an entrance.

    The plot in this was also a ton of fun! For one, I just adored the setting and the different fun Rachel was able to bring out because of it. The people Cat meet (especially one center artist) and the different social challenges she faced were always interesting and kept the book flying! I also enjoyed how Rachel developed the relationship between Lorenzo and Cat...it moved at a steady pace, one that really allowed them to be viewed as a realistic couple and a great one at that.

    Lastly, I just loved Rachel's writing! She did such an amazing job for a debut author...one that has left me DYING to see what she writes next. Though, I have to say that ending was simply evil...I can't believe I have to wait so long to read the next one!

    In all, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is a charmingly sweet and romantic novel that I can't suggest highly enough...trust me, you have to read this one!

    Grade: A+

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 6, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    *4.5 out of 5 stars Oh, how I loved this book. It was fun, roma

    *4.5 out of 5 stars

    Oh, how I loved this book. It was fun, romantic, and totally engaging. I loved the setting, the characters were awesome, and the plot was amazing! I loved getting to travel back in time with Cat and see her struggle with trying to figure out how to get home. At first it's an adventure, but she starts to realize that maybe she has been wrong about some things back home in her real time. She knows that she needs to change things, it just took traveling back to the sixteenth century to realize it.

    Cat is a really great character. She is daughter of an Oscar winning producer father, and tabloid scandal mother, but that last thing she wants is to be in the spotlight. She would love to be able to just be a normal girl who can have real friends or even a boyfriend, who she knows actually like her for who she is. It's hard having a famous family. Now she is struggling to get out of a huge sweet sixteen party that she doesn't want, but her father wants to please his fiance so Cat has to go along with it. MTV filming, and her soon to be step mother planning everything. I loved the changes she went through when she ends up back in the Renaissance period. She really does mature a lot. I really did connect with her character and I felt for her.

    The romance is totally sweet. I love Lorenzo. He is very charming. He really cares for Cat and I really loved seeing them fall for each other. He proves that he really cares for her for who she is. Of course to complicate things, add in Niccolo. Ugh!! I seriously couldn't stand him. Creepy and gross is an understatement. Okay, I get that things were different back then, but the dude could be her dad, and she is just turning sixteen. Marriage equals totally wrong to me. *gag* Anyways, moving on. Not only is Niccolo enough to make me want to run for the hills, but he is a sneaky, evil jerk too. I found myself getting worked up at times and wanting to punch him and then wanting to run and hug Lorenzo and Cat.

    I really loved Alessandra too. She is like the fabulous sister that Cat never had. She is fun and bubbly, and most of all, she is trustworthy and there for Cat through everything. I liked her parents too, even though I couldn't agree with some of their decisions, I totally get where they are coming from. And one of my favorite characters was Reyna, the gypsy. She is awesome and I really hope we get more of her in the next book.

    This story was so incredibly awesome. I really loved everything about it. At times it was a bit slow, but never boring. I was always fascinated and wrapped up in it. I am not really a historical novel reader, but this was really good. I may change my mind about liking historical books if they can all be like this!! From beginning to end, this book was great. Rachel has created a wonderful world that I can't wait to jump back into. Oh, and the ending? Perfection!!! I am dying to read the next book!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 5, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    I would recommend this wonderful book to anyone!

    Did I enjoy this book: I really, really did enjoy this book! I couldn't put it down, I read it every free chance I had and when I was finished, I couldn't stop smiling nor could I stop myself from having that excited feeling you get when you finish a great book. (In fact, that reaction lasted for most of my day!)

    I enjoyed so many things about this book. The characters were great. Cat, who has always been in the spotlight because of her parents, is a character you feel bad for yet you want her to learn the lessons that she needs to learn. Alessandra is a sweet girl and I want to know more about her. Lorenzo was a great match for Cat. Nicollo was a character I did not like from his introduction. Reyna, the gypsy, was strange at first but I loved her at the end. I would give you more detail but I don't want to give anything away.

    I really liked that this book wasn't all about the usual cliches that come with these century-swap-type of stories. Of course, there were the inevitable blunders but it wasn't too much and it all worked fabulously. Two scenes really stood out to me. First, the scene in the field between Patience and Lorenzo, while they were watching the clouds, was so sweet, intimate, and left you with a content sigh. The second scene that stood out was the scene between Patience and Michelangelo discussing the David sculpture. I literally laughed out loud. That scene was written so well...I loved it!

    The end...oh, the end...I loved how it all came together. The little things that popped up were great - the painting, the boy - so good. I cannot wait for the next book in this series. If I had it now, I would have started it immediately because of the cliffhanger that was the end of this book!

    Would I recommend it: I would recommend this wonderful book to anyone!

    Will I read it again: I just may.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 16, 2012

    A "Charming" Read

    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.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 13, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Stars to infinity!

    How on earth would you rate such a whimsical and amazing work of complete art such as this? Rachel Harris created a character that, in my mind, will become a literary classic. I've always been in love with time travel historical fiction novels and this addition to the genre is a welcome one.

    Cat is by no means a typical teenage girl. Most girls spend their evenings with friends, hanging out, getting in trouble, and going on dates. Not so much, for Cat. She is the daughter of a scandalous actress who deserted her and Cat's father when Cat was young. Her scandals are constantly being thrown into Cat's face on the covers of tabloids all over the world. As if that isn't enough for any teenage girl to handle, Cat's father is a well known film director. Although he strives for Cat to live a normal life as much as possible, it simply isn't easy when the paparazzi are always following you, just knowing you will mess up just like your mom.

    To make matters worse is Cat's over the top, future stepmother. Miss I-Can't-Wait-To-Use-My Fiance-To-Better-My-Own-Career Jenna. Cat wants to stay out of the media yet party planner Jenna wants to throw her an extravagant sweet sixteen bash. Sounds innocent right? Not! If done correctly, this extravaganza will be broadcast on Mtv and will be the ticket to Jenna's success. Selfish much?

    It's no wonder Cat's Dad has agreed to take her on a trip to Italy. He's totally trying to butter her up. Cat has always been in love with Italy and their art. She aspires to be an artist one day, herself. In her spare time, she studies everything she can about Renaissance Artists.

    Knowing she will eventually have to give an answer about this dreaded birthday bash, she decides she needs a bit of time for herself in Italy. After assuring her dad she would return for dinner with him and Jenna, he reluctantly agrees. While exploring, Cat stumbles upon a gypsy tent. Very curious and with time to spare, she enters. After what seems to be some normal gypsy mumbo jumbo, Cat feels something unusual happening around her and soon realizes she has been transported back to Renaissance Italy.

    Cat finds herself thrown into a conundrum of events. She must pretend to be someone she is not. Perhaps, however, this new person is who she needed to be all along. Is this where she was meant to be, with the chance of love or must she find a way back to her father and her own time?

    Thank you, Rachel, for creating a masterpiece I am sure I will reread many times. I'm already looking forward to sharing it with my daughter. Looking forward to the next installment in this captivating series. You rock, girl! Congrats on your debut. You can only go up from here!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 10, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Highly Recommended!

    I absolutely LOVED this book!! I wanted to live in those beautifully written pages. Time travel, Italy, hotties...what more could you ask for?! This is a MUST read!
    My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century has it all! This will easily be a classic that should be on your shelves. Rachel Harris has penned a remarkable story. I'm a huge fan of the Renaissance, beautiful flowing dresses, vivid scenes and Romance. Travel back in time with Catarina, as she discovers what life is like in the sixteenth century and opens her heart up to possibilities. This book will sweep you off your feet.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 26, 2013

    Hands down, one of the most imaginative books I've read. Harris

    Hands down, one of the most imaginative books I've read. Harris has the ability to whisk you away not only to another place, but to another time. Her characters are flesh and blood, and the romance is so hot it crackles. I can't wait until every one learns what I have about MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY, which is that it's brilliant. Bravo, Harris! I'm standing on a chair clapping my ass off.

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  • Posted February 28, 2013

    This was a great novel! It was a quick read, it only took me a c

    This was a great novel! It was a quick read, it only took me a couple hours to read, but even so, it really stuck with me. It reminded me a lot of Pam Mingle's book, Kissing Shakespeare, which I'm also a fan of, and I greatly enjoyed it! Cat was a fascinating character, who you got to know quickly, yet you still saw her personality develop. Her relationship in the book was the most heartbreaking part, it was so sweet. You became very attached to the characters involved. It was one of those books that left me thinking at the end, which are always my favorites. And what an ending, it left of at a great place, it leaves you begging for more!

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  • Posted January 20, 2013

    A fun historical novel full of charm! I loved My Super Sweet Si

    A fun historical novel full of charm!

    I loved My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century! The characters, the setting, the story.. it was just fantastic.

    Within the first few lines I loved Cat. I thought she was funny, smart and had just the right amount of snark thrown in. I loved her attitude at the beginning but watching the subtle changes and her growth throughout the book made me love her even more. There were plenty of amazing, witty, hilarious comments thrown in this book. Most of them from Cat of course, which was another reason I just loved her!

    I really liked all the characters in this book, even the not-so-nice ones. They were all well thought out and even those characters I only met briefly were brilliantly written, I got a good feel of who they were, even from a few short lines. I loved everyone, Cat was hilarious fun and I was totally swooning over Lorenzo, but I had a real soft spot for Alessandra. She was soft and demure but I thought she had spunk! Plus her name is absolutely gorgeous and she's a real sweetheart.

    I thought this book was amazing. The cover was gorgeous and Rachel Harris weaved a mystical tale full of mystery and wonder; it also taught me some really cool things about Italy and it's art. My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century took me on a magical journey through renaissance Italy, told a brilliant tale of love and left me begging for more.

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  • Posted January 7, 2013

    Cat, a soon to be 16 year-old girl, travels to Italy with her da

    Cat, a soon to be 16 year-old girl, travels to Italy with her dad and stepmom but on her first day meets a gypsy named Reyna who sends her to the 16th Century in her journey to find herself 
    and learn a mystery lesson.

    “Reyna: Be sure to keep your mind open to the lessons ahead.”

    My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century It’s a lovely story full of humor, a bit of mystery and sexy accents. Did we mention 16th century clothes? You have to admit, those are fun!

    Cat is the daughter of a hollywood director and an actress but all she wants is the cameras to stay away, something hard to do when your stepmom wants to throw you the biggest sweet sixteen EVER. 
    Cat has lots of issues, she can’t trust anyone to get close to her for her and not her parents, she feels like she’s losing her dad to a new woman and is sick of feeling she’s always supposed to please everyone, but the 16th century is not as fun as it seems, and more than once Cat finds herself in problems with the vocabulary...

    “Cat: Who’s that dude, Less?
    Two verbal gaffes in one sentence—so much for my nailing the old-world gig.”

    What I really liked about her was how easy to relate she was, how normal she felt. Cat has insecurities like everyone else, but at the same time there’s a little person trying to be free and find her place in the world, someone who wants to follow her dreams and step outside of her parents shadow and talent. Inside that shell she created to not get hurt or used there’s a girl who wants to know what it feels like to have a real friend, someone you can trust and someone who will be there for you no matter what. And maybe, she’s also looking for real love. 

    Lorenzo, in a way, is very similar to Cat.
    He's an artist in a world and a family that doesn't get him. He's cocky, and sexy and he knows that as much as he knows the effect he has on girls. He’s a heartbreaker. And he wants Cat. 
    I love how romantic he is, maybe is the whole I'm-from-another-century vibe but he has a lot going on, the perfect good boy you want to take and keep hidden from the rest of the girls. 

    I also enjoyed the fact that there wasn't another love interest for her though the secondary characters are a great combination and add a lot for the Story. Her 16th century family is adorable, her aunt and cousin had me laughing through the book with her happy actitudes about everything.

    I particularly liked The Ending, it has an original twist to this sort of stories that I wasn't expecting.

    Rachel has done an AWESOME job in her debut novel bringing us characters that you'll remember. The writing is lovely and traps you right from the start. 
    And the best news is there will be more!
    The sequel is called "Rearview Mirror" and is set to come out in december of 2013 following Less’ (Cat’s causin) adventures. 

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  • Posted December 31, 2012

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    I enjoy historical fiction and time travel together. But have

    I enjoy historical fiction and time travel together. But have found in teen novels in this category tend to get a little bit campy. I was afraid this might fall in the same category, but was eager to read it.

    First off, I liked Cat's character. Her background makes for an interesting addition to this story. She the offspring of a famous producer and a movie star. I think it's important to note that she knows how to act, how to fool others to to seeing what you want them to see. But, she also has her own issues. She dislikes her mother and her dads new fiancée. Her problems with her mother made sense from what we learn of her. I also understood her dislike of her soon to be stepmother, but I really wanted to her to see the good in her.

    I liked how we are transported back to the sixteenth century. Cat is mistaken for a relative that hasn't been seen in awhile. Her acting abilities prove handy, but she also makes some glaring mistakes. That was refreshing because it seems to often characters can fit right into a time period when transported back. I think it would be much more obvious. I enjoyed Cat's interactions with Lorenzo. Their chemistry really came off the pages. I disliked Niccolo from the first time we meet him. I pegged his intentions quickly and that made his interactions with Cat that much more creepy.

    I really liked what the transport in time teaches Cat. She learns a lot about herself and what it means to be family. I loved the little cliffhanger at the end of the book that opens up for the sequel!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 29, 2012

    Didn't Like it

    I didn't like this book for many reasons. One big reason was that she was in the sixteenth century for three days and she thinks she in love with Lorenzo and also that she loves her "family" or ancestors really. She has only known them THREE DAYS PEOPLE! Along with some other reasons it bugged me, one of which was how readily she accepted the fact that she got magically transported to another time when just a few pages before she was talking about how she doesn't believe in magic! I just couldn't finish the book. Although I have to say that the authors descriptions were very well done. Overall, I would recommend this book to people who can take insta-love in their novels.

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  • Posted November 30, 2012

    When I first started My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, I really

    When I first started My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Cat was an intriguing main character, but from my first impression, I thought I wouldn’t connect with her in anyway. She reminded me too much of Katniss from The Hunger Games: little emotion, isolated, bitter. Even with some of the detailed descriptions of the Italy, I wasn’t exactly pulled into the pages.

    However, as I continued to read, I actually became impressed. I was slowly settling in, melting into the plot, especially once Lorenzo entered the scene. Not exactly my kind of book crush, I did love his sixteenth century bad boy attitude. He, along with Alessandra, Cat’s distant cousin, became my two favorite characters in this novel. They were the ones who really helped Cat’s character to grow.

    I was, unfortunately, disappointed by the ‘gypsy magic.’ It didn’t capture me, and honestly, I didn’t really understand Reyna’s (the gypsy) connection to Cat. Everything about her and the goddess, Isis, just didn’t gel for me, and in some way, confused me more. Though, based on how the novel ended, I was curious to find out if there was a sequel, and I just learned today on Goodreads there will be! Whoo Hoo! So, I hope Reyna, Isis, and the ‘gypsy magic’ will all become clearer in the next book.

    I really enjoyed reading My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, and I would highly recommend it to those who love historical romance.

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  • Posted October 7, 2012

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    My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century!

    I received My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris from DAC ARC Tours for an honest review.

    I first heard about this book because I was on the cover reveal for the book and I loved the cover! But even before I saw the cover I read the synopsis and loved it because it's about time travel! and ever since I read Elle Strauss' books about time travel I've loved that genre!

    My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is about a girl named Cat who is going on a trip to Florence, Italy with her dad and her step mother. She is really annoyed about having to spend time with her step mother because she really doesn't like her and also because her stepmother is trying to throw her a sweet sixteen party that she doesn't want at all. So one afternoon while Cat is exploring by herself she walks into a gypsy tent and when she comes out, she's in the sixteenth century!

    Cat was an awesome character to get to know, I thought when she walked into a totally different time frame she'd freak out and shut down but she didn't she was having the time of her life. This was everything she'd ever wanted to be able to explore Florence back in the day she just didn't know that this trip is to help her learn some very needed lessons.

    My favorite character had to be Alessandra because she was so enthusiastic. Usually I don't like those kinds of people but in this case I thought she was pretty cool. I liked her even more after Cat told her, her whole life story and Less didn't go running away. Less is short for Alessandra by the way.

    Lastly for characters there is Lorenzo! I loved that he was supposedly a "player" but when he set eyes on Cat she was the only thing he wanted. I wish we could have seen a little bit more from him but what happens in the end makes up for it!

    One thing I didn't like was that some of the parts weren't too necessary like when Cat was learning about all the paintings in the tour, that part seemed to run on forever and I found myself yawning constantly. I feel like there could have been a little less information about all the paintings.

    But overall I did give the book a 4 out of 5 stars because I love time travel and this plot was just really interesting!

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