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Book Review: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris

October 24, 2012 by Karen Jensen, MLS   Leave a Comment

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. 

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Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is a very light, romantic read for those who want to dip their toes into historical fiction.  Cat gets transported back by a Gypsy into the body of her ancestor, and has to figure out what lessons she needs to learn in order to get back to her rightful place in time.  She’s put up huge walls around her heart due to her parents’ divorce, her father’s impending re-marriage and her social status, and must to learn to deal with a whole new set of rules and surroundings on the fly.  Cat never loses the 21th century feel to her vocabulary or mannerisms (which is explained away on the fact that her ancestor has come from London), and that seems to be a large part of her attraction throughout the book.  I could definitely see readers who like romance and light reads tearing through this book.
I, personally, like my books with a little more substance.  In fact, one of my favorite YA authors is Ellen Hopkins so keep that in mind as you read this next part.  Honestly, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.  There are *NO* repercussions for anything that Cat does.  Cat keeps dropping 21st century phrases into conversation, and is never called on it.  She keeps her modern independence and freedom throughout not only the household but of the city, which is unrealistic of 16th century Italy.  The “mean girl” throughout the book doesn’t turn out to be much of a foil, instead giving rather expert advice for the time period.  Cat has her iPod and other things in her backpack and they’re never discovered (and everything electrical never loses its charge, so I want that magic, thank you very much).  And, while I don’t want to spoil the climax, if the author was going for realism there would be serious repercussions for her actions with the suitor, not only for her but her family as well, socially, politically and financially.

As romance and escapism My Sweet Sixteenth Century delights (4 out of 5 stars), as historical fiction there are flaws (3 out of 5).  This will, however, be a popular read and you won’t have to worry about it sitting on your shelves.  3.5 out of 5 stars total and recommended for romance readers.  My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris is published by Entangled Publishing in 2012 (ISBN: 978-1-62061-135-7)

Check out more about upcoming historical fiction from guest blogger Jennifer McGowan here.

Filed under: Book Reviews, Historical fiction, historical romance, Rachel Harris

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About Karen Jensen, MLS

Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).

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