My Review: As much as I enjoyed the first book in this series, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, I think I loved this one even more! This installment focused in Alessandra, Cat's "cousin" from 16th century Florence, Italy. Less dreams of a life of less restriction and more freedom, something that is hard to come by in her own era. Through a touch of gypsy magic, she skips forward to visit her cousin Cat and to find her own answers in the future. A future that contains a swoon-worthy boyfriend in the form of bad-boy Austin.

In reality, we have not one, but two, swoon-worthy Book Boyfriends in this book. Lucas, whom we met in the first novel, hopes to become Cat's modern-day Lorenzo and he is all that one could want in a romantic hero. And then there is Austin, the epitome of the bad boy, but one with a lot more depth than most would give him credit for. He has been hurt and it has damaged him. In a lot of ways, this novel isn't just the story of Alessandra, but Austin's and Cat's as well.

Less is thoroughly endearing and a lot more complex than we knew from the first book. She has spent her entire life behaving as she was expected to, with little thought to her own dreams. In her heart, she was a bit of a rebel in the 16th century and frustrated with that. Her journey was about letting go and being strong, recognizing her own dreams and wishes and accepting that it is okay to pursue them. That is a pretty universal journey, and one I related to as a reader. I think that is the underlying thing about this series that draws me in... the universal themes and struggles that we all experience in some form or another in our own lives. These characters are rather deep, something that I really love. Less' inner dialogue as she grows from the shy and prim Renaissance girl to the confident girl she becomes is often very wise.

I am not generally a "sweet romance" or "time travel" kind of girl, but these books are so engaging that is impossible for me not to love them. The romance is there, sure, but the story itself is so engaging and the humor is hilarious. One of my favorite book lines of all time came from the first book, and this one was no less hilarious. As for the time travelling, it is done so well. Placing a 16th century girl in contemporary Hollywood is a culture shock, to say the least, and the results are often hysterical! She sees the world through 16th century eyes and that new perspective is fabulous for the reader.

Some Quotastic Goodness

On encountering a taxi for the first time...

--Determined not to give way to feelings of desertion, I stare at the door and wait for the coachman to come around and help me in. When he merely settles deeper into his seat and a footman fails to appear, I realize he expects me to get in by myself (Loc. 401).

On trying to pay for a taxi...

--I am certain that I do not have any bucks on my person as even one such animal would hardly fit in the carriage with us, but perhaps fate has left me with something (Loc. 435).

On discovering indoor plumbing...

--Truly, out of all the modern inventions I have encountered thus far and wish I could bring back with me, the glass box shower is my favorite— even better than the marvelous toilet (Loc. 669).

On public displays of affection...

--Several couples openly engage in scandalous embraces, and exposed skin is everywhere (Loc. 694).

On discovering the "bikini"...

--I cautiously take down a pink bikini and hold it against me. Fear and an intense loathing for the man who created this form of clothing churn in my stomach (Loc. 1782).

A little bit of swoon...

My first kiss is not the slow, sweet build-up I witnessed between Cat and Lorenzo. This is aggressive. This is passionate (Loc. 2444).

Some wisdom...

--I am not without fear, but courage is taking action despite the fear. Knowing what you want, what you are meant to do, and proceeding despite any knots in your stomach or rocks stuck in your throat. It is walking boldly into the unknown with your chin held high… even if it quivers (Loc. 3725.

--True happiness is something we create ourselves with our own choices: whom we want to be with, whom we let into our worlds, and how we choose to spend what little time we are given in this world (Loc. 3916).

My Recommendation: This is a fabulous read! The deep moments will pull you in and the humor will keep you there! ( )

I wasn't sure how well time travel to the future would work out for both Alessandra and the author, Rachel Harris. I needn't have worried, because Harris' description of Alessandra's inability to open a car door (where's the coachman?!) was perfect and continued to lead me to a great sequel. After Alessandra finds her way to her cousin Cat's house, an explanation involving a foreign exchange student easily paves the way for her sudden appearance and enrollment in high school. Our twenty-first century is full of possibilities unimagined for a woman from Alessandra's time and she tries to explore a lot of them as her character grows into these new found freedoms. There's the requisite bad boy, mean girl and convenient Shakespearean play to try out for, but it all works to create a great story for Less and second book in this series. I hope we get to meet up with these characters again. ( )

The year is 1507. Alessandra (Less) D’Angeli was forever changed two years prior when her cousin from the 21st century, Cat, came and spent a week with Less and her family in Italy. In her mind, life as Alessandra knew it no longer existed, especially since she was introduced to Cat and the small part of her world she brought with her. She longed for more than life had to offer her where she was at. Cat taught her so many things about life, love, passion, and fun, and gave her a fleeting and exciting glimpse at what she dreamed of doing, becoming and actress, something that is never going to happen in her time. She longs to see Cat again and visit the 21st century, and it just so happens that Alessandra gets her wish. Suddenly, she finds herself in Beverly Hills knocking on Cat's door. Needless to say, Cat can't believe it. They formulate a cover story and Less soon finds her self thrust into the center of what it means to be a teenager in the 21st century, drama and all that goes along with it, and it is a little harder to accept than she thought. On the first day of school, she has a run-in with the school's bad boy, Austin Michaels. She is completely infuriated with him, yet strangely finds herself extremely attracted to him at the same time. Meanwhile, Cat is helping her to realize her acting dreams, as well as teaching her how a 21st century teenager would act. Then when Austin makes her a deal she can't refuse, things really getting interesting. There is one big problem, however... can Less and those she has come to care about handle things when it is time for her to go back home?

A Tale of Two Centuries is absolutely a delightful story. I loved getting to know the characters in My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, and it was also great meeting the new characters in A Tale of Two Centuries. I loved Alessandra's character and it was so much fun watching her adapt to life in the 21st century. I also really enjoyed seeing what what going on with Cat, and how things were progressing with the Italian hottie, Lucas. Then there is the new hottie, Austin Michaels, who is just my kind of guy. He's cocky, has the whole bad boy persona going on, tends to be smug, and just oozes with hotness, but he also has his his own secrets and hurts from the past that have colored his choices and made him the way he is. It was great watching the relationship between Alessandra and Austin develop. He's a pretty take charge guy to, and very protective of Less, while at the same time challenging her to be and do all that he knows she is capable of. Rachel Harris did a great job of writing the different scenarios that this group of friends found themselves in, which were funny, entertaining and romantic. A Tale of Two Centuries is a wonderful sequel to this enchanting series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the way the book ended to, which I thought was was very well done. I am looking forward to seeing the direction that Rachel Harris takes these characters and their story in with the next book in the series, My Not So Super Sweet Life. ( )

Rachel Harris' long awaited A Tale of Two Centuries (My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century #2) will delight and enthrall you! I must admit that I did not read the first in the series, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, but that being said, I don't believe that the two are dependent on each other. ATOTC is strong enough and complete enough to stand on it's own...I am sure however, that if you are reading the series this just adds that additional layer of information! So what am I saying? Well basically, whether or not you have read the first in the series do NOT hesitate to pick up A Tale of Two Centuries!

Let me start off by saying that I was instantly drawn to the cover art. I am a sucker for a pretty book and this one is absolutely gorgeous! I seriously love it when a cover can sweep you off your feet. They say you eat with your eyes, and like a good meal I think a well thought out book cover can set the tone before cracking that first page...

Yes, this is a story of time-travel. No this is not Sci-Fi by any stretch of the imagination. We find ourselves in the 16th Century with Alessandra (Less) longing to marry for love and yearning to become an actress but in a situation where neither seems possible and to top it off she finds her heart broken by betrayal, but alas that is what sets events in motion...

I cannot even start to explain to you all how much this story absolutely made me blush and fall in love all over again! The characters are wonderfully developed throughout the novel and they continue to grow and mature right in front of your eyes. It's so wonderful to see the exterior of the "Hot Bad Boy" fall away into the wonderful leading man we love to see as well as to see our main heroine, Alessandra's (Less) adventure being as she becomes more comfortable in her own skin and really be allowed to show who she really is inside (a wild and free spirited) as she's introduced to the modern world.

I highly recommend this book to all of you who are looking for adventure, love and a twist that, I tell you now, you will NOT expect!!! ( )

Alessandra (Less), a young free-spirited ingénue in the 16th century, longs to be an actress and to marry for love and not duty.
She never knew those dreams were possible until she'd met her cousin, Cat, in the 1st book in this series, Super Sweet 16th Century.
After she was crushed by a suitor who dropped her for an heiress, Less visits Reyna, the time traveling gypsy, at the Fair.
Less asks Reyna's help in fulfilling her dream to be more than she can be in the 16th Century... and before Less knows it, she's whisked through time gypsy-style. (LOL! I want to do this too!)

Less meets up with Cat... and then has a run-in with gorgeous hunk Austin at school... he's the persona of the bad boy.
Somehow the two are wonderful together... and they each become better people by being together.

This is the 2nd installment in Rachel's time traveling YA series... teeming with romance and guys to swoon over and steal our hearts.
I love how the author interweaves characters from the 1st book like Lorenzo, Cat and Reyna into the 2nd book.
I found myself identifying with Less yearning for things that seem out-of reach.
I also caught myself more than once laughing out loud as Less adapted to the 20th century. In hindsight, present day behaviors we don't give a 2nd thought to, would certainly appear to be zany and irrational to someone from an earlier century.

I'd like to extend a special thank you to Heather from Entangled for including me in the list of people to receive an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review and thank you to Rachel for writing such an enjoyable read.

Bottomline: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the ending... a totally unexpected twist!
A Tale of Two Centuries is a wonderful YA tale that also holds appeal for older readers as it transports us to places we can still remember.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys time traveling romances....
5 Stars!!!!!! ( )