Spellbound

Author: Cara Lynn Shultz
Author's Website: http://caralynnshultz.wordpress.com/
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Editor: Tara Gavin
Agent: Lynn Seligman
Released: June 21, 2011
Series: Spellbound #1 (Spellcaster March 2012)
Source: Library
Challenge: Speculative Romance, Witchy Books Challenge

Emma wants nothing more than to be invisible in her new private school in the Upper East Side. But then she meets Brendan, and that all changes. She's undeniably drawn to him, and strange things begin happening - streetlights start shattering above her as she walks past, in what her new witch friend tells her is a warning. Because if Emma and Brendan get together, Emma's life is doomed.

This is a really well-done twist on the classic doomed love tale. Emma is a feisty, deserving heroine, and I especially like that Brendan is just as deserving, not just the handsome hunk. The intricacies of the emotional and moral parts of the plot are very nicely played out, intertwined with the love and emotion.

And the love and emotion is definitely there. Emma's confusion about Brendan, especially when his behavior is so ambivalent, and then Brendan's turnaround and his explanations - and then when they're together  it's just so beautiful! I loved watching them in action, their conversations and interactions. I was fully invested in their relationship,which meant that at one point near the end, when all seemed lost, my heart almost stopped. I was just waiting to see how the curse would be lifted, how the two of them could be together, because they are two people who truly deserve to be together.

There's more to say about the action and mystery of the story, but what I took away from the book most was the emotion and love, so that's what I'm focusing on here. I did enjoy the way Emma uncovered the mystery of her charm, but the main part of what interested me about that was the way that story connected to how her relationship with Brendan would proceed. Their whole story was a breathless experience, suspenseful and romantic.